THC's 2009-'10 campaign, in all likelihood, came to a close tonight against the Wolves with a tweaked ankle and with the playoffs upon us. But Malik at least to sent us out with a couple of highlight reel dunks.
It's hard to figure out what goes on from here. I mean, we know he'll have an opportunity to compete with the group of Temple, Gee, Jerrells, Mahinmi and anyone else they look to fill the roster with on the cheap (something RC reinforced today in a interview), but it remains to be seen if Malik can thrive in this offense.
Contrary to popular belief, Malik can shoot. He's not Ray Allen by any means, but he's been a 50% FG shooter throughout his college years, and in his 2 years with the Toros. In 45 regular season games with the Toros (over 2 years) he had a 42.7 3P% (50-117), in his one playoff appearance he went 7-11 for a 63.6 3P%, and he shot 83.2% from the free throw line (292-351).
But without consistent minutes, he never got his footing offensively. The defense has been there, but the uncertainty of his role or how his game best translates in this system, has left him indecisive and out of sync.
It's now a question if this is something that can be remedied with more time and reps, which could have him find his stroke like Hill of last year or a guy like Afflalo when he first broke in, or if he's just not going to thrive in this system offensively. Time will tell, but he clearly doesn't fit in the way a Temple does on this team. (Different players and roles but just in terms of 'fit'.)
There isn't a doubt in my mind that Malik can be a rotation player in the NBA, and a useful piece for these Spurs. But I am beginning to wonder if they're the best fit for each other; the Spurs definitely like him and they're in need of some cheap players to fill the roster next year, so there's a good chance he's back, I'm just not nearly as optimistic as I've been.
So my THC brethren, I ask you all to Get Lifted one more time; hopefully the campaign begins anew this upcoming 2010-'11 season.
I just don't get how a spot minute player needs rotation minutes to play their spot player role.But without consistent minutes, he never got his footing offensively. The defense has been there, but the uncertainty of his role or how his game best translates in this system, has left him indecisive and out of sync.
It doesn't if you're a finished product and veteran in the league who's developed a particular skillset for the role.
Malik's not a finished product and hasn't had the time on the court to find a comfort level or the general know-how needed to excel just yet.
Basketball's a game of rhythm and confidence. How exactly is a young, developing player supposed to find either if given extremely limited and sporadic minutes?
He might just be suited for a different type of system and be more useful to another team, but it's premature to say, IMO. He hasn't seen the time or shown that he's not still improving to say that he couldn't play a role (a more significant one) and help this team.
Disagree. There have been young players that have thrived in spot minute roles. That's how they got more minutes.
Of course there have been. But they brought a ready-made skill set that could thrive in the role. Malik isn't a spot-up shooter or a play-making ballhandler, so he's not going to jump right in and 'fit' with this system.
Malik's a unique type of player (words used by Coach Brown) that the Spurs haven't really had before. He's a talent and could prove to be quite useful to a team, it just remains to be seen if that team is the Spurs.
Wait, didn't we all agree that he did fine shooting spot-up threes in the D-League?
I just don't think excuses need to be made for him. He's not that unique.
Damn, Chump, you've been sippin' on the Haterade.
No, well, at least I didn't claim he was some great spot-up shooter, I said he's shown that he's a capable three-point shooter. He's a pretty capable shooter overall from what I've seen and the stats would have you believe. But there's a similar aspect to RJ and how they fit with this system offensively. There could also be a parallel between them when you look at how much better they shot the ball when they were more of, or the, focal point of the offense. (RJ with the Bucks and Malik with the Toros.)
Maybe he's not that unique, to the point that it'd make him some kind of future star, but his combination of size, athleticism, instincts and overall feel aren't usually found together. How many 6' 1/4'' players have the knack of contesting shots, on the interior and perimeter, that he does; or the strength to defend the post against sufficiently larger players and still guard 1-3 (depending on matchups) on the perimeter?
You're not that high on him, I get it. But for what the Spurs need, as far as low-cost options, I don't believe they're going to find many more talented players that possess his upside; they might find a better fit.
I'm curious about the prognosis on the tweaked ankle. Didn't hear much about it in the telecast but i hope he's good to go by game 1. I don't think he'll get many minutes out there but I do believe a healthy postseason will help his immediate future with the team
I haven't heard anything either, but I'm not expecting to see him on the court during the playoffs (although Sean did say he believed Pop would play the younger guys this year after how Hill acquitted himself against Dallas last year. One can hope).
It didn't look that bad, probably just rolled it..
I wouldn't be surprised if Pop went with Hairston or Temple at some points when the Spurs need a spark TBH..not for long, but maybe for a few minutes and for certain matchups..it might be unlikely, but it wouldn't surprise me that much..
No. I simply don't see the need to wax rhapsodic about him and make excuses for him at the same time. He's a spot minute player in the NBA and needs to play like it.Damn, Chump, you've been sippin' on the Haterade.
From what I remember, he got most of his threes in spot up situations from kickouts from penetrating guards or post players or from working the ball around the horn when he wasn't the fist option. Sounds very Spur like.No, well, at least I didn't claim he was some great spot-up shooter, I said he's shown that he's a capable three-point shooter. He's a pretty capable shooter overall from what I've seen and the stats would have you believe. But there's a similar aspect to RJ and how they fit with this system offensively. There could also be a parallel between them when you look at how much better they shot the ball when they were more of, or the, focal point of the offense. (RJ with the Bucks and Malik with the Toros.)
