IAN Observation...

[Snaq O'Meal]

Back to the game, I did see things I don't like from Ian and couldn't say it was his best game without question. In particular his layups. Some games he does like he should and slams when he has the chance to finish strong, last night his euro-tendencies took over and he had a couple of layups that should have been dunks. It didn't make a difference because he made the layups, but that just shows how hard some habits are to break. In the non-blowout time of games he needs to finish like he did against the Nets and not Charles-Smith the gimmes, he's not Oberto with zero lift or Blair who's 6'7", he needs to finish strong.

Dunking may have been misconstrued as showboating. At this stage, the safest thing for Ian to do is to make those buckets without pissing off his coach.

[rogcl1]

[QUOTE=objective;4166775]

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One amusing event was when in the postgame with Coach Brown, Schoening brought up Mahinmi getting time as a consolation prize, and Brown almost seemed uncomfortable with answering. He responded that the game was out of hand, so they threw Ian a bone. And that Ian spends his time working with Chad and Chip. So every once in a while they'll throw him a bone.

Not exactly high praise or an indication that anything will be changing. But the other times of postgames when he or Newman praised Ian or Malik and talked about them maybe getting more time, Pop made sure that didn't happen. So maybe they've learned their lesson and will no longer say anything positive with regards to real playing time for these guys.

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I mentioned this in a previous post as it seemed to me also that the coach was very awkward in his answer. I have questioned the strength of the assistants in regard to them presenting and standing up to Pop with dissenting views on basketball issues. I wonder more now if they just have been cowered down by Pop and had their nuts cut off, or if they are yes men by choice. My bet is a little of both.

[jjktkk]

Given that we are not a contender, Ian and Malik should be playing 24-30mins a game right now. Let's see what they can really offer.

Sadly, what should be and what is rarely coincide.

There in contention for the playoffs, so Pop won't be waving the white flag anytime soon so he can give the young guys more playing time.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Pop will forgive you for being an Aggie.

Oooh, I feel so burned...

[Sobe_Kucks]

Every time I see one of these thread I can't help thinking about "Any Given Sunday"... the stubborn coach and his play-books vs. the talented but raw player buried at the end of the bench.

You mean???
Mahinmi Beamen keep the ladies screamin'

I guess the highlights of 2010 Spurstalk are:

-RJ Sucks
-Pop Sucks
-Trade Tony Parker
-Blair is Beastly
-Bogans is the Centerpieceof
-Small Ball still sucks like it did in 2009
-Bonner sucks!
-Bonner is s good stretch 4
-What?? No trade made by the dealine
-Goodby Findog... give that "contender" your 0pt 0rb stats
-Manu is back to Manu
-Play Hairston!
-Ian needs more burn but Pop won't give it to him

[SinBAD]

Ian played a great game today.He is very atheletic.Its sad to see that pop doesnt wnt to give him a chance next to duncan.He would make his life easier and could maybe guard someone like dirk.

[G-Dawgg]

K just to give credit where it's due, I have to admit Mahinmi played well today vs Golden State... he didn't make any stupid turnovers, and played good defense without fouling!! Way to go Ian!!!

[Brazil]

yep 12 mn 12 points 6 reb 1 blk ! congrat Ian

[santymrc]

He's looking good, dam if RMJ can play BB Ian should be there 48 mins.

[Johnny RIngo]

You mean???
Mahinmi Beamen keep the ladies screamin'

I guess the highlights of 2010 Spurstalk are:

-RJ Sucks
-Pop Sucks
-Trade Tony Parker
-Blair is Beastly
-Bogans is the Centerpieceof
-Small Ball still sucks like it did in 2009
-Bonner sucks!
-Bonner is s good stretch 4
-What?? No trade made by the dealine
-Goodby Findog... give that "contender" your 0pt 0rb stats
-Manu is back to Manu
-Play Hairston!
-Ian needs more burn but Pop won't give it to him

You're missing "Defensive juggernaut Theo Ratliff traded for a top 58 protected 2nd round pick"

[wildbill2u]

yep 12 mn 12 points 6 reb 1 blk ! congrat Ian

Why if you extend those minutes into the 48 min per game averages the guy is a 48 ppg, 24 rpg and 4 blks per game player.

