Skip to content
Sixers
Link copied to clipboard

Sixers Notes: Sixers' Turner has a role model in Grant Hill

PHOENIX - When 76ers coach Doug Collins took over as coach of the Detroit Pistons, he had a pretty good idea of what he was getting with second-year forward Grant Hill.

Grant Hill said he sees a lot of similarities between himself and Evan Turner. (Nick Wass/AP)
Grant Hill said he sees a lot of similarities between himself and Evan Turner. (Nick Wass/AP)Read more

PHOENIX - When 76ers coach Doug Collins took over as coach of the Detroit Pistons, he had a pretty good idea of what he was getting with second-year forward Grant Hill.

Collins' son, Chris, was a teammate of Hill's at Duke, and Collins spent much of his time watching Hill play the point for the Blue Devils.

Hill, the No. 3 overall pick in 1994, had been named the rookie of the year - the first Piston to receive that honor since Isiah Thomas won it for the 1981-82 season - and Collins, aware of his versatility, played Hill extensively at the point.

Collins is going to do the same with second-year guard Evan Turner, although Turner will be coming off the bench.

Hill, in his 17th season and now a member of the Suns, thinks Turner will be a good fit playing point forward.

"When Doug got there in my second year, he put the ball in my hands, and I enjoyed it," Hill said before Wednesday's game with the Sixers. "It was great. The thing is, knowing Doug, if he thinks you can do that, it means that he trusts your ability, and it gives your team a different look. Most teams aren't used to having their shooting guard guard the guy who runs the offense."

Hill said he sees a lot of similarities between himself and Turner, who played a lot of point guard in his final season at Ohio State.

Hill said he wasn't familiar with the situation in Philadelphia. However, he believes that Turner will be successful.

"He's done it before," Hill said. "He's got a year under his belt, and he has a better understanding of the league now, so I don't see it as a big stretch." - John N. Mitchell