Monroe: Spurs Part Ways With Cold-Shooting Tolliver

[duncan228]

Edit: Please move if this belongs in the Tolliver thread.

They softened the headline.

Spurs part ways with Tolliver

Spurs part ways with cold-shooting Tolliver (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/Spurs_part_ways_with_cold-shooting_Tolliver.html)
Mike Monroe

Looking to lock in a regular playing rotation as the season approaches its midpoint, the Spurs waived rookie Anthony Tolliver on Wednesday.

The 6-foot-8 forward from Creighton earned a spot on the opening-night roster after showing an ability to score from the perimeter during summer-league play. He was given ample opportunity to earn a spot in the rotation after the regular season began but, in effect, shot his way off the roster.

In 19 games, Tolliver made only 19 of 65 shots, 29 percent, and only 9 of 41 3-point attempts, 22 percent. He averaged 2.7 points and 2.2 rebounds.

The Spurs sent Tolliver to their D-League affiliate in Austin for six games, where he averaged 17.8 points, but his shooting problems resurfaced when he was called up for a second stint with the Spurs.

“We've got to make decisions about who is going to be in our rotation as we get to the mid-point of the season, and beyond, come playoff time,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. “We just decided that this group that we have right now is more ready to do that, for our purposes, than Anthony is right now.

“He's a great young man and is going to be a good player in this league. He's going to be in this league, either here, or elsewhere, eventually. People always come and go. It's the nature of the business.”

Waiving Tolliver means the Spurs are one player short of the league maximum of 15, but Popovich said the decision to cut him was not based on freeing a spot for another potential signee, or in freeing a spot on the nightly active list for second-year big man Ian Mahinmi, who has yet to play this season.

“Ian is still trying to work out that injury with his ankle, and not ready to play for a while,” Popovich said. “Fab (Oberto) will be in the rotation as we progress into the season, just as he always has been. He and Kurt (Thomas) will both be important for us.”

Waiving Tolliver was required for the Spurs to remove the remainder of his non-guaranteed, $711,517 salary from the team's payroll.

By agreement with the NBA's players' union, the contracts of all players still on NBA rosters as of Jan. 10 must be guaranteed for the remainder of the season. Since teams have 72 hours to claim players after they are waived, the league must be informed at least 72 hours before guarantee deadline.

Talking about practice: With only four games over a span of 11 days that began Sunday, the Spurs will be able to get in a few practice sessions. This makes Popovich very happy.

“It was great,” he said after the team's first practice session in more than a week. “Hopefully it helps us get back to some of the basics and review some things, but all coaches love having practice and all teams need it, whether (the players) like it or not.”

[phyzik]

“He's a great young man and is going to be a good player in this league. He's going to be in this league, either here, or elsewhere, eventually. People always come and go. It's the nature of the business.”

Translation of Pop speak = he fucking sucked and we are looking for something better.

[crc21209]

Good Riddance ya brick throwing scrub :p lol jk. Nah but really he just wasnt ready for this level of play at all. He looked rushed, nervous most of the time. As soon as he went into the game against Philly, Philly trimmed the leave big time.

[peskypesky]

Poor guy. Must suck to be humiliated like that. How did he ever even get into the NBA in the first place if he can only make 19 out of 65 shots?

[pawe]

He'll be fine, he can build a house with all those bricks he had.
GL Tolliver!

[Yorae]

He'll be fine, he can build a house with all those bricks he had.
GL Tolliver!

:lmao

[PuttPutt]

Dude couldn't hit the broad side of a barn. Don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out!

[Kori Ellis]

You guys are so obnoxious.

I don't get the "get the fuck out, scrub" type of posts. He's a good guy. He just doesn't have a place here. He'll probably go back to the D League and get called up by someone else. He couldn't shoot with the Spurs, but he's not like he's a loser. I'm not sure you guys realize how hard it is to make an NBA team - even for just a 10 day contract. If he was a bad teammate or rude, obnoxious guy, then I understand the type of posts I've seen here today. But the "fucking asshole, get the hell out of town" posts are unnecessary and an embarrassment to me. You guys are Spurs fans. Have some respect.

[timvp]

You guys are so obnoxious.

I don't get the "get the fuck out, scrub" type of posts. He's a good guy. He just doesn't have a place here. He'll probably go back to the D League and get called up by someone else. He couldn't shoot with the Spurs, but he's not like he's a loser. I'm not sure you guys realize how hard it is to make an NBA team - even for just a 10 day contract. If he was a bad teammate or rude, obnoxious guy, then I understand the type of posts I've seen here today. But the "fucking asshole, get the hell out of town" posts are unnecessary and an embarrassment to me. You guys are Spurs fans. Have some respect.

Not to mention Tolliver's mom died right after he officially made the team, which obviously didn't help matters in terms of getting comfortable and just letting the ball fly without thinking about it.

New Age Spurs fans are horrible. :td

[Russ]

Figures. I liked Tolliver.:depressed

[tp2021]

Not to mention Tolliver's mom died right after he officially made the team, which obviously didn't help matters in terms of getting comfortable and just letting the ball fly without thinking about it.

