James White and Jackie Butler Interviews

[El_Mago]

I have been a big supporter of White in the past.

People are right when they say that White was shy when it came to contact and taking it to the hole. However, things have changed for James this past year.

If James was soft and afraid of contact he would no be on this team, period. Popovich is about taking the ball to the basket and making contact. James has vastly improved in that area. We saw him attack the basket in various games and even get checked by Barnes, and still attacked it. Furthermore, going up against Bowen in practice everyday makes you really tough really quickly.

It is not like James is an immature 21 year old kid. He spent 4 years at Cincy, and is now being mentored by Bruce Bowen. Bowen claims James makes him look silly in practice, which I believe.

We all knew coming to the season James would get the 1 year treatment. He was tested and passed with flying colors. Would the kid set aside the ego, the dunks, the playing time.....and settle for learning the defense, learning from experienced players, and learning the true meaning of the game? Yes.

As a result, I think we are going to see James White come in next year and amaze people. He will be solid with rotations, attack the basket, and be a great asset to the team. Hopefully, he can develop a consistent shot with Chip this summer, but who knows.....

All I know is that the Spurs have finally found the athletic wing that they so much need....they no longer have to be looking at other teams or free agents....because he is right uder the nose.

By the way, it is scary to think and wonder what in the world James has in his bag of tricks when it comes to the Slam Dunk contest?!?

[eisfeld]

Unfamiliar with the SF position are we?

That's what people said about when the PF position got a complete overhaul. He is unquestionable not a true SF but he has the ability to play there. He does not have the ability of a true wing player considering his jumper being inferior compared to other's but the guy still has time to learn and adjust his play. Just being curious about your arguments as I don't have this much knowledge about every position as it is hard to watch games here in Europe and the general coverage about basketball in the media is pretty much non existant.

[whottt]

That's what people said about when the PF position got a complete overhaul. He is unquestionable not a true SF but he has the ability to play there. He does not have the ability of a true wing player considering his jumper being inferior compared to other's but the guy still has time to learn and adjust his play. Just being curious about your arguments as I don't have this much knowledge about every position as it is hard to watch games here in Europe and the general coverage about basketball in the media is pretty much non existant.

Too short too skinny...I mean yeah, if he can play D like Bruce, great, but that's a huge if. A huge, huge, huge, huge, huge if, and I'd have said that before Bruce owned LeBron...now it's an even bigger if. And we will still need a bigger guy that can play SF.


He's not the solution for a long SF(our need), because...he's not a long SF.

[SenorSpur]

I have been a big supporter of White in the past.

People are right when they say that White was shy when it came to contact and taking it to the hole. However, things have changed for James this past year.

If James was soft and afraid of contact he would no be on this team, period. Popovich is about taking the ball to the basket and making contact. James has vastly improved in that area. We saw him attack the basket in various games and even get checked by Barnes, and still attacked it. Furthermore, going up against Bowen in practice everyday makes you really tough really quickly.

It is not like James is an immature 21 year old kid. He spent 4 years at Cincy, and is now being mentored by Bruce Bowen. Bowen claims James makes him look silly in practice, which I believe.

We all knew coming to the season James would get the 1 year treatment. He was tested and passed with flying colors. Would the kid set aside the ego, the dunks, the playing time.....and settle for learning the defense, learning from experienced players, and learning the true meaning of the game? Yes.

As a result, I think we are going to see James White come in next year and amaze people. He will be solid with rotations, attack the basket, and be a great asset to the team. Hopefully, he can develop a consistent shot with Chip this summer, but who knows.....

All I know is that the Spurs have finally found the athletic wing that they so much need....they no longer have to be looking at other teams or free agents....because he is right uder the nose.

By the way, it is scary to think and wonder what in the world James has in his bag of tricks when it comes to the Slam Dunk contest?!?

Big ups to you El Mago. Yours was one of the first original posts I read on J. White and I know you've been one of his biggest supporters. Let's hope this guy keeps working hard and sticks finds his way into the rotation.

[judaspriestess]

He was sitting behind me at the airport this morning in SA. He was also catching a Southwest flight, I think he was going to Baltimore. He seems like a nice guy.

[medstudent]

he's from the DC area so that makes sense

[SenorSpur]

I believe White will on the team because his contract isn't that high. Also the Spurs wanted to Draft him before Indiana did, so we got lucky when they waived him. It always take a year for anyone to learn the Spurs system and with him being here the entire summer I will definitely help his confidence!

James White 2008 Dunk Champion.....Now have the league calls us boring with Manu, White and Parker!

I find it hard to believe that the Spurs thought enough of this guy to court him during the draft, pick him up off waivers, invest a year in him only to let him walk. Especially if the guy is working hard, getting better and is buying into the system the way White has done.

If the Spurs find a guy of similar or greater skill and stature, either during or after the draft, who is a better fit at the swing and he beats out White during summer league play - OK. Otherwise unless there is some dramatic dropoff, I think White sticks.

[Borosai]

White is roughly the same size/weight as Bowen, so if he plays D, there's no reason why he can't play SF. However, a bigger SF would be ideal to match up physically with guys like LeYawn and Caramelo. I love James White. I don't care if he can't shoot a jumper... he can dunk! The Spurs have shooters... they need another slasher to attack the basket and get FTs. I hope he pans out so I can get his jersey and a big ing Spurs sombrero.

[whottt]

People...Bruce Bowen is a 7 consecutive times all NBA Defensive player...there are like...2 or 3 other perimeter players in NBA history that have made that many all NBA D teams like that. Do ya'll realize that?

2 or 3 other players, in NBA history.

That's why he can do it....it's not like anyone can, that's why you don't see many 200lb SF floating around the NBA...most of the SF's in the NBA today are big enough to play PF....and sometimes C.

[ChumpDumper]

So get one of those guys too.

[Borosai]

Ok, after a bit of thinking, I got the solution.

Bonner... he's big enough.

[El_Mago]

Unless the Spurs land a stud via the draft, I expect White to dominate the Summer League in Vegas and Salt Lake.

White is just going to toy with the opposing players at the Summer League.

I expect him to be on the opening roster.

SenorSpur is correct.

The Spurs targeted White via the draft. They brought him for workouts and were impressed with his talents and I honestly believe the feeling was mutual. Thats why when Indiana waived him (which Carlisle claimed was the most difficult cut he has ever had to make as head coach) White had already decided he wanted to come to San Antonio.

Deep down inside, White could of possibly felt San Antonio was his best destination. He knew that his game was not as polished and as strong as he would of liked it to be coming out of Cincy...he needed to work on defense (which he claimed would be the staple in allowing him to stick around the league and not his freak athelticism), and he wanted to just fit in and learn. Next thing you know, White has gotten a lot tougher and stronger, grasps the importance of defense, improved his game, and is about ready to make a true impact on the NBA.