George Hill to start tonight against Minnesota

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AT&T CENTER–Having been quick to pick up the nuances of running point guard for the first time on the NBA level, second year guard George Hill has also proven himself to be a quick healer.

Gregg Popovich confirmed Hill will be the starter tonight in the pre-game media session.

“They told me, ‘Pop, while you were gone he was doing defensive slides, he’s been doing this and this, he’s ready to go’.” Popovich said “They said he can play, he’s ready to go, he might as well play.”

Popovich said he will not be returning to the 40-minute nights he was logging before the injury, but he will slide right back into the starting spot he became accustomed to in Tony Parker’s absence.

Garrett Temple will move to the bench. Popovich would not specify what the starting lineup or rotation would be once the playoff starts, but is committed to Hill starting for these next two games.

“We’ll let him go out there with the starting players so he doesn’t have to be the guy, just let him facilitate a bit and get into a rhythm,” Popovich said. “We were in a rhythm (with Hill), Tony’s just getting his rhythm back.”

  • Casey

    Glad to see he is healthy again. You think Pop will continue to start him in the playoffs? I think TP, Manu, RJ, McDyess and TD would be the best going forward. Thoughts?

  • Tyler in SA

    and two games before the start of the playoffs, the Spurs are at full strength.

    my opinion. Leave Tony in the second unit. Jefferson works better with Manu, plus Tony will run circles around second unit point guards.

    And George Hill is the only guy on our team that CAN average 40 mpg, and he’s our best defender, so he’s gotta start.

  • http://spursunderground.blogspot.com/ b.diddy

    I am kinda favoring a starting line-up that includes Hill, but I want to see Parker getting his 30-31 minutes a night…if Manu, Tony, and Hill each average 30 minutes a night in play-offs that leaves just six minutes to be picked-up by some one else.

    Now that may be a lot to ask of each of those players, but they each play well with and without the ball and happen to be the Spurs three best guards to boot.

  • Trade TP

    Casey? Why? TP has blew the entire time hes been back and McDyess is crap.

    Start Hill. If you dont have good contributions from he and Parker you need to sit Parker.

    We have played our best ball with Hill starting and Parker in street clothes.

  • http://spursunderground.blogspot.com/ b.diddy

    The best Spurs basketball was a function of Manu not of Hill or Tony

  • Casey

    I agree we played our best with Tony on the sideline, but in all honesty we have no shot of winning the title without Tony.

  • Ferenc

    I’m just curious about what happened to our free-throw shooting lately…

  • OneWing

    Look at the minute distribution that happened tonight with the T-Wolves: Hill started, played decent minutes, Tony came off the bench and played a lot of minutes considering the entire fourth was mop-up time.

    A “meaningful” fourth quarter would allow Pop to play straight matchups with his choice of Hill and Parker, with the potential to play Hill at the 2 spot. Against Dallas, tight games give Tony a lot of minutes, though he isn’t the starter. Against Denver, you get to have Tony at PG against Billups and let Hill and Jefferson work together to disrupt ‘Melo as much as possible. Against Utah you can sit Tony to let Hill muscle with Derron Williams, or play Hill at the 2 next to TP, defend Williams, and let Tony hide a bit on D.

    Hill starts, Tony gets starters minutes. The team is better that way, and Tony has Manu’s example to follow and keep his mouth shut.

  • Daniel

    The Jazz have horrific shooting guards- Brewer was very good, and they gave him away for peanuts. If Tony only has to cover Korver or Matthews, he can play at the 2 all series long.

    That said, I want nothing to do with the Jazz. When we’re healthy, we can win, but they’re heads above the other teams (aside from us– Spurs #1 in the West and #2 overall in Hollinger power rankings!).

  • Ryan

    The Jazz has a fortunate season AND a fortunate 4 games against us this season. We’ll step up huge in the playoffs because of how bad our first round sting was last year. Cuban isn’t owning a basketball club in the Mavs, he’s playing fanasy basketball in real life!! This is why Dallas fails when it matters. I kinda hope that we get them in the first round so that we can return the favor! Spurs want this, we haven’t been where we belong in 3 years! Enough is enough, and Timmy and Manu and Hill are playing like they frigiin WANT IT!

  • TradeTP

    Billups will eat Tony alive in the playoffs. Tony needs to be used sparingly. Get him in for a little Pick and Roll action with Duncan. If we’re not successful with that get him to the bench. Parker isnt good on D, and in all honesty Manu is a better PG.

    We cant really base anything on Minny game. Bogans had a career night if that says anything.

  • DieHardSpur

    TRADE TP –

    I have come to the assumption that you are a damned idiot!

    There is no way that you can honestly believe that we are a better team without Tony Parker. When he is healthy he is a top 5 point guard in the league.

    You think he doesnt distribute the ball well? Since he has been back, how many assists has he had in limited minutes?

    8 ast – 25 min. – Grizz
    6 ast – 30 min. – Denver
    7 ast – 22 min. – T-Volves

    With assist numbers like that in limited minutes while scoring efficiently – there is no way you can think we are better without him.

    END OF STORY