James Gist Makes the Leap to the NBA

James Gist Makes the Leap
June 27, 1:46 PM

Ex-Terp Forward James Gist was selected by the San Antonio Spurs with the 57th overall pick of Thursday’s NBA Draft.

Gist’s career at Maryland was marred by the team’s inconsistencies, but he did manage to average 15.9 points and 7.9 rebounds per game this past season while being named the team’s Most Valuable Player.

Gist’s athleticism and defense give him a good chance at not only making the Spurs but developing into an energetic, disruptive bench player.

An All-ACC Defensive Team selection in 2007-2008, his 1.3 steals and 2.3 blocks per game speak to his potential as a valuable member of an NBA bench. His lack of a consistent outside game will likely prevent him from ever starting, but he’s active enough down low to be a serviceable offensive option.

It seems like Gist knows his future in the NBA depends on his hustle and defense.

He told The Diamondback in a recent article, “I'm a defender; I look to defend the [small forward position]. Come in and guard the Tracy McGradys of the league, the Kobe Bryants."

DraftExpress.com reported that Gist “looked very active defensively in the passing lanes and did a great job getting out in transition, using his athleticism well around the rim,” during the NBA Pre-Draft Camp.

While Gist might have been disappointed by being selected late, San Antonio provides a good opportunity for him to contribute. The Spurs’ current defensive specialist, SG/SF Bruce Bowen, is 37. He can still blanket opposing scorers fairly effectively but is not nearly the shutdown defender he once was. SG/SF Michael Finley, who started 61 games last year, is 35 and now a free agent.


Assuming he makes the team, Gist’s chances of being on a successful squad are fairly high. The Spurs have won four NBA Championships in the last 10 years and still have Manu Ginobili, Tim Duncan and Tony Parker.

http://www.examiner.com/x-337-Baltim...Makes-the-Leap

I like the kid's attitude.

Defense first. Pop will love that :)

I didn't read the entire article but I got the Gist of it.

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Originally Posted by Solid D

I didn't read the entire article but I got the Gist of it.

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not you too :depressed

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Originally Posted by Solid D

I didn't read the entire article but I got the Gist of it.

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nice.

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Originally Posted by Solid D

I didn't read the entire article but I got the Gist of it.

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well played.

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Originally Posted by T Park

I like the kid's attitude.

Defense first. Pop will love that :)

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He does seem to have a great attitude, along with crazy athleticism. I like the fact that he's considered more of a defender than a scorer.

Imagine TP leading the break with Ian on one side and Gist on the other.

I'm really pulling for him to make the squad.

Perhaps he could be our version of Julian Wright. :lol

I'm sure these have already been posted somewhere, but check out these YouTube vids.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cd9ZXgSN8F0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwXtuO1SGG8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dn4TGTx8YM4

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Originally Posted by Solid D

I didn't read the entire article but I got the Gist of it.

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:lol
Pure gold.

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Originally Posted by SenorSpur

He does seem to have a great attitude, along with crazy athleticism. I like the fact that he's considered more of a defender than a scorer.

Imagine TP leading the break with Ian on one side and Gist on the other.

I'm really pulling for him to make the squad.

Perhaps he could be our version of Julian Wright. :lol

I'm sure these have already been posted somewhere, but check out these YouTube vids.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cd9ZXgSN8F0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwXtuO1SGG8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dn4TGTx8YM4

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Your reading my bleeping mind.

First guy I thought of when I was watching those videos was Julian Wright.

If the Spurs pulled a Julian Wright out of the 57th spot that would be phenomenal. Gist I guarantee it, if he plays well in the summer league is a lock, because he would fit so seamlessly with the team.

He looks really athletic for his size.

I wonder if he can improve his outside game at all...?

With England I don't see how he couldn't.

As long as he put in the work he can.

Anybody surprised, like me, that this guy lasted that long? And that the Spurs were able to get him LATE in the 2nd round? He has the potential to really be a steal.

He's already wanting the challenge of becoming a star-stopper? Talking openly about defending the McGrady's and Bryants of the world? I like his moxie and his mindset already.

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Originally Posted by Solid D

I didn't read the entire article but I got the Gist of it.

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http://www.myconfinedspace.com/water....thumbnail.jpg

:lol now thats a funny picture

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Originally Posted by T Park

With England I don't see how he couldn't.

As long as he put in the work he can.

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Hopefully.

These college kids that come up to the big leagues have better coaching imo.

Examples: Your example of Julian Wright.. who was not known as a 3 point shooter, and all of a sudden knocks tr3ys down against us in the playoffs.

Another example: Although not a shooting foul.. Carl Landy absolutely had no hops whatsoever at Purdue university, and now he's a dunking machine.

I hope Gist can turn into an all around player with better coaching.:flag:

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Originally Posted by Solid D

I didn't read the entire article but I got the Gist of it.

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I am hating you to bald.

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Originally Posted by Dex

http://www.myconfinedspace.com/water....thumbnail.jpg

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Originally Posted by T Park

:lol now thats a funny picture

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What he said. :lol

Hey bottomtooth, you know Bonner is 15 right, would be a little tough for Gist to have that number :)

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Originally Posted by T Park

Hey bottomtooth, you know Bonner is 15 right, would be a little tough for Gist to have that number :)

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Foreshadowing a trade? CIA Bottomtooth.

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Originally Posted by T Park

Hey bottomtooth, you know Bonner is 15 right, would be a little tough for Gist to have that number :)

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Originally Posted by Darkwaters

Foreshadowing a trade? CIA Bottomtooth.

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Nuff said. :hat

I'd say more like wishful thinking :lol

:lol

James Wh... uh... Gist!

Hey Mr Bottomtooth, gratz on breaking 10,000 posts... :toast

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Originally Posted by Mr.Bottomtooth

He told The Diamondback in a recent article, “I'm a defender; I look to defend the [small forward position]. Come in and guard the Tracy McGradys of the league, the Kobe Bryants."

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:tu

This would be good if he pans out in the summer league to make the roster...we will need someone to replace Bowen once he retires; which might be in a couple of seasons given his age. I thought Udoka would maybe be the one to do it, but we saw how Kobe ate him up...

A Bruce Bowen replacement who might be able to add the corner 3 (via Chip) and can slam dunk like that... :drool:

Of course, we're probably being too optimistic and he won't even make the team, but it would be nice.

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Originally Posted by SPURSGOAT

Hey Mr Bottomtooth, gratz on breaking 10,000 posts... :toast

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thanks :toast