Gist: "I’m going to play for the Spurs this year."

[Sobe_Kucks]

Long odds sure, but Gists 49 % shooting percentage from beyond the arc this past year in the Italian League makes me wonder if that can make Bonner expendable in the Spurs FO's eyes. Since Gist would be a more physical and athletic player in that role.

You mean Bonner isn't athletic???

[coyotes_geek]

People putting Mahinmi ahead of Gist should think that through a bit. What has Mahinmi ever done? Not much of anything - plus, unlike Gist, hes injury prone. I'm thinking Gist is ahead of Mahinmi on the chart right now.

I like Gist as much as the next guy but slow down. Gist hasn't done much of anything either. Mahinmi's been in the organization for two years now so he's got a huge head start over Gist in learning the system. Plus the fact that Mahinmi actually has the body to play center, the Spurs shallowest position on the depth chart, gives him another huge advantage over Gist. As of right now, the odds of Mahinmi seeing regular rotation minutes this season are much better than Gist's.

That being said I'm excited about Gist and am glad that the Spurs do not have to make a roster decision between these two. There's room on the team for both.

[timvp]

I really like the idea of allowing Blair, Mahinmi and Gist fight for minutes. Blair is a good pick but there's no guarantee he'll be ready right away. If the Spurs can land a free agent big and then if one of those three players can win the third bigman spot in the rotation, the Spurs will be in good shape. If Bonner is around, he he can have the specialist fourth or fifth bigman role.

If Gist can steal minutes at small forward, that's a bonus.

Another plus to remember about Gist is his contract. Being a second round pick, he's the cheapest form of player there is. That's important -- especially if the Spurs are going to spend the entire MLE and go significantly over the lux tax threshold.

[Tully365]

Gist's versatility is what will make him valuable for the Spurs. In a match-up against a Rashard Lewis type at PF, Gist would probably be a better option than Blair. Against a Carlos Boozer type, Blair would be the better choice. Gist as a small ball 4, or even better, a tall lineup 3, could give Pop a lot of versatility.

[angelbelow]

yes!!! bring in the gist!!

[bdictjames]

We save some money, and we get this guy! Get Gist!

Sorry Bruce

[CGD]

I really like the idea of allowing Blair, Mahinmi and Gist fight for minutes. Blair is a good pick but there's no guarantee he'll be ready right away. If the Spurs can land a free agent big and then if one of those three players can win the third bigman spot in the rotation, the Spurs will be in good shape. If Bonner is around, he he can have the specialist fourth or fifth bigman role.

If Gist can steal minutes at small forward, that's a bonus.

Another plus to remember about Gist is his contract. Being a second round pick, he's the cheapest form of player there is. That's important -- especially if the Spurs are going to spend the entire MLE and go significantly over the lux tax threshold.

Good take :

[Borosai]

James Gist!

He's the guy I'm most anxious to see this summer. We know he can be a small 4, but if he can team up with Jefferson to man the 3 spot rotation, that would be awww . And it would leave the 4-5 rotation to Duncan, Blair, Mahinmi and the F.A. center, with Bonner getting spot minutes by need.

[EricB]

I was most looking forward to seeing Gist till Dejuan Blair got drafted.

I'm very very anxious to see how he does and if he rebounds and scores with the ferocity he did in college.

*fingers crossed*

[Obstructed_View]

There's room on the roster for everyone. With the Spurs being in luxury tax territory this year, they're going to have to go bargain basement to fill out the roster, and that means going young. Here's how the roster plays out:

Red indicates a player that's not yet on the roster.

Parker - starting PG,
Ginobili - starting SG (whether he starts or not)
Jefferson - starting SF
Duncan - starting PF
FA Center - starting C

Hill - backup PG
Mason - backup SG
Mcclinton - SG role player, shooting, defense
Blair - PF/C role player, rebounding, defense size
Mahinmi - PF/C role player, rebounding, defense length
Bonner - PF/C role player, shooting, defense
Hairston - SG/SF role player, defense, penetration
Gist - SF/PF role player, shooting, rebounding, defense

Marcus Williams - Trade Bait/Austin

This gives the Spurs a heck of a versatile and athletic roster with lots of ability to defend and rebound around a core of really good stars. You also have an above average defender at every position, and several guys that play two positions to allow the team to go big or small depending on the situation. There's also room for another minimum vet, Finley if he decides to stay or for a call-up from the D League.

[Marcus Bryant]

I don't see where he fits.

Yeah, the Spurs couldn't use a long athletic player who can play both forward spots and stroke the 3.

[SenorSpur]

Gist and Blair fill different roles. There's room for both.

People aren't thinking... we can give the youth more minutes during the regular season and have the vets more rested for the playoffs.

Amen +1

There is ABSOLUTELY room on this roster for Gist. , isn't that the whole reason he was sent to Italy last year? This, despite having been one of the stars for the Spurs summer league team.

Now, after one year of good seasoning as a pro, he should be ready. He fills a very different and unique role than anyone else on the roster. There should be no reason that Gist doesn't make the opening day roster.

[Spurtacus]

People putting Mahinmi ahead of Gist should think that through a bit. What has Mahinmi ever done? Not much of anything - plus, unlike Gist, hes injury prone. I'm thinking Gist is ahead of Mahinmi on the chart right now.

