Latest news with #GrantHill
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
"You guys are out having a good time, I'm in the gym working" - Grant Hill said the encounter with Larry Bird in 1992 taught him how to be a pro
"You guys are out having a good time, I'm in the gym working" - Grant Hill said the encounter with Larry Bird in 1992 taught him how to be a pro originally appeared on Basketball Network. Before Grant Hill stepped foot in the NBA, he had the opportunity to rub elbows with not just ordinary professional ballers, but the supreme legends of the sport. In the summer of 1992, the Duke standout, along with college stars Chris Webber, Penny Hardaway, Allan Houston, Jamal Mashburn and others, were selected to play a scrimmage against the original Dream Team. Meeting Larry Legend Hanging out with the likes of Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Karl Malone, Clyde Drexler and other legends taught Hill a lot about the sport, from a technical, tactical and physical standpoint. Among all his encounters with the 1992 Dream Team, his random meeting with Boston Celtics Larry Bird was the most unforgettable. In just a few words, Bird taught them what it took to be a legend in basketball. "The thing that I saw was just the competitiveness and the work ethic. I remember, we had practice one day and then we all went to the beach -- we did something as players -- and we got back and we were getting on the elevator, and Larry Bird gets on the elevator," Hill recalled, per ESPN. "He's the oldest guy on the team. But he just came from the gym. He was shooting. And he was talking trash. He was like, 'You guys are out having a good time, I'm in the gym working.' And the next day he came and put on a clinic. He just was on fire," Grant stated. Hill and the others understood the assignment. Bird was at the tail end of his career then. He had back problems and all sorts of injuries. But this did not stop him from putting in the work. It didn't matter if he was expected to play limited minutes. Larry Legend stayed ready by warming up his hand every chance he the Dream Team Hill said their encounter with Bird boosted their confidence. It was what powered them to defeat the Dream Team in that infamous scrimmage that sent the nation into a frenzy. Americans expected the Dream Team to annihilate every foe placed in front of them. And so they were nothing but disappointed when word got out that a bunch of college kids destroyed them. However, it was revealed later that Jordan, easily the best scorer in the squad, did not play as much in the Dream Team vs Select Team scrimmage. Chuck Daly made a tactical choice to humble his team. Meanwhile, the Select Team's stock plummeted, and many claimed their victory wasn't worth celebrating. Webber clapped back against such arguments. "I thought it was such a disrespect," Webber said. "If I was Scottie Pippen, if I was Karl Malone, if I was John Stockton, it's such disrespect to say, 'Oh, they were winning. But I looked on the side and noticed Michael Jordan was sitting down.'" "Y'all the best players in the world, what Jordan got to do with this? First of all, even with Jordan and if Jordan didn't play, it's still a story," Chris added. Indeed, the Select Team should be properly acknowledged for defeating the 1992 Dream Team. But that alone should not define them as players. Hill, Webber and the other players part of that young squad established their own names later on when they stepped foot in the story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 25, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Hill: Flagg in a 'great spot' under Kidd in Dallas
Pro Basketball Hall of Famer Grant Hill joins the Dan Patrick Show to share what advice he would give to No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg, his "nice guy" persona, why Jamal Crawford is one of his favorite players and more.
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
"I am so excited to see what he can do" - Grant Hill believes Cooper Flagg couldn't be in a better spot to thrive as a No. 1 pick
"I am so excited to see what he can do" - Grant Hill believes Cooper Flagg couldn't be in a better spot to thrive as a No. 1 pick originally appeared on Basketball Network. All eyes are on Cooper Flagg this season, and Grant Hill thinks there's no better place for the 2025 first overall pick to start his NBA journey. According to Hill, Flagg won't have to force anything with the Dallas Mavericks, thanks to the veteran presence around him. Advertisement "I think he's in a great spot. First of all, I love Dallas, I love that he's got some good, talented players around him," Hill said on "The Dan Patrick Show." "For him to go to a team that has been to the Finals, that has playoff expectations… It's a great environment." "But, hey, just go out there, compete, have fun. The weight of the world is on your shoulders. You got a great coach in Jason (Kidd), who I think would utilize him, put the ball in his hands, take advantage of his versatility. I'm so excited to see what he can do," added the USA Basketball managing director. Grant compares himself to Cooper Both products of Duke, Hill may see shades of himself in Flagg — long, athletic forwards who impact the game in multiple ways. Still, Hill believes Cooper is positioned to succeed right away thanks to the veteran talent around him in Dallas. Advertisement In contrast, "G-Money" had to endure losing for a year before turning things around. "My four years at Duke it was all about winning championships, now you go into an