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Tuesday, October 31, 2000
Hill not up to speed, still impressive
Associated Press
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ORLANDO, Fla. -- If this is how Grant Hill is going to play
while coming back from left ankle surgery, the Orlando Magic won't
complain.
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| Hill |
Hill had a solid all-around performance in his Magic debut, with
nine points, 10 assists and five rebounds in a season-opening 97-86
victory over the Washington Wizards on Tuesday night.
"The first half was great," said Hill, who had surgery in May.
"I was even up there pressuring the ball like Bo (Outlaw) and
Darrell (Armstrong). It got a little sore in the third quarter."
Hill, who played with the Detroit Pistons his first six years in
the NBA, felt so confident heading into the game, he took part in
the opening tipoff -- and won the ball from Jahidi White.
"I was jacked up," Hill said. "I didn't think I could jump
this high. Maybe I'll get to jump (Wednesday), and maybe I'll win
it again."
Before the game, Orlando coach Doc Rivers said he wasn't
expecting Hill to be in top shape for another three months.
But Hill, who is playing with metal pins and screws in his
ankle, didn't seem to miss a beat.
"I think Grant looked really good in spurts," Rivers said.
Hill showed a grasp of Rivers' offense early, handing out five
assists in the first quarter. But if he was limited in his game, it
showed on offense. He only took six shots, hitting three, and
committed five turnovers.
"My passing's probably a little more along that my scoring and
offense," said Hill, who signed a 7-year, $94 million deal with
Orlando in the offseason. "The timing's a little off because I
haven't had a chance to practice and play a whole lot, but it's
coming."
Hill played 33 minutes, 20 in the first half. He never played more
than 17 minutes in a preseason game.
Rivers pulled Hill with five minutes remaining because he
thought the forward was favoring his ankle. By then, the Magic were
up 10 points and Rivers thought the lead was safe.
"I thought Teddy (Arzonico, Orlando's trainer) was going to
punch me," Rivers said. "He kept yelling, 'He's limping!' and I
was trying to ignore him because I was trying to see if Grant could
play through it."
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