Monroe: Spurs notebook: Mahinmi gives Spurs something to ponder

[SenorSpur]

Which is why it makes sense to keep Ian around... other than Duncan and Ratliff, Ian has the tools to defend the paint and alter shots at the rim...

Exactly. Besides that, and I made this point in another thread, Ian is on a clear and present development track. If the Spurs continue nuturing this project, Ian should able to contribute some, in spots, this season. By next year, he should be ready to assume a larger role as a solid rotation player and defensive presence.

After all, Duncan and Ratliff may likely be gone in 2 years and the frontcourt depth will need to be restocked. That said, there is absolutely no reason to cut him loose.

[ElNono]

A season in Austin. Sure it doesn't guarantee the same thing in the NBA, but the difference between Ian as a defensive anchor and anyone else was night and day.

Marcus Williams looked like Tony Parker in the D-League...

[Marcus Bryant]

Remember, he did miss an entire year of basketball.

[Marcus Bryant]

Further, what other 22 year old, athletic, shotblocking big do the Spurs have? Spurs fans never cease to amaze.

[ElNono]

Further, what 22 year old, athletic, shotblocking big do the Spurs have? Spurs fans never cease to amaze.

fify

[ChumpDumper]

Marcus Williams looked like Tony Parker in the D-League...

Williams didn't look anything like Tony Parker in the D-League.

[Marcus Bryant]

As I said.

[ElNono]

Williams didn't look anything like Tony Parker in the D-League.

Marcus Williams comes into the season as the forgotten Spur. The Spurs signed him from the Austin Toros on April 8. Marcus Williams was the D-League’s best player at that point. His numbers in March were good, averaging 25 points, 7 boards and 6 assists a game. But April was something else entirely: 27.5, 10.5, 11.5. After spending the better part of two years with the Austin Toros, Marcus Williams was looking like an NBA player. And strangely enough, the former Arizona small forward was doing his best work as the Toros’ point guard.

[DPG21920]

Just because he posted great numbers doesn't mean he looked like TP. Did you ever watch him play?

[barbacoataco]

I think the Spurs should give Mahinmi two more years. Even if he never lives up to potential, a player like him still has value just as a low post defensive presence. As someone else pointed out, he is insurance if ratliff gets injured, which judging by the last few years seems possible.

[ChumpDumper]

Just because he posted great numbers doesn't mean he looked like TP. Did you ever watch him play?

This.

I watched him play all season and he never looked like Tony Parker.

[ElNono]

Just because he posted great numbers doesn't mean he looked like TP. Did you ever watch him play?

The point I was trying to make, which I thought was fairly clear, is not that Marcus Williams is a clone of Tony Parker.
The point is that Marcus Williams can put superstar-level numbers playing PG (TP-like numbers) in the D-League, and that doesn't necessarily mean his game translates to the NBA, as we've all seen already.

As far as Ian goes, I simply take with a huge grain of salt the comments from his apologists that he's a "terrific shot blocker" or a "defensive anchor", because he did that on the D-League.
He has potential to be all that, but so far, playing against NBA level scrubs he hasn't done any of that.

[ChumpDumper]

The point I was trying to make, which I thought was fairly clear, is not that Marcus Williams is a clone of Tony Parker.

Nah, you failed.

Of course Ian can only be talked about in terms of NBA potential, but so what?

If you had any other big man project in mind, the hate might make sense.

[Agloco]

Ian gets this year and the next to show and prove that he belongs. After that, ship his butt out with a consolation prize.

[portnoy1]

Why not just trade for a shot-blocking bigman. The spurs have showed that they are gonna spend like crazy to win a championship or 2 in Duncan's remaining years. Why would they keep ian around if they can get a quality shotblocker that can stand next to Duncan for 2-3 yrs. When Duncan retires the spurs will worry about rebuilding and major development of players. Scola showed something that Ian has never showed, ( HARD WORK ). Ian as much potential as he may have is a Kwame Brown clone. All those skills and a half-hearted/casual approach to things. Scola/Blair are both rough players but can contribute because they work hard.

[Spurs Brazil]

Jeff McDonald: Pop was very high on Mahinmi today before the game. Says he's been holding his own in practice. Stopped short of saying whether or not they plan to extend him. They've got until Oc.t 31.

http://blogs.mysanantonio.com/weblog...-pacers-2.html

[PUPPETMASTER]

Mahinm, will become a good player, with the spurs or some other team.