The Man from Ooey-Pooey

So it turns out IUPUI (Spurs rookie, George Hill's alma matter, for those just joining us) stands for Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. Evidentally it's a little like UTSA, except two major Universities share the same regional campus. Sort of like those Pizza Hut/KFC stores.

Actually I shouldn't compare this place to those blights on humanity. IUPUI, and especially their basketball program, sounds like a pretty classy operation. The S.A. Express-News did their homework on the place and offer a basic rundown, including the fact that the name is informally pronounced "ooey-pooey."

Express-News also has an article lauding Hill as a player whose NBA-ready skills flew right under the radar of many teams in the first round because of his lack of exposure at Mid-Level Division I school, IUPUI.

Ron Hunter, Hill's coach at the obscure Indianapolis college, has this word of advice for Spurs fans when it comes to their new rookie point guard: Remember the name, if not the school.

“I've always said some guys have ‘it' and some guys develop ‘it,'” Hunter said. “This guy was born with it. People have no idea how talented this kid is.”

It also presents Hill as a player whose personality is perfectly suited for the Spurs system, and illustrates how these two details are not mutually exclusive, as Hill actually passed up opportunities to play for powerhouse programs such as Temple, Indiana and Florida, for a chance to play closer to his ailing grandfather. Unfortunately his grandfather passed away only two months after Hill signed his letter of intent with IUPUI.

Coach Popovich often uses a term to describe the kind of player personality that makes the Spurs work so well. He looks for individuals who are "over themselves." When you take stock of the range of personas in the NBA, and consider how delicate the function of a championship caliber NBA squad must be, it makes sense that pop would value this quality so highly. It suggests a selflessness, and a lack of unneccessary distraction in a person.

In my opinion this is the quality that allowed the Celtics to be so great this season. The talent of their three superstars is undeniable; but we've seen plenty of teams stacked with superstars fall short of doing what the Celtics did. The '04 Lakers are probably the best example. Kobe and Shaq, along with Karl Malone and Gary Payton failed to do what Shaq and Kobe did three times with far inferior supporting casts. Shortly after that series everyone started to realize just now not "over themselves" those guys were--especially Kobe.

It's obviously not the only factor: Kobe and Shaq have one a hand-full of titles while being distractions from the purpose of their team. But it's not easy. And I agree with one of Travis's comments earlier--it helps when they don't call fouls on your 400lb player.

Anyway, it's great to hear that George is a Pop sort of player. And even more encouraging to hear how ready the Spurs and Hill's former coach think he is to come in and contribute basketball-wise.

One NBA scout, after watching Hill up close for much of the year, said he thought the guard could have started for any college team in the country...

“He's a freak of nature,” Hunter said. “He's a guy that could play three-straight NBA games, then go out and run a mile — and run it in five minutes.”

He should come in very handy if the NBA ever switches to a triple-header / foot race playoff format.