His averages after 4 games:
25.3 ppg
11.5 rpg
2.5 apg
2.0 spg
3.2 bpg
62.7 FG%
At 6'9", 235 lbs., his body type is almost identical to James Gist's.
The Pops vs. Gist compe ion could be a very interesting one next season.
If no trades are made and Mahinmi isn't well come playoff time, I wonder if Pops will be added to the roster...
I think the Spurs could very well be looking at Pops as an option this year. He is tearing it up so far in Austin. He is undersized though, which kinda sucks. He was signed because a couple of Toros players left for professional teams overseas, but I'm sure the Spurs are keeping an eye on what he's doing in Austin just in case.
Like I said in another thread, don't get Pops confused with a small forward. He's never going to play that spot.
Gist might.
Kind of sux to see a guy who cant cut it in the league putting Mahinmi's numbers and impact to shame.
Yeah, I agree. Gist seems to working quite a bit on his 3 pt shot in Italy.
Last edited by Tully365; 02-16-2009 at 02:29 PM.
Not really putting Ian to shame. The overall impact is pretty close to the same, and Pops is three years older.
Plus Ian has the size to be effective in the L. I wasnt saying Ian wont cut it in the NBA because Pops couldnt cut it - just that it puts Mahinmi's numbers into perspective a little.
Doesn't Pops play the high post? 6'9" is about average for a four in the NBA, and he can get by at 235. Kenyon Martin clocks in at 6'9" 230, Chris Bosh is 6'10" 230, and Ben Wallace plays center at 6'9" 240. Heck, Tyrus Thomas is "listed" at 6'9" 217 and the Hornets have David West at 6'9" 240, but I doubt either is actually 6'9."
Or maybe I missed the boat on this question.
Hakim Warrick would be the closest to Mensah you can get. same size, body type and athleticism. quite big enough for some of the possible match ups with those super mobile bigs.
The guy's about the same size as two of the Spurs' centers, so if he can rebound a little, defend a little, and block some shots then he's got a chance to be a help at the 4/5.
As I said in the other Pops thread, there is a good chance that he will get a 10 day right after the ASB because the Spurs and Toros schedules coincide during that time. Unless we get into serious trade talks for a big he could very well join the team for the NY game on the 17th.
Though he is undersized I think he could be helpful to this team. He is more athletic than Tolliver and he finishes strong at the rim. He has looked good on the offensive glass and blocking shots, but the jury is out on whether or not that will translate on an NBA level. As far as cheap, end of the roster bigs go he is probably one of the better options right now.
Pops>Oberto
BTW, I move that from here on out, anyone referring to the Spurs coach as "Pops" be pinked for creating confusion.
What worries me is that someone else can sign him before the Spurs do.
Pops for Sheed
The last two Toros games against Colorado and RGV are now in the archive:
http://www.nba.com/dleague/news/webc...hive_0708.html
Pops measured 6-7 1/2, 232 lbs prior to the 2006 NBA Draft. He's an undersized 4 with no ability to play the 3 or 5.
Gist measured 6-7, 220 and is making the PF-to-SF conversion.
The Pops/Hakim Warrick comparison is a good one. Pops is a poor man's Warrick minus any semblence of a jump shot.
he's definitely worth a try..
I truly believe he's the backup option if we don't make a trade, but that we are definitely looking into trade options..
should be an interesting week coming up..
Hope he gets a chance, unless Pop finds some fairy dust and gets Sheed for crap+Fin(i know he has to agree).
How do you get a no trade clause anyways? Did he have one in Dallas?
Anybody notice that Marcus Williams nearly got a triple-double last game?
Marcus Williams, anyone???
Sorry AT, I had to do it once I saw you were the last poster.And I didn't even have to change your post up much!!!
I've always been surprised as to why this guy wasn't in the NBA. I think George Washington lost like 2 games during his entire senior year, he's a legit player.
George Wash?
Pops Still Looking For NBA Move
POPS Mensah-Bonsu looks a dead cert for an imminent NBA call-up.
That's the verdict of his D League coach Quin Snyder who has bossed the GB star for four games now with the Austin Toros.
Pops has averaged 25.3 points, 11.5 rebounds and 3.3 blocks a game in his four matches and has been described as the best player in the league by more than one coach.
Snyder said: "He walked on the court at practice and I was just glad to see him on the second day!
"I would think he is a guy who will get a call up opportunity. From there, if it's a good fit, he can stay, certainly he's got the ability.
"Some of it is just chance, if somebody gets hurt or something else happens, but I definitely see him at that level."
Mensah-Bonsu is making a splash back in the league where he formerly starred for the Fort Worth Flyers on his way to making the Dallas Mavericks roster.
His time in Europe has been up and down and his season with Badalona in Spain wrecked by shoulder injury.
But Snyder, a legendary college coach in his time at Missouri, has no doubt the forward's career is back on track.
Snyder said: "He's been doing great, to get acclimated as quickly as he has is terrific.
"His energy picks everybody up and I think he is so excited about playing again that it shows out on the floor.
"He has been rebounding, scoring, blocking shots but, more than anything else, he has helped us win.
"He will get better and better as he gets more comfortable with us because we've had a lot of new guys and everybody is trying to get to know each other.
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With all the speculation about trade rumors, this is probably our most likely move. I see him joining the team just after the deadline.
I'd rather bring back Horry. All due respect to Pops, but he's the proverbial Triple-A 1/2 player. He'll tear up the D-league, but his game can't carry over from D-league to the NBA.
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