McDonald: Is Lake Show next for Mahinmi?

[duncan228]

Is Lake Show next for Mahinmi? (http://blogs.mysanantonio.com/weblogs/courtside/2010/01/is-lake-show-ne.html)
By Jeff McDonald

On Sunday night, long after his 15-point, nine-rebound performance against the Nets established him as one of the top two or three French-born centers in the NBA today, Ian Mahinmi began to talk about the future.

He hoped the best day of his season so far would not wind up being the best day of his career.

"I had a good game, and I'm excited about that," Mahinmi said after his first NBA action in 2 1/2 years. "But I really want to build on that. I hope it's just not one game and done."

Any discussion about Mahinmi's immediate future begins with a discussion about his immediate past. It begins with the question: Why now did Gregg Popovich choose the Spurs' 35th game of the season to finally give Mahinmi a uniform?

The first theory, the one advanced by Popovich himself, was that he wanted to make sure Tim Duncan got plenty of rest in between games against Dallas and the Lakers, and he knew of all the reserve bigs on the Spurs' roster, Mahinmi was the one least likely to take a game against lowly New Jersey for granted.

A second, more cynical theory has it that the Spurs were showcasing Mahinmi and his expiring contract for potential trade suitors.

Either of those theories -- or both -- could be correct.

There is a third theory as to why Mahinmi suddenly became a Spurs rotation player, after spening two seasons in a sport coat. Maybe Popovich is just crazy -- er, brilliant -- enough to want to throw Mahinmi at the Lakers on Tuesday.

The defending champs present quite literally the biggest challenge up front of any Spurs opponent this season. If Pau Gasol is healthy -- a signficant "if" at this point -- the Lakers could deploy three players at least 6-foot-10 at once.

A player like Mahinmi, 6-foot-11 and uncommonly athletic for a man his size, could come in handy against one of the Lakers' giants. Perhaps Popovich has such plans for him Tuesday night, but didn't want Mahinmi's first NBA action in two-plus seasons to come against the defending champs.

Maybe Mahinmi's big night against the Nets was a dress rehearsal for a role against the Lakers.

Or maybe we're just crazy. Stay tuned to find out.

[objective]

playing Mahinmi against the Lakers or anyone else doesn't make Pop 'brilliant' or 'crazy', it just makes him look bad for not playing him one of the other games when Pop was changing starting centers and complaining about pathetic games.

[colargol]

playing Mahinmi against the Lakers or anyone else doesn't make Pop 'brilliant' or 'crazy', it just makes him look bad for not playing him one of the other games when Pop was changing starting centers and complaining about pathetic games.


Wouhaha

:vomit:

[buttsR4rebounding]

I hope this is the start of regular playing time for Ian. While I don't expect him to be as productive against a frontline like the Lakers it would be fun to see how a Duncan, Ian, Haislip frontline might match up.

[I. Hustle]

Shoot, Stephen Jackson spent a season or so in a suit before Pop played him and we all know how that turned out.

[blkroadrunners]

He could possibly get the minutes against OKC in the back-to-back. Hard to say about this upcoming game though.

[VI_Massive]

I've said it before: I think Pop has turned the corner a bit on playing young guys. I think he realized it after the Dallas series when Hill came in and contributed well after being anchored to the bench by Pop. I think it changed his mindset to a bit more "I'll play whoever plays well". Not a total metamorphosis, but I think there was a change. For example, did any of us think Blair would be starting at ANY point this year, barring injury? I think Pop has gotten a bit more results-oriented.

[colargol]

It was now or never
Two B2B in a week , all the reason's wich have already been posted on ST ..if Ian hadn't got any minutes he won't have ever

[DesignatedT]

Mahinmi - Double Double vs the flake show. book it

[Baseline]

Pop is not briliant. Frankly, he looks like an idiot right now. He's trying to cover his tail for sitting a healthy Mahinmi all season long. I think it was a shameless CYA to say that he played him because he thought Ian wouldn't take the Nets lightly. So Ian comes out and plays great, yet all Pop wants to do is take credit for it. What a joke.

