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Not a huge surprise. With Manu back and Udoka playing well, he's just going to sit.
The San Antonio Spurs announced today that they have assigned guard Malik Hairston to the Austin Toros, the NBA Development League team owned and operated by the Spurs.
Hairston appeared in 15 games with San Antonio where he averaged 3.3 points and 1.9 rebounds in 10.3 minutes. He was recalled by the Spurs from Austin on 1/31. In 23 games for the Toros this season, the 6-6, 215-lb. Hairston averaged 21.1 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.8 assists in 40.6 minutes. Hairston was named D-League Performer of the Week on 12/22 after helping lead the Toros to three straight wins while averaging 24.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists.
http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_ar...ton_to_austin/
Not a huge surprise. With Manu back and Udoka playing well, he's just going to sit.
I'm sad to see him go there, but as long as Pop is in charge he wasnt going to see any daylight anyway.
On the brightside he still can keep sharpinging up his game there.
Pop didn't keep him on the bench, his lack of any semblance of a jump shot did. If he works with Chip this summer, he may crack the rotation next year, but wings and guards on this team MUST be able to space the floor for Tim. Jumping high isn't enough.
Not surprising. He'll get the playing time in Austin which is what he needs at this time.
Should have brought him into the fold much earlier in the season. I feel like we are really settling in going with Ime but hopefully he will give consistent play from here forward.
How many jump shots should he be taking in a game? If you're counting on him to score, much less score from outside the paint, you're completely missing the message.
I would be surprised if he isn't in the rotation next year..his jump shot should be better after working with Spurs coaches in the off-season..he looks good everywhere else..
his individual D has been solid..he's very athletic..fearless at the rim..
I like all that stuff about him, but I'm worried we're too crowded in the "smaller wing player" department. I'd like to see us find someone a bit bigger -- more of a true 3.
+1
Have a good offseason and we'll see him in the rotation next year.
Hairston may be short but he's thick and can jump so he plays bigger. He's probably the best weakside shotblocker on the team outside of Duncan.
Whether Hairston makes it will probably depend on if he can add a three-pointer to his repertoire and whether he can speed up his processing on the defensive end. Pop decided to end the Hairston experiment this year mostly due to slow rotations.
I think it'll be good for his development to go again and get extended minutes in Austin...
i am VERY confident on his chances to crack the rotation next year and if him and Gist both make it.. I'm ready to sign off and say that this is one of the best ever drafts pick selections ever made by RC and Pop of american prospects not counting #1 picks...
Go Malik hope you comeback soon!
Hairiston > Ariza
I think he's a bit too slow laterally to make up for his lack of size. Plus he doesn't have a lot of length to help compensate.
I like the guy a lot, I really do, but with Manu, Mason, Hill, Bowen, and Finley all on the payroll for next season (Finley with a qualifying offer) and Udoka looking to be more in Pop's favor, I just don't see a spot for a small wing player.
Instead, I'd like to see us go after a true 3 via trade or something. Gist and Pops are both undersized 4s and maybe they have the quickness to guard a 3, but I'm not sure.
So had Hairston demonstrated consistency in his defensive rotations, do you think that would have been enough for him to have remained on the active roster - even getting some PT ahead of Udoka?
Sad to see him go but it had to be done. really liked the way he rebounded and got above the rim. Did not know he was a leaper.
Well this is good news for the Toros. They have eight games in which to figure out a rotation before the playoffs.
Toros have also waived Dermarr Johnson.
Johnson was out of shape and pretty much just taking up space. They could sure use another big man if Eric Dawson is going to be out an extended time.
Actually, I can report with confidence he was sent down due to the psychological scarring he got from been posterized during "the kiss".
I guess I'm "completely missing the message" then, because he has to be able to hit enough jumpers to keep his man from sitting in Tim's lap on defense. That's a requirement for guards and wings on the Spurs.
I'll go out on a limb and say that it's not even a "nice to have" trait. If he doesn't come out of summer league with a nice 18-20 footer, he doesn't make the club next year.
Hairston is not getting enough shots in a game that teams are going to just leave him, and he's aggressive in the paint, so you can put him on the opposite side and he can drive to the basket when his defender leaves to double Timmy. Strategically it's not that big a deal, considering the defense he plays. If he's missing rotations, that's another story.
If only he were given the opportunities to miss the amount of rotations blown by some of our wings this year.If he's missing rotations, that's another story.
The blown rotations have been greatly exaggerated.
Fact of the matter is, Hairston was arguably the best perimeter defender on this team for a stretch there, but his rookie-ness and lack of trust built up with Pop IMHO were bigger reasons for his banishment to the bench and eventual assignment to the Toro's.
Hairston's game against the Wiz (his final game IIRC, ironically) was actually the first time I saw him look comfortable with the offense and actually take and make the kind of mid-range jumpers he's used to taking.
Hairston's size isn't an issue with his impeccable timing, long arms, and athleticism (for those questioning), and his shot, while needing to eventually extend it's range, isn't the liability some like to believe it is.
The guy was lucky to get 1 to 3 jumpshots a game in his limited minutes, so his opportunities were sporadic and unpredictable, to say the least.
The kid's a player, and even if he's got a ways to go and probably wouldn't have been a difference-maker this year, I find it hard to not see him making some noise and carving out a role on this team (or God forbid someone else's) as early as next year.
Per 40 minutes stats:
Malik Hairston
12.9 points
7.2 rebounds
3.4 assists
Ime Udoka
11.6 points
7.0 rebounds
2.1 assists
Hopefully Pop gives Hairston a chance next year. Going with Udoka over Hairston isn't a horrible decision just based on Udoka's experience. But going forward, Hairston could do everything Udoka can do and more.
But I do agree with Ex that he needs a jumper. He should be able to develop at least a corner three-pointer. He shot well in college and at Austin so it's definitely possible. But without an outside jumper, I don't think he'd fit Pop's vision of the offense.
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