Spurs Sign Malik Hairston

[Pistons < Spurs]

Posted: 12/22/2008 12:15:00 PM
Source: Spurs Press Release

The San Antonio Spurs today announced that they have signed guard/forward Malik Hairston. Per team policy terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The 6-6, 215-pound Hairston has spent the season with the Austin Toros, the Spurs affiliate in the NBA Development League. In 11 games with the Toros, Hairston averaged 19.5 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.6 assists. He was named this week’s D-League Performer of the Week after averaging 24.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists in three Toros wins.

The former Oregon Duck spent training camp with San Antonio where he averaged 5.3 points and 4.5 rebounds in six preseason games. He was waived by the Spurs on 10/26. Hairston was selected by Phoenix Suns with the 48th overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft. He was acquired by San Antonio in exchange for the draft rights to Goran Dragic.


http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineStories.asp?lc=NBA&c=1&TEAM_ID=&PLAYER_ID=&hd=20081222

[Darkwaters]

Very cool.

[Spur-Addict]

I like this; added versatility on the wing. If we could only do it in one other department.

[T Park]

que Obstructed View to dancing a jig :lol

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Nice :tu.

[bigdog]

awesome. now get a big and I'm happy.

[Darkwaters]

I probably would have preferred to role the dice on Courtney Sims, but Hairston has been a close second in my book for a while. Nice signing. Hopefully he sticks.

[bigdog]

I probably would have preferred to role the dice on Courtney Sims, but Hairston has been a close second in my book for a while. Nice signing. Hopefully he sticks.

well Pop talked pretty good about him in the practice report, so we'll see what happens.

[Indazone]

good signing. :tu

[Man In Black]

Since they signed him, does that mean that spot 15 has been taken?

[ChumpDumper]

Since they signed him, does that mean that spot 15 has been taken?Yes, and the Toros need to sign another player.

[sonic21]

:tu nice

[Dex]

Now we have to see if he can earn some court time.

[Darkwaters]

Yes, and the Toros need to sign another player.

Go for a PG. With the loss of Ahearn they're hurting at the 1.

I wonder if Hairston will spend any time at the big club or if he'll just be reassigned to Austin.

[benefactor]

:elephant:elephant:elephant

Ime Udoka...you are on the clock.

[loveforthegame]

Nice to see the Spurs give him a chance after the hard work with the Toros.

Strange though since there isn't any playing time available. Ginobli, Mason, Finley, and Bowen have been playing well and will eat up near or all the minutes.. Udoka is the only odd man out at the moment.

[timvp]

Cool. If nothing else, this protects his rights. I'm guessing Pop will give him some NBA action and then he'll be sent down to Austin for the rest of the season.

Best case scenario is that he shines on the NBA level to the point where the Spurs can't send him down.

:smokin

[tav1]

Yes, and the Toros need to sign another player.

First thing I thought was great for the Spurs, now who do the Toros sign? I suspect that it'll be a wing, but we'll see. Maybe a point. Or maybe they just sign best player available, like Hendrix. It'll be interesting.

[urunobili]

YESSSSSSSS!!!! thank god we could have him to (hopefully) learn from Fin and eventually take his spot,,, :tu i always liked Malik for the Spurs

[xtremesteven33]

I would like to see him take Udokas minutes. Hes taller and is more versatile on offense.

Udokas has been a ghost lately

[picnroll]

Even if he sticks with the Spurs this year, he'll be an unrestricted FA at the end of the season, no?

[Bruno]

I don't know if Hairston will be one day a solid NBA player but I surely like that Spurs are trying to fill their last roster spot with a young athletic swingman. :tu

I find the timing of this signing quite interesting. Contract become guaranteed in about 2 weeks. Do Spurs want to test him during these two weeks or have they still decided that they want to keep him locked for the year ?

[Bruno]

Even if he sticks with the Spurs this year, he'll be an unrestricted FA at the end of the season, no?

No he will be restricted if he has signed an one year contract.
It's also possible that he has signed a two years contract with a team option on the second year.

