duncan228
08-18-2009, 07:45 PM
Austin Toros summer recap: the vacation's over... (http://www.examiner.com/x-19800-Austin-Toros-Examiner~y2009m8d17-Austin-Toros-Summer-Recap-The-Vacations-Over)
Justin Biehle
With the NBA Summer League finished, and team training camps around the corner before the preseason, D-League teams find themselves in potentially their most beneficial time all year. As roster spots become more and more scarce, D-League affiliates have their veritable pick of the litter as teams looking to stash players away for later view domestic development as a better alternative to the foreign kind. The Toros, much like their business-like NBA big brother, have developed quite a reputation as being THE team with an eye for future talent. That said, here's a look at some of the more intriguing players who look to spend some of their time this season in Austin.
Beginning with perhaps the most intriguing question mark on the potential game day roster, let's look at James Gist. The 6'9" athletic wunderkind hopes to begin his second year of pro ball not simply in the United States, but in a Spurs uni. However, with the Spurs offseason procurement of Richard Jefferson as well as some choice veteran bigs, Gist may potentially find himself on the Toros' roster at times during the season, at least until the Spurs have a clear idea of what needs are being filled. Gist spent his rookie season abroad, playing for Pallacanestro Biella in the Italian Leagues. Despite not putting up earth shattering numbers during his stay, Gist has Spurs fans and team officials alike salivating at his otherworldly combination of size and athleticism (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgjxK-VuFog&feature=related). It helps that he has a terrific motor, as well. Gist looks to work his way into Spurs rotation as a swiss army type player in the mold of Robert Horry, but with a bit more scoring panache. This multi-functionality will likely be Gist's best trait as far as his ability to crack the pro roster is concerned. It definitely provides him with an advantage over other Toros, and perhaps any other player in the entire D-League. As before, The Spurs will definitely look to keep Gist close to the chest should he not suit up immediately as a Spur.
Next, we take a(nother) look at Ian Mahinmi, whose career as a Spur has been continuously impeded by his prodigious inability to stay healthy. No knock against his natural talents, but that lone impediment has caused the Spurs to finally look elsewhere for reliable size up front. Though 2009-10 looks to finally be the season when Mahinmi breaks into a more solid rotation for the Spurs, the fact remains that San Antonio no longer has a dearth at those positions. With Antonio McDyess and Theo Ratliff dividing up the all important reserve minutes, Mahinmi may find himself once again the odd man out, but for another completely forgivable reason this time: experience. Still, his predicament must be looked at as a positive. Most teams don't have the benefit of being able to give a genuine blue chip talent like Mahinmi the tutelage of two true veterans of the game (and this is without even considering the wealth of knowledge he could gain from Tim Duncan). Look for Mahinmi to spend some meaningful time on the bench with the Spurs this season, but don't rule out some choice dates in Austin by any stretch.
It should probably be touched on that with Spurs' gifting of Dejuan Blair by the entire NBA, the Spurs have a genuine machine (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WASWhKKQfY&feature=related) on their hands, and given that he's no slouch in the size department (6'8" 265, fluctuating), both Gist and Mahinmi will have to clamor for whatever scraps they can get. In my opinion, since Gist seems to be more of a utility type player, he'll probably find more solid work in San Antonio's rotation sooner than Mahinmi will. That said, let's touch on a player who WON'T be competing for a job as Tim Duncan's enforcer/partner in size.
Malik Hairston is another second year player, coming over to the Spurs in a draft night '08 deal with arch-rivals Phoenix. He was sought out as a set of fresh legs that could learn from team veterans Michael Finley and Bruce Bowen, and potentially be used for spot minutes here and there. As with the two previously examined players though, San Antonio's offseason pick-ups may leave Hairston with some time to be spent in Austin. Since George Hill finally seems ready to take over full time back-up point guard minutes in San Antonio, this causes a shuffle of players to prevent what might have been an open roster spot for Hairston. Still, as long as Michael Finley fails to get any younger, Hairston will likely be viewed as the best, if not the cheapest alternative. For that reason alone, look for San Antonio to delegate a substantial portion of his time to the Austin Toros. There, he will continue to refine an already decent shooting stroke as well as learn the system.
Although the roster for the Toros will begin to clear up more towards the season tip-off, these are definitely the players to watch, should they spend any considerable amount of time in the Capitol City. The Spurs were one of several teams in the NBA that made significant strides to put themselves into title contention over the summer, and that only serves to benefit their D-League affiliate with some genuinely NBA level talent. From a fan perspective, that means that, at the very least, the Austin Toros will at least be potentially fielding a team that will be exciting to watch, if nothing else. Of course, being a minor league team, one can place no guarantee on how long one or any of these marquis players will stick around, but that's another topic for another day.
