The NBA trade deadline brought one very important thing to the Philadelphia 76ers. That is a veteran point guard to the roster in George Hill. While what Hill brings to the court is important, it’s what he brings off to it which will make the bigger difference in the long haul.
For the first time since Sergio Rodriguez was on the roster in the 2016-17 season is there finally a true veteran point guard to mentor the Sixers’ young playmakers. No, players like T.J. McConnell, Trey Burke, or Raul Neto don’t qualify as veteran point guards.
This is important for all three of the 76ers playmakers in Ben Simmons, Shake Milton, and Tyrese Maxey, but it is especially important to Milton and Maxey. This is partially due to the lack of experience of the two younger players and also that Simmons is also already one of the better point guards in the NBA so the impact Hill can make on his game is smaller.
Hill is important to help develop the Philadelphia 76ers young guard Milton and Maxey
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Hill is in his 13th season in the NBA and has been in several winning situations. He started his career with the San Antonio Spurs dynasty, then was the lead guard for a very good Indiana Pacers team and he was a role player on a LeBron James led Cleveland Cavaliers and a Giannis Antetokounmpo led Milwaukee Bucks.
Hill knows how to be an effective point guard on a good team. That alone is some knowledge he can pass on, but it’s more than that. Hill can teach both Milton and Maxey how to run an NBA offense. Remember that Milton is a combo guard who is only in his third season. Maxey is a score first rookie point guard who needs to develop his playmaking skills.
Neither a capable of being a true playmaker on a contender yet as both currently score first point guards so, in that sense, Hill can help them develop. Both young players need to absorb all of the Hill’s knowledge as the season continues as it would certainly help their careers and the Sixers’ future as well.
Hill’s contributions to the Philadelphia 76ers goes well beyond what he can do on the court this season as he can help mentor their future.