Get To Know Solo - A Talk With Solomon Hill
Atlanta Hawks' Solomon Hill goes for the layup versus the Philadelphia 76ers (photo courtesy of Scott Cunningham)
When I set out to interview Solomon Hill, one of the newest members of the Atlanta Hawks, I just wanted to get some basic information about the forward so fans could get an idea of who he is and what he brings to the squad. What I received was an interview that would leave a lasting impression as I was introduced to the person, not the player.
As he connects to Zoom, his "Solo" nickname pops up on the screen. "Can you hear me? Okay, good.’” It's early Friday morning; the Hawks are in Utah to take on the Jazz later that evening. The self-described “early bird” is already awake on the West coast. The team flew to Phoenix Tuesday, found out about the postponement of their game Wednesday, then flew to Utah Thursday for a Friday matchup that would be followed by a Saturday game in Portland. "You have to kinda just immerse yourself in this and be ready for whatever comes your way."
The team has had its shares of ups and downs from the start the season. Point guard Trae Young has repeatedly said that they’re taking it one game at a time and he won’t get too high or too low. As the NBA planned their restart, it was no secret the league would experience difficulties carrying out the schedule without a sure thing like the bubble. Solo was there with the Miami Heat. "I look at the bubble (last season) as it would be the most intimate setting for a team, you know living on the same floor, eating meals at the same place. Being around each other without having to social distance and whatnot. It was easier for us to see that we were building friendships, long lasting friendships because we were placed in that situation. This year has been very different because you have a young team that probably needs the same amount of care that was built last year in the bubble and we can't do that...We can barely practice. They're just basically trying to put us in a position to just play games and as a young team, it's hard because we're trying to turn that corner. We're trying to go from being a young team to a competitive team and it does make it difficult. But the guys here are definitely open to learning. You know you have some teams where they're young and it can be a lot harder to make more significant moves. But the team and the roster we have now, the guys have a certain maturity level about them that allows them to be coached and talked to."
Adversity shows its face in more ways than one and it has hit the Hawks from every direction. With the rules for preparation and starting the season ever changing due to the pandemic, the team and its new additions didn’t have much time to get to know each other. There weren’t many opportunities to be at the practice facility together and many team-bonding events they had occurred during their mini bubble/mini-camp period. Much of their ongoing connections were maintained due to the gifts of technology. Add to this the injuries that fell onto the newest additions (Tony Snell, Kris Dunn and Onyeka Okongwu entered the season with injuries, Rajon Rondo, Danilo Gallinari and Bogdan Bogdanović suffered injuries later). "I was looking at the team with just myself and then we lost Bogi (Bogdan Bogdanović), you're basically talking about last year's Atlanta Hawks team on the floor." Sprinkle in reportedly leaked information from a film session surrounding two of the starters. Top it off with a game being postponed due to COVID-19 tracing. That recipe is a lot for even the most seasoned to take on, let alone a team full of guys under the age of 25. "I do think there has to be a clear understanding of how certain guys affect this team and what their internal roles are. It's not going to come from Coach (Lloyd Pierce), it basically just comes from understanding. I think 'Dre (Hunter), between 'Dre and Cam (Reddish) those guys are still my rooks, 'Dre has been as consistent as he has been with the limited amount of games. He hasn't played 82, he hasn't played a full season and that's different. That's really a disadvantage for him but he's playing some really good basketball." Solo brings up how those second year players could have gained valuable experience playing against the teams remaining on the schedule last year because those teams could have been in a position to play for seeding. Mentioning that this team would have benefited from a full season under the usual circumstances would be an understatement.
"I think the young guys, as they get older, as they get some facial hair and whatnot, go through some real stuff, they will understand that 'yeah, this is a business.' As we get towards the trade deadline, that's a real thing for guys. It's just about just managing what you can. I think it's easier said than done in your first years but by your fourth or fifth year, you start to really understand the rhythm of the NBA. You understand that media members, they have a job. Whether you agree with it or not, they still have a job to do. It's nothing personal but it is what it is." 29-year-old Solo brings up how players learn how to deal with the media as the years progress, how a player like Damian Lillard knows how to call the media out and put them on the "hot spot" if he has something to say about their reporting.
