PHOENIX SUNS

Grant Hill and Jason Kidd: Two former Phoenix Suns who will be forever linked

Jun 3, 2013, 8:32 PM | Updated: 11:06 pm

They came in together and they left together.

It was appropriate that Grant Hill and Jason Kidd both retired days apart. Their careers have been intertwined and relatable in different ways since the early 1990s.

In 1993, the California Golden Bears upset the defending champion Duke Blue Devils in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Cal was led by a freshman point guard by the name of Jason Kidd, who scored 11 points and dished out 14 assists. Hill scored 18 points for Duke that day.

Kidd was selected second by the Dallas Mavericks and Grant Hill third by the Detroit Pistons in the 1994 draft. The two ended up splitting the Rookie of the Year award.

Both players spent part of their careers as elite players at their position and transformed into successful role players, something that a lot of NBA players refuse to do.

Don’t let anyone tell you Hill wasn’t at one time an elite player on his way to being an all-time great. Here are his numbers from his first six seasons before suffering a career-changing ankle injury:


Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Phoenix Suns

Jamal Shead, Houston Cougars...

Kevin Zimmerman

NBA Draft Combine: What might pop so far to the Suns

Point guards and 3-and-D wings stood out in the first day of 2024 NBA Draft Combine scrimmages on Tuesday.

19 minutes ago

Draymond Green and Jusuf Nurkic...

Arizona Sports

Draymond Green’s and Jusuf Nurkic’s bickering continues on TNT’s Inside the NBA

Warriors forward Draymond Green took a subtle jab at Suns big man Jusuf Nurkic while guest-hosting on TNT's Inside the NBA.

1 day ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Can Mike Budenholzer maximize the Phoenix Suns’ Big 3?

Following the Suns hiring of Mike Budenholzer on Saturday, John Gambadoro and Kellan Olson discuss the expectations of Phoenix's new head coach.

2 days ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Should the Suns consider trading Kevin Durant? #kevindurant #suns #nba #shorts

Should the Suns consider trading Kevin Durant?

2 days ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: How other Arizona athletes can take notes from Kyler Murray’s leadership growth

Wolf & Luke discuss Kyler Murray's growth as a leader and even compare it to what Mike Budenholzer might be able to do for Devin Booker.

2 days ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Bickley Blast: Should the Suns consider trading Kevin Durant?

On Monday's Bickley Blast, Dan Bickley talks about what the Suns should do this offseason.

2 days ago

Grant Hill and Jason Kidd: Two former Phoenix Suns who will be forever linked