Former Spur: Malik Hairston

[ChuckD]

All of which is your opinion.

I just have a different one..I'm allowed to have one right?

What we do know is that after training camp and pre-season, the Spurs will have their roster and inactive roster in place. That is FACT and not an opinion.

Absolutely. I'm just disagreeing with you and agreeing with the "dead weight" contingent.

If Hairston is smart, he's living at the practice facility this summer and bugging the team to play in any summer league in which they are participating. He needs every minute of exposure he can get to show his stuff.

[MaNu4Tres]

I don't know why you are talking about off season.

Because you are implying Hairston can't improve or work on his game anymore because he can't go to Austin. I was pointing out the time period where players really improve their game, not so much Austin.

At the end of the training camp, Hairston would have spend 3 off-season and 2 full season with Spurs. I think it will be time to draw conclusions about him. Either he is good enough to make the active roster or it is time to give up on him. I don't see how spending a third season practicing with Spurs will significantly help him.

At the end of training camp, Hairston would have spent 2 full off-seasons with the Spurs, where the Spurs had the time to accurately assess his game and target specific areas of weaknesses to work on. The Spurs officials don't really try to critique and change the players the first few months after they are drafted. Even if they do, they aren't as precise in their assessment since the kid is relatively an enigma to the NBA game right after he's drafted.

Hairston is at a crossroad of his career with Spurs. I'm quite pessimistic he will succeed but I can understand people disagreeing with that. What I have a harder time to understand is when you disagreed that Hairston is at a crossroad.

I understand your point, and I think Hairston is at a crossroads to a degree, but not so much as you are implying. That is because I believe the Spurs will use their 10/11-15 spots on players that can not only help now, but that have upside to possibly be a piece for the future as well. If Hairston hadn't shown progress in his first full summer last year with the Spurs, and if he was older and didn't have much upside like a Marcus Williams for instance, then I would agree. But that is not the case, the kid still has upside and improved significantly his only full summer under the Spurs' microscope. I'm obviously a little higher on Hairston than you. But that's why we people have opinions.

[benefactor]

I wish I could share your optimism MaNu4Tres.

I've been on the Hairston band wagon since the beginning, but I am going to have to side with Bruno here to a degree. If Hairston isn't looking really close to being a bench player after camp and the preseason(date his contract becomes guaranteed?) the Spurs probably won't keep him. A lot of it will also depend on what type of player the Spurs draft. If they take a wing I can almost guarantee that one of Hairston/Gee/Temple is history...with the cards stacked pretty heavily against Hairston. After two seasons in the D-League/on the Spurs and two offseasons I think the Spurs are going to be ready for him to step in and contribute. Whether or not Hairston is ready will be the deciding factor.

[wildbill2u]

Hairston has to be very careful. He could very well get "Mahinmi'd". He always looks like the NBA is too big a stage for him. Temple gets signed and immediately produces at the NBA level in games that the Spurs NEED to have. Gee gets signed, and produces at the NBA level for Washington. I like Malik's athleticism a lot, but damn, he's been on the roster most of the season, yet the Spurs feel the need for more wing/guard callups? I'd say he could lose his roster spot next year. Not that he will, but he could. It would help A LOT if he could just stick that ing corner three ball like he does in the d-league.

Bowen made it as a defensive specialist because he could occasionally stick the 3.

No matter what he did in D League, Hairston better 'get it' or he's not gonna make it in the NBA>

[Cane]

I agree that if Hairston doesn't have a jumpshot and an overall noticeable improvement that his NBA career, at least with the Spurs, is in jeopardy due to spacing (the Spurs absolutely need 3-point shooters). He's essentially a smaller Richard Jefferson except has a much worse touch. Still, I see the Spurs giving him his chances during the beginning of the season due to his experience in the system and his d-league ineligibility. It'll also be interesting to see who fulfills the Spurs SF rotation when RJ is likely traded in February.

[Blackjack]

MaNu4Tres . . .



The THC is strong in that one.

[MaNu4Tres]

I wish I could share your optimism MaNu4Tres.

I've been on the Hairston band wagon since the beginning, but I am going to have to side with Bruno here to a degree. If Hairston isn't looking really close to being a bench player after camp and the preseason(date his contract becomes guaranteed?) the Spurs probably won't keep him. A lot of it will also depend on what type of player the Spurs draft. If they take a wing I can almost guarantee that one of Hairston/Gee/Temple is history...with the cards stacked pretty heavily against Hairston. After two seasons in the D-League/on the Spurs and two offseasons I think the Spurs are going to be ready for him to step in and contribute. Whether or not Hairston is ready will be the deciding factor.

