Summer League Game 2: Spurs vs. Hornets

[SPURSGOAT]

Gist!!! :flag:

[spurman20]

Hill is looking like J Vaughn!

[2centsworth]

So if Gist sucks in the next game, I want to hear all of you saying he sucks and we should cut him. Consistency, you know.
he was pretty good last night. He's nothing spectacular, but you can see how he potentially could be a fantastic role player.

[koopa]

if gist don't make the team, pop needs to be assassinated

[dimsah]

Gist better make this team.

[sa_butta]

Player of the game for the Spurs Gist by far.

[Borosai]

They need to start playing these games at 2am ET so I can watch them.

[urunobili]

0-10?? u have to be kidding me

[cecil collins]

Hill is looking like J Vaughn!

Well, nobody fell asleep watching the game, so I don't think so.

[Obstructed_View]

So if Gist sucks in the next game, I want to hear all of you saying he sucks and we should cut him. Consistency, you know.

Gist was the last pick the Spurs had, at a place where guys aren't realistically expected to make the roster.

That said, I'm not any closer to awarding him a roster spot after two games than I am to give up on the other two.

[2centsworth]

I just remembered, I used to get this excited about Udonis Haslem too.

[A.H 21-50]

So if Gist sucks in the next game, I want to hear all of you saying he sucks and we should cut him. Consistency, you know.

with all i saw today
he could play like a badass tomorrow i will still love him :lol

[modmikey]

Hill is 2 for 19 in two games. Bleh!

Gist is looking like a promising young talent.

[timvp]

Hill sucked horribly for the most part. I'm now eager to see his competitiveness level. Will he pack it in and suck for the rest of summer league or will he come out firing tomorrow? We'll see.

I'm not too worried because summer league competition >>>>>>>>> Summit League or whatever. He needs to make an adjustment to the competition level. We'll see what he's made of.

[2centsworth]

0-10?? u have to be kidding me

Kid is having confidence issues in the summer league, not good.

[SPURSGOAT]

They need to start playing these games at 2am ET so I can watch them.

no!!! if they are that early I can't see them thanks to work... I am going to miss tomorrow's already being stuck at work.

[T Park]

I think Gist every day makes the case he can be that malik rose type of energy defensive bench guy.

[Borosai]

Hill has a nose for rebounds at least.

[wildbill2u]

Gist was player of game for Spurs. Green and Toliver played pretty well.

Mahimi looked a little lost again at times.

Hill could have had a worse game somehow.

Hairston was invisible.

[Gino2882]

George Hill = 0-10 from the floor, with 5 turnovers.

But hey, it is just summer league. he will be fine...argh.

[objective]

0-10?? u have to be kidding me

For only 2 games Hill is shooting a Marcus Williams-esque 10.5% from the field.

All uphill from here!

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

They should just tell Gist to take the next flight to SA and be done with it. Dude better be on the Spurs opening day roster.

[T Park]

Kid is having confidence issues in the summer league, not good.

:lmao

God shut up already.

[td4mvp21]

Not good nights for Ian or Hill offensively.

[2centsworth]

:lmao

God shut up already.

the only joke is you, just look in the mirror.

[A.H 21-50]

Hill sucked horribly for the most part. I'm now eager to see his competitiveness level. Will he pack it in and suck for the rest of summer league or will he come out firing tomorrow? We'll see.

I'm not too worried because summer league competition >>>>>>>>> Summit League or whatever. He needs to make an adjustment to the competition level. We'll see what he's made of.

i agree
he was very bad on offense
not too bad with 7 boards and 4 assists even if we count the numbers of nice dish ian or someone else didn't convert in pts

he needs to be better with trap and also in offense when he attacks the rim
he knows how to go to the rim but not how to finish so we'll see tomorrow if he'll o better

but it's still two summer's league games

[angelbelow]

well at least gist played extremely well. i really think his hustle and energy secured at least preseason right now. hill struggled but im not sweating it, his speed and atheticm means he'll improve forsure. was kind of hoping ian would really pop out of the boxscore buti guess we'll have to see.

