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Jordan Hill News & Rumors

Rockets pass on lottery picks options, extensions; will save money for summer.
January 25
Houston Chronicle
 
"The Rockets have told each of their four lottery picks from the 2009 NBA Draft – Hasheem Thabeet, Jonny Flynn, Terrence Williams and Jordan Hill – they won't be picking up the fourth-year option on their rookie contracts, a person with knowledge of the talks said. The moves were not unexpected. Only Hill is playing. The Rockets, however, made the decision not as much because of the play of the four lottery picks, but to create room for a max contract should there be a free agent (Dwight Howard, Deron Williams lead the class), according to the person familiar with their thinking."
Rockets 82, Bobcats 70: Parsons and Hill power squad to first road win
January 11
Houston Chronicle
 
"The celebration consisted of showering, dressing and leaving rapidly, as if the Rockets wanted to get out of town before a recount. Or worse, before something stuck. They did defend better. They got head-turning performances from Chandler Parsons and Jordan Hill. They even proved the NBA still requires that someone win every game. Most of all, though, they broke through this season's winless road start, taking an 82-70 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats on Tuesday. The win came almost by default, but it certainly beat the alternative. "I tell you what: That was, uh, an interesting game," Rockets coach Kevin McHale said. "It was an ugly win, but I'd rather take an ugly win than a really"
Jordan Hill feels right at home in win over Charlotte
January 11
Houston Chronicle
 
"Jordan Hill might not have gotten home cooking, but some familiarity seems to work well for him. With about 30 family members making the hour drive from South Carolina, Hill had 12 points and 12 rebounds and matched his career high with five blocked shots, all in just 18 minutes off the bench. It was his best night since he had 16 rebounds against Atlanta, also matching his career high that he also set against Atlanta, where he grew up when not in South Carolina. "It feels good, man, Hill said. "They can't make all my games. Having them here and seeing me on the floor feels good. I just want to go out here and have fun for them."
Warriors pass on Andris Biedrins trade offer
June 27
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"The Warriors have passed on a several trade offers from Houston, including one that would have sent center Andris Biedrins to the Rockets for Jordan Hill and Hasheem Thabeet. At least, that's what Warriors director of basketball operations Kirk Lacob told French Web site BasketUSA.com. The Warriors seem to have growing confidence in a mental and physical training program they developed for Biedrins this summer."
Milwaukee, Houston discussing a deal
June 22
Racine Journal-Times
 
"The Milwaukee Bucks and Houston Rockets could be swapping more than draft selections today. They could also be swapping players. For the last several days, there have been rumors the Bucks were seriously exploring the possibility of moving back from their No. 10 position in Thursday night's NBA draft. Bucks general manager John Hammond conceded he's had on-going discussions with several teams but declined to go into details. There has been widespread speculation the Bucks have had in-depth talks with the Houston Rockets, who have two first-round picks -- Nos. 24 and 23 -- and are desperately trying to move up in an attempt to select a much-needed center. But it appears discussions between"
Jordan Hill productive off the bench
March 16
Houston Chronicle
 
"Though Jordan Hill was back to coming off the bench after two games as the Rockets starter, he had his most productive game since mid-January. Hill made 5 of 7 shots to score 12 points in 23 minutes, adding eight rebounds, three assists and a blocked shot. In his two starts with Luis Scola out, he shot well, making 7 of 11 shots, but had just seven rebounds. "I thought he played well," Adelman said. "He rebounded well. That's what we need every night from him. He's got to come in and make an impact around the basket every night. He can score. He can make shots, but if he's just standing around, it's not going to happen for him." After many games in which the Rockets could not get a last"
Spurs offer study in contrasts
January 30
Houston Chronicle
 
"Rockets forward Jordan Hill sent a pair of tweets on Friday about personal "family issues." He did not elaborate on Saturday, but said they have been bothering him on and off the court. In the first he wrote "Pray for me." In the second, he sent "Just been stressed out lately and trying to hold it in and continue to fight it … the man up above gonna work it out for me." "I'm OK, just a little stressed out," Hill said. "Family issues have bothered me. I'm trying to fight it, but it's nothing I can't handle. Just keep doing what I'm doing." Hill said there have been demands on him, especially in recent weeks. "Just family contacting me," Hill said. "That's what families do. I knew it was"
Forward Hill plays on sore left ankle
November 30
Houston Chronicle
 
