I have no idea whether this is fact or not. The poster has more detail on his impressions of Watkins. I didn't know how much of the post to put here, hit the link for the rest.
I don't know much about Watkins, any thoughts on what he could bring to the court for us?
http://www.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?t=837612
I talked to the agent of center Darryl Watkins today, and he said that Watkins is going to camp with the Spurs.
I've watched him play a couple of times with the D-Fenders.
He is a strong, athletic and has great size. He is a good defender and shot blocker. He hasn't a lot of offensive skills.
For a training camp invite, it's a quality signing. Spurs could decide to keep him over Tolliver as 6th bigman.
Nice find. Sound interesting but it appears this is going to be a hard team to make unless someone is shipped out.
Thanks for the first-hand info Bruno. I'm so ready for training camp to start.
Now this is the guy noone is talking about. Tolliver was so impressing he got signed real quick. He played better the Ian and Hill. Dont forget he's big,wide and quick as heck for his size. He can also shoot from all over the court. One thing is for sure, his feet dont stay glued to the ground like Ian's. I honestly think this guy was the FO's lucky grab.
I knew I recognized the name....had to go look him up and I saw that he went to Syracuse.
He is an athletic speciman with a nice wingspan, but he is raw.
I would be quite happy to bring him into training camp to compete for a roster spot.
Wasn't he on the Spurs summer league roster?
I saw him at Syracuse and he has no chance of making this team. He has decent size and athleticism, but limited basketball ability (particularly by NBA standards) - there's a reason he's looking for work despite being a relatively athletic 'big.' He blocked some shots at the college level and he can bang, but he's a liability on offense and by no means is he a stopper on D. I hope he enjoys his cup of coffee here.
sad
interesting, but probably wont make the time.
Watkins played in the Philippines. I don't think he will be helpful, he's not even good enough when he played here.
it's worth a shot.. but i dont see him making the team.
http://www.syracuse.com/sports/index...430.xml&coll=1
Watkins lands with Spurs
Open-gym workouts in San Antonio pay off in two-year deal for ex-SU center.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
By Mike Waters
Staff writer
After playing for the Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA's Las Vegas summer league and then joining the Dallas Mavericks' summer league team in the Rocky Mountain Review in Salt Lake City, Darryl Watkins could have gone home and hoped for an NBA team to call.
Instead, Watkins started commuting between his home in New Jersey and San Antonio. Four days a week, the Spurs held open-gym workouts. For Watkins, it was just another chance to put himself in front of NBA executives.
On Wednesday, Watkins' agent said the former Syracuse University center was on the verge of signing a two-year partially guaranteed deal with the Spurs.
"I think it's a great situation for him," Reggie Brown of Chicago-based Priority Sports said Wednesday. "San Antonio is a great organization from top to bottom. It's the perfect situation for Darryl to realize his NBA dream."
Watkins' NBA dream took a couple detours last season. Watkins, who played for Syracuse from 2003 to 2007, was an undrafted free agent after his senior season. He signed with the Sacramento Kings and appeared in nine games for the Kings, averaging 1.3 points and 1.3 rebounds. But Sacramento released him on Dec. 10.
Watkins spent the rest of the 2007-08 season in the NBA's Development League, splitting the year with the Los Angeles D-Fenders and the Iowa Energy.
Watkins hit the summer league circuit in search of another NBA opportunity, but it was the decision to spend the second-half of his summer in San Antonio that resulted in the contract with the Spurs.
"It's been a great experience," Watkins said by telephone from San Antonio Wednesday night. He said he has gone up against Tim Duncan on a couple occasions. "I came down here for an open gym and it ended up turning into something else. It's been a real positive for me."
His experience in the D-League last season wasn't as positive.
"It was pretty difficult starting out in the (NBA) and then having to go to the D-League," Watkins said. "I had to cope with that and try to make it work."
Brown said he had received "several lucrative offers" from professional teams overseas, but he had been holding out for an NBA deal.