As he enjoys honing his skills with all of the coaches, the two assistant coaches Solo does his main work with are Nate Babcock and Matt Hill. He also works with Melvin Hunt since he's more of a defensive player. Assistant Coach Nate McMillan and Solo go way back, even before his Indiana Pacers days. "I was with Coach Mac when I came into the league. He's a guy that I've just known. I've known Coach Mac since college because I played against Jamelle McMillan, his son, in college."
"I had my years where I was hesitant to shoot. That wasn't necessarily my game coming into the league." Over the years, the needs of the game have changed and because of that, Solo has desired to adapt. Though it's early, he's attempting more threes than previously in his career, and shooting roughly 35% from the perimeter. "My game has done a 180." He recognizes that his defense is what got him here but shooting threes is what can expand his game even more.
To have such longevity in this industry, it helps to gain and apply the lessons learned via experience. Solo already had the foundation before he was drafted as his dad would recap and challenge him following any sporting events they viewed. "The places that we (Black men) come from, the places that we had to overcome didn't normally prepare us for situations outside of athletics." Solo mentions how young Black men who play sports could often coast through the educational system because of how they excelled in athletics, ultimately leading to a disconnect between the level of scholastic knowledge and the completion of the degree or program. "My dad just gave me that wisdom, he gave me that opportunity to learn from him, to make those mistakes while talking to him and for me to be open to criticism from him...I give all of the credit to my dad for preparing me not just athletically but mentally as well."
Solo's unafraid to display some of his own wisdom and opinions on his social media, specifically his Twitter. In an era where any and every thing someone tweets can have substantial consequences, he feels comfortable expressing himself because he does his research. "I did used to have the hesitation because I wanted to do my work. I wanted to make sure if I tweeted something out, that I'm able to speak on it knowledgeably. And understand not only what's being said but who was saying it. But that hesitation has kinda dwindled." Although he recognizes the platform that social media offers, Solo wants to eventually take a break from it because it can be so much, "times have just been crazy, just mentally. It's only so much you can take."
The responsibility of answering some of the nation's most difficult questions has been thrust upon the Black athlete while simultaneously suggesting they're not allowed to have an opinion on topics that any other taxpayer can freely express. "It was never understood by me when it's like, I pay taxes in every state that I play in. I pay a great amount of taxes especially from where I'm from and I don't have kids that are reaping the benefits of these taxes, nor am I at home long enough to reap the benefits of these taxes." So why should he just "shut up" and do his job while others are allowed and sometimes even encouraged to be vocal about taxpayer issues? Solo uses his Twitter to voice his observations on a range of topics, from social injustices to music reviews. "Especially as a Black man, our athletes are put on bigger pedestals than political leaders, than social justice leaders." As the nation grapples with event after event, the Black athlete must be prepared to be asked for possible solutions while politicians are afforded the opportunity to be hidden due to their preferred lack of ease of access to them. "Certain pressures have allowed benefits to the Black community. A lot of people talk about 'Oh, Black Lives Matter and whatnot' but you can say what you want about it but Apple just pledged a hundred million dollars to helping the Black community. You have all of these jobs in places that are starting to possibly just do more because it was a kick in the butt. They should have been doing more from the beginning but that conversation was had and benefits have been allowed because of it, a conversation has been started because of it. Yea, it's not the way that America thinks that things need to be done but we tried the other way. (Colin) Kaepernick tried to just take a knee. The thing that hurts me the most is our (45th) president saying 'Get those sons of b*****es off the field' and inciting people." As we reflect on that incredulous moment, the magnitude of knowing that someone in a position of power and/or leadership did not express an interest in why a peaceful protest was occurring hits hard. Solo's understanding and research of current/past events permeates the conversation. He discusses the impact that entertainers have on the Black community, the influence of Stacey Abrams, the disassociation of the Atlanta Dream players with franchise co-owner Kelly Loeffler.
"At the end of the day, I'm only a basketball player for so long but I'll always be a Black man. If I say something or if I'm able to just motivate or educate just one person, I think I've done a good job."
Fatherhood has been everything to Solo. Taking a scroll on his Instagram, you'll see the smiling face of his four-year-old daughter, the sleeping nature of his newborn son, and the charming photos from his wedding with his wife, Lo'ren. "I love my babies...I'm glad I was able to have them towards the end of my career." He says that he's set up financially and because of the NBA, if he desires to return to school, he can and can do so virtually so as to not miss much time with his children. Because of his career, he's missed a lot of family time and, as much as he loves the game of basketball, time is just something nobody can get back. "I just know that the relationship I have with my parents, specifically my dad and his availability, was huge for my upbringing and that's what I want to do for my kids."
