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Gist is more explosive athletically but Linton was further along in his transition to small forward. Good comparison, though.
James Gist III = Linton Johnson III ?
Gist is more explosive athletically but Linton was further along in his transition to small forward. Good comparison, though.
Lots of players have some flaws in their games.
Remember that Bruce has no handling skills, no rebounds, no steals nor the ability to drive or hit the short jumper. His perimeter offense is limited to 3s--and sometimes he's either off target or too passive to take the shot. Yet his other skills make him a starter.
So this kid has some tools that might make him a keeper.
I think he's got a better than typical shot at winding up on the Spurs due to the fact that his body type and skill set fill a gaping hole for the Spurs.
Even if he doesn't make the active roster, I expect him to be with this team for a year, in the D-league at least.
The thing about this kid is...he improved every year of college. That's notable when you are talking about a project...and it's not that common.
Most of the time projects are guys that aren't improving for whatever reason...this guy did show improvement which means he does respond to coaching, and he's willing to work to improve rather than just thinking his talent will be enough.
When you have a talented guy that is coachable and continually improves, you have a guy with a good shot at reaching his potential.
So is the prevailing notion that Hairston stands a better chance of making it than does Gist?
I think the opposite. Gist has more potential to be tapped, Hairston has a more limited set and any free agent veteran can give you similar things.
I think Gist has a better chance at impressing and making the team over Hairston. He'll be with the Toro's, of course, but I think he'll make the better impression over Hairston.
I agree.
That's the conclusion I came to after re-reading their bios. It seems that Hairston has a bit more "warts" than does Gist. It'll be an interesting summer.
I'm sure the Spurs will also be scouting the waiver wire for scraps (2nd rounders and undrafted FAs) that fall by the way side - as most team will be.
Calathes and Dove spring immediately to mind, but other teams will be trying to grab them. Let's not have a weak-ass summer league team again this year.
From what little I know right now, the SL team sounds like it will basically be the Toros plus draft picks. Should actually be a pretty cohesive squad.
I thought of both of them too. Actually I was kind of hoping that we'd pick Calathes with the 57 but I think I prefer Gist now that I compare the two.
Still, either Dove, Calathes, or both in SL would be great.
I love this pick. Guy busts his ass every play, and can help eventually in many areas. I dont know if he will make the squad, but Im hoping. He could be a solid contributor in a couple of years.
Last edited by mardigan; 06-27-2008 at 06:58 PM.
this guy remind me keon clark in a different position
the style of play and also physically
if he can rebounds , block shots , defend and add some offense he could be interesting for the toros next year
http://www.nbadraft.net/2008_nbapred...aluations.html
Gist started off like gangbusters with 16 points in his first game on 5-8 from the floor and 6-6 from the line. Unfortunately he his a major cold spell from the field going a combined 5-18 in the final two, averaging just 5.5 in those games. The absence of the team's top floor general Jamar Butler made things more challenging for guys like Gist to get buckets. He's a freakish athlete having converted one of the most spectacular dunks of the college basketball season and is the type of specimen that should be able to find a role (poor man's Rodman) in the league even if his offensive game never vastly improves. Gist should find a spot in the early-mid second round.
Last edited by A.H 21-50; 06-27-2008 at 12:56 PM.
Having been to every Terps home game the past 3 years, I can say that this was a damn good pick at that point in the draft.
James improved vastly from his sop re to his senior year. He was initially just an athlete who could dunk with the best of them, but at this point his shot has developed nicely, and he's become a really solid defensive player (he was VERY soft his sop re year, which was the first year he started).
People underrate his jumper a lot; with a year or 2 of NBA workouts and coaching I can easily see him being a threat with the jump shot. Probably not from NBA 3 range, but he was getting to the point where he was a decent shooter from behind the arc in college, so the jumper from a step or 2 inside the arc is definitely a shot he should eventually be effective with.
And, you all know this already, but the guy is just a SICK athlete.
This isn't coming from a blind homer either, I'm actually rather notorious on the Terps boards for being negative. I really think this is a good pick for you guys.
He does tend to disappear at times, but in a situation when he's a role player instead of "the man", I think it's a lot less of an issue. James is really smart, a great guy, and can be intense, but I don't see him as someone who would lead a team. That hurt him a lot more at Maryland than it will hurt him in San Antonio.
Another thing worth noting is that the strength & conditioning program at Maryland has been pathetic. The S&C coach was just fired a few weeks ago, and it was staggering how poorly some of our players developed physically. That said, I wouldn't worry too much about how James is a bit thin/weak. Get him in a good NBA program, and he should put on the muscle he needs. Ultimately, I still see him as a guy who can be a effective as a 3 in big lineups and as a 4 in smaller ones.
Nice pick.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWH5NhkfjbE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkZSv...eature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1q3Lr8bNepQ
And a little bit from his workout for Portland: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DmJL9qKnAw
Thanks for the info.
Yeah I'm excited about him as well. Lots of great possibilities with that guy, hopefully he makes the team.
I would say yes...
Hairston has a more NBA-ready game than Gist. And the Spurs seem to have drafted with that philosophy in mind considering the first two picks made.
If Hairston can show some consistency, I see him getting a two-year min deal with the second year partially guaranteed.
Do you think Spurs will try to turn him into a long SF or will they keep him at the PF spot ?
Let him play either or.
Seems he has the ability to switch between positions.
He's got the athleticism to potentially play the 3, but according to all the scouting I've read, he has no range on his jumpshot and can't dribble the ball.
And he's too small to make a living at the 4.
Right now, he's a "tweener" in a negative way.
He was taking a couple of college threes a game this season and made 31% of them.
I think his size is great for a running PF. There are plenty of NBA PFs with equal or less size. Could use a little bulk, but a few months with Sully should help.
I think if he really worked on his game, Gist could potentially turn out to be a lesser version of Travis Outlaw, with more of an inside game. I'm not sure if he can develop an outside game, but if he can get some midrange in his arsenal then I like the possibilities.
I see Gist as a SF in this league, or a small ball 4
You can do that bu it will likely end up as Gist being able to play neither SF or PF.
I pretty much think Spurs have to decide if they want him as a PF or as a SF and depending on their choice, working on specific aspects with him.
Hopefully the Toros' personnel situation will be a little more stable than this past season. There were too many guys playing out of the position in which the Spurs wanted them to develop.
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