Well, maybe not, with his 2 fould in 12 minutes he'd foul out in the 3rd.

Just kidding. The guy had a nice game. He's obviously getting more comfortable and able to contain his fouling and miscues from being too eager.

Should have found out earlier in the season, but we didn't have many blowout games where these young bench players could show what they got.

[mingus]

unbelievable how this guy does not get any burn other than in trash time. it's just frustrating. a guy like Elson got an opportunity with this team when he sucked major ass, yet Mahinimi, who does will when given the opportunity, isn't given serious playing time. WTF.

A guy like Mahinmi i could see thriving off of Manu with his athleticism.

[Obstructed_View]

unbelievable how this guy does not get any burn other than in trash time. it's just frustrating. a guy like Elson got an opportunity with this team when he sucked major ass, yet Mahinimi, who does will when given the opportunity, isn't given serious playing time. WTF.

A guy like Mahinmi i could see thriving off of Manu with his athleticism.

The question is, could you make Ian be Rasho Nesterovic on defense, and he seems to have answered that for me. He's pretty much convinced me that he can get to a spot and get his hands in the air in the half court, and he moves well defending on the run.

[angelbelow]

I honestly hope Ian has earned a chance to at least play with the big boys. Malik definitely earned his spot and additional playing time even this late into the season. So I hope Pop can allow Ian to play some more especially since hes played so well in the limited minutes hes played.

[TIMMYD!]

Ian needs to play.

[ducks]

ian>rasho

[poop]

while its obvious hes raw and would make alot of mistakes/turnovers at first, it is equally obvious that with more PT these would get irone out and he would be a damn solid true center for today's game to give Tim the help hes needed for years now.

[DPG21920]

How does Ian get the least amount of minutes tonight besides Dice?

[whottt]

Because Pop didn't want Ian to bust 30 points in this game.

It's like you guys don't want Ian here next year or something.

[sabar]

If only our team showed up 3 months ago we could get a good playoff seeding.
Most of the problems have been shored up as the year has gone on. We still have flaws (health, consistency), but nothing like at the start of the season. Ian and Malik's good showings are icing on our half-baked cake this season.

I like what I've seen, no doubt about that. Gut feeling says it's too little too late though. Might as well keep playing them, what's there to lose with a low playoff seeding and hurt Tony? Maybe RJ can carry momentum into the playoff and Ian ends up being the savior. It was so nice seeing someone tall demolish a tiny team and not being on the receiving end.

[Whisky Dog]

It's completely illogical. Pop has something against the kid. With a front line of old and older Ian should be a rotation big. It makes zero sense how this has gone down.

[Whisky Dog]

Because Pop didn't want Ian to bust 30 points in this game.

It's like you guys don't want Ian here next year or something.

They need to admit they ed up and work with his agent to extend him now then play his ass.

[MaNu4Tres]

No matter what Yanny does out there, the new Pop loves the three pointer from Bonner more than he should.

To Yanny's credit, he's looked really good the past month with the opportunities presented to him. I think his offensive game is underrated and his defense has improved where he continues to show more discipline.

Spurs would be wise to try to resign him.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

It's completely illogical. Pop has something against the kid. With a front line of old and older Ian should be a rotation big. It makes zero sense how this has gone down.

This has been covered ad nauseum here.

The Spurs didn't pick up Ian's option last summer, making him a free agent this summer. They need his price to be low this summer in order to re-sign him.

They've essentially decided to bury him at the end of the bench to keep his price down as much as possible.

Get over it.

[whottt]

I don't see what the big deal is...Pop has given Ian Raitliff's role. The guy was injured for year and a half and has a couple of seasons of d-league ball under his belt.

I don't think it's so much that Ian has looked like crap as it is he has looked fragile. The Spurs just can't throw money stupidly at every player that might pan out on the roster. If anything proves, throw money at it, is not the solution, it should be this season.

I like Ian and I am glad he is getting some minutes....and he is getting minutes, best not to expect things like Ian turning a Dirk or Pau stopper in the last month and a half of this season, because it is extemely unlikely to happen.

And he is getting minutes. He's got Ratliff's role.