Pop, do you think you might have taken Ian's potential a bit lightly?

[The Truth #6]

As with most things like this we'll never know really what happened. Assuming Ian ends up on another team either this year or next, maybe then we'll find out what took him so long to get playing time.

There is another theory that isn't mentioned in this article that I think makes the most sense - Pop is trying to send a message to Dice. If you look at Pop's words, he mentions how Ian wouldn't take the game lightly. It's possible this a comment on Dice not fully exerting himself in many of the games. Anyway, just a theory.

I don't think Pop could conceive of Ian going in and playing this well. I mean, he's not a veteran...

[SenorSpur]

playing Mahinmi against the Lakers or anyone else doesn't make Pop 'brilliant' or 'crazy', it just makes him look bad for not playing him one of the other games when Pop was changing starting centers and complaining about pathetic games.

Amen.

Actually, it makes takes away some of his shine as a brilliant coach and GM. Let's not sit here and pretend that "everything" he touches is gold or that he is infallable. Pop's decision to not play this kid before is has resulted in as much of a setback this year, as the kid's injured ankle did last year.

This is strictly some Parcells bullshit.

[SenorSpur]

As with most things like this we'll never know really what happened. Assuming Ian ends up on another team either this year or next, maybe then we'll find out what took him so long to get playing time.

There is another theory that isn't mentioned in this article that I think makes the most sense - Pop is trying to send a message to Dice. If you look at Pop's words, he mentions how Ian wouldn't take the game lightly. It's possible this a comment on Dice not fully exerting himself in many of the games. Anyway, just a theory.

I don't think Pop could conceive of Ian going in and playing this well. I mean, he's not a veteran...

It's an interesting theory found in that veiled comment. Pop cannot help be be disappointed with Dice's performance. Outside of a couple of good games early, he's really stunk it up - especially against Dallas. Ian's 15 & 9 line was one we would've expected from Dice.

I'm anxious as hell to see how this kid performs against the tall frontline of the Fakers. With a couple of consistent outings, I hope it will restore Pop's faith in this kid.

[Marcus Bryant]

Kinda hard to justify Mahinmi not getting regular PT so far this season. Blair and Mahinmi need the minutes to develop their games and you would want to keep the minutes for TD and McDyess down during the regular season.

I think Pop was looking at the flip side - getting McDyess acclimated to the team and vice versa.

[hater]

let's see, he posts career highs on both points and rebounds and wonder if the guy is gonna play next game? :lmao

[Cane]

Ian had a great game against the Nets but they are one of the worst teams in NBA history and its still just one game.

However with how Ian played I can't see how he wouldn't get some minutes unless Pop focuses on potential playoffs matchups by gauging how well McDyess, Blair, and Theo handle LA's frontcourt.

Once Bonner gets healthy and if Ian continues to capitalize on potential opportunities it'll be interesting to see what happens to the big man rotations. Unless the Spurs face more injuries or if they're willing to give up McDyess/Theo...its going to hard for Ian to grab even garbage minutes.

It also makes me wonder if Ian just doesn't show up during practice or if he gets his ass handed to him by the other Spurs bigs. Or if the Nets game was just a fluke.

[ffadicted]

As with most things like this we'll never know really what happened. Assuming Ian ends up on another team either this year or next, maybe then we'll find out what took him so long to get playing time.

There is another theory that isn't mentioned in this article that I think makes the most sense - Pop is trying to send a message to Dice. If you look at Pop's words, he mentions how Ian wouldn't take the game lightly. It's possible this a comment on Dice not fully exerting himself in many of the games. Anyway, just a theory.

I don't think Pop could conceive of Ian going in and playing this well. I mean, he's not a veteran...