"Rockets forward Jordan Hill said his left ankle was sore after landing awkwardly on it Sunday, but the ankle is "playable." "He knows what we want him to do," Rockets coach Rick Adelman said. "He knows he has to rebound the ball for us. He has to be around the basket. If he's not doing that, maybe there is something going on (with the ankle)." Hill has been a key off the bench, usually playing with center Brad Miller working in the high post. That makes it important that Hill bring consistent energy, especially on the boards. "Jordan's the only guy who can go after the ball and go get it on both ends of the court, and we need Brad on the floor for offensive purposes," Adelman said. "He"
Coach seeks bench mark
November 24
Houston Chronicle
 
"One by one, the Rockets' young reserves were called to Rick Adelman's office Sunday afternoon. First Courtney Lee, then Chase Budinger and finally Jordan Hill were brought in for meetings that a day later Adelman called "give-and-take." The coach would give them more minutes of court time. They were ordered to take advantage of the increased opportunity. "It meant a lot," Lee said. "He's holding us accountable. Us three guys, we've been waiting for an opportunity to get out there and try to impact the game and help the starters out. It was a good feeling. "By the time Jordan came out, it was like, 'Hmm, he just talked to us three. We have to turn it up.'?" To varying degrees they did. Lee"
Jordan Hill, Jared Jeffries return
November 15
Bergen Record
 
"Jordan Hill and Jared Jeffries, two pieces of last season's Tracy McGrady trade, returned to the Garden on Sunday, with Hill scoring six points in 16:22, but Jeffries sitting out for the sixth time in nine games. Hill, getting some of his minutes because of Yao Ming's absence and reduced workload after missing all of last season with a fractured foot, said Sunday he still feels a bit like a rookie because of his limited playing time (averaging 10 1/2 minutes in 24 games) before he got traded. He also understands why the Knicks reluctantly traded him at the Rockets' insistence, saying, "They thought LeBron was going to come to the Knicks and win a championship, so they had to do what they"
Options picked up on Lee, Hill
October 29
Houston Chronicle
 
"Today, the Rockets will pick up their options on the deals of players on rookie contracts, exercising their 2010-11 rights to Courtney Lee's fourth season and Jordan Hill's third season. Lee, who was traded after each of his first two NBA seasons, felt no added sense of security from being under contract next season. "Not at all," he said. "I went to New Jersey. They picked up my option and traded me, too. It's a business. Anything can happen on any given day. I never feel secure. Just go in, be a professional, and do what you're asked every single day. "Any player would like to get somewhere and get comfortable and be there for a while. But if it happens again, I'll be prepared.""
Message sinking in for Rockets' Hill
October 22
Houston Chronicle
 
"China was nice, but center Jordan Hill did not go all that way to see the sights or sample the cuisine. Although he did not do much of either, he did spend more time as a tourist than he did as a player in the preseason games at Beijing and Guangzhou. In two games, Hill played a total of seven minutes, not doing much in the playing time he received. Even with Luis Scola back in Houston, Hill could not escape the bench, supplanted in the rotation by Jared Jeffries and needing to earn his playing time. Hill got another chance Thursday night, and if the Rockets were sending a message, it appeared to have been received. Hill's high-energy start helped set a tone as the Rockets built a 15-point"
Magic's Howard a good test for Hill
October 6
Houston Chronicle
 
"With much of his playing time likely to come at center this season, Jordan Hill looked forward to going against the Magic's Dwight Howard to test his progress at the position. Howard dominated anyone the Rockets tried, but Hill said he believes he has made progress since his other night against him. "It's a good matchup," Hill said. "He's definitely stronger, but I'm definitely quicker. There are opportunities going against him." Unaware of the NBA dress code for players while walking from the bus to the locker room — a trip that in Hidalgo covered about 50 feet - Rockets rookie Patrick Patterson did some shopping for a nicer shirt before his first preseason game. That is not easy for"
Hill among team's camp standouts
October 3
Houston Chronicle
 
"The Rockets completed training camp with a scrimmage under game conditions, with a game clock, mandatory timeouts and usual substitution rules. Several players — Chuck Hayes,Luis Scola, Kevin Martin, and Courtney Lee - stood out, but coach Rick Adelman was upset about a lack of intensity. He ordered another quarter played after addressing the team. "I think the week went well," Adelman said. "I was disappointed (Saturday.) I didn't think we came with the energy. Maybe it was a long week. They knew we were just going to scrimmage. I thought we could have played much better today. I didn't think we executed very well today, especially our main guys. I thought they just weren't into it. "On"
For Rockets' Hill, defense no slam dunk
July 12
Houston Chronicle
 
