Hairston scores 43

[bigdog]

http://www.nba.com/dleague/games/boxscore.jsp?gameId=2020800125

Check out his stats. I don't know anything else about the game but I saw the score a at the bottom of NBA TV. Maybe Chump will have something on the game.

[Thompson]

Wow, that's quite a stat line. I'm glad we have him locked up for now.

[Obstructed_View]

8 rebounds, 6 assists with only one turnover and three blocks impress me just as much as the points.

[bigdog]

[QUOTE=Obstructed_View;3019642]8 rebounds, 6 assists with only one turnover and three blocks impress me just as much as the points.[/QUO

Exactly. The one turnover really stood out to me considering the game went into OT. Hopefully he can keep it up.

[mystargtr34]

I havent seen a stat line like that in the D-League in a while.

[AFBlue]

I'm pissed off that I missed the D-League showcase games and that I'm nowhere near Austin, so I can't see this kid with my own eyes.

What I want to know is how he's scoring his points. Based on early evals, he is very good at using his athleticism to take his man off the dribble and create contact going to the rim. I also hear he's not a bad spot-up shooter, though he doesn't take many threes.

I'd be interested to see if there has been any development in his in-between game. I'd also like to know how well he moves off the ball...if any of his points were scored that way.

[HarlemHeat37]

if Hairston is defending and slashing to the rim, we could use him as early as this season..it's something we lack on this team..

[urunobili]

Sick stat! Chump any chance he'll see some minutes this season even if no one gets injured?

[timvp]

Damn, hopefully this game gets archived so I can watch it.

[superbigtime]

Holy smokes, pretty impressive.

[benefactor]

Goodbye Udoka?

[Gino2882]

Goodbye Udoka?

Eh, it is bound to happen. But I kinda like Hairston staying in the D-league and continuing to develop. Unless there is an injury to the current crop of wing players, Hairston would be just fine cutting his teeth in the D-league.

[Yorae]

I could injure Udoka. Uhm ok I guess not.

[Manufan909]

I could injure Udoka. Uhm ok I guess not.

Yeah, I'm going to assume you haven't read his mortal combat story. He'd kick your ass in a coma.

[Yorae]

Yeah i know. Am so afraid of his fatality.

[AFBlue]

if Hairston is defending and slashing to the rim, we could use him as early as this season..it's something we lack on this team..

His relentless slashing would be a welcome addition, but if it's his only move then opposing defenses would key on it very quickly. It's why I asked whether or not his in-between and off-ball game had developed.

He's a polished player, but he might be better served continuing his development in the D-league.

[AFBlue]

Goodbye Udoka?

No rush. Udoka barely gets PT as it is, so having Hairston as an option of the bench for 5 minutes a game does little to improve the overall roster.

It also likely has the negative effect of stunting Hairston's growth as an overall player. I'd like to see him spend the rest of the season in Austin working on something other than his slashing ability.

[exstatic]

Wow, that's quite a stat line. I'm glad we have him locked up for the rest of the year.

FIFY

[wisnub]

Should we put him on the roster in the middle of season..to provide more kick in offense,and I heard he played D as well....i mean we need more firepower in playoffs. Who agrees w/ me???

[Blackjack]

His relentless slashing would be a welcome addition, but if it's his only move then opposing defenses would key on it very quickly. It's why I asked whether or not his in-between and off-ball game had developed.

He's a polished player, but he might be better served continuing his development in the D-league.

Listening to what Chump and others that have seen him this year have had to say, He's been primarily a slasher with a pretty decent 3-point shot offensively.

From what I got to see of him at Oregon though, he had a very good mid-range game, that for whatever reason, has not been displayed at this level.

He was very good at the catch-and-shoot off of screens/pin-downs, and very good at putting the ball on the floor for a dribble and hitting the mid-range pull-up. Although he's a different player, (kind of reminded me of Bonzi with how much bigger he played) I felt coming into the league he'd have to take a similar approach to R.Hamilton, or to a lesser extent, a young Finley, and use his mid-range game as his base to build on and expand his overall game.

