Mahinmi wants to show why he can join Spurs

[Solid D]

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



Mike Monroe - Express-News

LAS VEGAS — When the Spurs’ Ian Mahinmi heard reports that Tiago Splitter, the 7-footer the Spurs took in the first round in 2007, was going to stay in Spain, his emotions were mixed.

“That was bad for the Spurs,” Mahinmi said, a trace of a smile creeping up on the corners of his mouth, “but a big opportunity for me.”

What Mahinmi, a 21-year-old, 6-foot-11 center-forward, does this summer is vital for a team that hopes to build a future foundation while retaining its status as one of the NBA’s elite.

Indeed, nothing is quite as important for the Spurs in the summer league as getting a feel for what they can expect next season from Mahinmi, their first-round pick in the 2005 draft.

Mahinmi remains a work in progress. He has the size and athleticism to become a solid contributor in the NBA, but still has much to learn. Though he played four seasons with pro teams in France before signing a rookie-scale contract with the Spurs last summer, his NBA résumé consists of six games, during which he scored 21 points and grabbed five rebounds.

A season with the Austin Toros of the NBA’s Development League was encouraging. Mahinmi averaged 17.1 points and 8.2 rebounds and helped the Toros reach the D-League’s championship series.

This summer, with regular-rotation big men Kurt Thomas and Robert Horry both unrestricted free agents, the Spurs hope to learn enough about Mahinmi to know whether he merits a spot on the 12-man roster or needs more development in Austin.

Thus far, coach Gregg Popovich likes what Mahinmi has shown in Las Vegas.

“I continue to be impressed with his progress,” Popovich said after the Spurs defeated the New York Knicks in a Wednesday afternoon game here. “The first day I saw him here, up to now, I’d say he’s made significant progress. His understanding of the game, his physical body, his skill set, and his ability to understand  team defense have improved.”

Mahinmi and 2008 first-round pick George Hill were the only Spurs summer leaguers who averaged more than 30 minutes in the first three games. Popovich and summer league head coach Mike Budenholzer held both players out of Thursday’s game against the Suns.

In his three games in Las Vegas, Mahinmi averaged 14.0 points, but the Spurs didn’t travel to the desert hoping to see offense.

“His role for us, whether he plays a lot now, or in the future, is going to be running the floor, rebounding the basketball at both ends, and blocking shots,” Popovich said.

Mahinmi improved with the Toros, and Austin’s proximity to San Antonio allowed him occasional visits to the Spurs’ practice facility to work out with his NBA teammates.

Now Mahinmi has high expectations for the 2008-09 season, understanding he has not yet guaranteed his spot on the 12-man roster.

“Yes, I have high expectations,” he said. “I want to try to be a big rotation guy for that team. That’s what I want: to come out and bring high energy, my young blood. I want to bring defense, running, blocked shots and defensive presence.”

Quin Snyder, the Toros’ head coach, said he watched Mahinmi improve in each of those areas during 45 regular season games, and four playoff games, he played for Austin.

“I think the biggest thing was that he got to play a lot of minutes,” Snyder said. “It’s that, more than anything, that allowed him to learn at udes about the game. He got to experience both success and failure, and how to handle them.”

Mahinmi admits he will be disappointed if the Spurs coaches don’t deem him ready for prime time. Yet he understands he must earn his chance.

“I’m so much more prepared,” he said. “Two years ago I thought I was ready, but I was definitely not ready then. Playing all those games in D-League, and being with the (Spurs) at the end of the season, seeing how you’ve really, really got to adjust yourself for those 82 games and that it’s really, really, really tough, that helped me know what I must do.”

[usckk]

“His role for us, whether he plays a lot now, or in the future, is going to be running the floor, rebounding the basketball at both ends, and blocking shots,” Popovich said.

“Yes, I have high expectations,” he said. “I want to try to be a big rotation guy for that team. That’s what I want: to come out and bring high energy, my young blood. I want to bring defense, running, blocked shots and defensive presence.”


Looks like they are on the same page. However, I wonder why Pop didn't mention anything about his offense. Does that mean he doesn't think he will be able to score in the NBA level?

[Big P]

“His role for us, whether he plays a lot now, or in the future, is going to be running the floor, rebounding the basketball at both ends, and blocking shots,” Popovich said.

“Yes, I have high expectations,” he said. “I want to try to be a big rotation guy for that team. That’s what I want: to come out and bring high energy, my young blood. I want to bring defense, running, blocked shots and defensive presence.”


Looks like they are on the same page. However, I wonder why Pop didn't mention anything about his offense. Does that mean he doesn't think he will be able to score in the NBA level?

IMO, he was/is so raw, the coaches taught him the overall feel for the game mainly from a defensive standpoint, his offense wiil happen by itself in due time...like he said, running, block shots, defensive presence, etc. that is what the team needs him for...if he progresses quickly offensively, then its a bonus.

[HarlemHeat37]

when you're playing with Duncan, Manu and Parker, you don't need to score on your own..all he has to do offensively is dunk and finish IMO..

