Spurs vs Hornets Game Blog, Preseason Game 2

[timtonymanu]

Didn't Batum get drafted before Hill?

yep. Batum was 25. Hill was 26.

[Bruno]

Batum

BTW, both Batum and Hill are having a quite good preseason. They were the players targeted by Spurs with their first round pick. After all, maybe SPurs haven't lost their scouting touch.

By looking at stats,training camp invites, who were good in the first game (Hairston and Watkins), have sucked in the second game. So far, it seems that none of the 7 players without a guaranteed contract has shown that he was ahead of the others. The race for the last couple of roster spots is still wide open. If they doesn't show enough, it's also possible that Spurs keep 13 or 14 players at the end of the training camp.

[tav1]

Desmon Farmer is better than I thought. At the very least, I'd like to see him get some minutes against the opponents first squad. Farmer is borderline NBA to my eyes. He should stick somewhere.

He's playing well enough that I doubt the Toros have a legit chance, but not so well that he's a roster keeper. Hairston, Farmer, and Watkins would all make great Toros players, though.

[T Park]

Watkins I think sounds like he played well again from the reports.

[jman3000]

I went to the game last night, and I saw some stuff that made me optimistic. Even though Mason Jr. didn't shoot particularly well, he's able to create his own shot on the perimeter and even if the shot is difficult he has the abilitiy to knock it down. Besides Manu, he's the only other perimieter player who has that ability. Please don't say Parker does, because he has the ability to take it to the rim at will... he's not very good at breaking down his defender on the perimeter and taking a difficult jumper.

I liked what I saw from Hill, it appears Timmy's vertical improved from 5 inches to 6 inches (guess the off season did him good), Bowen still looked like he had his foot speed, Parker's j looked very good, and Mason looks like a solid addition that can help (or make worse) when the offense stalls...

The Spurs also trotted out a big, athletic lineup that was very 3 pointer oriented. Can't remember how it did though.


Best part of the night though was when they showed Manu on the jumbotron and the crowd began to cheer... then all of a sudden you see Duncan's hand making a thumbs down right over his face.

[T Park]

Best part of the night though was when they showed Manu on the jumbotron and the crowd began to cheer... then all of a sudden you see Duncan's hand making a thumbs down right over his face.

That's great

[SenorSpur]

I caught the "abbreviated" post-game show on WOAI last night. Assistant coach Brett Brown was on and he talked about the Spurs (Pop's) preseason philosophy, as opposed to other teams. Their formula: limited PT for vets; no B2B games for vets; insert a different set of guys into the starting lineup each game. He stated the fun part of preseason is "watching how the new guys perform in game situations against regular compe ion". To that end, he was pleased that his young guys had the chance to play against the Hornets regulars.

He went on to state flatly that "this preseason is basically an audition for the 15th roster spot". At this point, various guys are making nice cases for themselves - in practice and in games. He singled out Hairston, Farmer and Watkins for their recent performances.

Compe ion should be good going down to the wire. Can't wait for Salim to get into the mix.

[T Park]

would be interested to know who 13 and 14 are.

Obviously one is George Hill....


Mahinmi not being in there is a huge boost for Watkins.

I just would hate to lose Hairston, I just think hes got such great potential and great athletic ability at the wing position, it would be a mistake to let him go IMO.

[SenorSpur]

would be interested to know who 13 and 14 are.

Obviously one is George Hill....


Mahinmi not being in there is a huge boost for Watkins.

I just would hate to lose Hairston, I just think hes got such great potential and great athletic ability at the wing position, it would be a mistake to let him go IMO.

Couldn't agree more on Hairston. After a dismal SL showing, it appears that he's found some life. In fact, I would hate lose him and Watkins. Maybe they can ship Bonner's ass somewhere to open up a roster spot.

Brown indicated that Hairston, Hill and Tolliver have all reaped the benefits of being in the program for a full 3 months.

[T Park]

Theres no question that Hairston and Hill are the perfect young guys to bring.

Not only are they long and athletic, but they are CLEARLY coachable and want to succeed. Clearly Spurs type players, and IMO, that should seal them up.

Now would I keep Hairston on the big league team? Probobly not, I'd like to see him get 30 mins a night in Austin for half a year then bring him up and see what he has.

[tp2021]

What is this? The Spurs draft all American players in 2008, AND they may all actually be on the team in the near future?

[Ice009]

Theres no question that Hairston and Hill are the perfect young guys to bring.

Not only are they long and athletic, but they are CLEARLY coachable and want to succeed. Clearly Spurs type players, and IMO, that should seal them up.

Now would I keep Hairston on the big league team? Probobly not, I'd like to see him get 30 mins a night in Austin for half a year then bring him up and see what he has.

