Spurs to sign James Gist this Friday?

[Bruno]

http://twitter.com/MCreppy42/status/25171479173


My Man James Gist just told me the Spurs are signing him Friday.

[slick'81]

really that was out of left field

[lmbebo]

Not surprising. They've left him on the side for what? 2-3 years now. I think its about time to see if he can sink or swim. Especially after missing most of the summer league.

If he doesn't cut it now, I'm sure they'll part ways.

[Dex]

James Gist!

[Spurs Brazil]

JMcDonald_SAEN
If #spurs do sign Gist, probably not guaranteed. Most likely a make-good training camp contract. Could be an option at SF, though

[Bruno]

And for people wondering, it's a legit source.

Mike Creppy is/was a basketball player from Gist's hometown (silver spring).

[Dex]

I hope the guy learned to play basketball since the last time we got a look at him.

[thOOdee]

passes the height requirement at least. Wasn't he looking good before the injury in the summer league?

[DPG21920]

He is a tough player and gritty defender. He has the most defensive potential out of any potential back up SF so far, so I like it :tu.

He has a lot of questions about his offense, but if he can just hustle and prove himself on defense and rebounding, I don't mind it at all.

[DesignatedT]

Many saw this coming. Good for James that all his hard work payed off. He will be a good utility big to have when needed if it works out.

[ElNono]

Training camp filler...

[HarlemHeat37]

He hasn't looked like an NBA player at all, so we'll see what he shows in Training Camp..I don't believe he has built a potential niche in the NBA, but who knows..a guy like Gist has to have a specific niche to make up for his tweener size, and I don't really see what exactly he could do, but I've been wrong many times before..

[DPG21920]

He hasn't looked like an NBA player at all, so we'll see what he shows in Training Camp..I don't believe he has built a potential niche in the NBA, but who knows..a guy like Gist has to have a specific niche to make up for his tweener size, and I don't really see what exactly he could do, but I've been wrong many times before..

It's tough for him. On offense, he likes to go inside and bang around and finish, but against NBA players will that be possible? His best bet was to develop a 3PT shot, but that has not happened yet.

On defense, he can block shots, but the true test will be if he can guard quicker players. He is too small to guard true bigs for a long stretch and we have to see if he is quick enough to guard SF's.

But for training camp, not a bad invite.

[Mel_13]

Good luck to James.

This might not mean anything at all in terms of a commitment from the Spurs towards Gist. The team was required to tender an offer. That offer can be for the minimum with no guaranteed salary. In 2008 and 2009, Gist declined the offer and went overseas. That allowed the Spurs to retain his rights. If he accepts a tender offer he will compete for a roster spot. If he doesn't make the team, he will be cut and become a FA.

Of course, it is also possible that the Spurs will offer a contract with some guarantees.

[Chieflion]

His upside is probably Luc Mbah A Moute, assuming he hasn't developed any offense. His niche would be a defender like Mbah A Moute, if he is as good as him on defense. Hope he uses the chance to show his defensive potential.

[ChuckD]

I hope the guy learned to play basketball since the last time we got a look at him.

But..but...he's taller than 6'5"

[Libri]

His upside is probably Luc Mbah A Moute, assuming he hasn't developed any offense. His niche would be a defender like Mbah A Moute, if he is as good as him on defense. Hope he uses the chance to show his defensive potential.

That could be it. Since he hasn't shown much on offense, the Spurs must might want to take a closer look at his defense.

[ace3g]

JMcDonald_SAEN

If Gist winds up making the roster, it will be on defensive end. #spurs want him to be a high-energy, disrupt-the-game kind of player.

[ChuckD]

His upside is probably Luc Mbah A Moute, assuming he hasn't developed any offense. His niche would be a defender like Mbah A Moute, if he is as good as him on defense. Hope he uses the chance to show his defensive potential.

Are you kidding? LMaM beat out Milwaukee's lottery pick the year he was drafted as a second rounder. He's an Eastern Conference Batum. Gist doesn't have any chance to be either of them. Gist's upside is probably DeMarre Carroll or Renaldo Balkman.

