Spurs Assign Anderson to Austin Toros

[Ross Parrot]

The Celtics should send Shaq to the D-league to develop a consistent free-throw %

[Blackjack]

Spurs fans will be able to monitor Anderson’s recovery in at least one game this season after Fox Sports Southwest has announced an agreement to telecast five remaining Toros games this season.

The first game on their schedule will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursday when the Toros meet the New Mexico Thunderbirds.

Other games on the schedule include:

Thursday, Feb. 10 — Austin vs. Rio Grande Valley, 7:30 p.m.

Monday, Feb. 21 — Austin at Texas Legends, 7 p.m.

Thursday, March 3 — Austin vs. Texas Legends, 7:30 p.m.

Anderson should be there for at least the first game. I’m anticipating he will remain with the Toros through the weekend before rejoining the Spurs at the start of the Rodeo Road Trip Tuesday night in Portland, although he could return to the Spurs in time to play against Houston Saturday night at the AT&T Center.

[Thompson]

The Celtics should send Shaq to the D-league to develop a consistent free-throw %

Shaq would never do it because it would hurt his ego, but I wonder if he practiced the underhand (granny-style) free throw if he would improve his percentage much.

[buttsR4rebounding]

Shaq would never do it because it would hurt his ego, but I wonder if he practiced the underhand (granny-style) free throw if he would improve his percentage much.

I saw an interview with Shaq once where he said he didn't care if could shoot 90% underhanded he would never do it. He had a manly image to protect.

[Bukefal]

Nice, can't wait for him to come back.

And thanks for the futurecast link ElNono I'll definitely watch some Toros games from now on.

[Em-City]

Y'all really need to stop putting an 's' on the end of Cousin!

[SenorSpur]

I saw an interview with Shaq once where he said he didn't care if could shoot 90% underhanded he would never do it. He had a manly image to protect.

Which tells you where his priorities lie. What a dumbass. Rick Barry bent over backwards trying to coach him in that unique style, but he refused to implement it.

[timtonymanu]

Great to hear about Anderson.

Can't wait for his return.

[TD 21]

Could be. At the start of the season he was getting most of his points off of pick and rolls. Lately he's been getting more from face ups and fadeaways. Still really doesn't have much of a post game to speak of, so he might be more of a traditional PF prospect than center -- at least offensively.

How about Mark Blount as a comparison? He was a PF in a C's body. Good shooter. Not athletic or laterally quick enough to guard NBA PF's, though.

That's the problem with Cousin. Pop said as much when they waived him, saying "we have too many centers". Counting Blair, who the Spurs consider to be more of a C in game than a PF, they have three. If McDyess does in fact retire, they'll be down to one true PF, in Bonner. Whoever they bring in will most likely be a PF, who can shoot. Cousin has the jumper, but he can't guard NBA PF's.

[Blackjack]

TD 21, don't you think Blair, Bonner and even Splitter are capable of defending the 4?

If Cousin turns out to be legit, I think there could be a place for him on the roster. It's similar to the rationale I had with IBS, someone capable of defending the 5 and keeping the middle open for a guy like Blair or their penetrators for a few minutes or more.

[TD 21]

TD 21, don't you think Blair, Bonner and even Splitter are capable of defending the 4?

If Cousin turns out to be legit, I think there could be a place for him on the roster. It's similar to the rationale I had with IBS, someone capable of defending the 5 and keeping the middle open for a guy like Blair or their penetrators for a few minutes or more.

Sure. But if McDyess retires, aside from Bonner, not a single other player on this team is a natural PF.

Maybe it changes by next season, but it's clear Pop is reluctant to pair Duncan with Splitter (heaven forbid two guys over 6-9 play simultaneously). He did briefly last game. I could be wrong on this, but I only remember seeing that one other time this season and it was early in the season and utilized briefly.

Defensively, Duncan pretty much strictly guards C's at this point in his career. We, among others, thought Splitter would be a logical fit to guard the Nowitzki's and Gasol's of the world, but it's obvious that Pop views him as almost strictly a C. Against the Lakers, he had him guard Bynum, not Gasol or even Odom, who I think are much better match-ups for him.

My sense is Pop will want another pure four, who can shoot. Tolliver springs to mind. I'm not saying they'll reacquire him necessarily, but someone of that ilk. I can't see them going with a fifth big who's a C.

Based on the composition of this roster over the years, it's clear they'd rather have more PF's than C's and SG's than SF's. I guess their thinking is, they'd rather have to play a PF at C or a SG at SF than the other way around. Which does fit with how the league is trending: smaller and faster.