I don't like this 15th roster spot talk. I think two or three of these guys could make the team. That really sucks if the Spurs can only keep one of them. The Spurs should seriously consider dropping dead weight like Bonner and Vaughn if these young kids outplay them and prove they belong. I don't want to see another potential Haslem be let go.

Stoudamire is also a guy I'd like the Spurs to keep if he lights it up in the Spurs system when he gets his chance.

[Obstructed_View]

Hairston needs to go to Austin just to get into shape and stay that way during the season. He's a good athlete, but he could turn into hot-plate at any time. I think Watkins has to make the team because the Spurs need an actual shot-blocking 5.

[Ice009]

Hairston needs to go to Austin just to get into shape and stay that way during the season. He's a good athlete, but he could turn into hot-plate at any time. I think Watkins has to make the team because the Spurs need an actual shot-blocking 5.

Yeah Watkins, if he pans out could be huge for us as a shot blocking big.

See what I mean I think a few of these guys could make the roster, but it doesn't look like the Spurs have the roster spots. If Pop doesn't think Bonner and Vaughn are going to cut it in the playoffs then he really has to think about doing something with those two.

[SenorSpur]

Hairston needs to go to Austin just to get into shape and stay that way during the season. He's a good athlete, but he could turn into hot-plate at any time.

My bet is that's exactly where he'll end up.

I think Watkins has to make the team because the Spurs need an actual shot-blocking 5.

You're absolutely right. The Spurs definitely need another shot-blocking big. Outside of Duncan, that's what they're missing in the paint. Lest we forget the "allley-oop" exhibition that the Hornets put on in virtually every game against us last season. Plus, the Spurs need another big of his skill set to help out against the Bynum's, the Oden's, the Shaq's and the Yao's of the Western Conference. Personally, I grew very tired of seeing Tim having to shoulder most of the frontcourt burden for this team on both ends of the court last season - simply because Oberto and KT do not provide the skills necessary against some of the bigger 5's.

Furthermomre, Ian's injury and questionable development, make an even more solid case for having Watkins on the team.

[Obstructed_View]

Kurt Thomas is as good a post defender as there is, but it would be nice to have someone who can get weak side blocks and rotate strong to the basket when two defenders roll to Duncan.

[T Park]

I don't like this 15th roster spot talk. I think two or three of these guys could make the team. That really sucks if the Spurs can only keep one of them. The Spurs should seriously consider dropping dead weight like Bonner and Vaughn if these young kids outplay them and prove they belong. I don't want to see another potential Haslem be let go.

Stoudamire is also a guy I'd like the Spurs to keep if he lights it up in the Spurs system when he gets his chance.

vaughn is kept around for more than just his gameplay, so you might as well get the tantrum and throwing things around the house over with now.

[Obstructed_View]

I could swear I've posted this before, and apolgies if I have, but it bears repeating anyway:

Vaughn is going NOWHERE right now. Pop may love George Hill, but he's not going to allow him to be the starting point guard if Parker steps on someone's foot in game 3 of the season.

Is he?

[ss1986v2]

I could swear I've posted this before, and apolgies if I have, but it bears repeating anyway:

Vaughn is going NOWHERE right now. Pop may love George Hill, but he's not going to allow him to be the starting point guard if Parker steps on someone's foot in game 3 of the season.

Is he?

he threw tony into the fire 3(?) games into his rookie season, didnt he?

[DPG21920]

I still think the roster is set:

Tony, Hill
Manu, Mason, Finley
Bruce, Ime
Duncan, Bonner, Ian
Oberto, KT

IR
Vaughn, Tolliver, ....

[urunobili]

I still think the roster is set:

Tony, Hill
Manu, Mason, Finley
Bruce, Ime
Duncan, Bonner, Ian
Oberto, KT

IR
Watkins, Hairstron, ....

Fixed

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Fixed

What do they do with Vaughn?

[Obstructed_View]

he threw tony into the fire 3(?) games into his rookie season, didnt he?

And he had three point guards on the roster behind Parker, two of them vets who knew the system. The Spurs have two true point guards on the roster, including Parker. JV isn't going anywhere.

[Manufan909]

Anyway JV and Bonner could be put on the Toros, so Hill, Ian, and Watkins can get some serious PT? I was all for giving Bonner a chance, but he's even letting me down. Guys like I mentioned, plus Hairston and Farmar are the kind of young players the Spurs need to go get #5. If KT AND Fab are the #2 and 3 options for bigmen after the allstar break, then pop is in serious trouble. I want Ian and Watkins to prove they can get that time, and have consistent success to keep it. I wouldn't mind Fab or KT to get over 20 minutes, but not both.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Anyway JV and Bonner could be put on the Toros, so Hill, Ian, and Watkins can get some serious PT.

wtf?