Spurs sign Marcus Haislip

[CaptainLate]

Excellent signing and we'll see how it works out.

Have the Spurs said they signed him?
And if so, why no story about it from SA Express-News?

[kbrury]

Well they can't officialy sign until the 8th, and SA express news probably hasn't checked ST for news yet. lol

[tmtcsc]

Dayummm. This guy is the definition of a FINISHER. I hope he gets good minutes behind Jefferson. If he's part of the rotation, then we have certainly gotten younger AND more Athletic.

[timvp]

Have the Spurs said they signed him?
And if so, why no story about it from SA Express-News?

I would take this news with a huge grain of salt. As we saw with that big Greek kid, European sports reporting isn't always accurate -- to say the least. This news could be accurate but it could be pure speculation or an agent trying to generate interest in his client.

[callo1]

More than likely its a Training Camp invite. I don't understand why everyone is getting so defensive about players who have yet to prove anything on the NBA level. Spurs may want to have different options to look for the bottom of the big's depth chart in regard of Gist/ Mahimni/ Haislip. Not a bad idea.

I agree. Wasn't the goal to get younger? Many times unproven and younger go hand in hand...seems to have worked out alright in '03 with an unproven pg and a vagabond sf named Jackson.

[BlackBellamy]

I dunno fellas, only 5 rebounds a game? I guess the 50 % FG and 41 % from the three is reason enough to give a look, but we are seriously lacking some rebounding. I don't think Marcus will stick around.

[yavozerb]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aXqwUXy2cw

[Blackjack]

I thought he was more of an athletic tweener back with the Bucks, not the power-forward he's referred to as now, so if he was that tweener who could guard a little on the perimeter against some of the bigger 3's, he'd make a lot of since. Defensive size and length on the perimeter should be the Spurs' next priority after the MLE big, but from what I hear, he doesn't seem to fit that bill.

If the Spurs do have interest, and this isn't the workings of a copy-cat agent, it wouldn't be shocking.

I seem to remember him being listed on their SL roster one or twice (last year IIRC) but I assume he accepted a contract overseas or something else came up because I don't think he actually ended up playing for them.

Gist, unfortunately, is probably a year away from really contributing, so a team in a win- now mode would probably be wise to choose Haislip over Gist, at this point. Although, questions of effort and complacency aren't things I attribute to Gist, but I assume the Spurs have done their due-diligence and weighed their options carefully.

Could be a nice pick-up, a bogus report, or a flier worth taking given the cheap options available...

[bigdog]

Dayummm. This guy is the definition of a FINISHER. I hope he gets good minutes behind Jefferson. If he's part of the rotation, then we have certainly gotten younger AND more Athletic.

Behind Jefferson? Sorry, but Haislip is nowhere near a 3 at all. He is a PF/C.

[velik_m]

Whether or not NBA teams can compete with the multi-million dollar offers that are likely coming his way in Europe remains to be seen, though.

This is why i thought this is a bit unexpected. Haislip is one of those guys who can make more money in Europe (where he's considered good) than in NBA (where he's a benchwarmer). It's not like he's got much upside, he's 28, for the most part he is, what he is.
It true however that economy is bad, maybe there just weren't any big offers in Europe for him, or he really wants to play in NBA.

[Ditty]

hope he is just in camp that's all

rather have a 22 year old gist

[bless1187]

If this article is true, it seems that Spurs are interested in splitting their MLE between two players. M. Haslip and another player. Since i don't see a player passing up a few million dollars from teams in europe to be a training camp invitee.

[DPG21920]

When I said Gist was by far the best SL player, I was speaking only about for the Spurs, not the entire SL. Still does not change the point. I do not think he can play much better than he did last year unless he shows:

1) Even better 3 point shooting
2) Does extremely well with perimeter defense on smaller and bigger players
3) Shows increased ball handling/passing skills

That is asking a lot. So if he has no future at the 3, then he is more than likely going back to Europe this year if this signing is true.

