Mickael Pietrus

[SenorSpur]

For the past 2 seasons, some here in the community, including myself, touted this guy as a fit for the Spurs. In fact, he was available free and clear this past summer.

Perhaps he wasn't worth the full MLE. Yet tell me again why this guy was seemingly such a bad fit for an aging, unathletic team like the Spurs?

[DPG21920]

I was waiting for this...

Most did not like him because of his basketball IQ.

[urunobili]

I have been on Pietrus bandwagon with Senor Spur from the beginning... I think he was the athletic wing we needed... his D makes him an even better fit than JR...

[silverblackfan]

I agree. I like what I see in his athletic ability and rotations. I don't know how he got a bad rap for basketball IQ, but then I only see him playing occasionally. Any home team fans know better? He would be a good fit for a reasonable paycheck.

[loveforthegame]

He'd be a perfect fit. As a Warriors fan too I'm still sad to see him in another uniform.

The only 2 knocks that I can think of is that he settles for the jumper when he can get to the rim any time he wants. And when he parks in the corners he has a tendancy to step out of bounds when he catches and drives. Sometimes he'd do that 3-4 times a game but I haven't noticed it as much now that he's in Orlando.

[poop]

hes too athletic for the spurs. they prefer the flatfooted types.

[TJastal]

I was waiting for this...

Most did not like him because of his basketball IQ.

Which hasn't been a problem this year.. every game this year I've seen of Pietrus he continues to get better. He is finally learning the NBA game as evidenced by the fewer mental miscues he makes nowadays. Remember it took Turkolu awhile to learn and adapt coming from Europe where its a completely different game.

He continues to play with greater levels of poise every game. Perfecting his role as an off the bench offensive spark / defensive stopper for Orlando. This is exactly what he could have done for the spurs, but the spurs opted for the cheaper model in RMJ.

[Brazil]

I have been in this bandwagon a long time ago. As I said in the NBA he will never be a spur : he can dunk.

[EricB]

For the past 2 seasons, some here in the community, including myself, touted this guy as a fit for the Spurs. In fact, he was available free and clear this past summer.

Perhaps he wasn't worth the full MLE. Yet tell me again why this guy was seemingly such a bad fit for an aging, unathletic team like the Spurs?

Cause he's dumb as a post.

/thread

[TJastal]

Cause he's dumb as a post.

/thread

If dumb as a post means playing solid defense on the game's elite wings, knocking down timely 3's and running out on the fast break for easy dunks heck I'll take him.

:hat

As of now the spurs have no answer defensively next year for the game's elite tall guards and small forwards. If you think Durant was a pain the ass this year, just wait till next.

[MoSpur]

Eric's post is no surprise to me. If he doesn't like the player, its a dumb thread and there is no point in posting. Typical.

[SenorSpur]

BBIQ? Yeah, I was waiting for that also.

Screw that! The Spurs almost traded for JR Smith a couple of years ago - and he's about as big of a knucklehead, as they come, and more of a risk - on and off the court.

All I know is I'm watching Pietrus perform well as a solid contributor, as a 6th man, on a playoff team. Label him if you wish, but with the obvious exception of Manu, Pietrus is clearly much better than any other wing player on the Spurs roster.

[Kriz-Maxima]

I have a couple of friends who are magic fans, upon signing the only complain was the rumor that he had a low BB IQ, which was then replaced with the excitement of his athleticism. As season progressed Magic fans confirmed Pietrus tendency to do stupid things, make silly turnovers, take ill advice shots, etc. When he is hot, like he has been since the Boston series, its easy to overlook things like his bad shot selection. When he is not there is a lot of complaining to accompany his play.

I think he is a solid role player though.

[SenorSpur]

I have a couple of friends who are magic fans, upon signing the only complain was the rumor that he had a low BB IQ, which was then replaced with the excitement of his athleticism. As season progressed Magic fans confirmed Pietrus tendency to do stupid things, make silly turnovers, take ill advice shots, etc. When he is hot, like he has been since the Boston series, its easy to overlook things like his bad shot selection. When he is not there is a lot of complaining to accompany his play.

I think he is a solid role player though.

That's what coaching is for. Practically every player has bad habits. Besides, you cannot play 4 years in Golden State and not have them. Still, I have to believe the kid is coachable and could've worked here.

[HarlemHeat37]

I was one of the people here that was hyping him up and hoping we would get him, but I understood the hesitation, considering his ego and stupidity..that was assuming we would be a better team though..

we'll see what the Spurs do for the SF position this Summer, it's obviously a huge need..I'd still rather use the MLE on a guy like Gortat though..

[DPG21920]

Pietrus>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Finley.

[jag]

Cause he's dumb as a post.

/thread

And this rumor has proven itself how?

The guy can play defense, shoot from anywhere on the court, and has athletic ability no one else on the Spurs has.

[SenorSpur]

we'll see what the Spurs do for the SF position this Summer, it's obviously a huge need..

...and has been a huge need for about 3 seasons.

This has been the worse nightmare come true. I was afraid the SF position would devolve to a situation where the Spurs would get to the end of the line with Finley and Bowen and have nothing on the roster to replace them with.

[HarlemHeat37]

...and has been a huge need for about 3 seasons.

This has been my worse nightmare come true. That the Spurs would get to the end of the line with Finley and Bowen and have nothing to replace them with.

that's the negative side of winning(if you can call it negative)..the 2007 title obviously had an effect on the lack of tweaking for this team..

the SF position is the easiest to fill in the NBA, so it obviously could and should have been a major priority..at least it should be fixed this off-season, because there's no possible way of going into next season with Finley or another old guy as a starter..

if it was up to me, I'd still rather go after a big as my #1 priority..if we can get a good defensive big, it would make it easier to take a risk on a SF that only has athleticism to start off with..we also have more to work with from a prospect standpoint at the wing position..I'd honestly rather take a chance at starting Hairston/Gist/Williams or a random signing of a no-name with athleticism, as opposed to starting Kurt Thomas or Matt Bonner next season..

[lefty]

And on top of that, he can make 3's now.

[EricB]

Eric's post is no surprise to me. If he doesn't like the player, its a dumb thread and there is no point in posting. Typical.


I never said it was a dumb thread.

Wanna quote where I said that?

[EricB]

BBIQ? Yeah, I was waiting for that also.

Screw that! The Spurs almost traded for JR Smith a couple of years ago - and he's about as big of a knucklehead, as they come, and more of a risk - on and off the court.

All I know is I'm watching Pietrus perform well as a solid contributor, as a 6th man, on a playoff team. Label him if you wish, but with the obvious exception of Manu, Pietrus is clearly much better than any other wing player on the Spurs roster.


Says the person who didn't like the BBall IQs of many past players.


Stay consistent....

[Brazil]

BBIQ? Yeah, I was waiting for that also.

Screw that! The Spurs almost traded for JR Smith a couple of years ago - and he's about as big of a knucklehead, as they come, and more of a risk - on and off the court.

All I know is I'm watching Pietrus perform well as a solid contributor, as a 6th man, on a playoff team. Label him if you wish, but with the obvious exception of Manu, Pietrus is clearly much better than any other wing player on the Spurs roster.

It's like all the guys saying that J Noah is bs with bad attitude and low IQ, then he put a solid double double against the celts.

[Bruno]

Pietrus is a so-so player.

[kace]

Pietrus is a so-so player.

yes, you were saying the same about Noah...

[TJastal]

Pietrus is a so-so player.

The fickleness of spurs fans nowadays is unbelievable.. its almost as if you all have taken on the personality of Popovich himself. You expect absolute perfection out of a certain players, unless their name happens to be Bonner, Jacque Vaughn, Michael Finley, then pretty much you can do no wrong.

I guarantee had Pietrus been signed by the spurs he would have helped slow down Josh Howard in the mavs series (nobody on spurs could do it and he was even hurt)

Oh, and you all would have been loving him if he'd set the same type of pick on Howard / Dirk as the one he set on Varejao. That was a big-time momentum changing play.

