link</p> ORLANDO, Fla., - Any confusion about how Grant Hill would be treated in his return to Orlando was put to rest during the national anthem, when one disrespectful fan felt compelled to get the first volley in early. “Hill, you suck!” came tumbling out of the stands before the final stanza, giving Hill his first laugh of the night. But the Suns forward also had the last one, as his new team rolled over his old one on a night when he was booed loudly in pregame introductions and every time he touched the ball all night. “(The first heckle) make me laugh and helped me calm down,” said Hill, who didn’t shoot particularly well (6-for-18) but still contributed 14 points and eight rebounds in 36 active minutes. “It’s always good to come back and beat your old team. I knew they would boo, fans are supposed to boo the opposing team.” But Orlando’s fans made Hill’s decision to sign with the Suns and leave the Magic after seven injury-riddled seasons personal, cheering every miss and mistake by the man who used to be the most popular player in town with glee — something that bothered some of his former Magic teammates. “He didn’t do anything wrong to this city … he didn’t deserve that,” Orlando guard Jameer Nelson said. “He was professional about it, he didn’t walk off the court with any crazy gestures. Not Hill, he’s a professional. He’s one of the guys I learned from on how to be a professional on and off the court.” WALLY BELL? Well, that will teach Raja Bell to miss a game, huh? Even after Leandro Barbosa’s 39-point eruption Saturday, Bell knows his starting job is waiting whenever his swollen right ankle allows — and he expects that to be Tuesday when the Suns host the New York Knicks. Bell didn’t want to miss even one game, but the ankle he rolled on Shaquille O’Neal’s foot Friday in Miami didn’t cooperate. “I usually don’t swell a whole lot, but this one swelled more than normal for me,” he said. “Once the adrenaline went away (Friday) night, it was so sore that I knew I would be watching (Saturday). “But I don’t want to miss any more games. I’m going to do whatever I’ve got to do to get back in there Tuesday.” But if he doesn’t, coach Mike D’Antoni knows where Bell’s shot allotment will go. “L.B. figured ‘Let’s see, I usually take 12-15 shots and Raja usually takes 12-15 shots, so I’ll just take his,’” he said. “We didn’t distribute them, he just took them, which was fine with me.” PACE YOURSELVES Steve Nash’s career-best run of consecutive 30-point games ended at two Saturday — and you won’t find anyone happier about it. Back to his normal role of distributor, Nash had 11 assists and saved many of his 19 points for key sequences when the Suns needed a basket to keep their confidence high. “It was nice to have a more balanced attack and for other guys to feel good. It makes our rhythm better,” Nash said. “ I don’t have to be aggressive. I can kind of pick my spots.” Nash hit nine of 13 shots but took only three 3-pointers — interesting, given he came into the game shooting an incredible 62 percent (18-for-29) from behind the arc. But the only numbers he’s interested in involve the final score — his focus is on pace and rhythm. “Our tempo is improving. We’re getting better,” he said. “Hopefully, that cohesion and that sustained ability are becoming more natural so we can play at that pace.” BONUS SHOTS• The Suns won both ends of back-to-back games for the first time this season — they had been 0-2 on the back end (losing to the Lakers and at Atlanta.) • Phoenix is 5-0 when reaching 100 points in a game, and 0-2 when it doesn’t. • The Suns were 2-5 after seven games last season, and 3-4 in 2005-06. They have matched the 5-2 start of the 2004-05 team that tied a franchise record with 62 wins. • The Suns are now 4-1 against the East and 75-20 since the beginning of the 2004-05 season.</p>
I think it's ridiculous that Orlando fans booed Grant Hill, especially at the extent they went to with some of those signs. Hill is one of the genuinely good guys around the league. Sure, he signed a big time deal and it didn't pan out due to injuries... but that man gave his heart and soul several times to come back strong, and did one year with an All-Star appearance. He has battled through so much both physically and mentally, and they repay him by booing him?</p> If it were a guy that signed a big deal, didn't work hard, and laughed his way to the bank - then sure, boo the hell out of him. But Grant Hill? If it were up to him, he would have played 82 games a year and brought big things to Orlando.</p>
On a side note, the first jersey I ever got was a Grant Hill Jersey.</p> You gotta look at it from the Orlando side of things,They tradedBen Wallace for him. At the time of the trade I didnt even know who he was, now look at him.</p>