environment. You just pick up bad habits. What ends up happening is you start to settle in to losing habits. Just one year in a bad environment — went from 20 wins to 28 my rookie year. Big improvement," Hill sarcastically stated. As Grant recalled, Doug Collins changed the Pistons' culture, leading them back to the playoffs after a three-year absence. It was a needed change, but not without its challenges. After all, years of losing had left behind some residue, the kind of instincts and habits that needed scrubbing. Luckily for Flagg, he's not walking into that kind of mess. Kyrie Irving could be out for all of next season after an ACL injury. However, the Mavericks still have D'Angelo Russell, Klay Thompson, and Anthony Davis. Thompson and AD alone have five championships and 15 All-Star appearances between them. Advertisement As Hill said, Cooper is in good hands. Related: CJ McCollum explains the difference between a good and a great NBA player: "I've seen LeBron ice in the club" Flagg has superstar written all over him Maine native may not be tasked with saving a franchise in Year 1, but the expectations are still sky-high. Scouts have likened him to Kawhi Leonard, Scottie Pippen and fellow Duke product Jayson Tatum. Others see shades of Andre Kirilenko, a nod to Flagg's defensive versatility. Whatever he becomes, Hill is positive that Flagg can handle heightened expectations. "Cooper has handled the pressure so well," Hill adds, "and it's remarkable at a young age. Last summer, we brought him in (at USA Basketball) and I was a little worried that it might be too much for him… We brought him in with the Select Team, and on Day 2, he was one of the best players on the court. He had no fear; he was going at these guys." Advertisement Although Hill was quick to pump the brakes about the effort level of the NBA superstars Flagg played against, it's also a testament to how far along he has been in his development. He may not be the most polished scorer on the floor, but he makes plays on the defensive end that translate to wins. With veteran guidance, a stable system, and no pressure to rescue a franchise, the young forward enters the league with rare support for a top pick. He may have superstar comparisons and sky-high expectations, but as Hill sees it, what matters most is that Flagg is in the right environment to grow. Related: "He's got like half a foot on me" - Bronny James explains how he handled guarding Cooper Flagg in Summer League matchup This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Grant Hill puts Jamal Crawford in a special category: "He's your favorite player's favorite player"
Grant Hill puts Jamal Crawford in a special category: "He's your favorite player's favorite player" originally appeared on Basketball Network. Grant Hill can't hide his admiration for Jamal Crawford. As someone who's played with and against the game's elite, Hill has a sharp eye for what makes a player different. According to the Hall of Fame forward, Crawford fits the bill. Advertisement "Jamal is one of my favorites and he knows it. He's one of my favorite players," Hill told Dan Patrick on "The Dan Patrick Show." "I always say Jamal's your favorite player's favorite player. He's that guy. He's that guy that KD, LeBron, Steph, I mean, guys like that. They see him and like, 'Man, he is just unreal.'" Student of the game Crawford earned the respect of his peers — Hill included — because of his unreal handles and smooth jumper. Despite not having an All-Star appearance in his resumè, the legendary guard won the Sixth Man of the Year award three times, establishing himself as one of the best off-the-bench players in the history of the NBA. That said, Crawford did not develop his skills overnight. Hill watched him study basketball religiously and recalled Crawford asking him about specific plays in games that happened years ago. Advertisement "We played together my last year in the Clippers," Hill recalled, "and we sat together on the plane. This guy was studying basketball. He would go and look at clips on YouTube and talk about games I played in the '90s and certain moves that I did." "We talked about, well, he liked to go left pulling up. He's like, 'You know what? You inspired me. I got to work on going right.' He's in his prime at the time… He's a basketball junkie," the Hall of Famer added. According to Hill, Crawford's skill is a product of his dedication to his craft and attention to detail. While it looks like he was showboating, every move was deliberate, built on hours of film study and a sharp sense of timing and spacing. Related: CJ McCollum explains the difference between a good and a great NBA player: "I've seen LeBron ice in the club" Crawford's three 50-point games Coming off the bench helped sharpen Crawford's knack for instant offense. He holds the record for the most 50-point games as a reserve with three, doing it with the New York Knicks, Golden State Warriors, and Phoenix Suns. He also had a 50-point display with the Chicago Bulls in 2004, though that one came as a starter against the Toronto Raptors. Advertisement However, doing it at Madison Square Garden gave Crawford's career-high of 52 points extra weight. The numbers were impressive, but the venue made it unforgettable. "You know how you score 17 straight points? He hit 17 buckets in a row!" said an impressed Dwyane Wade, whose Miami Heat was on the wrong end of Crawford's scoring outburst. "Consecutive buckets in the Garden! That was crazy." Crawford made every shot from early in the first quarter until the third. His 18-footer at the 2:17 mark of the third quarter was his first miss since the five-minute mark of the opening period. "I didn't look at anybody. I just stayed in my own zone," said Jamal. Advertisement Crawford may never have had the accolades of a superstar, but his peers knew what he brought. The NBA doesn't hand out respect easily, but Jamal earned it from those who understood the grind. Related: "I am so excited to see what he can do" - Grant Hill believes Cooper Flagg couldn't be in a better spot to thrive as a No. 1 pick This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
