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If Hairston plays he's taking minutes from Ginobili and/or Mason. That's not the answer to any problems.
It's time to call the kid up.
It's looking more and more that if this team is going to get the much needed front line help for Tim, it will have to come in the form of Ian (who knows when) and a Joe Smith type player.
So if that's indeed the case, people like Hairston who bring size, athleticism, and an ability to defend and rebound their position, would be a big help in getting this team back to where it wants to be.
The Spurs' net defensively seems even smaller than years past. Without the size and athleticism on the perimeter, or the second big at the rim that this teams success has been predicated upon in years past, there really is just about zero room for error. If they're not completely in sync, playing on a string, with the right amount of focus and intensity, they're toast.
I obviously don't see them getting a Camby, Kaman, or Wallace, so they'll have to make lemonade with what they have/can get.
If they can get someone like Joe Smith, have Mahinmi contribute anything, and have Hairston give them another look/option,(Maybe even pick-up a guy like McGuire, who I'll keep advocating for) that might be enough to get them over the top.
With the way the Spurs' schedule is, this would be a real good time to throw Hairston into the fire.
If he can survive the gauntlet, he'll have gained the confidence/trust of the team, and they'll have added a key cog going down the stretch.
Hairston's not a savior, but he could be a step in the right direction.
If Hairston plays he's taking minutes from Ginobili and/or Mason. That's not the answer to any problems.
Hairston would essentially be taken Udoka's spot.
He's capable of playing the 2, 3, and the occasional small-ball 4, so there's no reason he couldn't play with Mason and/or Ginobili.
Being a first year player, he'd basically be a situational player. I'm not suggesting the kid is going to come in and play 20+ minutes a night.
As for him playing, not answering any of our problems...
I'd sure like to see another guy that can get to the free-throw line, be a versatile defender, rebound offensively/defensively, and put a 15 to 20 on a given night.
It's not that I think he's going to come in and be an all-star, I just think he gives the Spurs more of a wild card on the bench that could be of more benefit to them than someone like Udoka at this point. If nothing else, he's got a body and skill-set that the Spurs lack on the perimeter.
Again, he alone isn't the answer, but in conjunction with a Joe Smith type player and any significant contribution from Mahinmi?
That might be.
I'd like to seem him play soon, but letting him develop is probably ok. training with the big boys is something he would benefit from. i dont know how much he can/will contribute now though.It's time to call the kid up.
If they can get someone like Joe Smith, have Mahinmi contribute anything, and have Hairston give them another look/option,(Maybe even pick-up a guy like McGuire, who I'll keep advocating for
More importantly, instead of throwing around a name like McGuire, how about Marcus Williams...
Marcus Williams stinks and is not an NBA player.
Who should play less and who should Hairston replace in the lineup?
This is where we try to to get Jackie Butler.
The Spurs are done with Marcus Williams. When are you going to figure that out?I'd like to seem him play soon, but letting him develop is probably ok. training with the big boys is something he would benefit from. i dont know how much he can/will contribute now though.
More importantly, instead of throwing around a name like McGuire, how about Marcus Williams...
MW puts up huge d-league numbers at the beginning of the season. The Spurs do nothing.
Hairston puts up big d-league numbers in the middle of the season. The Spurs immediately sign him to an NBA contract to keep him away from other teams, and keep him past the point where it becomes guaranteed for the NBA season.
Do you really need a clearer picture drawn for you?
No one knows how much he could contribute now, but how much has Udoka or even Bowen contributed lately. This would be a great time to see if Hairston can give them another look or a little more help than they've been receiving thus far. Like I said before, If the kid can be of any help during this upcoming gauntlet of a schedule, he'll have gained the tust/confidence of the team, and they'll have given themselves another option down the stretch.
Because McGuire is a longer, taller, more athletic, more versatile, proven n.b.a.-caliber defender, with a high BBIQ, who also happens to bring, rebounding and shot-blocking from the wing that could help to supplement what the Spurs lack from the 4/5.More importantly, instead of throwing around a name like McGuire, how about Marcus Williams...
His PER was fantastic when he was with the Knicks.
i am SO down for hairston taking udokas minutes.
i was so happy when the spurs got udoka. and not because i expected him to play mutliple positions or become an allstar. my expectations for him were simply defend and play smart basketball. but hes struggled with consistency. i also think pop has lit a fire under his ass but to no avail. its time to bring in hairston to see what he can do. he could be a pleasant surprise like ghill.
haha what minutes?
Exactly. Hairston isn't going to make the rotation this year, so keep him in Austin to continue to learn the Spurs system by playing. That's much better than scavenging Udoka's 8 minutes per week in SA.
I disagree.
If Hairston were a project, that was in need of development (i.e. Mahinmi) I'd agree, but that's not what he is.
Like Hill, he stayed in school and is a player that's capable of contributing right away. His game needs more refinement than development, which leads me to believe he'd be better off practicing and playing (even sporadic minutes) with the big boys under the tutelage of Pop and his staff. I'd much rather they take the approach the Pistons took with Afflalo (who had a similar pedigree) and give him a shot to earn minutes.
Yes, there are minutes for a guy that's as versatile as Hairston. , there'd be more than "8" minutes for Udoka if his play warranted them.
Hairston isn't a duplicate to anyone in the Spurs' rotation (size/skill-set), which allows for the opportunity for him to be a specialist (for now) when the team needs another option defensively against post-up wings, a more ideal small-ball 4, or just some young legs that might be able to provide a spark.
