Ian back to Austin

[mrspurs]

Told yall not to pin yalls hopes on this kid. He didnt impress me when we first grabbed him. And he still didnt impress me during the summer. If he cant beat out the bigs we have now besides Timmy?

[timvp]

Spurs Assign Ian Mahinmi To Austin

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Spurs announced today that they have assigned center Ian Mahinmi to the Austin Toros, the NBA Development League team owned and operated by the Spurs.

Mahinmi is currently recovering from a sprained right ankle. He will use this assignment to the Toros as an opportunity to get back into basketball shape and complete his rehabilitation.

The 22-year-old Mahinmi is entering his second season with the Spurs. He split the 2007-08 campaign between San Antonio and Austin. Mahinmi started the season in San Antonio, appearing in six games with the Spurs, averaging 3.5 points in 3.8 minutes, before being assigned to the Toros on 11/21.

Mahinmi was named to the 2008 All-NBA Development League First Team. In 46 games with the Toros, he averaged 16.8 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.70 blocks in 29.6 minutes while shooting .615 (276-449) from the field and .766 (219-286) from the line. Mahinmi ranked 19th in the D-League in scoring, second in field goal percentage, eighth in rebounding and ninth in blocks. For the season Mahinmi posted 16 double-doubles. In four games in the 2008 D-League Playoffs, Mahinmi averaged 18.3 points, 10.8 rebounds and 3.50 blocks in 38.3 minutes.

Mahinmi was selected by the Spurs in the first round of the 2005 NBA Draft with the 28th overall pick. He was signed by the Spurs on 8/23/07 after spending the previous four seasons in the French A League.

http://www.nba.com/spurs/news/mahinm...in_081114.html

[hater]

not a surprise. this is just for his rehab. He'll be in a Spurs uniform in a few weeks

[z0sa]

Isn't he just going through training camp for his conditioning, then returning? I'm not sure how the assignments of players to the DLeague works, but I remember reading something along the lines of this somewhere.

This guy really needs to get healthy and in shape, because we need his skillset right now (have been needing it since DRob retired, in fact).

[dbestpro]

This was expected. It's just like a rehab assignment that a major league pitcher takes prior to returning to the big leagues. Don't count discount Mahinmi's value just yet.

[timvp]

This is actually good news. As many of us have speculated, Mahinmi will participate in Toros training camp as a means to get back into shape. He may even play a few games with Austin. But the ultimate goal, according to everyone who has talked about Mahinmi this season, is for him to end up back with the Spurs where he will fight for a spot in the rotation.

Hopefully timing of the assignment indicates that he's healthy enough to start practicing. Seeing how Pop has given Tolliver a great opportunity, I fully trust that he will give Mahinmi the same opportunity whenever he's healthy and back in game shape.

[mrspurs]

Since 2005, and they still cant figure out what to do with him. I think its funny, I really do. And I aint funning about. Its just plain funny.

[Dex]

Good to see his name back in the news, if anything. Forward progress is forward progress.

Austin should be a good chance for him to go through a training camp, regain his legs a little bit, and get into basketball shape without having to do it at the Spurs' expense in game.

Once he's ready, get him back down and let him lock the door on Bonner's doghouse.

[MoSpur]

I think you are looking are looking at this the wrong way mrsspurs. I think he is getting sent down to get into shape. No need to rush him back when A Toll is doing a fine job.

[timvp]

If Mahinmi can win the starting job at center and Tolliver can keep his first big off the bench role, that would great for the future of the franchise.

PG Parker/Hill
SG Mason/Ginobili
SF Udoka/Bowen
PF Duncan
C Mahinmi/Tolliver







/daydream

[Bender]

If Mahinmi can win the starting job at center and Tolliver can keep his first big off the bench role, that would great for the future of the franchise.

even if Tolliver's perimeter shooting doesn't improve... ? it still sucks.