[picnroll]

No he will be restricted if he has signed an one year contract.
It's also possible that he has signed a two years contract with a team option on the second year.

Good. Maybe another NBA team was going after him so Spurs signed him.

[Bruno]

I probably would have preferred to role the dice on Courtney Sims, but Hairston has been a close second in my book for a while. Nice signing. Hopefully he sticks.

If Spurs want to try a prospect big like Sims, I think that they will waive Tolliver before.

[MaNu4Tres]

There's two scenarios why Spurs signed him:
1) They were paranoid a team would sign him and steal his rights, so they signed him to keep his rights and more than likely will send him back down.
2) Ime or/and another wing could be on their way out via trade.

I see 1. as the most realistic

[benefactor]

Nice to see the Spurs give him a chance after the hard work with the Toros.

Strange though since there isn't any playing time available. Ginobli, Mason, Finley, and Bowen have been playing well and will eat up near or all the minutes.. Udoka is the only odd man out at the moment.
Have you seen how many minutes Finley is getting? He is averaging 28 and there have been many games this season where has played over 30. I think it would be better for us in the long run if he stays in th low 20's.

The big benefit that Hariston brings is that he is the only 2/3 we have not named Manu that will attack the rim. Having another player like this can only help during our offensive droughts.

[tav1]

Good thoughts in this thread. That's why I love this board.

[timvp]

I don't know if Hairston will be one day a solid NBA player but I surely like that Spurs are trying to fill their last roster spot with a young athletic swingman. :tu

I find the timing of this signing quite interesting. Contract become guaranteed in about 2 weeks. Do Spurs want to test him during these two weeks or have they still decided that they want to keep him locked for the year ?Doesn't Hairston have to be in uniform at least one night before the Spurs can re-assign him?

I think Pop will do his favorite move of putting him in the game in the first half just to see what he can bring and for a reward. Pop said there would be no minutes for Hairston but I think that he'll find some over the next few weeks . . .

[tav1]

FWIW: I'd simply echo the thoughts of TimVP and Bruno, who seems to have the bases covered.

[Bruno]

Doesn't Hairston have to be in uniform at least one night before the Spurs can re-assign him?

I think Pop will do his favorite move of putting him in the game in the first half just to see what he can bring and for a reward. Pop said there would be no minutes for Hairston but I think that he'll find some over the next few weeks . . .

I have never heard about a rule saying that the player has to be on the active roster before being send down.

Toros next game is on Friday. Even if Pop want to send him down for the whole year (like they did with James White and Ian), he should stay with Spurs for today's and tomorrow's game.

[tav1]

Doesn't Hairston have to be in uniform at least one night before the Spurs can re-assign him?

I think Pop will do his favorite move of putting him in the game in the first half just to see what he can bring and for a reward. Pop said there would be no minutes for Hairston but I think that he'll find some over the next few weeks . . .

More specifically, at the start of the 2nd quarter. The Spurs play a handful of teams whom they could bury early in the next 10 days---that might open up minutes for Hairston in the 4th.

But you know, I think this is simply the last phase of his interview. Pop gets another up close look, if Hairston does well in practice, they'll keep him on contract and he'll finish the season in Austin. My 2 cents.

[jrmp317]

I wonder if this signals the end of Udoka

[benefactor]

I don't know if Hairston will be one day a solid NBA player but I surely like that Spurs are trying to fill their last roster spot with a young athletic swingman. :tu

I find the timing of this signing quite interesting. Contract become guaranteed in about 2 weeks. Do Spurs want to test him during these two weeks or have they still decided that they want to keep him locked for the year ?
If I had to guess I would say its a mixture of the potential they see in him for the future and the possibility of Udoka not rediscovering his form. A team who sustained an injury or two in the back court could easily sign him away, so we probably decided to secure him for insurance now/potential future.

Maybe it will be good for Udoka to see someone looking over his shoulder...

