Mahinmi's Free Agency Decision Based On Playing Time

[Blackjack]

I keep on clickin' ... but I can't get in.

[ChuckD]

Ian could very well go elsewhere and put up decent numbers. That's doesn't mean he'd ever crack the Spurs rotation or do well here.

There are somewhere between 390 and 450 players in the NBA at any time. Probably 15-20% of them have the smartness, mental toughness, basketball IQ, and maturity to play on the Spurs. Now, take a cross section of that small group for players who are athletic, and it's a vanishingly small and colossally expensive group. The Spurs are usually constrained to bring in players from one of three groups: Smart, mentally tough, or physically gifted. Occasionally, you get someone like Bowen who hits two of the groups, smart and tough. I think Blair may be in those two groups, too. Usually, it's just one, though. Udoka was tough. Mason was smart. They have tried a veritable herd of physically gifteds: just recently PMB, White, and Ian. So far, none of them have developed another attribute, and they've been sent on their way.

[NFGIII]

Ian is still a young player who has great physical qualities alongside some good skills but who needs playing time to be a more consistent player and do less mistakes. He is doing the right thing by looking at playing time.

And he isn't asking guarantee playing time but it's obvious that Spurs' moves this summer will have an impact on the playing time he could get with them. In another interview, Ian said that he will talk with Pop on July 1st to see if Spurs want him back and in what role.

I also think Spurs won't want him back if they don't plan to develop him by giving him some playing time. If Spurs want a player at the end of the bench who will collect DNP-CD, an experienced vet or a prospect eligible to play in Austin makes way more sense than Mahinmi.

Agreed. I've advocated in the past that I wouldn't mind Ian coming back and trying to earn some minutes. But upon further consideration it's seems that you're right that he probably won't be back next year. He has had numerous opportunities to show what he can do and that didn't earn him any significant minutes. Though Pop has proven to be stuborn and Ian's injuries not withstanding I still think he hasn't earned the respect of Pop and staff. Now I would be surprised if he is given an invite to TC. I just think his run here in SA is over.

Ian could very well go elsewhere and put up decent numbers. That's doesn't mean he'd ever crack the Spurs rotation or do well here.

I think he needs to go to a bottom feeding club with low expectations and just play. He may or may not put up decent numbers but I really don't think he will crack the rotation, especially if Splitter comes over, which I think has a very good chance of happening.

There are somewhere between 390 and 450 players in the NBA at any time. Probably 15-20% of them have the smartness, mental toughness, basketball IQ, and maturity to play on the Spurs. Now, take a cross section of that small group for players who are athletic, and it's a vanishingly small and colossally expensive group. The Spurs are usually constrained to bring in players from one of three groups: Smart, mentally tough, or physically gifted. Occasionally, you get someone like Bowen who hits two of the groups, smart and tough. I think Blair may be in those two groups, too. Usually, it's just one, though. Udoka was tough. Mason was smart. They have tried a veritable herd of physically gifteds: just recently PMB, White, and Ian. So far, none of them have developed another attribute, and they've been sent on their way.

Ian is a very good athlete with size and mobility but frankly I think is lacking inf the IQ department. I just haven't seen significant improvement on D neccessary to crack this team. I don't believe Pop wants to take that kind of chance on him with TD and Manu's window closing.

Sad since initially I thought when he was drafted that we had a very good 5 in couple of years- approx around '07 and beyond.

[Mel_13]

Ian could very well go elsewhere and put up decent numbers. That's doesn't mean he'd ever crack the Spurs rotation or do well here.

There are somewhere between 390 and 450 players in the NBA at any time. Probably 15-20% of them have the smartness, mental toughness, basketball IQ, and maturity to play on the Spurs. Now, take a cross section of that small group for players who are athletic, and it's a vanishingly small and colossally expensive group. The Spurs are usually constrained to bring in players from one of three groups: Smart, mentally tough, or physically gifted. Occasionally, you get someone like Bowen who hits two of the groups, smart and tough. I think Blair may be in those two groups, too. Usually, it's just one, though. Udoka was tough. Mason was smart. They have tried a veritable herd of physically gifteds: just recently PMB, White, and Ian. So far, none of them have developed another attribute, and they've been sent on their way.

I see that you have recently started posting again after a two year hiatus. There has been a call to 'raise the bar' around here and informed and literate posters like you contribute to that cause.

Welcome back.

[ChuckD]

I see that you have recently started posting again after a two year hiatus. There has been a call to 'raise the bar' around here and informed and literate posters like you contribute to that cause.

Welcome back.

thx. I usually have just enough time to read, but you know, sometimes you just have to post. I missed the off-season last year, but it's such a critical part of the NBA cycle.