Ellis: Spurs International Prospects

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Originally Posted by whottt

I've seen Mahinimi play.

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so did I.
unfortunatly more than once this season, I wish he didn't have joined a Euroleague team, then I wouldn't have seen him.
I never doubted that he has NBA level athleticismn.
I doubt that he has NBA level skills.
I see us make the same discussion 2 years from now.
even then some will claim, that he is young and raw, but has the body.

and btw. he isn't 7 foot like Petro.
he is 6-9 at best.
an athletic 7 foot guy doesn't need much skills to end up in the NBA and have a mediocre career.
a 6-9 player should have, athletic or not.

I'm looking forward to the 2007 draft hoping Spurs will finally get back the Karma of the before 2003 years and pick some guys that are worth talking and speculating about.
two decent picks and hopefully a final solution for Scola (either sign him or trade his rights) and I guarrantee, that in two years people won't evenremamber that we own the Mahinmi rights.

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Originally Posted by whottt

He's jumped up a level in league and he is struggling making the adjustment against more talented players...minutes will fix this...but now, he's in sit, watch and learn mode...and Pau will be the better for it next season.

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Pau isn't sure at all to play the euroleague next season.
They had to win the french league to participate at next year euroleague.
If Pau isn't qualified for the euroleague, Mahinmi will have to choice between staying with them and playing only the french league, signing with a new euroleague team or signing with Spurs.

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Originally Posted by mountainballer

and btw. he isn't 7 foot like Petro.
he is 6-9 at best.

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:rolleyes
Mahinmi is at least a legit 6'10".

Send both Scola and Mahinmi to the D-League.

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Originally Posted by #1elliottfan

Send both Scola and Mahinmi to the D-League.

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Scola has nothing to do in D-League.

Heard 6'10 and three-quarters at his pre-draft workout. He should be hovering around 7' when he's fully grown.

About his on-court time for Pau. The foul-trouble that plagued him in the Summer League didn't disappear. Even if the opportunity was available for him to play more, he would still take himself out of the game with his propensity to foul. It's a problem...

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Originally Posted by Bruno

Scola has nothing to do in D-League.

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If the Spurs were to sign Scola, he would be the Horry replacement, but would they develop him how they did with Oberto last year or put him in the rotation already?

The only thing about bringing Mahinmi over next year is that he will certainly be a d-leaguer, but will still count against the roster, of which the Spurs only have 15 spots. Guys like Finley, Barry, Oberto, and Elson all have guaranteed contracts that run through next year. That, plus the potential of three draft picks (at least one a guaranteed contract if it's not a draft & stash). I just don't see the room for Mahinmi next season. I think he doesn't come over until 2008.

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Originally Posted by PHAT TONY

The only thing about bringing Mahinmi over next year is that he will certainly be a d-leaguer, but will still count against the roster, of which the Spurs only have 15 spots. Guys like Finley, Barry, Oberto, and Elson all have guaranteed contracts that run through next year. That, plus the potential of three draft picks (at least one a guaranteed contract if it's not a draft & stash). I just don't see the room for Mahinmi next season. I think he doesn't come over until 2008.

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I thought there was a team option for Oberto after this season.

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Originally Posted by #1elliottfan

If the Spurs were to sign Scola, he would be the Horry replacement, but would they develop him how they did with Oberto last year or put him in the rotation already?

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He might not go in the rotation, but I doubt they would put him in the D-League. Oberto rode the pine all of his first year, but he spent it with the team.

About his on-court time, how much he plays would depend on the Spurs' needs and his ability to adapt to the NBA game.

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Originally Posted by #1elliottfan

I thought there was a team option for Oberto after this season.

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Player option...he might utilize it if he's out of the rotation, but its a guaranteed $2.5M, would you walk away?

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Originally Posted by PHAT TONY

Player option...he might utilize it if he's out of the rotation, but its a guaranteed $2.5M, would you walk away?

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Convince him he's worth $3M. Anything to get him off.

Oberto can opt out too to get more money if he continues to get some playtime this year.
When I see what contracts Voskhul and Othella Harrington have received last summer, I can see some teams offering a multiyear contract with more than $2M per year.

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Originally Posted by #1elliottfan

Convince him he's worth $3M. Anything to get him off.

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Agreed. I can only handle two Argentinians on the Spurs at once, so if they bring Scola on, or try to go after Nocioni, I'm gonna need Oberto to skip town.

Argentinians.... :lol

Just kidding, don't be offended ye people of Argentina...

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Originally Posted by Kori Ellis

Scola might be good:)

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Sounds like only Scola may be useful within the next tw0-three years. The rest of these guys are chronic pine-riders who can't even start...er make that...get into serious minutes in the rotations for their Euro teams.

That fact alone virtually eliminates them from serious consideration.

I think Ian's game, more specific his defense, would translate better to the NBA than in an International League. The structure of the game is based differently than the NBA, which is why America suffered during the Olympics. Also considering other International teams have been under this system for quite some time. That being said, Ian's foul trouble doesn't concern me. Yeah, he did have trouble in summer league. I do believe the Euroleague will benefit his abililty to withstand foul trouble, as the officiating tends to be quite sensitive.

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Originally Posted by #1elliottfan

If the Spurs were to sign Scola, he would be the Horry replacement, but would they develop him how they did with Oberto last year or put him in the rotation already?

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Horry is retiring in the offseason anyways.
besides Scola won´t be your tipical just out of college roockie.

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Originally Posted by PHAT TONY

Agreed. I can only handle two Argentinians on the Spurs at once, so if they bring Scola on, or try to go after Nocioni, I'm gonna need Oberto to skip town.

Argentinians.... :lol

Just kidding, don't be offended ye people of Argentina...

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I agree about Fabricio Leaving the spurs though,As much as I respect Oberto,I don´t think he can do any better tham what he already did so far.he´s got a spurs all times record already anyways(12/12 fg% in a game vs the suns)
But I really think the spurs need a bigger stronger and faster center tham him.

If Oberto leaves it's probably to go back to Europe. I see him spending his dowager years anchoring some Euroleague team, perhaps off the bench for stretches.

if scola is not playing the NBA next season, i'm going to be pissed. even more pissed than i was this past off season from the ineptness demonstrated by the spurs front office.

He can even be a decent backup Center for a shity NBA team,but the spurs need someone else in order to fight for the NBA title.

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Originally Posted by #1elliottfan

Send both Scola and Mahinmi to the D-League.

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That'd be hilarious. Scola would score about 55 ppg and kill random passers-by every game out of rage.

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Originally Posted by JPB

In fact, I'm really wondering if it wouldn't be better for him to come next year. He might not be ready but I think it would be better for him to developp in the US than in europe which may not be made for his game and his physical characteristics.

Problem is, spurs couldn't afford to use a spot for a player who wouldn't really contribute and he wouldn't go in the NBDL.

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:toast Couldn't agree with you more on your first paragraph. :toast

They all sound like bust except for maybe Scola. RC needs to give some of his salary back.

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They all sound like bust except for maybe Scola

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yeah them 20 year olds, give up on em.

:lol

fucking idiots.

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Originally Posted by Mr. Body

Didn't they bother to examine Mahinmi's basketball IQ when salivating over his potential? He's a nice guy and all, but doesn't seem to understand the game all that well, the amount he fouls.

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Tall talk from someone who wanted us to spend the whole MLE on Roberto Javtokas. And I bet you haven't even seen Ian play, either :rolleyes