So to answer your question. Yes, he does have an in-between game. I'm just not sure if he's been told to focus on his driving and 3-ball for the purposes of the Spurs, or if it just hasn't translated at this level for whatever reason.

The kid definitely brings a skill-set to the table that could help the Spurs right now. I'm not ready to say he's going to be a star, but on a given night ? He's capable of hitting the boards, getting to the free-throw line, being an athletic/versatile perimeter defender, all while possessing the abilty/capability of dropping 20.

I'd like to see the Spurs use him a little like the Pistons used Afflalo last year, and see what the kid can do when the opportunity arises.

I like the idea of having a wild card on the bench a little more than a solid/ not-going-to-get-you-beat type of player, at this point. But that's just me.

[xcoriate]

Listening to what Chump and others that have seen him this year have had to say, He's been primarily a slasher with a pretty decent 3-point shot offensively.

From what I got to see of him at Oregon though, he had a very good mid-range game, that for whatever reason, has not been displayed at this level.

He was very good at the catch-and-shoot off of screens/pin-downs, and very good at putting the ball on the floor for a dribble and hitting the mid-range pull-up. Although he's a different player, (kind of reminded me of Bonzi with how much bigger he played) I felt coming into the league he'd have to take a similar approach to R.Hamilton, or to a lesser extent, a young Finley, and use his mid-range game as his base to build on and expand his overall game.

So to answer your question. Yes, he does have an in-between game. I'm just not sure if he's been told to focus on his driving and 3-ball for the purposes of the Spurs, or if it just hasn't translated at this level for whatever reason.

The kid definitely brings a skill-set to the table that could help the Spurs right now. I'm not ready to say he's going to be a star, but on a given night ? He's capable of hitting the boards, getting to the free-throw line, being an athletic/versatile perimeter defender, all while possessing the abilty/capability of dropping 20.

I'd like to see the Spurs use him a little like the Pistons used Afflalo last year, and see what the kid can do when the opportunity arises.

I like the idea of having a wild card on the bench a little more than a solid/ not-going-to-get-you-beat type of player, at this point. But that's just me.

Good post!!!

And i agree about having that wildcard off the bench, Hill is a bit like that but I think that option would be good at the 3 (and smallball 4 as well...) i dont know who you drop at this point though. Next season hopefully.

[ChumpDumper]

Hairston did a lot of damage after the first half -- he only had 10 points at halftime. For some reason they kept single covering him with Josh Davis, who was doing an ok SF imitation but was nowhere quick enough to guard Malik an entire game plus OT. Late in the game they tried doubling him occasionally, but he was too far in the zone to care. His three pointers continue to be last second clutch ones - he clanks the uncontested ones.

Squeaky Johnson, Mohamed Abukar and Ezra Williams also came up big and clutch to make up for a sick Marcus Williams and avenge Saturday's demoralizing loss.

As dominant as Sean Williams was Saturday, he was neutralized Sunday. The coaching staff studied the tape a lot and showed how he could be beaten. He's still an amazing athlete and could be a real NBA player if he gets his head on straight.

I'll sort through the pictures and post some more notes soon.

[Austin_Toros]

this is fantastic. its great to see we genuinely have a solid future player.

[Austin_Toros]

Squeaky Johnson, Mohamed Abukar and Ezra Williams also came up big and clutch to make up for a sick Marcus Williams and avenge Saturday's demoralizing loss.

As dominant as Sean Williams was Saturday, he was neutralized Sunday.


Ahh! Well that explains Marcus Williams. Hopefully he'll bounce back soon.


As for Sean Williams, talk about inconsistent! I don't know if this guy's good enough for the nba

[angelbelow]

dude.. thats fantastic!

[ChumpDumper]

[Saturday's game]

14ers Power Past Toros in Austin

Box Score (http://www.nba.com/dleague/games/boxscore.jsp?gameId=2020800121)

Colorado 107, Austin 101

AUSTIN, TX, Jan. 10 -- Joe Dabbert led a balanced attack with 22 points and 10 rebounds as the Colorado 14ers overcame a 19-point deficit to defeat the Austin Toros, 107-101, on Saturday and set up a first-place tie in the Southwest Division.