As you said. Not that unique.Maybe he's not that unique, to the point that it'd make him some kind of future star, but his combination of size, athleticism, instincts and overall feel aren't usually found together. How many 6' 1/4'' players have the knack of contesting shots, on the interior and perimeter, that he does; or the strength to defend the post against sufficiently larger players.
Not that high on him. I'm fine with having him on the roster now and in the future, but I'm not going to act like he is a lock as he is playing now or doesn't need to improve. He's come a long way, but he still has quite a way to go.You're not that high on him, I get it. But for what the Spurs need, as far as low-cost options, I don't believe they're going to find many more talented players that possess his upside; they might find a better fit.
^^(HH, Blackjack)
I don't really expect more than a couple of possessions, but I think he'll (Pop) try it for a minute or two.
Upcoming SL/Preseason looks like we'll have a logjam at both guard positions competing for 1 or two open spots so any good impressions that can be made in the postseason will probably go a long way with pop - as there is no way to really simulate that atmosphere. Even if it is just for a minute if he does some positive out there it could give him a slight edge (as his future/fit with the team is uncertain in the THC clubhouse)
OK, I'll preface this by saying I find the possibility highly unlikely, but --
Houston's D-League team had their hand forced by losing to Reno last night, making tonight's game an elimination game for one of the teams. To stack the deck in their favor, Houston assigned Mike Harris to play in the deciding game. I think they wanted to wait until they made it to the second round against the Toros, but desperate times...
Harris is a proven Toro-killer; just flat out abuses them. The only player available who could have a chance at matching up with him is....
....guess who?
As I said, it's unlikely given Malik's use in real Spur games -- but as serious as the NBA single affiliates of D-League teams seem to be about the playoffs, is a final Hairston assignment out of the question?
If the Vipers advance, the Toros would likely play them in game one on Versus at 2pm CDT Saturday.
You seem to be projecting a belief that some of this isn't to be taken tongue-in-cheek. It is.
I'm a fan of Malik, regardless of where he plays, so I naturally want to see him succeed.
I'll trust you on that, but how much more involved was he in the offense? Was he not one, if not the, focal points of the offense? I believe he led the team in scoring, so I just assumed he was seeing the ball much more and involved in the offense more than an afterthought. Maybe I'm just way off base . . .From what I remember, he got most of his threes in spot up situations from kickouts from penetrating guards or post players or from working the ball around the horn when he wasn't the fist option. Sounds very Spur like.
Good. We agree he's unique.As you said. Not that unique.
Nor do I and I agree (he's got plenty of room to improve).Not that high on him. I'm fine with having him on the roster now and in the future, but I'm not going to act like he is a lock as he is playing now or doesn't need to improve. He's come a long way, but he still has quite a way to go.
I think we're much closer on where we believe Malik to be and his standing with the team than you realize; my fandom seems to elude you.
Your defensiveness has not eluded me.
I doubt we are that far off as well. I just try to avoid irrational exuberance.
My thinking was that Hairston was in the plans to be a spot defender to end quarters or to enter when they needed a stop to end a game maybe (much in the same way he's been used over the course of the regular season) but this injury is what precludes me from believing he'll factor in the playoff picture.
If it's not serious and he doesn't miss any practice time and preparation with the team for the playoffs, then I believe the Spurs will keep him with the team and proceed to go about business as usual.
So, no. I don't believe they'll send him down under the cir stance, whether it's the injury or for the potential limited help he could provide during the playoffs; they definitely would've last year, though.
I don't believe I've been irrational in any way when it comes to my actual takes. But my sense of humor and sarcasm could definitely come across that way.
So what is business as usual with Hill and Parker back?
It's been awhile since they have played, and of course there is now Temple as well.
Business as usual as it pertains to Malik.
I just heard that Malik's x-ray came back negative but after seeing the video of the injury ... it looks to be a 2-weeker.
So with Hill and Parker back, that pretty much means garbage time.
Someone chopped the poor boys feet off at the ankle? From Draftexpress:
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Malik-Hairston-214/
Height without Shoes 6'4.25"
Height with Shoes 6'5.25"
And to Malik's injury, it looked pretty comparable to the standard 2-4 diagnosis you usually see for a decent sprain, but he's played through worse and come back quicker in college IIRC. He's a tough kid ... I'm just not sure it means all that much, in terms of the playoffs, for him.
Really? What minutes did he play against Denver?
6' 4 1/4'' (I left out the 4, sue me. No wait, don't. I've spent all my money on Hot pockets and Jumbo Jacks.
What are you talking about? You're just being argumentative for argumentative's sake. They throw him in to end quarters to play D or to prevent someone from picking up a foul (sometimes it's a couple of minutes, sometimes it's a couple of seconds). Other times they'll throw him in to get stops to end the game. (i.e.- against the Lakers recently or for a possession or two when they absolutely have to have one -- guarding Nash comes to mind for an end-game situation)
He's not going to be a huge factor if he's healthy enough to play, obviously. But if the Spurs believe he could be helpful for some defensive possessions or even minutes to close a game, if or when cir stance dictates, they're going to want to have him with the team.
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