Justin Biehle
With the NBA Summer League finished, and team training camps around the corner before the preseason, D-League teams find themselves in potentially their most beneficial time all year. As roster spots become more and more scarce, D-League affiliates have their veritable pick of the litter as teams looking to stash players away for later view domestic development as a better alternative to the foreign kind. The Toros, much like their business-like NBA big brother, have developed quite a reputation as being THE team with an eye for future talent. That said, here's a look at some of the more intriguing players who look to spend some of their time this season in Austin.
Beginning with perhaps the most intriguing question mark on the potential game day roster, let's look at James Gist. The 6'9" athletic wunderkind hopes to begin his second year of pro ball not simply in the United States, but in a Spurs uni. However, with the Spurs offseason procurement of Richard Jefferson as well as some choice veteran bigs, Gist may potentially find himself on the Toros' roster at times during the season, at least until the Spurs have a clear idea of what needs are being filled. Gist spent his rookie season abroad, playing for Pallacanestro Biella in the Italian Leagues. Despite not putting up earth shattering numbers during his stay, Gist has Spurs fans and team officials alike salivating at his otherworldly combination of size and athleticism (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgjxK-VuFog&feature=related). It helps that he has a terrific motor, as well. Gist looks to work his way into Spurs rotation as a swiss army type player in the mold of Robert Horry, but with a bit more scoring panache. This multi-functionality will likely be Gist's best trait as far as his ability to crack the pro roster is concerned. It definitely provides him with an advantage over other Toros, and perhaps any other player in the entire D-League. As before, The Spurs will definitely look to keep Gist close to the chest should he not suit up immediately as a Spur.
Next, we take a(nother) look at Ian Mahinmi, whose career as a Spur has been continuously impeded by his prodigious inability to stay healthy. No knock against his natural talents, but that lone impediment has caused the Spurs to finally look elsewhere for reliable size up front. Though 2009-10 looks to finally be the season when Mahinmi breaks into a more solid rotation for the Spurs, the fact remains that San Antonio no longer has a dearth at those positions. With Antonio McDyess and Theo Ratliff dividing up the all important reserve minutes, Mahinmi may find himself once again the odd man out, but for another completely forgivable reason this time: experience. Still, his predicament must be looked at as a positive. Most teams don't have the benefit of being able to give a genuine blue chip talent like Mahinmi the tutelage of two true veterans of the game (and this is without even considering the wealth of knowledge he could gain from Tim Duncan). Look for Mahinmi to spend some meaningful time on the bench with the Spurs this season, but don't rule out some choice dates in Austin by any stretch.
It should probably be touched on that with Spurs' gifting of Dejuan Blair by the entire NBA, the Spurs have a genuine machine (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WASWhKKQfY&feature=related) on their hands, and given that he's no slouch in the size department (6'8" 265, fluctuating), both Gist and Mahinmi will have to clamor for whatever scraps they can get. In my opinion, since Gist seems to be more of a utility type player, he'll probably find more solid work in San Antonio's rotation sooner than Mahinmi will. That said, let's touch on a player who WON'T be competing for a job as Tim Duncan's enforcer/partner in size.
Malik Hairston is another second year player, coming over to the Spurs in a draft night '08 deal with arch-rivals Phoenix. He was sought out as a set of fresh legs that could learn from team veterans Michael Finley and Bruce Bowen, and potentially be used for spot minutes here and there. As with the two previously examined players though, San Antonio's offseason pick-ups may leave Hairston with some time to be spent in Austin. Since George Hill finally seems ready to take over full time back-up point guard minutes in San Antonio, this causes a shuffle of players to prevent what might have been an open roster spot for Hairston. Still, as long as Michael Finley fails to get any younger, Hairston will likely be viewed as the best, if not the cheapest alternative. For that reason alone, look for San Antonio to delegate a substantial portion of his time to the Austin Toros. There, he will continue to refine an already decent shooting stroke as well as learn the system.
Although the roster for the Toros will begin to clear up more towards the season tip-off, these are definitely the players to watch, should they spend any considerable amount of time in the Capitol City. The Spurs were one of several teams in the NBA that made significant strides to put themselves into title contention over the summer, and that only serves to benefit their D-League affiliate with some genuinely NBA level talent. From a fan perspective, that means that, at the very least, the Austin Toros will at least be potentially fielding a team that will be exciting to watch, if nothing else. Of course, being a minor league team, one can place no guarantee on how long one or any of these marquis players will stick around, but that's another topic for another day.