It's Not a Surprise the Knicks want Hill

by Max Caster

It has just come out that if Arizona Forward Jordan Hill was available at the 8th spot in the NBA Draft, the New York Knicks would take him. This being revealed after New York has openly had the hots for Davidson sharpshooter Stephen Curry. And while Curry fits into New York's system, so does Hill, and it shouldn't be a shock that he'll be grabbed by the Knicks.


Jordan Hill is a 6'10", 235-pound forward who could easily play next to David Lee in the Knicks' starting lineup. Remember, amidst all this point guard talk, New York is set up to go into the year with David Lee at center again. Yes, Lee played extraordinarily there last season, but Mike D'Antoni doesn't want to put him there again.

Other immediate alternatives to Lee are Jared Jeffries and Eddy Curry. I'll give a big ol' 'No, thanks' to JJ. Eddy Curry is interesting though. He's got a long way to come back to where he was in 2006-2007, and then some to be able to play in this running system. I'm not saying that he can't do it, but there is a better chance of Jordan Hill becoming the everyday center before Eddy Curry.

The pursuit of a big man has been overshadowed by the great point guard debate here in New York. One group wants Stephen Curry. Another wants Ty Lawson. Another wants Brandon Jennings. And so on... Even when it came out that New York was looking at Orlando Center Marcin Gortat a couple of weeks ago; there was no hoopla about the necessity of a center.


I said months before the draft lottery that the Knicks needed to get a center. Looking at the draft, the only two lottery selections who would fit extremely well into D'Antoni's system were Blake Griffin and Jordan Hill. We all knew that Griffin would go 1st overall, and the Knicks would only be able to get him if there was a repeat of the 1985 lottery.

And Hill seemed like a longshot as well. Back then, he was projected to be a top 3 pick. If the Knicks could come away with someone who, not too long ago, was that highly regarded, it would be a steal at the 8th selection.


He slipped down the boards mainly because others shot up. He was slated as the 3rd pick until Oklahoma City got it. He slipped to Washington at 5, but they like Stephen Curry just as much as the Knicks do. Then guys like Jonny Flynn, Ricky Rubio and Jrue Holiday shot up and are projected to go anywhere from 4 to 7, making Jordan Hill a forgotten man.

Hill was an absolute monster playing for the Arizona Wildcats. Last season, he posted 18.3 points a game, as well as 11 rebounds, almost 2 blocked shots and a steal.


What I like about his game though -- and call me crazy -- he's not a 3-point shooter. The Knicks have enough chuckers. The good, Danilo Gallinari & Al Harrington, and the bad alike, meaning Larry Hughes and Quentin Richardson. I'd have to suppose that with Stephen Curry, there would be that many more low percentage shots being taken. I wouldn't want another Nate Robinson on the team.

Jordan Hill is crafty and quick in the paint and has a very solid mid-range jumper. He can run the floor and finish off the dribble. He compared somewhat generously, but not too far off, with Chris Bosh. He has the size, the energy and the attitude to be a starter in the frontcourt for the New York Knicks.

If Jordan Hill is there, the Knicks have to take him.