Gist thread!
Too lazy to look up Pop's quote, but I seem to recall back in '06 that he wanted to find a "Derrick McKey-type" player. Basically a forward who can guard both forward positions (quick enough to step out on the perimeter and guard 3s, physical enough to bang inside against 4s), rebound decently, and offensively someone who could step outside and score. Granted, it's summerleague, but Gist's game seems to match rather well.
If you think about it, Gist would be the type of "long 3" the Spurs would want in their system. One who can defend the 3, be a small ball 4, shoot the 3, block shots, and rebound.
That's right. I have wondered if the paradigm has changed, since the Spurs' biggest problem no longer seems to be Dallas and Dirk (for whom the McKey-type seemed specifically needed). With the way the league is moving, though, I could still see the need for that sort of a player -- I'd just be very surprised if James Gist is that guy.
True. He's still a longshot, but if the Spurs intend to continue to use IR and assignments to the Toros to develop young players, he's a worthy candidate all things considered.
:merge [thread]The Gist[/thread]
As I pointed out in another thread, the one thing he seems to have on McKey is that he appears to have a more consistent motor than McKey ever had. This dude plays hard all the time. When he's on the floor, he makes his presence felt.
The fact that he has the potential ability to guard both the 3 & 4 spots, is a HUGE feather in his cap, IMO. Especially, since Pop has utilized more "small-ball" lineups than he ever has before.
i have NO DOUBT that unless he busts the rests of his opportunities he'll get a contract with us and he will be a posibility to match up with: Odom, West and Dirk![]()
Well as a Spurs fan you can only hope that he turns out to be the "long 3" the Spurs are looking for. He has the physical tools to make it in the NBA but there is still a lot of work to do. If he continues to play like that the Spurs will certainly try to develop him. Chip can work on his shot with him and Bowen can teach him some defensive tricks. I could imagine him on the Spurs roster at the beginning of the season. But it is probably a little too early to tell. We'll see what happens.
Yeah, Pop has been looking for McKey's clone as Ponce de Leon once looked for the Fountain of Youth. Gist doesn't score as well as Derrick did (I won't use the "Poor Man's" analogy) nor has he shown he can defend as well, yet, but Gist can really jump and contribute. He fits a combo 4 role better than Matt Bonner does obviously.
Right now, I'd say Gist fills roster slot #14.
Couldn't agree more. , he could hardly do any worse than Oberto, Horry, Thomas or any other defender that Pop threw at them (not named Bowen). Even though he's raw, I'd love him match up against these guys.
He obviously has a lot to learn and will need to work hard to refine his defensive technique, but with good coaching, his natural ability and his apparent willingness to be play defense, I'm sure he'll be a demon at that end of the court.
Unless his development takes a hockey stick path between now and late October, he'll be on his way to Austin then. There's always the possibility of a mid-season call-up due to injuries or what not else.
But the players fitting the McKey profile and available to the Spurs are few and far between in today's NBA. Yes, someone who can defend big, long, and quick forwards like Odom, West, and Nowitzki would be a great addition to the team, but there's a ways to go before Gist becomes that player.
By the way, does anyone know if Gist is a legit 6'9"?
I believe he's closer to 6'8" w/o shoes.
As long as he learns how to defend those type of players mentioned above, he'l' be a great addition to this team. His offense is just gravy as far as I am concerned.
Mckey no I dont see the comparison, I see a D West type but better defender.....but it will take some time. West was a very poor shooter his first four years, two years ago the Hornets wanted to trade him for almost nothing and could not get an offer.
To his credit he worked alot on his shot, Gist is an Ok shooter but his mechanics are real bad. Hard work with our shooting coach and he could be a steal.
They wanted to trade the Most Improved Player two years ago? You sure about that? Your description of David West is not what I know, at all. His rookie season was so-so and his 2nd year he was injured but the past three seasons have been stellar. David did improve his shooting but he's always been a good shooter for a Big, even in college.
6-8.5 with shoes.....tweener ht.........same as D West, B Diaw, spurs want him to be a SF.
who's #15? hairston?
Hornets offered him up on draft night after his second and third season for a first round pick. They feared his game would not translate to the NBA at PF where they wanted to play him.
This was brought up several times in the playoffs about how he was killing teams that refused to trade for him. One trade had LA Lakers trading K Brown for D West and cash..........the lakers refused. Thank God.
TBA ...not sure. Off-season isn't over.
Are you sure that wasn't after his 2nd season? He was MIP in 2005-6 (3rd season).
One of Spurs weakness these past years was that they had no ones to defend on quick bigmen. This year with Mahinmi and Gist, they have some players to defend on this kind of players. If one or both pan out, it will really help Spurs.
Im sorry you are right after second season.
In all honesty he probably isn't ready for minutes with the Spurs just yet. But, I think by the time the season rolls around he may be able to contribute defensively. His offensive game is a ways off, but he has shown range through the first 3 games.
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