[exstatic]

BBIQ? Yeah, I was waiting for that also.

Screw that! The Spurs almost traded for JR Smith a couple of years ago - and he's about as big of a knucklehead, as they come, and more of a risk - on and off the court.

All I know is I'm watching Pietrus perform well as a solid contributor, as a 6th man, on a playoff team. Label him if you wish, but with the obvious exception of Manu, Pietrus is clearly much better than any other wing player on the Spurs roster.

JR Smith is a dumb person, but Pietrus is a dumb basketball player. JR Smith is like at least 5 times the player that Pietrus is. That being said, I won't be riding in a car with him anytime soon, just like I won't be signing Pietrus to a basketball contract very soon.

[TJastal]

JR Smith is a dumb person, but Pietrus is a dumb basketball player. JR Smith is like at least 5 times the player that Pietrus is. That being said, I won't be riding in a car with him anytime soon, just like I won't be signing Pietrus to a basketball contract very soon.

See? Fickleness at its finest on cue. :lol

[Ginobilly]

pietrus is a better defender, way more athletic, younger, than Mason. The only thing Mason has on him is shooting. Both are average passers. I don't know who I rather have? But Pietrus has hit big shots for the magic in the Playoffs. Mason on the other hand??? nuf said! Probably Pietrus, and plus he will be a guy TP would be looking over his shoulder to throw alley oops to.

[mingus]

BBIQ? Yeah, I was waiting for that also.

Screw that! The Spurs almost traded for JR Smith a couple of years ago - and he's about as big of a knucklehead, as they come, and more of a risk - on and off the court.

All I know is I'm watching Pietrus perform well as a solid contributor, as a 6th man, on a playoff team. Label him if you wish, but with the obvious exception of Manu, Pietrus is clearly much better than any other wing player on the Spurs roster.

i don't personally see bad BBall IQ from him ... he's better than Mason by a long shot on defense an does pretty much what Mason does on offense (shoot 3's) and he can also slash... and there is a ton of basketball players that have hurt the Spurs over the years that have low BBall IQ - Bonzi Wells , Lamar Odom , Amare Stoudamire to name a few ... and besides , low BBall IQ can be disguised better or negated if the player whose BBall IQ is in question has a niche or clearly defined role on the team he plays for that accentuates is strengths ... which is exactly what the situation is/was not like in Golden State for the most part with Nelson as coach . he was completely out of his element on that team and that helter-skelter system . that is an unfair situation to judge him in ... now he totally knows his role and fits it on the Magic , and he's showing his true worth because of it .

[lefty]

Pietrus is a so-so player.

Maybe.


But he is still major upgrade over Bonner, Findog, Udoka and JV

[exstatic]

See? Fickleness at its finest on cue. :lol

I want Finley and Vaughn GONE, and Bonner banished to the bench. Is that un-fickle enough for you?

None of that changes the fact that Pietrus is as dumb as his namesake,the rock.

[SenorSpur]

I have no clue about Pietrus' BBIQ and unless anyone has followed him closely during his stints with both GS and Orlando, I don't know how anyone else would either.

All I know is his level of defensive skill and offensive production exceeds what the Spurs have gotten from any player they currently have at the SF position.

No player is perfect and I'd have to think that whatever flaws there may be in Pietrus' game, he could certainly be coached up. Besides the Spurs have one of the best coaches in the NBA. Unless Pop wanted him to split time as a backup PG, I see no reason why Pietrus could not have worked on this roster. Especially considering the fact that the SF position is probably the weakest position on the team.

[raspsa]

I have no clue about Pietrus' BBIQ and unless anyone has followed him closely during his stints with both GS and Orlando, I don't know how anyone else would either.

All I know is his level of defensive skill and offensive production exceeds what the Spurs have gotten from any player they currently have at the SF position.

No player is perfect and I'd have to think that whatever flaws there may be in Pietrus' game, he could certainly be coached up. Besides the Spurs have one of the best coaches in the NBA. Unless Pop wanted him to split time as a backup PG, I see no reason why Pietrus could not have worked on this roster. Especially considering the fact that the SF position is probably the weakest position on the team.

I agree. With the right coaching, any defect he has could be corrected and even be made into strengths. As long as he has his head screwed on right, no reason why he couldn't contribute with his size and athletic ability.

[exstatic]

Coaching? Is that all it takes? Answer me one question then: why isn't every player on the Lakers as good as Kobe? They all have the same coach, don't they?

[SenorSpur]

And you must think the Finley/Udoka/Bowen triumverate was a far more effective answer for the SF position?

[manufan10]

Coaching? Is that all it takes? Answer me one question then: why isn't every player on the Lakers as good as Kobe? They all have the same coach, don't they?

You have to have skill too. Coaching is to help with IQ. You can't coach athleticism or God given abilities. You can, however, coach the IQ. How to rotate, where to rotate, things of that nature.

[SenorSpur]

You have to have skill too. Coaching is to help with IQ. You can't coach athleticism or God given abilities. You can, however, coach the IQ. How to rotate, where to rotate, things of that nature.

:tu :tu

[spurspokesman]

For the past 2 seasons, some here in the community, including myself, touted this guy as a fit for the Spurs. In fact, he was available free and clear this past summer.

Perhaps he wasn't worth the full MLE. Yet tell me again why this guy was seemingly such a bad fit for an aging, unathletic team like the Spurs?

I with you senor. I mentioned him before. He forced lebron into tough shots and he rebounds and adds some offense. He is A utility guy. He is A no brainer. Well in the sense that our Fo had no brains to go get him:lol. Just bs ing.

[SenorSpur]

I with you senor. I mentioned him before. He forced lebron into tough shots and he rebounds and adds some offense. He is A utility guy. He is A no brainer. Well in the sense that our Fo had no brains to go get him:lol. Just bs ing.

I feel ya. To me, based upon the deficiencies we've had and still have at the SF slot versus how this kid is producing for the Magic, nabbing him this past summer or even the year before, as an possible replacement, was an absolute no-brainer. Just sayin'.

For those that want to continue this discussion of BBIQ, how much BBIQ did it require to know that you DO NOT foul Dirk for an and-1, when your team in up 3, in a Game 7 of the WCSF in 2006? Just sayin' - again. Marinate on that.

[raspsa]

Pietrus on the Spurs would be a role player. A defensive specialist who has 3-point range. Sound familiar? But someone more athletic and physical than Bowen. Not as crafty and cunning as BB in all probability but the raw material is there.. no one is asking him to be Kobe or LeBron.

[poop]

he would be a HUGE upgrade over what we have now.

alot of good all that 'BBIQ' did for our fossils this year....

[BackHome]

I think the only thing that we can agree on is that we don't want this same team back! I hope that Pop swallows his pride and does two things.

1. Get and play young players - A FREAKIN CENTER AND PLAY HIM........
2. Hire a coach for Offense

[Spurs Brazil]

Pietrus would be a better option than Mason.

I still prefer D instead of O. And Mason offense in the playoffs was MIA and his D pathetic

[NewJerSpur]

Pietrus would be a better option than Mason.

I still prefer D instead of O. And Mason offense in the playoffs was MIA and his D pathetic

Pietrus has definitely proven his value in the playoffs to the Magic and has fought through a hand injury to do so....commendable.

Mase's defense seemed to take a dive after the Laker game at home for some reason and his offense wasn't much better in the playoffs. That said, I look forward to him coming back and having a strong year next season having more cohesion with his teammates and a better understanding of his role.

[raspsa]

2. Hire a coach for Offense

Maybe PJ will be back..

[TDMVPDPOY]

hey if you look at his face, doesnt he look like 50cent

[024]

i would prefer pietrus now just because he plays much better defense than mason and can guard SFs.

[jag]

Ya...his BBIQ isn't good enough. He wouldnt be able to contribute.

:rolleyes

[SenorSpur]

Ya...his BBIQ isn't good enough. He wouldnt be able to contribute.

