I probably would have heard about it if there was anything to hear!!averaging something like 4 pts and 3 boards does not impress me, sorry..
I'm not sure, but in france, some months before mahinmi got drafted there was a buzz about "a new shaq (french journalists^^)", a dude who began basketball just recently, playin' voleyball before... I never got to know if that dude was mahinmi, but i like to think that way, still today, it just gives an additionnal layer on mahinmi the savior and an incredible flair for the spurs to catch him
Don't be sorry for talking about a player you don't know at all.
What were his French averages then?
Please enlighten us all with his stellar french career please...I am not trying to be a smart ass bruno, but, to think Ian will come into this year and play big minutes is dumb. The guy does need PT, but it will not be enough to make or break the spurs chances this year..
There are a lot of reasons to be optimistic about Mahinmi. It's not like he has done nothing.
In 04-05, he averaged 6/4 in french league and he was only 18 years old.
In 05-06, he averaged 10/6, was elected best young player in France.
In 06-07, he had an awful year.
In 07-08, he had a very good year in D-League.
Now you can look at the dark side (only 10/6, D-League sucks...)...
Spurs FO expect that Mahinmi contribute this year. Saying that Mahinmi will get playing time with Spurs this year isn't wishful thinking.
Especialy with studs like Fab and KT in the rotation. Bonner is actually earning his minutes, Fab and KT are only playing because there is a lack of talent beyond Timmy at the 4 and 5.
Thanks Bruno for the info..To see Ian succeed would be great cause he seems like a good guy. We can sit,wait, and hope.
Bruno, Pop and Buford are not the only ones who think Mahinmi will be good. Last year, SI quoted an Eastern conference executive as saying Mahinmi would be an All-Star.
Yep, I remembered that.
I don't have some crazy expectations about him. He is still a young and raw player but he should be able to help Spurs this year. What he has for him is that there is a huge niche available on Spurs roster as quick and athletic big.
BTW, McDonald mailbag, one week ago : "What I do know is that the Spurs expect Mahinmi to be able to help them on the NBA level this season.".
I wonder which big will get the axe? Besides tolliver, of course. Fab is the better passer, but KT has better D and O. Compared to Fab that isn't saying much, they're both invisible on offense.
The FO has invested so much into Ian's development, more than any young player (not immediately ready to contribute). he's got to be the first euro player they didn't just stash in euroleague. this would signal to me that they are very high on his potential to eventually help the team.
Mahinmi's in a good position to succeed. He has learned the offensive and defensive schemes in Austin, so he won't be as clueless as your typical new big. Plus his skillset is almost exactly what this team lacks right now. If he can block a few shots, rebound and finish around the rim, that be enough to earn him consistent playing time.
Hopefully he can get healthy in Austin over the next few weeks and then show what he can do with the Spurs. There's still a loooooooong ways to go in the season so even if he needs another month of rehab, he'll still have plenty of time to win a spot in the rotation.
We don't need dude to score. If our big three play well and our new guys (RMJR and Hill) keep going the way they are then we just need a big as a physical presence. If he gets close to 10 points a game then awesome but I am more interested in how he defends and blocks shots. If he comes out the gates and is throwing stuff into the 5th or 6th row then I will be happy.
As it stands right now we are looking better and better and I think people are starting to take notice. For us to be above .500 and not be complete is a scary thing. I don't see any other team that would be able to do that. Take Kobe or or or well I guess just Kobe out of LA and they wouldn't be doing as well. Take any two man combination out of Boston's big three and they might do ok but I doubt they would have enough to be .500.
Bottom line is things are starting to look up for us and we still have a LONG way to go.
Without Ian we are fine. If he does well then awesome but I think we are putting ourselves in a position where we don't need to depend on a "savior"
Lately, mahinmi struck me more with his offense than with his defense, but his late games do not say much
I'm not sur that kobe without lamar and pau wouldn't be able to have the lakers above 0.500
And i'm not that sure that mahinmi will be able to earn playin' time that easily, Kurt thomas is a notorious slow starter, and he's starting slowly but surely to get in shape
I long and , weirdly, i fear for thomas to be an obstacle on mahinmi path toward spurs glowing lights
Maybe oberto is the most likely to slip in the rotation if mahinmi gets in
Last edited by silk; 11-25-2008 at 06:22 PM.
Good Discussion...
One important thing to keep in mind-- as poster dbestpro pointed out in another thread: Mahinmi is younger than even George Hill.
lol
It was Sidiki Sidibe, not Mahinmi (I think the confusion about Mahinmi being a former volleyball player comes from here).
Sidiki is supposed to be a freak, a 7'1 270 lbs center and an insane leaper for his stature, he is also supposed to have a great coordination. He signed a contract for the Real Madrid a few years ago and played in their development team. His problem is that he started basketball really late (19 yo) and may never reach the skill level needed to play in a compe ive league.
There is no news about him. I think he was injured last year.
If Mahinmi is good the Spurs will have the one real hole in this roster filled. In theory, he could defend the Amare, Dirk, West, Gasol, type players the Spurs are going to face. If Mahinmi isn't any good, who will the Spurs use to defend those players? Bonner? Actually he's been good lately, so who knows. If Mahinmi plays the IR's will be tolliver, Ahearn and Udoka/Vaughn?
This is why I have high hopes for him being in the regular rotation with the Spurs.
i don't expect mahinmi to defend against the west's elite power forwards when he can't even stay out of foul trouble in the d-league. mahinmi is still a work in progress and i will be pleasantly surprised if he ever gets minutes in the playoffs.
the exciting thing is were already way better than last year-with mason seriously coming out as a badass and ghill just being amazing for a rookie from iupui, lol. I think ian is athletic enough to help no matter what.....now how much he'll help i have no idea and we all have to wait and see-but im already excited about this team.....I want lakers vs spurs with both teams completely healthy-we all do , lets hope
People were saying the same about Hill just one month ago.
LMAO-good call, i know i was-i guess point is u never know-i just cant believe how good ghill and mase are
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