Bruno
01-29-2008, 08:05 AM
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA012908.04D.BKNspurs.mahinmi.2f805ee.html
Web Posted: 01/29/2008 12:22 AM CST
Mike Monroe
Express-News
SALT LAKE CITY — Ian Mahinmi was back on the roster for the Spurs for Monday's game against the Utah Jazz, called up Monday morning from the Austin Toros of the D-League.
He also was back on the inactive list, sitting behind his teammates in a black suit and tie.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said Mahinmi is on the first leg of the rodeo road trip, a three-game stretch that goes from Salt Lake City to Seattle to Phoenix, strictly for the camaraderie he will gain with his teammates.
"We just wanted to bring him up and spend some time with the team," Popovich said. "He can make friends with the guys and enjoy himself a little bit. It's more that, a personality thing for him to be around the guys."
Popovich wants Mahinmi, a 21-year-old, 6-foot-10 rookie who was the team's first-round draft pick in 2005, to get all the seasoning he can in Austin. Mahinmi has played well for the Toros, and joined the Spurs after a 32-point, nine-rebound performance in Austin on Sunday.
"I was happy," Mahinmi said, "not so surprised. I've been working hard."
Mahinmi said he understands he likely will return to Austin when the first leg of the trip is complete, but he believes he has improved to the point he could help the club if called on.
"I just keep improving on my offensive game and defensive game," he said. We run a couple of Spurs sets, too, so I think my understanding of the game is better, playing a lot and getting experience. I think I have improved on every aspect of the game."
Decision time: The second of the 10-day contracts Jeremy Richardson signed will expire on Wednesday, at which time the Spurs must either sign him for the remainder of the season or let him go. The calf injury that has Brent Barry on the shelf for the next three to four weeks could factor into the decision.
Richardson has played in only five games since joining the Spurs and played only 43 minutes.
"In these situations, it's never a decision where you have all the input you'd like," Popovich said. "You just can't do it. You're torn between trying to win games and trying to see what somebody can do. It's almost unfair to the team to just play somebody new who doesn't really know what's going on at the expense of winning a game. So we won't have all the information we would like to have, but we'll still make the decision."
Web Posted: 01/29/2008 12:22 AM CST
Mike Monroe
Express-News
SALT LAKE CITY — Ian Mahinmi was back on the roster for the Spurs for Monday's game against the Utah Jazz, called up Monday morning from the Austin Toros of the D-League.
He also was back on the inactive list, sitting behind his teammates in a black suit and tie.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said Mahinmi is on the first leg of the rodeo road trip, a three-game stretch that goes from Salt Lake City to Seattle to Phoenix, strictly for the camaraderie he will gain with his teammates.
"We just wanted to bring him up and spend some time with the team," Popovich said. "He can make friends with the guys and enjoy himself a little bit. It's more that, a personality thing for him to be around the guys."
Popovich wants Mahinmi, a 21-year-old, 6-foot-10 rookie who was the team's first-round draft pick in 2005, to get all the seasoning he can in Austin. Mahinmi has played well for the Toros, and joined the Spurs after a 32-point, nine-rebound performance in Austin on Sunday.
"I was happy," Mahinmi said, "not so surprised. I've been working hard."
Mahinmi said he understands he likely will return to Austin when the first leg of the trip is complete, but he believes he has improved to the point he could help the club if called on.
"I just keep improving on my offensive game and defensive game," he said. We run a couple of Spurs sets, too, so I think my understanding of the game is better, playing a lot and getting experience. I think I have improved on every aspect of the game."
Decision time: The second of the 10-day contracts Jeremy Richardson signed will expire on Wednesday, at which time the Spurs must either sign him for the remainder of the season or let him go. The calf injury that has Brent Barry on the shelf for the next three to four weeks could factor into the decision.
Richardson has played in only five games since joining the Spurs and played only 43 minutes.
"In these situations, it's never a decision where you have all the input you'd like," Popovich said. "You just can't do it. You're torn between trying to win games and trying to see what somebody can do. It's almost unfair to the team to just play somebody new who doesn't really know what's going on at the expense of winning a game. So we won't have all the information we would like to have, but we'll still make the decision."