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Yep
Hairston dropped 43-5-4 tonight with a monster 2nd half, including the game-tying free throws with 1 second left to send it into OT..the Toros would probably play with more heart than the Spurs right now..
Yep
Funny, they never seem to get it together until the second half. They could have easily been 0-3 this week instead of 3-0.
I expect they will get blown out tomorrow as they have to travel to Springfield tonight then play at noon.
Were you surprised they called that flagrant foul?..I was actually shocked, seemed like a very weird time to call that..it didn't really make a difference in the end though..
They really are a clutch team though, Hairston and Jerrells made some big plays down the stretch..
I didn't watch the 1st half, but I heard the announcers talking about how they only had 20-something points to end the 1st half and ended up with 90-something in the mid-4th..pretty huge 2nd half..
It was kind of an easy call since Hairston had such a clear path and was going to punish the rim.
Definitely finding ways to win. They need to unload some guards and pick up a power forward. They were one Roderick Riley foul away from running Eddie Basden at center against Alex Ajinca.They really are a clutch team though, Hairston and Jerrells made some big plays down the stretch..
They were very passive and settling for jumpers. Snyder has done a good job at making halftime adjustments and imploring the Toros to attack the basket. Gee, Jerrells and Hariston are still trying to find a way to coexist.I didn't watch the 1st half, but I heard the announcers talking about how they only had 20-something points to end the 1st half and ended up with 90-something in the mid-4th..pretty huge 2nd half..
Hairston has played 4 games since he went to Toros and he averages 34ppg.
On a related note, a little video about Jerrels, Gee and Jones:
Sorry Malik. Congrats on playing well, but no matter how well you do you won't get jack from Pop.
Bruno, you been following Ajinca at all?..he looked pretty nice in the game tonight, he had like 9 blocks IIRC..
Ajinça had 26 points, 13 rebounds and 10 blocks.
I haven't been watching him playing in D-League but from what I've heard he hasn't been that great considering it's the D-League. He is still very raw (rawer than Ian) and his at ude is quite poor. Future doesn't look very bright for him.
Alex is just so much longer than everybody it makes things easy for him in the D-League. His stats are as deceptive as Dwyane's usually are. As Bruno said, he's just so raw offensively. Alex kind of stopped going inside when faced with the heavier Roderick Riley, but he actually has a bit of a shot from the elbow. Neither Toros center was really well prepared for him tonight, but they also had Maine's long forwards to deal with since the smaller Toros guards couldn't handle them.
Looked like it again, and they bust out a 19-point comeback..this team is like the anti-Spurs in that regard..
Yeah, these guys are kind of ridiculous. Hairston's D wasn't stellar against Morris Almond, but he and the other Toros forced a lot of turnovers.
Ya, I didn't like Hairston's D today, he didn't really look too focused, his last 2 fouls were pretty stupid..I'm not really worried about his D though, I just want him to continue improving offensively..
Almond looks like a saavy D-league vet though, he was drawing some very smart fouls, Maggette-style..
Are you seeing any growth in Malik's offensive game or is he me mostly just slashing and using his athleticism?
And since you brought up Almond, is he looking like an NBA player or someone that could end up being one of those cheap signings to fill out the Spurs roster next (or someone that could fight for a spot with the team next year; I've still yet to hear why he was practicing with the Spurs around SL time but was never officially on any of their rosters before heading to NY)?
He's shooting the three decently in the flow of the game and didn't turn the ball over once today. I think his shot selection has been lacking lately as he has driven into a lot of double teams and packed lanes when good shooters are open on the perimeter. He also takes a few contested jumpers when he shouldn't. The whole team goes through periods when they are fairly passive on offense, and Hairston has not been an exception.
Yeah, he is an NBA level scorer, but not much else at this time.And since you brought up Almond, is he looking like an NBA player or someone that could end up being one of those cheap signings to fill out the Spurs roster next (or someone that could fight for a spot with the team next year; I've still yet to hear why he was practicing with the Spurs around SL time but was never officially on any of their rosters before heading to NY)?
Thanks, Chump.
Ya think Almond could be a potential Fin replacement (skill set-wise)?
Like a young version of the old Finley, if that makes sense?
Scoring-wise, I get what you are saying -- but defensively he makes Finley look like Bruce Bowen. He wouldn't be a waste of a summer league invitation to be sure.
Another SG I would look at for scoring is Reggie Williams from Sioux Falls. He's scoring 27ppg on 66% shooting inside the arc and 39% outside it on a team with no offensive big men.
I knew he was pretty one-dimensional but, yikes..
