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.
