Some may remember way back at the start of the season, when the Spurs pounced on James White. They - and we - were keeping a close eye on the situation with the Indiana Pacers, who had too many players on their roster and were apparently going to have to cut somebody. All signs pointed to them cutting a decent young small forward prospect, either Rawle Marshall, obtained in the trade with Dallas, or James White, a player they traded three draft picks for, who had just been drafted.
White showed some signs of resting on his laurels and at ude after signing his contract, apparently loafing in preseason. Marshall was outproducing him in preseason games - obviously his familiarity with the NBA game played a part. With tears in his eyes, Rick Carlysle was on camera saying the team letting White go was one of the toughest decisions he had ever been part of. I wonder if he saw it as a sign of troubles ahead for the franchise.
No one picked up White off waivers - pretty much everyone's roster was full. Would the Lakers cut Aaron McKie for him? Who needed him? The Spurs played it just right, letting him clear, then signing him to a new, more favorable contract. (White got to pull a guaranteed salary plus a new non-guaranteed one.)
How are they doing now?
Rawle Marshall...
38 games, 8:54 minutes a game. 34.2 fg%, 14.3 3p%, 68.9 ft%, 0.7 rpg, 2.3 ppg.
James White...
5 games, 19:00 minutes a game. 50 fg%, 33.3 3p%, 72.7 ft%, 3 rpg, 8 ppg.
Obviously the jury is still out on these two players, but I am pleasantly surprised with White's production as of late.
White sill has many raw qualities....
An offseason with Chip, perhaps some summerleague involvement and a participation in a full training camp, plus more mentorship from Finley/Bowen/Barry/Manu will do him wonders....
Did I mention White needs to hit the weight room?
I don't think he'll ever gain weight. He has Rip Hamilton's physique, if skinnier. I've been happy with his at ude, and he seems to have a scorer's mentality along with going after it on defense. Maybe not much statwise otherwise, but that's okay.
Both Marshall and White are solid prospects. But I'm glad we got White instead of Marshall. I think he will be in the rotation next year and contribute here and there all season.
Is this the Mr. Body who likes James White or hates James White? Need to know which one I'm talking to
But yeah, White has been a surprise. With the way he's played while on the Spurs, no team would waive him.
Yea I like Marshall as well. I couldn't believe the Mavs gave him up. He has great potential but if I had to pick i'd definately take White. His athleticism alone is enough for me to take him over Marshall.
Pleasantly surprised. I do confess to letting my emotional love for the team go all over the place. I thought he was busting but it looks like he'll turn out pretty well.Is this the Mr. Body who likes James White or hates James White? Need to know which one I'm talking to
But yeah, White has been a surprise. With the way he's played while on the Spurs, no team would waive him.
At the start of the season I was comparing the guy to Devin Brown. Good athleticism, but needs to work on defense and shooting. Looks like I was somehow part-right.
Speaking of Devin...hes been on a tear recently with the Hornets.
White and Butler are the two winners of the end of the season garbage games. Udrih and Ely are the two losers of these games.
Spurs summer league team, unlike previous Spurs summer league teams, could be really interesting to follow : White, Butler, Mahinmi, Sanikidze and players from the 07 draft.
White's defensive showing this year has been the biggest surprise, probably followed by his fairly good rebounding numbers.
23 points and 10 rebounds on 53% shooting in 36 minutes for Jackie Butler after the all-star break gives me hope that the Spurs can again have a center who does more than average 5, 5 and 1.
The Mavs were in the unfortunate situation of being low on roster spots and needing to get a backup point guard. So Darrell Armstrong, Josh Powell (Another good young prospect) and Rawle Marshall got sent out for Anthony Johnson.
Armstrong went on to play pretty well, Powell's getting playing time in Golden State (Looks like he could be a Haslem type player in a couple years), and Anthony Johnson is in Atlanta.
Not a good trade for the Mavs at all.
I think we gave him up because of we drafted Maurice Ager. I liked Marshall too but I understood the trade.
Absolutely right, Beno and Ely I bet are gonners after the season. White and Butler are keepers for now.
For me, the biggest suprise concerning White has been his aggressiveness.
I read all the scouting reports that said White had unbelievable athletic ability, but that is was negated because he refused to slash into the lane and finish in traffic due to his skinny frame. That hasn't been the case at all in the times that I've seen him. He's been going to hole aggressively and either converting or looking to open up opportunities for others.
One of the biggest problems with the current Spurs team is its lack of "scorers" and abundance of "shooters". Perhaps White can be one of those much needed "scorers" in the future.
I am impressed by the softness of his shot. He seems to have good touch around the basket and a smooth release. It has led to him converting 15ft shots and baseline hookshots with regularity. It also translates to his FT shooting...100% on the season!
I also have hope that he can be the legitimate answer to the "other" big issue. Two marginal NBA guys splitting 20 minutes a piece and playing Duncan at C may be the short-term answer, but I sure as would prefer it not be the long-term one....
White's aggresiveness has been very impressive in the time he's played, but with his skinny frame he may end up being a little too light to consistently take it strong to the rim. I see him being like Manu in the sense that he'll have to develop a strong outside shot in order to stay healthy in the long run. I do like his ability to take it strong when needed, and I think his aggressiveness is what is manifesting itself into his defense, rebounding, and offensive prowess.
If only Butler were a couple of inches taller...
I think he'll always have trouble with long, athletic centers, but if he learns to use his body to his advantage he will be able to hold his own on both ends of the court with regularity. He does have a very nice scoring touch, and seeing him drain a 16 ft over the longer Gasol yesterday gives a lot of hope that he will develop a midrange shot to keep the other centers honest.
You guys worry about his weight too much. All NBA players are on weight lifting programs and have personal trainers. He isn't going to get much bigger than he already is. If he gains weight, it will only take away from his athleticism. Kevin Martin, Tayshaun Prince, and Rip Hamilton have no problem tearing up the league. Reggie Miller wasn't too shabby either.
Wasn't it just a few weeks ago that Ludden was claiming that Jackie wouldn't last much longer?
Prince is longer than White, and everyone else on there can shoot the ball well from the outside, which is what White will have to do. None of the comparable players you listed consistently attack the rim hard.
White may be skinny, but that doesn't make him frail. To my knowledge, he hasn't been an injury concern in the past. I agree that it would be in his best interest to refine his shot, but his ability to utilize his athleticism and take it to the rim is something to be coveted....especially in this league so oriented to the aggressor.
Bottom Line: White is not Shaun Livingston skinny and/or frail.
Very good point. But I think that White will be able to add a decent shot to his game. He doesn't have to be a "shooter" but just be respectable with his shot.
Kevin Martin is a great slasher, and Rip Hamilton is one of the most active players on the court coming of screens. Both see a good bit of contact on a nightly basis. Again, I agree that it's best if White learns to shoot more consistently, but his aggressiveness is key...until he gets hurt, I think he should keep at it.
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