Yeah, that's what I was thinking. I'm always reminded of seeing him in the Spurs practice facility, wearing their practice attire, during the summer whenever I see his name come up; it just seems the Spurs have, or had interest..
The writeup at DX is pretty flattering towards him. Does this seem a pretty fair overall assessment?
Williams’ biggest weakness as an NBA prospect clearly revolves around his play on the defensive end. He lacks lateral quickness in a major way and struggles badly trying to stay in front of athletic slashers already at the D-League level. While his effort level is usually solid and his wingspan is above average, he can’t be described as anything more than a mediocre defender, something that is clearly holding him back.
Williams regardless is a guy that teams need to take a look at, as he has outstanding scoring instincts and is producing in a huge way in a very efficient manner. He might not be the top swingman prospect in the D-League, but he can’t be that far off.
Yeah, that's fair. It has probably kept him from being called up as well, but he is such a dominant scorer some team probably will soon.
I'm starting to like the way Alonzo Gee is playing man defense now that he doesn't have the main scoring burden, but the whole team D concept seems lost on the Toros this season. Of course the knock on Gee is he lacks a reliable jumper.
Damn, even Almond's DX writeup sounds like a Fin replacement-type:
What they think limits him, only helps to entice Pop.Defense is still not among Almond's strengths, but he has put in adequate effort here, and his physical tools in terms of size, length, and lateral quickness are enough to get by at the shooting guard position.
The biggest concern about Almond from an NBA perspective is what he will be able to contribute when he's not scoring, as he ranks amongst the worst passers in the league, and watching him play, is clearly always looking for his own shot. Data from Synergy Sports Technology also suggests Almond isn't nearly as good of a scorer coming off screens as he is spotting up, and this could limit his effectiveness in a role as a 3-point shooter in the NBA.
Malik Hairston: Your D-League Performer of the Week
From the NBA:
Malik Hairston of the Austin Toros was today named NBA Development League Performer of the Week for games played during the week of Jan. 18, 2010.
Hairston, on assignment from the San Antonio Spurs, led Austin to a 4-0 record last week, including victories over the Erie BayHawks, Fort Wayne Mad Ants, Maine Red Claws, and Springfield Armor. He scored a team-season-high 43 points in an overtime road victory over the Red Claws in Portland, Maine on Jan. 22.
Hairston averaged 35.8 points, shooting 49 percent (48-of-99) from the field to go with 3.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists. He scored more than 30 points in all four contests last week.
Since being sent to Austin by the Spurs, Hairston has been able to score at will at the D-League level and get to the rim with ease. Practicing every day with the big boys has definitely paid off for Malik and probably increased his trade value, if the Spurs are looking to deal.
With Michael Finley expected to come off the injured list soon and Matt Bonner back in the lineup, it remains to be seen how much time Hairston spends in San Antonio before the playoffs start. I wouldn’t be surprised if Malik finished the season out with the Toros before he heads back to the Spurs.
Gee, what do the spurs need anyone with trade value for? Pop has a knack of finding those washed up ... err ... "established NBA journeyman" for the vet minumum.Malik Hairston: Your D-League Performer of the Week
From the NBA:
Malik Hairston of the Austin Toros was today named NBA Development League Performer of the Week for games played during the week of Jan. 18, 2010.
Hairston, on assignment from the San Antonio Spurs, led Austin to a 4-0 record last week, including victories over the Erie BayHawks, Fort Wayne Mad Ants, Maine Red Claws, and Springfield Armor. He scored a team-season-high 43 points in an overtime road victory over the Red Claws in Portland, Maine on Jan. 22.
Hairston averaged 35.8 points, shooting 49 percent (48-of-99) from the field to go with 3.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists. He scored more than 30 points in all four contests last week.
Since being sent to Austin by the Spurs, Hairston has been able to score at will at the D-League level and get to the rim with ease. Practicing every day with the big boys has definitely paid off for Malik and probably increased his trade value, if the Spurs are looking to deal.
With Michael Finley expected to come off the injured list soon and Matt Bonner back in the lineup, it remains to be seen how much time Hairston spends in San Antonio before the playoffs start. I wouldn’t be surprised if Malik finished the season out with the Toros before he heads back to the Spurs.
Malik, if you want a roster spot on the spurs, go find yourself a dozen teams to bounce around on, make sure you play a little defense once in awhile in order to hype yourself into the next coming of Bruce Bowen, and make sure you shoot around 40% or less from the floor.
Do that, and maybe in 10 years Pop will give you a call. Good luck, son, and hope to see you then.
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