[tav1]

Hairston did a number of good things in Austin, at least that impressed me. He started becoming more of a perimeter player, but he relied less heavily on 3s and got to the line more than in college, he seems to have played within the offense, he was clutch, he rebounded fairly well...
His TOs and foul rate were high, but we'll see if that has a carry-over effect.

[hater]

yes he will get court time and yes he will get mostly Udoka's minutes

[timvp]

I wonder if this signals the end of Udoka

I think Udoka is pretty safe. Hairston is a similar player but Udoka has a year in the system and playoff experience. Most importantly, Pop seems to trust him no matter how bad he plays so I don't see him losing his spot in the mix to Hairston. I see Hairston as a longer term investment and this transaction as more of a precaution in case another team wanted to swoop in and sign him.

Give him some NBA action, send him back to Austin for the rest of the year and then have him play in summer league to gauge his improvement.

[ChumpDumper]

It's probably a good idea to sign him now before every scout in the league has a chance to look at him during the MLK showcase.
The big benefit that Hariston brings is that he is the only 2/3 we have not named Manu that will attack the rim.True enough. Hairston started out being too aggressive with his drives, not passing enough and not talking enough outside shots to mix things up. He has improved quite a bit with both over his 11-game stint with the Toros.

[Spork KIller]

Malik Hairston the new Spurs saviour!!!

Hahahahahahahaha

[T Park]

Cool. If nothing else, this protects his rights. I'm guessing Pop will give him some NBA action and then he'll be sent down to Austin for the rest of the season.

Best case scenario is that he shines on the NBA level to the point where the Spurs can't send him down.

:smokin

That and makes Ime a trade comodity.

A team like Charlotte would probobly like him and his veteran presence.

[urunobili]

That and makes Ime a trade comodity.

A team like Charlotte would probobly like him and his veteran presence.

for a second round pick?

[timvp]

If Spurs want to try a prospect big like Sims, I think that they will waive Tolliver before.That's probably true. If the Spurs don't think Tolliver can cut at as the team's fifth (actually sixth if Mahinmi counts) big then the Spurs should let him go. That's not exactly a demanding role on this team.

But I think Tolliver sticks. Having Bonner insurance is even more important now that Bonner has a big role.

Bringing in a young big from Austin wouldn't really work because the defense is so complicated for a big that he wouldn't learn it in time to help this season. Unless the Spurs have written off Mahinmi for the season, it makes more sense to me to use that 15th spot on a wing who has a chance to help if needed. Hairston makes extra sense because he can play some small ball power forward if needed.

[Spork KIller]

That and makes Ime a trade comodity.

A team like Charlotte would probobly like him and his veteran presence.

Trade your Brains....

[T Park]

That's probably true. If the Spurs don't think Tolliver can cut at as the team's fifth (actually sixth if Mahinmi counts) big then the Spurs should let him go. That's not exactly a demanding role on this team.

But I think Tolliver sticks. Having Bonner insurance is even more important now that Bonner has a big role.

Bringing in a young big from Austin wouldn't really work because the defense is so complicated for a big that he wouldn't learn it in time to help this season. Unless the Spurs have written off Mahinmi for the season, it makes more sense to me to use that 15th spot on a wing who has a chance to help if needed. Hairston makes extra sense because he can play some small ball power forward if needed.

Agreed, outside of a trade, I think the the bigs aren't going to change, nor do I think they should, I don't see any glaring huge holes with the bigs rotation when healthy.

[Bruno]

I think Udoka is pretty safe. Hairston is a similar player but Udoka has a year in the system and playoff experience.


Agree, if Spurs wanted to sign someone to take Udoka's spot, they would have signed a player with more experience like Ronald Dupree, Erik Daniels or Bobby Jones.
However, this signing, providing Hairston sticks with the team, lowered the odd of Spurs re-signing Udoka next summer.

[Spur-Addict]

for a second round pick?

We have a few second round picks, I wouldn't mind Hollins.

[Tully365]

Udoka's contract is just over 1 mil/year and could be very valuable to make numbers match up in the event of a trade-- I've tried a few on the espn trade machine and there have been a couple of times when that extra 1 mil was needed to make the deal possible.