[Solid D]

I think it means that Ian will need to be a good defender in the paint and play well in transition, especially defensively. I think Nazr Mohammad had that role, as did Elson, as did Kevin Willis and as did David Robinson in his last couple of seasons with the Spurs.

[timvp]

Sounds like he has a good at ude. He has shown glimpses in summer league of being a very skilled player. The question is whether or not he's ready right now. I'm not sold that he's ready but I think the Spurs should give him a long look in training camp, preseason and the early regular season before determining that for sure.

Pop and Mahinmi both talked about him being a shotblocker but ever since he went to Austin last year, it's like they took away his shotblocking instincts. He used to try to block everything, now he rarely tries to block anything. I realize that was due to foul trouble in the D-League but I'm not sure that was the way to go about it.

He's a very intriguing prospect with a very high ceiling. His ability to score for a bigman is rare to find. He's not that great of a rebounder yet but that could come in time.

Overall, I'm pretty happy with what I've seen out of him in summer league. He hasn't dominated but he's shown enough moments of competence. My biggest criticism is that he looks bored at times playing in summer league ... which is both good news and bad news at the same time. Everyone around him is fighting to put food on the table and Mahinmi sometimes goes through the motions. Once he goes up against a higher compe ion level, that could change.

Mahinmi played really well last year in preseason and his early play in garbage time during the regular season. This year he should look even better and has a chance to stick with the big boys.

[jason1301]

“His role for us, whether he plays a lot now, or in the future, is going to be running the floor, rebounding the basketball at both ends, and blocking shots,” Popovich said.

“Yes, I have high expectations,” he said. “I want to try to be a big rotation guy for that team. That’s what I want: to come out and bring high energy, my young blood. I want to bring defense, running, blocked shots and defensive presence.”


Looks like they are on the same page. However, I wonder why Pop didn't mention anything about his offense. Does that mean he doesn't think he will be able to score in the NBA level?

you answered your own question, i was tinking the same thing though. Ian doesn't seem to be an offensive genious, when spurs drafted him they were looking for someone to rebound, block and run.

If along the way Ian proves he can be a scorer that's a plus.

[DespЏrado]

I am absolutely routing for Ian to take all of his athletic ability, his eagerness to learn, and raw talent to a whole other level. Because in a best case scenario he could be an absolute stud in this league, as good as Dwight Howard, Amare Stoudemire, or David West. I truly believe that is his ceiling.

Sadly, I just don't see the determination coming from him to propel him that high. But I guess it could still go either way for him, he could be as bad as Elson or just a poor man's Rasho (who couldn't score the points he was capable of next to Duncan) or he could find a way of pushing himself above and beyond their meager contributions.

Who knows maybe Pop can motivate him the way motivated Tony.

But as it stands I think the very best that we could hope for from Ian is a defensive presence like Rasho to put next to Duncan with the offensive skills of a younger Camby.

[rj215]

I am absolutely routing for Ian to take all of his athletic ability, his eagerness to learn, and raw talent to a whole other level. Because in a best case scenario he could be an absolute stud in this league, as good as Dwight Howard, Amare Stoudemire, or David West. I truly believe that is his ceiling.

Sadly, I just don't see the determination coming from him to propel him that high. But I guess it could still go either way for him, he could be as bad as Elson or just a poor man's Rasho (who couldn't score the points he was capable of next to Duncan) or he could find a way of pushing himself above and beyond their meager contributions.

Who knows maybe Pop can motivate him the way motivated Tony.

But as it stands I think the very best that we could hope for from Ian is a defensive presence like Rasho to put next to Duncan with the offensive skills of a younger Camby.

???????????????????????

[Cant_Be_Faded]

Ian needs to bring the THUNDER for the rest of this summer league. I want to see him ruthlessly score in people's dumbfounded grills. I want to see him block the crap outta some weak ass Kevin Lovesque hookshot.
He's been way too tentative and soft thus far, IMO.

[T Park]

Yes because summer league is oh so important.

[mystargtr34]

I posted this in another thread, not sure why.. anyway

I admire Ian's confidence, and hope he proves me dead wrong - but i cant see him being a vital role player this season. He seems too raw still, although the potential is there.

Having said that, its time to sink or swim... i dont think we have any other choice but to let him play, the FO decided against bigs in the draft, and could have had some bigs with a LLE deal and decided against it.

A Thomas/Oberto/Bonner combination wont get it done, alongside Duncan.

On a side note, what other bigs are still available for our LLE or the vet minimum....

Alonzo Mourning - Long shot but another guy who can protect the rim... but i dont think hes leaving Miami if he decides to play another year.

Francisco Elson - Live with the good and the bad, someone who can run the floor.

Theo Ratliff - Rim protector, still more athletic than Oberto and Thomas combined, good for 10-15 minutes as the 5th big

Maybe the Spurs look at Randolph Morris from the Knicks as a Mahinmi replacement in the D-League... project player and see how he pans out in the future... obviously right now theres more important things for the FO to consider.

[JPB]

Ian is saying what you expect he would.

But sending him back to Austin next year would certainly kill his goodwill.

