Ian Mahinmi : with Spurs in 2006 ?

[Bruno]

http://www.sports.fr/fr/cmc/basket/200537/cmc_75027.html

Ian Mahinmi: "In NBA next year"
14/09/2005

By François KULAWIK
Sports.fr

Rough translation :

Three months after the draft, what has changed with your selection ?

No direct consequences, but it's clear that this selection at the draftis a good thing for me. I feel freer, more confidend and especially that removes me a lot of pressure and I can stay focused on my game, continue to improve it without be wooried about the draft. My goal is now to play better.

When do you know that you have a chance to be drafted this year?

I knew Spurs scouted me. There then were discussions with the Spurs staff, with my agent. That was postive. After the announce of the list of the players staying in the draft, I was more and more confident. Even if one is not sure of nothing until the last moment. I had a good feeling.

Did you have to think of withdrawing you?

When I went in the draft, my goal was to withdraw before the draft. That is what I wanted to do. The goal was to make some noise around my name, to beknown for next drafts, because at the beginning, I did not think of being able to be draftedthis year. It was a surprise to see that Spurs and other teams were interested.

How happened your summer?

I was quite busy. Just after the draft, I returned to France for my degree. After, there were the U20 Euro. I took two weeks of holidays then at the beginning of August, I go in San Antonio for 15 days to work with Spurs. There were many single training, one vs one against young American forwards and musculation. It was perfect.

Which was the speech held by the Spurs staff?

They immediately said me that they were really glad to have been able to draft me and to be able to count on me for the future. For them, it is the beginning of a long collaboration. At the beginning, Gregg Popovich wanted to come to New York to see me just after the draft, but I had to travel by plane to return to France because of my degree. He just asked if I want to do the U20 Euro because he wanted that I come to SA in July , but he understand that the U20 euro was important to me and I go to San Antonio in August.

In which fields do have you to progress more before joining the NBA?

I must mainly improve my offensive game. i must take some weight, that I develop some fundamentals. Defensively, I do already good work and it is necessary it must follows in attack.

Do you have models in the League?

In NBA, the player who inspires me is Marcus Camby. I like his style, his way of playing, his intensity. There are too players who impress me like Kevin Garnett for example.

According to you, why did Spurs choose you?

They liked my behaviour. My engagement in defense in particular, I have a lot of intensity on the ground. For the offensive end , they said they liked my simplicity, that I made simple thing rather than to complicate me the task. And then I am big wit a good mobility , so they liked me.

You will play with Le Havre this season, what are your goals?

I want to be more usefull for the team, to become an important player in the rotation, to gain in constancy. And individually, to continue to affirm me, to improve my game.

Inevitably, People wait a lot of thing from you, are you ready for this?

The context will be different, it's sure, but it's a challenge to succeed in this context.

When will you play with the Spurs?

As soon as possible, I hope next season and it's the same thing for them.

[boutons]

Ian hopes to come to Spurs for 05/06, but that's no news.

If the Spurs said they hoped to have Ian next season, that would be news.

[spursupporter]

how old is Ian?

[Bruno]

Ian hopes to come to Spurs for 05/06, but that's no news.

If the Spurs said they hoped to have Ian next season, that would be news.

He said Spurs and him want that he plays with SPurs for the 06/07 season.


how old is Ian?

18, he was born the fifth november 1986

[Bruno]

Things that I can add :
Ian has had some preseason games with Le Havre and even if I have not seen the games, reports said he played well.
Le havre staff went to SA in August so the realtionship is good between the two staff (no buyout problem like with Scola)

[xcoriate]

Thats good that his progress mayh see him in SA as early as 06/07

[xcoriate]

:lol countdown till someone draws a comparison with Amare

[boutons]

He's awfully young still, and apparently hasn't played a whole lot of basketball. I'd let him develop over there, get playing time (vs sitting on Spurs bench, given we'll already have Robert, Farbricio, Nazr, Rasho, and/or Oberto), until he's at least college senior age, another 2 or 3 years.

What's the rush?

[Slo spurs fan]

He's awfully young still, and apparently hasn't played a whole lot of basketball. I'd let him develop over there, get playing time (vs sitting on Spurs bench, given we'll already have Robert,Farbricio, Nazr, Rasho, and/or Oberto), until he's at least college senior age, another 2 or 3 years.