New Age Spurs fans are horrible. :td

Agreed, a lot of the posts have been high on the asshole-o-meter, but generalizing isn't so nice, either, timvp...

But ST is great so you get a pass.

[baseline bum]

Sad to see him go with his size and passing that he brought to the table, but his jumpshot wasn't NBA level. He's got potential though, and if he can improve that j he'd be a sure-fire rotation player in the NBA. Good luck, Tolly.

[Austin_Toros]

i liked the looks of him. if he could only put the ball in the hoop!

BUT hopefully we ditched this clown for Marcus Williams- someone we actually drafted.

[papashango]

You know even with the bricks I liked Tolliver. I never understood why fans were so down on him. I think his problem was this team had a certain view of Tolliver that he just wasn't built for or not yet anyway. The 3 point shooting power foward. To be a Beasley type. I just don't think he was ready for that role. He showed hustle. HE showed he could get physical in the paint. That's where he should've stayed. I wish him the best. He was a rookie after all. Had he been a 9 year vet i'd have the same frustration. But he should get a pass for his young age.

[ChumpDumper]

i liked the looks of him. if he could only put the ball in the hoop!

BUT hopefully we ditched this clown for Marcus Williams- someone we actually drafted.Uh, Marcus Williams shot 5-20 in the NBA.

They'll probably both get second chances one day.

[ChumpDumper]

And yes, these "fans" are abysmal twats.

Stop it.

[L.I.T]

i liked the looks of him. if he could only put the ball in the hoop!

BUT hopefully we ditched this clown for Marcus Williams- someone we actually drafted.

Because Marcus Williams has improved dramatically right?

I still think Tolliver will be back on a 10-day contract sometime during the second half of the season.

[venitian navigator]

I'm sorry for Tolliver, also 'cause he was giving something that in the spurs system is very valuable....like good passing the ball inside to Tim...and something that could have been even more valuable coming P.O. time (guarding the N.O. West-kind of players).
But, at the moment, his cold outside shooting is something the spurs can't afford...
I think it goes with experience and with "times of more serenity".
In the future I can see A.T. regaining his shot...and an nba spot, also with us.
In fact, I think the relationship is all but cold blooded, given that we have given him every opportunity to show his game and his shot that, frankly, was the most important thing the spurs noticed when they decided to sign him and the only one he surely missed...
Now, given the unfortunate absence of Mahinmi, is time to try to find some "diamond in the rough" for the second big man spot....

[ceperez]

I liked the guy and his potential.

He was definitely an insurance policy against Bonner. The Spurs put him back in the line-up after Bonner's miserable performance against the New Orleans. But with Bonner shooting lights out he became redundant.

The other point against him is that he's not big enough. Bonner despite being slower has a wide body and the Spurs aren't shy about playing slow wide body players at the center spot.

[Bruno]

Aside of his poor shooting, Tolliver was quite fine in the other area of the game. If he can improve his jumpshot, he will likely stick in the NBA.

You also had to keep in mind that he isn't the natural shooter who shoots 3's for years. In college, he wasn't shooting 3's despite the closer 3 point line. He started to work on that about one year and a half ago. There are a lot of room for him to improve his shot.

Good luck to him.

[urunobili]

I actually liked him a lot with us... he was very energetic... although i would have preferred the FO to have Watkins as a keeper instead of him and would have taken Chalmers not Hill... but they are the ones making the moves not me and time after time they show us why :toast

[Spurs Brazil]

He was ice cold and I think the Spurs made a good move but Tolliver is a good guy who always worked very hard when he was in games.

Good luck to him. I hope he can improve his shot and find a team

[Bender]

The Spurs sent Tolliver to their D-League affiliate in Austin for six games, where he averaged 17.8 points, but his shooting problems resurfaced when he was called up for a second stint with the Spurs.
just shows doing well in the d-league doesn't mean squat in the NBA.

Too bad, I liked his hustle around the basket, but yeah he couldn't shoot.

[mrspurs]

Dont let the door hit on the way out.

[ChumpDumper]

Same to you, asshole.

[tmtcsc]

You guys are so obnoxious.

I don't get the "get the fuck out, scrub" type of posts. He's a good guy. He just doesn't have a place here. He'll probably go back to the D League and get called up by someone else. He couldn't shoot with the Spurs, but he's not like he's a loser. I'm not sure you guys realize how hard it is to make an NBA team - even for just a 10 day contract. If he was a bad teammate or rude, obnoxious guy, then I understand the type of posts I've seen here today. But the "fucking asshole, get the hell out of town" posts are unnecessary and an embarrassment to me. You guys are Spurs fans. Have some respect.

Very well said. I agree 100%. Brent Barry and Michael Finley both struggled when they got to San Antonio. It takes time and the Spurs afforded those 2 players that chance because of the investment they made in them.

He ALWAYS played hard and tried to do his best. That will lead to success in whatever career he has. He wasn't a bad team mate, he never pouted about his lack of floor time, he never did anything to deserve the rude comments.

[Das Texan]

its too bad tolliver couldnt hit the broad side of a barn.


i liked the other phases of his game a lot.

