Austin Toros Sign DerMarr Johnson

[loveforthegame]

I like the idea. A look isn't going to hurt at this point. His at ude, like many have mentioned, is my only concern.

[ChumpDumper]

How interesting would it be if the Toros went out and got Viktor Sanikidze as well? Still very much a possibility at this point...

I guess that's just not in the plans at this point What happened to this guy? If no one is calling he should come over here on his and at least get some time in the CBA.

And that says nothing of Pittsnogle, "Squeaky" Johnson and send-downs Washington and Mahinmi as the Toros other players with potential NBA talent. This looks to be a loaded Austin team.

Pittsnogle and Squeaky haven't really shown me anything to suggest they could move up, but we're only two games in.

While talent is not always a good indicator of a winning atmosphere (as with the current Knicks roster) it sure helps. And even if Austin isn't highly compe ive in the D-League this year, it still should be fun to watch the futures of many of these guys develop further.

Adding Washington gives them the second scorer they have been missing, and Johnson should improve the defense. The team should be pretty compe ive if the send-downs stay awhile.

[remingtonbo2001]

Yeah.... until he destroyed his knee in college. He was never the same after that.

Didn't that happen to K-Mart also?

Didn't he also attend Cincy?

[Darkwaters]

Pittsnogle and Squeaky haven't really shown me anything to suggest they could move up, but we're only two games in.

Granted. But still, Pittsnogle has been considered at least a marginable NBA prospect for some time. His draft position should be proof enough of his presumed ability and potential. Now whether he actually fulfills that potential is very questionable, but hes undoubtedly a prospect (if only for that sweet jumper).

Squeaky is much more enigmatic. And his size definitely hurts any future NBA status. But if Washington's play doesn't completely mask Squeaky's contributions he might surprise a bit. But I agree hes fairly borderlined.

Adding Washington gives them the second scorer they have been missing, and Johnson should improve the defense. The team should be pretty compe ive if the send-downs stay awhile.

But will the Toros be more prone to work on Washington's playmaking ability or simply let him score? I'm unsure. I can see the Toros trying to make Washington more of a true PG and allow him to feed the dynamic wings they have. But Washington was definitely a scoring guard in college and would be well-served on the d-league level to look to the cup every time he has the ball. But on the big stage he needs a more complete game to be at his best. It should be interesting to see what Austin does with him.

PS: Chump, is there a schedule of all the Toros games that will be broadcast on NBAtv? I couldn't find a good one.

[ChumpDumper]

Granted. But still, Pittsnogle has been considered at least a marginable NBA prospect for some time. His draft position should be proof enough of his presumed ability and potential. Now whether he actually fulfills that potential is very questionable, but hes undoubtedly a prospect (if only for that sweet jumper).

Squeaky is much more enigmatic. And his size definitely hurts any future NBA status. But if Washington's play doesn't completely mask Squeaky's contributions he might surprise a bit. But I agree hes fairly borderlined.

They aren't untalented, they just need a whole lot of work to get to the next level.

But will the Toros be more prone to work on Washington's playmaking ability or simply let him score? I'm unsure. I can see the Toros trying to make Washington more of a true PG and allow him to feed the dynamic wings they have. But Washington was definitely a scoring guard in college and would be well-served on the d-league level to look to the cup every time he has the ball. But on the big stage he needs a more complete game to be at his best. It should be interesting to see what Austin does with him.

I'm sure they are going to concentrate on developing his decision and playmaking, bu they will let him lose fairly often while he's playing that many minutes.

PS: Chump, is there a schedule of all the Toros games that will be broadcast on NBAtv? I couldn't find a good one.

No. It seems they don't even know what they are going to air until a week before the broadcast.

[T Park]

I like this.

I always thought him or Rasual Butler would help out big time.

Demarr Johnson = long three

[Bruno]

It will be interesting to see who will play small ball PF for Austin : Johnson or Bowen ?
If Johnson show the ability to rebound well playing PF in D-League and plays good defense, he could be called up by Spurs in January.

[SenorSpur]

It seems like Johnson has been "off the NBA radar" for a bit. Where has this guy been? Has this guy regressed since he came into the league or has he simply not developed at all?

[LEN BIAS 4EVER]

Yea the 2000 draft could go down as the worst one in history.

