McDonald: A Relapse For Stoudamire

[AC#21_TD ERA]

Jeff McDonald: A relapse for Stoudamire

In a turn of events that can't be good for his chances of making the team, Salim Stoudamire was back on the sidelines at Spurs practice Tuesday after tweaking his strained left groin.

Stoudamire initially injured the muscle on Sept. 30, the first day of training camp, and did not play in the team's first four preseason games. He made his exhibition debut against Indiana on Saturday, scoring eight points in 21 minutes.

Signed away from Atlanta in early September, Stoudamire, 26, was presumed to have a good chance to earn a spot as a scoring option off the bench with the Spurs, but has had trouble staying healthy enough to prove his worth.

His latest setback could open the door for other non-roster invitees who are vying for one of the Spurs' two remaining roster slots.

One of the players who could benefit is Malik Hairston, a 6-foot-6 guard out of California the Spurs acquired in a draft-day trade. There is a little bit of pressure for Hairston to pan out considering the player he was traded for, Slovenian point guard Goran Dragic, playing well for the Phoenix Suns.

"All you can do is ask for a chance," said Hairston, who is averaging 5.2 points in 21.8 minutes during the preseason. "That's what Coach Pop has given me, a great opportunity. I'm enjoying this for what it is."

[The Truth #6]

I love how the FO drops hints to the public. Is it just me or are these kind of articles basically just indirect press releases?

And assuming it is Hairston that takes one of the remaining spots (really the last spot since everyone and their mother knows Tolliver is basically already on the team), does anyone think he will get any playing time while Manu is gone?

Of course it's assumed he'll be on the bench or playing on the Toros but I'm curious if people think that Mason has really outplayed him by a significant margin in the pre-season. If this was objective, could a case be made that Hairston deserves playing time as much as Mason does?

[Ice009]

It's no secret that I want Farmer on the team so this might open the door right up for him.

I don't see how the Spurs can take Hairston. We need scoring while Manu is out. I am pretty sure it was between Stoudamire and Farmer. I think Pop wants scoring. I'd say Salim was his guy and Farmer the back up since he has less NBA experience, which Pop seems to be big on. I just don't think Pop could use Hairston right now. If Manu was ready to go this could have been a completely different story and Hairston may have already locked up a spot.

The thing is, although I want Farmer as the first guy picked I'd still love to have Stoudamire too, if we could just cut or trade Vaughn.

[Russ]

One of the players who could benefit is Malik Hairston, a 6-foot-6 guard out of California the Spurs acquired in a draft-day trade.

McDonald don't know Malik Hairston from Happy Hairston.

[T Park]

Didn't Hairston go to Oregon?

[SenorSpur]

Didn't Hairston go to Oregon?

Yep. Sure did. Tlong caught McDonald's error earlier in the thread.

[Das Texan]

does mcdonald even check the facts he writes before he writes them?


i swear i could find a monkey that would do a better job of covering the spurs than mcdonald.


tough break for stoudamire though.

[ShoogarBear]

Malik Hairston went to Oregon, not Cal.

It would have been safer to say Generic Sucky Pac-10 Team.

[underdawg]

It would have been safer to say Generic Sucky Pac-10 Team.

so much for our super duper small 6'2" or under lineup - is boykins locked in on his Europe team?

Finley's our off the bench 3 point shooter - let's get some players that can score inside the 3-point line.

[Obstructed_View]

I don't understand how anyone thinks Toliver has played his way onto this team. My guess is Farmer and Hairston get the last two spots.

[SenorSpur]

I don't understand how anyone thinks Toliver has played his way onto this team. My guess is Farmer and Hairston get the last two spots.

All you have to do is listen to the "veiled" comments by Pop regarding Tolliver. It's enough to know for certain that he really likes this kid. We all know that Pop has grown accustomed to having 2 perimeter-shooting bigs on the squad. Besides, it's not as though Bonner has had a run of shining performances this preseason.

Despite what anyone here thinks, it appears Tolliver has given himself the inside track to make the team. To that end, I'd be surprised if he doesn't make the final cut.

[Obstructed_View]

All you have to do is listen to the "veiled" comments by Pop regarding Tolliver. It's enough to know for certain that he really likes this kid. We all know that Pop has grown accustomed to having 2 perimeter-shooting bigs on the squad. Besides, it's not as though Bonner has had a run of shining performances this preseason.

Despite what anyone here thinks, it appears Tolliver has given himself the inside track to make the team. To that end, I'd be surprised if he doesn't make the final cut.

Again, I'm not sure what Tolliver has done to "give himself" anything. It looks like he might get the opportunity regardless, but I don't see how he's earned it with anything other than a good shooting streak in SL two months ago.