The first four games of the 2014-15 NBA season have been a grind to say the least for the Los Angeles Lakers. Although the team was optimistic heading into the season, the Lakers have lost four straight and that has been difficult for some of the players to deal with.
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Veteran forward/center Jordan Hill is one of those players. Hill has arguably been the most consistent player on the team thus far in the first four games putting up some impressive stats night in and night out.
As usual, Kobe Bryant tries to put the team on his back and lead the Lakers to victory, but his play hasn’t been enough to put them over the top. Hill believes he’s one of the players on the squad that could help shoulder the load to take the pressure off Kobe on a nightly basis.
Hill spoke to the media after the 23-point loss to the Warriors and said the following on TWCSportsNet, via Lakers Nation reporter Serena Winters:
Jordan Hill: "Kobe can't do it by himself all the time. Needs some guys to step it up. I feel like I'm one of those guys." (on TWC)
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) November 2, 2014
In the first four games, Hill has averaged 14.8 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting a career-high 55.8 percent from the floor. Kobe leads all scorers on the team with 24.8 points a contest, but Hill is proving to be a consistent and efficient offensive threat.
Not only has Hill improved his play around the basket this season, but he’s also developed a solid mid-range jumper. Confidence has played a major role in Hill’s play thus far with the veteran never hesitating on the floor.
With the 27-year-old signing a two-year deal with a team option next season, Hill has something to prove as he attempts to convince the Lakers he’s worth the $9 million he’ll earn next year if the team decides to bring him back. So far, it’d be hard to argue Hill isn’t worth every penny of his new deal as arguably the second-best player on the squad right now behind Kobe.
[divide]Jordan Hill Has 23 Points, Talks Byron Scott’s System
