Hillman, Hines, and Davis play last game in Coleman tonight...

Bama's three seniors have been instrumental in Tide rise...

     Right off the bat let me say I have a warm spot in my heart for our three senior players. Hillman, Hines, and Davis sound like some fancy Wall Street wall firm. If they were a law firm they'd specialize in mayhem and intimidation. They would be a defense firm with a little plaintiff work from the arc thrown in to boot.

Hillman...


Scenario came out of high schools as top 20 high school prospect. A lot of people who don't really understand basketball have thrown a lot of grief his way out of ignorance.  Here's how I see Hillman - it took a four year senior to buy into the team play demanded by Grant. The S man gave up his offense to become a great defender.  When the younger players see the sacrifice and commitment it became easier for them to become team players. In short, without Hillman Grant's road to success would have been much harder. Anyone can shoot. Not everyone can defend. Few can defend greatly. TR Dunn, Amp  Murry, and Keith Askins come to mind. That's pretty good company.


Hines...


Hines was an enigma in Juco. He was  a  great player who really wasn't great at anything. He is a Bob Cousey type player. To me that is the greatest comparison a player might receive. I'll always remember Chris lying on the hardwood in his last regular season game. It was Georgia and it was big. Davis picked up his 5th and final foul diving for a loose ball. The game was over. The Tide had it won. But there was a loose ball and by god, all loose balls belong to Bama. The ovation he received was a real tear bringer. He's a junk yard dog who seemed to always be at the right place at the right time. 
 
And then there is Davis...

 Mr. Overlooked by many in high school. There were more questions about CD than you could answer on Jeopardy. He went the Juco route and ended up at Alabama. It wasn't a big deal. Over the course of the last two seasons Davis has become a complete player.  He plays inside and outside. At home he has made 42% of three point shots.  On the road he stands at less than 20%.  Look  it up - he had more rebounds and steals on the road than he had at home, and he made about 65% of two point shots. Best of all he became a more than solid defender.


     A lot has been said about Bama's incoming freshman class. Not much has been said about the three key players who are leaving. I love all three. They will be missed. They are part of a foundation for younger men yet to come.




back to Tider Insider