[ceperez]

But..but...he's taller than 6'5"

If he's the only one they got, then hey, better than nothing!!!

[TD 21]

He is a tough player and gritty defender. He has the most defensive potential out of any potential back up SF so far, so I like it :tu.

He has a lot of questions about his offense, but if he can just hustle and prove himself on defense and rebounding, I don't mind it at all.

I'd be surprised if he could guard the vast majority of SF's and offensively, he lacks the shooting and ball handling skills to play the position. So if he's to make it, it'll probably be as strictly a small ball four.

Gee has the most upside of any potential SF on the roster (which isn't saying much, obviously). He has all of the physical tools necessary to be a Jones (Dahntay) type.


His upside is probably Luc Mbah A Moute, assuming he hasn't developed any offense. His niche would be a defender like Mbah A Moute, if he is as good as him on defense. Hope he uses the chance to show his defensive potential.

Mbah a Moute is a far more versatile defender. Gist appears to be more in the mold of someone like Balkman, or Brown (Derrick), sort of a PF stuck in an SF's body. Not great (or even all that good) at any one thing, but he's fairly long and he's athletic, so he has a chance to carve out a niche as a more athletic Najera type.

For a potential sixth big, it makes sense to give him a look in training camp, but I'm with Harlem on this one, I've seen nothing to suggest to me that he's an NBA player at this point. I'd be surprised if he made the opening day roster.

When it's all said an done, I think Jerrells and Gist end up on the Toros.

[Chieflion]

Are you kidding? LMaM beat out Milwaukee's lottery pick the year he was drafted as a second rounder. He's an Eastern Conference Batum. Gist doesn't have any chance to be either of them. Gist's upside is probably DeMarre Carroll or Renaldo Balkman.

Not every player will reach his absolute peak. Assuming that Luc Mbah A Moute is his absolute peak, being DeMarre Carroll is probably the best bet. Moute beat out Joe Alexander and Yi Jianlian, who (Alexander) by all means, should be placed in the main picture in the dictionary of the term "draft bust".

[koriwhat]

wtf are we doing we already had a great sf..... malik could play d he hustled and he could shoot.. damn we made a mistake bring back malik......

wish malik was in camp too... :(

[Trill Clinton]

Training camp filler...

Yup

[BadOne]

They wanted this guy to learn to play the 3, but it didn't sound like that ever happened. I agree, either training camp roster, or Toros.

[timtonymanu]

Nice! Hopefully things work out.

[Nathan89]

Spurs forum members jump on a hot topic like flies on fresh shit.

[SenorSpur]

I'm pulling for the guy too. Hope he makes it.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

I don't care about his offense that much, I just want him to be able to play perimter D better than anyone else on the Spurs. I have no idea who is on the trading block, but if we're gonna get that lockdown defender, it's gonna have to be through a trade. It would be interesting to see who the Spurs would be willing to give up. McDyess? I hope not, but I'm sure it's possible.

[ChumpDumper]

I just want him to be able to play perimter D better than anyone else on the SpursPrepare for disappointment.

[ulosturedge]

Well he was working hard in the SL til he got hurt. We got nothing to lose at this point right >.>

[edgar]

Its not anyones money but the spurs so everyone who doesnt like it can stfu!

[024]

ultimate cia pop to conceal gist until the very last moment.

[Sean Cagney]

I was a huge fan of his at Maryland, I want him to do well on this team! I wanted him here after we drafted him as I thought he did well in his first summer league, but he broke my heart and went overseas for a few.

[Blackjack]

Me likes. :tu

I'm glad he's being given the opportunity to win a job through training camp and I hope he's able to do so. If he can legitimately win the job, he'll be a pretty ideal 6th Big - unique to the rest in skill-set/athleticism and the type of player that could be pretty useful situationally.

Gist should be viewed as a Big, though. That's what he is; more of a small-ball 4 than big 3. If he pans out, he'd be the type of player you throw on a tweener when you're out of options, someone you play when a team is playing really small, or maybe even when you just need a burst of energy and a change of pace, like when you're on the second half of a back-to-back or a team's getting their ass handed to 'em. That's about the ceiling I'd hope for at this point.