[SenorSpur]

Way cool. Exactly what I was hoping for. I was concerned that another team would swoop in a sign him. I'm sure the added visibility of Hairston making D-League POW had something to do with this decision.

Whatever the case, this signals that Hairston is, at least, in the Spurs plans. A young, athletic, defensive-minded, swingman is exactly what this team needs. They need to find out whether this kid can play at this level. Having another option when the Spurs go small, will be very intriguing.

Hopefully, Pop will find minutes for him over the next 2-3 games (Sacto, Minny and PHX). Even if he does eventually get sent back to Austin at some point, at least his rights are now protected and he can continue to develop.

Excellent move. :tu

[dbestpro]

So now Hairston gets to score for the Toros and say I'm really a Spur.
He's number 6 on the depth chart for SG/SF. Nice for the fluff but it won't add up to even one win difference. I would have rather seen Mutombo who has the ability to give you something that might change 2-3 games to the win side.

[T Park]

So now Hairston gets to score for the Toros and say I'm really a Spur.
He's number 6 on the depth chart for SG/SF. Nice for the fluff but it won't add up to even one win difference. I would have rather seen Mutombo who has the ability to give you something that might change 2-3 games to the win side.

Mutombo is old and washed up.

You people want to get younger, they do that, then you want them to get older again.

make up your damn minds :lol

[HarlemHeat37]

great addition..

I don't buy that Hairston isn't going to get any minutes..Pop is trying everything in the rotation this year..the second Ime messes up, or something happens with Finley or Bruce, you'll see Hairston in the game..

[Darkwaters]

I think Hairston could get some burn this year in the next few games. We gave Desmon Farmer minutes earlier in the year, didn't we?

[SenorSpur]

I think Hairston could get some burn this year in the next few games. We gave Desmon Farmer minutes earlier in the year, didn't we?

...and Pop tried out both Jeremy Richardson and Bobby Jones during 10-day stints last season. It's certainly not out of the realm of possibility.

[Austin_Toros]

if udoka gets minutes over this guy im gonna crack the shits! lol
you know, by the looks of things hairston might play more nba games than mahhinmi has his whole career. crazy


but you have to feel for marcus williams. the kid has been playing his heart out just like hairston and doesnt get a call up. williams defence has been solid this season so its surprising the spurs havnt noticed him. :(

[Austin_Toros]

...and Pop tried out both Jeremy Richardson and Bobby Jones during 10-day stints last season. It's certainly not out of the realm of possibility.

jeremy richardson! LOL
please dont bring back those memories!
pop made him our starting center :bang

[Darkwaters]

but you have to feel for marcus williams. the kid has been playing his heart out just like hairston and doesnt get a call up. williams defence has been solid this season so its surprising the spurs havnt noticed him. :(

Marcus just doesn't have the physical tools that Hairston does. I doubt Marcus ever makes it in the NBA. But he'll likely be a solid European basketball player. Hes obviously gotten better and grown as a player with his time in the D-League, but he still has the same flaws.

[Spurs Brazil]

Good news

We have 2 easy games today and tomorrow. I hope he can see some minute before go back to the Toros.

It'd be nice if Bruce teach him some defensive moves

[lefty]

If Udoka has some pride, expect him to wake the fuck up.

I'm wondering if that's what Pop intended to do

[Manufan909]

There's two scenarios why Spurs signed him:
1) They were paranoid a team would sign him and steal his rights, so they signed him to keep his rights and more than likely will send him back down.
2) Ime or/and another wing could be on their way out via trade.

I see 1. as the most realistic

I'm praying for 2.:downspin:

In regards to xtreme, Malik can't take what Ime doesn't have. I hope he starts to eat Fin's minutes. By the playoffs a team of

Parker/Hill
Mason/Manu
Bowen/Hairston/Finley
Tim/KT
Bonner/Ian/Fab(insert Deke or Sims for Fab if Pop gets said player)

would be beautfitul. Top 10 players are a perfect mix of veterans and those new to the Spurs/NBA in general. I really would like for Ian to earn the starting C position, I just don't see it. And apparently KT is too slow to be on the same time as Tim, so that's out. I like what I've seen from KT since Fab has been out and even before(I still hope Fab gets better, so Tim can go to 30 min over the 2nd half of the season). Guess I should keep my mouth shut about players being done til a third of the season is gone.

