News Ian Mahinmi

**Kori Ellis** · 03-12-2006

Anyone know of a good site for French Basketball Statistics? Aren't Sanikidze, Karualov, and Mahnimi all playing in the French League now?

Euroleague wants 30 bucks a month for them(WTF?)...

I used to know a backdoor for getting the Euroleague info but I can't remember it anymore.

Sanikidze is in San Antonio. He's been here a few months. I don't know where Karaulov is.

**ChumpDumper** · 03-12-2006

Karaulov is playing for Khimki Moscow, currently the #2 team in the Russian A league. I don't think he's played for the A team this season. Looks like he's been IRed for the A team and sent down to the B team for a few games. Doubt he'll get much time behind Ruben Wolkowyski and Ademola Okulaja, and I won't ever expect to see him in a Spurs uniform.

You can usually find current stats for foreign teams at eurobasket.com. They have detailed career stats and info for individual players that they now charge for - but sometimes you can backdoor them through google.

**Bruno** · 03-12-2006

For Mahinmi stats, you can have complete stats on the french league website :http://www.lnb.fr/index.php?pid=9&ty...om=2005&stat=m
I've post few times ago a translation to understand these stats : http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/show...3&postcount=16

I don't think he will sign a Scola like contract because :
- He is still drafted.
- He is a first rounder : Spurs can't help him to pay a huge buyout by increasing his salary. The max they can give is $500k.
- He wants to play in nba. He was in SA this summer and was with Spurs at the Madison square garden in december.
- When I heard him on the radio, I was very impressed by his maturity. He doesn't want to come in nba if he can't help the team.
My guess is that he will sign a one year contract with a top team in France to play the eurolegue or the ULEB cup.

For the level of the french league, it's average, I heard people saying that the level was the same than NCAA (even if it's not the same kind of league).

Remember that this guy is very young (november 1986) and has started BB quite late, he is one year younger than players like Aldridge. In college, he would be a freshman.

**NCaliSpurs** · 03-12-2006

Originally Posted by Kori Ellis

Sanikidze is in San Antonio. He's been here a few months. I don't know where Karaulov is.

What is he doing in San Antonio? Is he working at Malik's CheeseSteak shop?

**wildbill2u** · 03-12-2006

Originally Posted by picnroll

Le Havre stats

Looks like the kid has good hands too.

I noticed that too and was coming back to post on that subject when I saw yours. Of course, they aren't gonna put a shot of him fumbling a pass on the highlight film, but he did seem comfortable catching the ball.

At least he didn't look like someone tossed him a bomb like some of our current centers have been known to do.

**picnroll** · 03-12-2006

Here's a report of an interview which somewhat contradicts his interest in playing for the Spurs next year.

Ian Mahinmi Interview
by xtf_no4 @ 2006-03-11 - 12:48:29
In a recent Interview with the french site www.basketzone.com, spurs drafted center Ian Mahinmi gave some explications about his actual progress. He had last weekend a good game with 20 points and 13 rebounds.
He is happy about his progress, but thinks that a lot of people don't realize the work he does under the basket, just looking at his stats. He is practicing his offensive moves for th emoment, as that is biggest lack in his game for the moment. Talking about the Spurs, he said that he is in contact with them at least once a week either with Sam Presti or coaches. They tell him to stay focused on his season and to work hard. They also give him a call after a good game to tell him to continue like that. Mahinmi says that he would like to join the Spurs next season, which would be great, but if he has to work out another season, that would be fine with him.
He does not think to be in Japan with French NT this summer because he estimates that he is not ready yet. Normally we should see him with the under-20 this summer in Izmir (Turkey).

**clubalien** · 03-12-2006

tim is getting "old" and injuried ian will be our next big hope
daivd --> Tim --> Ian
god must be a spurs fan

**RobinsontoDuncan** · 03-12-2006

When he was first drafted i heard he was athletic like Amare Stoudamire, which is why we drafted him, not only to possibly guard amare, but also to be that kind of offensive monster for us.

I would be quite happy if he developed along the lines of an Amare, but the question is when will he get to San Antonio. The brain trust seems to be very high on this kid, Presti has his name written all over this one.

As far as Sandizikid goes, any chance he plays for the spurs within the next few seasons? What is his potential/ upside?

**whottt** · 03-12-2006

He might have looked a lot like Amare when we first drafted him but it sounds to me like he is going to be much bigger than Amare and more of a true Center. I think he has the potential to be a much better interior defender than Amare as well.

It won't surprise me if the Spurs bring this guy over sooner than anyone expects...from what I can tell he already has the tools to be a contributor as a rebounder and energy guy and his shotblocking may already be there as well...and he is supposed to be very coachable, put out a lot of effort, and is a hard worker...to me that sounds like a candidate for being a Spur at a young age. Given our rapidly aging team I can see the Spurs making room for this guy...and offense is going to be the last thing Pop is worried about.

RE a thread at Spurs domion...if he advances too quickly he might start getting offers much more lucrative than whan the Spurs can offer him as the 28th pick...

I don't expect him to be playing over in Europe much longer...1 more year at the most IMO.

And if a Euroleague team throws a multi million dollar deal at him, don't expect his agent to be looking out for the Spurs best interests. He's gonna tell him to take the money while he can get it...because career ending injuries happen, and no one ever plans on having one of them.

**ChumpDumper** · 03-12-2006

if he advances too quickly he might start getting offers much more lucrative than whan the Spurs can offer him as the 28th pick...