[silverblackfan]

Sure. But if McDyess retires, aside from Bonner, not a single other player on this team is a natural PF.

Maybe it changes by next season, but it's clear Pop is reluctant to pair Duncan with Splitter (heaven forbid two guys over 6-9 play simultaneously). He did briefly last game. I could be wrong on this, but I only remember seeing that one other time this season and it was early in the season and utilized briefly.

Defensively, Duncan pretty much strictly guards C's at this point in his career. We, among others, thought Splitter would be a logical fit to guard the Nowitzki's and Gasol's of the world, but it's obvious that Pop views him as almost strictly a C. Against the Lakers, he had him guard Bynum, not Gasol or even Odom, who I think are much better match-ups for him.

My sense is Pop will want another pure four, who can shoot. Tolliver springs to mind. I'm not saying they'll reacquire him necessarily, but someone of that ilk. I can't see them going with a fifth big who's a C.

Based on the composition of this roster over the years, it's clear they'd rather have more PF's than C's and SG's than SF's. I guess their thinking is, they'd rather have to play a PF at C or a SG at SF than the other way around. Which does fit with how the league is trending: smaller and faster.

Your right. Splitter and Duncan have shared the floor in 2 games for any significant time. I would love to see more of it, but suspect Pop is phasing this in.

[galvatron3000]

I saw an interview with Shaq once where he said he didn't care if could shoot 90% underhanded he would never do it. He had a manly image to protect.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68u6bQ-eRaI

So much for his manly "image"

[Blackjack]

Sure. But if McDyess retires, aside from Bonner, not a single other player on this team is a natural PF.

Maybe it changes by next season, but it's clear Pop is reluctant to pair Duncan with Splitter (heaven forbid two guys over 6-9 play simultaneously). He did briefly last game. I could be wrong on this, but I only remember seeing that one other time this season and it was early in the season and utilized briefly.

Defensively, Duncan pretty much strictly guards C's at this point in his career. We, among others, thought Splitter would be a logical fit to guard the Nowitzki's and Gasol's of the world, but it's obvious that Pop views him as almost strictly a C. Against the Lakers, he had him guard Bynum, not Gasol or even Odom, who I think are much better match-ups for him.

My sense is Pop will want another pure four, who can shoot. Tolliver springs to mind. I'm not saying they'll reacquire him necessarily, but someone of that ilk. I can't see them going with a fifth big who's a C.

Based on the composition of this roster over the years, it's clear they'd rather have more PF's than C's and SG's than SF's. I guess their thinking is, they'd rather have to play a PF at C or a SG at SF than the other way around. Which does fit with how the league is trending: smaller and faster.

Fair enough; using what you believe to be Pop's logic. I personally believe Blair is a 4 and will continue trending in that direction.

I guess we'll see if the Duncan-Splitter pairing has any kind of future once Tiago's legitimately broken into the rotation. But I can certainly see your reasoning given what we've seen thus far.

[Blackjack]

James Anderson makes Toros debut
By D'Ann Faught - TorosNation.com



One of the benefits of the NBA D-League is that the fans get a sneak peek at some talent of the future. Attendees to the Austin Toros morning game on Wednesday got a special treat when James Anderson, the San Antonio Spurs 2010 first-round draft pick, suited up for the Toros in a conditioning stint.

James Anderson was drafted 20th overall this year by the San Antonio Spurs from Oklahoma State. The 6’6” guard from Oklahoma State started off a promising season in San Antonio, averaging 7 points per game and converting on 50% of his three-point attempts. Unfortunately for the Spurs, Anderson was sidelined in mid-November with a stress fracture in his fifth metatarsal. The injury required surgery and has kept Anderson on the bench since November.

After rumors had been swirling for over a week, James Anderson was finally assigned to the Austin Toros to get some game time in the D-League before his return to San Antonio. Good news for Spurs fans? Anderson looked strong in his debut during the Toros win today, getting 11:35 of playing time and scoring 12 points for the victors.

Read More >>>

[TD 21]

Fair enough; using what you believe to be Pop's logic. I personally believe Blair is a 4 and will continue trending in that direction.

I guess we'll see if the Duncan-Splitter pairing has any kind of future once Tiago's legitimately broken into the rotation. But I can certainly see your reasoning given what we've seen thus far.

Blair is developing into a four. That's definitely his long term position (and what this team needs him to be, with Duncan/Splitter at the five), as he's too small to be a five, save for in select match-ups. But in terms of his game, he's really between positions.

