Reply With Quote
Too short.
Time to experiment: Carmelo-ized Spurs
Buck Harvey
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — If I'm Gregg Popovich, I'm tired of worrying about Vince Carter's arrival and Manu Ginobili's departure.
I'd want to relax and try something different.
Such as, oh, give a few minutes to Malik Hairston.
I'd want to see if D-League success translates, and if an emergency moment in Denver earlier in the month was real. In doing so, I'd also be making sure I don't already have an athletic wing on my roster.
And if I'm Popovich, I'd also like the setting tonight — as Hairston comes home to Detroit for the first time as a pro.
Hairston has played near his family once since leaving home for the University of Oregon. Last season, in his senior year, Hairston and the No. 23 ranked Ducks played at The Palace against a little-known Detroit-area school, Oakland University.
“You won't believe this,” Hairston said. “We lost.”
You won't believe this, but George Hill was standing next to Hairston. Hill heard the story and loved it.
“That means you would have lost to us, too,” Hill playfully told Hairston.
Hill's IUPUI plays in the Summit League, also the conference of the mighty Oakland Golden Grizzlies.
Hairston brushed off Hill. He repeated what he said last December, after the Oakland coach called the win the biggest for the school in a quarter of a century. Hairston said it was still a joy to play at home, on that stage, in front of family.
So Hairston would crave a crack at the Pistons, and he would probably like to show everyone he hasn't changed much. There was a time, after all, when it was assumed Hairston would be playing either for or against the Pistons.
He downplays that now. He says his expectations haven't changed, and that his 18-year-old mind wasn't expanding into fantasy then.
“I knew I wasn't ready for the NBA,” he said.
Still, dreaming then would be a natural reaction. He was the face of a high school powerhouse, Renaissance, and he was among the top recruits in the country in 2004.
Rivals.com listed him as the seventh best prospect overall. No. 1 was Dwight Howard, No. 4 was Al Jefferson and No. 5 was Rudy Gay.
The usual schools lined up for Hairston, and among the finalists were Kansas, Michigan, Ohio State, UCLA and Oklahoma. But Hairston had a plan. He wanted to go to a program he could impact as a freshman, the way Carmelo Anthony had the year before with Syracuse.
He said, then, he wanted to “Carmelo-ize” the school he chose.
The line would be repeated over the years — after Oregon failed to go to a Final Four with Hairston.
Unlike Anthony, who was one-and-done, Hairston stayed all four years. Along the way he showed a balanced game of scoring and passing. He was an honorable mention all-Pac 10 as both a sop re and senior, and he averaged just over 16 points as a senior.
He'd been solid, and sometimes spectacular. In his final game, in the NCAA first round last spring against Mississippi State, Hairston scored 22 points in the loss.
Still, the can't-miss label was gone. He was a second-round choice, another with the odds against him.
One scout says there are “a hundred thousand” of these 6-foot-5 prospects out there. They can be found in Europe and Israel and even the Philippines, all working for a chance.
So why do some, such as Bruce Bowen and Ime Udoka, break through? They learn, they show resilience, and they take advantage of what is there.
Enter Hairston. He's on a team in need of some juice on the wing, and he's already shown some. He impressed everyone in the D-League, and the Spurs called him up partly for fear someone else would steal him.
Then, when Popovich rested his stars in Denver, Hairston got some minutes and produced 12 points and five rebounds. He showed a flash or two in New Jersey, too. At times he has the look of Mario Elie, with some muscle and toughness, and he has the McDonald's pedigree that a lot of these grinders often don't have.
So why not reward him, at his home, and take a look at the same time?
I would, if I were Popovich.
Too short.
We're screwed.
Yea lets hope and pray a scrub will have a break out game in detroit. You gotta be en kidding me dude. Whatever
Shouldn't that say "injury" not "departure"?If I'm Gregg Popovich, I'm tired of worrying about Vince Carter's arrival and Manu Ginobili's departure.
Why the not?
Whats it hurt?
Time to see what he's got.
Anyone else fall for the trap of thinking Buck was going to have this left field Carmelo trade?
Shouldn't that say "injury" not "departure"?
I was thinking the same thing.....hmmmmm.....
idk i give up....see you tomorrow Spurstalk.
Philippines?
Buck Harvey has as many sources as Don Harris I think.
The new savior?
Most likely some Filipino-American players.
Though yes, a few Filipinos could be considered as "prospects". Not sure if they can translate it to NBA level.
Yeah yeah, I know a lot of fil-ams, I'm just a bit surprise they are, well, prospects....uhm kelly williams, danny seigel???
They both rely on Alvin Gentry ? God, is that tired. Enough already. Yes, Don we all know your sister is married to Alvin Gentry, and we all know you sniff his ass for inside info. <Insert losing sound from the Price is Right>
Manny Paquiao in da house. Mannneee !!!
I've been saying to play Hairston forever now..it's an obvious move..it's like Pop has a fetish for watching old men like Finley do nothing..
We'll Buck, glad your not Pop..
"Hey Fin, How ya doin?!"
At best, the Philippines has a few NBA prospects,but still not good enough to play in the NBA.
i would totally play Hairston. why the not? i like what i've seen from him.
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions
