Grant Hill speaks

The following excerpts are from an radio interview that Clippers' forward Grant Hill conducted with azcentral sports writer Dan Bickley.

Hill on he and Nash winding up in Los Angeles: “I don’t think anybody thought that either one of us would be out here in L.A.”

Hill on how this summer differed from two re-signings with Phoenix:“The previous times that I went through the whole free agent period, there was still a feeling that we could be good or there was that sort of sentiment that we’d try to keep that core together, if you will, and go for it. Now, I guess that team and sort of era has run its course.”

Hill on how the Clippers came from off his radar: “It’s interesting. I had dinner with Chauncey when I was in town in Vegas covering the Olympic team and we didn’t even talk about the Clippers. It didn’t even come up. We hung out and talked about other things. And then I met with Vinny really almost as a favor, just because I had known him, played against him and he had worked for the Suns my first year. I just really liked what he was saying. They really weren’t the team that I was looking at.”

Hill on if his exit from Phoenix is bittersweet: “It was tough because not only did we get to the Western Conference finals but I think if you talk to anybody who was on that team, that was really just a special team, a special group of guys, a kind of bond that we had. We had talent obviously but there was a real sense of connection and togetherness on the court. And then quickly it changed.”

Hill on playing at 38 and 39 for non-playoff teams: “Obviously these last two years were very difficult. Because at this point, with any point, particularly at this point I know in my career, you want to be able to feel like you have a chance. We went out and competed and gave our all and had some good, hard fights and had some wins maybe the last two years that we weren’t supposed to have. But I think if you’re being objective, if we did our best, we would’ve been an eighth seed. So that’s tough. That’s a bitter pill to swallow, particularly after coming off the high we had back two years ago. It would’ve been nice to keep that core together. I understand why that didn’t happen.”

Hill on new teammates Chris Paul and Blake Griffin: “It kind of reminds you of a younger, maybe more athletic version of Steve and Amare (in) styles of play.”

Hill on Nash going to the Lakers: “That’s like transferring from Duke and going to Carolina.”