Has Pop seen the light?

[timaios]

I guess the only thing they can hope for now is that he likes the club enough to resign. The only saving grace will be a very tight economic market on NBA salaries and a well-stocked free agent class of superstars. There will be few teams with money and those that have it will have a lot of it.

If Ian does bolt, this would make the decision NOT to pick up his option, one of the most bone-headed decision this regime ever made.

Why would Ian Mahinmi stay with the Spurs when Pop has absolutely no faith in him. He doesn't play.
2 years ago he was great in NBDL but Pop didn't gave him a chance.
Last year, that misdiagnosed injury by the Spurs' medical staff ed his entire season.
And this year, he's healthy, the Spurs need an athletic shotblocker and defender and... he doesn't play.

Ian is 23 now, and he wants to play. 2 years without playing is enough.
Next year he will be in another uniform. If not in NBA, it will be in Europe.

The only chance to see him in a Spurs uniform next year is that Pop starts to play him a little right now.

[SenorSpur]

Why would Ian Mahinmi stay with the Spurs when Pop has absolutely no faith in him. He doesn't play.
2 years ago he was great in NBDL but Pop didn't gave him a chance.
Last year, that misdiagnosed injury by the Spurs' medical staff ed his entire season.
And this year, he's healthy, the Spurs need an athletic shotblocker and defender and... he doesn't play.

Ian is 23 now, and he wants to play. 2 years without playing is enough.
Next year he will be in another uniform. If not in NBA, it will be in Europe.

The only chance to see him in a Spurs uniform next year is that Pop starts to play him a little right now.

You bring up a good point there. The downside of Pop playing him for the duration, would drive up not only interest, but also his price. However, that's the Spurs issue. Assuming they want to keep him after all, and want to sign him at a reduced price, they would've screwed themselves.

All that said, I never believed Pop or any of the other amatuerish observations that proclaimed the guy is a bust. Personally, like what the guy has to offer and want to see him play more and most defintely hopes that he does stay. He needs time and he deserves more time.

If he does split, then Pop, in screwing over another young player, would've screwed himself and the franchise. Investing 5 years in a talented first-round pick, so he can go be productive for another team is just stupid.

[itzsoweezee]

You bring up a good point there. The downside of Pop playing him for the duration, would drive up not only interest, but also his price. However, that's the Spurs issue. Assuming they want to keep him after all, and want to sign him at a reduced price, they would've screwed themselves.

All that said, I never believed Pop or any of the other amatuerish observations that proclaimed the guy is a bust. Personally, like what the guy has to offer and want to see him play more and most defintely hopes that he does stay. He needs time and he deserves more time.

If he does split, then Pop, in screwing over another young player, would've screwed himself and the franchise. Investing 5 years in a talented first-round pick, so he can go be productive for another team is just stupid.

spurs don't have any interest in keeping ian. all of their moves this year suggest that.

[objective]

the Spurs should play him even if it does drive Ian's price up.

He is effectively Splitter insurance.

Splitter's decision will be made before July 1 going by his last decision time. They'll know if he's coming. And if he is, then there's no room for Mahinmi, either with the MLE or in the rotation of TD, Splitter, Blair, and McCorpse.

But if Splitter doesn't come, the MLE is free for Ian.

Even if Ian plays very well this summer, and even though teams have a lot of capspace, I doubt anybody offers him more than an MLE sized contract when he would have only played about 25 games and had a history of bizarre injuries.

It's a no-lose situation.

Unless . . . you're

[SenorSpur]

spurs don't have any interest in keeping ian. all of their moves this year suggest that.

If that's turns out to be the case and Ian does indeed walk, then this FO will be made a mockery. And I'll be the first one screaming it the loudest.

[TDMVPDPOY]

wheres that tunnel pic, pops inside it as his not seen the light at the end of the tunnel...

[ChumpDumper]

If that's turns out to be the case and Ian does indeed walk, then this FO will be made a mockery. And I'll be the first one screaming it the loudest.

That'll show 'em!

[SenorSpur]

That'll show 'em!