:rolleyes

Tell me about it. Yeah, he really looks "dumb as a rock" out there, with his perimeter shooting, grabbing rebounds, playing defense, and blocking shots. :rolleyes

[Lady M]

when he thinks about nothing it's a good player :)
a big piece for Orlando this year and a good defender on Lebron

[TimDunkem]

This guy had some big time steals, hit some big shots, and blocked LeBron's shit for good measure. So much for a low BBIQ. I'd like to see a guy like Pietrus on this team. At least he has the ability to go to the rim. :depressed

[raspsa]

Didn't he do a pretty good job vs. Dirk in the past as well?

[024]

parker for nelson + pietrus/lee

just do it!!!!!!!

[Cant_Be_Faded]

I would love him on the team, provided we signed him for a fair price.

[urunobili]

On ESPN's Daily Dime...

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailydime?page=dime-090525

By Zach McCann | TrueHoop Network

The Mickael Pietrus we saw tonight -- working relentlessly on defense, pushing the tempo, hitting open shots -- was the player the Orlando Magic envisioned when they gave him the mid-level exception this past summer.

Pietrus, who spent his time on the floor as the primary defender of LeBron James, forced James into a 39.2 percent shooting night and allowed very few easy buckets for the NBA MVP.

And despite missing four of his five 3-point attempts, Pietrus scored 16 points by being active, attacking the hoop and drawing fouls.

"MP has had the tendency in the past to get very frustrated with himself when he's not shooting the ball well, and he allows it to affect the rest of his game," Stan Van Gundy said. "Tonight he didn't do that."

His performance on Sunday night and in the playoffs is providing validation to a free-agent acquisition that was questioned after an inconsistent regular season. Pietrus battled injuries all year long, and the Magic couldn't depend on him when he did play.

Some consistency from Pietrus couldn't come at a better time -- he's averaging 12.4 points and shooting 52 percent since the start of the Boston series, and the Magic are often depending on him to guard the opponents' best player.

There's never been any doubt Pietrus had the talent and athletic makeup to contribute on a title-contending team -- what's always been unclear, though, is if he had the head.

Mike Montgomery, who coached Golden State from 2004-06, once said of Pietrus: "He's a great athlete, but you look over with two minutes left in a tight game and he could be talking to the peanut guy."

No late-game chats with any food vendors on Sunday night -- Pietrus was too busy defending the league's best player and helping give the Magic a 2-1 series lead.

[SenorSpur]

On ESPN's Daily Dime...

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailydime?page=dime-090525

By Zach McCann | TrueHoop Network

The Mickael Pietrus we saw tonight -- working relentlessly on defense, pushing the tempo, hitting open shots -- was the player the Orlando Magic envisioned when they gave him the mid-level exception this past summer.

Pietrus, who spent his time on the floor as the primary defender of LeBron James, forced James into a 39.2 percent shooting night and allowed very few easy buckets for the NBA MVP.

And despite missing four of his five 3-point attempts, Pietrus scored 16 points by being active, attacking the hoop and drawing fouls.

"MP has had the tendency in the past to get very frustrated with himself when he's not shooting the ball well, and he allows it to affect the rest of his game," Stan Van Gundy said. "Tonight he didn't do that."

His performance on Sunday night and in the playoffs is providing validation to a free-agent acquisition that was questioned after an inconsistent regular season. Pietrus battled injuries all year long, and the Magic couldn't depend on him when he did play.

Some consistency from Pietrus couldn't come at a better time -- he's averaging 12.4 points and shooting 52 percent since the start of the Boston series, and the Magic are often depending on him to guard the opponents' best player.

There's never been any doubt Pietrus had the talent and athletic makeup to contribute on a title-contending team -- what's always been unclear, though, is if he had the head.

Mike Montgomery, who coached Golden State from 2004-06, once said of Pietrus: "He's a great athlete, but you look over with two minutes left in a tight game and he could be talking to the peanut guy."

No late-game chats with any food vendors on Sunday night -- Pietrus was too busy defending the league's best player and helping give the Magic a 2-1 series lead.

Good stuff. Thanks for posting.

I still throw up thinking how this guy could've contributed to the Spurs. :bang

[MarHill]

Good stuff. Thanks for posting.

I still throw up thinking how this guy could've contributed to the Spurs. :bang


SenorSpur,

He could have contributed to Spurs, no doubt!

But it could have been a money decision as well.

In the article, Mike Montgomery went after his low BBIQ. Pop and Don Nelson have a close relationship and he could have been talked out of getting Pietrus from coming to the Spurs.

Plus he was injured for a good portion of the season.

[urunobili]

Good stuff. Thanks for posting.

I still throw up thinking how this guy could've contributed to the Spurs. :bang

:deadhorse

[SenorSpur]

SenorSpur,

He could have contributed to Spurs, no doubt!

But it could have been a money decision as well.

In the article, Mike Montgomery went after his low BBIQ. Pop and Don Nelson have a close relationship and he could have been talked out of getting Pietrus from coming to the Spurs.

Plus he was injured for a good portion of the season.

Yeah I noticed that too, though I wouldn't take Mike Montgomery's word and I certainly wouldn't be inclined to value Don Nelson's take on a player. Nelson falls in and out of love with players about as much as Larry Brown. The next time one of Nelson's teams decides to play defense will be the first time.

If Pietrus did have some "dumb-ass" in him, I don't see any evidence of it now. All I know is what I've seen out of him thus far - an athletic player, who is making solid plays on both ends for a playoff team. Perhaps his improved play can also be credited to Stan Van Gundy's coaching. He may be the Master of Panic, but the guy does preach defense and smart play.

[lefty]

Pietrus woth low BBIQ:


Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay better than Bonner+Findog+JV with high BBIQ

[Yuixafun]

Game 1 in Cleveland MP came up with some huge shots, many of them from beyond the Arc.

More importantly he had that swagger and wasn't phased by the playoffs or the opposing home crowd.

After the first couple I was like man this guy has a bit too much bravado, but after he sunk the 4th or 5th I was thinking the Spurs could have really used this guy.

I started to pay attention to him more on each possession and he was quick strong and active.

In Game 2 he continued with the good offense but also upped his defense. In that 4th quarter home stretch he hounded LBJ into some missed jumpers and even a travel.

It's a shame the Spurs didn't pick him up, he seems to fill a few holes in our team.

I kinda like guys with swag who nail shots and play good defense. He reminds me remotely of Stephen Jackson.

[TJastal]

Game 1 in Cleveland MP came up with some huge shots, many of them from beyond the Arc.

More importantly he had that swagger and wasn't phased by the playoffs or the opposing home crowd.

After the first couple I was like man this guy has a bit too much bravado, but after he sunk the 4th or 5th I was thinking the Spurs could have really used this guy.

I started to pay attention to him more on each possession and he was quick strong and active.

In Game 2 he continued with the good offense but also upped his defense. In that 4th quarter home stretch he hounded LBJ into some missed jumpers and even a travel.

It's a shame the Spurs didn't pick him up, he seems to fill a few holes in our team.

I kinda like guys with swag who nail shots and play good defense. He reminds me remotely of Stephen Jackson.

I think you pretty well summed it up. Pietrus isn't intimidated by big games or media hype. That's what's so special about him. He just goes out and plays his game. He's a poor man's version of Jackson, but that's still pretty damn good. He'll never be a superstar but I think he can be a star role player.

[SenorSpur]

I think you pretty well summed it up. Pietrus isn't intimidated by big games or media hype. That's what's so special about him. He just goes out and plays his game. He's a poor man's version of Jackson, but that's still pretty damn good. He'll never be a superstar but I think he can be a star role player.

And that would've been enough of a contribution for the Spurs. The FO was willing to throw the entire MLE at Corey Maggette, which I totally understood and supported. However, is it possible the Pietrus' skills and abilities -at both ends of the floor - currently rival or even exceed that of Maggette's? This is not to say that Pietrus was worth the entire MLE, but his strong playoff play is making a sound justification for his price tag.

