TP's interview: A GM is gonna be fired !

[Bruno]

http://www.tp9.net/en/itw.php?id=268

• October 12, 2009

Tony, you won Miami yesterday (95-93) and once again Dejuan Blair (28) was awesome…

Let me tell you something… I think a GM is gonna be fired soon for sure (laugh). Such a talented player cannot be drafted on 2nd pick. There’s something wrong : San Antonio easily picked him on 37th position. Everybody said he was too small and he could never make it in the NBA. So ok, he’s only played pre season games so far but when you see his moves… he’s a very good player. Great hands, nice touch. I am eager to see what it’s gonna be like on the floor with Tim Duncan.

How did the game go ?

It was another evaluation game for Gregg Popovich. Like the young players of the team, Ian (Mahinmi) made a good game with 9 points, 3 rbds and 3 blocks. Pop will have a hard time making a choice. In my opinion, he’s gonna make up his mind soon and let a player go. It could be on Wednesday after the Clippers game or today at practice.

You were rather reserved at this game (2 pts in 12 minutes).

I am handling it. I gotta be ready at the end of the month, not now. I don’t want to get injured. Besides, Pop told me I would rest on Wednesday’s game. We are going to play harder and have a vision of the typical team later. We’ll have 3 games left until the beginning of the regular season vs New Orleans.

That’s why Ginobili and Duncan didn’t play yesterday ?

Yes, Pop is often changing players. As Gino played the first two games, he chose to let him rest. Coach doesn’t want to go to fast with him. He’s careful with his ankle. As for Tim, he didn’t even come. Pop thought there was no need for him to take a long trip.

Have you seen Yakouba Diawara ?

Yes I saw him. It was cool to see him again. He told me his preparation went ok. He was in the starting 5 yesterday. I wish him good luck for the season.

[mountainballer]

How did the game go ?

It was another evaluation game for Gregg Popovich. Like the young players of the team, Ian (Mahinmi) made a good game with 9 points, 3 rbds and 3 blocks. Pop will have a hard time making a choice. In my opinion, he’s gonna make up his mind soon and let a player go. It could be on Wednesday after the Clippers game or today at practice.

why did Tony answer this question by pointing out Ian and mention that Pop will have a hard time making a choice? sounds as if there have been some talks about Ian, otherwise this answer is somehow confusing.

[polandprzem]

wow people are so hyped up about Blair

I will be when he will put up 8 & 8 and gonna be good on D (esp. when it comes to IQ)


btw. Still NBA fans not giving the spurs many chances just because we are so injury prone.

btw2. Without Bowen our D will change dramaticly when it comes to guarding teams with permieter stars

[polandprzem]

why did Tony answer this question by pointing out Ian and mention that Pop will have a hard time making a choice? sounds as if there have been some talks about Ian, otherwise this answer is somehow confusing.

Wow, Pop gonna flush one of the bigs?

[DPG21920]

I think he meant that a few guys have been playing well and there is only 1 spot left. It will be a tough choice for Pop. There was not a link between the Ian comment and the following comment.

Ian is a separate issue. He is already guaranteed money this year.

[Spurs Brazil]

In my opinion, he’s gonna make up his mind soon and let a player go. It could be on Wednesday after the Clippers game or today at practice.

I think Jones is gone after today's practice

[Interrohater]

I think he meant that a few guys have been playing well and there is only 1 spot left. It will be a tough choice for Pop. There was not a link between the Ian comment and the following comment.

Ian is a separate issue. He is already guaranteed money this year.

I disagree, Mountainballer has a point in reading into the comment. Just because a player has a guaranteed contract doesn't mean he'll be playing for the Spurs. The comment was definitely linked to Yawn. I wonder how all of this is going to pan out. It really seems as if the entire team is rooting for him, which is a bad sign, because a lot of the praise seems sympathetic. Although last night he really did have a decent game.

[peskypesky]

Let me tell you something… I think a GM is gonna be fired soon for sure (laugh). Such a talented player cannot be drafted on 2nd pick. There’s something wrong : San Antonio easily picked him on 37th position. Everybody said he was too small and he could never make it in the NBA. So ok, he’s only played pre season games so far but when you see his moves… he’s a very good player. Great hands, nice touch. I am eager to see what it’s gonna be like on the floor with Tim Duncan.

ummm...so has nobody told tony that Blair has no ACL's??

[DPG21920]

I disagree, Mountainballer has a point in reading into the comment. Just because a player has a guaranteed contract doesn't mean he'll be playing for the Spurs. The comment was definitely linked to Yawn. I wonder how all of this is going to pan out. It really seems as if the entire team is rooting for him, which is a bad sign, because a lot of the praise seems sympathetic. Although last night he really did have a decent game.

Yes it does. It means he won't be cut. He might be traded away or his option for next year might not be picked up, but he will not be cut. That was what TP was referring to.

[TimmehC]

Wow, Pop gonna flush one of the bigs?

Well, Haislip didn't play yesterday.

[Blackjack]

why did Tony answer this question by pointing out Ian and mention that Pop will have a hard time making a choice? sounds as if there have been some talks about Ian, otherwise this answer is somehow confusing.

I can see how you might read into that, but I don't think that's where he was going.

IMO, Tony's premise was to say that the game was purely one of evaluation and he threw in the Mahinmi comment because of whom he was being interviewed; someone who has an interest in Ian and would be glad to hear he was having some success during the evaluation process.