The Bulls had the # 8,24,32,33, and 34 picks and ended up with:

Jamal Crawford
Dalibor Dagaric
AJ Guyton
Jake Voskkul
Kalid El-damn I got a big ass Amin

Man, that's about as bad a draft as I have ever seen a team have.

Didn't understand how Micheal Redd and Scoonie Penn were 2nd rounders in such a lousy draft....

[remingtonbo2001]

When Kwami Brown is your #1 PICK, you know it's gotta be a terrible draft.


Or was he 2001?

[JamStone]

Kwame was 2001. DeMarr was in the 2000 draft with K-Mart, Darius Miles, Stromile, Marcus Fizer, Mike Miller, Mihm.

[JamStone]

I know the fascination of Spurs fans with the long small forward type player. But, honestly, Bruce is not that tall or long. What good is a 6-9 frame with long arms if they aren't very good and can't play fundamentally solid defense?

[Darkwaters]

I know the fascination of Spurs fans with the long small forward type player. But, honestly, Bruce is not that tall or long. What good is a 6-9 frame with long arms if they aren't very good and can't play fundamentally solid defense?

I don't think we're looking for the next Bowen. We're looking for the long SF. Different player. Bruce Bowen can do things that a long SF can't, but the long SF has abilities that Bowen will never have. We need a guy that can play in the post when called to (something Bowen is incapable of) and a player that is a much improved rebounder than Bowen. We're not seeking a Bowen clone, we're seeking another version of the SF position.

[JamStone]

That's my point. Don't need a long small forward. Spurs need a quality small forward. As for a small forward that can play in the post and rebound better from that position than Bruce, look at Bonzi Wells at 6-5 and good but probably not exceptional length but he fits that description of being able to post and rebound well. Or someone like Quentin Richardson (although he's sucked this year), he fits that mold without being tall or long for the 3. Or Corey Maggette. Point is there's a fascination with LONG and TALL small forwards when there should be more interest with QUALITY small forwards.

[diego]

you have a point, but the "long" requirement is in part for two other reasons, the 1st being dirk, and the 2nd being small ball. basically, we're looking for another Sjax.

[FirebatMIV]

I am listening to the Toros broadcast right now, and it seems that Marcus Williams is already playing for the Toros.

D-Wash and Ian both have 3 PFs, this officiating is really bad.

[Darkwaters]

Exactly. While the rebounding and post-playing are high on the list, we're really looking to create mismatches with our long SF (and counter other team's mismatches as well). A player with prototypical size does not create mismatches, he holds the standard. We want somebody outside of the standard that can gain a length and height advantage while not giving up serious speed and quickness to the opponent.

[Darkwaters]

I am listening to the Toros broadcast right now, and it seems that Marcus Williams is already playing for the Toros.

D-Wash and Ian both have 3 PFs, this officiating is really bad.

Washington has the game high for rebounds though and has made some nice plays from what I can tell. Dermarr Johnson has been playing nicely already as well. Langford is, as usual, leading the way with points.

[SenorSpur]

Whenever references to the long SF have been made, the name Derrick Mckey is often invoked. Just once, I'd like for someone to reference the name Keon Clark

[FirebatMIV]

Washington has the game high for rebounds though and has made some nice plays from what I can tell. Dermarr Johnson has been playing nicely already as well. Langford is, as usual, leading the way with points.

It kind of sucks that both Washington and Ian played only 10 minutes in the 1st half though.

[Darkwaters]

Whenever references to the long SF have been made, the name Derrick Mckey is often invoked. Just once, I'd like for someone to reference the name Keon Clark

McKey's name is thrown out there because he is the one Pop specifically mentioned.

[FirebatMIV]

62-50 Sky Force over Toros, hit the half.

[FirebatMIV]

Dell Demps Half-time Interview

Darius Washington:
Really stepped up in training camp
Kind of challenged Jacque Vaughn for the backup spot
An excellent NBA Talent

DeMarr Johnson
A lot of talent
An intriguing guy

Marcus Williams
Broke his hand before training camp, in a pickup game
A good talent, only cleared to play this morning

Ian
Foul trouble, but a lot of it really isn't his fault

[FirebatMIV]

Darius Washington with 8 quick points, 12 pts total.

[FirebatMIV]

Toros comeback in a big way with a lineup of

Darius Washington-Kenton Paulino-Marcus Williams-DeMarr Johnson-Ian Mahinmi

Toros down by 1, end of the third.