[Bruno]

The ESPN article describes well what are Pietrus' flaws.
I hope for him that he has improved as a player and that it isn't just a good stretch.

[Yuixafun]

To add... some players shrink from pressure, others feed off it, and then there are those rare individuals that relish it.

I think MP is firmly in the second category.

You gather enough of these type of guys, and you might be holding up that Trophy at the end of the year.

[TJastal]

I will reiterate a few things

Pietrus made more sense to me to go after than RMJ because spurs needed a player that can

1. Slow down / guard the other team's goto wing player in the playoffs. Asking Bowen to do this @ age 38 was asking too much, but this was obviously Pop's plan all along. :rolleyes Bowen's offensive production has also seen better days. And when's the last time you saw Bowen running the fast break with Parker? They love to call Tony a 1 man fast break.. well... that's because he's the only man running usually :lol

2. Pietrus' all around talent > Mason. Popovich needs to lose the obsession with 1 dimensional spot up shooters and start looking for players that are well rounded. I'll give Mason credit he did a great job sitting out on the 3pt line and hit some clutch shots for the spurs this year but you know what? Pietrus can hit clutch 3's too. He's been doing it in every playoff series so far.

3. He can run the fast break and finish, draw contact/fouls and shoot free throws. I still remember spurs fans raving over Mason's free throw % at the beginning of the year when he's lucky if he gets to the line once a game. And most of those are probably from other teams technicals :lol

4. Oh yah, what is that Pietrus does again? Dunk the ball? Okay, guess he wouldn't have played under Pop :rollin

[Bruno]

I doubt Pietrus was ready to sign a 2 years contract like RMJ.

[Cant_Be_Faded]

This is why I always LOL'ed to myself when the "low bball IQ" meme relating to pietrus was spreading like wildfire.

[Ditty]

pietrus>mason

[SenorSpur]

I will reiterate a few things

Pietrus made more sense to me to go after than RMJ because spurs needed a player that can

1. Slow down / guard the other team's goto wing player in the playoffs. Asking Bowen to do this @ age 38 was asking too much, but this was obviously Pop's plan all along. :rolleyes Bowen's offensive production has also seen better days. And when's the last time you saw Bowen running the fast break with Parker? They love to call Tony a 1 man fast break.. well... that's because he's the only man running usually :lol

2. Pietrus' all around talent > Mason. Popovich needs to lose the obsession with 1 dimensional spot up shooters and start looking for players that are well rounded. I'll give Mason credit he did a great job sitting out on the 3pt line and hit some clutch shots for the spurs this year but you know what? Pietrus can hit clutch 3's too. He's been doing it in every playoff series so far.

3. He can run the fast break and finish, draw contact/fouls and shoot free throws. I still remember spurs fans raving over Mason's free throw % at the beginning of the year when he's lucky if he gets to the line once a game. And most of those are probably from other teams technicals :lol

4. Oh yah, what is that Pietrus does again? Dunk the ball? Okay, guess he wouldn't have played under Pop :rollin

:tu :tu & :toast

I agree wholeheartedly. I love Mason too, but he, like so many players on the Spurs roster, is limited and too much of a one-trick pony. Pietrus possesses a more well-rounded suite of skills that would have made him an instantly valuable contributor - and for all the valid reasons you've pointed out.

I still don't understand why the Spurs "turned their noses up" on this guy. Especially considering he was forced to wait until late in the summer before the Magic finally tendered him an offer. He was out there for the taking.

[Ginobilly]

Will Timvp eat crow when the Magic make the finals?
I remember him saying this past summer that Mason>Pietrus, and that he was dumb as a rock and wouldn't help the Spurs.

[duncan228]

Magic’s Pietrus the ‘X-Factor’ in East finals

http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=127257

[The Truth #6]

It would have been nice if we could have acquired Mason and Pietrus. Mason's shooting and Pietrus' defensive abilities would have been a good tandem. Not sure we could have gotten both, but I don't recall Pietrus signing a big contract.

[trajik dark]

It would have been nice if we could have acquired Mason and Pietrus. Mason's shooting and Pietrus' defensive abilities would have been a good tandem. Not sure we could have gotten both, but I don't recall Pietrus signing a big contract.dont worry finley will be back we dont need pietrus lol

[SenorSpur]

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/59384/20090526/pietrus_emerges_as_orlandos_x_factor/

Pietrus Emerges As Orlando's X-Factor

Magic guard Mickael Pietrus has been the "X-Factor" in the Eastern Conference Finals through the first three games.

"Their wild-card is Pietrus," Cavs guard Mo Williams said. "He's the X-Factor. It has been like that all three games."

Pietrus had 16 points in Game 3, doubling the total of Cleveland's reserves (eight).

Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy is happy to finally have Pietrus back on the court after missing 28 games during the regular season with a number of injures.

"It was frustrating at the time," Van Gundy said. "But at this point, it doesn't matter. It's good to have him back. I think he's in a good rhythm. He's looking more comfortable on the floor, and I think our guys are more comfortable with him. He's playing spectacular in this series."

[Brazil]

Bruno, any comment on the so so player performance tonight ? :)

[lefty]

Low BBIQ :lmao

[TJastal]

Bruno, any comment on the so so player performance tonight ? :)

Seems the Pietrus haters have all but dissappeared. :hat

He was once again clutch as hell in game 4 and IMO hit two of the biggest momentum changing shots for the magic. First one was that 3 from the corner in the 1st quarter to end the cavalier surge and get the stuck magic out of park and then also one from the top of the key in the 4th quarter with a few minutes left which was HUGE because it gave the magic just enough of a cushion to withstand the inevitable attempt by James and the officials to snatch the game in the last minute.

Alston however deserves the largest chunk of credit, he was simply magnificent. If I'm Jameer Nelson, I'm really starting to wonder if my job might be in jeapordy next year. :wow

[Bruno]

Bruno, any comment on the so so player performance tonight ? :)

First, unlike what you seems to hint, I've never think that Pietrus was a scrub. I considered him as an average player who wasn't worth at all a $5M salary.

Now, he is playing great since the Boston series. Huge props to him. He is showing that I was wrong about him. Before admitting that I was wrong, I will to see him playing at a good level for a full year. Consistency has always been one of his main flaws and he could easily be again next year the average player he has been this year before the second round.

[TJastal]

First, unlike what you seems to hint, I've never think that Pietrus was a scrub. I considered him as an average player who wasn't worth at all a $5M salary.

Now, he is playing great since the Boston series. Huge props to him. He is showing that I was wrong about him. Before admitting that I was wrong, I will to see him playing at a good level for a full year. Consistency has always been one of his main flaws and he could easily be again next year the average player he has been this year before the second round.

I think Pietrus' problems in the past were due to his reckless abandon he played with, which carried over to mental lapses. Not so nowadays.

Alot of his injuries were due to his all or nothing reckless drives to the basket trying to make the spectacular dunk. You don't see him trying to dunk every time he takes the ball to the rim now. He's under control now, and doesn't try to be a hero every play.

He still makes an occassional bone headed play like a travel or dumb foul but for the most part those have dissappeared. the transformation from shaky to solid has been because of the excellent coach SVG is. His patient approach with Pietrus has paid HUGE dividends for the magic.

SVG deserves half the credit for tapping Pietrus' potential, but you also have to give the other half to Pietrus himself, who has proven his detractors wrong by showing he has smarts and saavy to go along with the talent.

[Brazil]

First, unlike what you seems to hint, I've never think that Pietrus was a scrub. I considered him as an average player who wasn't worth at all a $5M salary.

Now, he is playing great since the Boston series. Huge props to him. He is showing that I was wrong about him. Before admitting that I was wrong, I will to see him playing at a good level for a full year. Consistency has always been one of his main flaws and he could easily be again next year the average player he has been this year before the second round.