But I'm really glad for Gist on a personal note. He's said and done all the right things and I've yet to hear a bad word about him. I hope it works out for him and the Spurs - they'd both stand to benefit if it does.

[benefactor]

Good to see he's gonna get an opportunity in camp. As others have said, he could fill the small ball 4 need that RJ was forced into last year. Good luck Gist.

[gospursgojas]

options are that thin at sf huh?

[blkroadrunners]

Hope it works out for Gist. Good luck to him :tu.

[crc21209]

Good for Gist. :tu Hopefully he can prove himself and earn a spot on the team.

[GSH]

JMcDonald_SAEN

If Gist winds up making the roster, it will be on defensive end. #spurs want him to be a high-energy, disrupt-the-game kind of player.

If he can be an energy guy off the bench, I'd love to see him on the roster. I always thought the Spurs did Bonner a disservice by taking him out of that role. A guy who can come in and rip down a few boards or cause a turnover or two can change the momentum of a game. That's a valuable commodity.

There are some guys who can come in and put up good numbers for a 5-6 minute stretch, but if you leave them in for 12 minutes, they'll still have the same stat line. There's nothing wrong with that, as long as you don't try to make them into something they're not. I don't see Gist putting in long minutes, no matter how long he's in the league. And if he can't make the squad this time, I don't see the Spurs investing any more time in him.

[Leonard Curse]

spurs really are starting to suck at developing talent actually i take that back i guess im just spoiled and expect them to all be amazing just because they were chosen by the spurs but i know thats homerism to the max, anyhow i think spurs are just bad at developing d leaguers! hey what do i know maybe d leaguers suck at developing period

[temujin]

I hope the guy learned to play basketball since the last time we got a look at him.

He didn't.

[temujin]

Prepare for disappointment.

James Gist on the perimeter?

I guess he means that the bench is on the perimeter of the basketball court.

[Obstructed_View]

I hope he can shoot threes.

[biziofromdowntown]

well,he was the best player from 3 point lane 2 years ago in Italy...i know it's nearer the NBA but, damn, he should make the threes!

[SenorSpur]

spurs really are starting to suck at developing talent actually i take that back i guess im just spoiled and expect them to all be amazing just because they were chosen by the spurs but i know thats homerism to the max, anyhow i think spurs are just bad at developing d leaguers! hey what do i know maybe d leaguers suck at developing period

It would be quite a coup, and bonus, for the Spurs if Gist did pan out.

FYI.
With all due respect, a lot of us enjoy reading your posts. However, they'd be a lot more effective and easier to follow if you used punctuation.

Just a passing thought. :toast

[The Truth #6]

Gist rebounded well and shot the three in his first summer leage with the Spurs, maybe he can get back to that. It's great the Spurs are trying to teach him more skills, but ultimately he needs to play to his strengths, which is a high energy hustle guy.

[slick'81]

exactly the guy was a pf in college its not like hes just gonna develop into a 3 point shooter and slasher role.I would like to see hows hes developed though

[beachwood]

He'll be the first to be cut.

[ohmwrecker]

He might be able to squeeze into that backup SF role if he can play good defense and hit the corner 3 consistently. I would have to eat a lot of crow if he actually makes this team.

[lefty]

The Gist !

[AlleyOopNazi]

A season on the spurs roster would without a doubt improve his play all around. As of now hes still a ton of raw talent without much refinement. I like the idea of having him at the end of the spurs roster, he has the body to prosper in the NBA lots of upside there. Who's to say he doesn't pick up his play to a degree that George hill is doing in the system. Confidence in our young players development is key for the future of the team.
I can't wait to get league pass and have this season underway!! :madrun

[benefactor]

People really need to stop calling Gist a 3. He is not and will never be one.

[mountainballer]

so true.
what gives him a possible niche as PF (despite the fact that we already have at least 3 natural PF in Dice, Blair, Bonner) with this team is the fact, that Spurs obviously have been looking at his type of player lately (M.Haislip, T.Thomas last deadline)

btw. Gist wasn't bad last season, it's just that we didn't hear much about him playing the Russian league for Kasan. after an ok regular season, he played a very good PO series against Dynamo (Kasan lost a tight series 2-3) and averaged 14.5 PPG in 28 minutes. I assume the Spurs did have some scouts there.

however, if he makes the team he won't play more than 10MPG at best. (minutes coming from Bonners account, making the re signing of Bonner even more ridiculous)
and again: he won't solve the issues at back up SF.

