The Philadelphia 76ers made only one move at the trade deadline, acquiring George Hill from the Oklahoma City Thunder in a sprawling multi-player trade. After finishing rehab on a wrist injury, Hill made his Sixers debut in Monday’s loss to Golden State, posting two points, two assists, and two blocks in 17 minutes.
It was not Hill’s best game, but he was understandably rusty after two months on the bench. As he continues to ramp up and earn more minutes, it will not take long for Hill to assert his value. In fact, Hill will become (or, more accurately, already is) the Sixers’ most important bench piece.
The Sixers will get a lot from George Hill, a seasoned vet with a high motor and tantalizing basketball IQ.
There’s a reason Hill commanded three second-round picks on the open market. While he does carry the star weight of a player like Kyle Lowry, Hill does give the Sixers a much-needed infusion of playmaking in the backcourt. He can bring more juice to Doc Rivers’ famed second-unit groups, or work out of DHOs with Joel Embiid and other starters.
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Hill’s ability to get dribble penetration and consequently take advantage of it has long been lacking or absent altogether in the Sixers’ backcourt. While Shake Milton and Tyrese Maxey have shown flashes in the passing department, Hill can reliably drive and kick to open teammates on the perimeter. The diversity of passes he is capable of, along with his proclivity for protecting the basketball, will make the second unit (and potentially closing lineups) run a lot smoother.
At his best, Hill is a ball-mover. He doesn’t over-dribble, he doesn’t wander aimlessly into difficult shots. He’s not a crazy shot-maker, nor is he an elite athlete, but he understands how to manipulate a defense and where the basketball should go. He’s more intelligent and more aware than any player currently in the second unit. Maybe any player currently on the roster. There’s an air of veteran experience to Hill that will make him crucial to Philadelphia’s postseason run.
Also of note is Hill’s defense. While Monday’s game wasn’t the best showcase considering the outcome, Hill had his moments. He came away with two blocks and did a better job on Stephen Curry than anyone else, that one nasty crossover notwithstanding.
Hill has tremendous size for a point guard, standing 6-foot-4 with a 6-foot-9 wingspan. He brings defensive versatility to the backcourt and unlocks new lineup combinations for Doc Rivers. The Sixers ran multiple four-guard lineups on Monday, and essentially removed Mike Scott from the equation after halftime. Hopefully that continues, as Hill and his playmaking chops give the Sixers a real chance for creativity with the second unit.
There aren’t many boxes Hill leaves unchecked. He’s a career 38.4 percent 3-point shooter, and he fills in some of Philadelphia’s most glaring offensive holes. He was not the flashiest acquisition at the trade deadline, but very few contenders added an impact player of Hill’s caliber. He truly changes the chemistry of this team. Doc Rivers has more flexibility with Hill at his disposal, and the Sixers may finally have a point guard who can play down the stretch of games.
Expect good things from George Hill in South Philly.