[spurman20]

2-19 in 2 games not good for a guy known as a shooter. What were Pops and Buford smoking when they said this guy is gonna make us better right away?

Better at what wetting our shorts when we see pressure. The guy should not be having these kinda problems against guys most which will never play in the NBA.

Looks like my grandmother running the point.

Ian needs to start looking like he cares and step it up.

[coopdogg3]

Spurs had far too many turnovers. When you have that many turnovers, it robs you of looks on offense. Makes it more difficult to judge the players.

[knee-knee-3]

anyone know where I can buy a James Gist Spurs jersey? I checked Academy this afternoon but found nothing...

[SPURSGOAT]

George Hill = 0-10 from the floor, with 5 turnovers.

But hey, it is just summer league. he will be fine...argh.

That's right it is only summer league... he will be fine!

[modmikey]

Hill played without any passion. The dude put me to sleep when he brought the the ball up the court. He woke me up when he made a bad pass that turned into a highlight clip for the Hornets, but that was only to yell at my monitor But yeah, he's not playing like his job is on the line.

[ggoose25]

Hill didn't even look like the same player as last night. Hope he can turn it around tomorrow.

he's got the tools, but just can't put it together yet.

Reminds me of a young Parker. Get Chip to give him some confidence in his outside shot, and give him a season to learn how to finish at the rim after some contact, and he will be a decent guard.

oh and....

James Gist!!!!

[ChumpDumper]

If you are going to panic over a summer league performance, you should probably take up another hobby.

[A.H 21-50]

2-19 in 2 games not good for a guy known as a shooter. What were Pops and Buford smoking when they said this guy is gonna make us better right away?

Better at what wetting our shorts when we see pressure. The guy should not be having these kinda problems against guys most which will never play in the NBA.

Looks like my grandmother running the point.

Ian needs to start looking like he cares and step it up.

he didn't have a good offensive game now but we have to count his ft's
he's 2-19 but also 15-22 ft's wich make a little difference

not to say he'll be fine , i'm not impressed by him yet , he needs a lot of work ...

[spurman20]

We need to look at Green and Tolliver as well, both have looked like guys who could give spot duty.

[The Truth #6]

Gist's outside shot was a good surprise. For a hustle defender, I incorrectly assumed he would be a complete bricklayer.

[2centsworth]

That's right it is only summer league... he will be fine!

It's only summer league which means what? He'll do better in the NBA?

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Hill looked like a guy who's already been guaranteed a spot backing up Tony Parker on day 1. I don't care who you are, don't frickin' mail it in like that if you're going to be a Spur.

[SPURSGOAT]

anyone know where I can buy a James Gist Spurs jersey? I checked Academy this afternoon but found nothing...

too early for them to be selling a jersey of Gist, Hill, or Ian...

[2centsworth]

If you are going to panic over a summer league performance, you should probably take up another hobby.

it's not a panic, but an honest observation of where the guy is at. He lacks confidence in his shot, not a good sign, but doesn't mean he's a bust, yet. I'm hoping the guy can contribute right away, any signs that he can from your perspective?

[outmap]

What's with the elbow wrap on Hill? Is he injured?

[wildbill2u]

In the few vids I've seen of Hill he was primarily a jump shooter. I can't understand why he isn't taking a few outside shots. He might as well since he can't make a layup.

[024]

for the most part, i'm not too worried about george hill. i mean this is only the second game I have watched him play my entire life. it will be the end of summer league before i make a preliminary judgment about him.

i am however concerned about mahinmi. to be honest, i keep expecting some domination but he seems more like a fransisco elson type player every day. mahinmi hasn't really learned how to use his supposedly amazing athleticism to his advantage. his post moves are average at best and he needs to learn to intimidate his opponents. mahinmi has got to learn how to use his high jumping abilities to throw down some dunks in traffic once in a while. i cant see mahinmi as a rotation player.

