Grant Hill could’ve been the next superstar in the NBA if injuries didn’t end up slowing him down.
Some even used to compare Hill to Michael Jordan, and Grant wanted to show off when he faced MJ in his retirement season. He described how he dominated MJ in one matchup before MJ made him regret trying to play on an injury the next time they faced off, the final encounter between the two.
(4:53) “In Orlando first, I am blocking his shot, I am locking him up. I blocked his shot like 3-4 times. I am having my way against him defensively. Granted, he is 40 years old but I am feeling good about myself. Fast forward a month later, and we’re in DC. We go to a doctor in Baltimore for my ankle and help basically says we’re done, my ankle is not healed, and I have to have surgery. I wanted to play Jordan one last time.
“He torched me in that first quarter. He gave me 20 points in the first quarter on the same play. He just ran the same play every time and I could not guard him. I checked out of the game at the end of the first quarter and I didn’t even go to the bench, I just walked straight into the locker room. I was done.”
Grant Hill would only score 2 points in that game, checking out after playing just 12 minutes. He went 0-4 from the field, while Michael Jordan ended up scoring 32 points and leading the Wizards to a win.
Grant Hill had a great NBA career though people will always remember it for his unfulfilled potential due to injuries. He played in the NBA for 19 seasons on teams like the Magic, Detroit Pistons, and Phoenix Suns, before retiring with the Lob City Los Angeles Clippers in 2013. He averaged 16.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.1 assists in his career.
Grant Hill’s Career Was One Full Of ‘What-Ifs?’
Grant Hill was one of the most promising young players in the NBA after he was drafted in 1994, winning co-Rookie of the year alongside Jason Kidd. He dominated his early seasons, being named to multiple All-NBA and All-Star teams while playing for the Detroit Pistons. An ankle injury in the 2000 Playoffs was the first stumble in his young career, but a stumble that would haunt him for years.
Hill signed with the Orlando Magic in 2000 on a 7-year contract. Injuries would take their toll on Hill here, as he played just 47 games in his first 4 seasons with the team. He would persevere and return to become a productive NBA player but never replicated his pre-injury form. He also missed out on the chance of playing with Tim Duncan, who almost joined the Magic in 2003 to play alongside Hill and Tracy McGrady.
Hill declined to join the Lakers to instead sign with the Phoenix Suns in 2007, playing for the franchise for 5 seasons until the dying years of the Steve Nash era. He would play just 29 games in his final season with the Clippers in 2012-13 before going into the sunset. An unlikely comeback story, as Hill played till almost the age of 40 despite injuries making it look like he’d be forced to take early retirement.
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