Questions about Mahinmi

[mathbzh]

Apparently, he's a bust. Our own Darko.

Except Darko was drafted before Wade, Melo, Bosh

[Manufan909]

Where's chump, damnit!?! No one has been able to answer my question.

[mrspurs]

Other than ChumpDumper, I'm not sure there are many on this board that have seen Ian in gametime. You can youtube some highlight reel dunks or you can talk about his time off the court with injuries, but I don't know many that can speak to his strengths and weaknesses when playing ball on the court.

Based on what I've read, again most second-hand from posters who've seen him more....

Ian is very active around the basket, and once he gets it in his mind to score he's either going to convert or get fouled. He does have nice touch around the basket with a smooth baby hook, but he doesn't have advanced post moves. He's also not bad out to 10-12ft, but it's definitely still a developing part of his game.

As an NBA player, Mahinmi certainly has the motor and athleticism....but I question whether he's big/strong enough at this point. If most of his damage is done within 3-5ft of the basket, I'm not sure he's going to be able to establish and keep his position that low on a regular basis. And if that means he ends up with a face-up game out to 10-12ft, he's not going to be nearly as effective.

Defensively, he's got the athleticism and timing to be a decent shot-blocker and has really improved his rebounding from the stat lines I've seen. Not sure about his help defense, understanding of the system, or overall BBIQ.

Bottom Line: Once Ian gets healthy he'll probably get a chance to prove himself with the team. He brings youth and athleticism to the frontcourt that is unparalleled, which can be useful in many matchups.

I hope he makes the most of it, but I contend that a little more time refining his game in Austin might not be such a bad thing.

You cant compare those 2 leagues. Impossible.

[Tbiggums47]

He is ready for the NBA. He is already much better than Oberto and Thomas. He could have played last year and given us some solid mins and I think the Spurs were foolish having him rot in Austin all year not even giving him garbage time may have slowed his development a bit.

His strong points are: runs the floor like a small forward, has a quick first step, nice jumper out to 12ft good shot blocker. His hands have gotten better but still mishandles a pass now and then. Good FT shooter for size and is a good passer from the high post.

Weakness: Still needs to get stronger, very foul prone , doesnt always finish around the rim, turnover prone from the post, puts head down going to the basket making himself smaller than he is....only an avg rebounder.

Very well said. I hope Ian is the player The Spurs Drafted him to be. His build looks a lot like D Robs's!

I think Pops and RC are keeping him under cover till Jan so the spurs can get stronger as the year goes on. His ankle had to have a more serious problem than a sprain for him to be out this long. He must have damaged a something.

Seeing him move on practice video, he looks ready to go. If he can give us 6pts a couple boards and a block or two I think he moves us up to contender status.

Very well put. The Spurs need an athletic big to keep these teams from using penetration as an option to score. Back in the D Rob era teams would hedge at penetration because we had Tim and David waiting on either side of the floor to swat those shots away. When we finally get that again we will be ready as a contender but as a "favorite" to win it all. Right now Boston, Cleveland, and LA have clear advantages. Spurs are clearly a smarter team. But we need another big.

Ian...You complete us!

[picnroll]

Who's Mahinmi?

[Tbiggums47]

Who's Mahinmi?

The Spurs 2005 #1 draft Pick. He is a C/F.

[Spurs Brazil]

Pop said he and Oberto practiced today but they're not ready

[Manufan909]

Pop said he and Oberto practiced today but they're not ready

I guess he is given up on trying to make timelines for those two.