<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">LAS VEGAS -- Not yet 24 years old, Julius Hodge finds himself trying to resurrect an NBA career that never really got going before near tragedy struck near the end of his rookie season. Hodge is a veteran on a Sonics summer league team filled with rookies and youngsters. He is emerging as an adviser to Kevin Durant and has offered some strong advice on avoiding trouble and staying grounded. The former North Carolina State star and ACC player of the year nearly lost the chance to play again when he was wounded in a random drive-by shooting while driving on Interstate 76 in Denver on the morning of April 8, 2006. Hodge was shot three times in the lower torso and required surgery to remove a bullet fragment from his thigh. Doctors told Hodge there was a possibility he could walk with a limp. But he not only recovered enough to avoid any permanent disability, he returned to professional basketball and is healthy as he tries to earn a training camp slot with Seattle. He scored 14 points and added 10 rebounds in his first game Friday against the Mavericks, but followed that with three points and one rebound in Monday's loss to the Knicks. He is trying to make his best impression on defense, which will be coach P.J. Carlesimo's major emphasis. "The determined (goal) is to get a job, I'm here working hard every day," he said after Tuesday's practice near the Las Vegas strip. "Busting my butt in practice, I'm definitely trying to (separate) myself from a couple of other guys as far as my defensive skills." Hodge doesn't turn 24 until November, but it seems like he's been on the basketball scene for decades. He had a splendid four-year career at N.C. State, leading the Wolfpack to the Sweet 16 as a senior. The Nuggets drafted him with the 20th pick in 2005, but coach George Karl wanted to play Hodge at point guard instead of his natural shooting guard position. He was relegated to the bench and the NBDL during his rookie season, and then everything was derailed by the shooting. The shooters were never apprehended, and Hodge, who was coming home from a nightclub, said he has no idea who was in the car that pulled up to his BMW and started firing. Hodge was on the road with the NBDL Colorado 14ers at the time of the shooting. Since the incident, Hodge said he has adjusted his lifestyle. While most 23-yearolds enjoy the nightlife, Hodge has no desire for the perils of partying.</div> Source: Seattle PI
I really hope he gets a chance to play again. He was one of my favorite college players through his whole career. I think he has a great chance to make their roster too. He can play the 1 2 and 3.
I don't really see where he is going to make the roster - in Wilkins, Gelabale and Green, we already have three versatile guys who aren't really outstanding shooters, while you'd imagine West will spend some time at the two as well. Unless he turns himself into a lockdown defender I don't see where he fits.
Isn't the point wide open for you guys? And from what it seems is defense is gonna be pretty dang good. He was def one of the best defenders in the draft when he came out and he makes seem like he has been working on it.
We've already got 2 point guards (Watson and Ridnour) under contract -- 3 if you include Delonte West. From what I've seen in summer league, Hodge hasn't been outstanding. Like Sir Desmond said, Gelable, Wilkins and Green can all be decent defenders and West is a good defender as well.
