On The Brink: Grant Hill Was Going To Be The Next Michael Jordan

ON THE BRINK is a series of articles on NBA players who appeared destined for superstardom, only to run into injuries that derailed their ascent. Despite the unfortunate turn of events, these players deserve to be recognized for their finest moments.

Ever watch that episode of NBA TV’s “Open Court” where the panel talked about the greatest players per decade? That episode was known for Shaquille O’Neal’s antics and Isiah Thomas’s animosity towards Scottie Pippen, but somewhere hidden among the shenanigans was a truly touching moment.

As the panel discussed the stars of the ’90s, Thomas turned to Grant Hill and delivered perhaps the most heartfelt message of the day. “When [Michael] Jordan was retired and Grant Hill was coming into the league,” Thomas recalled. “We were talking about passing the mantle to you…we’re talking about a guy like yourself carrying the league.”

There were no jokes this time. Thomas was dead serious, and for good reason.

In 1994, the Detroit Pistons selected Hill with the third pick in the NBA Draft. The Pistons, who had taken their lead from Thomas in the ’80s, had essentially chosen their next main man. After winning two national titles with Duke, Hill was now poised to lead the Pistons into the next century.

Talk about futuristic: The 6-foot-8 forward moved with such grace that he appeared to be the poster boy for a new era of athleticism. Night in and night out, Hill made opposing defenders face a terrible choice. Would they guard him up close and risk getting blown by for an explosive dunk? Or would they give him space, watch him eat it up with his smooth handles, and still get dunked on?

Hill’s middle name is apparently Henry, but it might as well have been Versatility. The awards piled up as he bagged co-Rookie of the Year honors and was named both an All-Star and an All-NBA selection multiple times.

The ’90s were kind to Hill. Some would even say that he was looking, well, Jordanesque. Then the 2000s came, and his career was derailed.

Multiple ankle injuries hindered him from flourishing with the Orlando Magic, his second team in the league. From 2000 to 2003, he played just 47 out of the Magic’s 246 regular-season games. Hill went on to miss the entirety of the 2003–04 season; ironically, his former team, Detroit, went on to win the NBA title.

Hill would have a career resurgence of sorts as he played alongside Steve Nash in the run-and-gun system of the Phoenix Suns. By that point, however, he had gone from undisputed top dog to grizzled veteran who was the third or fourth option in scoring.

Could he have come close to matching the individual or team accolades of Jordan had he stayed healthy? No one will ever know for sure, but to this day, Grant Hill is recognized as one of the most exciting and multifaceted athletes to ever set foot on an NBA court.