Forbes
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Grant Hill On His Goal At The American Century Championship: ‘I May Be Coming In With No Expectations'
Basketball Hall of Famer Grant Hill will be playing in the American Century Championship for the ... More first time this weekend. (Photo byfor American Century Investments) Grant Hill is a rookie at this year's American Century Championship. The biggest celebrity and athlete golf tournament in the country -- the event features over 80 personalities -- is taking place for its 36th edition in Lake Tahoe this weekend. Hill is one of many NBA greats, including former winner Steph Curry and his dad Dell Curry, along with Charles Barkley and Ray Allen who will be participating in the event. Although Hill has been playing golf for the past five or six years, he's new to this event. The first time he watched the American Century Championship was in 1996, shortly after his NBA career began. Hill -- a basketball Hall of Famer and a two-time champion at Duke -- says he'll be a "little nervous" playing for the first time at the tournament. "I remember the first time I watched it on TV in '96 my fellow rookie, co Rookie of the Year, Jason Kidd, was playing in it, and that was the first time that I became aware of it," says Hill in a one-on-one interview. "As I've gotten into golf in the last five-to-six years, it's always been a dream of mine to be here and play here, and was really thrilled when I got the email invitation to come. "I'm excited," Hill continues. "I'm a little nervous. It's going to be 80,000 spectators that are expected to be there this weekend. It should be a lot of fun, it'll be more fun if I play well." The 52-year-old seven-time All-Star says he's a "pretty good golfer," but he acknowledges he doesn't have expectations of winning the tournament his first time around. 'I'm a pretty good golfer, I'm not here with the idea of winning it,' says Hill. 'That's not my goal. I'm about a 13 handicap and just getting better and better. I'm playing probably my best golf the last two months or so. I'm new to this, but I think as a result, I'm not coming in with unrealistic expectations. I may be coming in with no expectations.' Hill says the objective is to "play as well" as he can play and wants to familiarize himself with the course at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course. His betting odds of winning are 250-to-1 according to Caesars Sportsbook, which is tied for the 36th-best odds. That's not bad considering Hill has better odds than fellow NBA players Seth Curry, Vince Carter, Kyle Lowry and Barkley. "Play as well as you can play," says Hill of his objective entering the tournament. "Obviously, the Stableford format, you want to get points and you want pars and birdies, but bogeys is getting points too. How can I get a point every hole? Being very strategic, making good decisions, I've been here, I've played the last three days, so I've gotten myself familiar with the surroundings of the course. "Just push myself," Hill continues. "I'm competing against myself, which sounds so cliche, but it's the truth in golf. Just keep fighting, keep pushing, keep believing and keep swinging." Curry -- who won in 2023 but missed last year's tournament due to his participation with Team USA -- is the co-favorite to win the tournament, along with several others, including Los Angeles Lakers swingman Austin Reaves. Hill says Curry, Reaves, Allen and former Duke Blue Devils guard Gerald Henderson are the best basketball golfers he's ever seen and considers them to be on his Mount Rushmore. "I've played with Steph, obviously, I've seen Steph play and win it a few years ago, the American Century Championship,'" says Hill. "Last summer, we were together with the US international team for six-and-a-half weeks on our way to Paris, and we played a couple of times in Abu Dhabi, and got a chance to watch him play. Austin Reeves, who was with the World Cup team in 23 he and I played a ton. We probably played about seven-to-eight rounds during that run. He's really good too. Those two are really, really talented. "And then Gerald Henderson," Hill continues. "I haven't seen him play, but I know he's a new guy, but he played competitively, I think he was recruited for golf in high school, and chose basketball, He's pretty solid as well. I know Ray Allen's a good golfer. I put those four at the top. Those are my four on the Mount Rushmore of basketball guys who can go." The total purse is $750,000 for the tournament and the first-place winner will get $150,000, the most prestigious prize in celebrity golf. The first round will start today and is broadcast on NBC. "It's going to be fun," says Hill. "Tell everybody to check it out. It's a fantastic event. You got some great stars and celebrities and current and former athletic greats. It's just a fun, fun weekend, and there's some pretty good golf as well. It should be a lot of fun to watch the American Century Championship."