Six Colorado players scored in double figures, including Eddie Gill who notched 20 points and Dominique Coleman who racked up 17. New Jersey Nets assignee Sean Williams posted 16 points and 16 rebounds.

The 14ers outscored the Toros by 19 in the second half after trailing by 13 at the break. One of the key advantages for Colorado was on the glass as it outrebounded Austin 55-36.

Ezra Williams paced the Toros with a game-high 24 points, while Charles Gaines and Carldell Johnson each scored 19. Austin has lost two straight and three out of its last four after winning a D-League season-best nine in a row.

These two division rivals will have a rematch on Sunday.

http://www.nba.com/dleague/games/20090110/COLAUS/recap.html

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee139/tasteoflog/09-01-10%20Toros-14ers/P1040696.jpg

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee139/tasteoflog/09-01-10%20Toros-14ers/P1040716.jpg

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee139/tasteoflog/09-01-10%20Toros-14ers/P1040720.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee139/tasteoflog/09-01-10%20Toros-14ers/P1040721.jpg
1 alley + 2 oops = 0 points

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee139/tasteoflog/09-01-10%20Toros-14ers/P1040740.jpg

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee139/tasteoflog/09-01-10%20Toros-14ers/P1040809.jpg

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee139/tasteoflog/09-01-10%20Toros-14ers/P1040857.jpg

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee139/tasteoflog/09-01-10%20Toros-14ers/P1040860.jpg

Really a see-saw match as Colorado jumped to an early lead. Ezra was the only Toro keeping things close while he started in place of Marcus Williams. Coach Snyder yanked both Charles Gaines and Andre Brown at the same time for their poor D and rebounding.

Dabbert and Sean Williams completely dominated the boards and interior D for the 14ers. Williams was credited with six blocks but I think he got shorted a couple. He had been trying to play SF but switched back to PF while Josh Davis played SF. Their size gave the Toros problems all night. As can be seen in the pictures, Williams is an impressive athlete.

[duncan228]

1 alley + 2 oops = 0 points

:lol

Thanks for the wrap Chump.

[ChumpDumper]

[Sunday's game]

Hairston Leads Toros Comeback Win Over 14ers

Box Score (http://www.nba.com/dleague/games/boxscore.jsp?gameId=2020800125)

AUSTIN, TX - San Antonio Spurs assigned player Malik Hairston scored a season-high 43 points and the Austin Toros defeated the Colorado 14ers 124-113 in overtime on Sunday afternoon at the Austin Convention Center. The Toros rallied from a 19-point third quarter deficit to force overtime and snap a two-game losing streak.

Hairston's big scoring night ranks him second this season in the D-League for most points scored in a single game behind the 44 -oint effort from Joe Crawford of the Los Angeles D-Fenders.

Austin would take its first lead of the game after an Andre Brown free throw with 6:25 in the fourth quarter to lead 92-91 and outscore the 14ers 21-10 in the overtime period.

Colorado built a 17-point lead in the first half behind 58.7% shooting from the field and connecting on 9-of-12 from behind the 3-point line. The 14ers had 25 points in the first half from their bench including 16 points from Trey Gilder.

The 14ers lead would balloon to 19 points early in the third quarter after two made free throws from New Jersey Nets assignee Sean Williams. Austin would cut the deficit to 85-77 following a jump shot by Mohamed Abukar but still trailed by 10 points going into the final period.

In the two games between the Toros and 14ers in the last two days, both teams have lead by 19 points and have seen the team with the deficit rally in the second half to steal the victory.

Mohamed Abukar scored a season-high 18 points and Carldell Johnson added a season high 25 points to help the Toros improve to 13-6 on the season. Johnson also connected on 5-of-6 from behind the 3-point line.