That actually makes a lot of sense actually. After not playing in an NBA game for so long and being active for the first time, Ian gave his full effort, contributed and even though he collected fouls (brook is good but the refs were being douchy tbh), he had an amazing effort and was rewarded with a stuffed boxscore.

Hopefully this opens Pop's eye to what Ian can actually do though, instead of just using him as a motivator

[crc21209]

Ian had a great game against the Nets but they are one of the worst teams in NBA history and its still just one game.

However with how Ian played I can't see how he wouldn't get some minutes unless Pop focuses on potential playoffs matchups by gauging how well McDyess, Blair, and Theo handle LA's frontcourt.

Once Bonner gets healthy and if Ian continues to capitalize on potential opportunities it'll be interesting to see what happens to the big man rotations. Unless the Spurs face more injuries or if they're willing to give up McDyess/Theo...its going to hard for Ian to grab even garbage minutes.

It also makes me wonder if Ian just doesn't show up during practice or if he gets his ass handed to him by the other Spurs bigs. Or if the Nets game was just a fluke.

Yes the Nets are one of the worst teams in the NBA but Mahinmi did match-up against Brook Lopez, who isnt a joke....and when Ian was on him, he did a pretty good job defending him. Not only that but Ian was altering many of the other Nets players' shots, running the floor, rebounding, and finishing off easy buckets...

[Obstructed_View]

If Ian could give you a near double double in 15 minutes with a block or two and six fouls per game, would you take it?

[kace]

there's just no reason to not see him more.

i'm not saying he will have for sure a major role for us, i don't know, i'm just saying, like i said several times and even more after that game, tha Ian NEVER FAILED since he's in the spurs on official games. NEVER.

He was sent to D League and was one of the very best player there (maybe the best one). He has seen few NBA garbage, and maybe meaningless, minutes two years ago, but still was just amazing in those minutes. Now, he has a full game, and he's a monster (for a young man).

JUST NO REASON TO NOT SEE HIM MORE.

[Obstructed_View]

JUST NO REASON TO NOT SEE HIM MORE.

I agree. I'll add to that, there's little excuse not to have seen more of him to this point. Let's hope Ian drove that one home against the Nets.

[024]

i really hope popovich knew mahinmi was a monster along and was just holding him back to shock and awe the rest of the league into submission. this would be true cia pop.

[crc21209]

I agree. I'll add to that, there's little excuse not to have seen more of him to this point. Let's hope Ian drove that one home against the Nets.

+1...The kid deserves a shot to be out there. Especially on nights when any of the bigs- Dice, Blair, or Bonner are struggling...

[Obstructed_View]

i really hope popovich knew mahinmi was a monster along and was just holding him back to shock and awe the rest of the league into submission. this would be true cia pop.

Just make sure to keep repeating it. That's how the man's kept his job all these years.

[Bruno]

Where is "The Savior" picture when you need it ? :downspin:

[Muser]

He should be, if he didn't earn playing time from last game then he never will.

[SpurNation]

Catch 22.

Mahinmi doing well vs. Lakers would all but insure his spot on the roster as well as an answer to the team's need. Him not playing well all but assures him invaluable as trade material.

Here's hoping he has a great game as well as getting consistent minutes and productivity there after.

[angelbelow]

If the situation is right (blowouts either way, foul trouble, etc) I would like to see Ian play again tomorrow night.

[StoneBuddha]

i really hope popovich knew mahinmi was a monster along and was just holding him back to shock and awe the rest of the league into submission. this would be true cia pop.

No way... the Spurs not picking up his option is the real indication of what they thought of Ian.

Hopefully, he makes some contributions and proves them wrong... but then the Spurs would have to find a way of actually keeping him. Oh well, one season at a time.