:toast

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

I think Pietrus' problems in the past were due to his reckless abandon he played with, which carried over to mental lapses. Not so nowadays.

Alot of his injuries were due to his all or nothing reckless drives to the basket trying to make the spectacular dunk. You don't see him trying to dunk every time he takes the ball to the rim now. He's under control now, and doesn't try to be a hero every play.

He still makes an occassional bone headed play like a travel or dumb foul but for the most part those have dissappeared. the transformation from shaky to solid has been because of the excellent coach SVG is. His patient approach with Pietrus has paid HUGE dividends for the magic.

SVG deserves half the credit for tapping Pietrus' potential, but you also have to give the other half to Pietrus himself, who has proven his detractors wrong by showing he has smarts and saavy to go along with the talent.

Just to chime in, SVG is a very underrated coach. JVG too.

[urunobili]

Yesterday's rushed three attempt in the 4th quarter was silly... Pop would not play him for the rest ofr the series for trying to be a hero if he was with us... :wakeup

[to21]

At this point I'd take any damn body who would show up in the playoffs.

Orlando is not letting him go anyways.

[SenorSpur]

At this point I'd take any damn body who would show up in the playoffs.

Orlando is not letting him go anyways.

No one is suggesting that Pietrus would be made available, the point was the guy could've been had the past 2 summers and the Spurs passed over him. In fact, Pietrus was forced to wait most of the summer until Maggette decided what he wanted to do. He didn't have many suitors knocking on his door. Orlando got him late for the full MLE.

[to21]

No one is suggesting that Pietrus would be made available, the point was the guy could've been had the past 2 summers and the Spurs passed over him. In fact, Pietrus was forced to wait most of the summer until Maggette decided what he wanted to do. He didn't have many suitors knocking on his door. Orlando got him late for the full MLE.I thought we already covered why he wasn't brought in.......he has a low baskeball IQ. :lol

You 'member?

[bobbybob0]

I'm mostly impress by his defense at the moment.

I knew he was a good defender but what he is doing defending Lebron is impressive.
He's not locking the guy down or anything but I'm impressed how he manages to take away LBJ penetrations even though he must be giving something like 30lbs to James.

For most of this series it seems James is settling for a jump shot or passing the ball whenever Pietrus is guarding him.

[Ginobilly]

I thought we already covered why he wasn't brought in.......he has a low baskeball IQ. :lol

You 'member?

I think the only ones with "low BBIQ" turned out to be Pop/RC and the front office, and all the Pop/RC/front office homers who think they know basketball but have never dribbled a basketball in their lives.

[DPG21920]

I do not care if players make mistakes here and there as long as they are aggressive mistakes in moments that can be made up. Especially in the playoffs. Spurs need players who elevate their game in the playoffs, not regular season Bonners.

[DPG21920]

I think the only ones with "low BBIQ" turned out to be Pop/RC and the front office, and all the Pop/RC/front office homers who think they know basketball but have never dribbled a basketball in their lives.

Not true. Pop went to the United States Air Force Academy. He played basketball for four seasons at the Academy.


Popovich next served his required five years of active duty in the United States Air Force, during which he toured eastern Europe and the Soviet Union with the U.S. Armed Forces Basketball Team. In 1972, he was selected as the Captain of the Armed Forces Team, which won the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) championship. This earned him an invitation to the 1972 U.S. Olympic Basketball Team trials

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregg_Popovich

[Chomag]

It just seems to me that some fans expect every player to have the BB IQ of Tim Dunkan(which is god like) And the abilities of Kobe. Or else they can't help the team and are not worth going after.

News flash! No NBA team has 12 NBA all-stars.

[Ginobilly]

Not true. Pop went to the United States Air Force Academy. He played basketball for four seasons at the Academy.


Popovich next served his required five years of active duty in the United States Air Force, during which he toured eastern Europe and the Soviet Union with the U.S. Armed Forces Basketball Team. In 1972, he was selected as the Captain of the Armed Forces Team, which won the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) championship. This earned him an invitation to the 1972 U.S. Olympic Basketball Team trials

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregg_Popovich

I meant the ST posters and Spurs fans there with that quote. I know a lot of people here were saying that "Pietrus no vale verga". "He's a pendejo on and off the court". "He too black" etc.

[DPG21920]

It was a money issue though, that is what most are getting at. Yes MP has played well, yes he would help, but is the gain to the team worth the price paid?

[DPG21920]

I meant the ST posters and Spurs fans there with that quote. I know a lot of people here were saying that "Pietrus no vale verga". "He's a pendejo on and off the court". "He too black" etc.

Oh, my bad. Thought you meant all of the people mentioned in the statement.

[SenorSpur]

I think the only ones with "low BBIQ" turned out to be Pop/RC and the front office, and all the Pop/RC/front office homers who think they know basketball but have never dribbled a basketball in their lives.

You beat me to it. :toast

[TJastal]

Well at this point talking about Pietrus is just the proverbial :deadhorse. He's locked up on the magic now, spurs need to focus on the future free agency. *cough cough* Bosh *cough*.

[Mel_13]

No one is suggesting that Pietrus would be made available, the point was the guy could've been had the past 2 summers and the Spurs passed over him. In fact, Pietrus was forced to wait most of the summer until Maggette decided what he wanted to do. He didn't have many suitors knocking on his door. Orlando got him late for the full MLE.

Pietrus was passed over by the entire the NBA in the summer of 2007 and finally signed the QO from GS. In the summer of 2008, he reached agreement with Orlando during the July moratorium and signed immediately thereafter (on the same date as Maggette). He didn't wait to see if there would be better offers, perhaps because he had been left empty handed in 2007. This article has the details with the interesting piece of info that the Orlando GM was in charge of the draft for GS in 2003 when Pietrus was the 11th pick.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3482043

With Orlando sitting at 3-1, the risks of signing Lewis for $118M and Pietrus for almost the full MLE are not being discussed much, but they were both serious gambles. Even if they work out for this year, payroll is pretty much a zero-sum game for teams like Orlando. By signing Pietrus they chose not to shore up their PG situation, which led to the Alston trade when Nelson went down. They had to give up their 1st rounder to get Alston and now have his $5M salary and Pietrus' $5M salary on the books this summer when they have to deal with Hedo and Gortat as FAs. Assuming that Hedo will be the priority, the Pietrus decision may cost them Gortat.

MLE signings are huge gambles with a very low success rate. Pietrus right now appears to have a good chance to be one of the exceptions. The decision on Pietrus had to made based on potential, not on the ability he has now shown to fit in on a first class team. As you said in your OP:



Perhaps he wasn't worth the full MLE.

[SenorSpur]

Pietrus was passed over by the entire the NBA in the summer of 2007 and finally signed the QO from GS. In the summer of 2008, he reached agreement with Orlando during the July moratorium and signed immediately thereafter (on the same date as Maggette). He didn't wait to see if there would be better offers, perhaps because he had been left empty handed in 2007. This article has the details with the interesting piece of info that the Orlando GM was in charge of the draft for GS in 2003 when Pietrus was the 11th pick.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3482043

With Orlando sitting at 3-1, the risks of signing Lewis for $118M and Pietrus for almost the full MLE are not being discussed much, but they were both serious gambles. Even if they work out for this year, payroll is pretty much a zero-sum game for teams like Orlando. By signing Pietrus they chose not to shore up their PG situation, which led to the Alston trade when Nelson went down. They had to give up their 1st rounder to get Alston and now have his $5M salary and Pietrus' $5M salary on the books this summer when they have to deal with Hedo and Gortat as FAs. Assuming that Hedo will be the priority, the Pietrus decision may cost them Gortat.

MLE signings are huge gambles with a very low success rate. Pietrus right now appears to have a good chance to be one of the exceptions. The decision on Pietrus had to made based on potential, not on the ability he has now shown to fit in on a first class team. As you said in your OP:

Good points and a solid case. The Spurs smartly and historically gamble low. Be that as it may, the Spurs, and much of the NBA, all agreed that a player like Corey Maggette is worth at least the MLE. I was one of the biggest proponents of that possible acquisition. Of course, the Warriors overpaid for him last summer in FA and effectively took him away from the Spurs.

