I hate the way people overrate the guy...because then he turns into a "bust" if he's not putting up ridiculous numbers.
It'd be nice to see him come in and give 5pts 5 rebs.
In rewatching the game, I noticed that Mahinmi was running hard all game. Last year, he was pretty lazy. In his first game this year, his effort was much better. He sprinted to both ends and rotated well.
As Dennis Lindsey said, Mahinmi has to connect the dots in his game. But the potential is there for him to be a solid role player.
http://www.nba.com/dleague/playerfil...er=ian_mahinmi
30mins
17,1pts (61,5% FG's - 76,6% FT's)
8,2 rebs (2,6 off)
1,4 ast
1,5 steals
1,7 blocks
2,7 TO's
4 PF's
NBDL All-Star
ALL NBDL first team as Center.
That was as good as we could ask him at the time.
Hey guys, after watching yesterday I was pretty underwhelmed with what I saw from Ian - until I talked to some of the Spurs' brass that was there in attendance. They made sure to point out to me that he's only been able to play for about six weeks now and that this was his first structured game. Basically, it's his first game healthy in a year. When you look at it in that context it was a great game for Ian. He told me afterwards that his explosion isn't all the way back yet, but I was still impressed with how quick he was and how well he ran the floor. He had a nice left handed finish late in the 4th that really stands out. Barring any set backs I think Ian will certainly be ready to play some backup minutes consistently.
Last season was Mahinmi's first chance to log significant minutes in the NBA after a successful season with the Toros and the logjam in the bigman rotation opened up. Injury, of course, derailed that.
I've never seen Spurs fans so ready to write a 22 year old athletic bigman off. Given the injury and his performance in Austin the season prior, you'd think so many wouldn't be ready to see him go.
Oh well, I'm sure he'll have plenty of fans come mid-season in SA.
A solid backup position is all we should expect for this guy in 2010. Let him grow into the position.
We can not expect him to be the "All -World" Andrew Bynum... hahahaha Plus Bynum is like 7'1", so that automaticly makes him much, much, much better. Just ask any Laker fan.
Notre Dame.
Agreed!
Spurs fans must show more patience for Ian: he's only 22!
He can't help he injured his ankle last season, he can't help that it was misdiagnosed, he can't help that this was his first game IN OVER A YEAR.
I mean really think about that:
WHAT WOULD BLAIR OR HILL LOOK LIKE IF THEY HADN'T PLAYED FOR A FULL YEAR?!? They'd look terrible, but Ian certainly did not look terrible. Factor in the fact that he hasn't played in a year, and he might well be yesterday's MVP. He has the athleticism and height, he is running the court EXTEREMELY well, and that nice spin move at the end of the game, finishing with his left, is indicative of how his skills are coming back, in pieces. But just be PATIENT with him, for crying out loud, he's only 22 years old, and for all intents and purposes, THIS IS HIS ROOKIE SEASON, and he's only played ONE GAME. This guy has all the tools, and the drive and loyalty to the Spurs organization to be very solid contributor THIS SEASON, but it's going to take time for him to get back athletically where he was. But he'll do it.
Even if Ian only duplicates this performance from game 1 against the Hornets for the rest of SL, I'd say the Spurs should DEFINITELY invite him to camp, and put him on the roster. Because he is very indebted to the Spurs, and that is the fire that drives him: to PROVE that he is man and player enough (not just one or the other) to contribute meaningful basketball to the Spurs.
As I said: he's going to do it, too. Blair, Hairston, and Haislip won't be the only new Spurs contributing this season: for those who don't think he will, Ian will sirprise you all.
No. You're so wrong it's not funny.
He's under contract, the Spurs are gonna have him on the team.Agreed!
Spurs fans must show more patience for Ian: he's only 22!
He can't help he injured his ankle last season, he can't help that it was misdiagnosed, he can't help that this was his first game IN OVER A YEAR.