[G-Dawgg]

James Gist is another Pops Mensa-Bonsu... to me they are very similar players.

[lurker23]

Whether Gist can play SF on offense doesn't matter much anymore. When healthy, the Spurs have plenty of shooters and slashers to go around. On offense, Gist is basically a PF, with the exception that his (mostly futile) attempts to develop a reliable NBA 3-pointer have left him with a pretty decent mid-range jumper. Time will tell whether that jumper is consistent enough to become a weapon, but on offense I imagine all the Spurs care about is that Gist provide some energy and get some rebounds.

Whether Gist can defend the 3 position, however, will probably determine whether he has any shot of making this team. I don't really think he has the bulk to slow down a lot of the 4s in this league, but he does have the length and mobility to potentially stick with a lot of the 3s. Is he polished enough on the defensive end to fill a significant hole for the Spurs? Probably not, but it's worth taking a look at in camp.

[SpurCharger]

He Is A Training Camp Filler...... A 12th man At Best..... He is Not the answer

[ohmwrecker]

People really need to stop calling Gist a 3. He is not and will never be one.

Then he is not going to make the team. He has the build of a SF and he is too slight to play PF. If he can't play SF, there is no place for him. Did you have a point?

[xellos88330]

Was he signed yet?

[The Truth #6]

I hope he makes it. I'd rather have him then another Bogans journeyman type. At least he has potential with his height and athleticism to guard some of the mobile power forwards in the league. Obviously he has a long way to go to getting there but relying on Bonner to be effective on defense is a joke at this point so new options should be welcomed and explored. Hustle and defense aren't a foreign concept to him so this seems more realistic of an option than hoping that Gee, who is more of an offensive player, to become a great defender.

[benefactor]

Then he is not going to make the team. He has the build of a SF and he is too slight to play PF. If he can't play SF, there is no place for him. Did you have a point?
No handles, no jumper and not quick enough laterally to stay in front of NBA SF's. Is that enough of a point for you?

[ElNono]

So what happened?

[Sean Cagney]

What happened is this could be b.s and he will not sign here this year.

[iManu]

James Gist!!!!!!!

[Bruno]

The fact that there isn't an official press release doesn't mean that Gist hasn't signed a contract.

[ceperez]

The fact that there isn't an official press release doesn't mean that Gist hasn't signed a contract.

http://blogs.mysanantonio.com/weblogs/courtside/2010/09/gist-penney-fil.html

Appears to have been invited to camp.

[SenorSpur]

I hope he makes it. I'd rather have him then another Bogans journeyman type. At least he has potential with his height and athleticism to guard some of the mobile power forwards in the league. Obviously he has a long way to go to getting there but relying on Bonner to be effective on defense is a joke at this point so new options should be welcomed and explored. Hustle and defense aren't a foreign concept to him so this seems more realistic of an option than hoping that Gee, who is more of an offensive player, to become a great defender.

:tu :tu

[ohmwrecker]

No handles, no jumper and not quick enough laterally to stay in front of NBA SF's. Is that enough of a point for you?

Yes. I think we are in agreement on this one.

[yavozerb]

Gist is only 23 years old and he seems to have a good work ethic or I do not think the spurs would keep trying to find a spot for him. The main attributes he needs to show in training camp is hustle, coachabilty, and to be able to stay healthy. I believe there is no better chance than this season for Gist to make the roster and I believe he well when its all said and done. His offensive game I believe has gotten better since his college days and he is still young enough that it can become much better.

[Flux451]

I "don't believe the hype"

[wildbill2u]

Maybe they can trade him for a 6"5" SG prospect from Kazhakistan or Peru.

[benefactor]

Maybe they can trade him for a 6"5" SG prospect from Kazhakistan or Peru.
Or another big, soft white guy that shoots 40% from distance in the regular season.