Marcus Williams our Point Guard Salvation?

[Solid D]

Following is the Spurs' playoff roster in 2008-09 in order of minutes played.

If you were to fill in players you think may fill those slots on the Active List, would Marcus Williams be the 12th man, replacing Jacque, or would you go with Hill and Ginobili backing up Parker and plug in one of the other deep rotation guys?

2008-09 Playoffs....2009-10 Top 12
1. Parker.........Parker
2. Duncan.......Duncan
3. Finley.........Finley
4. Bowen........Jefferson
5. Mason........Mason
6. Udoka........Ginobili
7. Bonner........Bonner
8. Thomas......McDyess
9. Hill............Hill
10. Gooden.....Blair
11. Oberto......Ratliff
12. Vaughn.....Williams? Mahinmi? Haislip? Hairston?

(For simplicity, I kept returning players on the same line, even though minutes distribution will likely be different in 2009-10)

[Blackjack]

Following is the Spurs' playoff roster in 2008-09 in order of minutes played.

If you were to fill in players you think may fill those slots on the Active List, would Marcus Williams be the 12th man, replacing Jacque, or would you go with Hill and Ginobili backing up Parker and plug in one of the other deep rotation guys?

Depends on matchups and injuries/needs.

With the rule change there's more flexibilty and less guesswork when determining who dresses, so yeah. Williams could be the 12th man.

I've questioned whether Marcus had the athleticism to succeed at the NBA level but have always been intrigued with him and the prospect of a point-forward. It seems the Spurs, who've viewed Hill as more of a 2, have also been intrigued with the prospect.

Allowing a 6' 7'' guy to run the point alongside the likes of a Hill or the likes of a McClinton (who they made known was drafted to play the 2) potentially prevents the Spurs from losing any size defensively in the backcourt all while allowing players to play in a more comfortable, natural position.

That's the ideal scenario, if Marcus can come through, but it remains to be seen.

[45 bank shot]

i don't wanna draw any conclusion yet. i'd rather see what he can do this upcoming season

[Obstructed_View]

i don't wanna draw any conclusion yet. I'd rather see what he can do in training camp since he didn't even play in sl

+1

[Baseline]

Is there a reason why Pop didn't play Marcus Williams or Haislip in the Summer League?

I'd like to think Pop has something up his sleeve, like he doesn't want to show the world what he might have.

For example, if Haislip can really shoot the three, we've really got something. It would make Bonner completely expendable, and maybe even Finley as well.

Correction: Finley is expendable anyway.

[Solid D]

Marcus Williams had an injured wrist. Haislip is 29, qualifies as a 3-year NBA veteran and has 4 years in Euroleague play in Turkey and Spain, so the Spurs may have felt like he didn't need to bother with SL.

[Spursfan 87]

send him to Europe for a year. There he can really polish his skills.

[Calavera]

what about rommel beck, he`s not point guard, but he`s incredible player, why he`s so underrated?

[ceperez]

You play him with Hill, and cross match the guards.

Yes, exactly exstatic, finally you got one right! ;-)

[raspsa]

Can't wait to see how the 2 Marcuses perform in training camp.. in particular, what kind of perimeter defenders they are.

[Bruno]

Marcus Williams = young Boris Diaw

[Brazil]

Marcus Williams = young Boris Diaw

Too good to be true

[ceperez]

Let's put this in perspective, we all all raving about 6'6" DeJuan Blair with a 7'2" wingspan... well Marcus Williams is 6'7" with a 7'1" and can pass, dribble and rebound.

Check out this youtube video for a glimpse of what he can do:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XF8cQvsAlH8

Yeah, it's D-league, but you have to have some decent skills to go (near) triple double in his last 3 consecutive games:
Date Opponent Result MIN FGM-A 3PM-A FTM-A OFF DEF REB AST STL BLK TO PF PTS
1
Apr 18 @ COL L 114-111 48 14-31 1-4 4-6 1 11 12 12 1 0 7 2 33
Apr 15 vs. IDA W 119-116 53 11-24 6-6 5-8 1 8 9 8 2 0 6 3 33
Apr 4 vs. IOW W 129-112 45 11-19 2-3 5-5 0 14 14 13 0 1 6 0 29

Some highlights worth noting: 6-6 3PM on Apr 15
14 Rebounds, 13 assists of Apr 4
Finally, (yeah I know it's d-league), but his last two games were in the playoffs where I would assume there's more intensity than the regular season.

The dude is under contract for a reason!


These are crazy stats!