As he connects to Zoom, his "Solo" nickname pops up on the screen. "Can you hear me? Okay, good.’” It's early Friday morning; the Hawks are in Utah to take on the Jazz later that evening. The self-described “early bird” is already awake on the West coast. The team flew to Phoenix Tuesday, found out about the postponement of their game Wednesday, then flew to Utah Thursday for a Friday matchup that would be followed by a Saturday game in Portland. "You have to kinda just immerse yourself in this and be ready for whatever comes your way."
The team has had its shares of ups and downs from the start the season. Point guard Trae Young has repeatedly said that they’re taking it one game at a time and he won’t get too high or too low. As the NBA planned their restart, it was no secret the league would experience difficulties carrying out the schedule without a sure thing like the bubble. Solo was there with the Miami Heat. "I look at the bubble (last season) as it would be the most intimate setting for a team, you know living on the same floor, eating meals at the same place. Being around each other without having to social distance and whatnot. It was easier for us to see that we were building friendships, long lasting friendships because we were placed in that situation. This year has been very different because you have a young team that probably needs the same amount of care that was built last year in the bubble and we can't do that...We can barely practice. They're just basically trying to put us in a position to just play games and as a young team, it's hard because we're trying to turn that corner. We're trying to go from being a young team to a competitive team and it does make it difficult. But the guys here are definitely open to learning. You know you have some teams where they're young and it can be a lot harder to make more significant moves. But the team and the roster we have now, the guys have a certain maturity level about them that allows them to be coached and talked to."
Adversity shows its face in more ways than one and it has hit the Hawks from every direction. With the rules for preparation and starting the season ever changing due to the pandemic, the team and its new additions didn’t have much time to get to know each other. There weren’t many opportunities to be at the practice facility together and many team-bonding events they had occurred during their mini bubble/mini-camp period. Much of their ongoing connections were maintained due to the gifts of technology. Add to this the injuries that fell onto the newest additions (Tony Snell, Kris Dunn and Onyeka Okongwu entered the season with injuries, Rajon Rondo, Danilo Gallinari and Bogdan Bogdanović suffered injuries later). "I was looking at the team with just myself and then we lost Bogi (Bogdan Bogdanović), you're basically talking about last year's Atlanta Hawks team on the floor." Sprinkle in reportedly leaked information from a film session surrounding two of the starters. Top it off with a game being postponed due to COVID-19 tracing. That recipe is a lot for even the most seasoned to take on, let alone a team full of guys under the age of 25. "I do think there has to be a clear understanding of how certain guys affect this team and what their internal roles are. It's not going to come from Coach (Lloyd Pierce), it basically just comes from understanding. I think 'Dre (Hunter), between 'Dre and Cam (Reddish) those guys are still my rooks, 'Dre has been as consistent as he has been with the limited amount of games. He hasn't played 82, he hasn't played a full season and that's different. That's really a disadvantage for him but he's playing some really good basketball." Solo brings up how those second year players could have gained valuable experience playing against the teams remaining on the schedule last year because those teams could have been in a position to play for seeding. Mentioning that this team would have benefited from a full season under the usual circumstances would be an understatement.
"I think the young guys, as they get older, as they get some facial hair and whatnot, go through some real stuff, they will understand that 'yeah, this is a business.' As we get towards the trade deadline, that's a real thing for guys. It's just about just managing what you can. I think it's easier said than done in your first years but by your fourth or fifth year, you start to really understand the rhythm of the NBA. You understand that media members, they have a job. Whether you agree with it or not, they still have a job to do. It's nothing personal but it is what it is." 29-year-old Solo brings up how players learn how to deal with the media as the years progress, how a player like Damian Lillard knows how to call the media out and put them on the "hot spot" if he has something to say about their reporting.
As he enjoys honing his skills with all of the coaches, the two assistant coaches Solo does his main work with are Nate Babcock and Matt Hill. He also works with Melvin Hunt since he's more of a defensive player. Assistant Coach Nate McMillan and Solo go way back, even before his Indiana Pacers days. "I was with Coach Mac when I came into the league. He's a guy that I've just known. I've known Coach Mac since college because I played against Jamelle McMillan, his son, in college."