[kbrury]

The guy is unproven. if he gets a min. contract with a contender just to get back in the NBA he should take it. There would be no need to give him above the LLE.

ageed I really hope its for the LLE which I think it is, since they seem to have interest in MLE caliber free agents.

[bishopospurs]

We need a 3 and 5, I hope they aren't giving up MLE money for him. I doubt he plays the 3, that could be like Mason at the point. Funny, Mason and Haislip were drafted in the same class, only there was 30 spots or so between them. All over it says he really wants to be back in the NBA, so money may now matter as much as getting another shot. As long as Blair's development is impeded by this it looks better than a lot of 6'10 guys on the market.

[Ditty]

If this article is true, it seems that Spurs are interested in splitting their MLE between two players. M. Haslip and another player. Since i don't see a player passing up a few million dollars from teams in europe to be a training camp invitee.

im pretty sure its non guranteed so it doesnt count against the salry cap

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

If this article is true, it seems that Spurs are interested in splitting their MLE between two players. M. Haslip and another player. Since i don't see a player passing up a few million dollars from teams in europe to be a training camp invitee.

I don't think you can come to that conclusion. More than likely he's going to be a minimum or at most LLE guy. Still got the MLE out there for Sheed or Dice.

[bless1187]

[QUOTE=kbrury;3523171]ageed I really hope its for the LLE which I think it is, since they seem to have interest in MLE caliber free agents.[/QUOTE

as soon as i saw this report, it reminded me of R. Mason during the summer of 07, he'd been out the league for a few years and was nothing more than a water boy in the league. but as reported, Spurs still offered R. Mason guaranteed money for more than the LLE, but R. Mason still decided to resign with the Wizards for one more year, and had a decent year for them.

[bishopospurs]

[QUOTE=bless1187;3523178]

ageed I really hope its for the LLE which I think it is, since they seem to have interest in MLE caliber free agents.[/QUOTE

as soon as i saw this report, it reminded me of R. Mason during the summer of 07, he'd been out the league for a few years and was nothing more than a water boy in the league. but as reported, Spurs still offered R. Mason guaranteed money for more than the LLE, but R. Mason still decided to resign with the Wizards for one more year, and had a decent year for them.

It is different than Mason, who is competing for Haislip's services right now? Why commit money when we don't need to do it?

[bless1187]

[QUOTE=bishopospurs;3523190]

It is different than Mason, who is competing for Haislip's services right now? Why commit money when we don't need to do it?

i mean if they really do see something in him and feel he could contribute the same way they felt about R. Mason... the teams competing for M. Haslip's service may be the Euro team.

[bishopospurs]

[QUOTE=bless1187;3523194]

i mean if they really do see something in him and feel he could contribute the same way they felt about R. Mason... the teams competing for M. Haslip's service may be the Euro team.

Agreed, but if he is bent on being in the NBA we could get him to commit for a lower price.

[DPG21920]

Pop don't think that he could play SF:
http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/show...7&postcount=91

http://www.48minutesof .com/2009/...th-james-gist/

The Spurs do things differently. We all know this is true, but it helps to stop and check the score once in awhile. One thing that sets the Spurs apart from other teams is there use of the Austin Toros and international leagues as part of their player development. “Yes, I know,” you say. “Why remind us now?”

As we’re busy thinking about the upcoming draft, let’s not forget that Marcus Williams, Malik Hairston and James Gist are better than almost any player the Spurs will draft in the second round. It may well be the case that San Antonio will add youth and athleticism to their 2009-10 roster through the fruit of their 2007 and 2008 drafts, not to mention their work through the Toros and friendship with Angelica Biella.

Last July James Gist captured the attention of Spurs Nation with his strong summer league play, and most fans would like to see a reprise this July. I had a chance to catch up with Gist last week.

TV: How was the experience of living abroad for a year?

