Former Spur: Marco Belinelli

[Bruno]

http://www.nba.com/media/act_marco_belinelli.jpg
Born: Mar 25, 1986
Height: 6-5 / 1.96
Weight: 195 lbs. / 88.5 kg.
Prior to NBA / Country: Fortitudo Bologna / Italy

Info (http://www.nba.com/playerfile/marco_belinelli/career_stats.html)

[benefactor]

Bend over, haters.

[Bruno]

Yep, I'm a Beli-ever.

[loveforthegame]

I've been a fan since his GS days. I can't wait to see what he brings to the Spurs.

[ace3g]

Should have success in our system.

[timtonymanu]

I can see him making a number of game winners for us.

[SpursDynasty21]

I'm glad the Spurs signed Belinelli. I think he'll be a great player for the Spurs.

[superbigtime]

Have always liked this guy, he can ball. Thought he was a little bit taller though.

[SpursDynasty21]

I can see Belinelli becoming a player that stays on the team for awhile. He could be a player the Spurs move forward with for the future.

[ace3g]

:35 mark


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtkfOE1ObEA&feature=player_detailpage

[FuzzyLumpkins]

How is his defense? I have a feeling that he will not be as frustrating to watch as Neal on offense but I have no feel for his defense.

[racm]

How is his defense? I have a feeling that he will not be as frustrating to watch as Neal on offense but I have no feel for his defense.

He got meaningful PT under Thibodeau. That means his team defense is at the least passable.

[Raven]

He got meaningful PT under Thibodeau. That means his team defense is at the least passable.

or that chicago had none to go to, for the record, he played a lot with nate robinson.

[FuzzyLumpkins]

or that chicago had none to go to, for the record, he played a lot with nate robinson.

You must not be following Thibodeau's teams.

[DesignatedT]

He improved a lot defensively during his time in Chicago playing under Thibs. Obviously he isn't the most athletic player and has some of the same physical constraints as Neal did defensively but he is a much smarter basketball player and his mindset concerning defense has taken a 180 since he came into the league - that's usually half the problem, you have to want to and be willing to play defense.

[ace3g]

Durant Wanted Thunder To Sign Belinelli In Free Agency

Kevin Durant has admired Marco Belinelli's game after the two came out in the same NBA draft class, and the Oklahoma City Thunder star wanted the organization to sign Belinelli in free agency this offseason.

“No doubt," Durant said in an interview, when asked whether Belinelli could have helped the Thunder. "I tried to get him on our team, but unfortunately, San Antonio came in and got him from us. I wanted him on our team bad.

"He’s going to be a guy that we play against a lot and we have to find ways to stop him.”

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/229739/Durant-Wanted-Thunder-To-Sign-Belinelli-In-Free-Agency

[Chinook]

He would have been pretty good with the Thunder -- a cheaper Martin at least. I guess it's a good sign that a player chose the Spurs over OKC. We don't see that often.

[exstatic]

He would have been pretty good with the Thunder -- a cheaper Martin at least. I guess it's a good sign that a player chose the Spurs over OKC. We don't see that often.

I think it's more a case that SA knew which mid tier FAs they wanted and went for them immediately, and OKC dithered, trying to work S&Ts because they couldn't even spend their MLE without hitting the tax. The RJ trade looms huge in this scenario. Offloading his contract and letting his replacement go allowed the Spurs to sign guys immediately, and THEN try to pursue some S&T scenarios that ultimately did not bear fruit.

[mountainballer]

we heard that other teams were interested in Beli and also that some of them offered significantley more. (at least that's what Italian media were reporting and Marc Stein mentioned the Cavs)
going for Beli immediately and making clear that he is the #1 priority for the Spurs for sure was the key. they agreed on the 3rd or 4th day of free agency.

[ace3g]

http://d3j5vwomefv46c.cloudfront.net/photos/large/807482991.jpg?1378755829

Manu Ginobili @manuginobili
(http://twitter.com/manuginobili)Dai @marcobelinelli (http://twitter.com/marcobelinelli), qualifica e vieni. Ti aspettiamo! Portami dei tortellini! ;-) twitpic.com/dcr5v3 (http://t.co/6nKYSwAeBC)

[ace3g]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BJplK5oCUAAcaal.jpg:large

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

^ :lol

[ace3g]

If you want some Beli action, tune into NBATV right now showing Bulls game where Nate goes for 23 points in 4th quarter

[Chinook]

Thread title updated. :toast