'09 Spurs Summer League Thread

[Blackjack]

A Brief Guide to Summer League



Last summer George Hill looked dreadful and Malik Hairston was a veritable ghost at summer league. James Gist, on the other hand, played like a stud and was rewarded by a contract….in Italy. The Spurs signed Anthony Tolliver in his place. Elsewhere the Spurs whiffed on Corey Maggette and Jannero Pargo, and smart guys like me thought the offseason was a waste. I was worried. My knee jerk dialed up forecasts of doom and gloom.

But by the time preseason ended I was a certified Geoge Hill Kool-Aid drinker, was lobbying for Malik Hairston to make the team, and knew that the Warriors would give their left arm for a Corey Maggette do-over. I made a mental note: take summer league lightly. Don’t pass judgement too quickly. Give it time.

Having said that, I won’t care too much about the game to game statistics. World class flops have left Summer League with more positive buzz than Sarah Palin at a Gals with Guns convention. Instead, I’ve identified a handful of items for further study:

- Is George Hill a serviceable back up point guard? Can he run the pick and roll?

- Can Ian Mahinmi play? Will he assert himself on the block and boards? For all his tease, he tends to play more like a lamb than a lion. That’s gotta come to an end.

- Is DeJuan Blair’s height an issue against professionals?

- Can Malik Hairston function in catch and shoot situations? Does he have legit stopper potential as an on ball defender?

- Jack McClinton: is his defense as good as advertised? Can he get shots off against bigger defenders? There is no question that he has crazy deep range.

- James Gist has given a few indications that he’ll be with the team next season, and he’s clearly on the mind of folks like Don Newman and R.C. Buford. But he remains unsigned. Will he play well enough to force the front office’s hand? What would that portend for Marcus Williams and/or Malik Hairston? Would the Spurs move dependable vet Matt Bonner to create roster space for Gist? These next ten days are amongst the most important of his professional career.

For a more comprehensive, league-wide preview, check out this piece by Kevin Arnovitz. For more Spurs-related stuff, check out Pounding the Rock’s summer league coverage. Finally, David Thorpe is livetweeting from Summer League on behalf of TrueHoop.

Embedded links available here:
http://www.48minutesof .com/2009/...summer-league/

[poeticism707]

Great post BlackJack!

Very thorough and insightful!

Last year it did seem like a disaster that the Clips swooped in and saved the Spurs from getting Maggete! Talk about fortunate! That a arguably better player in Mason for half the price!

Also, you're correct about SL. Proving your self in SL is just that: doing so in SL.

While it is a very positive sign, it is not the be all and end all.

Until you perform against NBA compe ion, it's all pre-mature.

Hope some of these young guys, namely Blair and McClinton at least have a GREAT SL!

Great thread, hope you continue to update us with everyone's progress.

[urunobili]

James Gist es!

My bet is that McClinton will be the star of the team and he'll earn a contract

[L.I.T]

48MOH seriously is the only Spurs-related blog that I read.

I think SL in Mahinmi's case becomes vitally important. If some of those rumors concerning the FO being fed up with him; a killer showing could alleviate a lot of that supposed pressure.

SL may be more important for the 2nd year + players than the rookies. I'm sure the Spurs staff will just be looking to see how quickly the rookies can acclimatize to the NBA game. While really checking to see if the vets can fill their proposed roles.

[angelbelow]

48MOH seriously is the only Spurs-related blog that I read.

I think SL in Mahinmi's case becomes vitally important. If some of those rumors concerning the FO being fed up with him; a killer showing could alleviate a lot of that supposed pressure.

SL may be more important for the 2nd year + players than the rookies. I'm sure the Spurs staff will just be looking to see how quickly the rookies can acclimatize to the NBA game.

i would agree, especially if they had disappointing 1st years.

[ElNono]

Sad to see Adam Morrison and Smush Parker out there...

Good game Lakers vs Toronto

[benefactor]

I'm trying to watch one of the earlier games now and can't get it to start. Anyone else having problems with it?

[Thompson]

I'm trying to watch one of the earlier games now and can't get it to start. Anyone else having problems with it?

Make sure you're logged in. I thought I was logged in after I payed, but I had to go back and click on the 'subscriber' button.

I've started watching the Dallas game; either they've gone overboard with their love for Barea and signed a bunch of 4 foot losers or it's halftime and they're letting 4th graders play on the court.

