Notes from the Dennis Lindsey Interview

[timvp]

During the first game of summer league, Joel Myers interview Dennis Lindsey (assistant GM for the Spurs) for almost the entire second quarter. It was actually a good and extensive interview. A few posters were asking about what Lindsey talked about so here are some notes from the interview.

-Players added during the draft have skills that can fit the Spurs.

-Spurs didn't get the chance to work out Blair prior to the draft. However, he was a priority interview during the pre-draft camp in Chicago.

-Blair is down to 274 pounds with 8% body fat.

-Spurs like Blair's force, size and that he carries his weight well. What they really like is his feel -- he's a very underrated passer. Also has great hands.

-Pittsburgh coach Jamie Dixon said that Blair carried practice. As a power forward, it's a rare trait to have a bigman who is a leader.

-Spurs hope that Blair's rebounding numbers will carryover from college. Historically, rebounding is something that is predictive when going from college to pros.

-Spurs thought that McClinton's range to be selected in the draft was going to start in the 30s. They were surprised he was still on the board at 51. Spurs were very pleased he dropped that far.

-McClinton's skills comparable to Eddie House -- but still a long ways away.

-They like McClinton's motor. They also like the fact that not only is he a shooter, he's a shooter with good footspeed. Spurs like his ability to create separation -- especially on pin-down screens.

-This is a key offseason for Mahinmi.

-After they drafted him, Mahinmi made good progress in France and then they were pleased with his play in Austin. One of the best players in d-league two years ago.

-This is Mahinmi's real season to show what he can do after a year off due to injury. He has good physical tools -- now the Spurs want to give him some experience.

-Spurs hope Mahinmi has a lot of upside. The Spurs view Mahinmi and Gist as rookies since they are both just 22 years old. Both have physical gifts but they still need to connect all the dots.

-Gist had a very good year in Italy with a low budget team that overachieved. Gist was a big part of why that team overachieved and the Spurs like his development.

-Going over to Europe and experiencing the world helped Gist's development. Dell Demps, RC, Pop and Lindsey went over to Italy and saw Gist growing.

-Gist improved his skillset in Europe thanks to two-a-day practices and playing in a highly competitive environment.

-Felt fortunate to draft George Hill last year. In the 2008 draft, the Spurs felt really good about six or seven players so they decided not to trade their first round pick.

-Picking Hill was a tough choice but they liked that Hill fit them culturally and they liked that he was an NBA defender from Day 1.

-The Spurs think that Hill's rookie season was productive. Played well backing up Parker and played well when he was forced to start. Also played well at shooting guard and performed well in the playoffs.

-Hill has been working with Chad Forcier and Chip Engelland and the Spurs have seem some good growth. They think he has good tools and they like that he's a hard worker.

-Hill and Roger Mason, Jr. elevated their games last year early on to keep the Spurs afloat.

-The Spurs program is a "work program". When the Spurs bring in players, they have to believe that the player is a worker. Duncan and Robinson set the foundation of the program due to both being humble people. Humility and intelligence are important. Players have to be able to have a conversation in an adult manner because the culture of the team is worldly. All these attributes help players get better.

-There's no indications that Manu Ginobili won't be healthy. He's fully healthy and cleared. Ginobili provides the pace and pulse to the team. Ginobili is a postseason player -- a championship-moment player. There was no way to replace that in the playoffs without him.

-Big commitment by Peter Holt and the ownership group. Pop and RC went to Holt and told him their feelings about where the Spurs were at as a basketball club. Pop didn't mince any words after the Dallas series -- the team was short compared to the other conference finals contenders. Holt stepped up and allowed the Spurs to spend.

-Holt's reasoning for letting the Spurs spend was due to: 1) trusting that Pop and RC know what they are doing 2) with Duncan only having three years left, the Spurs want to go out swinging to honor him.

-Antonio McDyess is a player the Spurs have tried to add to the program for a long time. The Spurs have a lot of respect for Detroit's program -- in a lot of ways they are similar to San Antonio's program in nature. Due to that, the Spurs hope that McDyess' fit will be seamless.

-The Spurs needed to give Duncan a little bit more help by adding an interior defender and an experience player.

-McDyess is understated -- a pro's pro. McDyess and Pop had a conversation during free agency and quickly got on the same page.

-Pop's honesty when talking to free agents and agents is valuable. He speaks direct and between the eyes and people appreciate that.

-Pop told the front office that the Spurs really needed to add some physicality. McDyess and Blair address that need.

-There are no championships won during the offseason but if you don't address needs, you won't put yourself in a position to win a championship.

