SI’s Top 100 NBA players of 2018: Kings George Hill ranked 63
By Tyler Watts
Sports Illustrated’s The Crossover released the first part of its Top 100 on September 11. This article takes a look at Sacramento Kings point guard George Hill’s inclusion in the list.
Each year, Sports Illustrated releases its Top 100 NBA players. Those rankings cause much debate around the NBA community. This year SI kicked off the list on Monday, September 11 with players 50-100 and the “biggest snubs” list. Sacramento Kings new free agent acquisition George Hill checked in at number 63 on the rankings.
Today, we will take a look at why Hill made the top 100 and if he will stay in the rankings 365 days from now. Without further ado, let us jump right into it.
Why Hill made the cut
I mentioned in my article on the soon to be released video game NBA 2K18 that George Hill is one of the most underrated and underappreciated in the NBA. In a league flush with spectacular point guards, Hill gets lost in the shuffle behind the flashy and truly elite of the league.
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Sports Illustrated did a fantastic write up on Hill in the Top 100 piece which you can find here. It is well worth the read as it outlines many of the reasons he goes unnoticed despite his stellar play.
Too low?
I would argue that George Hill is better than his 63 ranking by SI. None of his traditional stats jump over the page but listen to this solid across the board line. Last season, Hill averaged 16.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.0 steal, 1.9 3-pointers made, and 1.7 turnovers per game in just 31.5 minutes a night. His efficiency stands out as he shot 47.7% from the field, 40.3% from 3-point territory, and 80.1% from the foul line. Hill’s 3-point percentage ranked 41st in the NBA of players who played at least 40 games last season.
The case for George Hill ranking among the top 50 NBA players lies in the advanced metrics. According to Basketball-Reference, Hill earned the 30th highest win shares per 48 minutes at 0.183 among players who played in at least 40 games last season. Perhaps you prefer value over replacement player (VORP), well Hill finished 45th in that category according to Basketball-Reference. Sure, Hill is 30 years old, and the Kings will be his third team in three seasons, but it sure looks to me like he is a deserving top 50 player in the NBA.
Will he return to the top 100 in 2019?
As I mentioned Hill is 30 years old and has a growing injury history, but barring a significant injury he should be a top 100 players for at least the next two seasons. He never tries to do too much on the court and is great playing within his strengths. Those attributes plus his basketball IQ should allow him to age gracefully and maintain his top 100 status.
Final Thoughts
Sports Illustrated’s The Crossover ranked George Hill 63 in their Top 100 Players of 2018. As I mentioned, I believe that ranking is too low, but the recognition as a top 65 player in the league is still a tremendous honor.
George Hill is facing a dual role in Sacramento this season. He must be a playmaker and leader on the court and mentor off of it. I have high hopes that Hill will make rookie De’Aaron Fox a much better basketball player and teach him the ropes on the NBA. Look for the two men to be sharing the backcourt frequently after the All-Star Break and leading this Sacramento Kings squad.
A Royal Pain is your one stop shop for all things Sacramento Kings this season. We have a ton of draft, free agency and summer league articles up on the site. Our focus now is to provide you with all the information you need to be ready for opening night, so please check back frequently. Thank you for reading.