[Dex]

If Mahinmi can win the starting job at center and Tolliver can keep his first big off the bench role, that would great for the future of the franchise.

PG Parker/Hill
SG Mason/Ginobili
SF Udoka/Bowen
PF Duncan
C Mahinmi/Tolliver







/daydream

Granted it's early to say, but do you think Bowen will regain his starting position once Tony and Manu return?

Or if Ime starts actually producing and Bowen maintains his current level of play, do you think Pop will keep him as a bench piece and start the gradual (albeit painful) transition to Udoka?

[mrspurs]

I think you are looking are looking at this the wrong way mrsspurs. I think he is getting sent down to get into shape. No need to rush him back when A Toll is doing a fine job.

Im not looking at this good or bad. But the fact that he can play, and not on this roster since 2005, just doesnt sit well with me. Its not like we've had alot of great Bigs since 2005. And Im going on what I saw when they first picked him up compared to this past summer. I mean if he is healthy why isnt he playing along side Timmy, Tolliver, Kurt, Fab and Matt? There is no reason why he couldnt come in and get into shape while logging in NBA minutes. Dont get me wrong, if goes over the toros and comes back running and blocking shots going 100 miles per hour. Ill surely love being stood corrected. Show me some signs he can play at this level. Then maybe, Ill change my mind. Or maybe there is a big roster move on the horizon. And thats what this is about.

[SenorSpur]

If Mahinmi can win the starting job at center and Tolliver can keep his first big off the bench role, that would great for the future of the franchise.

PG Parker/Hill
SG Mason/Ginobili
SF Udoka/Bowen
PF Duncan
C Mahinmi/Tolliver






/daydream

Couldn't agree more.

By the way, with this announcement, can we assume that Ian is free to practice and begin contact drills?

[galvatron3000]

Told yall not to pin yalls hopes on this kid. He didnt impress me when we first grabbed him. And he still didnt impress me during the summer. If he cant beat out the bigs we have now besides Timmy?

He can't bate out any teams' big with a sprained ankle, give the kid time to heal and let's see what he has to offer the Spurs. He's the only young big we have so hopes are high for all Spurs fans that he can contribute to the team soon.

[timvp]

even if Tolliver's perimeter shooting doesn't improve... ? it still sucks.

I said if he can keep his role. To keep his role, he'll have to shoot better than 20% on three-pointers. I'm not convinced he can do it but if he can shoot 35-36% on threes, that could be enough to keep him in the rotation.

Granted it's early to say, but do you think Bowen will regain his starting position once Tony and Manu return?

Or if Ime starts actually producing and Bowen maintains his current level of play, do you think Pop will keep him as a bench piece and start the gradual (albeit painful) transition to Udoka?

It's tough to say. Udoka has been horrible as a starter so far but you'd think he'll be able to settle into his role. That said, I'm not sure I like Udoka in with the starters because he isn't a very disciplined shooter. Part of the reason Bowen has worked so well in the starting lineup is he has known his own offensive limitations. Udoka, compared to Bowen, is much more of a gunner ... and that would take shots away from the other starters.

But yeah, eventually the Spurs have to start the transition away from Bowen. The problem is I'm not sure Udoka is the man Pop should transition to. And so far, he's not doing anything to prove otherwise.

By the way, with this announcement, can we assume that Ian is free to practice and begin contact drills?

I've been trying to figure that out but I do not think this news means Mahinmi is healthy. I'm guessing this was just the first opportunity to send Mahinmi down to Austin, so it made no difference to do in now or whenever he's healthy. The end result is he's still in Austin.

I guess we'll find out whenever Toros training camp starts if Mahinmi is healthy enough to participate.

[timvp]

The Austin Toros start the journey toward another trip to the NBA D-League Finals on Friday at Southwestern University in Georgetown with the beginning of training camp for the 2008-09 season.

Coming off a franchise best record 32-22 and an NBA D-League Finals appearance, the Toros look to continue the success from the 2007-08 season. Toros head coach Quin Snyder and his staff will have to decide an opening day roster of 10 players by Wednesday, November 26.