[coopdogg3]

If you are going to panic over a summer league performance, you should probably take up another hobby.

I'm not panicking, but to be honest, I was hoping to be wowed by Hill. To feel vindicated by the Spurs somewhat controversial choice. And that hasn't happened yet. I'm sure Hill will be fine, but I would like to see him hit a blasted shot.

[A.H 21-50]

In the few vids I've seen of Hill he was primarily a jump shooter. I can't understand why he isn't taking a few outside shots. He might as well since he can't make a layup.

same observation
he didn't took a lot of jumpers

[ggoose25]

i am however concerned about mahinmi. to be honest, i keep expecting some domination but he seems more like a fransisco elson type player every day. mahinmi hasn't really learned how to use his supposedly amazing athleticism to his advantage. his post moves are average at best and he needs to learn to intimidate his opponents. mahinmi has got to learn how to use his high jumping abilities to throw down some dunks in traffic once in a while. i cant see mahinmi as a rotation player.

well said. He looks like a kid out there getting pushed around when he's bigger than everyone else. I don't know if he lacks the strength or the chip on his shoulder to start asserting his game. get fucking pissed ian!

[2centsworth]

for the most part, i'm not too worried about george hill. i mean this is only the second game I have watched him play my entire life. it will be the end of summer league before i make a preliminary judgment about him. Do you sense the competition level is a problem?



i am however concerned about mahinmi. to be honest, i keep expecting some domination but he seems more like a fransisco elson type player every day. mahinmi hasn't really learned how to use his supposedly amazing athleticism to his advantage. his post moves are average at best and he needs to learn to intimidate his opponents. mahinmi has got to learn how to use his high jumping abilities to throw down some dunks in traffic once in a while. i cant see mahinmi as a rotation player.

he's raw, but gets stats. Sometimes awkwardness is mistaken for ineffectiveness. DRob was very awkward, but would still dominate games, not that I'm comparing Ime to DRob.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

I know Gist had an awesome game, but who really thinks he'll be on the active roster opening day?

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

In the few vids I've seen of Hill he was primarily a jump shooter. I can't understand why he isn't taking a few outside shots. He might as well since he can't make a layup.

Perhaps the coaches know he can make a jump shot and are telling him to go to the rack...

[ShoogarBear]

Hopefully this season will not be spent lamenting the Hill Layup Drill.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

<----------------


I know Gist had an awesome game, but who really thinks he'll be on the active roster opening day?

[ShoogarBear]

I know Gist had an awesome game, but who really thinks he'll be on the active roster opening day?

It's still a longshot.

On the positive side, though, he is potentially everything the Spurs are lacking.

[DespЏrado]

At this point I'm not sure anyone of these players are going to get their number called for big game moments or to turn on the gas when the Spurs are struggling.

Elson seems like a very apt comparison for Ian.
George Hill is horrible anywhere near the paint.

Gist looks like a nice prospect, and he could be extremely valuable in a Malik Rose type role if he works to get to that level.

Way too early to bail on these guys, but the holes in the Spurs roster just seem so much bigger than anything any of these guys bring.

[exstatic]

Perhaps the coaches know he can make a jump shot and are telling him to go to the rack...

+1

Summer league is the time you work on things you're not good at.

[spurman20]

he didn't have a good offensive game now but we have to count his ft's
he's 2-19 but also 15-22 ft's wich make a little difference

not to say he'll be fine , i'm not impressed by him yet , he needs a lot of work ...

I see what your say'n I just dont think he will be going to the line that many times in reg season games. Besides his rebounding I dont see anything to make me think he will beat out vaught for the backup job.

We all know how pops is short with young players and yank em out we the F up. I guess Im still stung from the Beno pick.....hope hes not Beno II.

[2centsworth]

<----------------

He better not wind up on the Miami Heat roster.