:flag:

[Ocotillo]

At first when I saw the thread title, I thought this was speculation that Ian would sign with the Lakers. :bang

Just think, since we didn't pick up his contract, if he did sign with the Lakers and turned into a solid NBA player it would make the Scola episode look like a women's social club tea party. :nope

[lurker23]

There is another theory that isn't mentioned in this article that I think makes the most sense - Pop is trying to send a message to Dice. If you look at Pop's words, he mentions how Ian wouldn't take the game lightly. It's possible this a comment on Dice not fully exerting himself in many of the games. Anyway, just a theory.

I like this theory. In fact, the more I think about it, the more I think this is the most likely reason Mahinmi played, other than the other reasons that Pop made public.

I want Mahinmi to succeed as much as anyone, and I really do hope the Nets game was a sign of things to come. However, think about this: how much better are the Nets (perhaps the worst team in NBA history) than the D-League competition Mahinmi faced two years ago? Yes, they are better than most/all D-League teams; but are they significantly better? Ian averaged 17 and 8 in that league; as blasphemous as it may seem to the current love-fest, until Mahinmi shows that he can produce in a larger sample size of NBA games, I'm just going to consider the Nets game an encouraging but relatively minor extension of Mahinmi's D-League potential.

[temujin]

there's just no reason to not see him more.

i'm not saying he will have for sure a major role for us, i don't know, i'm just saying, like i said several times and even more after that game, tha Ian NEVER FAILED since he's in the spurs on official games. NEVER.

He was sent to D League and was one of the very best player there (maybe the best one). He has seen few NBA garbage, and maybe meaningless, minutes two years ago, but still was just amazing in those minutes. Now, he has a full game, and he's a monster (for a young man).

JUST NO REASON TO NOT SEE HIM MORE.

Are you his agent?

[temujin]

Is Lake Show next for Mahinmi? (http://blogs.mysanantonio.com/weblogs/courtside/2010/01/is-lake-show-ne.html)
By Jeff McDonald

On Sunday night, long after his 15-point, nine-rebound performance against the Nets established him as one of the top two or three French-born centers in the NBA today, Ian Mahinmi began to talk about the future.



Who are the other 8-10 French centers in the NBA today, EXACTLY?

[tp2021]

Catch 22.

Mahinmi doing well vs. Lakers would all but insure his spot on the roster as well as an answer to the team's need. Him not playing well all but assures him invaluable as trade material.

Here's hoping he has a great game as well as getting consistent minutes and productivity there after.

More like, it would ensure we lose him this summer. The Spurs not picking up his option meant they didn't want to pay him any longer...but if he plays well against the Lakers, we'd most likely have to cough up even more dough than before just to keep him. Remember, its gonna be a crazy free agency.

[objective]

However, think about this: how much better are the Nets (perhaps the worst team in NBA history) than the D-League competition Mahinmi faced two years ago? Yes, they are better than most/all D-League teams; but are they significantly better? Ian averaged 17 and 8 in that league; as blasphemous as it may seem to the current love-fest, until Mahinmi shows that he can produce in a larger sample size of NBA games, I'm just going to consider the Nets game an encouraging but relatively minor extension of Mahinmi's D-League potential.

The Nets are incredibly better than any d-league squad. It's so much of a discrepancy that it leads me to believe you must not have watched too much Iowa Energy or Mad Ants basketball during Ian's time there.

Going up against Brook Lopez is a lot different than anyone he faced in D-League.

[objective]

Who are the other 8-10 French centers in the NBA today, EXACTLY?

is he better than Petro or Ajinca?

Probably.

[timtonymanu]

is he better than Petro or Ajinca?

Probably.

Noah and Turiaf.

[DAF86]

I want to see him against the Lakers and I hope that's the case, there's no reason to not play the guy at least a couple of minutes after what he did against NJ.

[lurker23]

The Nets are incredibly better than any d-league squad. It's so much of a discrepancy that it leads me to believe you must not have watched too much Iowa Energy or Mad Ants basketball during Ian's time there.

Going up against Brook Lopez is a lot different than anyone he faced in D-League.