Say what you want. I've got a better idea. How about we all just keep hoping and praying that the S.S. Splitter will finally arrive and save our putrid frontline woes?

[ChumpDumper]

Say what you want. I've got a better idea. How about we all just keep hoping and praying that the S.S. Splitter will finally arrive and save our putrid frontline woes?

That'll also show 'em!

The funniest thing about this board is the posters' thinking they have any effect on the team at all, and the more they post he same exact take, the more likely they think what they want will actually happen.

[Chomag]

That'll also show 'em!

The funniest thing about this board is the elitest' thinking they have any effect on anyone at all, and the more they post the same exact useless crap, the more likely they think what they want will actually make their epeen larger.

fixed.

[SenorSpur]

That'll also show 'em!

The funniest thing about this board is the posters' thinking they have any effect on the team at all, and the more they post he same exact take, the more likely they think what they want will actually happen.

I doubt there is anyone here that thinks that. Most us, myself included, are expressing opinions and blowing off steam. It's part of the emotional investment of being a fan.

I seriously doubt that there are any armchair coaches and GMs on this board, who believe that their thoughts and opinions have any affect whatsoever on what the team or coach does.

[ChumpDumper]

I doubt there is anyone here that thinks that. Most us, myself included, are expressing opinions and blowing off steam. It's part of the emotional investment of being a fan.

I seriously doubt that there are any armchair coaches and GMs on this board, who believe that their thoughts and opinions have any affect whatsoever on what the team or coach does.

You would be very surprised.

Of course, many just stopped posting when they realized the Spurs, in fact, did not give a about their work on the internets.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

Chump, you wouldn't mind posting the link to what you're thoughts were on Pop this season would you?

Cuz frankly, after a puzzling trade deadline of doing jack all, I think a majority of us on here are at a complete loss at what this team is trying to do here.

[Chomag]

So in a nuts SpursTalk should be closed because non of us are real GMs and coaches, and what we post does not have effect on anything?

Damn, and all along I had thought I was Holts best friend...

[ChumpDumper]

Chump, you wouldn't mind posting the link to what you're thoughts were on Pop this season would you?

Search for my name and "fire pop."

Cuz frankly, after a puzzling trade deadline of doing jack all, I think a majority of us on here are at a complete loss at what this team is trying to do here.

Doing nothing at the trade deadline was pretty much a given considering the Spurs' and NBA's situations this summer. The only other thing to be done is fire the coach, which probably won't happen until the end of the season.

[Russ]

the Spurs should play him even if it does drive Ian's price up.

He is effectively Splitter insurance.

I am watching the end of the Rockets game and I'm starting to like Mahinmi. He reminds me of a young Elson (whom I also liked).

He just blocked a shot and then set a nice moving pick (not called). He definitely should get minutes over the Red (sorry, that was classless).

[ChumpDumper]

So in a nuts SpursTalk should be closed because non of us are real GMs and coaches, and what we post does not have effect on anything?

That certainly isn't what I said, but keep beating that straw man you built.

Feels good, doesn't it?

[Russ]

Couple more observations on Mahinmi as I'm watching the end of the Rockets game.

1. Clyde Drexler is no better as an analyst than he was as coach of the Houston Cougs.

2. Mahinmi is too anxious on D -- goes for the 1st move and loses his position.

3. Mahinmi (and this is a killer) does not have good hands.

4. Mahinmi should still get some consistent minutes at least as a changeup. He is unlike any other Spurs player (for better or worse) at this point.

[itzsoweezee]

Couple more observations on Mahinmi as I'm watching the end of the Rockets game.

1. Clyde Drexler is no better as an analyst than he was as coach of the Houston Cougs.

2. Mahinmi is too anxious on D -- goes for the 1st move and loses his position.

3. Mahinmi (and this is a killer) does not have good hands.

4. Mahinmi should still get some consistent minutes at least as a changeup. He is unlike any other Spurs player (for better or worse) at this point.

yet, he's still a better defensive option than bonner, mcdyess, blair, finley, or bogans.

i'd rather he foul than the spurs give up easy layups, which is the usual outcome with some of those other guys playing in the frontcourt.