[Bruno]

What strike me on Spurs' roster is that the team is quite short on the perimeter. It would be nice if Spurs FO could find via FA or trade a perimeter player with some size.

[jcrod]

What strike me on Spurs' roster is that the team is quite short on the perimeter. It would be nice if Spurs FO could find via FA or trade a perimeter player with some size.

Thats been the case for yrs now.

[tp2021]

I was all over the Hairston wagon earlier in the season, and I love that the Spurs have kept him away from the rest of the NBA. I just don't see him making a big impact this season. If the team is fully healthy, I don't think they need him. But he will be great for the future.

The Spurs 2008 Draft will be remembered as an awesome one. It might be even better if we can get something valuable with the 2nd rounder we got from Phoenix (which is GS's pick--they are 12 games under .500 and 8.5 games out of the 8th spot :))

[mountainballer]

I was all over the Hairston wagon earlier in the season, and I love that the Spurs have kept him away from the rest of the NBA. I just don't see him making a big impact this season. If the team is fully healthy, I don't think they need him. But he will be great for the future.

The Spurs 2008 Draft will be remembered as an awesome one. It might be even better if we can get something valuable with the 2nd rounder we got from Phoenix (which is GS's pick--they are 12 games under .500 and 8.5 games out of the 8th spot :))

I didn't know it was the Warriors pick. but the 2009 draft doesn't look good. considering they have Gist in the pipeline I'm pretty sure they will trade this pick at deadline.
however, if they don't I think they will go back to the international pool. there are no can't miss prospects there, but at the upper end of the 2nd round they will have a shot at some interesting combo guards, who are all somehow Spurs type players. (Nando de Colo, Sergio Llull, Milenko Tepic)

[Darkwaters]

The Spurs 2008 Draft will be remembered as an awesome one. It might be even better if we can get something valuable with the 2nd rounder we got from Phoenix (which is GS's pick--they are 12 games under .500 and 8.5 games out of the 8th spot :))

Thats a good point. It's not completely unrealistic to see Hill/Hairston/Gist all making the roster now. If they all became rotation players at some point that would be an unreal draft. With Hill already there and the other two showing good potential you really never know.

[Austin_Toros]

hopefully ime gets the boot or at least let hairston eat his minutes
but the hill/hairston/gist trio give spurs the future that people say doesnt exist

[45 bank shot]

yo will Malik suit up 2nite?

[Obstructed_View]

:cheer

:rolleyes


Whelp, Hairston's got his chance. Time to see what he does with it, and to see if our faith in him was misplaced or not. Tolliver woke Bonner up. At the very least Maybe Hairston will wake Ime up. We know Ime can play; maybe he just needs a reminder to actually start doing it. If he continues to suck, at least there's someone to give minutes to.

[MaNu4Tres]

What strike me on Spurs' roster is that the team is quite short on the perimeter. It would be nice if Spurs FO could find via FA or trade a perimeter player with some size.

THE GIST

[galvatron3000]

I'm glad everyone is happy about the signing of a young wing guy but I don't see this helping the immediate need for this season on the frontline. It's great for next year and even more so for 2010 and beyond but if the Spurs are gunning for a chanpionship this season I'm not confident that the team we have presently is capable of beating the Celtics, who I consider at this time to be the best team in the league and playing the best balance game. I'd like to see some frontline help. I think they can make it to the Fianls but more than likely will meet the Celtics and at this point I think the Celtics are just a better team, I hate saying it but ...


I hope Malik shines!!!!!

[timtonymanu]

good signing. funny how Farmer was picked over this guy. now Hairston's on the team and Farmer isnt.