Okay, let me clarify further, then. I've seen plenty of D-League games, and I attended the D-League Showcase last year. (I've also attended and seen Ian at the Rocky Mountain Revue, which is a similar talent level at times.) The D-League is a poor league with relatively few players who will ever get even a 10-day contract in the NBA; it's probably the equivalent of a low-level European league, or mid-level European league at very best. Ian faced some good defenders in that league, but a lot of the time he did not.

The Nets have a solid core of talented young players in Lopez, Yi, Lee, and CDR, and are better than their record indicates. If you threw them in the D-League, I have no doubt they'd win 80-90% of their games (perhaps more if they executed well every night). That said, they're currently a team that is seriously underachieving. For whatever reason, they haven't been able to put things together, and it shows in every game, including games where they play a good Spurs team within 12 points.

Ian looked good last night, and it's a step in the right direction. However, I'm simply saying that after a single 15 and 9 night against the lowly Nets, I really don't think we know that much more about him than when he had 32 and 17 against the Utah Flash. If he starts contributing consistently, then it will be a different story.

[hsxvvd]

The problem with the big man rotation, is that Pop insist on playing small ball, with Jefferson at the 4. That's why Ian can't crack the rotation.

If Pop played a big line-up, there would be minutes for everyone, and it would relieve the pressure on the back court/wing rotations which doesn't have the same depth.

Pop needs to play to our strengths and make other teams match up with us, instead of trying to create mismatches for opponents by playing small ball and being abused by them.

[objective]

Okay, let me clarify further, then. I've seen plenty of D-League games, and I attended the D-League Showcase last year. (I've also attended and seen Ian at the Rocky Mountain Revue, which is a similar talent level at times.) The D-League is a poor league with relatively few players who will ever get even a 10-day contract in the NBA; it's probably the equivalent of a low-level European league, or mid-level European league at very best. Ian faced some good defenders in that league, but a lot of the time he did not.

The Nets have a solid core of talented young players in Lopez, Yi, Lee, and CDR, and are better than their record indicates. If you threw them in the D-League, I have no doubt they'd win 80-90% of their games (perhaps more if they executed well every night). That said, they're currently a team that is seriously underachieving. For whatever reason, they haven't been able to put things together, and it shows in every game, including games where they play a good Spurs team within 12 points.

Ian looked good last night, and it's a step in the right direction. However, I'm simply saying that after a single 15 and 9 night against the lowly Nets, I really don't think we know that much more about him than when he had 32 and 17 against the Utah Flash. If he starts contributing consistently, then it will be a different story.

I wouldn't expect him to get 15 and 9 again unless a lot of it comes in major blowout time (+20). I've already posted that if he ever got a string of starts I'd expect a bunch of games of high fouls and low numbers.

But to me what he did against NJ wasn't the same as his output in D-League. He got the ball a lot in Austin and was allowed to work against d-league level post defenders and score a lot. Against NJ he was surrounded by much better talent than in Austin and pretty much all of his scores were off being set up by other players. The only time I remember him getting the ball in the post was him immediately giving it back to RJ for a made jumper while he occupied RJ's man.

If Ian was getting the ball in the post and going to work against benchwarmers in a blowout then I wouldn't be as impressed. But it was a fairly competitive game against a team that played their best guys nearly the entire game and Ian succeeded in ways that people have posited an athletic big could succeed with the Spurs for years.

So Ian was able to do the things in a regular season game that people hoped Elson would do, hoped Haislip could do, hoped Ely could do, etc. Contest shots, run the floor, finish around the basket, make athletic plays. I don't think that's a product of playing an underachieving NJ team. Maybe the stats were, but what Ian could bring to the table when surrounded by good players like Parker, Manu and RJ with solid roleplayers like Hill and Mason etc was apparent without a boxscore.