What's the rush?

???

[xcoriate]

He's awfully young still, and apparently hasn't played a whole lot of basketball. I'd let him develop over there, get playing time (vs sitting on Spurs bench, given we'll already have Robert, Farbricio, Nazr, Rasho, and/or Oberto), until he's at least college senior age, another 2 or 3 years.

What's the rush?


maybe hes ready to contribute?

Who knows, but if his ready to come in a play good D and polishes a jumpshot and some low post moves over the next year... well sounds like a plan to me.

His grown to 6'11 now if you missed that bulletin as well :spin

[boutons]

"???"

oops, that should be "Fabricio, ...., Luis'

[exstatic]

He's awfully young still, and apparently hasn't played a whole lot of basketball. I'd let him develop over there, get playing time (vs sitting on Spurs bench, given we'll already have Robert, Farbricio, Nazr, Rasho, and/or Oberto), until he's at least college senior age, another 2 or 3 years.

What's the rush?

Well, it's not the usual case for SA. He could have walked up this summer and demanded his guaranteed contract for being a first round pick, and SA would have had to either give it to him, trade him, or renounce the pick. He can come over anytime he wants to, so the Spurs have to convince him to stay in Europe.

[101A]

He said Spurs and him want that he plays with SPurs for the 06/07 season.



18, he was born the fifth november 1986

THAT was a good day.

[JUUOT]

Yhis sounds like a really possible scenario.
Imagine the spurs consider ian made sufficient and rapid progress. they want him in SA like tony when he was 19. this could mean they will not have to re-sign for an expensive price nazr
More than this, if Oberto becomes a consistent contributor, even rasho would become expandable. Giving the spurs:

Duncan-horry-Scola
Oberto-Ian-javtokas

if it is not in 2006 this is written to happened not further than 2007.

[Admidave50]

I don't see him coming in 2006 but I hope he'll be ready for 2007!

[Dex]

He's awfully young still, and apparently hasn't played a whole lot of basketball. I'd let him develop over there, get playing time (vs sitting on Spurs bench, given we'll already have Robert, Farbricio, Nazr, Rasho, and/or Oberto), until he's at least college senior age, another 2 or 3 years.

What's the rush?

It all depends on how Oberto pans out, and what ends up happening with Rasho and/or Nazr, but I say if we've got a spot for a big on the roster next season, he might as well at least be given the chance to earn it in a training camp.

If he seems ready, give him a backup role and let him start getting some NBA experience. If he's not ready, then keep him IR and stick him in the NBDL so that he can be with the team, start learning our system, and still get some developmental playing time.

Every year that we let pass with him overseas is another year we're going to have to wait for a young, serviceable (we can only hope) bigman to get used to playing in the NBA.

Going into this season, that may not seem like such a bad thing. In future seasons, however, that is probably subject to change.

[ObiwanGinobili]

He's awfully young still, and apparently hasn't played a whole lot of basketball. I'd let him develop over there, get playing time (vs sitting on Spurs bench, given we'll already have Robert, Farbricio, Nazr, Rasho, and/or Oberto), until he's at least college senior age, another 2 or 3 years.

What's the rush?


but with the new CBA can't we put him in the DL ?? Don;t we treat that now kinda like minor league basball (with the new CBA)?
that was my take on it....

in that case we could bring him over in 06/07 put him iun the DL and have alot closer acess to him ....maybe bring him up later that season......

[polandprzem]

but with the new CBA can't we put him in the DL ?? Don;t we treat that now kinda like minor league basball (with the new CBA)?
that was my take on it....

in that case we could bring him over in 06/07 put him iun the DL and have alot closer acess to him ....maybe bring him up later that season......
That's is my thought also this season in Europe next in DL and in 2007/2008 he will be in the roster :smokin

[2pac]

For the offensive end , they said they liked my simplicity, that I made simple thing rather than to complicate me the task.

They like that I dont pump fake like Malik.

[boutons]

'maybe hes ready to contribute?"

When we had the Ian threads just after he was drafted, I originally thought bringing him over here right away, to let him get acclimated to USA, learn the Spurs system, managed by Spurs player devvelopment people, maybe in NBDL, etc was the best vs Le Havre.