Mahinmi can play the 4, 5 while Gist is 3,4. There's certainly room for both on the roster.

[rayray2k8]

We got young quality players, basically..
Season is shaping up to become epic.

[clubalien]

there is a rule that if a player plays some many seasons we cannot send him to the d league , correct. so that means we cannot send finely to austin ;[

[SpursFan0728]

Our front court has the potential to be really sick.

Duncan/Blair/Gist
FA big/ Mahinmi/ Bonner

And Spitter who might be coming in 2010~!

[Borosai]

There's room on the roster for everyone. With the Spurs being in luxury tax territory this year, they're going to have to go bargain basement to fill out the roster, and that means going young. Here's how the roster plays out:

Red indicates a player that's not yet on the roster.

Parker - starting PG,
Ginobili - starting SG (whether he starts or not)
Jefferson - starting SF
Duncan - starting PF
FA Center - starting C

Hill - backup PG
Mason - backup SG
Mcclinton - SG role player, shooting, defense
Blair - PF/C role player, rebounding, defense size
Mahinmi - PF/C role player, rebounding, defense length
Bonner - PF/C role player, shooting, defense
Hairston - SG/SF role player, defense, penetration
Gist - SF/PF role player, shooting, rebounding, defense

Marcus Williams - Trade Bait/Austin

This gives the Spurs a heck of a versatile and athletic roster with lots of ability to defend and rebound around a core of really good stars. You also have an above average defender at every position, and several guys that play two positions to allow the team to go big or small depending on the situation. There's also room for another minimum vet, Finley if he decides to stay or for a call-up from the D League.

Exactly. Plenty of youth. Plenty of depth. Mason and McClinton will compete for the shooter-without-a-conscience role, which should be interesting. This whole offseason and next season should be a blast.

[024]

notice he said

"im going to play for the spurs this year"

not

"the spurs are bringing me over this year"

james gist is returning.

[exstatic]

I don't see where he fits.

With Finley, we have nine players currently under contract, without, eight. Personally, I think "without" wins. Spurs bring in a big with all/part of the MLE. That still leaves four spots that must be filled, and six that can be. Being in the deep tax territory that they are in, who do you think the Spurs are going to fill those spots with? I'm thinking four to six recent second rounders are going to get their shot on the 15 man roster, whether in SA or in Austin.

Blair (obvious)
MWilliams (signed already)
McClinton (3rd small guard)
Gist

and the two on the bubble

Hairston ?
DeColo (France) ?

[TDMVPDPOY]

man if we can get rid of bonners contract would be n ice.....and hope finley doesnt pick up the option....heck i would throw in masons contract for a trade also...

then use the MLE on big
fill out the roster with rookies....

[HarlemHeat37]

If we get 'Sheed, I'd stick with the guys we have, except Bonner could be traded..

I wouldn't trade Mason at all though..he's one of the best shooters in the NBA, and we're definitely going to need his shooting next year..

I hope Finley is gone regardless though..

[TimDunkem]

Bring in The Gist.

[Thompson]

C Wallace Mahinmi Bonner
Pf Duncan Blair Gist
Sf Jefferson Bowen Hairston
Sg Mason Manu McClinton
Pg Parker Hill Williams

Is there a limit to how many rookies we can send to the Toros at once? Have the IR guys down in Austin; Gist and McClinton along with Williams if possible to get them used to the Spurs system, at least for the first 2-3 months of the season. Bring them back and be sure to get them enough time with the Spurs so that they can play if needed in the postseason. Hopefully by the end of the season Hairston or Gist will have taken over the backup SF role from Bowen.

2010 -Splitter comes over and we're loaded.

[TDMVPDPOY]

C Wallace Mahinmi Bonner
Pf Duncan Blair Gist
Sf Jefferson Bowen Hairston
Sg Mason Manu McClinton
Pg Parker Hill Williams

2010 -Splitter comes over and we're loaded.

splitter takes bonners spot if he does come over next season.....
we can decrease the tax next season if ginoboli takes a paycut...

spurs will be paying the tax this season and maybe next season...its fkn all worth it for 1 yr milking duncan

[exstatic]

C Wallace Mahinmi Bonner
Pf Duncan Blair Gist
Sf Jefferson Bowen Hairston
Sg Mason Manu McClinton
Pg Parker Hill Williams

Is there a limit to how many rookies we can send to the Toros at once? Have the IR guys down in Austin; Gist and McClinton along with Williams if possible to get them used to the Spurs system, at least for the first 2-3 months of the season. Bring them back and be sure to get them enough time with the Spurs so that they can play if needed in the postseason. Hopefully by the end of the season Hairston or Gist will have taken over the backup SF role from Bowen.

2010 -Splitter comes over and we're loaded.

I think the limit is two in Austin at any time on NBA contracts, which is silly, since you can have 15 on your roster, and only 12 active for any game.

Ian is out of Austin options, having gone up and down for two NBA years already. Not sure about Williams. He was cut in training camp after he was drafted, so I don't think he got a year of service, spending it all in Austin on a Toros contract. He was on a Spurs contract in Austin at the end of last year, though, so that's one year of service. Didn't he do some time on the Clippers? Was it a ten day contract, or did they sign him for the balance of 2007-2008? If they did, then he's out of options to Austin, too, being considered a 3rd year player this coming season.