Suns representation at Hall of Fame connected to renowned training staff

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — When Grant Hill signed with the Phoenix Suns in 2007 at the age of 34, he thought he had maybe one year left in him to play professional basketball.

And then he became familiar with the Phoenix Suns’ medical team.

“They were measuring, doing all these things that I had never seen before. It was almost like ‘Finally, I feel like I’m getting a level of care that I desired for years,’” Hill told Cronkite News before he was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame. “Driving back to the hotel, I got emotional. I was like ‘Wow,’ it felt right.”

Despite ongoing ankle injuries that even prompted talk of retirement, Hill signed with the Suns. In five seasons, he started 343 regular season games, including all 82 in 2008-09 for the first time in his career.

A top-notch medical staff is important. With news of Devin Booker’s recent hand surgery that will sideline him for six weeks, the Suns medical team will be expected to lend their expertise again.

Many, like Hill, believe in that expertise. With Steve Nash as his co-captain, Hill made a run to the Conference Finals in 2009-10.

“I just had an opportunity to play. I was very appreciative after having that almost taken from me, from some of the injuries. In the end I was kind of able to be an Iron Man,” Hill said.

In four of his previous six seasons in Orlando, Hill played 29 games or fewer. He wondered if he would eventually make up for lost time.

“I used to tell myself, I’m going to get back and make up for it on the back-end and play until I’m 40. I think my wife used to think I was crazy. But I did. I played until I was 40. I should’ve told her 45!” Hill said.

Hill and Nash, both of whom were inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, have utilized the Suns’ athletic training team to prolong their careers.

Aaron Nelson, head athletic trainer of the Suns, says being in tune with your body as well as working the training staff is key to keeping healthy.

“Say you have this really, really high-end car, but you have really bad brakes. What’s going to happen? The car is eventually going to wreck because you’re not going to be able to stop,” Nelson said.

Not many players were like Nash and Hill, who knew their bodies and were willing to trust the process, Nelson said.

After receiving his Hall of Fame jacket, Nash acknowledged all who helped him get to this point in his career.

“It’s an opportunity to reflect on how this happened. It’s an opportunity to thank all those people that took part in our success,” Nash said. “I just want to thank the Hall and all my classmates and everybody that had a big impact on my life and my career and everything that allowed me to experience this today, so thank you.”

Although both players credit the training staff, Nelson credits the players, saying they had an innate ability to recognize what was going on with their body. Even on days off he would turn his car around and help them with rehabilitation whenever they asked.

“I don’t care if it’s a holiday. If he wants to take care of it, I’m there to take care of it for him,” Nelson said. “Ironically, one guy that would be similar to that is Grant Hill.”

The relationship between the two athletes and the Suns training staff was a successful one, and a key to the players’ NBA longevity.