"I had my years where I was hesitant to shoot. That wasn't necessarily my game coming into the league." Over the years, the needs of the game have changed and because of that, Solo has desired to adapt. Though it's early, he's attempting more threes than previously in his career, and shooting roughly 35% from the perimeter. "My game has done a 180." He recognizes that his defense is what got him here but shooting threes is what can expand his game even more.
To have such longevity in this industry, it helps to gain and apply the lessons learned via experience. Solo already had the foundation before he was drafted as his dad would recap and challenge him following any sporting events they viewed. "The places that we (Black men) come from, the places that we had to overcome didn't normally prepare us for situations outside of athletics." Solo mentions how young Black men who play sports could often coast through the educational system because of how they excelled in athletics, ultimately leading to a disconnect between the level of scholastic knowledge and the completion of the degree or program. "My dad just gave me that wisdom, he gave me that opportunity to learn from him, to make those mistakes while talking to him and for me to be open to criticism from him...I give all of the credit to my dad for preparing me not just athletically but mentally as well."
Solo's unafraid to display some of his own wisdom and opinions on his social media, specifically his Twitter. In an era where any and every thing someone tweets can have substantial consequences, he feels comfortable expressing himself because he does his research. "I did used to have the hesitation because I wanted to do my work. I wanted to make sure if I tweeted something out, that I'm able to speak on it knowledgeably. And understand not only what's being said but who was saying it. But that hesitation has kinda dwindled." Although he recognizes the platform that social media offers, Solo wants to eventually take a break from it because it can be so much, "times have just been crazy, just mentally. It's only so much you can take."
The responsibility of answering some of the nation's most difficult questions has been thrust upon the Black athlete while simultaneously suggesting they're not allowed to have an opinion on topics that any other taxpayer can freely express. "It was never understood by me when it's like, I pay taxes in every state that I play in. I pay a great amount of taxes especially from where I'm from and I don't have kids that are reaping the benefits of these taxes, nor am I at home long enough to reap the benefits of these taxes." So why should he just "shut up" and do his job while others are allowed and sometimes even encouraged to be vocal about taxpayer issues? Solo uses his Twitter to voice his observations on a range of topics, from social injustices to music reviews. "Especially as a Black man, our athletes are put on bigger pedestals than political leaders, than social justice leaders." As the nation grapples with event after event, the Black athlete must be prepared to be asked for possible solutions while politicians are afforded the opportunity to be hidden due to their preferred lack of ease of access to them. "Certain pressures have allowed benefits to the Black community. A lot of people talk about 'Oh, Black Lives Matter and whatnot' but you can say what you want about it but Apple just pledged a hundred million dollars to helping the Black community. You have all of these jobs in places that are starting to possibly just do more because it was a kick in the butt. They should have been doing more from the beginning but that conversation was had and benefits have been allowed because of it, a conversation has been started because of it. Yea, it's not the way that America thinks that things need to be done but we tried the other way. (Colin) Kaepernick tried to just take a knee. The thing that hurts me the most is our (45th) president saying 'Get those sons of b*****es off the field' and inciting people." As we reflect on that incredulous moment, the magnitude of knowing that someone in a position of power and/or leadership did not express an interest in why a peaceful protest was occurring hits hard. Solo's understanding and research of current/past events permeates the conversation. He discusses the impact that entertainers have on the Black community, the influence of Stacey Abrams, the disassociation of the Atlanta Dream players with franchise co-owner Kelly Loeffler.
"At the end of the day, I'm only a basketball player for so long but I'll always be a Black man. If I say something or if I'm able to just motivate or educate just one person, I think I've done a good job."
Fatherhood has been everything to Solo. Taking a scroll on his Instagram, you'll see the smiling face of his four-year-old daughter, the sleeping nature of his newborn son, and the charming photos from his wedding with his wife, Lo'ren. "I love my babies...I'm glad I was able to have them towards the end of my career." He says that he's set up financially and because of the NBA, if he desires to return to school, he can and can do so virtually so as to not miss much time with his children. Because of his career, he's missed a lot of family time and, as much as he loves the game of basketball, time is just something nobody can get back. "I just know that the relationship I have with my parents, specifically my dad and his availability, was huge for my upbringing and that's what I want to do for my kids."