Rumor: Malik Hairston to Montepaschi? (Confirmed)

[spursbird]

Temple and Gee are more interesting prospects than Hairston, that's just my opinion. Spurs can't indefinitely stockpile young perimeter players with defensive skills and letting go the weakest of the bunch makes sense.

So how can they be undrafted?

[Darkwaters]

So how can they be undrafted?

Good point. Obvioiusly undrafted free agents are always garbage. And it seems to be universally true in every sport.

We see it from scrubs like Tony Romo and Miles Austin to that turd SF the Spurs used for years named Bruce Bowen.

Clearly, all undrafted players are worthless.

[admiralsnackbar]

Clearly, all undrafted players are worthless.

And the inverse: all drafted players are studs.

[dbestpro]

Gee will become the new Hairston.

[benefactor]

I dunno, man... sometimes necessity trumps smart.

The Spurs seem to be taking that approach a lot this offseason.

[coyotes_geek]

Gee will become the new Hairston.

Just like Hairston was the new Marcus Williams, who was the new James White, who was the new Melvin Sanders and so on and so forth..........

[Obstructed_View]

I'd like to think that it caught them off guard, as it would mean they're thinking the way I'd like them to (defensively), but I have my doubts.

I get the feeling with them being -bent on finding the 3-point shooting and the glut of talent at the 2 (which will force them to play minutes at the 3), the Spurs just didn't see much of a role for Malik. And given the fact he has no D-League eligibility, they probably made him aware of that and allowed him to make the best decision possible for his development and financially -- and if that's the case, Malik really helped them out because I believe they would have been compelled to keep him even knowing they wouldn't use him enough and ended up wasting his and their time next year. Gee at least can go to Austin.

Hairston got cut in favor of a guy who hit a few threes in summer league once before. He wasn't going to allow it to happen a second time.

[Bruno]

So how can they be undrafted?

First, NBA draft isn't something perfect, just look at the past.
Second, I don't consider Temple and Gee are awesome prospect. I'm just saying they are better prospects than Hairston.

[SpurCharger]

I think Pop is in love with Temple's D and shooting, and said as much when interviewed. I definitely see the Temple SF experiment extensively tested this season.

I see It happening Too.... But I Think Bigger small Forwards Can Take Temple On The Block..He has wingspan, but not very strong.

[Chieflion]

I see It happening Too.... But I Think Bigger small Forwards Can Take Temple On The Block..He has wingspan, but not very strong.

I believe that chance can be easily taken as the SFs now don't even post up with the exception of a few, like Carmelo Anthony. The rest of the scoring SFs work from the perimeter, and not the mid-post.

[EricB]

I don't see how the spurs could match the italin offer. Most likely it's more money and pt. Good luck to him.

[K-State Spur]

Now with the sweep by the Suns, he's over reacted again signing Bonner to a ltd and looking for more 3 point shooters.

More? Other than Bonner and Ginobili - we don't have any...

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

I don't see how the spurs could match the italin offer.

Good thing they're not trying to.

[EricB]

Good thing they're not trying to.

I meant that in a more of, when presented at the time of.

Im sure Malik's people went to them, asked for the release saying we got a contract for this much....

[ohmwrecker]

What are the rules regarding an agent/player negotiating with a European team while said player is currently under contract with an NBA team?

Bruno?

[slick'81]

oh well maybe malik can improve his game and actually get some pt in the league down the road

[ElNono]

The problem is none of you guys want to accept what the Spurs FO has been saying all along , that they expect Anderson to be the primary back-up for both wing positions ( SG and SF) and provide impact immediately.

The Spurs FO said that? I must have missed it.

I'm not doubting you, I would just like to read about it.

Do you have a link?

[ohmwrecker]

Do you have a link?

Give him a minute to pull it out of his ass.

[TD 21]

If you've looked at what they've done in recent years, it's skew offensive and small to adjust to the smaller, quicker and more-beneficial-to-the-offensive-rules game. They've expressed and put importance on all the right things defensively, but their actions haven't exactly fallen in line with that (whether it's personnel decisions or groupings/minute disbursement).

