Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports
A lot of rookies in the NBA can be overlooked unless they are a top-10 pick in the draft and/or were a big name at the collegiate level. Well, in Indiana Pacers camp, rookie Solomon Hill is being noticed and impressing his coaches and teammates. A couple players were asked which of the new additions have been most impressive so far, and they both said Hill, according to Mark Montieth of Pacers.com.
“He should be a Pacer (player) for awhile,” Paul George said. “He plays the game beyond his years. He can do everything.” David West also commented on the rookie, saying “He’s ready, he’s smart, he didn’t make a whole lot of mistakes … he’s going to be able to help us this year.”
Now, Hill impressing doesn’t necessarily mean he will play much this season. It doesn’t mean he doesn’t deserve a lot of playing time, but he just doesn’t have a fit yet.
There is so much talent ahead of him at his position in Paul George, Danny Granger, Chris Copeland, Rasual Butler (non-guaranteed contract) and Lance Stephenson at the swing position that winning a good amount of playing time in his rookie season would be nearly impossible.
However, if he continues to impress and improve the next few seasons, the Pacers may want to hold on to him because whenever a spot becomes available, playing Hill may be beneficial.
If George is right, Hill will be a Pacers player for a while, and I for sure can’t wait to see him grow into hopefully a very strong NBA player.