Pietrus, on the other hand, was a cheaper option, and, as you say, a bigger gamble. He certainly had some warts, but looks like he's coming around. However, he's certainly developing the type of all-around game that Maggette lacks. Whether Pietrus could've been had for a portion of the MLE is uncertain. I just would've liked to have seen them try.

[Mel_13]

Good points and a solid case. The Spurs smartly and historically gamble low. Be that as it may, the Spurs, and much of the NBA, all agreed that a player like Corey Maggette is worth at least the MLE. I was one of the biggest proponents of that possible acquisition. Of course, the Warriors overpaid for him last summer in FA and effectively took him away from the Spurs.

Pietrus, on the other hand, was a cheaper option, and, as you say, a bigger gamble. He certainly had some warts, but looks like he's coming around. However, he's certainly developing the type of all-around game that Maggette lacks. Whether Pietrus could've been had for a portion of the MLE is uncertain. I just would've liked to have seen them try.

I would not be surprised to see this begin to change this summer. Since securing the services of TD, TP, and Manu in 2003 and 2004, the Spurs entered every summer until 2008 with a reasonable expectation that the total production of the Big 3 would remain very high. TD would have a gentle decline from an absurdly high level, while TP and Manu would add to their games. Thus they could afford to be extremely conservative with their role player choices.

In the summer of 2008, the Spurs bet that Manu could play 60 games and a full postseason. They lost. This summer the uncertainties over TD and Manu mean that the Spurs can no longer reasonably assume anything about total Big 3 production. If they can clear enough room for a full MLE offer this summer, I think it is possible they will use it on player with great potential and a short resume. They might even target a financially stretched team like Orlando and go after Gortat.

[SenorSpur]

I would not be surprised to see this begin to change this summer. Since securing the services of TD, TP, and Manu in 2003 and 2004, the Spurs entered every summer until 2008 with a reasonable expectation that the total production of the Big 3 would remain very high. TD would have a gentle decline from an absurdly high level, while TP and Manu would add to their games. Thus they could afford to be extremely conservative with their role player choices.

In the summer of 2008, the Spurs bet that Manu could play 60 games and a full postseason. They lost. This summer the uncertainties over TD and Manu mean that the Spurs can no longer reasonably assume anything about total Big 3 production. If they can clear enough room for a full MLE offer this summer, I think it is possible they will use it on player with great potential and a short resume. They might even target a financially stretched team like Orlando and go after Gortat.

If I'm the Spurs, this guy would one of my top FA targets, if not the top. That is, of course, assuming that Trevor Ariza is out of reach.

[Mel_13]

If I'm the Spurs, this guy would one of my top FA targets, if not the top. That is, of course, assuming that Trevor Ariza is out of reach.

If I was GM for a day, Gortat for the MLE on day 1 of free agency is my first decision. I assume Ariza is out of reach, but I would get help for Tim first anyway.

[Obstructed_View]

Cause he's dumb as a post.

/thread

I was going to post that some people worried about his basketball IQ while idiots like TPark repeat it to make themselves sound like they know what they're talking about.

Thanks to you, I now don't have to bother.

[E20]

The reason people said he has a low B-ball IQ was because he looks like Austrolapehticaus africanus or Cro-Magnon.

[Obstructed_View]

He doesn't always have the greatest shot selection. He played for Don Nelson, didn't he? Seems forgivable enough. If Mason didn't curl up into a ball in the playoffs, we probably aren't having this conversation. That said, at least Pop wouldn't have tried to force Pietrus to play backup point guard.

[montgod]

Alston however deserves the largest chunk of credit, he was simply magnificent. If I'm Jameer Nelson, I'm really starting to wonder if my job might be in jeapordy next year. :wow

I doubt it. Didn't the Magic just lock him (Nelson) up with a long term deal as well?

I really don't see them being able to keep Hedo or Gortat with all these huge contracts on the books.

[urunobili]

We could have had this guy two seasons in a row... :depressed :deadhorse

[TDMVPDPOY]

I doubt it. Didn't the Magic just lock him (Nelson) up with a long term deal as well?

I really don't see them being able to keep Hedo or Gortat with all these huge contracts on the books.

i wonder how m uch hedo or gortat will be asking?

hedo = 10m-13m range?
gortat = someone is going to overpay him...MLE?

maybe magic do a sign and trade imo....lee looks like a keeper now...

[raspsa]

Congratulations to Pietrus and the Magic organization. I always root for the underdog. If Pietrus can pester Bryant and Dwight Howard has a few monster games, they have a pretty good chance at the title.

[SenorSpur]

He doesn't always have the greatest shot selection.
That's probably true. However, I still say that part of his game can be coached up. Besides, when has Pop gotten on guys for shooting too much. He's habitually gotten on guys for not shooting enough.

If Mason didn't curl up into a ball in the playoffs, we probably aren't having this conversation. That said, at least Pop wouldn't have tried to force Pietrus to play backup point guard.

Regardless of Mason's regular season or playoff contributions, he is what he is. A reliable, long-distance shooter, yet a very one-dimensional player. Still glad to have him on the team.

On the other hand, it's clear that Pietrus is the better athlete, is a superior rebounder and defender and there's no question that he is a better all-around player. He really came of age during these playoffs. Because this guy has the type of skills that the Spurs have so desparately lacked and could have so desparately used, this conversation is made even more compelling and would've have taken place regardless.

I wish we had them both. Yet, given the choice, I would've much rather had Pietrus - despite the claims of some who repeatedly called the kid dumb.

No. When analyzing the Spurs areas of weakness on the perimeter, at both ends of the floor, and watching the nightly contributions of Pietrus, the only thing that was dumb was the decision of the Spurs FO to pass over him.

[Cant_Be_Faded]

his bball IQ is so low, though!

[raspsa]

his bball IQ is so low, though!

His BBIQ was good enough to make a very significant impact on the series, specially defending James.. that's the ultimate judge of him as a player. People make their reps during playoffs and Pietrus' showed he's got game.

[MaNu4Tres]

Regardless of Mason's regular season or playoff contributions, he is what he is. A reliable, long-distance shooter, yet a very one-dimensional player. Still glad to have him on the team.

On the other hand, it's clear that Pietrus is the better athlete, is a superior rebounder and defender and there's no question that he is a better all-around player. He really came of age during these playoffs. Because this guy has the type of skills that the Spurs have so desparately lacked and could have so desparately used, this conversation is made even more compelling and would've have taken place regardless.

I wish we had them both. Yet, given the choice, I would've much rather had Pietrus - despite the claims of some who repeatedly called the kid dumb.

No. When analyzing the Spurs areas of weakness on the perimeter, at both ends of the floor, and watching the nightly contributions of Pietrus, the only thing that was dumb was the decision of the Spurs FO to pass over him.

Agreed 110 %
:tu

[Brazil]

We are so close to have a deadly French NT with a core of nba players: pietrus parker noah batum diaw turiaff...

[draft87]

hey guys, seriously what is the big fuss over gortat?

i'm not saying that a strong presence at the 5 spot isn't needed.

i'm saying he's not the guy to fill it.

yes, he's young. but he's not overwhelming at 6'11" 240


here's his stats


G MIN FGM-A FG% 3PM-A 3P% FTM-A FT% OFF DEF TOT STL BLK TO PF AST PTS Season6312.6106-187.5671-11.00026-45.5781.53.04.5.29.84.401.760.23.8Career6912.1114-204.5591-11.00028-48.5831.52.94.4.28.78.391.670.23.7

[draft87]

okay that looked like crap
minutes 12.6
fg% .567
ppg 3.8
ft% .578
tot rb 4.5
off rb 1.5
stl .29
blk .84
to .40
pf 1.76

[urunobili]

okay that looked like crap
minutes 12.6
fg% .567
ppg 3.8
ft% .578
tot rb 4.5
off rb 1.5
stl .29
blk .84
to .40
pf 1.76

This is Pietrus thread not Gortat's... :nope

[Yuixafun]

Pietrus is still shook from Kobe's Olajuwon impersonation in game 1.