"The NBA is his dream," Brown said. "I feel like Darryl's getting better every year and if there's a time to take a gamble on yourself, it's while you're young. He wanted the chance to play in the NBA. The overseas opportunities, hopefully, will still be there if things don't work out."
San Antonio has 13 players signed to guaranteed or partially guaranteed contracts. The NBA limit is 15 players, although teams can carry just 12 players on their active roster during the season. The Spurs begin their preseason training camp on Oct. 1.
"It's a good situation because I'm with a great organization," Watkins said, "and it's great to be back in the league with a team that looks like they're interested in having me on their team for the entire season."
It was Jameel Watkins.
Jameel Watkins played in the Philippines. I don't think Darryl Watkins played there.
Nice finds in this thread.
I saw Watkins play a couple times in preseason and I was impressed with his hustle. He's pretty physical and throws around his body. I saw him again in summer league and he didn't look that good. I don't know if he has NBA talent but for a training camp invite, he's better than average.
I'm not sure who this could be bad for. Maybe Tolliver but they are much different players. Tolliver and Bonner seem like the two that could be fighting for one position.
If anyone, Watkins seems like he'd be brought it to compete against Mahinmi. It wouldn't be unthinkable that the Spurs could trade away Mahinmi if a training camp invite beats him out.
Chances are though that Watkins got ~20-40K guaranteed and will be waived at some point before the season.
Fixed.
My bad. I thought it was Jameel cause I saw him play with the spurs on the summer league.
I wonder if his contract is guaranteed. Or whether this is simply a training camp signing. Either way, I've been of the opinion that the Spurs could've used another big to help Duncan out with the suddenly, taller frontlines of the Western conference - and that was before Splitter spurned the Spurs.
I was on the Diop bandwagon until he was offered such a ridiculously, lucrative mid-level deal with the Mavs. Sounds like this Watkins kid may be a Diop starter kit. At any rate, I like the signing and hope he get a legitimate chance to stick.
Thanks for the news Bruno.
One month ago...
Whatever happens, it is a sign that Mahinmi sucks for you... even if it means saying the exact opposite.
What's next ? Linking the pig and lipstick story with Mahinmi sucking ?
?One month ago...
Whatever happens, it is a sign that Mahinmi sucks for you... even if it means saying the exact opposite.
What's next ? Linking the pig and lipstick story with Mahinmi sucking ?
I apologize for not being a Mahinmi homer. I can be objective and say he played poorly in summer league, which may affect how the Spurs perceive him.
You think he's untradeable and laugh at the thought of him playing in DLeague? Despite your homerism, Mahinmi certainly has a lot to prove if he wishes to win a spot in the regular rotation. His uninspired and sub par summer league play didn't help matters.
*cue the Bruno "summer league doesn't matter, I love Mahinimi anyway!" take*
how many roster spots are open now
what is with hill
Stop playing the stupid guy who doesn't understand.
When Spurs didn't sign a project big (Gist), you see that as a hint that Spurs think that Mahinmi sucks.
When Spurs sign a project big (Watkins), you see that as a hint that Spurs think that Mahinmi sucks.
If you don't see where the problem is in your "logic", I can't do nothing for you.
Darryl Watkins averaged 3.8ppg and 2.6rpg in Vegas this summer.
Instead, Watkins started commuting between his home in New Jersey and San Antonio. Four days a week, the Spurs held open-gym workouts. For Watkins, it was just another chance to put himself in front of NBA executives....
....Watkins hit the summer league circuit in search of another NBA opportunity, but it was the decision to spend the second-half of his summer in San Antonio that resulted in the contract with the Spurs.
"It's been a great experience," Watkins said by telephone from San Antonio Wednesday night. He said he has gone up against Tim Duncan on a couple occasions. "I came down here for an open gym and it ended up turning into something else. It's been a real positive for me."
An open gym 4 days per week in SA, and yet, apparently not open to Jeff McDonald, the local beat writer.
The Spurs signing another FA Big isn't that surprising. Watkins is probably this year's verson of Kris Lang.
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