Colorado was led in scoring by 27 points from Josh Davis and 20 from Trey Gilder finished with 20 for the 14ers, who fall to 11-6.

The Toros travel to Iowa to face the Energy on Jan. 17 and return to the Austin Convention on Jan. 21 to take on the Anaheim Arsenal.

http://www.nba.com/dleague/games/20090111/COLAUS/recap.html

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee139/tasteoflog/09-01-11%20Toros-14ers/P1040914.jpg

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee139/tasteoflog/09-01-11%20Toros-14ers/P1040994.jpg

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee139/tasteoflog/09-01-11%20Toros-14ers/P1050022.jpg
Sean Williams was called for a charge on this play; one of two in the game.

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee139/tasteoflog/09-01-11%20Toros-14ers/P1050066.jpg

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee139/tasteoflog/09-01-11%20Toros-14ers/P1050123.jpg

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee139/tasteoflog/09-01-11%20Toros-14ers/P1050124.jpg

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee139/tasteoflog/09-01-11%20Toros-14ers/P1050133.jpg

Both teams were raining threes on the other -- the 14ers all game and the Toros mostly in the second half. Squeaky Johnson was 5-6 from the arc (48% for January) and seems to becoming more reliable as a scorer. He still has no consistent backup, but he is benefiting quite a bit from the extended playing time.

The guards made a concerted effort to get rebounds while the big men improved their boxing out quite a bit. The result: they turned Saturday's 19 board deficit into a 9 board advantage less than 24 hours later. They were pretty aggressive on the offensive rebounds, getting 20 -- though many of those were players getting back their own shot after missing chippies. Andre Brown in particular seems to be going up pretty soft these days, and everything Charles Gaines does on offense besides dunking is humorously ugly.

Hairston was great, of course, but you really couldn't tell from the first half when he scored only ten points and looked a bit passive. Either he or the coaches took note of his mismatch with Josh Davis and really pressed it in the second half. He just kept getting to the basket and finishing with ease or getting to the line. If we see this kind of domination on a consistent basis and also against better defenders, we'll know it's time to call Malik up to the Spurs for a spell.

Mohammed Abukar had his best game as a Toro and cemented his role as first big off the bench with shooting that mimicked that of Anthony Tolliver earlier this season. He defending decently well too, but needs to improve his rebounding significantly.

He couldn't keep up with Hairston, but if the Spurs are still looking for a small ball PF who can spread the floor, they might want to give Josh Davis a try. If Trey Gilder could put on any weight, he might develop into an interesting long SF project.

[m33p0]

btw, why are they called 14ers? what's the history behind it?

[ChumpDumper]

btw, why are they called 14ers? what's the history behind it?There are 50+ peaks in Colorado above 14,000 feet.

[mrspurs]

Did they win too?

[anakha]

Did they win too?

Playbaby post.

[Bruno]

It's very encouraging to see Hairston doing that well.

A lot of quality SG and SF coming from college have played this year in D-League (JR Giddesn, Sonny Weems, Patrick Ewing Jr, Bill Walker, Joe Crawford, Garry Forbes...), Malik is quite the best statically wise.

Spurs could do with Malik like they did with Ian last year and call him between two Toros games. They could do that between the 24th and 30th January when Spurs will have a three games road trip between two Toros games. Hairston hasn't played a single NBA minute, it would be nice for him to taste the big league.

[Bruno]

A 5 min long interview of Hairston :
http://www.nba.com/media/dleague/austin/hairston_1530_090115.mp3

[urunobili]

A 5 min long interview of Hairston :
http://www.nba.com/media/dleague/austin/hairston_1530_090115.mp3

thanks Bruno! :toast

[EricB]

Could someone post a transcript for those of us who can't access the interview?

[AFBlue]

Very good interview...

I specifically like the question/answer with regard to what the Spurs asked him to focus on developing. The "catch-and-shoot" and "defense" are probably the two biggest question marks with him at this point....also his apparent reluctance to take three-pointers despite making them at a decent clip.

I'm really glad the Spurs locked this guy up.