Now that some of the Lakers injuries are beginning to heal up, there is beginning to be a struggle for players to get minutes.
In last night’s loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, Mike D’Antoni started Chris Kaman and Pau Gasol together, to mostly negative reviews. This combination led to Jordan Hill being the odd man out of the rotation, as he did not enter the game.
With Hill’s contract expiring after this season, he will have to decide if he wants to remain in Los Angeles. According to InsideSoCal’s Mark Medina, if Hill’s role will be the same as this year, the answer is clear:
Of course not. Who would?
This answer should not come as a surprise. Hill will obviously want to be somewhere where he knows he’s going to get consistent minutes. Just 10 days ago Hill was the talk of the town with a 28-point, 13-rebound game against Orlando, and a 28-point, 16-rebound game against Milwaukee.
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To then not play a single minute last night has to be frustrating to Hill. Despite admitting his frustrations, Hill vowed to continue to support his team, via Medina:
It gets old. It’s what you can expect, though. It’s not a surprise. I can’t do nothing, but stay humble and continue to keep my head high and support my team.
Hill also stressed that it is too early to think about his off-season decisions, and, much like Chris Kaman, reminded people that you have to respect the head coach.
With only eight games remaining, D’Antoni will have to figure out some way to juggle his big man rotation. Whichever way he leans, someone is going to be disappointed.
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D’Antoni Not Impressed With Chris Kaman, Pau Gasol Duo