Due to his exceptional two-way game and the Chicago Bulls' success, Scottie Pippen became known as arguably the best wing player in the league. However, former Detroit Pistons power forward Grant Long argued that it began to be a debatable matter when Grant Hill burst onto the NBA scene in the mid-1990s.
Hill took the NBA by storm and quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with on the court, showcasing skills that transcended traditional small forwards in the game with his explosiveness. While Pippen was nothing short of an incredible player, Long believed that healthy G-Hill was the best in his position at the time.
"When I got to Detroit and began to practice with the team, and watched him in the game and played with him, I realized he was really that good," Long told The Athletic of Hill in 2018. "I've gone on record to say, before all of his injuries, there was no better small forward in the game. No better. Bar none."
"People always brought up Scottie Pippen and his versatility, and I always said, 'Bar none, Grant was the best small forward in the game when I was playing,'" he continued.
Grant knew his role and limitations
In his prime, Hill was not just a scorer but also a facilitator who could dish out assists and create opportunities for his teammates. However, Grant's outside shooting was an aspect of his game that he needed to improve.
According to Long, the Duke product never overdid something, especially those that weren't his expertise. For "The Take Charge Man," G-Hill wasn't insecure about the things he couldn't do. Reflecting on it, Grant's Pistons teammate was consistently amazed by Hill's ability to recognize and embrace his role on the court while also understanding his limitations.
"He was just so secure in his own skin," Long said. "One day, Coach wanted him to take a 3-point shot, and I vividly remember him saying, 'No, Terry Mills is a better 3-point shooter.' He didn't have a problem saying that because he understood where his game was and where he was effective."
"Think of how many things LeBron goes through. They always say he passes too much. They say, 'Why would he defer to another player when he's so good?' Well, Grant Hill was the king of that. He understood when there was someone better than him at something...He recognized his own talent, and he never tried to do too much. He did what he was capable of, which was more than enough," he added.
Pippen influenced Grant
It was true that, at one point, the best small forward in the league title was a toss-up between Pippen and Hill. Looking at the pair's respective repertoires, it wasn't that difficult to create an epic rivalry. Those who preferred versatility and high-level defense sided with Scottie, while the ones who enjoyed watching electrifying plays rooted for Grant.
Casual NBA fans may have debated about it on several occasions back then, but as it turned out, there was never any serious rivalry between the players in question, especially off the court. If anything, G-Hill once admitted that Pippen even played a crucial role in his rise to NBA stardom.
Related: Allen Iverson wanted to send a message to Michael Jordan in their first NBA matchup: "You going to remember No. 3 too"
Only injuries beat Grant
Indeed, Hill was once heralded as one of the most talented players of his time. Apart from becoming arguably the best small forward, Grant was also touted to dominate the league. Many even labeled him as the next Michael Jordan because of his ability to dominate his matchups, take over a game, and do everything with remarkable poise and flair.
However, as G-Hill soared to become the new face of the NBA, setbacks came along the way and hindered him from reaching the zenith of success. A series of unfortunate injuries thwarted his ascent to greatness, leaving fans to ponder what the NBA landscape could have been had he managed to stay healthy.
Constantly dealing with devastating injuries did not only take a toll on Hill's body but also on his mentality as a player. Admittedly, the once dynamic and unstoppable scorer lost his confidence and was never able to get his mojo back.
Despite losing his explosiveness, Grant went on and continued playing as a role player. Today, Hill is remembered not only for his undeniable talent but also for his perseverance in the face of adversity.
Related: Isiah Thomas on why he would pick Grant Hill over Scottie Pippen as the best SF of the 90s: "Pippen can't carry the league"
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