THC: The Hairston Coalition

[The Truth #6]

He's played 42 NBA games, totaling 257 minutes, and has not made an NBA 3 pointer. I know about his d-league numbers. Doesn't mean if he can't make them for the Spurs.

The long two is the worst shot in basketball. It's low percentage, leads to just as many fast breaks off of misses, and doesn't penalize the defense 50% for playing off you like the 3 pointer does. You have to be able to make 3s to run an efficient offense in the NBA.

He will need to make the 3. So far he's been trying to play mistake-free basketball to impress Pop. If Pop shows him confidence I think Malik's confidence will improve and we'll see his full game for good or bad.

[ulosturedge]

Been on this wagon for a while now....It took a Finley departure, a TP injury, and a Mason slump for Hairston to be allowed on the court. It's just sad that he could have been much farther a long if we didn't waste a contract on our "centerpiece". The main thing here is that Hairston has the athleticism and strength to actually be a threat on both sides of the floor. While a lot of our players are just happy with trying to stay in front of their opponents, Malik can actually alter shots in the air and really contest shots. Also on the offensive end he will take advantage of no one paying attention to him. As opposed to when our "centerpiece" is on the floor, he demands no attention or poses no threat on offense. Teams sag off him all game long. Which is fine, but seeing him make teams pay is like once in a blue moon....a complete liability on the offensive end.

[The Truth #6]

That's why young guys need to play - energy & effort. Of course, Pop did Hairston no favors by matching him up defensively on Gallianari. He was overmatched, but his energy was contagious.

By now, I guess the Popsuckers probably want the Spurs to let Hairston walk too. After all, it was only one game, right?

Ha. And what the was he doing being asked to guard Gallianari? He did well for the situation.

[HarlemHeat37]

I didn't mind him guarding Gallo..he got a foul on him and scored that ridiculous circus shot over Duncan and him, but he was fine on the other 2 possessions against him..the Spurs will need to draft a long SF in the draft to guard those types of guys either way, it's been a need for a while..

[SenorSpur]

I mind a lot. Just goes to show you that the Spurs STILL are roster deficient when playing athletic 4's. Don't get me started on that again.

[The Truth #6]

Sean said Malik would get real minutes. It took Pop about 3 games to make an adjustment. Normally I would say that is slow but for Pop that's quite fast. That's almost how fast he is when making adjustments in a playoff series.

[Chieflion]

I didn't mind him guarding Gallo..he got a foul on him and scored that ridiculous circus shot over Duncan and him, but he was fine on the other 2 possessions against him..the Spurs will need to draft a long SF in the draft to guard those types of guys either way, it's been a need for a while..

Paul George!!!!

[The Truth #6]

Pop forces mismatches but they always seem to work against us. We play small but then play slow. I never see the advantage.

[silverblackfan]

I thought he did a solid job tonight. Again. He uses his minutes well and plays with energy and good defensive pressure. And how about that Block? He altered a few more with his quick hops.

[Sean Cagney]

I just got home and can't wait to see the 4th quarter from what I've heard from friends...

Count me in...all he needs is a real opportunity and it will be evident that he's the 2nd best wing that we have excluding Horhay.

I agree, athletic and more offensive game than Bogans and he can play some D too! Why not? What else to lose this year? Nothing, everything to gain.

[AusSpursFan]

In from the start of the season, played well in summer league and has continued to do so since.

[The Truth #6]

And in a game where Bogans was playing well, so to speak.

[Blackjack]

I didn't mind him guarding Gallo..he got a foul on him and scored that ridiculous circus shot over Duncan and him, but he was fine on the other 2 possessions against him..the Spurs will need to draft a long SF in the draft to guard those types of guys either way, it's been a need for a while..

Had Malik been seeing minutes going back to last year and/or the beginning of this year ... that's a hook, an offensive-foul, and Malik's credited with a stop.

I agree they need to find some more size and length on the wing defensively, they've needed it for a while, but Malik's actually pretty decent at providing that kind of help in stretches (even if he's too small to give someone a steady diet when he's at a Gallo-type disadvantage).

