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Washington — It was Kirk Hinrich Day here Monday, in case you missed it. No mayoral proclamation, a la John Wall. Just my own proclamation, which isn’t the same, but still.
(And before we go on, to be clear, it’s Kirk , not Kurt, as at least one media mate referred to him. It’s KIRK, as in Douglas, Captain, or the Church of Scotland. Kirk.)
The happiest people in stuffy Verizon Center on Monday probably were the campers who got to meet Hinrich. He was asked to shoot a free throw — if he made it, the youngsters didn’t have to run a lap. They eagerly surrounded him, and he made it, and his fan club had its newest recruits.
Some of us have had our membership cards a little longer. I’ve followed Hinrich through his very successful four years at Kansas University, plus seven years in Chicago, during which a lot of Kansans — bereft of an NBA team — became Bulls fans.
Hinrich said Monday it would take fans in Washington some time to get to know him. I don’t think so. Wizards fans, who’ve been a bit bereft themselves, will see quickly that Hinrich has been a winner at every level, and they’ll want him to bring some of that magic to D.C.
He’s also been a leader at every level. Sons of coaches can go in two directions on the court: They can turn into obnoxious blowhards or floor generals. Hinrich, who played for his father from third grade through high school, made it through Door No. 2. Father and son won the Iowa state championship in his senior season at Sioux City West High School.
He then polished his game at Kansas under Roy Williams. That meant running the offense as well as hard-nosed hustling on defense. He took the Jayhawks to consecutive Final Fours; fans wept on Senior Night in 2003.
The Bulls drafted him seventh overall that summer. After his first season, he was named to the all-rookie team with some names you’ll recognize: LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and Carmelo Anthony.
In seven seasons in Chicago, Hinrich averaged 13.4 points, 5.8 assists and 2.2 turnovers, went to the playoffs five times, and was voted captain four times. In fact, at all levels of the game, Hinrich was a leader, without even trying.
“It just seems like everywhere I go, the way I play, my teammates really respect me,” he said. “It started out, I wasn’t very vocal, I tried to lead by example. I wasn’t even trying to be a leader. Guys are always looking to me for that. As I moved on in my career I knew that my teammates were looking to me for leadership. I tried to become a better leader and be more vocal and everything like that.”
Hinrich is a physical player who has had a few on-court incidents in his day.
But that’s about it. There are no DUIs haunting his past, no off-court incidents. To put it bluntly, he won’t be bringing any guns into the locker room or embarrass his team. Instead, you’ll get consistent play from a guy who never quits. He’s as steady as the summer heat in D.C.
He’d like to give Wizards fans some new happy moments. He and wife Jill, whom he has known since his Iowa days, are preparing to move here. “Our family is very excited for the change,” he said.
“I’m motivated as a player individually and as a team to bring the excitement back to town.”
— Tracee Hamilton is a Kansas University graduate
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Football team comes back hoping to break losing streak from last year August 31, 2010
KU volleyball starts season 4-0 for first time since 2005 August 31, 2010
Comments
drgnslayr (anonymous) says…
"Wizards fans should love Hinrich"
Your darn tootin'!
murph (anonymous) says…
Can you just imagine how confused that locker room will be with both Kirk and Gilbert Arenas inside?? Wow! Let's hope John Wall has the sense to listen to the right one.
I can't say I was ever actually a Bulls' fan...I just followed them as a Hinrich fan. Now I'll be reading up on the Wizards along with my doubled interest in the Thunder for Nick and Cole, while keeping an eye on wherever Darnell ends up.
I'm ready for some basketball!
overseashawk (anonymous) says…
Murph, Darnell Jackson signed with the Kings. They have a lack of post player talent so he'll more than likely make the roster.
murph (anonymous) replies…
Hope so... He's a great person - the kind it's fun to see succeed.
Speakeasy (anonymous) says…
Knew Tracee on the UDK staff in the early '80s. Good to see her writing for the Post.
Jhaux (anonymous) says…
You edited this story.
This is from the actual atricle:
"I've followed Hinrich through his very successful four years at the University of Kansas"
Why does the LJW insist on referring to kansas univeristy rather than University of Kansas?
It was even written by a University of Kansas graduate, and that's how she refers to it. Not Kansas Univdersity.
Speakeasy (anonymous) replies…
Simple--because the J-W insists on being perverse.
cshjhawk (anonymous) says…
Bunch of KU Alums in DC who welcome Kirk with open arms!
BoulderHawk (anonymous) says…
Been a Bulls fan all my life and a Hinrich fan ever since he arrived on the hardwood at Kansas. I didn't want to see him traded but decided since the front office in Chicago was clueless it would be best for him to go elsewhere. I am not sure Washington is a good elsewhere for him. He deserves better but no matter where he is he will bring it and they will love him. Good luck Kirk. As for the Bulls, it is going to be eons before the stars align to drop the likes of Jordan , Pippen and Phil Jackson in their lap. Reinsdorf and Krause got lucky like no one deserves. The Cubs will win a World Series before the Bulls win another championship.
nashhawk (anonymous) says…
To all you uptight people whose day is ruined when they read "Kansas University" instead of "University of Kansas," I have just one question: do you boycott Kansas football games because the helmets say "KU" instead of "UK?"
addlime (anonymous) replies…
I don't really care what they call the school, but isn't possible to both be named the University of Kansas, and to use the abbreviation KU for the purpose of clarity at the same time? I think this is the official position that the school seems to take. (Just go to their official website) So what gives some rinky dink local newspaper the right to decide to call it something else? (Sorry LJW, love you, but its true) I think the people on this blog that are upset about this are just annoyed when journalists have both a chip on their shoulder and an obvious agenda. Its poor journalism to be sure, but then again, it is a rinky dink local paper... ;)
Viking76 (anonymous) replies…
nashhawk: I could not care less about the controversy being discussed, but just FYI, UK officially stands for Kentucky. So I definitely prefer to see KU on our helmets … and everything else, for that matter.