"Jordan Hill got loose under the rim, taking a pass from Jermaine Taylor and slamming it with two fists and a bit of a chin-up. It was far from his first moment bending the rim in Las Vegas. It was not even his first slam of the day. But it was different. With the last of his four buckets Sunday, he seemed to release the frustration of a game gone wrong. Hill was far from alone in his struggles. The Rockets were overwhelmed from the start, falling behind by 27 points and losing 84-67 to the Portland Trail Blazers. Chase Budinger had his best game of the tournament, scoring 21 points, on 4-of-7 shooting from beyond the arc. Taylor had 13, including a 50-footer at the buzzer. But the Rockets"
Hill returns after missing three games
March 28
Houston Chronicle
 
"To Lakers coach Phil Jackson's way of thinking, Ron Artest was sincere when he said Trevor Ariza, Artest's predecessor with the Lakers and successor with the Rockets, was a better fit for the Lakers and a better player. "I think Ron was very factual and honest about it the day it was said," Jackson said. "He said Trevor is a better player. He has a ring. I don't have a ring yet. They both do the job they're capable of doing I think to the best of their ability. Last night, Ron did not have a good game. Two nights before, he did. He has yet to be really consistent with us." Jackson agreed that Ariza fit better with the Lakers but said that was because Artest is adjusting. "(Ariza) had the"
Rockets feeling turbulent , Anderson, Hill and Jeffries doubtful Wednesday
March 23
Houston Chronicle
 
"If nothing else, the Rockets did successfully get out of the way. If anyone had gotten too close to some of the shots the Rockets misfired, the Bulls might have had to built an extension on the visitor's training room. It did not come to that, but with the Rockets losing healthy players nearly as rapidly as they collected airballs and rim-clanging jumpers, they fell apart through one of the worst halves of the season, before the Bulls held on for a 98-88 win Monday at United Center. "We weren't moving the ball the way we have to in the offense," Luis Scola, who led the Rockets with 22 points and 10 rebounds, said. "It was pretty much one-on-one the whole time, which is not the way we want"
D'Antoni disputes Hill's claim
March 22
Houston Chronicle
 
"Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni disputed Rockets rookie forward Jordan Hill's contention that he did not play with the Knicks because D'Antoni does not like to play rookies. D'Antoni said he just doesn't play "bad rookies." "Where does that come from?" D'Antoni said. "Seriously. I mean, exactly when would I not play rookies? That's something that just cracks me up, that I don't like to play rookies. I don't like to play bad rookies. I play good rookies. I don't have anything against rookies at all. I like rookies. Jordan was in a position. We had Al (Harrington), Jared (Jeffries), David Lee. I tried (Darko) Milicic for a while. He didn't get a great chance, I agree." Hill then had his"
Jeffries, Hill steal spotlight in win
March 22
Houston Chronicle
 
"For Tracy McGrady, playing the Rockets for the first time since he said they "mistreated" him, the game felt like the playoffs. So McGrady did what he so often had in the playoffs. He impressed. He put up numbers. He lost. With Aaron Brooks scoring seven rapid-fire points down the stretch and McGrady missing his final three shots, the Rockets rallied late past the New York Knicks for a 116-112 win Sunday in Madison Square Garden. "When you play with some of those guys for five or six years, you definitely want to go out there and compete against them and show them up a little bit," McGrady said. "Probably one of my better all-around games, the way I played, physically, the way I felt. I"
Mike D'Antoni defends policy with playing rookies, takes shot at Jordan Hill, praises Toney Douglas
March 22
New York Daily News
 
"Mike D'Antoni took a subtle shot at Jordan Hill Sunday - and accidentally hit Toney Douglas in the crossfire - when he defended his history of playing rookies. "I don't like to play 'bad' rookies," D'Antoni said. "I like to play 'good' rookies. I think any coach, the same thing. I don't have anything against rookies at all. I like rookies." Hill was the eighth overall pick of last June's draft but never found consistent minutes in D'Antoni's rotation. Hill was traded to Houston last month in the Tracy McGrady deal. Douglas, also a first-round pick, became a regular in the rotation two weeks ago after being buried for most of the season behind Chris Duhon and Nate Robinson. "Where exactly"
D'Antoni: 'I don't like to play bad rookies'
March 22
New York Post
 
"The war of words between Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni and Jordan Hill is on. D'Antoni got his hackles up before yesterday's Rockets showdown when The Post asked him about ex-Knick Hill's recent remarks. Hill said he couldn't strut his stuff in New York because D'Antoni isn't fond of playing rookies. "Where does that come from?" D'Antoni said. "Seriously. It's something that cracks me up. I don't play rookies? I don't like to play bad rookies." Ouch. Hill wasn't bad yesterday and helped the Rockets beat D'Antoni's Knicks 116-112 at the Garden. Hill was aggressive at the rim, scored on two putbacks that he converted into 3-point plays and finished with 13 points and five rebounds. He was on"
Hill faces former team for first time
March 21
Houston Chronicle
 