Toros training camp features all 10 of the Toros draft picks from this season's NBA D-League Draft and seven other players, including four returning players from the 2007-08 Southwest Division championship team. Two-a-days will begin on Friday and continue through the weekend with a morning and evening practice.

The Toros will host a preseason game on Wednesday, November 19 at 7 p.m. at Eastside Memorial High School against the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. The team finishes the preseason schedule against the Colorado 14ers at 6 p.m. at Bowie High School on Saturday, November 22. Admission to both games is free, donations to the athletic booster clubs of both schools will be accepted.

The Austin Toros begin season four in Austin on November 28 at 7:30 p.m. against the Utah Flash at the Austin Convention Center. For ticket information, please call 512-236-833 or visit austintoros.com.

http://www.oursportscentral.com/serv...es/?id=3739714

It looks like we'll find out quickly if Mahinmi is healthy. Training camp for the Toros started today and first preseason game is Wednesday. Hopefully we'll get updates about whether Mahinmi is participating.


*nudges ChumpDumper*

[SenorSpur]

Udoka has been horrible as a starter so far but you'd think he'll be able to settle into his role. That said, I'm not sure I like Udoka in with the starters because he isn't a very disciplined shooter. Part of the reason Bowen has worked so well in the starting lineup is he has known his own offensive limitations. Udoka, compared to Bowen, is much more of a gunner ... and that would take shots away from the other starters.

But yeah, eventually the Spurs have to start the transition away from Bowen. The problem is I'm not sure Udoka is the man Pop should transition to. And so far, he's not doing anything to prove otherwise.

All the more reason why I support the idea of bringing back Hairston. The one thing I remember reading about him, from several posters who saw him during preseason, is that he seemed to understand his role. He didn't try to force his offense. We all know that he's a pretty decent defender, to boot. Perhaps he could be useful as an occasional swing player in a spot role.

[MoSpur]

Get to it Chump

[timvp]

All the more reason why I support the idea of bringing back Hairston. The one thing I remember reading about him, from several posters who saw him during preseason, is that he seemed to understand his role. He didn't try to force his offense. We all know that he's a pretty decent defender, to boot. Perhaps he could be useful as an occasional swing player in a spot role.

Speaking of Hairston, he's the other player to watch closely as the Toros begin their season. If he can score, rebound and play good defense, I think he'll be called pretty quickly. However, I'm not sold that he's going to show enough for the Spurs to make a move right away. But we'll see.

If Hairston is averaging ten points, five boards and playing good but not great defense, the Spurs might as well let him stay in Austin for the season and bring him back to training camp next season.

[SenorSpur]

Speaking of Hairston, he's the other player to watch closely as the Toros begin their season. If he can score, rebound and play good defense, I think he'll be called pretty quickly. However, I'm not sold that he's going to show enough for the Spurs to make a move right away. But we'll see.

If Hairston is averaging ten points, five boards and playing good but not great defense, the Spurs might as well let him stay in Austin for the season and bring him back to training camp next season.

The risk, however, is that he could catch the attention of another team and be plucked away.

[HarlemHeat37]

I don't see how this is a bad thing..he's still injured, he needs to get in shape..

[ChumpDumper]

It looks like we'll find out quickly if Mahinmi is healthy. Training camp for the Toros started today and first preseason game is Wednesday. Hopefully we'll get updates about whether Mahinmi is participating.


*nudges ChumpDumper*

Wednesdays are tight for me but I should be able to see part of the game. I'm guessing Eastside is what they renamed Johnston High. Saturday will be just fine.

[timvp]

Wednesdays are tight for me but I should be able to see part of the game. I'm guessing Eastside is what they renamed Johnston High. Saturday will be just fine.

Awesome. Thanks

[mrspurs]

Thats the best way to get it done. Hurry up chumpsumpdump....