[anakha]

Dont let the door hit on the way out.

Playbaby post.

[The Truth #6]

It could just be a case of him getting comfortable of shooting at the NBA level against better defenders. He shot well in the Summer and in the D League.

In fact, he might be closer than a lot of other D League players to making it to a team. He has a good BBIQ and seems to be an excellent passer for a big man. All that's missing is his shot.

If he can work on his 3 point shot and a mid-range game, I don't know why some team wouldn't put him on their roster.

[xtremesteven33]

Tolliver couldve been the Horry replacement. Just couldnt shoot the ball.

[Taking it to the Hole]

Aside from Tolliver's 3pt shooting, I actually liked the kid. He had good character, worked well with his teammates, and showed hustle on the boards. What is lacking in Tolliver isn't his potential, but his experience. He just needs more playing time where he can develop his game and hone his skills. But for people to say he doesn't belong in the NBA, is just ludicrous. He has done enough to just get in the league, and play for as many games as he did. I really hope someone picks him up because I see him being a solid role player and contributor for some team in the future. GL to you AT!!!

[Behrooz24]

Goodbye black Danny Ferry. :lol

[SenorSpur]

Some of you guys are down right cruel. Alright, the guy couldn't find his shot at this level. It's not like the guy is trash. There were other areas of his game that would make one think that he does have a future in the NBA. Development takes time and it's clear he's not quite ready, yet. However, he will be back in the NBA - either with the Spurs or with some other team. Frankly, I hope to see him back with the Spurs next year. I wish him good luck.

[benefactor]

Aside of his poor shooting, Tolliver was quite fine in the other area of the game. If he can improve his jumpshot, he will likely stick in the NBA.

You also had to keep in mind that he isn't the natural shooter who shoots 3's for years. In college, he wasn't shooting 3's despite the closer 3 point line. He started to work on that about one year and a half ago. There are a lot of room for him to improve his shot.

Good luck to him.
If I remember correctly, he was a lot like Udonis Haslem in that he lost a lot of weight and basically reinvented himself as a player.

He is a good guy with a lot of potential. He already does a lot of things that coaches have to beg some of their premadonna players to do night in and night out. He is smart...so I expect he will either find his shot or develop a new way to contribute offensively. I fully expect to see him at the end of an NBA bench in the next couple of season. Perhaps we will be so fortunate to have it be ours.

[Chomag]

I never dis-liked the guy. He showed us he plays with alot of heart. But his heart is just not enough... I wish he would try to be something else then just a 3pt line camper.

Maybe he would even surprise himself that he can do other things even better then trying to be a 3pt specialist.

I just don't get this whole trend of ero big men type style play... 3 pt shooting should be left to the shooting guard and shooting forwards... hence the name right? Don't get me wrong now, I see anything wrong with a big man going out and taking that 3pt shot every once in awhile if they are capable just to have a different weapon in the arsenal to loosen up the defense. But all these big men that are becoming one dimensional (run down on offense and camp out past the 3pt line) is just plain lame. It's like asking a 6ft guard to go down on the box and trying to post up every time he goes on offence... MY GOD MAN! USE THAT WONDERFUL SIZE THAT GOD GAVE YOU!!!

Awhem...if only I was blessed with such a body but I was chosen to be stuck in a 5"10 frame lol

[SenorSpur]

I never dis-liked the guy. He showed us he plays with alot of heart. But his heart is just not enough... I wish he would try to be something else then just a 3pt line camper.

Maybe he would even surprise himself that he can do other things even better then trying to be a 3pt specialist.

I just don't get this whole trend of ero big men type style play... 3 pt shooting should be left to the shooting guard and shooting forwards... hence the name right? Don't get me wrong now, I see anything wrong with a big man going out and taking that 3pt shot every once in awhile if they are capable just to have a different weapon in the arsenal to loosen up the defense. But all these big men that are becoming one dimensional (run down on offense and camp out past the 3pt line) is just plain lame. It's like asking a 6ft guard to go down on the box and trying to post up every time he goes on offence... MY GOD MAN! USE THAT WONDERFUL SIZE THAT GOD GAVE YOU!!!

Awhem...if only I was blessed with such a body but I was chosen to be stuck in a 5"10 frame lol

If I only was blessed with such hight, but I'm stuck

To my understanding, Tolliver WAS a post-up guy when he was in college at Creighton University. At 6'8", he was not going to routinely punish anyone down low, at the NBA level. Talent level is bigger, stronger and faster. As such, he started to developing a perimeter shot. In fact, it was his outside stroke that initally caught the eye of the Spurs brass. After all, having another big to spread the floor works perfectly with the Spurs primary offensive objective of creating space for Duncan to maneuver and driving lanes for Parker. Much like Bonner does now.

My point is that it wasn't a bad decision for Tolliver to develop this outside shooting skill. In fact, it could only work to his advantage. It's just that he hasn't perfected it enough yet to warrant a permanent roster spot. When he couples his outside shooting with a good sound post game, it'll only make him a better, all-around player.

[BlackSwordsMan]

rofl