Spurs Brazil
01-16-2008, 07:23 PM
http://www.nba.com/spurs/timeout/20secondto.html
Spurs Utilizing D-League
by Bill Schoening | January 16, 2007
Ian Mahinmi with the Austin Toros.
Chris Covatta/Getty Images
For many decades, clubs in Major League Baseball refined talent at the minor league level. Very few players drafted out of high school, junior college or major college went directly to the parent club. Ballplayers had to earn their stripes by working their way up through the system. Until recently, the NBA had no such opportunity to develop players.
The D-League has afforded teams the opportunity to sign a young guy, and send him down for needed seasoning. The L.A. Lakers (Los Angeles D-Fenders) and San Antonio Spurs (Austin Toros) are the only two NBA teams that currently own D-League affiliates, and the acquisition will likely pay dividends.
Spurs director of pro player personnel Dell Demps also serves as the general manager of the Austin Toros. Demps says with Austin coach Quin Snyder running the Spurs offensive and defensive systems, players such as Ian Mahinmi will be able to more easily make the transition to NBA life in San Antonio.
Early season injuries forced the Spurs to call up players such as Darius Washington, Keith Langford, and DerMarr Johnson from Austin. Although each of those players didn't stay long, they all said they acclimated quicker because of the Spurs' close affiliation with the Toros. Mahinmi's progress is being monitored closely.
Instead of sitting at the end of the Spurs bench, Mahinmi is averaging 17 points and 7 rebounds, and getting valuable experience.
Spurs Utilizing D-League
by Bill Schoening | January 16, 2007
Ian Mahinmi with the Austin Toros.
Chris Covatta/Getty Images
For many decades, clubs in Major League Baseball refined talent at the minor league level. Very few players drafted out of high school, junior college or major college went directly to the parent club. Ballplayers had to earn their stripes by working their way up through the system. Until recently, the NBA had no such opportunity to develop players.
The D-League has afforded teams the opportunity to sign a young guy, and send him down for needed seasoning. The L.A. Lakers (Los Angeles D-Fenders) and San Antonio Spurs (Austin Toros) are the only two NBA teams that currently own D-League affiliates, and the acquisition will likely pay dividends.
Spurs director of pro player personnel Dell Demps also serves as the general manager of the Austin Toros. Demps says with Austin coach Quin Snyder running the Spurs offensive and defensive systems, players such as Ian Mahinmi will be able to more easily make the transition to NBA life in San Antonio.
Early season injuries forced the Spurs to call up players such as Darius Washington, Keith Langford, and DerMarr Johnson from Austin. Although each of those players didn't stay long, they all said they acclimated quicker because of the Spurs' close affiliation with the Toros. Mahinmi's progress is being monitored closely.
Instead of sitting at the end of the Spurs bench, Mahinmi is averaging 17 points and 7 rebounds, and getting valuable experience.