[JonNOKC]

I have good contact on Toros staff - (operations side, but well informed of whats going on in terms of Toros/Spurs relations/players) - I have posted on other website about this initially getting ridiculed by some - seems to be alot more action over here - anyway - he told me the Austin coaches believe Marcus has value in being able to play spot minutes (depending on matchups) at either the SF,SG, or PG - and his versatility could help him be part of squad - in fact after PO ousting and before the RJ move he told me Marcus would definitely be on 15 man roster - now he says he still thinks he will be - The coaches did say against quick defensive PG he would have to run the PG role from SG,SF. He still needs to get better ball handling, decision making, and consistent beyond 20ft on jumper - he excelled in the Point role for the 15-18 games at end of season. - Anyway - this was all first mentioned when I talked to him shortly after the PO beating we took - I think the Spurs definitely plan on evaluating him in this role in camp and that may decide whether Marcus is on roster or let go in favor of vet PG (if we can't move someone else)

[Stump]

Some of you need to chill out a little on the expectations. At this point Marcus would be a huge success if he ever became a solid end-of-the-rotation player.

[venitian navigator]

At this point, we'll probably stick with what we have pending an evaluation through summer time / training camp...

Under contract

pg Parker - Hill - M. Wiliams
g Mason - Ginobili - Finley
f Jefferson - Haislip/Hairston
pf McDyess - Blair - Bonner
c Duncan - Mahinmi - Ratliff

(probably Toros with Toros contract : Gist - Mc Clinton)

I put the names in order of playing time in the first part of the season.
I mean that in summertime, training camp and the first part of the season the most part of the "reserve time" should go to the young guns from whom the F.O. is needing aswers...so Blair and Mahinmi like third and fourth option for big men makes some sense (and Haisplip/Hairston sharing minutes like reserve sf depending of the match ups...) .
Then, in case, in the middle/final part of the season, veterans (Finley, Bonner, Ratliff) will have more playing time...
M. Williams looks like the one of the young ones with probably more difficulties to have some time available given that he'll be the third stringer in a play making role that's the most covered (Parker and Hill are good and young)...However, here comes his versatility (M.W. can play all three back - court roles) and that could give him, in any case, a little more chances to play...

[cheguevara]

what about rommel beck, he`s not point guard, but he`s incredible player, why he`s so underrated?

dude sucks. horrible ballhandler and defender

[ceperez]

I have good contact on Toros staff - (operations side, but well informed of whats going on in terms of Toros/Spurs relations/players) - I have posted on other website about this initially getting ridiculed by some - seems to be alot more action over here - anyway - he told me the Austin coaches believe Marcus has value in being able to play spot minutes (depending on matchups) at either the SF,SG, or PG - and his versatility could help him be part of squad - in fact after PO ousting and before the RJ move he told me Marcus would definitely be on 15 man roster - now he says he still thinks he will be - The coaches did say against quick defensive PG he would have to run the PG role from SG,SF. He still needs to get better ball handling, decision making, and consistent beyond 20ft on jumper - he excelled in the Point role for the 15-18 games at end of season. - Anyway - this was all first mentioned when I talked to him shortly after the PO beating we took - I think the Spurs definitely plan on evaluating him in this role in camp and that may decide whether Marcus is on roster or let go in favor of vet PG (if we can't move someone else)

Thanks for the inside info! Agree too, he's got to become a point guard for him to play in the league.

[TDMVPDPOY]

why cant he get a roster spot

theres more out there in the league than him

[Darkwaters]

I'm excited about Marcus. As far as I'm concerned hes an easily expendable, cheap, player. My expectations of him are zero at this point...which means if he contributes ANYTHING then it's a plus. Otherwise, I really doesn't matter at all. But hes got some skills that are somewhat unique and he might surprise. Honestly, thats all you can ask for a 15th man.

[angelbelow]

I have good contact on Toros staff - (operations side, but well informed of whats going on in terms of Toros/Spurs relations/players) - I have posted on other website about this initially getting ridiculed by some - seems to be alot more action over here - anyway - he told me the Austin coaches believe Marcus has value in being able to play spot minutes (depending on matchups) at either the SF,SG, or PG - and his versatility could help him be part of squad - in fact after PO ousting and before the RJ move he told me Marcus would definitely be on 15 man roster - now he says he still thinks he will be - The coaches did say against quick defensive PG he would have to run the PG role from SG,SF. He still needs to get better ball handling, decision making, and consistent beyond 20ft on jumper - he excelled in the Point role for the 15-18 games at end of season. - Anyway - this was all first mentioned when I talked to him shortly after the PO beating we took - I think the Spurs definitely plan on evaluating him in this role in camp and that may decide whether Marcus is on roster or let go in favor of vet PG (if we can't move someone else)

thanks for sharing

[Obstructed_View]

I didn't watch any of the summer league.

[Solid D]

Marcus and this new Spurs team...they are all just clay in Pop's hands.