He's often underestimated defensively because of his deceptive demeanor, length and athleticism, and his playing the 4 in college probably helped him quite a bit with those shot-blocking instincts of his; along with his great timing.

The thing with Malik now, at least offensively, is he's got to get used to his new areas of operation on the floor at the Big Boy's level; he's not going to be shooting those sweet 12-15' jumpers around the elbows and free-throw line that he got at Oregon or be seeing the floor from the same perspective (which he and the Spurs know and he's made tremendous strides in evolving from that college player).

Malik's done everything right by all accounts: he's put in the time, stayed humble and exhibited the type of professionalism and character that has become synonymous with the Spurs over the years.

It's time Pop gives him the opportunity to become the Spur his resume shows he could be.

[SenorSpur]

Had Malik been seeing minutes going back to last year and/or the beginning of this year ... that's a hook, an offensive-foul, and Malik's credited with a stop.

I agree they need to find some more size and length on the wing defensively, they've needed it for a while, but Malik's actually pretty decent at providing that kind of help in stretches (even if he's too small to give someone a steady diet when he's at a Gallo-type disadvantage).

Really makes one wonder why they STILL have this deficiency after so many years. The point of irritation for me is that they had plenty of time to address this prior to Bowen leaving the scene. I know they missed on Batum, but they still should've addressed this need via the draft.

Someone mentioned Paul George earlier. Haven't see him on TV, but researched his measurables. Good looking prospect.

[OrEmuN]

I am definitely in. Has been rooting for him since I joined ST...

Give this boy more minutes ... he clearly deserves PT

[Biggems]

i have had this avatar all season and finally it has become relevant

[Manufan909]

every time I heard the sub horn I was like well there goes Hairston, but it never happened, I was proud of Pop

that bull , no one should be happy with Pop. Does anyone notice the level of RJ and RMJ had to equal for Hairston to only get a dozen minutes!?!

And exstatic, I'd love to see your stats on how negatively "better 3pt shooters" like Mason are effecting the Spurs because of their crap defense, nonexistent offensive arsenal, etc... Oh wait, you can't calculate defense, or energy, or hustle, or athleticism. Come back to me when you find out, I'd really love to know. Until then, I'll assume a Spurs offense featuring 20 minutes of Hairston>>>>>>>>>>>> a Spurs offense featuring 20 minutes of Mason. Let Manu and Bonner rain 3s, they're actually making them.

[Blackjack]

Really makes one wonder why they STILL have this deficiency after so many years. The point of irritation for me is that they had plenty of time to address this prior to Bowen leaving the scene. I know they missed on Batum, but they still should've addressed this need via the draft.

Someone mentioned Paul George earlier. Haven't see him on TV, but researched his measurables. Good looking prospect.

Basically because they've been chasing ghosts (Horry and Bowen's).

Instead of focusing on tangible athleticism and overall measureables (maybe not focusing as much as not putting enough importance on), they've been looking to find players to replace their 3-point shooting and/or the same role as their predecessor; thus the floor-spacing 4 (Bonner) and the 'Centerpiece' (Bogans) that doesn't need the ball, camps out at the 3-point line and takes on the opposition's best wing.

But what they've done is put inferior players into a role they'll never be able to fulfill ... instead of tweak the system and find a higher quality player to get the job done; sure there's always going to be a need for 3-point shooting with this Big 3, but the same formula can't be used as talent wanes and vital, key members of the team exit the stage.

Bowen wasn't the next Elliott, nor was Horry the next Robinson; times and cir stance change, and if you don't change and adapt to it, you're bound to be left behind . . .

[HarlemHeat37]

Oh, I definitely agree that Hairston can guard those types of players in stretches, I'd have to see him do it more full-time to say..in the only other rotation minutes that he's gotten other than tonight and the Houston game, he guarded Kirilenko very well vs. Utah earlier in the year..he had the "infamous" preseason game vs. Tayshaun Prince too..his athleticism and strength allow him to do it..also, to be fair, there aren't many guys that are Gallo's height that play like him..

