NBA Power Rankings: All 30 Starting Centers

23.  Jordan Hill — Los Angeles Lakers

Someone write me a 10-page paper on why Mitch Kupchak and the Lakers felt the desperate need to give Hill $9 million per year, for two seasons.  It would likely take 10 pages just to convince me that it was a smart financial move.

I wasn’t aware that less than half a season as a starter (32 games) warranted a near double digit salary for an undersized center.  But hey, I forget things too often.  If we all knew that was going to be the case, there should have been billboards splattered across Hollywood with Hill’s head wearing a crown.

Upon granting Hill his new extension, Kupchak offered the most cliche statement regarding the re-signing.

“Jordan’s frontcourt versatility is a benefit to our roster and his on-court work ethic is something we value on our team,” Kupchak said.  “We hope he’ll continue to work hard and develop as an NBA player.”

To be fair, a career season — across the board — was exceedingly impressive and it stunned the Lakers during their year of bloodshed and misery.  Hill played more minutes per game than he ever had in Houston or New York, and it resulted in a major increase in his offensive involvement.

There was only eight centers more splendid in their production last season (based on PER), albeit that Hill didn’t play but just 20 minutes per game due to Mike D’Antoni‘s stubbornness.

Hill is still stuck in between the battle of being a better pick-and-roll asset, and making defenses pay for giving him two feet of space.  If you can’t knock down a 15-18 foot jumper as a big man, you better be able to overpower your opponent and beat them with your athleticism each and every time.  Luckily for Hill, he always has the second of those options to bank on.  But, you’d shoot for obtaining both.