Draft Prospect: James Gist

**whottt** · 07-01-2008

I don't think it's a given that Gist absolutely has to be able to play SF and hit perimeter shots to buy minutes on the Spurs just because he is small for a PF...

Keep in mind, Pop has played Bowen, Finley and Barry at PF at times during the past 4 years...in fact he seems to love doing that, and Gist is a giant compared to any of those guys....and he's got better tools to rebound and defend in the post than any of those guys.

If this guy has the speed to keep up with perimeter players on D, and can hit a non-horrendous PCT from 3, and doesn't have absolutely horrible handles...he could get minutes this season.

You know...when Pop has to develop guys due to a thin roster, he throws them out there and develops them...

He's not set in stone about not giving young players a chance, and it's no certainty that he prefers them playing in Austin....he didn't like White playing in Austin, he wanted him on the Spurs. I mean just because he's done it when the roster is full, doesn't mean he prefers to do it that way.

I think Gist has a better shot than people give him for making the roster and getting minutes this season. I think he can get minutes if he plays up to his athletecism.

I think the bigget thing will be his ball handling...if he's inept at that Pop will probably send him to Austin if the Spurs decide to keep him.

But I don't think he absolutely has to have a perimeter offensive game and play SF to get minutes on our roster....PF's aren't as big as they used to be, and that size criteria is an outdated line of thinking.

**Blackjack** · 07-01-2008

Originally Posted by whottt

I don't think it's a given that Gist absolutely has to be able to play SF and hit perimeter shots to buy minutes on the Spurs just because he is small for a PF...

Keep in mind, Pop has played Bowen, Finley and Barry at PF at times during the past 4 years...in fact he seems to love doing that, and Gist is a giant compared to any of those guys....and he's got better tools to rebound and defend in the post than any of those guys.

If this guy has the speed to keep up with perimeter players on D, and can hit a non-horrendous PCT from 3, and doesn't have absolutely horrible handles...he could get minutes this season.

You know...when Pop has to develop guys due to a thin roster, he throws them out there and develops them...

He's not set in stone about not giving young players a chance, and it's no certainty that he prefers them playing in Austin....he didn't like White playing in Austin, he wanted him on the Spurs. I mean just because he's done it when the roster is full, doesn't mean he prefers to do it that way.

I think Gist has a better shot than people give him for making the roster and getting minutes this season. I think he can get minutes if he plays up to his athletecism.

I think the bigget thing will be his ball handling...if he's inept at that Pop will probably send him to Austin if the Spurs decide to keep him.

But I don't think he absolutely has to have a perimeter offensive game and play SF to get minutes on our roster....PF's aren't as big as they used to be, and that size criteria is an outdated line of thinking.

I agree for the most part.

He's going to need to be able to guard the 3/swing position, but offensively he just needs to clean up the garbage.

Like I said before, he's got the kind of tools to have an impact on a game without ever having a play called for him.

His skill-set fills a need for this team and I'd actually be pretty disappointed if the Spurs don't give him a shot.

**timaios** · 07-01-2008

Originally Posted by SenorSpur

The fact that Gist has no offense isn't such a big deal. , Bruce didn't either when he came here. Yet he worked to become an accomplished defender first, then added his offense later.

I'll say this for Gist, if he continues to exhibit the same willingness to defend and a good, eager at ude, and assuming he works hard, the Spurs should be give him as long a look to develop as they did Bruce.

The skills and at ude that he has exemplified so far are not normal for your run-of-the-mill, everyday NBA prospect hopeful.

http://www.hoopsvibe.com/nba/nba-pla...20880/bio.html

In 1996-97 Bruce Bowen started the season in France, with Besancon, averaging 23.2 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 20 games … then signed with the Rockford Lightning in the CBA on 2/7 … appeared in 16 games with Rockford averaging 17.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 38.7 minutes per contest … had 32 points, 8 rebounds and 4 steals at Omaha on 2/28.

**Obstructed_View** · 07-01-2008

Originally Posted by BLACKJACK21

I agree for the most part.

He's going to need to be able to guard the 3/swing position, but offensively he just needs to clean up the garbage.

Like I said before, he's got the kind of tools to have an impact on a game without ever having a play called for him.

His skill-set fills a need for this team and I'd actually be pretty disappointed if the Spurs don't give him a shot.

Only trouble is that Mahinmi is likely to be playing that role as well during the upcoming season. There simply may not be enough opportunities for both of them to get garbage points, unless their defense and rebounding are top-notch.

**Blackjack** · 07-03-2008

Originally Posted by Obstructed_View

Only trouble is that Mahinmi is likely to be playing that role as well during the upcoming season. There simply may not be enough opportunities for both of them to get garbage points, unless their defense and rebounding are top-notch.

If Gist is given some run in his rookie year (assuming he makes the team), it will be situational at best. If there's a matchup problem defensively or Pop needs some more rebounding, is the only time I could see Pop giving Gist a look.

Ian's game resembles a poor-mans Amare, while Gist is probably a little more Balkman. Depending on line-ups they could probably play together, but there's no need for them to.

**Spurtacus** · 07-03-2008

I won't complain if this guy succeeds Bruce Bowen. Even if it takes 2-3 years.

**Blackjack** · 07-03-2008

Originally Posted by Dynasty

I won't complain if this guy succeeds Bruce Bowen. Even if it takes 2-3 years.

Oh, and love the sig.

**Spurtacus** · 07-03-2008

Originally Posted by BLACKJACK21

Oh, and love the sig.

Thanks man.

**spurman20** · 07-03-2008

Originally Posted by BLACKJACK21

Oh, and love the sig.

I dont think his game will be like Bowens Hes more of a david lee type...an undersized athletic 4 who if he works hard the next few yrs could be a starting 3 or 4 in the right system....He must improve his shoot and ball handling

**Blackjack** · 07-03-2008

Originally Posted by spurman20

I dont think his game will be like Bowens Hes more of a david lee type...an undersized athletic 4 who if he works hard the next few yrs could be a starting 3 or 4 in the right system....He must improve his shoot and ball handling

His game isn't like Bowen's, but that doesn't mean he couldn't develop into a defensive-stopper.

I see a little more Balkman than Lee, but you're right that he needs to improve his ball-handling and shooting

**Brazil** · 06-14-2013

Guys... time to think off season... Spurs need to land the Gist !!! dude is still in Greece ?

**Keepin' it real** · 06-14-2013

Originally Posted by Brazil

Guys... time to think off season... Spurs need to land the Gist !!! dude is still in Greece ?

**Brazil** · 06-14-2013

I found some info the think tank forum !

"Gist wins Greek championship minutes ago. Pao (his team) won Greek cup too same months ago, defeating Olympiacos, the Euroleague winner."