[ElNono]

Make sure you're logged in. I thought I was logged in after I payed, but I had to go back and click on the 'subscriber' button.

I've started watching the Dallas game; either they've gone overboard with their love for Barea and signed a bunch of 4 foot losers or it's halftime and they're letting 4th graders play on the court.

I was WTF? also

[Cant_Be_Faded]

EVERYBODY:

Is there an online web link to watch this year's summer league games for free, like last year?

[poeticism707]

Sad to see Adam Morrison and Smush Parker out there...

Good game Lakers vs Toronto

[ulosturedge]

Can anyone give us an update about how the live feed and coverage is for the SL games? Is it exactly the same as last year or is it better?

[mazerrackham]

EVERYBODY:

Is there an online web link to watch this year's summer league games for free, like last year?

Not legally, NBA is charging 15 dollars for it. But apparently when the games are live some people were able to watch it without paying.

[mazerrackham]

Can anyone give us an update about how the live feed and coverage is for the SL games? Is it exactly the same as last year or is it better?

I didn't see last years so I can't compare, but the quality is fairly choppy. The announcing doesn't seem bad, and unlike the Orlando summer league these announcers actually give basketball useful information instead of whining and making annoying jokes all the time. It's really not worth 15 bucks, but I really wanted to see our young guys play. Oh, and the on demand still doesn't seem to work for me yet, even though it's been a long time since the games were played.

EDIT: Well, it seems like the on demand is working but the video never loads...

[ulosturedge]

Thanks. If I get really bored ill throw down 15 bucks I guess.

[poeticism707]

Thanks. If I get really bored ill throw down 15 bucks I guess.

What is there to guess about? Go on and make Stern rich!!!

[clubalien]

48MOH seriously is the only Spurs-related blog that I read.

I think SL in Mahinmi's case becomes vitally important. If some of those rumors concerning the FO being fed up with him; a killer showing could alleviate a lot of that supposed pressure.

killer showing = trade bait?

[poeticism707]

killer showing = trade bait?

If he has a killer showing, they'll keep him.

[mazerrackham]

by the way, apparently the NBA is re-encoding the streams from summer league to make it better quality. We'll see how this turns out. Maybe we will be able to review some of these games without choppiness...

[poeticism707]

by the way, apparently the NBA is re-encoding the streams from summer league to make it better quality. We'll see how this turns out. Maybe we will be able to review some of these games without choppiness...

Or they'll just be selling the same choppy product...

[benefactor]

I got mine going. The archived games are hit and miss. The Houston game was pretty good but the Dallas game was still kinda choppy. Oh, and lol @ the announcer during the Dallas game...I am not sure who he is but he is somehow associated with the Blazers. He was bragging about what a good job their management did in scouting Batum.

[DMX7]

by the way, apparently the NBA is re-encoding the streams from summer league to make it better quality. We'll see how this turns out. Maybe we will be able to review some of these games without choppiness...

I've heard nothing but complainst so far.

[Blackjack]

Summer League Notes: SA vs. Den



The talk surrounding last night’s game was DeJuan Blair, who registered a DNP. There are rumors of a contract stand off between the Spurs and Happy Walters (Blair’s agent), but I’ve talked with someone close to the negotiations and was told the talks are going well. The Spurs and Blair’s agent decided to sit him for a game to finalize contract details and tie up loose ends on Blair’s insurance.

DeJuan Blair might play on Thursday, it just depends if the Spurs and Happy Walters like the way all their little duckies are lining up. The Spurs, by the way, typically sit players during summer league in order to free up minutes for others. In all likelihood, Blair would have missed a game regardless of contract negotiations. Last night’s absence is a non-story.

The game featured one noteworthy performance by Ian Mahinmi and two perception solidifying efforts from George Hill and Malik Hairston.


Ian Mahinmi played with frantic energy, running the court like a gazelle and making his rotations with an I-want-to-play urgency. He finished the game with a triple double, collecting 12 points, 16 boards, and 10 fouls in 28 minutes. Let’s start by discussing the ugly triplet, the fouls.

This will seem counter-intuitive, but I take those 10 fouls as a good sign. First, it’s summer league for more than the players. I’m confident that at least half of the whistles were blown by officials who are still finding their way. Put differently, Mahinmi played with a physicality that will serve him well against NBA bigs. In fact, he played with a physicality that is necessary against the sort of players he’ll see during the regular season. By November, most of tonight’s whistled bumps and nudges won’t be called fouls, they’ll be called good defense. It’s great to know that Mahinmi is not afraid to mix it up. His excesses will be easy enough to reign in.

