Review: Grant Hill

Why am I posting about Grant Hill? First of all, he has one of the more under-appreciated names in sports. It rolls off the tongue: Grant Hill. Second, he was a bad-ass basketball player (still is) who had a bunch of endorsements, but never had a supporting cast around him, so then he went and signed to a team in Florida with another superstar. At this point I should come out and say this is a myopic, cautionary tale for LeBron James.


Grant Hill is an unlucky son of a bitch. Mostly in that, he played during the Jordan dominated years, and then when he didn't- he was injured. When Grant first came into the league, he (co-) won Rookie of the Year and then became the premiere point forward in this league. So then came the burden of hype. Hell, in his rookie season he was the most popular player in the NBA leading the all-star fan vote. He 3 times (3!) led his team in the major categories of points, rebounds, and assists (only Wilt did that as much- WILT!). That's carrying a team. They modernized the Pistons logo for Grant (much like Cleveland did for LeBron). Sprite did a campaign where the slogan was "Grant Hill drinks Sprite" (much like the Sprite Campaign for a LeBron). Hill even presented a VMA (LeBron too), and dated Queen Latifah's character on Living Single (LeBron wishes, as we all do). Grant Hill basically was the whole Fila brandand when he went down, Fila never recovered. And they're smooth!


Then he signed with Orlando, but it by far wasn't a big a traitorgate as LeBron's. In fact, Pistons fans rode Grant out of town calling him soft and Grant played on an injured ankle in a playoff series his final year in Detroit. Oh that ankle. And the ankle did him in. He played in 47 games combined his first 3 years, sat out the 4th, was awesome in his 5th, and groin injured in his last final 2 with Orlando. And this was the guy who was ganna save the franchise. Remember LeBron's elbow/shoulder problem from the playoffs? LeBron is Grant Hill with more hype, and a bit more playoff success. I mean Grant was on the path to greatness, was greatness, and then poof! Ankle. LeBron's been great, and I don't wish him any injury whatsoever, but- things fleet. Fleet all the time. 24/7 Fleet. So it's probably smart he signed with the 2 best possible players he could. Grant signed with Tracy McGrady, who then carried the franchise and then eventually injured himself while not winning his own playoff series all the while. I'm just saying- Grant Hill was a special player, and despite all the shitty luck he had, has still had a remarkable career. It's just that the future, and what we don't see in it, can define us as much (if not more so) than the past.

Review: LeBron James

Do I fault myself for believing the hype? No. The hype has always been there and was always backed up. I just feel... and the ellipsis is there for dramatical reasons... cheated. This was supposed to be the LeBron James year. The best player in the game wins a championship--- and we all say "no duh- the best player in the game is supposed to win championships". And it is because Michael Jordan spoiled us. Do I want another Jordan? Yes, but in a different packaging- one that has assists as well- and that was supposed to be LeBron James. Because that's the hype I believed. But a 2nd round bow out? On a team stacked for him to win a championship? OU-CHA. I get it that Shaq is old, but he split time with another former all-star center and the team's energy player. You also somehow got another all-star. One that can shoot the corner shot and take the scoring load off LeBron in Antawn Jamison. When Kobe got a gift player- he at least reached the finals with him that year (lost to Boston- maybe Boston is just the better team?). I am the type of person who wants what is best for the NBA- and right now- that thing created points off turnovers for the wrong team and isn't playing basketball anymore. I hope he feels bad about himself. He had some weight on some shoulders, and when you are that high profile- you live up to that weight. It's called being great. I don't know who to blame- so I'll just blame the supporting cast. It's not LeBron's fault? It can never be... is he that good? Game 5, you can blame- and therefore we might blame him on this series? But Mo Williams is no Kevin Johnson and they don't have anyone close to Dan Majerle. Better back court? Sure. But by now we're just stacking the team and it's like the Yankees. And in sports- we hate the Yankees. That Phoenix Suns team had young guys too in Ceballos and Dumas- so basically I am saying the 92 93 Suns were a better designed Championship team because they came about naturally, and they lost naturally. The 2009-10 Cavs- built up around a stud, and lost around the stud. Do I ask who can play with LeBron when I very well know everyone can- maybe it is who can stand the pressure and win a championship with LeBron? Shaq can and didn't. That question has everything to do with free agency. He should just team up with Bosh and go to New York because at least it's trying something. And I need something from LeBron. Stay in Cleveland? With all that pressure there? Sure, your legacy is there (great players- one team (we don't count Washington for MJ)), but you are 2010- big money, friends with Jay-Z, CEO, you are a business, and you can do anything you want. And me- I am just opining. It has been less than 12 hours and I miss you already. Miss you playing basketball. I didn't want anyone else to win a championship this year. I thought the Magic were a better team anyway, but this is playoff LeBron who can win series just by being the best player in the game. Basketball is tougher than it looks. I already knew that. I just wanted to believe.

This Kevin Durant bandwagon has too many open seats anyway.