I mean really think about that:
WHAT WOULD BLAIR OR HILL LOOK LIKE IF THEY HADN'T PLAYED FOR A FULL YEAR?!? They'd look terrible, but Ian certainly did not look terrible. Factor in the fact that he hasn't played in a year, and he might well be yesterday's MVP. He has the athleticism and height, he is running the court EXTEREMELY well, and that nice spin move at the end of the game, finishing with his left, is indicative of how his skills are coming back, in pieces. But just be PATIENT with him, for crying out loud, he's only 22 years old, and for all intents and purposes, THIS IS HIS ROOKIE SEASON, and he's only played ONE GAME. This guy has all the tools, and the drive and loyalty to the Spurs organization to be very solid contributor THIS SEASON, but it's going to take time for him to get back athletically where he was. But he'll do it.
Even if Ian only duplicates this performance from game 1 against the Hornets for the rest of SL, I'd say the Spurs should DEFINITELY invite him to camp, and put him on the roster. Because he is very indebted to the Spurs, and that is the fire that drives him: to PROVE that he is man and player enough (not just one or the other) to contribute meaningful basketball to the Spurs.
As I said: he's going to do it, too. Blair, Hairston, and Haislip won't be the only new Spurs contributing this season: for those who don't think he will, Ian will sirprise you all.
Hey Yannis, I was hoping you could clear something up for me. I haven't been able to see Ian play in a while, but I've heard his lower body looks really undeveloped in comparison to his upper body...is that true or exaggerated?Hey guys, after watching yesterday I was pretty underwhelmed with what I saw from Ian - until I talked to some of the Spurs' brass that was there in attendance. They made sure to point out to me that he's only been able to play for about six weeks now and that this was his first structured game. Basically, it's his first game healthy in a year. When you look at it in that context it was a great game for Ian. He told me afterwards that his explosion isn't all the way back yet, but I was still impressed with how quick he was and how well he ran the floor. He had a nice left handed finish late in the 4th that really stands out. Barring any set backs I think Ian will certainly be ready to play some backup minutes consistently.
I have yet to be impressed with Ian. If he was a late second rounder, I would be ok with his progress but IMO, you have too see more out of a 1st rounder. Hopefully this is the year he breaks through. If not, the FO will have some decisions to make.
What did he not do right in 2007-08?
I didn't look for that specifically, but typically stuff like that jumps out at me and it didn't with Ian. I don't think there's any kind of imbalance there.
what a stupid thing to say. There's absolutely no way Mensah-Bonsu would have held up those numbers over a lengthy period of time (he played 8 games with the Toros). And the height thing? How can you compare Mahinmi to a guy that is one inch shorter than him and complain about his height? He's one inch under 7 ft! That's pretty good length, you clown shoes.
My belief that Ian is a bust = My belief that Blair is a beast
dude, I will never accept that a guy who is only 22 years old is a bust. The Spurs FO hasn't accepted that either.
Especially when his chance to make the rotation was derailed by injury. In 2007-08 he turned in a successful season with the Toros and was set to make the rotation in 2008-09 before the injury. Spurs fans are kicking him to the curb simply because he hasn't been on a court in a while.
Well, to be honest, he did play in last season's summer league before he got injured and did not impress. Then again, neither did George Hill.
He could've beat out Bonner for minutes last season.
A couple summer league games don't matter that much, other than for those players marginal enough who need a good showing to warrant a training camp invite. Mahinmi's performance with the Toros is more impressive and relevant than in the summer league.
But, but...
Allright
Edit: The rotting corpse of the Frito Bandito could have beat out Bonner for minutes last season...
Last year, Mahinmi averaged 14 and 8 in summer league in his sleep. I agree that Mahinmi putting up the highest PER in history in d-league over an entire season is more noteworthy. Especially considering he was just 20.
And if you want to judge Mahinmi using a couple of minutes, why not look at his NBA stats. Per minute, his actual NBA stats are ridiculous
Last year Gist turned in an impressive summer league performance. Now it appears that the Spurs are trying him out at the 3 and *voila* he struggled in his first game. Dare I remind everyone of Duncan's summer league experience.
This was Mahinmi's first real game in quite a while anyways.
LOL.. he logged what? 30 minutes total?And if you want to judge Mahinmi using a couple of minutes, why not look at his NBA stats. Per minute, his actual NBA stats are ridiculous
And I would give Gist more credit for his Italian league performance. Just like you'd give a Duncan more credit for his career at Wake or Hill for his at IUPPPIPIPUI.
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