Mahinmi’s point total for the game is deceiving. He established terrific low block position on multiple occasions only to be passed over by his teammates. He could have had another 4 or 5 buckets, easy. He worked hard running the court, beating his man to the block and establishing shop. For his size, Mahinmi is both fast and quick. He’s fast running the court end to end and he’s quick on face ups and pivot spins. His first step is a dart. At points, he’ll need to settle and become more methodical executing his post moves. But for now, I think the Spurs should encourage him to play at high speed. Not only will it give their front court a different look, but Mahinmi will collect fouls from slow-footed defenders. On one possession, he faced up from 18 feet and blew past his man with a simple ball swing and explosive first step.

Mahinmi’s board work was Blairesque. He simply owned his space with a combination of desire and technique. A handful of his rebounds were of the impressive variety–Mahinmi forcefully boxed out his man and showed the strength and timing necessary to covert the possession. DeJuan Blair is an all-world rebounder, but Ian Mahinmi showed the goods to hold his own in the pursuit of a loose ball.

Ian Mahinmi’s shot blocking is raw. On the game, he had two commanding highlight reel blocks that will enrage Gregg Popovich. One was a half-courter that sent the center fielder into the wall. Mahinmi will learn that it’s more important to assume possession of the ball than to reset the opposing offense. But the talent and timing of a good shot blocker is there. More encouraging to me was his consistent ability to alter shots. I counted 3 clear shot alterations that forced the Nuggets into a bad possession. He’ll refine this skill in time.

The offseason is young. Mahinmi took a big step forward this game, but he needs to maintain this momentum for the remainder of the summer. Assuming modest progression between now and November, Mahinmi is talented enough to earn occasional minutes as the team’s 5th big. But more substantial rotation minutes are not unthinkable. To my mind, he’s the team most intriguing wild card.

Malik Hairston is a different player than a year ago. Defensively, he held the uber-athletic Sonny Weems to 2 of 16. We’ve known that Hairston is capable of sturdy defense, but it’s still nice to be reminded. Offensively, Hairston is taking shape as a legitimate perimeter player. He shoots with confidence and is able to get to the basket on unspectacular but effective dribble drives. One’s imagination is not strained by the thought of Hairston in the rotation. He’s not there yet, obviously. But if he continues to push himself this summer, especially on his ball handling and outside shooting, Hairston has all the promise of a more offensively talented version of Ime Udoka. Malik Hairston must sense the opportunity that exists for him this season–Ime Udoka remains unsigned and Mike Finley’s game has lost the battle against age. The minutes available behind Richard Jefferson are for the taking.

George Hill teased us again with his talent. It’s tough to gauge his ceiling, but there is no question that he will be a vital component to the Spurs’ championship aspirations. What is so striking about Hill is how many things he does poorly. He needlessly dribbles into the baseline, he’s lost when trapped and bothered by full court pressure, and his recognition off screens is still underdeveloped. In other words, he’s nowhere near his ceiling. But he’s covered considerable ground, and his flaws are correctable. His game is evolving at an exciting pace. If they remain healthy, the Spurs will have the best backcourt in the league.

Thinking more collectively, this game suggests a new wrinkle to the Spurs’ program. George Hill is tremendoes at getting to the foul line. So is Richard Jefferson. Ian Mahinmi’s odd combination of size and speed attracts fouls. Traditionally, the Spurs have not been a team that beats their opponents at the foul line. This season will be different. There is every reason to believe the Spurs’ ability to attack the hoop will be a headache for their opponents. The summer of 2009: the gift that keeps giving.

I’ve not written about other players because their performances were either unimportant or disappointing. In a nuts , James Gist is not making a strong case for himself. He needs more time overseas or in Austin, which, he should take note, did wonders for Malik Hairston. Jack McClinton does not look like an NBA player, although it’s still early. He can turn it around. Right now, Marcus Williams will easily beat him out for the final roster spot. But it’s a Wednesday morning in mid-July. There is plenty of time for things to change.

http://www.48minutesof .com/2009/...tes-sa-vs-den/

[oligarchy]

BlackJack: Are you affiliated with 48MOH, or just posting it ?

[Blackjack]

BlackJack: Are you affiliated with 48MOH, or just posting it ?

Just posting.

I guess 228 has the E-N covered and I've just assumed the 48MoH duties..