[ezau]

I can't believe that all these years that the Spurs spent developing and investing on him, the FO will just trade Mahinimi. The Nets are the worst team in the league, but they do have solid players the entire time when Mahinmi was playing. A freakishly athletic big guy is what we need to cover the stretch 4 of the leagues

[SenorSpur]

I can't believe that all these years that the Spurs spent developing and investing on him, the FO will just trade Mahinimi. The Nets are the worst team in the league, but they do have solid players the entire time when Mahinmi was playing. A freakishly athletic big guy is what we need to cover the stretch 4 of the leagues

It would've been a lot more interesting seeing Ian take a shot at guarding a player like Dirk, rather than seeing George Hill or Keith Bogans. The ONLY way this kid continues to get better is by playing against NBA-caliber competition. Times up for the sport jacket, strait jacket.

[boutons_deux]

Ian still is really dumb and/or clumsy, as is DJB, about fouling. Can't depend on either one when they can't stay on the court.

Unless you let each run the table for their 6 fouls and hope they can hang around to the 4th qtr.

[HarlemHeat37]

Raw big men are generally bad with fouls..that's something you have to deal with if you want your young big to play defense..so if you want a guy like Mahinmi or Blair to develop, that's just something that you have to live through..

[Obstructed_View]

Raw big men are generally bad with fouls..that's something you have to deal with if you want your young big to play defense..so if you want a guy like Mahinmi or Blair to develop, that's just something that you have to live through..

Again, if a guy's getting decent points and rebounds, and an occasional block, why not let him get his fouls? Then again, we're tallking about a team that benched DeJuan Blair for basically the last three quarters against the Mavs because he got three fouls.

[ElNono]

Again, if a guy's getting decent points and rebounds, and an occasional block, why not let him get his fouls?

To be honest, I think what bothers Pop the most in Ian's case is that they're retarded fouls. Like moving screens, pushes on the back, etc. It gets the team in the penalty early and puts more pressure in defending without fouling. So he has a point there.

[Obstructed_View]

To be honest, I think what bothers Pop the most in Ian's case is that they're retarded fouls. Like moving screens, pushes on the back, etc. It gets the team in the penalty early and puts more pressure in defending without fouling. So he has a point there.

And you're really making the case for this based on one game? Look up "apologist", please. There's no way in the world you actually believe that Pop's been reluctant to play Ian all this time because of the quality of the fouls that he commits.

[ducks]

the problem for ian on the spurs is his health
he is worth the te if he never stays healthy

[ducks]

the problem for ian on the spurs is his health
he is worth the te if he never stays healthy

[ElNono]

And you're really making the case for this based on one game? Look up "apologist", please. There's no way in the world you actually believe that Pop's been reluctant to play Ian all this time because of the quality of the fouls that he commits.

Nope, more than one game, including pretty much all the preseason games. It's been the biggest knock on Ian all along actually.

[blkroadrunners]

To be honest, I think what bothers Pop the most in Ian's case is that they're retarded fouls. Like moving screens, pushes on the back, etc. It gets the team in the penalty early and puts more pressure in defending without fouling. So he has a point there.

Do you think Ian should put on more weight, since he would probably have more body control playing against other players, or is it just something Ian would have to adjust his game to??

[Obstructed_View]

Nope, more than one game, including pretty much all the preseason games. It's been the biggest knock on Ian all along actually.

Young bigs foul. Any fool knows that. The biggest knock on Ian all along is his injuries. The biggest legitimate knock on him is that he doesn't play hard.

[Obstructed_View]

the problem for ian on the spurs is his health
he is worth the te if he never stays healthy


the problem for ian on the spurs is his health
he is worth the te if he never stays healthy

Hey dumbass, are you going to post the same idiotic barely intelligible shit twice from now on to pad your post whoring numbers? I thought you worked on computers. Why is it you're still too fucking stupid to post the same thought only once?

[The Truth #6]

I don't see Ian playing next game unless Coach Bud hounds Pop about it and even then who knows.

