http://www.lasvegassun.com/blogs/nba-summer-league/2008/jul/16/day-5-points-taken-hill-begins-transition/
Las Vegas Sun:Hill begins transition
By Ryan Greene · July 16, 2008 · 12:06 AM
It became a common reaction during the latter portion of the first round in last month's NBA Draft: 'Who?'
One of those names was George Hill, a 6-foot-3 point column specialist from IUPUI selected 26th overall by San Antonio (and, yes, Spurs Summer League coach Mike Budenholzer knew off the top of his head that the acronym stands for 'Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis ... very impressive).
Some outside pressure to perform may fall upon hill, as he was selected ahead of bigger names such as Darrell Arthur, Donte Greene, Mario Chalmers and Chris Douglas-Roberts.
Hill certainly hasn't blown anyone away with numbers in his first two summer league contests in Vegas, including going scoreless on 0-for-10 shooting in the Spurs' 76-68 loss Tuesday to New Orleans at Thomas & Mack. But he's also in a position where, well, he really doesn't have to. At least not right away. His seven rebounds, four assists and ability to remain aggressive Tuesday were a shot in the right direction.
After averaging 21.5 points per game last season as a junior for the Jaguars, the Spurs' plan is to gradually morph Hill into a point guard. The room to grow is expansive, with perennial All-Star Tony Parker and stable vet Jacque Vaughn already in the fold.
But the recent success the Spurs have had when drafting late in the first round (i.e. Parker in '01, Leandrinho Barbosa in '03, Beno Udrih in '04), there's certainly reason to be intrigued by Hill.
"We thought he was a good leader, hard worker, good athlete," said Spurs GM R.C. Buford, who was sitting just off the floor. "We knew he'd have a learning curve to get to the point, but it appears that he will work hard enough to do that, and he really defends."
He proved his defensive prowess Monday in a 78-76 win over Memphis, where he was responsible for locking down O.J. Mayo as best he could. His best held Mayo to a tough 18 points on just 5-of-17 shooting.
Monday he was scrappy and defensively strong again, but showed the confidence Buford mentioned by immediately brushing off a blah offensive night by owning up to it in front of reporters outside the Spurs locker room.
"I have a lot of things I've gotta learn, and I think this is what my training camp and summer league is gonna be all about, learning how to have floor balance and how to be an all-natural point guard," Hill said.
Budenholzer summed up best why Hill's performance after the game in the locker room and hallway was encouraging.
"I think that's one of the things that makes him different. He's got a real confidence, a real strength and belief in himself," he said. "He doesn't get rattled, doesn't get affected. I thought he was incredible last night against O.J. Mayo, guarding him. He didn't change his demeanor from after a good game to a game where he has to learn from it. That's what makes get too pros, when they don't get too excited, don't get too frustrated."
This and that ... James Gist, a rookie second-round pick out of Maryland, stole the show for the Spurs off the bench. The explosive leaper (here and here, too, for good measure) finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds in just 26 minutes. That total included an and-one slam in between two defenders late in the second half ... Bobby Brown, a point guard out of Cal State-Fullerton, led four Hornets in double figures with 15 points, including a couple of flashy open-floor jams ... The most recognizable name in the game was Julian Wright, and as he has been all week, he showed some good and some bad Tuesday. His final line contained a little of both. The good: 11 points, seven rebounds, three steals, two blocks. The bad: six personal fouls ... The Spurs had some brass in the stands. Along with the aforementioned Buford was head coach Greg Popovich, sporting a silver post-playoff beard (and by that, meaning it looked as though it hadn't been trimmed since the playoffs) ...