"Tracy McGrady said that in his first game against the Rockets since the trade to the Knicks he will not "go out and do nothing different that I haven't been doing in the last few games I've been playing." But his former teammates expect McGrady to be especially motivated today. "It will be interesting," Shane Battier said. "I'm sure he'll be up for the game. It will be strange seeing him in a Knicks jersey, but once the game starts, it will be the Rockets trying to get a win." Carl Landry, the other key to the trade, had 22 points, his most with the Kings, in his first game against the Rockets. "It will be good to see him again," Aaron Brooks said of McGrady. "It will be interesting. It"
Hill: D'An buried me on bench
March 21
New York Post
 
"Rookie Jordan Hill, the Knicks' lottery pick last year, charged that coach Mike D'Antoni held him back during his brief, forgettable stint in New York. The 6-foot-10 Hill, who faces the Knicks today at the Garden as a Rocket, was dispatched in the Feb. 18 Tracy McGrady blockbuster trade after team president Donnie Walsh gave up on the eighth pick. Walsh felt it was more important to open up even more salary cap space, doubting that Hill would develop into an All-Star. In essence, Walsh was admitting to a mistake with the selection. Hill has moved past another former Knick, Jared Jeffries, in the Rockets' rotation. "Coach D'Antoni, he relies on his veterans more than rookies," Hill told the"
Rockets' Hill shows promise in short time with team
March 11
Houston Chronicle
 
"Rockets forward Luis Scola wrapped an arm around Jordan Hill's shoulders and walked the rookie back to the Rockets bench, delivering instructions throughout the trip. Before Hill could take a seat, Rockets assistant coach Jack Sikma stopped him for a few words. After he sat, Rockets director of player development Shawn Respert leaned in to offer more counsel. Hill listened and nodded, having quickly grown accustomed to the attention, knowing that at every time out — or even dead ball — he could be hearing from Shane Battier, Chuck Hayes or Scola, followed by Sikma or Rick Adelman."
Knicks, Bulls fighting for star McGrady
February 17
New York Post
 
"It's D-Day for Tracy McGrady as the Knicks and Bulls compete for T-Mac's services with the Rockets' decision likely coming today, according to three sources. Negotiations between the Knicks and Rockets over McGrady went back and forth yesterday -- with early indications the Bulls were in the lead. But late last night a report from SI.com named the Knicks as frontrunners for McGrady and ready to finalize the deal today. That deal would bring cap heaven for the Knicks, sending rookie Jordan Hill and veteran Jared Jeffries to Houston, along with Larry Hughes, and freeing an additional $9.4 million in cap space for the Knicks to sign two free agents to maximum deals this summer. Picks would"
Knicks, Rockets close to McGrady deal
February 17
CBSSports.com
 columnist Ken Berger
"The Knicks and Rockets are in the final stages of negotiating a blockbuster trade that would send Tracy McGrady to New York, with the Bulls still in the game based on the final issue of draft-pick compensation, CBSSports.com has learned. The Knicks would get McGrady in exchange for Jared Jeffries, Larry Hughes, Jordan Hill and draft pick considerations. The deal hinges on the level of protection the Knicks will require on a 2012 first-round pick that would go to the Rockets in the trade. The deal also would give Houston the right to swap first-round picks with the Knicks in 2011. Knicks president Donnie Walsh is discussing the draft-pick protection issue with Madison Square Garden chairman"
Shedding Jordan would be small price
February 16
New York Post
 columnist George Willis
"Jordan Hill was shooting free throws yesterday and working with assistant coach Herb Williams well after the other Knicks had concluded their practice and headed for the showers. With his dreadlocks flapping as he chased his own rebound, Hill was smiling while bantering with Williams. "He's a real nice kid," Knicks GM Donnie Walsh said as he watched the scene from a sideline chair, "a real nice kid.""
Knicks may add Hill to package for McGrady
February 16
New York Post
 
