Grading The Lakers So Far This Season
By Blair Hicks
Jordan Hill
November 17, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Jordan Hill (27) dunks to score a basket against the Detroit Pistons during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Grade: B+
Mike D’Antoni ignores Jordan Hill, then loves Jordan Hill, then sits Jordan Hill. Repeat. And so goes the complicated at times relationship between the two dating back to Hill playing for D’Antoni with the New York Knicks, after being drafted 8th overall in the 2009 draft. Hill played well in short stints early in the season, often closing games because of his energy and hustle. He was inserted into the starting unit and began a string of excellent games, including performances of 24 pts and 17 rebounds, 21 pts and 11 rebounds, and 18 pts and 15 rebounds. Lately he has struggled. Hill is one of the best offensive rebounders in the game and he is relentless in finding the ball. As an offensive threat he is inconsistent. For the year he is averaging 8.9 pts and 8.5 rebounds in 22 minutes a night. Hill has been the emotional leader for the team and possibly a leading locker room voice to a now youngish team.