[spurman20]

<----------------

If he plays like this the rest of the summer he will be on the opening day roster no doubt!!!

[2centsworth]

I see what your say'n I just dont think he will be going to the line that many times in reg season games. Besides his rebounding I dont see anything to make me think he will beat out vaught for the backup job.

We all know how pops is short with young players and yank em out we the F up. I guess Im still stung from the Beno pick.....hope hes not Beno II.

I just don't see how you can tell that much from just two games.

[exstatic]

I know Gist had an awesome game, but who really thinks he'll be on the active roster opening day?

Active 12 or overall 15 man? I think he makes the 15 man roster and does the I35 commute this year.

[jayc23]

024 where do you know george from your entire life

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Active 12 or overall 15 man? I think he makes the 15 man roster and does the I35 commute this year.

I also think he makes the 15 roster but some here believe he's good enough to make the active roster, although I'm not one of them.

If he does... damn he's good.

[exstatic]

I see what your say'n I just dont think he will be going to the line that many times in reg season games. Besides his rebounding I dont see anything to make me think he will beat out vaught for the backup job.

We all know how pops is short with young players and yank em out we the F up. I guess Im still stung from the Beno pick.....hope hes not Beno II.

Beno's problems were never in his skill set. His issues were between his ears and between (or not!) his legs. Hill is already better in those departments.

[024]

Do you sense the competition level is a problem?


i think hill's problems comes from playing in a position he is unfamiliar with. the spurs are throwing him to the wolves by force feeding him the point position. that added with playing against a near professional nba defense probably confuses the hell out of him. he's supposed to be a shooting guard but i'm definitely hoping he figures out how to adjust soon.

[jayc23]

024 you from indy?

[2centsworth]

i think hill's problems comes from playing in a position he is unfamiliar with. the spurs are throwing him to the wolves by force feeding him the point position. that added with playing against a near professional nba defense probably confuses the hell out of him. he's supposed to be a shooting guard but i'm definitely hoping he figures out how to adjust soon.

that makes a tremendous amount of sense. Nevertheless, NBA caliber off guards can play point in the summer league. the next few games will be telling IMO.

[John_C]

i think hill's problems comes from playing in a position he is unfamiliar with. the spurs are throwing him to the wolves by force feeding him the point position. that added with playing against a near professional nba defense probably confuses the hell out of him. he's supposed to be a shooting guard but i'm definitely hoping he figures out how to adjust soon.

Yeah, he seem that way while playing the point. I was wondering in my earlier post if there could be someone else who could play point alongside Hill, in order for him to play SG.

But I guess the Coach is looking to gauge his play making skill, which at this point seem to be left with much to wonder about.

[DespЏrado]

From what I have seen of Hill even in this poor outing is that he has a very good head for the game. He knows what he should do, and you can't fault his effort, but it's the results which aren't promising. And he is going to have to work his ass off to compete against NBA players. He looks so used to things being effortless that it's throwing him off that he isn't automatically the best player on the court anymore.

I think he has the tools to get the back up job locked up by the end of the year, but he really needs to put in the time to get there.

[spurman20]

I just don't see how you can tell that much from just two games.

He is not facing guys who are in the nba in fact most were never even drafted and they are taking the ball from him, he is not finishing at the rim, can hit a shot, looks out of control at times.

Not ready to say the guy is a bust only that he has some serious work to do! The guys is suppose to make us better right away acording to Buford and Pops. What do you think is gonna happen when he faces real NBA players?

[2centsworth]

welcome to the board 024 and JohnC, good stuff.

I hope the coaches just let Hill go like they do Tony Parker and see if he can put up 30.

[Spurtacus]

Holy crap. That's an ugly box score for Mahinmi and Hill. Gist looks like he was a force.

