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1 down, 1 to go. The shame of it is if Mason starts hitting a couple of shots we won't see Hairston anymore. If only Pop could replace the centerpiece...
I agree, with this.
However, don't overestimate the "necessity-type player", as that player is very often the one who throws himself to get a loose ball, who hustles back to defend even when it seems like an uncontested fast-break dunk, who sees his childhood idols and respects, but plays even harder. While it's the superstars who make a team, it's the roleplayers who make a championship team.
1 down, 1 to go. The shame of it is if Mason starts hitting a couple of shots we won't see Hairston anymore. If only Pop could replace the centerpiece...
Roger Mason Jr. looks puzzled and unconfident out there. i'm thinking it could also be pent up frustration from not playing much early on and now not producing when he is has gotten him to a boiling point. his head isn't in there. unless Roger Mason of early '08-09 shows up, i'd rather have Hairston in there. problem is he and Bogans look roughly like the same type of player. a rotation w/ both of them would be redundant.
This is a poorly constructed roster. They lack depth at point guard and center and they still don't have anyone who can guard long three's/mobile four's. The Spurs could take a flier on a Wright (Dorell), McGuire or probably even Wright (Julian, though he is under contract for next season, unlike the other two), but hopefully they can do better.
Very encouraged with Hairston. You can just tell he's going to be a solid rotation player. Probably never a true stopper, but one of these secondary defenders to throw at top opposition wing scorers and because of his athleticism, he's capable of affecting the game in myriad ways, unlike a guy like Mason, who must shoot a high percentage to justify his playing time (though with the composition of this roster and Parker being out, he must play either way).
Going forward, Hairston is going to have play more three than two, with Hill/Ginobili playing the majority of the minutes at two. This is why the Spurs need a long, athletic three to round out their perimeter rotation, otherwise they'll continue to be too undersized to be anything resembling an elite defensive team.
Hairston's success in limited minutes has been one of the few perks of a miserable season. When he gets subbed in you just pay attention more to these mostly meaningless games.
If only the team could get more positives than negatives this year.
I'll just add that Malik did tonight what Jefferson was supposed to do. Pop envisioned Richard contributing by getting into the flow of the game and that is what Malik did. Malik didn't have any plays drawn up for him. Yet, he contributed when he found opportunities to do so. He didn't look out of place. Hopefully he will continue to do that if he gets the time.
I didn't follow him like I would a Spur but he caught my attention during his sop re year in the Pac-10 tournament IIRC; had a nice stretch of 20+ games and, as you've probably noticed at the NBA level, he tends to impress with a play or two from time-to-time.
He was just strong. That's what I noticed. There was never any intimidation or fear in his demeanor or game and when the pressure seemed to mount, Malik was never scared; he's a Detroit kid and that's one stereotype that's complimentary. He rebounded strong, he finished strong, he was just ... strong.
I read about the injuries he had gone through in his junior year after the fact and it was even more impressive than what I knew at the time (Here's a bio I came across during the Draft you might have some interest in; note the last couple of sentences from '06-'07)
That was Malik.One of the most well-rounded players in the nation. Willing to do whatever it takes to win, be it scoring, rebounding, defending or setting up his teammates.
That unassuming demeanor and the expectations coming in as one of the most highly touted recruits in the country, lead people to look for warts more than offer praise. He did have some questionable work habits (which was the only thing that worried me; would he get and stay in shape?) but those have either been corrected in his time with the Spurs or overblown; he was a college kid.
So, basically ... I like tough, intelligent ball players, and Malik came across as one of those guys. He could do a little bit of everything, he did it with purpose and he'd often give you something that would surprise/entertain the out of you.
My kind of guy.
too much THC... I'm stoned!
agree on this. (assuming Manu will be part of the team next season)
but I don't like the mentioned options that much. ok, if McGuire signs for the minimum, it's worth the try.