But people here convinced me that Pop felt Le Havre team was well run and he'd get plenty of PT over there.

Whatever, it's not like we need him next year.

Sounds like he could be a real monster after putting on 40 or 50 lbs and 3 years in the NBA, about typical delay for big men to blossum.

We'll see how Bogut does. I'd much rather have Ian come to SA at Bogut's age rather than sooner.

Damn, it's a great era for the Spurs.

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

[URL]
Do you have models in the League?

In NBA, the player who inspires me is Marcus Camby. I like his style, his way of playing, his intensity. There are too players who impress me like Kevin Garnett for example.



That's kind of funny because in the few clips I've seen of this guy it looks like he's physically built and moves much like a young Kevin Garnett. Hopefully the only similarities they share are on the court.

[picnroll]

I'd be surprised if the Spurs bring him over before he has the ability to contribute on the court i the NBA. Once they bring him over the clock starts ticking on his cheap rookie contract. No use using it up in the NBDL or parked as the 12th man on the bench.

[ShoogarBear]

:lol countdown till someone draws a comparison with Amare
Actually, I like the fact that he himself chose a player like Camby. It shows he is focused mostly on being an active defender, shot blocker, and rebounder.

A 20-year old (healthy) Marcus Camby wouldn't be a bad thing to have next to TD in a couple of years.

[dunkman]

Ian hopes to come to Spurs for 05/06, but that's no news.

If the Spurs said they hoped to have Ian next season, that would be news.Since he's a first round pick, it's up to Mahinmi when he wants to come to play for the Spurs, that have the obligation to give him a space in the roster and pay his contract for at least three years.

However, it would be better for him to stay in Europe for a year or two, since he could have playtime and grow as a player.

[timvp]

When Nazr Mohammed walks this summer, Mahinmi along with Oberto and Scola will be pointed to as reasons why. And honestly, how are you going to blame the Spurs for that? Would you rather have Nazr at $45-60M or Oberto, Mahinmi and Scola for a combined $10M?

[picnroll]

Since he's a first round pick, it's up to Mahinmi when he wants to come to play for the Spurs, that have the obligation to give him a space in the roster and pay his contract for at least three years.

However, it would be better for him to stay in Europe for a year or two, since he could have playtime and grow as a player.
DId I miss some part of the CBA where these guys get to dictate when they want to come?

[whottt]

Actually, I like the fact that he himself chose a player like Camby. It shows he is focused mostly on being an active defender, shot blocker, and rebounder.

A 20-year old (healthy) Marcus Camby wouldn't be a bad thing to have next to TD in a couple of years.


It's call good...IIRC Camby's favorite player in College was Drob...

[whottt]

Hey does anyone know what Ian's height is these days? Last I heard he had crossed the 7 foot barrier and is still in a growth spurt...

[TheWriter]

When Nazr Mohammed walks this summer, Mahinmi along with Oberto and Scola will be pointed to as reasons why. And honestly, how are you going to blame the Spurs for that? Would you rather have Nazr at $45-60M or Oberto, Mahinmi and Scola for a combined $10M?


Don't forget Jav.

Scola takes over for Horry
Oberto takes over for Nazr.
Ian takes over for Rasho
Jav takes over for Masenburg type role player.

That's impressive. :hat

[dunkman]

DId I miss some part of the CBA where these guys get to dictate when they want to come?Being a first round pick, his contract is guaranteed for three years and the fourth year is a team option. I'm not sure about the CBA, but I didn't heard recently about a team that has avoided to sign its first round pick.

[boutons]

I don't think anybody dictates to anybody.

there will be a mutual agreement, good will and all that, when Spurs and Ian agree it's time for him to move to SA.

[JUUOT]

When Nazr Mohammed walks this summer, Mahinmi along with Oberto and Scola will be pointed to as reasons why. And honestly, how are you going to blame the Spurs for that? Would you rather have Nazr at $45-60M or Oberto, Mahinmi and Scola for a combined $10M?


Are you comparing apples with orange here Timvp? :rolleyes
Are you comapring on a per year basis or full lenght contract obligation. either way it seems it just not seems comparable.

