Hill says he’s hurt leaving the Spurs

After being traded from his first professional team after three seasons, George Hill admitted Friday he had some bruised feelings.

“It hurts when you feel like you have a lot of family (with the Spurs), but at the same time, I know the Spurs love me as a person,” Hill said Friday at a brief press conference at Incarnate Word University. “They are a great organization and it’s just a better business decision for them and myself.”

Hill was traded Thursday night to his hometown team, the Indiana Pacers. Spurs general manager R.C. Buford termed it one of the most difficult moves he’s had to make during his tenure with the team.

That move was abrupt and one that Hill didn’t realize would be coming until he got a call early Thursday evening from Spurs coach Gregg Popovich.

“When you make something your home for three years and you have a relationship with other players, it’s kind of like breaking a marital relationship,” Hill said. “But at the same time you know it’s a part of the business. I think it’s a great opportunity for me and for the Spurs organization. You have to look at it from that standpoint and just move on and keep trying to do what you’re doing now.”