That's the thing, I think Hairston is already a bench player; if not for this team, (due to a congested back-court/wing scenario), then for another NBA team ( I thought he was a more productive player than Mason and Bogans last year; as crazy as that may sound). Yes he still needs to work on his outside shot and his ball-handling (to a lesser degree). But he is productive in other ways like Tony Allen is for the Celtics. Seeing Allen provide productive minutes for a championship team, makes me believe Hairston can be a productive player for the Spurs off the bench if given the opportunity, even if he doesn't shoot 35-40% from 3 or even if he doesn't have superior handles and creative offensive change of direction with the ball. I saw Hairston as a bench player already before the summer started. It's all about opportunity and guaranteed spots/minutes ahead of him.

Other than that, I agree with everything you said to a degree. I understand Bruno's point of view on the crossroads theory. I just don't think they will pull the plug on him if he continues to show improvement, which is likely given his first full summer with the Spurs a year ago.

[HarlemHeat37]

Hairston will get a chance with a different team either way IMO, if the Spurs don't keep him of course..the problem is that the Spurs system absolutely needs shooting as much or more than any system in the NBA, especially right now since it has become a problem here for the first time in years..

If Malik develops a 3-point shot over the Summer, I have no doubt that he will be on the team and will be in the rotation..he's already a good defender and a great rebounder for his position..the shot is obviously extremely important though, and that will obviously be the key for him..he better be spending hours in the gym EVERY DAY, working on his jump shot from now until the end of the Summer..

I agree that the draft will be very telling..

While it may sound strange, I really believe the development of Hairston and Gee is going to be an important aspect for the Spurs..they can no longer afford to play washed up veterans..

[MaNu4Tres]

Hairston will get a chance with a different team either way IMO, if the Spurs don't keep him of course..the problem is that the Spurs system absolutely needs shooting as much or more than any system in the NBA, especially right now since it has become a problem here for the first time in years..

If Malik develops a 3-point shot over the Summer, I have no doubt that he will be on the team and will be in the rotation..he's already a good defender and a great rebounder for his position..the shot is obviously extremely important though, and that will obviously be the key for him..he better be spending hours in the gym EVERY DAY, working on his jump shot from now until the end of the Summer..

I agree that the draft will be very telling..

While it may sound strange, I really believe the development of Hairston and Gee is going to be an important aspect for the Spurs..they can no longer afford to play washed up veterans..

No it does not, to me at least..

I agree with everything you said here and I agree about the draft having an effect on the situation.

And I agree that Hairston will have a better chance on making the team if he improves his shooting and ball-handling. If he does, I'll go out even farther on the limb and say he will have an opportunity to start next year . Yeah I said it....what now?

[HarlemHeat37]

If the potential SF rookie/Hairston/Gee are good enough to make the team, it wouldn't be a stretch..the Spurs are better off with a defensive/athletic SG/SF starting as opposed to Jefferson, since he doesn't fit the starting lineup IMO..

Spurs need an Afflalo/Dudley type starting to compliment Parker and Ginobili/Parker and Hill IMO..Jefferson doesn't play D, he no longer has lateral quickness, and he doesn't spread the floor, so he needs to be a 6th man type IMO..

This is why I believe the development of these young players will be crucial to the Spurs success, as strange as it may sound..

[TD 21]

I think they will both fight for a spot on the active roster in training camp and preseason along with whoever the#20 pick in the draft may be.

I honestly believe both of the players and Temple will make the team for some of these reasons:

- They all have showed they are able to contribute on the NBA level.

- They all have improved their game significantly over the past year. (Not just Gee.) Meaning there's most likely still more untapped potential that will be tapped possibly this year or next.

- Gee and Temple are cheaper than signing veterans for the minimum to fill out this upcoming year's roster. Hairston would cost the same.- Credit to Mel

- The drop-off between their talent level and veterans to be signed for the minimum is minuscule (if there is a drop-off; some may even think they are better than most of the veterans available for the minimum; including myself .)


- Temple and Gee can still play in some games Austin next year, if they aren't one of the best 12 guys on the roster. (Still great, cheap insurance options with a lot of upside, if any injury(ies) occur.)


Also, let me make note that the Spurs only having 7 players under guaranteed contracts going into next year. After the assumed signing of Splitter and a 5th big (via draft or free agency (Mahinmi)? ) the roster will be at 10, leaving 5 spots on the roster for the taking.

If Gee, Hairston and Temple keep building on their game through the summer and summer league, then the Spurs might not even add a veteran wing for the minimum. Meaning two of them would have a good chance on the active roster.

If the Spurs do add a veteran wing for the minimum, that will stretch the roster to 11. Leaving 4 spots open. I know most people seem to believe Spurs won't carry more than 13 guys due to financial reasons. But I have a hard time buying that for different reasons.

