Hill Producing for Knicks
By Christopher Mongelli November 27, 2009Exclusively provided by CurvSports.com
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It’s early in the season, but make no mistake about it; the Knicks have struggled so far. Some of their difficulties have to be chalked up to team-wide inconsistencies in playing time. Coach Mike D’Antoni has constantly shifted lineups in an effort to find a rotation that truly gels. The Knicks have frequently struggled to find an offensive rhythm, and their large cast, which includes four new faces for the ’09-’10 season, ensures that they will need some time to come together as a unit. Yet, in spite of a still-shifting lineup, the Knicks have won their last two games after going 1-9 to open the season. Knicks’ first-round draft pick Jordan Hill is one of many still working to earn more playing time, but he’s been a team sparkplug who’s shown flashes of brilliance in his thus-far limited time on the court.
Hill apparently decided to have his coming out party November 13th in a home loss to Golden State. The game would be the last of a six-game skid for the Knicks. They again had difficulty finding rhythm, but were certainly boosted by Hill’s presence on the floor. Hill started the second half and scored the first points of the half, immediately bringing an exciting energy to the team. He continued to show a breezy confidence in his mid-range jumper, a solid aspect of his game that Knick fans will be glad to get used to. He continued to shine offensively, scoring 10 points on 5-for-5 shooting and throwing down an effortless two-handed flush in transition that electrified Madison Square Garden. He also showed some great enthusiasm down low, battling for boards and loose balls, and generally making his presence known inside. Hill’s minutes were kept in check by quick foul trouble, racking up 4 fouls in the third quarter (although, to be fair, one was essentially a phantom call). His flaws on the court primarily stemmed from what’s probably best described as over-enthusiasm, which is completely understandable for a rookie looking to make the most of his time early in the season.
Perplexingly, Hill has only seen 3 minutes on the court since his catalyzing performance against the Warriors. As the season moves on, D’Antoni needs to settle on a consistent starting unit and start defining roles for his bench. Danilo Gallinari, a swingman with PF size, has consistently hovered near the top of the league in three-points attempted and made, and big-man Eddy Curry has recently returned from a calf problem, further complicating the Knicks’ playing time rotation. Jordan Hill is part of a crowded yet talented bench right now, but if this isn’t a guy who’s done everything to make the most of his playing time, I don’t know who is. In the meantime, keep looking out for #43.
Hill apparently decided to have his coming out party November 13th in a home loss to Golden State. The game would be the last of a six-game skid for the Knicks. They again had difficulty finding rhythm, but were certainly boosted by Hill’s presence on the floor. Hill started the second half and scored the first points of the half, immediately bringing an exciting energy to the team. He continued to show a breezy confidence in his mid-range jumper, a solid aspect of his game that Knick fans will be glad to get used to. He continued to shine offensively, scoring 10 points on 5-for-5 shooting and throwing down an effortless two-handed flush in transition that electrified Madison Square Garden. He also showed some great enthusiasm down low, battling for boards and loose balls, and generally making his presence known inside. Hill’s minutes were kept in check by quick foul trouble, racking up 4 fouls in the third quarter (although, to be fair, one was essentially a phantom call). His flaws on the court primarily stemmed from what’s probably best described as over-enthusiasm, which is completely understandable for a rookie looking to make the most of his time early in the season.
Perplexingly, Hill has only seen 3 minutes on the court since his catalyzing performance against the Warriors. As the season moves on, D’Antoni needs to settle on a consistent starting unit and start defining roles for his bench. Danilo Gallinari, a swingman with PF size, has consistently hovered near the top of the league in three-points attempted and made, and big-man Eddy Curry has recently returned from a calf problem, further complicating the Knicks’ playing time rotation. Jordan Hill is part of a crowded yet talented bench right now, but if this isn’t a guy who’s done everything to make the most of his playing time, I don’t know who is. In the meantime, keep looking out for #43.
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