Mr.Bottomtooth
07-10-2008, 11:26 PM
New Spurs want to work hard, make the team
Web Posted: 07/10/2008 11:09 PM CDT
By Mike Monroe
Express-News
He was the 26th selection of the 2008 NBA draft, and something of a surprise first-rounder, at that. So, George Hill introduced himself to San Antonio on Thursday with a large share of humility and a clear vision of the important role he will be expected to play during his initial season in the NBA.
“If the veterans want me to carry their bags, or get doughnuts or McDonald's,” said the 6-foot-2 guard from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), “I'm down with that.”
Soon enough, Hill will discover most of his teammates are so old they have moved from deep-fried pastries and giant burgers to healthy meals pre-packaged by the Spurs' strength and conditioning staff. You can bet, though, that the mid-30s bunch that still makes up the bulk of the Spurs' roster will appreciate Hill's sincere modesty.
Hill and second-round picks Malik Hairston and James Gist joined 13 other players, including Spurs forward-center Ian Mahinmi, at the team's practice facility to begin preparations for the NBA's Las Vegas Summer League. Though play begins in Las Vegas today, the Spurs' entry won't play the first of their four games there until late Monday night. The Spurs' summer team then will head to Salt Lake City for four games in the annual Rocky Mountain Revue.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich likes all three of his draftees so much that he insisted, on draft night, that Hill instantly would make the Spurs better at both ends of the court, and that both Hairston and Gist have what it takes to make the team's regular season roster.
For the next two weeks, Hill wants only to prove Popovich wasn't overstating his talents.
“It makes you want to work harder because he thinks that highly of you,” Hill said. “That's why I'm going to come in here and work my tail off to accomplish everything he wants me to accomplish, and listen and take criticism, whatever it is; fill the shoes he wants me to fill.”
Hill eventually will sign an NBA-specified rookie scale contract that will guarantee him at least $2.7 million over the next three seasons.
Hairston and Gist aren't guaranteed roster spots or specified contracts. They know they must prove they belong on the roster of a team that went to the Western Conference finals last season.
Both players on Thursday seemed moderately overwhelmed by their surroundings and circumstances.
“First off,” said Hairston, a 6-foot-6 swing man from Oregon the Spurs got by swapping second-round picks with Phoenix, “it's a blessing to be drafted in the first place. But to be with such a storied program, a great organization, is truly a blessing.”
Gist, a 6-foot-9 forward from Maryland taken with the second of the Spurs' slots in the second round, understands his defensive toughness is likely what attracted the Spurs' attention. His goal in Las Vegas is to prove he can defend and rebound in the NBA.
“I just want to prove that I belong here,” he said. “I'm going to go out and hustle and do whatever it takes to make this roster.”
Gist was excited about the news the Spurs had reached agreement to sign Wizards guard Roger Mason, Jr., a friend with whom he has played a lot of pickup ball in the D.C. area where both players grew up.
“He's like an older brother,” he said. “We've had a relationship for a long time.”
Hairston grew up in Detroit, idolizing the Pistons, but already has begun adapting to his new surroundings.
“Well, I'm from Detroit,” he said. “Especially in the past few years, the battles those two teams have had have been great. You got (the NBA title) one year, we got it another, or, I should say they got it another.”
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA071108.1D.BKNspurs.draftees.4008d45.html
Web Posted: 07/10/2008 11:09 PM CDT
By Mike Monroe
Express-News
He was the 26th selection of the 2008 NBA draft, and something of a surprise first-rounder, at that. So, George Hill introduced himself to San Antonio on Thursday with a large share of humility and a clear vision of the important role he will be expected to play during his initial season in the NBA.
“If the veterans want me to carry their bags, or get doughnuts or McDonald's,” said the 6-foot-2 guard from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), “I'm down with that.”
Soon enough, Hill will discover most of his teammates are so old they have moved from deep-fried pastries and giant burgers to healthy meals pre-packaged by the Spurs' strength and conditioning staff. You can bet, though, that the mid-30s bunch that still makes up the bulk of the Spurs' roster will appreciate Hill's sincere modesty.
Hill and second-round picks Malik Hairston and James Gist joined 13 other players, including Spurs forward-center Ian Mahinmi, at the team's practice facility to begin preparations for the NBA's Las Vegas Summer League. Though play begins in Las Vegas today, the Spurs' entry won't play the first of their four games there until late Monday night. The Spurs' summer team then will head to Salt Lake City for four games in the annual Rocky Mountain Revue.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich likes all three of his draftees so much that he insisted, on draft night, that Hill instantly would make the Spurs better at both ends of the court, and that both Hairston and Gist have what it takes to make the team's regular season roster.
For the next two weeks, Hill wants only to prove Popovich wasn't overstating his talents.
“It makes you want to work harder because he thinks that highly of you,” Hill said. “That's why I'm going to come in here and work my tail off to accomplish everything he wants me to accomplish, and listen and take criticism, whatever it is; fill the shoes he wants me to fill.”
Hill eventually will sign an NBA-specified rookie scale contract that will guarantee him at least $2.7 million over the next three seasons.
Hairston and Gist aren't guaranteed roster spots or specified contracts. They know they must prove they belong on the roster of a team that went to the Western Conference finals last season.
Both players on Thursday seemed moderately overwhelmed by their surroundings and circumstances.
“First off,” said Hairston, a 6-foot-6 swing man from Oregon the Spurs got by swapping second-round picks with Phoenix, “it's a blessing to be drafted in the first place. But to be with such a storied program, a great organization, is truly a blessing.”
Gist, a 6-foot-9 forward from Maryland taken with the second of the Spurs' slots in the second round, understands his defensive toughness is likely what attracted the Spurs' attention. His goal in Las Vegas is to prove he can defend and rebound in the NBA.
“I just want to prove that I belong here,” he said. “I'm going to go out and hustle and do whatever it takes to make this roster.”
Gist was excited about the news the Spurs had reached agreement to sign Wizards guard Roger Mason, Jr., a friend with whom he has played a lot of pickup ball in the D.C. area where both players grew up.
“He's like an older brother,” he said. “We've had a relationship for a long time.”
Hairston grew up in Detroit, idolizing the Pistons, but already has begun adapting to his new surroundings.
“Well, I'm from Detroit,” he said. “Especially in the past few years, the battles those two teams have had have been great. You got (the NBA title) one year, we got it another, or, I should say they got it another.”
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA071108.1D.BKNspurs.draftees.4008d45.html