Going into next year, I think the Spurs have to find a wing with some size because we already have too many of the same types of bodies, which is what I meant..Hill is already an undersized wing, Mason is very undersized, Hairston and Bogans are around the same height, Jefferson doesn't play the style that we need at that position..so it would be good to have a SF with some length and size at the 3 to give us a different dimension..

Having Hill/Hairston/Long SF would be a very versatile defensive group for us next season that could defend many different matchups in different situations..

[Interrohater]

Bowen wasn't the next Elliott, nor was Horry the next Robinson; times and cir stance change, and if you don't change and adapt to it, you're bound to be left behind . . .

Excellent point. You have to adjust the system to your players, not try to find players who fit into the mold to make your system work. This current system only worked because we had the players that CREATED the system.

Pop should find great players, then mold the system to them, not search for players who look like they should fit into a system that you've created for others.

This is a great point Blackjack, I've never thought about it that way.

[benefactor]

Unleash him.

[Libri]

I finished watching the game and Malik, again, played very well. He looked confident and ran his routs like a seasoned pro. He was even directing traffic. Tonight, Malik demonstrated some of his attributes that could prove valuable to the Spurs. He showed quickness and leaping ability. We saw this when he beat out House and Chandler for that offensive rebound and dunk. He was quick with his help defense and got a fantastic block on Harrington. Furthermore, he didn’t hesitate when he made that jump shot. It was not an easy task to guard Gallinari, who is taller and stronger. The first basket by Gallinari was a circus shot. On the second shot, Gallinari used his strength to back down Malik. Nevertheless, I think Malik had a very good game. IMO, he showed a lot of positives.

[Blackjack]

Yeah, we're on the same page; it's just frustrating that they've got someone who's had some kind of success against a Kirilenko, Prince and James (even if it was just a nice play or two, it's more than what someone like Bogans had shown), yet he's never given the opportunity to help them out in a clear deficiency.

I'm not sure if Malik's ever going to be that necessity-type player, but I think he could end up being a really nice luxury item that all teams would love to have; a rotation player definitely.

My belief and fandom in Malik started back at Oregon and it had as much to do with his character and overall toughness as it did skill set. So even if he's a perpetual backup ... I believe he's someone you find on a championship team.

[SenorSpur]

Going into next year, I think the Spurs have to find a wing with some size because we already have too many of the same types of bodies, which is what I meant..Hill is already an undersized wing, Mason is very undersized, Hairston and Bogans are around the same height, Jefferson doesn't play the style that we need at that position..so it would be good to have a SF with some length and size at the 3 to give us a different dimension..

Having Hill/Hairston/Long SF would be a very versatile defensive group for us next season that could defend many different matchups in different situations..

I'll take it a step further. If Pop wants to return to the style of defense that made this organization successful, the Spurs need at least 2 long SFs. With all the young, athletic perimeter scorers that flow into this league every year, combined with the fact the cupboard is bare, having two of these SF-types would provide great depth and versatility. Obviously, they need to go into the draft and nab one. Afterwards, perhaps a trade of RJ could return a young or mid-career SF.

Employing small ball is one thing. Employing that strategy with shorter, undersized players is another. Currently, that's primarily what their wing rotation consists of.

[SenorSpur]

Yeah, we're on the same page; it's just frustrating that they've got someone who's had some kind of success against a Kirilenko, Prince and James (even if it was just a nice play or two, it's more than what someone like Bogans had shown), yet he's never given the opportunity to help them out in a clear deficiency.

I'm not sure if Malik's ever going to be that necessity-type player, but I think he could end up being a really nice luxury item that all teams would love to have; a rotation player definitely.

My belief and fandom in Malik started back at Oregon and it had as much to do with his character and overall toughness as it did skill set. So even if he's a perpetual backup ... I believe he's someone you find on a championship team.

Since you followed him at Oregon, can you provide more insight on what kind of player he was back then? How he demonstrated that toughness, you spoke of?