I realize that, but they've still always had at least one player who was a defensive specialist or who they were (presumably) grooming to take on that role. Bowen, Udoka, Bogans, Hairston, etc. I find it hard to believe we won't see a player of a similar ilk brought in to fill this role, even if it is in a lesser capacity.

We all know RJ isn't going to be a stopper but I expect him to be lighter coming into camp and on much better footing -- the guy did get traded in the offseason and go through some drama with the whole wedding fiasco, I'm guessing his training and focus didn't put him in a great place to start.

But I'm hoping for Anderson to be the Spurs' Courtney Lee of '09. We haven't had the chance to see him against NBA-caliber athletes but he may just surprise some people defensively. Too soon to know for sure, but he'll be able to focus on it more know with less responsibility offensively and that would be an absolute godsend if he could come through. It'd be nice to have a complete player on the court as a stopper at times -- could Temple prove to be a 6-5 Doug Christie? (one can hope -- minus the wife and purse).

We know he can't be even an adequate stopper, but like I said, given the way this team is built and their projected nine man rotation, I think there's a good chance Jefferson and Hill combined to play this role.

Really, it's just process of elimination. We know Ginobili won't be playing this role for obvious reasons and I'd be very surprised if a rookie who's not noted as a quality defender plays this role, so that leaves Jefferson and Hill. Hill is too small to do it without regard for the opponent's size, which means Jefferson will have to take on this role by default. He's the only one with the size and strength (and he doesn't have a ton of offensive responsibility) and he'll be starting and playing 30+ mpg.

Not a bad comparison. It's possible Anderson could surprise us defensively, but I'd be surprised if Anderson is of the same caliber as Lee is defensively. Also not a bad comparison. But I doubt Temple plays anything more than spot minutes.

It's pretty much the same discussion we had last year. They're still just a little ill-fitted and missing a small piece or two, but pieces that are vital and needed to tie everything together.

Yeah. Though I think it'll be difficult to match salaries (without giving up a key veteran and unlike past years, when there was guys like Elson or Barry who they viewed as expendable, I don't see such a veteran on this team), the piece they need this year should be theoretically easier to attain than the primary piece they've needed the past few years and they do have more assets now than they've had in a while.

Hill and/or Blair. That's basically what it comes down to. I don't want to move either of them and I don't think they could really find the right piece to leave them better off in the short-term, but it basically comes down to them.

If they trade Parker, I can't see them incorporating someone quick enough to get it done (in the unlikely event they actually make a quality trade), and I don't see the Spurs receiving enough value in return for anyone outside of Hill and Blair. I'd love to see Martell Webster in a Spurs jersey ... but I'm not sure the Spurs could get him or if I could actually pull the trigger on a deal that included Hill and/or Blair.

Not necessarily; it depends on the quality of the player coming back. Anderson and/or the 1st are other options. I don't think providing value will be the most difficult obstacle to overcome, I think it'll be matching salary.

Agreed.

[Solid D]

well gl Malik and WELCOME BACK CENTERPIECE !

No way Bogans rejoins the Spurs. The Spurs played Mason more minutes than they played Bogans in the playoffs.

Now that Bogans just signed with the Bulls, can we just put that whole "CENTERPIECE" thing to bed now?

[EricB]

Can we put the idea that Pop adores bad veterans over good rookies too?

Cause apparently he's going young on the wings...

[DPG21920]

Uhhhhhhhhhh, that is yet to be seen and Pop has favored vets over young guns for a while. One year, where he is forced financially to play younger guys, does not erase anything.

Bogans started 50 games. 50.

[Bruno]

The whole " vets, play young guys" makes absolutely no sense when the young players aren't good enough.

[Obstructed_View]

The fact is, Pop plays favorites with certain guys over others, whether it's Michael Finley or Anthony Tolliver, whether it's Nick Van Exel or George Hill. Let's not pretend that it doesn't happen, okay?

[ChumpDumper]

An NBA coach plays certain players over other players?

Bold.