-The Spurs are happy with the needs they filled and they hope to push forward and add even more.

[urunobili]

I heard it during the game yesterday... he sounded very confident and positive about our players and future...

[Spurs Brazil]

Thanks a lot timvp!

[Marcus Bryant]

Thanks! Instructive reading for those who want the Spurs to add the balla of the moment and think they are not about winning championships.

[Bruno]

Thanks for the recap.

When I heard Spurs FO, L have the felling that they still will do something significant this offseason. Maybe it's just wishful thinking, maybe not...

[ginobilized]

Wow! Some great tidbits of Spursology. There are so many layers to the Spurs
culture....It's an impressive organization and one which I'm proud to support.
Thanks Timvp.

[hater]

There's no indications that Manu Ginobili won't be healthy. He's fully healthy and cleared. Ginobili provides the pace and pulse to the team. Ginobili is a postseason player -- a championship-moment player. There was no way to replace that in the playoffs without him.

for the Manu haters..

[naico]

They believe a whole lot in Gist, more then most people would have thought and Dice was a priority, not Wallace. 2 things that pop out.

[Solid D]

Originally Posted by timvp

[I]
-There's no indications that Manu Ginobili won't be healthy. He's fully healthy and cleared. Ginobili provides the pace and pulse to the team. Ginobili is a postseason player -- a championship-moment player. There was no way to replace that in the playoffs without him.
For ducks and mookie with love.

-The Spurs are happy with the needs they filled and they hope to push forward and add even more.

This statement is well-above average!

[Solid D]

Originally Posted by timvp

[I]
-There's no indications that Manu Ginobili won't be healthy. He's fully healthy and cleared. Ginobili provides the pace and pulse to the team. Ginobili is a postseason player -- a championship-moment player. There was no way to replace that in the playoffs without him.

For ducks and mookie with love.

-The Spurs are happy with the needs they filled and they hope to push forward and add even more.

This statement is well-above average!

[slick'81]

manu will be back with a vengeance this season

[GoSpurs99]

Love that last sentence TiMVP!!!!!

[Marcus Bryant]

Originally Posted by timvp

-The Spurs are happy with the needs they filled and they hope to push forward and add even more.

[SonOfAGun]

2) with Duncan only having three years left, the Spurs want to go out swinging to honor him.

[in2deep]

Originally Posted by timvp

-McDyess is understated -- a pro's pro. McDyess and Pop had a conversation during free agency and quickly got on the same page.

-Pop's honesty when talking to free agents and agents is valuable. He speaks direct and between the eyes and people appreciate that.

Pop is a PIMP

[Bruno]

Originally Posted by Marcus Bryant

[Solid D]

Thanks for taking the time to recap this LJ!

[bishopospurs]

Originally Posted by Marcus Bryant

That would be sick

[urunobili]

Pop has always praised him as a perfect Spur...

:pray

[Darkwaters]

Originally Posted by Marcus Bryant

Oh hell yea. You've got my vote. I've been advocating for Nocioni for a while now.

[urunobili]

I expect a rant against Nocioni's chances from the anti Manu posters...

those kids sound as if they were raped by an Argentinean during their childhood or something... they just flat out hate... can't blame them if they have a past of being owned by an Argie... it sucks big time...

[in2deep]

No brainer to Chapu coming here. Nocioni is a guy that will leave everything on the court.

In the olympics after Manu got injured, he carried Argentina on his back vs. USA. And he himself was on one leg. Dude is all heart.

Imagine a lineup of:
TP, Manu, Nocioni, Blair, Duncan

warriors

[urunobili]

The second unit would just get too sick...

Hill, Manu, Noce, Blair, Mahimni

[Mark in Austin]

I'm getting the feeling that Sac wants to keep him. There have been several stories about how one of the reasons they drafted Evans this year was toughness on the court - that they thought the team played too passive.

If that's the case I really doubt they trade Noc - especially with his contract structured to become more affordable every year.

[Mark in Austin]

timvp,

nothing from Lindsey on his plans to help the Rockets through this difficult time for the franchise?

[Marcus Bryant]

Originally Posted by Mark in Austin

I'm getting the feeling that Sac wants to keep him. There have been several stories about how one of the reasons they drafted Evans this year was toughness on the court - that they thought the team played too passive.

If that's the case I really doubt they trade Noc - especially with his contract structured to become more affordable every year.

Yes, it is "affordable." But they could also save $15 mil if they dealt Nocioni for, say, Bonner, Finley, Williams, and a pick of some sort.