Hairston is a project. He needs to work on his defense and his decision making. He's not as good a ball handler as he thinks he is and his outside shot is not reliable in the regular course of a game.
I can't say he's a better small ball 4 than Udoka at this time. I can't even say he's a better small ball 4 than Marcus Williams at this time.
your question is loud and clear. and whether or not hairston can even contribute is another great question. but the answer to those questions will only be known if we give it a go.
if we were to call him up, and he plays a few minutes for a few games and we find out that he blows, then send him back down.
if we call him up and he provides contribution in some form than great!
bottom line is i think this is something that we can try out and if it doesn't work then nothing really changes. from a fans point of view at least.
I don't disagree with your assessment of what he needs to work on, and it's probably just semantics, but that's not what I deem a "project."
When I think project, I think of someone who's been deemed to have the tools, but lacks the requisite skill or knowledge to play the game.
As for the comparison to Udoka...
I don't think he's capable of being as solid consistently, but I do think he's more capable of being a little more spectacular on occasion. He's got a little bit of a wild card factor to him that could give the Spurs one of those Charles Smith (not the Knick) games where he has the opposing coach asking, "Where the did that came from."
I realize his offensive game still needs some refinement, (not unlike Hill) but his intelligence and skill-set alone would allow him to contribute playing off the attention garnered by The Big 3 IMHO.(i.e. cutting off the ball/slashing to the rim, taking advantage of the offensive rebounding opportunities a shooting-4 can present, the ability to make a play occasionally when the play breaks down, etc.)
His defense does still need work, but I think you'd see him being a better/more focused defender if he were playing on the parent club. The ability and athleticism is there, but he's always struck me as the kind of guy that can tend to play to the level of his compe ion.(i.e. losing focus and intensity against the lesser/playing up to and meeting the challenge of the greater) Granted, that's not one of the most desirable qualities, but with his success and opportunities being dependent on his ability to defend and play a role with the Spurs, I'm thinking that could light the right compe ive fire and provide the right amount of attention/focus to detail.
It's been my belief that this team has needed an athletic defender (with some size) at the swing-position for awhile now, so I'd like to see if Hairston could be that answer.
If he's not the answer, worst case scenario, he goes back to the Toros to continue his development. No harm, no foul.
If that happens to be the case, I'd like to see the Spurs look outside the organization to find that guy.
I'm not talking about some mythical all-star 3 that the Spurs are going to somehow get with some combination of-Vaughn, Udoka, Oberto, but an under utilized role player, that could use a change of scenery/system more conducive to their talents.(i.e. D.McGuire, J.Graham, etc.)
Hmm not really the intention of my post. Just because Udoka doesn't have minutes to be taken doesn't mean Pop won't find a way to get Hairston into the lineup. If he plays well in limited minutes, obviously he'll continue to get minutes.
As far as Spurs basketball goes, he's definitely a project. I don't mind bringing him up for a stint. I just don't think it will make much of a difference at this point.When I think project, I think of someone who's been deemed to have the tools, but lacks the requisite skill or knowledge to play the game.
Admittedly, most of my knowledge of Hairston comes from his college days and the very little I was able to see in the preseason, so if you think he's that far off (Spurs basketball wise) it's hard for me to argue with someone who's seen him play recently as much as you.
I think I've got a pretty good eye for talent, but you've definitely earned my respect with all the insight and breakdowns you've given us.
As someone who's reallly into the scouting and development aspect of the game, your contributions have been greatly appreciated.
I'm obviously a fan of Hairston's game and his mental make-up, so I'm in part hoping that he'll be the answer, but it would be nice to give him a shot now and find out if they need (imo) to look elsewhere.
I think Hairston is in the pipeline to replace one of the swingmen on the roster next season, so I don't think about him much in terms of helping this season. The roster is simply too crowded with vets playing his position. Croshere is part of the search for immediate help. He's not the perfect fit for the Spurs' generally perceived needs, but who is?
I'm very happy with Hairston's progress in Austin and hope he continues to move forward. Remember James White developed decently enough during the season then regressed the following summer. Maybe Hairston can avoid that.
Yes, I can see the Spurs simply promoting Hairston into Udoka's vacated position. And sometimes I wonder if either Bowen or Finley would retire if the Spurs won the le. Not likely, but the luster of leaving on a high note might appeal to them.
It's annoying that there are only four or five Toros games available in the Futurecast archive.
http://www.nba.com/dleague/news/webc...hive_0708.html
Hopefully they get Hairston's 43 point game in there soon.
Yeah, I'm definitely happy with the progress, and agree with you about the possibilty of replacing one of the swingmen next year, I just think it'd be be wise to have a player (like I suggested) at the swing this year on the roster.
All the Spurs' problems aren't going to be shored-up in the type of secondary big man they'd most likely be able to aquire, so I'm looking at them getting a swingman that can- a.) bring size and versatility defensively, b.)rebound their position well, and c.) be somewhat of a deterrent at the rim. (In an effort to supplement for what they lack in their bigs)
Again, I'm thinking if they could get a McGuire (for ex.) in conjunction with a J. Smith-type, (or rumored Collison) I think that might be enough to get the Spurs back to where they want to go.
We don't need to change the swing rotation, except to sit Finley more often when he's having an off night (and those minutes should go to Udoka).
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