Again, I think playing Ian was to motivate Dice for our big game against the Lakers, which was probably a reason they got him - to match up with the Lakers. I think this whole thing is about Dice not Ian. But I could be wrong. However it does explain the odd timing for playing Ian now of all times - it has nothing to do with Ian.

Either way it's crazy to completely shelf him. Even if he's become a one year rental at this point he is a way better option then trading for Trent Hassel or some BS like that.

[ElNono]

Do you think Ian should put on more weight, since he would probably have more body control playing against other players, or is it just something Ian would have to adjust his game to??

I think it's just something he needs to adjust. Blair used to foul a lot early in the season, and he's gotten a lot better at that lately.

[ezau]

It would've been a lot more interesting seeing Ian take a shot at guarding a player like Dirk, rather than seeing George Hill or Keith Bogans. The ONLY way this kid continues to get better is by playing against NBA-caliber competition. Times up for the sport jacket, strait jacket.

Dirk is in a class of his own. However, seeing Ian run and jump against the Nets makes me think that he has the necessary tools to at least bother someone like Dirk. He needs to brush up on his fundamentals though.

[ElNono]

Young bigs foul. Any fool knows that. The biggest knock on Ian all along is his injuries. The biggest legitimate knock on him is that he doesn't play hard.

How could you knock on his injuries when he has no control over that?
He also has been available for all training camp and preseason. He even basically played on almost all preseason games. The "he doesn't play hard enough' would be valid, but I haven't heard that one before. I do distinctly remember him collecting fouls at a rate of 5 in 5 minutes during preseason.

Here's an article on bleacherreport about him from 3 months ago: LINK (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/278750-ian-mahinmi-gives-san-antonio-spurs-big-dilemma)

Some excerpts:

He struggles to stay out of foul trouble and often exhibits lapses in concentration.

...

As many times as he wows with his athleticism, he commits stupid fouls, takes bad shots or turns it over in ways that would leave even a casual fan perplexed and dumbfounded.

[Taking it to the Hole]

What I worry about is that people are neglecting he had 5 FOULS in the Nets game. It is highly likely he will pick up fouls quickly against the experienced frontline of the Lakers. I say you still have to play him, but don't expect to get a lot of minutes from him.

[blkroadrunners]

I think it's just something he needs to adjust. Blair used to foul a lot early in the season, and he's gotten a lot better at that lately.

Yea, good point.

[Obstructed_View]

What I worry about is that people are neglecting he had 5 FOULS in the Nets game. It is highly likely he will pick up fouls quickly against the experienced frontline of the Lakers. I say you still have to play him, but don't expect to get a lot of minutes from him.

I ask again: Do you accept 5 fouls from a guy who gives you those other numbers in the same period of time?

[mountainballer]

I think it's just something he needs to adjust. Blair used to foul a lot early in the season, and he's gotten a lot better at that lately.

you realize that this might be the major point? different players have different abilities, talent and potential.
Ian was a foul machine from the moment he entered a basket ball court. this didn't change much over the last years. bet that Spurs staff worked very hard to try to teach the game to Ian.
some players get it within weeks, some don't.

[Obstructed_View]

you realize that this might be the major point? different players have different abilities, talent and potential.
Ian was a foul machine from the moment he entered a basket ball court. this didn't change much over the last years. bet that Spurs staff worked very hard to try to teach the game to Ian.
some players get it within weeks, some don't.

I ask again, if Ian gives you five fouls, ten points, ten rebounds and a block or two, do you take it?

[sabar]

I think Ian against the lakers is asking for trouble. I'd rather see our normal rotation unless there are foul problems and check out how Ian does in some of these other games coming up. Its a lot of risk for little reward, especially since a bad game would destroy his trade value and likely put him in the dog house.

If Dice doesn't pick up his game, I'd expect more of Ian in the near future. Nothing lights a fire under a player like the prospect of losing the place in your rotation.