It should be illegal to do that to someones confidence.

[dastrey]

Pietrus has the swagger. He has turned into a better version of Steven Jackson.

[DPG21920]

Pietrus has the swagger. He has turned into a better version of Steven Jackson.

:lol

[Brazil]

I knew it lol every good game of Pietrus it will be a tradition to bump this thread. He played great tonight.

[xellos88330]

Pietrus is impressing me.

[TJastal]

Pietrus still makes those occassional bonehead mental miscues, like the double dribble (that didn't get called) Another one I recall was in game 2 on a one man fast break he came barrelling to the basket and ran over a stationary Derek Fisher (the one time Fisher didn't flop in his career)

In last night's game however, come crunch time Pietrus dug in and caused absolute havoc defensively against the lakers with his hands and found the laker passing lanes for a couple steals.

It was Pietrus that also supplied the offensive spark late, hitting clutch outside jumpshots and driving the ball right down the laker's throats and getting to the line when Orlando needed an "x-factor lift".

When its all said and done, I think the good has defenitely outweighed the bad when it comes to Pietrus. He has defenitely become one of my favorite players in the league.

[yavozerb]

I think this is the longest stretch of games this guy has played in without getting hurt this season...

[Chieflion]

We are so close to have a deadly French NT with a core of nba players: pietrus parker noah batum diaw turiaff...
That team will rule.

[lefty]

I'm gay for Pietrus

[romain.star]

That team will rule.

well... not so quick:

1. The lineup is not secured yet. Is Noah gonna play for France? Will Mike P. come back after the last clash with the French staff and TP?

2. Unlike Argentina or Spain, ALL the main French players are NBA labelled players. How will they adapt to FIBA rules?

[ace3g]

French connection pays off for Orlando in playoffs

By Johnny Ludden, Yahoo! Sports

ORLANDO, Fla. – Oprah has never called. Nor has Madame Tussaud or People Magazine. He doesn’t have an A-list wife. He doesn’t do the Emmys. Red carpets, in general, usually don’t extend to him. If he listens to rap, he’s at least spared the music world by not recording his own album.

Mickael Pietrus(notes) is not Tony Parker(notes), and that’s OK with him. They’re both French and they both play basketball and … that’s about it. Pietrus has found himself on the sport’s biggest stage, the same one that Parker dominated just two years ago. But if you think he’d reach out to his countryman for advice, to ask him to share his own NBA Finals experience, well, even Pietrus knows T Pizzle’s schedule is probably booked.

“Right now he’s chilling at Roland Garros,” Pietrus said. “He has a nice girl, too. He don’t have time for Pietrus right now.”

Pietrus laughed. He knows how it works. A year ago, Parker told French magazine L’Equipe there were only two NBA players of any true significance from the country: himself and Phoenix Suns forward Boris Diaw(notes). Pietrus – surprise, surprise – wasn’t too happy. Parker eventually apologized, and it’s a good thing he did.

These days, Pietrus is doing just fine representing Les Bleus on his own. No player has a tougher job in these Finals, and no player may have done more to push the Orlando Magic back into their series against the Los Angeles Lakers. He scored 18 points off the bench in the Magic’s 108-104 Game 3 victory, 10 in the tense final quarter, and he did so while hounding Kobe Bryant(notes) much of the night.

Air France, as Pietrus is called, also had enough lift left in his legs to throw down a late put-back dunk that gave the Magic the lead for good. He hasn’t worn his usual Kobe-endorsed shoes during the Finals, instead switching to a pair that has “AF 447” on the side, a tribute to the victims of the Air France flight that crashed into the Atlantic Ocean last week. Off the court and on, Pietrus has delivered.

“Obviously,” Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said, “the pressure doesn’t bother him at all.”

The Magic wouldn’t have advanced this far if Pietrus had already wilted. As the playoffs have progressed, he’s become an increasingly important contributor on both ends of the floor. The Magic have asked him to guard Andre Iguodala(notes), Paul Pierce(notes), LeBron James(notes) and now Bryant, his job growing more difficult by the round. He’s also averaging 10.6 points on 48.4 percent shooting in the postseason to give Orlando’s reserve unit some punch.

“He’s been in the league long enough,” Magic forward Hedo Turkoglu(notes) said, “but this is his first opportunity to show himself on a good team.”

Pietrus spent his first five seasons with the Golden State Warriors, and his playoff success began and ended with the team’s historic first-round upset of the Dallas Mavericks in 2007. The Magic signed him to a four-year, $21.2 million contract last summer, but couldn’t keep him on the floor. A torn thumb ligament sidelined him for nearly a month in December. He returned for a week, then fractured his right wrist and missed another month.

Unable to depend on Pietrus, the Magic moved him to the bench. “We thought it was disruptive to have him in and out of the lineup,” Van Gundy said.

The playoffs didn’t start much better. Pietrus took just one shot and failed to score in Orlando’s opening loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. On his way out of the locker room, he was heckled by one of the Magic’s own fans.

“Better go work on your jump shot!” the man yelled.

Pietrus laughed off the incident. He laughs off a lot of stuff, and his personality has helped him in the playoffs. He rarely gets too high or too low, an important trait if your nightly duties include chasing LeBron and Kobe. LeBron scored 49 points in the opener of the East finals. The next game, Pietrus was ready to take him on again. On and on they went. By the end of the series, LeBron looked tired from having to do so much of Cleveland’s heavy lifting.

Pietrus handled Kobe’s explosive start to Game 3 with the same measured confidence. Kobe stuck a 3-pointer in Pietrus’ face while getting him off his feet for a foul. He raised up for another 3-pointer over Pietrus in the second quarter. Both shots were contested. Pietrus shrugged them off. What else could he do?

Pietrus continued to try to body up Bryant, to push him into the Magic’s help defense. By the fourth quarter, Bryant’s legs looked lost. He tried to force his way through a trap by Pietrus and Dwight Howard(notes) late in the game only to lose the ball. Pietrus came up with the steal, made two free throws and the Magic finally had the separation they needed.

Pietrus knows the other side of life against Bryant. He fouled out in Game 2 after 23 minutes, scoring just two points. Not many men have survived a series with Bryant, let alone a back-to-back series with Bryant and James.

“I think LeBron is a great player, MVP,” Pietrus said. “But Kobe is really, really tough to guard. He’s really tough … tough … tough … tough … tough …toughtoughtough.”

Pietrus must grind through games to give himself a chance. For all of his talent, he is a role player for these Magic. Howard, Turkoglu, Rashard Lewis(notes) and Jameer Nelson(notes) get the attention. Pietrus gets the job few players want.

Parker has gotten the glory – and the girl. He’s worked hard to make himself one of the top point guards in the NBA, not to mention a three-time champion. But he’s also the first to admit how much he’s benefitted from playing with Tim Duncan(notes). Along the way, he married a Hollywood star, picked up a Finals MVP trophy and became one of France’s biggest sporting heroes. Parker also befriended Thierry Henry, one of the most famous soccer players in the world, and Henry routinely attended some of Parker’s playoff games each spring.

Any bias NBA teams had against French players began to melt once Parker began splintering defenses. Two years after the San Antonio Spurs took Parker 28th in the draft, Pietrus went 11th to the Warriors. Since then, he’s had a hard time escaping Parker’s shadow. During Parker’s three trips to the Finals, it wasn’t unusual for nearly two dozen French reporters to fly over for the series. Barely a quarter of that have attended this season’s three games.

Henry attended one of the games in Los Angeles, but he was there as a guest of Warriors forward Ronny Turiaf(notes), another member of France’s national basketball team. If Turiaf and Henry offered Pietrus any support, it was modest. They had come more to watch the Lakers.