[manufor3]

awesome

[Thompson]

I posted this in another thread, but I'll post it here also since both cover the possibility of trades:

Can there be any combination of Udoka, Splitter's rights, Golden State's draft pick + cash, etc. that could pry Batum away from Portland (I kind of doubt it, they like him a lot, but I'm just wondering)? Would you do such a trade (assume for a moment that the Spurs could get Splitter over here in a year or two)?

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/features/traderesult?players=3416~866~3233&teams=24~22~22&te=&cash=22:24

This trade worked, but I doubt Portland would do it.

[Spurs Brazil]

UPDATE: Hairston is indeed at the AT&T Center tonight, although he will be inactive. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said before the game that Hairston's stellar start in Austin pushed the Spurs to sign him, lest another team snap him up. "Malik was doing well enough that I think other people were starting to get interested," Popovich said. "We wanted to make sure we didn't lose him."
http://blogs.mysanantonio.com/weblogs/courtside/2008/12/jeff-mcdonald-s-21.html

[benefactor]

UPDATE: Hairston is indeed at the AT&T Center tonight, although he will be inactive. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said before the game that Hairston's stellar start in Austin pushed the Spurs to sign him, lest another team snap him up. "Malik was doing well enough that I think other people were starting to get interested," Popovich said. "We wanted to make sure we didn't lose him."
http://blogs.mysanantonio.com/weblogs/courtside/2008/12/jeff-mcdonald-s-21.html
:tu :tu

[SenorSpur]

I posted this in another thread, but I'll post it here also since both cover the possibility of trades:

Can there be any combination of Udoka, Splitter's rights, Golden State's draft pick + cash, etc. that could pry Batum away from Portland (I kind of doubt it, they like him a lot, but I'm just wondering)? Would you do such a trade (assume for a moment that the Spurs could get Splitter over here in a year or two)?

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/features/traderesult?players=3416~866~3233&teams=24~22~22&te=&cash=22:24

This trade worked, but I doubt Portland would do it.

I absolutely love Batum. In fact, I just KNEW he was going to be the Spurs pick - until Houston/Portland spoiled the party. I've seen him playa 3-4 times already this year. So far, he's not disappointed as a starter in Portland. That said, I would definitely do that trade. I highly doubt Portland would, though. Spurs may just have to wait 3 years to get a crack at him.

[SenorSpur]

UPDATE: Hairston is indeed at the AT&T Center tonight, although he will be inactive. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said before the game that Hairston's stellar start in Austin pushed the Spurs to sign him, lest another team snap him up. "Malik was doing well enough that I think other people were starting to get interested," Popovich said. "We wanted to make sure we didn't lose him."
http://blogs.mysanantonio.com/weblogs/courtside/2008/12/jeff-mcdonald-s-21.html

:tu :tu :tu

I assumed that his recently-announced player-of-the-week accolade and his scintillating performance this week was drawing the attention of other teams.

Great move, Pop!

Thanks for posting, Spurs Brazil!

[Ice009]

There's two scenarios why Spurs signed him:
1) They were paranoid a team would sign him and steal his rights, so they signed him to keep his rights and more than likely will send him back down.
2) Ime or/and another wing could be on their way out via trade.

I see 1. as the most realistic

If another team calls him up does he have to accept the offer?

[benefactor]

If another team calls him up does he have to accept the offer?
He doesn't have to...but he would be foolish not to take a chance to make an NBA team. Loyalty loses to cash every time.

[Avitus1]

How did I miss this one?

[lefty]

yo will Malik suit up 2nite?

The real question is: did malik suit up tonite?

[45 bank shot]

Yo dogg, i asked b4 da game lol
but anyway, i saw him in da stadium but in suit tho

[SenorSpur]

hopefully ime gets the boot or at least let hairston eat his minutesbut the hill/hairston/gist trio give spurs the future that people say doesnt exist

Why is everyone is such a hurry to dump Ime? It's true that he's been in a funk and has been inconsistent, but the guy isn't trash. He had some big moments last season. It's a long season and the guy can still salvage himself. I'd want to see him the rest of this year before sending him packing.