[Chomag]

Couple more observations on Mahinmi as I'm watching the end of the Rockets game.

1. Clyde Drexler is no better as an analyst than he was as coach of the Houston Cougs.

2. Mahinmi is too anxious on D -- goes for the 1st move and loses his position.

3. Mahinmi (and this is a killer) does not have good hands.

4. Mahinmi should still get some consistent minutes at least as a changeup. He is unlike any other Spurs player (for better or worse) at this point.

1.Can't say either or. I refuse to listen to the rockets announcers.

2. Well to be fair Ian was guarding a very good and crafty type player (Scola) and also he was kind of just thrown into the fire without being in a flow. You are correct though,but Consistent non garbage minutes would help him here, or it could show that he can't improve there. However without minutes he can't do either or.

3. Ians hands are actually pretty decent from all I have seen of him.He dosnt seem lose the ball all that much. I think it's his legs that are a bit more in question as he has been called for traveling a few times.

4. Agree with you completely.

[NFGIII]

Couple more observations on Mahinmi as I'm watching the end of the Rockets game.

1. Clyde Drexler is no better as an analyst than he was as coach of the Houston Cougs.

2. Mahinmi is too anxious on D -- goes for the 1st move and loses his position.

3. Mahinmi (and this is a killer) does not have good hands.

4. Mahinmi should still get some consistent minutes at least as a changeup. He is unlike any other Spurs player (for better or worse) at this point.

1. No comment - haven't heard him broadcast so not I'm not qualified to say anything

2. From what I've been able to gather since he was drafted this situation hasn't changed very much. Still fouls too much and continues to play D with his hands, which is what he did in the SL and with the Toros. He at times cleans this up only to fall back into the same pattern again. Biting on the first move for these many years would indicate that his BB IQ is low and he still is prone to be "faked out" by the O. Lack of progression in this department is lethal with Pop. And I concur.

3. Good/soft hands for a Big is something no team wants. That leads to turnovers and such. Could he be Nazr 2.0 is this respect?

4. Agreed that he is no better or worse than what we have but as exstatic stated in another thread why would you develop Ian when he is going to walk in the summer and other teams will snatch him up? I'd rather see Malik and the other younger players get the PT over Ian since I believe he will walk this summer. To me it makes no sense to give minutes to a player that wont be on this team next year. Yes, I know I'm making the assumption that he will walk and play for another team. Many have used the NJ game as proof that other teams have noticed him ( maybe true or maybe not - time will tell) and will go after him when he is an UFA. And as CW believes they will most likely make it too expensive for the Spurs to compete with.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

Never have I been more anxious to see Pop's starting lineup tomorrow.

At least take Bogans off of there for the love of god.

[TJastal]

That'll also show 'em!

The funniest thing about this board is the posters' thinking they have any effect on the team at all, and the more they post he same exact take, the more likely they think what they want will actually happen.

It's been said some of the writers gleen opinions and info off this board and use it in their articles, which do have some effect on the spurs org and coaching staff.

Some even say spurs' players themselves (heard George Hill for starters) come and take a peek here once in awhile.

Does this have any effect on the team? Hard to say, but I wouldn't be so sure of yourself there, Chump.

[Jason R]

It's been said some of the writers gleen opinions and info off this board and use it in their articles, which do have some effect on the spurs org and coaching staff.

Some even say spurs' players themselves (heard George Hill for starters) come and take a peek here once in awhile.

Does this have any effect on the team? Hard to say, but I wouldn't be so sure of yourself there, Chump.

It's a sad day when an NBA coach feels he has to take advice from a message board.

I'm not saying, in this particular instance, he shouldn't.

[DPG21920]

You guys are absolutely crazy if you think a coach like Pop, who is known to do things his way, is going to make a drastic change immediately imo.

Ian/Malik might have earned some more minutes, but I would be shocked to see an actual starting lineup overhaul.

The best we can hope for is that Pop has a short leash on Bogans/Finley and is willing to pull them without hesitation if they are putting this team in a hole early. Again.