Dorell? he turns 25 this year and despite 5 years of NBA experience he still looks to often like a rookie. and can't shoot. I fear he just doesn't get it. open question: the Spurs possibilities are limited anyhow, so what would it take to get Dorell? would he sign for the LLE? if not and assuming we spend the MLE on Splitter we are not a candidate.
(just in case: we can't sign Splitter and so the MLE is available for other players, wouldn't we prefer Travis Outlaw over Dorell Wright?)
I don't think Julian Wright is available in a trade unless it's for a TE (or a unguaranteed contract) and a pick.
(which we can't offer). Hornets will still be in cost dumping mode, only this scenario helps them.
as long as we can't do a somehow miraculous trade of RJ, the options for adding a SF this summer are very limited, especially with the draft not really looking deep there. (most available are in fact combos, who will fail big time in the NBA).
ah, time to make a misplaced claim: Landry Fields (my man for our 2nd rounder) would be a very nice complimentary player to Malik.
those first two pages was a good read. I'm down with this. ya'll have a nice day
Hairston's three point shooting is strange. In the D-League he did shoot it twice as often this season compared to the last with about the sam resulting percentage, but to me his shots looked a lot flatter with a fairly low release. I don't know if it needs tweaking or an overhaul, but at least some work is in order as he needs that in his arsenal. I see no reason against playing him now, keeping him and developing him further.
Hairston probably is the 2nd hardest worker out there after Manu and he has the talent, speed and athleticism to back it up. (TD and Hill close 3rd)
sign me up!!!!!
Count me In.... Id like to see Hairston get close to 20Mins A Game... give Him Masons, and 's Mins....
I know I'm late, but I'm in =)
Although we've really only seen a glimpse of Hairston, what has impressed me so far about his game is that he is aggressive without forcing the issue.
I'm hoping Pop was impressed by what he saw and look forward to seeing what he can do with more minutes.
I was only paying attention to some plays last game but I did notice that monster block he had. Good going, hope the Spurs can keep him so at least one of our reserves looks like an NBA player.
too much THC... I'm stoned!
IMMMMPOOOOOSSSSIBLLLLE!!!
Get lifted with Hairston; Sir-Smoke-a-Lot does.
My thoughts exactly...except I shed a tear.Seriously, my emotions were all over the place as they were subbing late in the fourth . . .
Ginobili was set to check in, and I just knew it wasn't for Bogans; but it was.
But before I could, Pop had another sub to make ... my shoulders slumped; Jefferson out, 'Dyess in.
I almost shed a tear . . .
THC...
If Mason gets more minutes than Malik against Min. (barring Mason having a terrific shooting night), I will be up for firing Pop.
Wearing you down . . .
I like Wright but I'm thinking the Spurs need a better overall player at that position (I don't think they can afford to play 4-on-5 offensively the way they did, at times, with Bruce when the Big 3 was more dominant), so I'd definitely be in favor of a guy like Outlaw; Hairston wouldn't become redundant or lost in the shuffle in such a case.
What I've read has intrigued me, so I'll make sure to keep an eye out for him.
I completely understand what your saying and the logic is sound (the thinking of an overhaul or tweaking to the jumper), but he's had the same shot going back to his college days, and, just looking at the stats ... he appears to be doing something right.
Shooting's all about consistency and confidence and by whatever means produces optimum levels of both ... well, it's all about results.
He went up every year in 3P/% in his time at Oregon (from 33% his freshman year to 43% his senior) and since being in the D-League has shot almost 43% in his two years (along with a 7-11, 63.6%, in his two career playoff games) with the Toros.
That's not to say he doesn't need to keep working at it or keep getting those jumpers up, but, from what I've seen and what the numbers seem to bear . . .
Hairston just needs court time and minutes to find a comfort level and show what he's really capable of.
Well, we'll see when he actually starts taking threes in the NBA.
i hope he doesnt start taking 3's.
If he's as good as everyone says he is at them, why take no threes ever?
Please explain.
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