[jayc23]

george needs to work on handling pressure, his overall energy and intensity.. hes gotta go full tilt and create shots

[024]

024 where do you know george from your entire life


i was saying that no one outside of IUPUI has probably seen george hill play during college. so the only games we can comment on are these two SL games.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

He is not facing guys who are in the nba in fact most were never even drafted and they are taking the ball from him, he is not finishing at the rim, can hit a shot, looks out of control at times.

Not ready to say the guy is a bust only that he has some serious work to do! The guys is suppose to make us better right away acording to Buford and Pops. What do you think is gonna happen when he faces real NBA players?

:lmao

Last night he was dealing with Mayo and double teams/traps. Tonight half his turnovers came from Julian Wright, who just got done battling SA for 7 games in the playoffs. Let's not slit our wrists just yet.

[Lake_show]

I guess the Spurs found there backup for Jacque Vaughn.

[SPURSGOAT]

I guess the Spurs found there backup for Tony Parker.

There fixed!

[Spurtacus]

Anyone know if NBA.com archives these games? I missed the game but would like to watch it.

[ShoogarBear]

Anyone know if NBA.com archives these games? I missed the game but would like to watch it.

Pretty sure they do. After the game was over, my stream started to replay the game.

[duncan228]

Anyone know if NBA.com archives these games? I missed the game but would like to watch it.


The games are archived. Registration is free.

http://www.nba.com/summerleague2008/...ate=07/14/2008

[Spurtacus]

Page is temporarilty unavailable. I'll check again later tonight. :)

[duncan228]

Page is temporarilty unavailable. I'll check again later tonight. :)

Try here. I didn't notice Chump's page was yesterdays. :)

http://www.nba.com/summerleague2008/scoreboard.jsp?date=07/15/2008

[Marcus Bryant]

Had this been 11 years ago we'd have threads about Duncan being a bust after a summerleague game.

[tav1]

My thoughts on this game are exactly the same as last night's game, despite the difference in #s. Mahinmi, Hill and Gist can all develop into solid rotation players, but would all be well served to spend some time in the D-League this season. Hairston doesn't have the goods.

I have an emerging concern about Mahinmi--he never goes beast. Where is the fire? I see the budding skill set, but he could use a little James Gist-like dunk-hunger. In other words, Mahinmi needs to play with passion, and above the rim.

I'm a little concerned about the Spurs roster at this point. They shouldn't see Hill, Mahinmi and Gist as necessarily ready to play serious minutes on opening day, which means they need to add another wing and big in free agency. Please do not let this be Mike Finley or Robert Horry. Please. I beg. Please.

A D-League roster that featured Hill, Gist (I'd like to see him at the 3 some too) and Mahinmi for the first half of the season would be pretty good.

[Gino2882]

What is Gist missing right now that would stop him from being a rotation player. Straight gets after it on defense, is showing some range. I think he could be used as a defensive player.

[Blackjack]

NBA.com - Recap

Hornets Surge Past Spurs
Posted Jul 15 2008 11:31PM


Bobby Brown notched 15 points and eight assists in the Hornets' win over the Spurs on Tuesday.

LAS VEGAS, July 15, 2008 – Bobby Brown's 15-point performance led the way as New Orleans defeated the San Antonio Spurs 76-68 in an afternoon NBA Summer League matchup on UNLV’s home floor at the Thomas & Mack Center. The League is presented by EA SPORTS.

Brown led four Hornets starters who finished in double digits, including Brandon Bowman who scored 12 and Julian Wright and Hilton Armstrong who tallied 11 apiece.

“We played great team defense especially during the fourth quarter and got some key stops,” said Brown of the win. “We kept our composure and continued to make baskets when it counted so it was an overall team victory”

The Hornets came out with a spark in the first quarter, finishing with a 13-point lead, 23-10, on the back of a 12-0 run led by Derrick Byar’s eight-point period. The Spurs answered back with a 10-0 run of their own to bring the score to 19-23 mid-way through the second period before tying the game at 32 with 51.8 seconds to play. The quarter closed with New Orleans up five; 37-32.

