Harvey: Next Manu? If the option wasn't foreign

[jdaveah]

Wow, Buck Harvey just compared one of my favorite players of all time with one of my least favorite. The man has officially lost it.

[SenorSpur]

The whole point of buying the Toros was to put young developing players there, while keeping them close to the team, coaches and trainers. It is also a way to sell tickets in Austin by promoting Mahinmi and Williams as future Spurs. I think the Spurs will sign him to the 15th spot and keep him in Austin for most of the year.

That is the most logical scenario. I just hope they execute this plan and see it through.

[Darkwaters]

Also, why would the Spurs use the 15th spot on a veteran who can contribute now? With the addition of udoka, the Spurs have 13 players they need to squeeze on the 12 man active roster. So barring injuries, the Spurs really don't have room for anyone else to actually get playing time.

I don't think anybody said the word veteran except you. To Spurs fans that tends to have a negative connotation at times. We're talking about somebody that had a little experience in the league that had been cast off from their team (Hassan Adams) or maybe a DLeague prospect (Justin Bowen). I'm not talking about your atypical Spurs signee (30+, past his prime, ring-seeking) but a young kid thats looking for a fresh start. Don't misunderstand, if you take that route you're not simply seeking established (and diminished) players but rather a gungho kid that could well fit into your long-term plans in addition to Marcus Williams (he'll simply get there quicker...but could very well have a lower potential ceiling that Marcus).

I swear, she should have just drafted DJ Strawberry with the 58th pick and been done with it!

[timvp]

I don't think he can "force" anything, can he? The Spurs can just do nothing and still retain his rights, correct?

Incorrect.

You have to offer a contract to a second round pick to retain your rights to that player. So in effect, Williams has control over where he'll end up. He could take the offer from the Spurs, even if the Spurs don't want him to, and force the Spurs to either keep him or waive him so another team can sign him.

That is why the Spurs are hoping he goes to Europe or decides to sign in the D-League. They get to keep their rights to him while at the same time keeping a roster spot open to either sign someone else or save money against the lux tax. But if Williams refuses, the Spurs either have to sign him or release him.

This isn't a Scola or Ginobili situation where the Spurs are in the driver's seat.

[inconvertible]

this is the next manu

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNxZ4_O8R8M

[Solid D]

This has all the makings of Chris Carrawell, as we have said before, with the exception of the possible emotional investment that RC personally has with Marcus. RC went to his practices and he has admitted he spent quite a bit of time doing his homework with this kid. My guess is he ends up signing a minimal deal with the Spurs and plays this season in Austin with the view toward a shot to replace Brent next season.

(Carrawell played in the Netherlands last season)

[timvp]

This has all the makings of Chris Carrawell, as we have said before, with the exception of the possible emotional investment that RC personally has with Marcus.

Great point.

RC's handpicked players tend to stick around the organization, even if better options show themselves. To examples of that can be found by looking at Derrick Dial and Beno Udrih. Dial was an RC find that not only beat out Carrawell, but also Raja Bell (the player Pop wanted to keep). Udrih has been kept long after almost everyone in town has given up on him.

Carrawell was a Sam Schuler pick. He was such a bad pick that Schuler quietly disappeared after picking him

But yeah, Williams has RC in his corner ... and for some reason, that label has more weight than any other label you can have on the Spurs. Beno could show up at training camp at 300 pounds and RC will probably want to extend his contract.

[exstatic]

OK, LJ. The kid seems to want some guaranteed money. What happens if the Spurs make him a contract offer, but there is NO guaranteed money, and he doesn't sign it? Do they then retain his rights?

[anakha]

Great point.

RC's handpicked players tend to stick around the organization, even if better options show themselves. To examples of that can be found by looking at Derrick Dial and Beno Udrih. Dial was an RC find that not only beat out Carrawell, but also Raja Bell (the player Pop wanted to keep). Udrih has been kept long after almost everyone in town has given up on him.

Carrawell was a Sam Schuler pick. He was such a bad pick that Schuler quietly disappeared after picking him

But yeah, Williams has RC in his corner ... and for some reason, that label has more weight than any other label you can have on the Spurs. Beno could show up at training camp at 300 pounds and RC will probably want to extend his contract.

You bring up an interesting point.

Would you know how much input the rest of the Spurs' FO, including Pop, has on draft picks and retaining personnel? How many of the current roster would you directly attribute to RC's decisions, and if it wasn't RC's sole decision, who has the (next) most say in making the call on so-and-so player?

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

this is the next manu

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNxZ4_O8R8M

I think you may be right.

[timvp]

OK, LJ. The kid seems to want some guaranteed money. What happens if the Spurs make him a contract offer, but there is NO guaranteed money, and he doesn't sign it? Do they then retain his rights?

Yes. If he decides to go play in Europe or the D-League instead, the Spurs will stay retain his rights.

However, it looks like Williams wants to be on an NBA next season, with the Spurs or someone else.

[T Park]

yup

20 year olds never improve.

[Darkwaters]

this is the next manu

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNxZ4_O8R8M

Marco is too much gunner and too little slasher to be a proper Ginobili comparison. I personally think Rudy Fernandez could be the more likely heir apparent. That being said, Belinelli looks like he'll be pretty awesome pretty quickly (they announced today that he would be starting at shooting guard this season).

[Russ]

Here's what happened at the Express-News. At happy hour, somebody walked up to Buck Harvey and said "I bet you can't write a column that compares Manu Ginobili to, let's see . . say . . . Marcus Williams."

After they both dissove in laugher for a while, Buck replies "You're on."

[objective]

So if the agent has left town already and media day is coming up on Monday . . . where's the news on Williams?

[ShoogarBear]

This thread sure is full of a lot of people who knew what Manu was going to be like when he was 21.

[JamStone]

I remember watching Marcus Williams his freshman year at Arizona late in the season, and he was easily the best player on the court. He was scoring at will, out-rebounding bigs, and doing whatever he wanted. Then last year, I watched a few games, and a great deal of his confidence was gone. After his freshman year and reading some projected mock NBA draft boards, I pegged him for a first rounder whenever he came out, all the way up to draft day in June. I'm still somewhat surprised that guys like Alando Tucker, Arron Afflalo, and Jared Dudley were selected in the first round ahead of him, not to mention a kid like Daequan Cook. I don't know about being the next Manu, but if he gets the right development and works hard on his game, he has the skill set to be a real quality player in the league.

[Mr. Body]

I remember watching Marcus Williams his freshman year at Arizona late in the season, and he was easily the best player on the court. He was scoring at will, out-rebounding bigs, and doing whatever he wanted. Then last year, I watched a few games, and a great deal of his confidence was gone. After his freshman year and reading some projected mock NBA draft boards, I pegged him for a first rounder whenever he came out, all the way up to draft day in June. I'm still somewhat surprised that guys like Alando Tucker, Arron Afflalo, and Jared Dudley were selected in the first round ahead of him, not to mention a kid like Daequan Cook. I don't know about being the next Manu, but if he gets the right development and works hard on his game, he has the skill set to be a real quality player in the league.

We need to pray for a brain transplant, then? What I wouldn't do for a Jared Dudley about now.