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Bogans been in NBA battles?! Which ones?
The Bogans fallout
By Jeff McDonald
On Sept. 23, the Spurs somewhat surprisingly signed veteran guard Keith Bogans to a guaranteed minimum contract, making him the last man in for training camp.
The rationale offered by general manager R.C. Buford at the time was simple: After the June trade for Richard Jefferson that sent Bruce Bowen to Milwaukee and then into retirement, the Spurs had a defensive void to fill on the perimeter. Bogans, the Spurs reasoned, might fill that void.
However, the Bogans signing came with one looming side effect: It almost certainly will render either Malik Hairston or Marcus Williams the odd man out.
Including Bogans, the Spurs have 14 players with guaranteed contracts. The Spurs could waive Bogans, who hasn't exactly set the world on fire this preseason, but probably won't.
That leaves Hairston and Williams -- the two players with deals not fully guaranteed -- in a battle royale for the final spot. One of them will more than likely become a free agent on or before Oct. 26, directly as a result of the Bogans signing. (We are not including point guard Curtis Jerrells in this discussion, because it is expected he will be waived prior to the roster deadline).
Both Williams and Hairston are probably good enough to play in the NBA right now. Waiving one of them would be a necessary evil.
As Peter Holt's summer spending spree suggests, the Spurs are in win-now mode. Bogans, a six-year veteran, has a better chance of contributing to a two-year plan than, say, Williams. If Bogans' defense on Kobe Bryant or Jason Terry helps swing a playoff series, he's more than earned his worth.
The Bogans' signing also created another curious side effect on the two young Spurs vying for the 15th spot. It has given the Spurs a chance to see how each performs under pressure. The minute Bogans autographed his conract, Hairston and Williams both knew the deal: It was mano-a-mano for a roster spot.
Hairston appears to have thrived under that challenge. He has made the most of his 18 minutes a game this preseason, and appears to have assumed command in the race for the 15th slot. Almost every decision he's made on the floor has been the right one.
Williams, meanwhile, has gone the opposite way. He appears to be pressing in order to play himself onto the team. As is often the case with players who try too hard to play themselves on the team, Williams might be playing his way off of it.
If Hairston does make the team, it could make Bogans redundant. Hairston possesses some of the defensive moxie his older counterpart has become renowned for, and has displayed this preseason a growing grasp of the NBA game. If he continues to blossom, it would not be surprising to see Hairston eventually become Gregg Popovich's defensive stopper designate.
However, Pop also favors veterans, players who have been through the NBA battles before, which is why it makes sense for him to hedge his bets with an old hand like Bogans.
Bogans been in NBA battles?! Which ones?
Someone is reading Spurstalk again.
Hairston >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Williams
Set the roster already...
good article, i was thinking they would possibly drop bogans but when you think like the spurs f.o its alot safer to go with bogans and hairston, and have a no lose situation. maybe bogans is just nervous and hasnt felt comfortable yet.
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I still don't understand what Williams has done to prove his worth. He must be REALLY impressive behind the scenes or in practice, because I haven't really seen him show anything on the court that screams that he deserves the last spot.
Hairston, on the other hand, has played really well. Seems pretty unfair if he should lose the spot to Williams...considering they are supposed to be playing for it.
Hairston > Bogans > Williams.
We just need to cut Williams. What's the issue?
Last year when they cut Hairston and kept Farmer, I didn't like it but I understood the need for a shooter in Manu's absence.
This year, if they go with a 14 man roster, I won't like it but I will understand the financial considerations.
If they keep Williams and cut Hairston, however, I won't like it and I won't understand it.
Bye Bye Williams!
Bogans is a veteran yet Haislip is still raw with something to prove - this seems to be the conventional narrative. Yet, neither have really ever done anything and are close to the same age. They must really think Bogans is a Kobe stopper or something particular because his career has been fairly lackluster so far. It's crazy - if there is talk that the team might let him go, then why not just stick with Bruce for one more year at the minimum? It seems like some petty emotions got in the way of a sound basketball decision somewhere along the way.
Anyway...wonder if Jeff posts in here, he certainly reads now and then. And finally, an admission that the 14th spot is already fixed.
to waive Williams would suck
to waive Hairston would be really really ing stupid
The allure of Williams is that, in theory, he can play 3 positions. Malik has to overcome a variety of factors for the Spurs to justify keeping him: (1) the glut of sf/sg on the roster ahead of him; (2) Marcus's supposed compe ive advantage, which is his "versatility"; and (3) a bad economy making teams question carrying 15 players.
This sucks because I think Malik has outclassed Marcus on the court. I really hope he sticks!
Last game... a technical foul is called on the Clippers... who in the court takes the free throw?
Answer: Marcus Williams
Last game... 3 highlight reels in a row... who? Marcus Williams:
http://www.nba.com/video/games/spurs...nba/index.html
Besides, Marcus Williams last year was signed and Hairston was then waived. The coaching staff's logic isn't about to change just because of a couple of pre-season games. I mean, why the would they sign Bogans... if not to find a Hairston replacement!
Not a good idea in my opinion, but it's crystal clear why Bogans is here. It's either Bogans or Hairston.
The possibility of any of these three players ever making a significant contribution is slim; very slim so who cares?
hairston has impressed me since day 1 last yr. williams shines every once in a blue moon and from what i've seen first hand in preseason this year is that hairston is more deserving of the last roster spot.
with all that said, bogans hasn't done anything yet to be deserving of a roster spot.
Williams sucks period. Just cut his head now.
Who the spurs can use this season?
a pretty good wing player who play tough defense and can surprise on offense or a 6-9 pg who has nice court vision but is going to get beat constantly by more physical and quicker pg.
Bogans sucks. He looks slow and is undersized. Sucks to have him instead of Bruce. Would rather have signed Carlos Arroyo for backup backup PG insurance because I think Hairston can do everything Bogans can do better and then some (nice signing by Orlando for Nelson insurance). Hairston has impressed periodically. He's strong and quick. Williams hasn't looked awful, has had some nice passes. But I think he goes to the Toros again just so Bogans can gather dust.
This is a debate akin to "do you want cancer or not."
Cut Williams already for the love of pete.
if he goes back to the toros doesnt the spurs lose all rights to him? that's my understanding at least.
Yes but whats to lose?
A tall point guard who can't shoot?
Whoopee.
Once they cut Williams, they lose all rights.
If they keep Williams, they can no longer assign him to the Toros.
If Hairston is kept, he can be assigned to the Toros.
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