San Antonio's James Gist kept the third quarter interesting, scoring seven of his nine points during the period, including a 3-pointer with 6.7 seconds to play to bring his Spurs within in one, 54-53 to start the fourth. In the game’s final period, the Hornets continued to dominate as Wright, Armstrong and Bowman combined for 16 of the team’s 22 points.

Anthony Tolliver and Gist led the Spurs with 14 points each.

Next up: The Spurs return to action tomorrow to face Danilo Gallinari and the New York Knicks at 1p.m. at the COX Pavilion, while the Hornets take to the hardwood on Thursday in a 3 p.m. matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers.

[angelbelow]

Had this been 11 years ago we'd have threads about Duncan being a bust after a summerleague game.

how did duncan do?

[Blackjack]

how did duncan do?

Pop had Duncan work on his game during the summer league rather than have him go out there and just focus on winning.

There's been this whole myth that Duncan was terrible because Ostertag blocked him a couple of times and Duncan didn't destroy him. What people choose to forget or fail to realize, is that Duncan was told to work on his weaknesses (one being his left hand) and Duncan took it to the extreme. No matter how much he struggled he kept with it because that's what he was told to do.

Pop started talking shit to Tim about how Ostertag got the better of him and it became sort of a running joke with the staff.

Pop couldn't believe that a guy of Duncan's stature could be so coachable. The fact that Tim was willing to play basically with one hand tied behind his back, and risk looking foolish? It showed the type of character/lack of ego Tim possesses.

They knew what they had in Tim before then, but it was all reinforced for them after that summer league.

[ChumpDumper]

Pop had Duncan work on his game during the summer league rather than have him go out there and just focus on winning.

There's been this whole myth that Duncan was terrible because Ostertag blocked him a couple of times and Duncan didn't destroy him. What people choose to forget or fail to realize, is that Duncan was told to work on his weaknesses (one being his left hand) and Duncan took it to the extreme. No matter how much he struggled he kept with it because that's what he was told to do.

Pop started talking shit to Tim about how Ostertag got the better of him and it became sort of a running joke with the staff.

Pop couldn't believe that a guy of Duncan's stature could be so coachable. The fact that Tim was willing to play basically with one hand tied behind his back, and risk looking foolish? It showed the type of character/lack of ego Tim possesses.

They knew what they had in Tim before then, but it was all reinforced for them after that summer league.Very instructive post describing what a Spurs summer league is all about.

[jayc23]

who were the players that hill was supposedly tearing up at draft camp.. were they way lower level than summer league?

[tp2021]

I know Gist had an awesome game, but who really thinks he'll be on the active roster opening day?

Maybe not the 12-man roster, but he definitely is showing he can make the 15-man roster and play for the Toros. Can't award him PT with the big boys just yet.

[T Park]

Very instructive post describing what a Spurs summer league is all about.

Yeah but Spur fans like Sequ and Mr Body know WAYYYY more about basketball than those idiots.

WHAT DO THEY KNOW!!! :lmao

[Tully365]

We should compile a list of all the Hill Shit-talkers now and politely remind them later on, when they will be denied access to the Hill Bandwagon. He had a bad shooting night. He's still drawing fouls, still rebounding. Crazy over-reactions abound.

[T Park]

Had this been 11 years ago we'd have threads about Duncan being a bust after a summerleague game.

Exactly.

Hell Duncan was so bad in one on ones against Robinson didn't Pop say "I thought we made the wrong decision"?

[T Park]

We should compile a list of all the Hill Shit-talkers now and politely remind them later on, when they will be denied access to the Hill Bandwagon. He had a bad shooting night. He's still drawing fouls, still rebounding. Crazy over-reactions abound.

They will hide between being "objective" and throwing around the cool "homer" "kool aid drinker" awesome internet literary coolness.

[duncan228]

how did duncan do?