[letmk]

The bottom line is you (Pop) have to play him first to make any decision, 10 mins, 5 mins, 3 mins, etc. No matter how long, you have to play him. He is a young athletic 7-footer which all the NBA teams may not have an average of 1. His mere physical presence is an asset.

If not in the regular playing time, at least in gabage time. We have blown out lot of teams, as well as being blowed out in lots of games. You have to give the kid some time to show his capability/incapability.

[ElNono]

I ask again, if Ian gives you five fouls, ten points, ten rebounds and a block or two, do you take it?

I would and I think Pop would too if he thought he could get that kind of production from ANY big. That's better than Bonner, Dice and Blair right there.

That said, it's obvious Pop doesn't think he can get that kind of production from Ian... and let's not forget that Pop has seen this guy in practice all season long.

[SenorSpur]

What I worry about is that people are neglecting he had 5 FOULS in the Nets game. It is highly likely he will pick up fouls quickly against the experienced frontline of the Lakers. I say you still have to play him, but don't expect to get a lot of minutes from him.

That's to be expected. Young players are typically foul-prone and get virtually no respect from the officials. Look at the foul trouble Blair has had. As part of their learning process, they have to learn how to play without fouling.

Besides, so what? Ian had five fouls early in the 4th and manage to finish out the game without fouling out.

[SenorSpur]

The bottom line is you (Pop) have to play him first to make any decision, 10 mins, 5 mins, 3 mins, etc. No matter how long, you have to play him. He is a young athletic 7-footer which all the NBA teams may not have an average of 1. His mere physical presence is an asset.

If not in the regular playing time, at least in gabage time. We have blown out lot of teams, as well as being blowed out in lots of games. You have to give the kid some time to show his capability/incapability.

Couldn't agree more. Arriving at a decision without having empirical evidence to support the perception is prejudice. And we all know, Pop has inherited that trait from his mentors Larry Brown and Don Nelson.

[Xevious]

It's a head-scratcher why this kid hasn't seen the floor even for garbage minutes. Why has he been the absolute last man on the rotation? The near mummified Ratliff isn't going to get consistant minutes and he's the only other center we have to back up Duncan. Duncan - Blair - Dice - Bonner is a small front line. Mahinmi is 7', long, and atheletic. That alone should earn him some garbage time.

[TJastal]

It's a head-scratcher why this kid hasn't seen the floor even for garbage minutes. Why has he been the absolute last man on the rotation? The near mummified Ratliff isn't going to get consistant minutes and he's the only other center we have to back up Duncan. Duncan - Blair - Dice - Bonner is a small front line. Mahinmi is 7', long, and atheletic. That alone should earn him some garbage time.

I've been berating this backward ass strategy since the season started. Popped should have put Ratliff and Finley on the IR from the very beginning. You know what you got in these guys so what the fuck is the hurry in playing them? It's a long year, they're both old as fuck so it certainly can't hurt em to sit for 1/2 or even 2/3 of the season.

Hairston and Mahinmi should have been actived early (if not immediately, and Haislip too eventually) and given semi-meaningful minutes against the .500 and below weaker teams. Even if it means a few games are sacrificed. It's more important that the team sees what its got in its young players and also get those players valuable minutes for their development.

[Sobe_Kucks]

Where is "The Savior" picture when you need it ? :downspin:


http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh24/kimble02/Savior.jpg

Has it come to this yet again???








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[SenorSpur]

It's a head-scratcher why this kid hasn't seen the floor even for garbage minutes. Why has he been the absolute last man on the rotation? The near mummified Ratliff isn't going to get consistant minutes and he's the only other center we have to back up Duncan. Duncan - Blair - Dice - Bonner is a small front line. Mahinmi is 7', long, and atheletic. That alone should earn him some garbage time.

Besides, Ratliff likely will not even be hear next year.