John Gambadoro, a radio host for Arizona Sports 620, reported on July 13 that Hill was being actively recruited by two of the Lakers’ leaders:
Hearing Grant Hill leaning towards Lakers after big push by Steve Nash and Kobe Bryant
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo620) July 13, 2012 Nash has played with Hill in Phoenix for the last five seasons, and the two players have built a positive relationship both on and off the court. The two-time MVP was sent to the Lakers in a sign-and-trade deal earlier this month, and according to ESPN’s Marc Stein, he planned to bring “one of his closest friends in the game” along with him right from the start.
Adding Hill may cause concern because he will be making an old team even older, but he provides several essential qualities for the Lakers.
Hill, who is 39 years old, is the NBA’s second-oldest player. His age showed last season, in which he struggled with injuries and posted career-low numbers of 10.2 points and 3.5 rebounds.
But the swingman had the same platelet-enrichment procedure that Bryant made popular among professional athletes. If the treatment has the same effect it had on Bryant, Hill will be moving much better next season.
Hill has always been a fierce competitor, and his desire to win helped him become one the game’s biggest stars when he was younger. But injuries derailed his career, forcing Hill to reinvent himself as a role player.
Suns forward Jared Dudley made the following statement, via Paul Coro of The Arizona Republic, which highlights all the little things Hill does on the court:
He's our glue guy. He calms us defensively. He's the best defensive player. He's the one who guarded Chris Paul at home and slowed him d...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