Pop had Duncan work on his game during the summer league rather than have him go out there and just focus on winning.

There's been this whole myth that Duncan was terrible because Ostertag blocked him a couple of times and Duncan didn't destroy him. What people choose to forget or fail to realize, is that Duncan was told to work on his weaknesses (one being his left hand) and Duncan took it to the extreme. No matter how much he struggled he kept with it because that's what he was told to do.

Pop started talking shit to Tim about how Ostertag got the better of him and it became sort of a running joke with the staff.

Pop couldn't believe that a guy of Duncan's stature could be so coachable. The fact that Tim was willing to play basically with one hand tied behind his back, and risk looking foolish? It showed the type of character/lack of ego Tim possesses.

They knew what they had in Tim before then, but it was all reinforced for them after that summer league.

I'm keeping this bookmarked. Duncan's Summer League story has come up in both games so far, I'm beginning to think I'll need it again. :lol

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/...ue&sort=oldest

Greg Ostertag's Legendary Domination of Tim Duncan
Henry Abbott
July 11, 2007

It has been the best line of summer league. Maurice Cheeks has used it. P.J. Carlesimo has used it. Every journalist here, practically, has quoted it.

It's a story about how great players can have terrible games in their first summer league. And the story is that Greg Ostertag killed Tim Duncan in his first summer league appearance.

I linked to such a quote, from Cheeks, the other day, and enterprising TrueHoop reader Cyn spent a day at the library going through old newspaper stories proving Cheeks wrong.

Cyn writes:

As for Ostertag 'killing' TD ... that's a matter of opinion.

Certainly the Utah team killed the combined summer league team of the Spurs and 76ers, as the final score was Jazz 85 and Spurs/76ers 59. Ouch.

Ostertag was a second year player. The article describes Ostertag as going up to slam a dunk on Duncan, but he hit the back rim instead.

Ostertag did block some of Tim's shots. The article doesn't specify how many but Ostertag had six blocks in the game.

Anyway, here are the boxscore lines from both players:

Tim Duncan 14 points/6 of 10 FG/8 rebs/3 assists/2 blocks
Greg Ostertag 21 points/7 of 12 FG/10 rebs/0 assists/5 blocks

Tim fouled out of the game getting his sixth foul at 2:52 of the fourth quarter. Maurice Cheeks got the game wrong (fifth not first) and while 'killed' might be harsh; Ostertag did get the better of Tim.

I appreciate the legwork, Cyn.

This story has been used to laugh off performances like Kevin Durant's 4 for 19 in his second game. I'm not worried about Kevin Durant's future. But I am worried about using a tale of a player who shot 60% from the floor to explain a player who shot 21%.

UPDATE: Tim Duncan spoke about that experience with Slam's Lang Whitaker: "Jermaine (O'Neal) destroyed me. He was with Portland, was real young ... and Tag threw my stuff into the first couple of rows a few times."

The Slam Link:
Lang Whitaker

http://slamonline.com/online/2007/07...-has-problems/

When Greg Oden struggled early, everyone brought up the story of how Tim Duncan also struggled during his first summer league appearance. I actually asked Duncan about that last summer, and he said…

ME: I heard before your rookie season you played summer league and Ostertag killed you in a game. They were talking about how some guys come out of college and it takes them time to adjust.

TIM: He threw my sh*t into the first and second row a couple of times. Jermaine (O’Neal) destroyed me. He was with Portland, was real young…

ME: But he’d already been in the League for a while?

TIM: Yeah, he destroyed me, and Tag threw my stuff into the first couple of rows a few times.

ME: It takes you time to adjust to the speed, or what?

TIM: I don’t even know what it was, to be honest with you. I just wanted to get the experience of playing against NBA players. I’d been in college for four years and that was great, but it’s a different speed, it’s a different strength, it’s a different set of players, and I wanted to play as much as possible, so I jumped in the league and I thought it helped me a bunch, it helped me tremendously.