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Grant Hill Wins the Magic Johnson Award.

Wed May 10, 2006 6:21 am

Grant Hill Named Winner of 2006 Magic Johnson Award


May 9, 2006

ORLANDO – Grant Hill of the Orlando Magic is the 2006 recipient of the Magic Johnson Award, presented annually by the Professional Basketball Writers Association.

The award honors an NBA player who combines excellence on the court with outstanding cooperation with the media and, by extension, the fans.

Established in 2001, the award is named after former Los Angeles Lakers great Earvin “Magic” Johnson, a Hall of Fame player and one of the NBA’s most popular and effective ambassadors ever. Johnson, with former Boston star Larry Bird, generally is credited with reviving interest in the league in the 1980s and ’90s and sparking its widespread popularity.

“It is truly an honor to receive this award and be spoken of in the same breath with Magic Johnson, who is truly one of the great ambassadors for our game,” Hill said. “I have great appreciation for the role the media play in helping us reach and touch fans.”

Hill, a 6-foot-8 forward, averaged 15.1 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists in just 21 games, sidelined for much of the season by a sports hernia injury. But the seven-time All-Star, who has averaged 20.6 points, 7.3 rebounds and 5.6 assists in an 11-year career, remained accessible and helpful to the media.

Other nominees for the award were Phoenix’s Shawn Marion, Houston’s Yao Ming, L.A. Lakers’ Lamar Odom, Dallas’ Jason Terry and San Antonio’s Brent Barry.

“The PBWA is proud to select Grant Hill for the Magic Johnson Award for 2006,” said Steve Aschburner, president of the PBWA. “Grant’s performance this season again was hampered by injury but, as always, he remained one of the league’s true gentlemen. His accomplishments on the court over a Hall of Fame-worthy career speak for themselves, while his willingness to work with the media – through his many surgeries and comebacks – has enriched the fans’ understanding of the game and the league. He is a terrific choice for this honor.”

The PBWA represents writers from newspapers, magazines and Internet services who cover the NBA on a regular basis.

ALL-TIME MAGIC JOHNSON AWARD WINNERS
2001: Ray Allen, Milwaukee Bucks
2002: Elton Brand, Los Angeles Clippers
2003: Jalen Rose, Chicago Bulls
2004: Jermaine O'Neal, Indiana Pacers
2005: Antawn Jamison, Washington Wizards
2006: Grant Hill, Orlando Magic


Source: http://www.nba.com/magic/news/Grant_Hil ... 9-800.html

Congrats to Grant, he's always seemed like a very classy guy both on and off the court to me, and I'm glad he's gotten some recognition.

Its a shame that his hernia and his injuries could force him to retire this season though. :cry:

Wed May 10, 2006 7:21 am

o, i thought he died.

Re: Grant Hill Wins the Magic Johnson Award.

Wed May 10, 2006 8:07 am

Its_asdf wrote:

2003: Jalen Rose, Chicago Bulls


Lmao, dont know why, that just seems funny to me. Not surprising though, considering how open Jalen is all the time.

Wed May 10, 2006 5:45 pm

ive never heard of the award but well done to him :lol:

Wed May 10, 2006 5:51 pm

Not surprising, Grant Hill's never had a reputation for being a surly, arrogant or miserly individual. This year was a disappointment after he looked better than expected in 2004/2005. I'm hoping he'll be back next season and perhaps even play a few more years so his career can end on a better note.

Thu May 11, 2006 4:40 am

According to ESPN.com's rumor central, Grant Hill plans to announce his retirement from the NBA soon. Its to bad about his injuries, he was one helluva player in his prime. Personally, I think that he is hall of fame worthy, but that is just my humble opinion.

Thu May 11, 2006 5:47 am

lol why did it sound so funny. congrats to him

Thu May 11, 2006 6:31 am

With the way that his career turned out, there's no way he's going to the Hall of Fame. He's had great seasons in the NBA and was probably even destined for greatness if he didn't go down with the injuries, but he's been injured too often to be considered and he hasn't brought any outstanding contribution to the game.

Thu May 11, 2006 6:47 am

I thought he had unprotected sex with a bunch of hos and got AIDS. (j/k)

He's a very likeable guy. If only this League had more of Hills, Brands and Yaos.

Thu May 11, 2006 6:41 pm

baldus_2004 wrote:According to ESPN.com's rumor central, Grant Hill plans to announce his retirement from the NBA soon. Its to bad about his injuries, he was one helluva player in his prime. Personally, I think that he is hall of fame worthy, but that is just my humble opinion.


That's a shame. I heard he'd be making a decision this offseason depending on the condition of his sports hernia, I guess his condition hasn't improved. Just as he beat one setback, he ran into another.
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