Grant Hill: From the Next Air to Overrated?

The "Basketball for Thought" is a commentary by Kris Gardner.

February 1998

Talk has moved around the league that Detroit Pistons' forward Grant Hill is overrated. This belief is amazing. As a rookie, Grant was labeled as the "next Michael Jordan". Now in his 4th year, how has Grant become overrated?

The Pistons have, without a doubt, been the biggest disappointment throughout the league this season. However, to lay blame solely at Grant's feet is wrong. Look at the team.

A lot of people, expected Detroit to "challenge the Bulls as the elite team" in the Eastern Conference this season. Based on what? During the off - season they did improve their low post scoring when they signed free agent center / forward Brian Williams. Other than that acquisition, what else did the organization acquire which would improve the club. Nothing.

The Pistons signed forward Malik Sealy in the summer along with re - signing forward Don Reid, and guards Lindsey Hunter and veteran Joe Dumars. Not a consistent perimeter shooter in the group.

In order to make room for those signings, Pistons' management / coach (whoever) failed to re - sign swingman Michael Curry and forward Terry Mills. Curry was the lifeblood of the team during his stay with the club. Mills was the best 3 point shooting big man in the league and had the ability to knock down 3 pointers whenever Hill penetrated the defense and passed the ball back to him. Along with the 3 point shooting, Mills (not forward Otis Thorpe) was the club's best low post defender. Mills signed with Miami and has hardly played this season due to 2 surgeries on his left knee.

Reasons for the personnel moves vary depending on whom you ask. Fired head coach Doug Collins says his hands were tied by management which is strange considering Collins was the final decision maker when it came to basketball matters.

In December, Detroit acquired Jerry Stackhouse from Philadelphia in a trade that sent the Pistons' only shot blocker, Theo Ratliff, to Philadelphia. Stackhouse joined the other players on the Pistons team who can't shoot.

Grant Hill's talents are maximized when he has teammates who can make open jump shots after: he penetrates an opponent's defense, draws the double or triple team, and passes the ball back out. Well, his current teammates clearly aren't capable of making open perimeter shots. Hunter and Dumars are both shooting under 40 percent from the field. Stackhouse is right at his career numbers (43%) from the field. Sealy is shooting under 25% from the 3 point line.

Combine those pathetic shooting numbers with Doug Collins' abrasive coaching style (some people even described Collins as "psychotic") and it's hardly a surprise the team has struggled all season.

Of course, Hill's shooting numbers are down this season (from 48% to 44%); however, that may be due to the fact opponents know Detroit has no reliable perimeter threats; as a result, force Grant to win games by himself. Clearly, the strategy has worked so far this season.

Grant Hill's season may be similar to Sacramento guard Mitch Richmond's career; however, why do the majority of people praise Mitch for performing with no talent and knock Grant for doing the same thing?