Is it me?

in substance i agree. why pay max for nazr if oberto and ian can make it for a lot less.

[picnroll]

My understanding is that the only, but not insignificiant, leverage Ian or another player in similar circumstances has is to threaten to sign a long term contract with another team, i.e. European team, with a substantial buyout that would make him inacessible to the Spurs. That of course would give Ian considerable leverage if he chose to use it but it obviously has a downside for Ian.

[ChumpDumper]

The only other thing he could do is give notice of his intent to join the team, and if the Spurs decline and Ian takes a whole calendar year off, he could reenter the draft.

IIRC.

I'm not worried though -- he seems to be down with the plan.

[Marcus Bryant]

When Nazr Mohammed walks this summer, Mahinmi along with Oberto and Scola will be pointed to as reasons why. And honestly, how are you going to blame the Spurs for that? Would you rather have Nazr at $45-60M or Oberto, Mahinmi and Scola for a combined $10M?

That's exactly where the Spurs seem to be going. What would make sense is for them to move Mohammed before the trade deadline. With a $5.5 mil salary in 2005-06, the Spurs should be able to pick up a nice young player and perhaps a 1st round pick for him without having to take back a large salary. That, as well as not committing $50+ mil to Mohammed, should please Emperor Holt.

[50 cent]

When Nazr Mohammed walks this summer, Mahinmi along with Oberto and Scola will be pointed to as reasons why. And honestly, how are you going to blame the Spurs for that? Would you rather have Nazr at $45-60M or Oberto, Mahinmi and Scola for a combined $10M?

Oh, I'm sure Marcus Bryant will be bitching non-stop about Holt being a tightwad that is screwing over the franchise. :td

[Marcus Bryant]

How can anyone be happy about the Spurs letting Mohammed walk for nothing in return? Move him before the deadline if you do not intend to re-sign him.

[50 cent]

How can anyone be happy about the Spurs letting Mohammed walk for nothing in return? Move him before the deadline if you do not intend to re-sign him.
Sure, if you can get a young, talented SF or some nice picks for Nazr. (That is of course if we can't unload Rasho for a bag of Doritos and a used pair of socks before having to entertain the idea of not resigning or trading Nazr).

[Marcus Bryant]

Actually, they will probably lose both Radoslav and Nazr within the next 12 months.

[MannyIsGod]

How can anyone be happy about the Spurs letting Mohammed walk for nothing in return? Move him before the deadline if you do not intend to re-sign him.
That I absolutely agree with. Nazr is a vauable commidity in a leauge with few centers. I think the Spurs should definetly move him if there is a good deal. But I don't think they should bring back a long contract in return.

[Marcus Bryant]

Nazr for Shane Battier + 1st rounder?

[ducks]

Oberto play is going to determine alot


scola to me is NO LOCK FOR next year

if the deals to nve and finely are only one year deal
and spurs do not sign big dog
then all the spurs have is the mle unless they can force a sign and trade with nazr

spurs sign big dog to a one year deal atleast they will have his early bird rights

will scola sign for less the all the mle I DOUBT IT

spurs may be forced to get a wing player in return for nazr

[MannyIsGod]

Nazr for Shane Battier + 1st rounder?
That would be awesome

[coopdogg3]

I wouldn't trade Nazr unless Oberto was fully ready to take his place. If it looks like we need Nazr to win the NBA Championship then we keep him. If we end up losing him for nothing, big deal, we will have won the NBA Championship which is what it's all about.

Maybe Isiah will trade for him back offering his 2 1st rounders next year. :lol I would find that pretty funny.

coopdogg3

[exstatic]

The only other thing he could do is give notice of his intent to join the team, and if the Spurs decline and Ian takes a whole calendar year off, he could reenter the draft.

IIRC.

I'm not worried though -- he seems to be down with the plan.

I think it goes further than that, CD. Remember Leon Smith? Dallas wanted him to either play in Europe for a couple of years or in the minor leagues. He forced their hand, and they were pissed, and dumped his azz on IR and ignored him as punishment. I think that if you don't want to sign and roster them, you either have to trade their rights or renounce the pick. I remember Chicago having too many guaranteed contracts, and having to renounce Travis Knight one year.