Sure, last year allowed him to get familiar with US BB and environment. But the level of compe ion and his role with the toros doesn't match with the ones he'd face in NBA

He has to be in spurs roster next year to begin to learn his role (defense, running, blocking) and face real compe ion. He would not be asked to take care of the score.

SL games doesn't necesserely mean much in terms of how a player would do.
You can judge his overall at ude and skills but you can't really predict what player he will be.

[DespЏrado]

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Sorry I didn't make myself clear or do you just not agree?

Camby at his peak scored 14 a game but was never the focus of his teams offense, but he could put up pretty regular point totals.
Rasho was a pretty good paint defender but wasn't completely mobile enough to be a great defender.

Ian I think might be able to contribute that in terms of (Camby like) offense and (Rasho like) defense if he can see enough playing time. But it is really difficult to project whether he will even be that good.

He definitely has the potential to be an impact player. I just haven't seen him do anything that says he will earn playing time away from Oberto and Thomas though.

[wisnub]

Thats right....finish Duncan's garbage balls..energy guy with strong second chance points is what we need!!! Ian is good with FT too. if only he develop jumper, he will produce alongside DUncan. DOnt forget to dunk with authority too...Its time for Spurs to be an EXCITING TEAM and enough of old propaganda from media

[angelbelow]

i love it.

[GSH]

Start by giving him some credit for the fact that he really wants to be here.

He's stuck with the Spurs' program, which says a lot about his level of commitment. A lot of guys with his raw talent and athleticism wouldn't be doing interviews about how much they needed to learn.

I wonder if he is ever going to be able to pack on the kind of bulk that most would like to see. I think he is going to turn 22 this year, which means he is old enough to start bulking up, if he is ever going to. Maybe Roger Clemens has something left in his medicine chest.

Pop says that Mahinmi's role will be to run the floor, play D, and snag rebounds. The one thing I wish, more than anything else, is that we had someone playing opposite Tim that could get to the line 4-5 times per game. Not for the points, but because of what it would do for Duncan. If they are forced to respect him enough to foul him, it means they aren't collapsing on Tim all the time. Even in Robinson's last season, he got to the line more than anyone we have had since.

[mrspurs]

Sounds like he has a good at ude. He has shown glimpses in summer league of being a very skilled player. The question is whether or not he's ready right now. I'm not sold that he's ready but I think the Spurs should give him a long look in training camp, preseason and the early regular season before determining that for sure.

Pop and Mahinmi both talked about him being a shotblocker but ever since he went to Austin last year, it's like they took away his shotblocking instincts. He used to try to block everything, now he rarely tries to block anything. I realize that was due to foul trouble in the D-League but I'm not sure that was the way to go about it.

He's a very intriguing prospect with a very high ceiling. His ability to score for a bigman is rare to find. He's not that great of a rebounder yet but that could come in time.

Overall, I'm pretty happy with what I've seen out of him in summer league. He hasn't dominated but he's shown enough moments of competence. My biggest criticism is that he looks bored at times playing in summer league ... which is both good news and bad news at the same time. Everyone around him is fighting to put food on the table and Mahinmi sometimes goes through the motions. Once he goes up against a higher compe ion level, that could change.

Mahinmi played really well last year in preseason and his early play in garbage time during the regular season. This year he should look even better and has a chance to stick with the big boys.

if he doesnt and turns into just another fab......imo the west top tiers will be making fun of duncan and having their way more then they did last season....and i thought last seasons inside game was as bad as it gets when your the defending champ....

[picnroll]

Somebody explain to me why the Spurs are trying to develop Mahinmi on offense into a low post, back to the basket, post up scorer. This kid is never going to have a lot of weight or a big base. NEVER. This is like trying to make Bosh, Camby, or Chandler back to basket post up players.

[JPB]

what Ian could bring over Fabio and Thomas is running with Tony.

Plus one or two 100% french alley-oops here or there a la Paul-Chandler.

I don't think people realize how alone TP is on the break in this team. There's no PG in this league more isolated than him on fast breaks. The good thing is that it's forced/allowed him to become a great finisher.

[MoSpur]

I'm anxious to see him play in pre-season.

[Bartleby]

The one thing I wish, more than anything else, is that we had someone playing opposite Tim that could get to the line 4-5 times per game.

FWIW, that's about the number of times he has been getting to the line this summer. Although it's difficult to say how much his ability to draw fouls during SL play will carry over to actual NBA games, it seems he is on the right track (and his 83% FT percentage is a nice plus).

[nkdlunch]

I think Ian is a sure to get minutes this season. So he is saving his best stuff for regular season.

[nfg3]

He shows a very good at ude and hopes he becomes the type of player the Spurs need. Be a "DRob Jr." so to say and right now that might be a bit if a stretch. Leave the bulk of the scoring to our Big 3, play D, rebound, run the floor and get some garbage points and an occasional designed offensive play here and there. If this comes true then we have gotten better in the 5 spot.

Now .... another swingman please

[Ocotillo]

He needs to succeed so he can be nicknamed the "Eiffel Tower".