McDonald: Hairston May Have Staying Power

[anakha]

Dude. Goran Dragic for DeJuan Blair, Malik Hairston, cash.

Yeeouch.

That was $500k worth of cash too, IIRC.

Sneakily lopsided trade there.

[MarHill]

The 2008 draft was one of the better Spurs moves. At the time, it did not appear to be. When the #45 pick came around, SpursTalk went from "ho-hum" to "what just happened here?" in three picks.

THE TRADE: San Antonio traded the draft rights to #45 Goran Dragic to
Phoenix for the draft rights to #48 Malik Hairston, Golden State's 2009
2nd round draft pick (which Phoenix owned), and cash.

Dude. Goran Dragic for DeJuan Blair, Malik Hairston, cash.

It is interesting how the small moves could help the Spurs in the long run. Who knew this trade with Phoenix would get them Blair and now Hairston looks like he will make the team.

The Spurs are developing a farm system in Austin and Europe. And very few NBA teams are doing that.

It reminds of the Atlanta Braves in the '90s. I know they only won one World Series in '95....but they had developed a pipeline of talent from their farm system and that's what help them win 15 division les in that time period. Boston Red Sox are doing that in this decade.

I know it's a little different in basketball but if Spurs can develop a pipeline of talent...there could be life after the TD era (or I call the Spurs Golden Age) after all.

[urunobili]

I'm a fan... he should eat Finley's minutes this season...

[SenorSpur]

I'm a fan... he should eat Finley's minutes this season...

Agreed. I don't think there should be any question about whether he makes the team or not. That looks to be a given. He will likely assume Udoka's spot.

While I expect Pop to begin the season with Finley as primary backup to RJ, I'd love to see Hairston eventually move past Finley into that role. On individual defensive abilities alone, he's already ahead of Finley. He simply needs to evolve into a good team defender. On the other side, if he demonstrates consistent outside shooting, I can see it happening. Obviously, he has the ability to get to the rim and can rebound the ball well.

[Stump]

I figure Hairston will either be just out of the rotation or get single digit minutes per game, but will be the first one in as soon as one of the guards or small forwards gets hurt or sent to the doghouse.

[all_heart]

There are a lot of guys this year with something to prove. I sure hope he makes the team and does well. I appreciate Finley's timely 3's over the years, but hopefully with guys like Malik playing hard and hustling we won't be in those situations too often. Besides if we need clutch 3's we got Manu and Mason for that.

[MannyIsGod]

The last time I was this excited about the youth on this team was when we had guys like Stephen Jackson in the wings. Its awesome to have some youth possibilities ready to go.

[TheCerebral1]

I like his chances in a year from now to be full time replacement for when Mike Finley moves on to greener pastures. I loved what I saw in the SL games as his shot selection has greatly become more consistent. Also showing signs of being a top of the key defender. Good luck Malik!

[Fingaroll44]

One thing sticks out in my mind about Malik last season, in what limited time he saw on the floor. I remember him having a few follow slams...the situation where one guy misses a shot and his teammate crashes the boards, leaps before or above everyone else, rebounds the ball and dunks it all in one motion. An offensive rebound and a dunk all at once. I hadn't seen that on the Spurs in a long time from a wing player. That alone made me want him on the team.

[SenorSpur]

One thing sticks out in my mind about Malik last season, in what limited time he saw on the floor. I remember him having a few follow slams...the situation where one guy misses a shot and his teammate crashes the boards, leaps before or above everyone else, rebounds the ball and dunks it all in one motion. An offensive rebound and a dunk all at once. I hadn't seen that on the Spurs in a long time from a wing player. That alone made me want him on the team.

[z0sa]

I was thinking the same. NO stats to look at really, but the guy has a nose for the basketball. I think its because he played PF in college.

[Macca76]

The 2008 draft was one of the better Spurs moves. At the time, it did not appear to be. When the #45 pick came around, SpursTalk went from "ho-hum" to "what just happened here?" in three picks.

THE TRADE: San Antonio traded the draft rights to #45 Goran Dragic to
Phoenix for the draft rights to #48 Malik Hairston, Golden State's 2009
2nd round draft pick (which Phoenix owned), and cash.

Dude. Goran Dragic for DeJuan Blair, Malik Hairston, cash.

Exactly, the 2008 draft was a really good one for the spurs and so is the 2009 one, whereas the expectations were really low (no 1st round pick, suposed low level of the draft, which may not be that low by the way ...)
The Blair signing is so good, and the Jefferson and Mac Dyess signings + our young players developping, I can't wait for the season to begin!

To be honest, I was expecting zero to none good news this summer, I'm really so happy !!! OK I stop now

[dbestpro]

I do not think he is tall enough for the SF position. Once teams are use to him on the floor they will simply post him up with the bigger SF's. Would like to see him develop as a SG. If Hairston is the backup at SF it actually makes me glad that we still have Finley.

[z0sa]

I do not think he is tall enough for the SF position. Once teams are use to him on the floor they will simply post him up with the bigger SF's. Would like to see him develop as a SG. If Hairston is the backup at SF it actually makes me glad that we still have Finley.

Sure, Finley might hit a few three's. He'll also get scored on at will and is only getting worse every second that passes. A guy like Hairston has decent upside and could be a contributor, especially on the defensive end, a year or two down the line with steady playing time now.

And holy now I know this is a stretch, but WHAT IF maybe Hairston shows up to play and makes waves this season? You know, since he didn't do too bad in his playing time last season? And the spurs obviously have the confidence he'll make the team since they gave him a partially guaranteed contract this early on. That's not even hanging a carrot. That's cheese at the end of a maze; All he's gotta do is keep hustling his ass off.

[SonOfAGun]

I like Malik. He seems like a "just get it done" type of guy on the court. He is not afraid to take it to the rim and he's got a confident shot. Sturdy build too.