Indianapolis native George Hill entered Conseco Fieldhouse for the first time Monday as an Indiana Pacer. The former Broad Ripple and IUPUI star returned home after the Pacers traded their 2011 first and second round draft picks (15 and 42) to the Spurs for the 25 year-old.
“I’m super excited,” Hill said in front of friends, family and fans. “This has always been a dream of mine to come play for my hometown team. I’m going to do the best I can and continue to work hard to really try to help this city win basketball games.”
In what was being dubbed a “weak draft,” the Pacers worked the phones and were finally able to convince San Antonio to part ways with their rising star. Hill played a crucial role for the Spurs and there were talks that the Spurs were shopping veteran Tony Parker, allowing Hill to take over the point guard starting spot.
Hill started 43 games in the 2009-10 season because Parker had a multitude of injuries. That year, he tallied career numbers, 12.4 points and 3 assists per game.
Pacers President Larry Bird has been adamant about adding experienced players to the roster. Instead of potentially drafting a young college player, the Pacers are getting just that and more.
“We’re very pleased to get a player that’s got some NBA experience like George does,” Bird said on draft night. “We’ve been after him for awhile and San Antonio always told us they didn’t have any interest in trading him.”
There’s no question Hill will also help sell tickets, but not as much as you think. When the Spurs came to Indianapolis the last three years, not even then did Conseco Fieldhouse sell-out.
Where George Hill makes the difference is on the court—and that will lead to box office sales. Hill immediately makes this team a couple wins better and hopefully his personality will be contagious in the locker room. He is a very genuine, and down to earth. Hill reminds me of Roy Hibbert, who also was in the 2008 NBA Draft.
This is rewarding for the Pacers, who did not complete any deal by the trade deadline. Last summer they traded for Darren Collison and James Posey. Then they will seek out free agents to fill out the remainder of their roster—over $32 million to spend.
The competition at the guard position is now as strong as ever. If Collison beats out George Hill, I’d expect Hill to be the sixth man, much like Jason Terry of the Dallas Mavericks. Collison and Hill will probably see plenty of time together and the rotation will also include Paul George, AJ Price, Brandon Rush and Lance Stephenson.
Indiana is far from setting their roster, and more trades are very possible. The collective bargaining agreement expires July 1st, beginning the lockout. Until agreement is made between the owners and players, the NBA is put on hold.
The Pacers are hot right now and they are riding the wave. On Friday, the day after the draft, the team announced they picked up the 2012-13 team options on Darren Collison, Tyler Hansbrough & Paul George.
Investing in the future. One player at a time. (And soon enough, the coaches will be set. Hopefully.)
Everyone has a dream of my own.