TimmytheJayhawk (anonymous) says…
I agree with nashhawk. Whoever decided to slide over and inverse the U & K are ultimately to blame. (Maybe someone on the page knows how this happened. I would guess that it was done because The University of Kentucky already used UK, but am not sure.)
The only time it is annoying is when you are trying to select KU from a picklist and it is invariably in the opposite place that you expect.
As for folks looking to get irritated about stuff that doesn't matter in life. Let Kansas University tick you off. As for me... I love KU, The University of Kansas AND Kansas University.
hawksince51 (anonymous) says…
Kirk was one of my all time favorite Jayhawks. He was a hard-nosed, smart player on both ends of the court and always gave 100%. I would have preferred that it was Kirk who took that final shot against Syracuse--I do not think his would have been blocked.
I don't follow the NBA that closely but was never surprised with his success there. It was particularly pleasing to me that when he made the all rookie first team he beat out T.J. Ford. A Texas ski friend had to eat some crow on that occasion since he predicted that Kirk would never make it in the NBA and that Ford would be an all-star. I expect Kirk's success to continue even with the Wizards. However, I would rather see him with the Nuggets or Thunder.
P.S. When initials are used, it has always been, and should always be, KU. Let that other school be known as UK.
pmohr13 (anonymous) replies…
I believe Kirk did take the last shot, after Lee's shot got blocked out of bounds Kirk had the shot after that. Correct me if I'm wrong.
KU08 (anonymous) replies…
You are correct. Kirk got off one last shot - and I still believe he was fouled.
BoulderHawk (anonymous) replies…
yep and he was fouled. But I have never seen a foul called at that point in the game. Has anyone ever seen that one called?
OakvilleJHawk (anonymous) says…
UK..a fascinating country with an amazing amount of historical presence and a profound impact on the culture of the world today. I have been ...what, oh you mean the University of Kentucky??.......never mind!!
kansasalumn (anonymous) says…
who cares if we are "KU" instead of "UK" Back when the University of Kansas was started, They use KU instead of UK. KU is smoother off of your lips and tongue than UK. The chants "KUUUUU" sounds much better thank "UKKKK" I have seen many publications has both ways University of Kansas and Kansas University. I really do not care. Heck our arch rival across state lines go by "MU" and their official name is University of Missouri-Columbia. I like "MU" better than "UMC"
10point8 (anonymous) says…
Favorite. Jayhawk. Ever.
goshenjhawk (anonymous) says…
hawksince51 -- small point here but Kirk did take the final shot against Syracuse. If I am not mistaken, after Michael Lee's shot from the corner was blocked by Hakim Warrick, there was still a second or two left and Hinrich threw up a hurried prayer from outside. Trivia, trivia I know but I have the memory of those last few seconds burned in my crimson and blue mind:) RCJKU
pmohr13 (anonymous) replies…
Aww i replied to his post before i read all the way down, I believe this is correct.
goshenjhawk (anonymous) replies…
Yes I found a fuzzy replay after a quick search of youtube. It was only .7 of a second left but Kirk did get the final shot.
hawksince51 (anonymous) replies…
Thanks for the correction--I had forgotten and concede the point that Kirk had the FINAL shot. However, as I recall the play was for Michael Lee to take the winning shot and I always felt it should have been a play set up for Kirk. But I often found myself disagreeing with Roy at the end of close games.
KU08 (anonymous) replies…
Lee was money from that spot. If Warrick hadn't blocked it, I say it goes in. (We will obviously never know.)
Speakeasy (anonymous) replies…
It sure looked good to me. And Lee has always said he was certain it was good. Until--
kirkhinrichflow (anonymous) says…
If u dont fall in love with k-blaze u have no soul!!!!!.....no homo ayee
hawkinator (anonymous) says…
does anyone have access to the ESPN insider article:
"Rumors: Kansas closes in on top Ohio recruit" (which may also be titled)
"Kansas in the hunt for Sampson"??
it would be awesome if someone could post that story. anyway, thanks!
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
jayhawkdon (anonymous) says…
Great article Tracee. You hit a home run.
actorman (anonymous) says…
"Favorite. Jayhawk. Ever."
You said it, brother (or sister, as the case may be)!
BoulderHawk (anonymous) says…
I'll just say one of my favorites. After
reading recent articles on Danny, Russell, Mario.. etc I keep being reminded that I have a lot of favorite Jayhawks.
honeyiscool (anonymous) says…
I love Mario for making that shot and I love Pierce for representing KU well in the NBA but Kirk is still my favorite Jayhawk that I ever got to watch.
sassykansan (anonymous) says…
I miss you, K.