From 1984 to 2013, the Utah Jazz missed the playoffs just four times in those 29 seasons. However, since 2013, the Jazz have not made the playoffs (although they were close to doing so last season). The Jazz added veteran guard George Hill as part of a mini-makeover to a roster stocked with young talent like Gordon Hayward, Rodney Hood, Derrick Favors and Rudy Gobert. Hill hasn’t been in the Western Conference since he was on the San Antonio Spurs in the late 2000s, but wants to help the Jazz get back in the postseason in 2017, writes Tony Jones of the Salt Lake Tribune:
His blond hair, which he kept for most of last season, is back to its original color. His smile, not always prevalent in his final days with the Indiana Pacers, is back. Hill spoke on a number of subjects on Saturday: his role on the Jazz, his work in the community, race relations around the country. But in an interview with The Tribune, he made one thing clear above all: He simply wants to win.
“When I was in the Western Conference [with the San Antonio Spurs], Utah was a powerhouse,” Hill said. “They always made the playoffs, but in the past few years they’ve been in a rebuilding phase. All of my focus is on doing my best to help the Jazz get back into the playoffs, that’s all that matters to me now. I’ve never been big on personal stats. I just want to do whatever it takes to win the game.”
Hill is one of the main reasons for optimism among Utah fans. He’s never going to wow anyone from the point guard position like Russell Westbrook, Stephen Curry, or Chris Paul. But Hill is solid on both ends of the floor. His quickness, long arms and athleticism are tailor-made for Quin Snyder‘s defensive schemes, and he projects as a thoughtful and mature addition to the lockerroom. He adds stability and leadership to a position that’s lacked much of both since 2011, when Deron Williams was one of the elite point guards in the NBA.
The Jazz craved Hill’s ability to spot up and hit shots. They welcome his ability to stay in front of the many quicksilver point guards in the league. The Jazz front office would love for him to serve as a mentor to Dante
Exum, the young point guard who is a year removed from a torn ACL.
Hill’s summer has been a whirlwind between the trade, moving with his family to Salt Lake and community work, of which he does a lot in his hometown of Indianapolis. But his personal life and schedule are both stabilizing as training camp looms.
“Utah’s an amazing state and Salt Lake is an amazing city,” Hill said. “I’ve been welcomed with open arms, I love it here. I can’t wait until the season starts.”
With one year remaining on his contract, and without an extension (for which he is eligible in October), Hill will become an unrestricted free agent next summer. Hill said that’s not on his mind, however. He knows he will play a big role for the Jazz this season, and his potential value on the market next summer could be significant.
Still, the focus is on playing this season and trying to win as much as possible. He knows if he does that, the dominoes will fall into place.
“I haven’t really talked about that much with anyone,” Hill said. “My whole focus is to come in here and be the best player that I can possibly be. I feel that the contract situation will work itself out, once you do that.”