For one, teams have to prepare their roster in case of injuries because of how often they do happen ( I can't remember a year where Spurs had everyone healthy for 82 games). I would think the F.O would come to a consensus to which they'd rather have Gee, Temple and Hairston as options instead of having to sign players of less ability on the spot when the injuries do happen. ( Especially when these new players would be light years behind where Hairston, Gee or Temple would be, in regards to "corporate knowledge" and talent level.)

Secondly, it's vital for the Spurs to keep developing young talent, as Duncan and Manu are going to be gone soon. Having roster spots available and used for valuable developing young talent will help bridge this ending era and the post-Duncan/Ginobili era more smoothly. I think they will use the 11-15 spots on young players for the future. IMO

I see the Spurs holding on to all three, unless one player just regresses significantly ( which I don't see happening with them being in San Antonio working out already.)



I doubt that, I think they went after Gee because they saw a very talented player that has the ability to be a cheap option with a lot of upside to not only fill out the roster,( Since they only have 7 players on guaranteed deals going into next year) but also to be a possible piece of the Spurs' future as well.

I don't think it had anything to do with them having doubts about Hairston.

Excellent post.

I too expect Hairston, Gee and Temple to make the roster, but only Hairston to be active.

However, despite that I expect the Spurs to acquire (most likely via free agency, unless Henry, Babbitt or George are available at 20) a veteran wing who has a track record of being a 40% three-point shooter. In terms of the stopper role, I think Harlem's right in the sense that most teams are going younger, cheaper and more athletic in that area, so I could see the Spurs having Hairston filling that role. In essence, he'd replace Bogans. But that still leaves the matter of replacing Mason/Finley. If they can acquire a wing who's a knockdown three-point shooter and a solid defender, then that's obviously ideal, but the three-point shooting has to be the main attribute.

When it's all said and done, I think the Spurs break camp with 14.

[The Truth #6]

Hard to say with Hairston. Now that he's the "veteran" of our up and coming wing projects, it would make sense that Pop would play him more than Temple or Gee, even if those two show to be better players.

I'm kidding...I think.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Kid should play lots of minutes early in the season so we can see whether he's developing what we need him to develop. I have hope that he can learn to shoot, and that's all he really needs because he's already a good slasher and works hard on D.

[timtonymanu]

Hairston has to be very careful. He could very well get "Mahinmi'd". He always looks like the NBA is too big a stage for him. Temple gets signed and immediately produces at the NBA level in games that the Spurs NEED to have. Gee gets signed, and produces at the NBA level for Washington. I like Malik's athleticism a lot, but damn, he's been on the roster most of the season, yet the Spurs feel the need for more wing/guard callups? I'd say he could lose his roster spot next year. Not that he will, but he could. It would help A LOT if he could just stick that ing corner three ball like he does in the d-league.

[Bruno]

Some bad news about Hairston:
He has a back injury and still hasn't practiced with Siena. He will have medical test this Monday to see the extend of the injury. Siena has called back a player they had under contract (David Moss) to play his spot.
Siena is also claiming that he got the injury while playing with Spurs. It damn looks like they will try to void his contract by claiming he hide an injury when he signed with them.

[Cane]

Definitely not a good situation. Didn't he have another injury this past season?

[Bruno]

Definitely not a good situation. Didn't he have another injury this past season?

He sprained his ankle at the end of the regular season.
One can wonder if the true reason, why he didn't play in SL, wasn't his back injury.

[Cane]

Reasonable take...didn't make much sense for him not to be in the SL otherwise imo, thanks for the heads up Bruno

[mountainballer]

Siena has called back a player they had under contract (David Moss) to play his spot.

wasn't Moss with Bologna?

pretty bad news for Malik. Siena will for sure cancel his contract. (once it gets to the point that a team publically states claims a player has hid an injury, there is no way they will keep him).
Malik to Valencia? (only if the injury isn't that serious , this would make some sense, after Valencia canceled the contract with Winston)

[Bruno]

Moss was under contract with Siena but they loaned him to Bologna. They also planed to loaned him this season but they called him back after Malik's injury.

[SpursTillTheEnd]

thnk you jesus, come on spurs pick him back up

[ChumpDumper]

At this rate, the Toros might be picking him back up.

[DesignatedT]

Interesting. Could see him definitely coming back if this happens.

[Blackjack]

Just needs some medicinal THC.

Seriously, hope he's healthy and I hope this team isn't screwing him over and has a legitimate contract dispute (in regards to when the injury took place) -- insult to injury would suck.

Would love to see him back with the Toros and have the opportunity to get called back up to the Spurs, but I'm just hoping he'll get healthy and find the right team to give him an opportunity to grow and prove himself -- and be well-compensated for it.

[Bruno]

Malik wasn't active in the playoffs because of an ankle injury, not a back injury. Not that Hairston would have played more than Ian did, but still.

I know that, see post #68.