Pietrus’ own cheering section was waiting for him in Orlando. His older brother, Florent, who plays overseas and has spent some time in the NBA summer leagues, flew to Florida, along with Claude Makelele, one of the premier midfielders in soccer.

“He knows that I had a hard time with the Warriors,” Pietrus said of his brother, “but at the same time … he tells me the Magic time is my time.”

If nothing else, Pietrus can tell himself he helped deliver the Magic their first Finals victory. Early in the final quarter, he made a tough turnaround to push Orlando’s lead to eight. The Lakers came back to tie, but Pietrus followed Turkoglu’s miss with a stunning follow jam. The Magic never trailed again.

“I was trying to show Dwight a little Superman dunk,” he said.

Pietrus smiled. He knows the fun might not last long. Kobe will come at him harder than ever. Neither he nor the rest of the Magic will likely shoot as well as they did, and, to even the series, they need to win Game 4.

So, for now, Oprah can wait. Mickael Pietrus still has some work to do. No, he’s not Tony Parker. But these days who’s complaining?

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AmWjUpI2DmpqWcyzaoC_Qgu8vLYF?slug=jy-pietrusmagic061009&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

[objective]

It's very telling that going back into the history of this board, I'm fairly certain that most if not all of the same posters, well-respected or not, who were anti-Scola also happened to be anti-Pietrus.

[SenorSpur]

What's amazing is how quickly the so-called "anti-Pietrus" faction has vanished.

[TimDunkem]

It tells me some of the so-called "experts" on this board usually have no clue about the player they're trashing. I wish we had a "low-IQ" player like Pietrus; Considering he fights for loose balls, attempts to alter shots, and drives to the rim.

[ace3g]

Couldn't agree more, he may have what some consider "low IQ" but he hustles, plays defense, and can hit clutch shots. Oh and he attacks the rim, he doesn't even consider layups as an option.

My interest in him sky rocketed after the defense he played on Dirk in 07; Dirk was always the one player that gave us trouble and here was someone at 6'6 who played bigger then his listed size and could play multiple positions. Plus he would have some chemistry with Parker since they both played for the French NT. His contract was also reasonable: four-year, $21.2 million contract. He was a player the Spurs easily could of had, but are just now realizing Pietrus is the type of player they've needed all along.

So yes from time to time he may make a bone headed play, but he usually comes back and makes up for it, on either the defensive or offensive end, like last night in Game 3.

Hopefully he can stay out of foul trouble the rest of the series, so that he can be a game changer just like he was in the Cleveland series, as well as Game 3.

[TimDunkem]

^ You hit the nail on the head. I too noticed the defense Pietrus played on Dirk in '07. I was surprised when I read people insulting him, claiming he was stupid and had a mediocre game. Yeah he makes some on court mistakes, but who doesn't?

I love Objective's signature. That sums up most of the hate that people on this board have spewed against Pietrus and others. He's not an all-star, but he doesn't have to be. What happened to investing in glue guys, or hustle players? Everyone seems to think we need a Duncan 2.0, or Vince Carter to contend.

[Tully365]

What's amazing is how quickly the so-called "anti-Pietrus" faction has vanished.

:lol So true..... he's not bad for the "dumbest guy in the NBA"....

That was timvp's mantra last summer, so naturally 85% of spurstalk followed like lemmings...

[Mr. Body]

I wanted Pietrus.

I also seriously wanted Scola.

I also said Marcus Williams was a waste of a pick and we should have drafted Glen Davis.

I also said we should have signed Javtokas instead of Francisco Elson.

I also said George Hill wasn't really a point guard.

I also said Courtney Lee was awesome (although we couldn't get him).

In short, I'm one of the smartest motherfuckers around here.

[kobyz]

Pietrus is dumb.......he has a very low BBall Iq. Mason is a better fit for us.

:lol:lol:lol

Mason is not even NBA level

[sonic21]

Pietrus is dumb.......he has a very low BBall Iq. Mason is a better fit for us.

pietrus' D>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Mason's

[ForeignFan]

pietrus' d>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>mason's

+1

[timtonymanu]

pietrus' D>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Mason's

+1000. I love Mason, but he's one dimensional. Pietrus definitely would be a more valuable to the Spurs than Mason. He's a 3 pt threat. He plays D. He can dunk instead of standing at the 3 pt line.

[Spurtacus]

/sigh

[objective]

I wanted Pietrus.

I also seriously wanted Scola.

I also said Marcus Williams was a waste of a pick and we should have drafted Glen Davis.

I also said we should have signed Javtokas instead of Francisco Elson.

I also said George Hill wasn't really a point guard.

I also said Courtney Lee was awesome (although we couldn't get him).

In short, I'm one of the smartest motherfuckers around here.

Mr. Body is one of the few posters whose opinions I take seriously when in the context of what the Spurs should do.

[kace]

What's amazing is how quickly the so-called "anti-Pietrus" faction has vanished.

yes. you don't see anymore Bruno saying Pietrus is a so-so player (or that Noah is useless). not so good for the french scouting expert........

[Bruno]

yes. you don't see anymore Bruno saying Pietrus is a so-so player (or that Noah is useless). not so good for the french scouting expert........

Well, I'm far form being the only French guy following BB to be surprised with the way Pietrus has played in these playoffs.
Noah has nothing to do with French basketball and he still need to work on a lot of things.
And I've never claim to be a scouting expert. :rolleyes
I'm just giving my opinion like all the posters on this board.

[TJastal]

The biggest questions about Pietrus were his ability to stay healthy and his bball IQ.

I don't think his talent level was ever questioned. It appears to me he just needed a stable place to play and a role to fill. Don't ask him to do too much and he's fine.

Quite honestly I think he would have done well under Popovich's regimented system he would have been a great replacement for Bruce Bowen. Not quite the lateral quickness of Bowen back in his day, but with more size to be able cover the "bigger" wings of the league... guys like Kevin Durant, Kobe, Lebron, Josh Howard types. These types of players were the bane of the spurs all year long.

[kace]

Well, I'm far form being the only French guy following BB to be surprised with the way Pietrus has played in these playoffs.
Noah has nothing to do with French basketball and he still need to work on a lot of things.
And I've never claim to be a scouting expert. :rolleyes
I'm just giving my opinion like all the posters on this board.

hey, i was just teasing a little.

but there are very few useful french NBA players. Diaw, TP, Pietrus and Noah. and maybe Batum. i think we shouldn't be so hard with them considering the others ones don't worth anything.

and the bball IQ is one of the lamest thing. for some players, it will be called the heart and passion which sometimes can lead to some mistakes, for others low bball IQ.

as long as Pietrus does what he knows to do, he's fine.

and i have to admit he's doing a better job that i'd imagine on kobe.

[wildbill2u]

Pietrus is dumb.......he has a very low BBall Iq. Mason is a better fit for us.
I'd trade Pietrus for Mason in a heasrtbeat

[sonic21]

Pietrus is dumb.......he has a very low BBall Iq. Mason is a better fit for us.

mason has a low bb iq too, i don't get all the credits he gets here, he was awful after the ASG.

[SenorSpur]

Pietrus is dumb.......he has a very low BBall Iq. Mason is a better fit for us.

You've obviously not watched this guy literally blossom in the playoffs. He's been the Magic's best bench player on both ends of the floor.

Besides no one is claiming Mason isn't a good fit. The fact is Pietrus plays the SF position. That position should've remained the priority last offseason. If you want to compare Pietrus' contribution to any Spurs player, it should be Finley. Once Maggette spurned the Spurs offer, the Spurs should've turned their attention to Pietrus. Having filled the SF position, that would've allowed the Spurs to forego resigning Finley. THat would have allowed the Spurs to still go after Mason.

Mason and Finley are both very similar, one-dimensional players. How much better off would the roster have been with Pietrus/Mason versus Finley/Mason?

[sook]

Comparing Mason and Pietrus is folly.

Pietrus has been amazing.