James Anderson - For What It's Worth...

[Birn]

Anderson will definitely be in the rotation this season. The guy can flat score. He's a great shooter, can get his own shot off, and gets to the line at a high clip.

The guy Dallas drafted will be a D-League lifer. That's bust city right there. Remember, Dallas also had Maurice Ager rated as the top shooting guard in the draft a few years back.That dude isn't even in the league anymore.

[Beeger43]

Beeger43
How did James do in creating his own shot this year at OSU? I understand he really increased his FT attempts this year so I assume he was driving to the basket a lot more and not always settling for the jumper. Thanks for the info.

That is correct. Anderson's game really developed under coach Travis Ford the last couple years. When Sean Sutton was coach, Anderson was primarily a spot up shooter, with Eaton getting him open looks. He also used to drive only to his left, which is strange because he's right handed. Coach Ford got him driving to his right and not settling for his jumper, which earned him many more trips to the line this past season.

As for areas he needs work, defense will be one, but again, I think he'll pick it up. And I agree with most scouting reports that his handle needs some "fine-tuning", but that too improved under coach Ford this past season. He should have time to improve here though, as I doubt Pop will run many isolation plays for him in the near future! It will be more like his freshman year, catching and shooting off of guard penetration.

Another weakness listed in scouting reports is his "low" athleticism, but I think James Harden is once again a good comparison. No, he probably won't throw down many vicious tomahawks, but he's certainly athletic enough to get the job done. (More likely to find him in the 3 point contest than the dunk contest!)

I mentioned he wasn't great at creating for others, but keep in mind he was basically the only "go to" guy at OSU and we needed him to score, but he wasn't selfish at all. I read several times that the coaches really had to develop his "shoot first" mentality.

Overall, I would say the Spurs are getting a player who is very humble, smart, and hard-working, but still confident and mentally tough enough to play for Pop.

I can't guarantee that he's bound for All-Star-dom, but he should have his share of moments when he looks like one! (Think JR Smith minus the being a moron.)

That's just my two-cents...or ten...sorry about the length!

[BoricuaCJA]

That is correct. Anderson's game really developed under coach Travis Ford the last couple years. When Sean Sutton was coach, Anderson was primarily a spot up shooter, with Eaton getting him open looks. He also used to drive only to his left, which is strange because he's right handed. Coach Ford got him driving to his right and not settling for his jumper, which earned him many more trips to the line this past season.

As for areas he needs work, defense will be one, but again, I think he'll pick it up. And I agree with most scouting reports that his handle needs some "fine-tuning", but that too improved under coach Ford this past season. He should have time to improve here though, as I doubt Pop will run many isolation plays for him in the near future! It will be more like his freshman year, catching and shooting off of guard penetration.

Another weakness listed in scouting reports is his "low" athleticism, but I think James Harden is once again a good comparison. No, he probably won't throw down many vicious tomahawks, but he's certainly athletic enough to get the job done. (More likely to find him in the 3 point contest than the dunk contest!)

I mentioned he wasn't great at creating for others, but keep in mind he was basically the only "go to" guy at OSU and we needed him to score, but he wasn't selfish at all. I read several times that the coaches really had to develop his "shoot first" mentality.

Overall, I would say the Spurs are getting a player who is very humble, smart, and hard-working, but still confident and mentally tough enough to play for Pop.

I can't guarantee that he's bound for All-Star-dom, but he should have his share of moments when he looks like one! (Think JR Smith minus the being a moron.)

That's just my two-cents...or ten...sorry about the length!

Don't apologize about the length. I like reading it b/c I get more info about Anderson since most of us don't know much about him. Hopefully he does provide a consistent 3 pt shot since he will prob get a whole bunch of wide open looks and he works hard to improve on defense which under pop, I don't think that would be a problem.
Thanks.

[Thompson]

Thanks Beeger43, I enjoyed reading that.

[SenorSpur]

Good stuff, Beeger43. Sounds like you've seen this kid a time or two in his OKC days. Always good to get valuable insight from others who has watched the player in college.

[Juanobili]

So we got James Harden with the 20th pick. NICE!!!! haha

[lotr1trekkie]

HOW come there isn't a MAVStalk so that we can troll it and write re ed things?

Anderson looks like a "potential" steal because of his good size and apparent great at ude. What puts him over the top for me is that he can flat out shoot the rock. Maybe, a more talented version of JJ Red . I like his pass first at ude also.

Splitter will hopefully be Oberto times two. The same smarts and twice the physical ability. Miss Fab! Likw Gasol he can be a great second fiddle.
Richards is still a project. At 19 I don't expect him to contribute this season but he does have all the attributes of a Spur post Tim. D-league to work on his strength, rebounding and shot blocking. All NBA prospects love to score.

As far as the MAV's fans go they need to hope that Cuban sells the team. He was a young man who got a billion too soon. He can't be patient and build. Business shrewd but still immature.
The bottom line is would the Spurs trade any of our big three for any of their big three.
The answer is NO! Would the Spurs like to start the season with Dirk, Marion and Kidd? no! Would the Mavs like Tim, Manu and Parker in the starting lineup? , Yes!