Monroe: Spurs' second-round picks have lot to prove

[Blackjack]

Spurs' second-round picks have lot to prove
By Mike Monroe

LAS VEGAS — The Spurs tell all their summer league players they can’t shoot their way on to the team’s NBA roster.

What is important isn’t scoring. It’s playing team basketball at both ends of the court and competing.

On the other hand, if you are a second-round pick, it is not a good idea to miss all your shots.

Little wonder, then, that Malik Hairston, the guard-forward from Oregon the Spurs acquired in a draft-night swap of second-rounders with the Phoenix Suns, fretted that film of his very first game in silver and black might haunt him for the rest of the summer.

“I’m sure he hopes somebody will burn the film of the first game,” said Spurs assistant coach Mike Budenholzer, in charge of the summer league squad, “and nobody will ever see it again.”

Hairston took six shots in that first game, Monday night against the Memphis Grizzlies, and missed all six. He looked lost at both ends of the court. He improved a bit in Tuesday’s game against the New Orleans Hornets, making three of six shots, and a little more in Wednesday’s game against the New York Knicks, when he made four of six shots in an 82-67 victory.

“The first day,” he said, “was just one of those things. I was just glad to get it over with.”

Hairston and fellow second-rounder James Gist, a 6-foot-9 forward from Maryland, know they have plenty to prove to the Spurs coaches if they expect NBA contracts.

Gist had a second consecutive double-double in Wednesday’s game, getting 10 points and 10 rebounds after scoring 14 and grabbing 11 rebounds in Tuesday’s game against the Hornets.

The Spurs expected Gist to rebound and defend, and have been happy to see his willingness to shoot from the perimeter. He has made 13 of 23 shots in three games, and 11 of his shots have come outside 15 feet.

“It’s something I really worked on to become a bigger threat,” Gist said, “and then use that to get to the rim. When you can knock down that shot consistently, it makes you much more a threat on offense, and that’s what I want to improve on.”

Still, it’s Gist’s physicality and effort are what figure to give him his best shot at making the squad.

“Today, James wasn’t quite as good,” Budenholzer said, “but the first two games he was just outstanding, as far as activity and effort. He has a knack about him. He’s compe ive and energetic and his teammates love playing with him. He’s one of those guys who can really help his team change a game in summer league with his energy and activity. He’s been phenomenal.

“I thought, coming in, he was a decent shooter, but I’ve been a little surprised he’s shot it as well as he has. He’s had a few good days of it. He’s got a chance to be a decent shooter. We want him to shoot. I do think he needs to mix in driving and attacking a little bit more. He may be shooting a few too many jump shots, but I’m happy he’s got the confidence to take them. He knows what he has to do that to make it in the league.”

Gist’s goal for the remainder of the summer compe ion — the Spurs play their final game in Sin City tonight before moving to Salt Lake City for games in the Rocky Mountain Revue — is simple: Help the summer leaguers get victories by doing what he does.

“I’m not sure yet I’ve impressed anybody,” he said after Wednesday’s game. “I just want to play my game and do everything I can to help my team win. I want to play defense with energy and rebound the ball and start the break, and when I get them, knock down open shots.”

The Spurs on Wednesday won with relative ease because their inside players, Gist, Ian Mahinmi and Roger Powell, dominated the Knicks’ undersized front line players. Mahinmi had 14 points and 11 rebounds, but missed seven of 11 shots. Powell, who has some NBA experience, scored 15.

George Hill, the Spurs’ first-round draftee, had another rocky game at the offensive end of the court, missing all six of his shots. He is 0 for 16 in his last two games, and 2 for 25 in the summer league.

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/s...und_picks.html

[timvp]

“Today, James wasn’t quite as good,” Budenholzer said, “but the first two games he was just outstanding, as far as activity and effort. He has a knack about him. He’s compe ive and energetic and his teammates love playing with him. He’s one of those guys who can really help his team change a game in summer league with his energy and activity. He’s been phenomenal.

Well said

Gist has been all the Spurs could have hoped for so far. It's a major long shot that he can earn rotation minutes this season but he's at least on the right path. At the very least, he's a player to hold on to.

[mystargtr34]

Hes still only 21 also which should help him.

Did you get a chance to check out Marcus Williams today timvp

[Mr. Body]

I guess if you're a first round pick you can miss as many damn shots as you please.

[angelbelow]

I guess if you're a first round pick you can miss as many damn shots as you please.

true dat.

[mrspurs]

dont be scared sa....none of the guys we have on our SL roster will get anykind of minutes in the nba imo......we all know nate robinson.....nate almost went baller style basketball on our boys...good thing the knicks didnt let him...so far ian is a big disappointment in my books......the rest even though we watch and support the SL are players who dont belong on the spurs roster yet.......it sucks to have veteran players who are on their way down, and have no youth for the veterans to play next to(like duncan/robinson)...etc...its easy to see now since the SL started......FA is the only way to get good players....this past draft was loaded with scrubs imo........