Grant Hill leads Suns in defeat of Clippers

October 19, 2007 by Mike Olbinski

The Phoenix Suns blew out the L.A. Clippers 118-97 and Grant Hill scored 21 points on 8-9 shooting.

All in the first half.

He’s truly becoming the player I thought he could be for this team. He played 21 minutes and only left the game because, as Paul Coro writes, he got “hit in the butt” early in the second half.

But his shooting is there. He also had four steals and is starting to find his groove and his place in the offense. His health is great and he said he’s looking forward to playing more than his projected 30 minutes again. He thinks 35 is attainable. From Coro’s article:

“I figure I saw a whole lot the last seven years,” Hill said. “I’m healthy now, so play me.”

“I’m learning tendencies,” Hill said. “I learned that from watching LB (Leandro Barbosa). They’re learning me.”

He had taken a back-door pass from Steve Nash and scored on a layup, so it’s no surprise he learned that from Barbosa, as he and Nash connected on that play on countless occasions last year.

Brian Skinner also saw his longest action, playing 27 minutes and getting eight points, nine rebounds and three blocks. He also had five turnovers, but you’d expect that from someone not getting a lot of time.

On a side note, Amare Stoudemire returns to full-contact practice this Tuesday when the Suns hold their Annual Open Practice for the public.

Posted in brian skinner, grant hill, amare stoudemire, steve nash, phoenix suns