"The Knicks and Rockets were closing in on a blockbuster deal yesterday that not only would bring Tracy McGrady to New York -- but more important, could open up $9.5 million of additional cap space that would give the Knicks a chance to sign two All-Star free agents to maximum contracts this summer. "We've made progress," a source involved in the talks told The Post, an indication an agreement could be reached today. The price the Knicks could pay for getting Jared Jeffries ($6.9M) off their books in this Rockets trade is giving up on their disappointing rookie lottery pick Jordan Hill, and possibly a 2012 first-round pick. Another league source said last night the holdup is that Knicks"
Knicks' Jordan Hill goes from out of rotation to pivotal role
January 24
Bergen Record
 
"Less than two weeks after coach Mike D'Antoni acknowledged Jordan Hill didn't have a role, the Knicks' rookie found himself dealing with Lakers' Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum on Friday. And this afternoon, when the Knicks play Dallas, he could find himself face to face with Dirk Nowitzki. Welcome to the big-time, rook - and the revolving door that is the back of D'Antoni's rotation, which could spin even more today with Nate Robinson (hamstring) doubtful. Playing three games in a role that Jonathan Bender, Larry Hughes and fellow rookies Toney Douglas and Marcus Landry also have occupied, (No. 8 in an eight-man rotation), Hill has exhibited some of the reasons why the Knicks chose him eighth"
Minutes may go up-Hill for rook
January 17
New York Post
 
"Jordan Hill's rookie season may have begun last night. The seldom-used 6-foot-10 Hill was on the court in the fourth quarter for the Knicks' huge comeback that saw a 20-point deficit sliced to two points in the final minute of their 94-90 loss to the Pistons. Hill finished with six points, making 3 of 5 shots, and secured three rebounds. Sources have indicated D'Antoni is leaning toward giving Hill a real look now. Hill has played mostly in garbage time this season. "We got good minutes from Jordan, which is good," D'Antoni said. "We had guys who were trying and playing the right way. His energy, he was athletic. He played well. If he continues like that, he'll get some more time." Al"
Hill holding key to knicks' future
October 7
New York Post
 
"Jordan Hill is a quiet guy, but the amount of noise he makes on the court this season is of utmost importance to the Knicks' future. The first-round draft pick must prove he was worthy of such a high selection (No. 8 overall) to keep fans from losing faith in the drafting prowess of team president Donnie Walsh and coach Mike D'Antoni. And he must show he is a building block of a championship-caliber team in order to lure LeBron James to New York. The Knicks gambled on drafting Hill, a 6-foot-10 power forward, despite the presence of David Lee at the position and the team's obvious need for a point guard. In fact, Hill was drafted ahead of talented point guard Brandon Jennings, who greatly"
Knicks' Hill hard at work in Vegas
July 18
Arizona Republic
 
"Jordan Hill said he knew the Suns liked him and heard about them working on a draft-day deal last month with the idea of selecting him. Hill ended up in the same system, anyway, as the New York Knicks took him with the No. 8 overall pick. The former University of Arizona standout still is catching his breath. "I've got to stay in shape," Hill said after three NBA Summer League games this week in Las Vegas. "It's not easy, so you definitely have to be ready for it. It would take time for anybody to get ready for it if you're just coming in. I'm having fun. It'll just take time." Hill is averaging 11.7 points a game but is shooting 38.5 percent. The 6-foot-10 power forward is grabbing 8.3"
Knicks grab "hair" Jordan
June 26
Bergen Record
 
"As the draft dominoes fell Thursday night, the Knicks got within one pick of Stephen Curry and were just about ready to grab him when … Whoa, Nellie. Golden State's Don Nelson, a former Knicks coach, snatched him away with the seventh overall pick and at No. 8, Donnie Walsh declined to go the expected guard route, instead selecting Arizona power forward Jordan Hill. The second Arizona forward picked by the Knicks in the last four drafts (Isiah Thomas chose Channing Frye with the eighth pick in 2005), Hill heard a typical reaction from the New York crowd when his name was announced: "Boooo." The crowd produced the same reaction not only when Curry went to the Warriors, but when Spanish"
Knicks select Jordan Hill of Arizona with 8th pick in NBA Draft
June 25
New York Daily News
 
"One pick was all that separated the Knicks from drafting Stephen Curry Thursday night. Now, they are separated by nearly 3,000 miles. Curry was taken seventh overall by the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Draft, a stunning turn of events that left Jordan Hill and Donnie Walsh as the two most unpopular people in New York. Walsh selected Hill, a 6-foot-10 forward from Arizona, eighth overall much to the dismay of the partisan crowd inside the WaMu Theatre. "I've been through that in Indiana," Walsh said. "They booed Chuck Person. They booed Reggie Miller. I can go on and on." Walsh called Hill "one of the best if not the best big men" in the draft. He averaged 18.3 points and 11 rebounds as"