Something I didn't know about the new CBA is that it allows for a huge increase (compared to the last CBA) in salary for low first round draft picks in his fourth year--over 80% in Ian's case. If the Spurs opted to pay Ian the most they could according to the rookie scale his deal would look like this:

Code:

1)   874,080
2)   939,600
3) 1,005,120
4) 1,814,241.60

Total: $4,633,041.60

Then even if he only takes the qualifying offer of $2,721,362.40 the following summer he's looking at $7,354,404 over five years, about $1.47 million a year.

After looking at that, I'm not worried about Ian's indenturing himself to a European team with a long term contract. It's in his (and his agent's) best interest to start the clock on his rookie deal ASAP, so he can get that big payday after the initial $4-4.6 million.

**picnroll** · 03-12-2006

Ian wants to be a Spur and will be. Question is not if but when.

He showed a lot in those videsos but he needs to get stronger. Even some of those skinny French league players could push him a step or two off the block when he was trying to hold position down low. That was a weakness last year that he doesn't look to have completely overcome this year and it'll be tougher with the bigger stronger players of the NBA.

**yourtehclay** · 03-13-2006

can someone upload that video into a format that allows windows media player to use it?

**Mr. Body** · 03-13-2006

It serves to remember Mahinmi's frontcourt mate of last year was drafted by the Sonics - Johan Petro. Petro was considered the more advanced of the two (it surprised no one he went in the first round), is slightly taller and I think slightly older (he's 20). He hasn't exactly been burning it up for Seattle, though he's a rookie:

48.4 fg%, 59.3 ft%, 4.1 rpg, 0.7 bpg, 4.4 ppg in 17.1 mpg

I doubt you could expect Ian to do much better his first year.

**velik_m** · 03-13-2006

i think Ian's arrival depends on Nazr. If Nazr resigns then it's no hurry to bring Ian to SA, cause he won't be getting playing time to develope anyway. If Nazr doesn't resign Ian or Javtokas are the spurs best options (and cheapest).

**mathbzh** · 03-13-2006

Just something to add about Petro:
Since the allstar break his stats are:
7.4 points/6.9 rbd/1 block in 23 minutes.
(15 pts 14 rbd 2 blocks per 48minutes)

This is not bad for a 20 years old rookie center.
If Mahinmi do the same when he comes to the spurs it is fine to me.

**OM_fever** · 03-13-2006

there is a huge difference between both player. Petro had only few times to develop in Pau, only playing few minutes. On the opposite, by playing with a lower performance team, Ian really has the chance to develop his game during match and not only in training cession. This could be a huge factor, he didn't get european experience, but he gets time & shots to develop his offensive & defensive game.

Furthermore, I doubt he could really reach his potential in SA due to the lack of playing time he will get. SA doesn't allow development, due to championship expectations. They couldn't afford to let him 20 mpg on the court while playing for 1st spot in West. I would prefer for him to still play in le Havre, even without european tournament, that would allow him to get offensive & defensive experiences which could bring him to another level.

Don't get wrong, NCAA & french championship are far different, without comparing potential, people don't have the same age & experience. NCAA is a real championship but on the same time it's a showcase for the draft. The regular championship brings another experience... just look at Parker start with the Spurs, this is highly due to his maturity gained in a professional team.

However, hoped to see him soon in Spurs uniform. And I agree, his arrival will be linked to Nazr status. Time will tell but don't rush.

**leemajors** · 03-13-2006

if ian came over, hustled and played solid d he would get his minutes.

**OM_fever** · 03-13-2006

but no sure he would be allowed to develop his offensive game. And with a less dominant Duncan, we would need to get offensive weapon inside the paint, if not we would have to rely more on our outside trheats, which is not a primary strenght.

However he would develop maybe faster his body & defensive talents. When I see the playing time of Oberto, I doubt Ian can get 20/30 mpg, which is the case in Le Havre when he doesn't struggle due to faults.

**Peter** · 03-13-2006

Basically it's up to the Spurs and Mahinmi when he joins the league. After he joins, he's going to be a Spur for the 1st 4 seasons. I have a feeling that if the Spurs want him to join the team next season, he will.

Good signs all around about this prospect.

**Phenomanul** · 03-13-2006

Originally Posted by mathbzh

Just something to add about Petro:
Since the allstar break his stats are:
7.4 points/6.9 rbd/1 block in 23 minutes.
(15 pts 14 rbd 2 blocks per 48minutes)

This is not bad for a 20 years old rookie center.
If Mahinmi do the same when he comes to the spurs it is fine to me.

Was it a Weiss / Hill effect???

**OM_fever** · 03-13-2006

I agree, and think if Ian has the chance to come, he will jump on it. however, I'm just worried to see those young guys having so few playing time when it's really the corner stone to develop your game (training is important but not enough)

But agree, he was flying under the randar but not spurs one, which should be stolen from CIA! ;-)

**Bruno** · 03-13-2006

Originally Posted by Peter

I have a feeling that if the Spurs want him to join the team next season, he will.

That's not what he has said.
He has said that Spurs are interested to sign him this summer but he isn't in a hurry. He rather like to stay in Europe because he needs playtime to develop his game.
If Spurs lose depth with trades/FA this summer, if they insist a lot to sign him and if Mahinmi play great in France until the end of the season, I can see him with Spurs next year. My guess is that he will sign during the 2007 summer.

**Bruno** · 03-13-2006

Originally Posted by hegamboa

Was it a Weiss / Hill effect???

I think it's a Sonics have no frontcourt effect.

**leemajors** · 03-13-2006

it would probably be best to let him stay over there another year, let him work out and keep growing, physically and as a player. we should definitely bring javtokas over this summer though!

**OM_fever** · 03-13-2006

same, and see how players can struggle when they don't have playing time to develop.

Without playing my frenchman (or just a little! ) but Pietrus doesn't play anymore in GSW, don't you think he could be really spurs material? He is a great defensor, just injuries had slowed him during this season...

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