Judging by the use of Jones against the Heat, he should be probably be packing his bags; that's if they haven't already been packed.

[timvp]

I don't think you cut a guaranteed contract.

Did you start watching the NBA yesterday?

[Lady M]

I can see how you might read into that, but I don't think that's where he was going.

IMO, Tony's premise was to say that the game was purely one of evaluation and he threw in the Mahinmi comment because of whom he was being interviewed; someone who has an interest in Ian and would be glad to hear he was having some success during the evaluation process.

Judging by the use of Jones against the Heat, he should be probably be packing his bags; that's if they haven't already been packed.

Tony speaks about Ian because frenchs want to have news

[Blackjack]

Tony speaks about Ian because frenchs want to have news

So you agree?

[angelbelow]

haha thats a funny line by tony.

[Bruno]

Mahinmi and Blair are in direct concurrence for the minutes available behind Duncan, Bonner and Mcdyess. It's been clear since day one of the training camp. With the way Blair has played, Mahinmi has clearly lost this compe ion.

IMO, what TP is saying is that if Ian continues to improve during this training camp, Pop will face quite a dilemma.

[HarlemHeat37]

I don't necessarily agree with that..if Ian continues to improve, I think it'll depend on matchups..

with all the talks of Pop reserving the vets and preventing injuries, I fully expect Pop to use the full 15-man roster this year..I'm sure we'll get a lot of Duncan and Ratliff sitting out games, maybe even McDyess at times, so Ian will have plenty of opportunities to show what he can do at times during the regular season IMO..

If Ian manages to play better and better, there's really no way he shouldn't at least get chances..he's really the only big man on our roster that has a special build that fits a need..

[Thompson]

We'll still need Ian for certain matchups (we don't have that many 7 footers). We'll especially need him during back-to-back games that Tim sits out.

Ian has been praised for his defense, and everyone should remember that he is playing again after not playing for a year, it will take some time for him to return to where he was a couple years ago (when he was the best center in the D-league, and still had the potential to be even better). I think the Spurs would be nuts to cut him, I don't think it will happen.

[Interrohater]

we'll still need ian for certain matchups (we don't have that many 7 footers). We'll especially need him during back-to-back games that tim sits out.

Ian has been praised for his defense, and everyone should remember that he is playing again after not playing for a year, it will take some time for him to return to where he was a couple years ago (when he was the best center in the d-league, and still had the potential to be even better). I think the spurs would be nuts to cut him, i don't think it will happen.

+1

[Interrohater]

I think we're delineating from the original point though. It's not whether WE think Ian is good enough to stick around, it's really about what Coach Pop thinks. It also seems like Tony is lobbying for his fellow frenchman, which, again, makes it seem like a possibility that he'll be playing somewhere else this year. I hope not, because he is definitely showing improvement.

[DPG21920]

I don't think it is lobbying at all. TP just spoke the truth, Ian had a nice game. He has given Malik compliments and Blair. TP is just an honest guy in interviews.

[Pauleta14]

So you all think it will be Blair OR Mahinmi ??!!

No chances they both make the team?

[DPG21920]

They will both be on the team. Now, Ian could be traded, or he might not be on the team next year, but they will both initially make the team.

[Solid D]

Mahinmi and Blair are in direct concurrence for the minutes available behind Duncan, Bonner and Mcdyess. It's been clear since day one of the training camp. With the way Blair has played, Mahinmi has clearly lost this compe ion.

IMO, what TP is saying is that if Ian continues to improve during this training camp, Pop will face quite a dilemma.

The second time I've noticed you leave Ratliff out of the equation of Post players. Ratliff will be there in the 12-man rotation. The only other legit shot-blockers besides Duncan are Ratliff and Ian. I don't think the Spurs have the luxury of keeping both, unless Bonner is traded or Ratliff gets injured. I do think Bonner is being showcased and shopped but there may not be anything decent in return.

Haislip is another Big that will either be waived or sit behind the bench as injury protection or as single-game matchup plug-in. No one has been able to refute my initial su ion that Marcus has a make-good sentence in his (partially?) guaranteed contract. It would be nice to see how Marcus defends someone with major talent, like a Dirk Nowitzki or Lamar Odom....or even an Al Thornton or Blake Griffin this Wednesday. Marcus hasn't stood out defensively, thusfar, and may not be around much longer unless he does show something defensively.

[Pauleta14]

They will both be on the team. Now, Ian could be traded, or he might not be on the team next year, but they will both initially make the team.

Blair will stay - no brainer -
And I don't see them trading Mahinmi...
I mean, all this work/patience for nothing ?!?
+ They don't have the same profile/skills
Ian has rare skills (mobility, size, speed, shot blk...), things that a rare/hard to teach!
What he lacks of are "teachable" things (court vision, smart D...)

So he is worth the wait...

The ONLY thing that scar(ed) me was his intencity/energy on the court (scpecialy in the SL and preseason games),
But we need to remind that he comes of LONG injury + his contract is ending! Nothing to help your confidence...
It is understandable that he started "slowly"...
+ Bigs are known for needeing more times than guards to reach their "peak"

So I'm with the guys on ST that keep bcking him when everybody bashes him...

I see them both stay and used depending on the match-ups and our veterans's health...