It comes down to balance, more than anything. If McDyess retires, they'll be left with two fives, one four and one four and a half. Naturally, another four would balance it out.

We and a lot of the fans look at it and go "why can't Splitter, at times, play the four next to Duncan and they bring in another big who's 6-11 or up to replace McDyess?". But I think the front office would prefer to have more mobility and defensive versatility than someone like Cousins, even if it means having a 6-8 or 6-9 guy over a 6-11 or 7-0 guy. It wouldn't be surprising, seeing as how they haven't exactly valued size in recent years.

[ChumpDumper]

Well, the one D-League guy who fits the Spurs' PF needs on paper is Sean Williams, who is playing pretty well in Frisco these days. Of course, he's a head case -- but a head case that can be kicked to the curb in ten days. Maybe Pat Ewing Jr., though I wonder why he got traded to Sioux Falls recently.

[SenorSpur]

Well, the one D-League guy who fits the Spurs' PF needs on paper is Sean Williams, who is playing pretty well in Frisco these days. Of course, he's a head case -- but a head case that can be kicked to the curb in ten days. Maybe Pat Ewing Jr., though I wonder why he got traded to Sioux Falls recently.

I hear that Joe Alexander is tearing it up for the Legends too. The Mavs are really, really high on him and, while it may be hyperbole, they're calling him one of the best 2 players in the entire D-League. They wanted to call him up a few weeks ago. The choice came down between him and Sasha Pavlovic. They signed Pavlovic instead.

[ChuckD]

I hear that Joe Alexander is tearing it up for the Legends too. The Mavs are really, really high on him and, while it may be hyperbole, they're calling him one of the best 2 players in the entire D-League. They wanted to call him up a few weeks ago. The choice came down between him and Sasha Pavlovic. They signed Pavlovic instead.

Joe Alexander was just buckets of fail in a couple of years in the NBA. As a lottery pick, he lost the SF job in Milwaukee to a second rounder with no offensive game. He's athletic, and can shoot some, but really doesn't seem to understand the game in any meaningful way. A perfect Maverick if ever there was one.

[ChumpDumper]

I hear that Joe Alexander is tearing it up for the Legends too. The Mavs are really, really high on him and, while it may be hyperbole, they're calling him one of the best 2 players in the entire D-League. They wanted to call him up a few weeks ago. The choice came down between him and Sasha Pavlovic. They signed Pavlovic instead.

Joe's numbers are a bit inflated since he plays so many minutes, but he is playing well since he moved to power forward.

[Blackjack]

Joe's numbers are a bit inflated since he plays so many minutes, but he is playing well since he moved to power forward.

Got to see a couple of their games and both he and Williams impressed, though more in the case of Alexander -- Williams always seems to impress the fact that he's an extremely talented player and knucklehead, so I pretty much know what to expect.

But Alexander is just baffling. He's a great athlete. He's got great size. He can really shoot the ball. He plays hard and physically -- and none of that has been able to translate the way it should.

He's either going to be one of the most perplexing wastes of talent or it's going to click for him one day and he'll become a quality player. I mean, could Michael Beasley have found the one player on Earth that has a lower BBIQ than him?

[jjktkk]

Got to see a couple of their games and both he and Williams impressed, though more in the case of Alexander -- Williams always seems to impress the fact that he's an extremely talented player and knucklehead, so I pretty much know what to expect.

But Alexander is just baffling. He's a great athlete. He's got great size. He can really shoot the ball. He plays hard and physically -- and none of that has been able to translate the way it should.

He's either going to be one of the most perplexing wastes of talent or it's going to click for him one day and he'll become a quality player. I mean, could Michael Beasley have found the one player on Earth that has a lower BBIQ than him?

Alexander's case is pretty weird imo. I watched him play in his last year at WV and thought this guy was gonna be really good in the league, although he was kinda of a one year wonder. I didn't see any warning that his bbiq was lacking. He still has a chance to get back in the NBA, but don't know if his desire is there.

[Blackjack]

I didn't get the impression his BBIQ was lacking from what I saw of him in college but I also haven't seen a lack of desire or intensity when I saw him get time at the NBA level.

That's why it's baffling to me. There isn't any reason for him to not be an NBA-level player if it's not between the ears. Maybe it's not IQ but off the court or immaturity? I haven't a clue.

But it just doesn't add up unless there's something working against him upstairs.

[objective]

Toros should be on tonight on FSSW

[ace3g]

yes it is, and if you don't have that , watch it online here http://www.nba.com/dleague/, click futurecast on the upper right corner