[Obstructed_View]

At the very least Maybe Hairston will wake Ime up. We know Ime can play; maybe he just needs a reminder to actually start doing it.

Damn I'm good.

[wisnub]

Cool. If nothing else, this protects his rights. I'm guessing Pop will give him some NBA action and then he'll be sent down to Austin for the rest of the season.

Best case scenario is that he shines on the NBA level to the point where the Spurs can't send him down.

:smokin


I also hope he follows Hill,Mason and contribute to Spurs win again..and again and again... Bonner is getting hot as well...

[Blackjack]

UPDATE: Hairston is indeed at the AT&T Center tonight, although he will be inactive. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said before the game that Hairston's stellar start in Austin pushed the Spurs to sign him, lest another team snap him up. "Malik was doing well enough that I think other people were starting to get interested," Popovich said. "We wanted to make sure we didn't lose him."
http://blogs.mysanantonio.com/weblogs/courtside/2008/12/jeff-mcdonald-s-21.html

:tu

I also like what I heard from Coach Newman after the game saying, "I think he's going to get a shot."

You could hear in the way he talked about, and described what Malik brings to the table, that this move wasn't about just getting him into some practices. It really sounds like Malik's going to get some minutes.:hungry:

[xellos88330]

I like the signing. He seemed to have a better all around game, and a nice array of intangibles compared to Tolliver in the preseason. I wonder if Pop will give him some PT if the Spurs have a good lead against the Wolves tomorrow.

[timtonymanu]

Hill/Hairston/Gist - hope we'll see this trio in the future.

hopefully with the Hairston signing, we'll see Vaughn in street clothes for the rest of the season.

[Manufan909]

Maybe. Man, he could've played a full 8 minutes tonight, fucking JV.

[Ice009]

He doesn't have to...but he would be foolish not to take a chance to make an NBA team. Loyalty loses to cash every time.

Yeah I know it wouldn't be smart to turn another team down. I just didn't know if you could.

I don't think anyone would do that in case you don't get the opportunity again.

[raspsa]

Ime is the closest thing to an enforcer that the Spurs have on the perimeter. He will come in useful against some of the stonger/bigger players the Spurs go up against. Malik really doesn't replace Ime but will definitely take some of his already limited time.

[mrspurs]

Cool. If nothing else, this protects his rights. I'm guessing Pop will give him some NBA action and then he'll be sent down to Austin for the rest of the season.

Best case scenario is that he shines on the NBA level to the point where the Spurs can't send him down.

:smokin

Lets hope so. He looked raw during the summer. But who knows maybe he's ready. Mostly I think the spurs didnt want to lose him.

[Bruno]

UPDATE: Hairston is indeed at the AT&T Center tonight, although he will be inactive. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said before the game that Hairston's stellar start in Austin pushed the Spurs to sign him, lest another team snap him up. "Malik was doing well enough that I think other people were starting to get interested," Popovich said. "We wanted to make sure we didn't lose him."
http://blogs.mysanantonio.com/weblogs/courtside/2008/12/jeff-mcdonald-s-21.html

Pop's quote and the fact that Spurs let him inactive hints that Spurs will keep him the whole year and not waive him in two weeks before his contract becomes guaranteed. :tu
I rather see Spurs giving a fair chance to a player like they did in 06-07 with James White than trying a new player every week like they did last year.

[rascal]

I'm glad everyone is happy about the signing of a young wing guy but I don't see this helping the immediate need for this season on the frontline. It's great for next year and even more so for 2010 and beyond but if the Spurs are gunning for a chanpionship this season I'm not confident that the team we have presently is capable of beating the Celtics, who I consider at this time to be the best team in the league and playing the best balance game. I'd like to see some frontline help. I think they can make it to the Fianls but more than likely will meet the Celtics and at this point I think the Celtics are just a better team, I hate saying it but ...


I hope Malik shines!!!!!

The spurs won't even get past the Lakers now.