JG: I don’t really have any crazy stories about living in Italy. For the most part, things went how I expected. When I first arrived in Italy I was a bit upset–I felt that I belonged in the NBA, not overseas. After the first couple months went by I decided to accept that fact that I’m over here and to make the best of my situation. One thing my agent, Bill Duffy, told me was that “life is like a card game at times, your not always given the best cards, but you have to play the hand your dealt. So why not make the best of it.” Around November I took that into consideration and did the best I could to make the situation positive. Looking back on the decision the Spurs and I made for myself to come overseas, I think it was the best thing that could have ever happened to me. This is definitely an experience I will always remember. I am very happy that I made the decision to come to Italy for a year. I grew as a basketball player learning a lot more about the game, but, more importantly, I grew as a person.

TV: Tell me about Biella, the city and the team. From your perspective, how does the level of talent of Serie A compare to the ACC?

JG: The city of Biella fits me because I have a laid back personality and I enjoy relaxing and not always being in the limelight. Biella has about 50-60,000 residents. Everyone I meet or walk by always has a smile, they’re very nice, and say thank you for coming to Biella. The people were supportive whether we won or lost.

As far as the compe ion goes, international basketball is a lot more compe ive than the collegiate level. In college you usually have 1 or 2–if your lucky 3 good players–on your team. That’s enough to carry you to a national championship. In Europe, every person on the team makes nearly a million dollars and they have been playing together for years. Countries stand behind their hometown team. It’s bigger and the compe ion is greater.

In college when a team or player misses a defensive assignment, the opposing team may not be good enough to execute and punish the team for messing up. If you leave someone open in Europe they will punish you every time. Through my experience I feel like individually one person can’t beat a team overseas, as opposed to the States where teams usually have one go-to-guy that will carry the team the entire game. However as a team, Europe is perfect for learning how to play the game right. Knowing when to make the right passes, when to run on a fast break or slow the tempo down, who to get the ball to when the time is right, all comes in to play when you play team basketball. I think in the States we have more of an individual game, not to say that we don’t have great teams. But during NCAA games you see more isolation sets than you do overseas.

TV: Last year, you had a phenomenal summer league. You quickly became a fan favorite amongst Spurs fans–they were disappointed not to see you camp with the team. How has your game improved since then? What specific skills did you work on in Biella?

JG: I became more mature as a basketball player. I had the chance to play with and against some good veteran players. They may not have been as young or as athletic as me, but they made it work and found other ways to be effective on the court. That helped me understand how to play the game and the important things I needed to know, whether a small trick and how to effectively use technique without relying on pure athleticism. I learned how to be more physical, improved my shooting, and worked hard on being at full energy the entire time I’m on the court. But most of all, I improved my basketball IQ. I understand the game much better now than I did even a year ago.

TV: Do you plan to summer league and camp with the Spurs? If not, is a team like Maccabi in your future?

JG: My plan is to play in the NBA summer league this upcoming July, preferably with the Spurs. My overall goal is to be on an NBA team this upcoming season, again preferably the Spurs. If for some reason that does not happen then I’m sure I can play overseas.

TV: One of the things Spurs fans debate amongst themselves is whether you’re a long 3 or a high energy, small ball 4. Assuming you come to the NBA next season, what position do you think is a more natural fit?

JG: I’m a little bit of both. I have the potential to develop into a 3 offensively, but defensively I’m comfortable guarding small and power forwards, as well as some point or shooting guards if necessary. I’ve played in the post area my entire life so naturally I can play the 4, but I can see myself developing into a solid 3 man in the near future.

TV: The Spurs feature a “stretch 4″ in their offense. That is, a forward that is able to knock down threes and create space for Tim Duncan. Based on your play for Biella, it looks like you could fill that role. How does a Robert Horry type role appeal to you?

JG: Robert Horry did great things while playing in the NBA, so those are big shoes to fill. I want to come into the NBA and start my own legacy, if possible. I plan to work hard and do whatever I can to help the team I play with win games. If I work hard enough maybe I will hit game winning shots and win championships too.

TV: I was at the Draft Combine a couple weeks ago. Every player there expected to be on an NBA roster next season. Obviously, that isn’t going to happen. What advice would you give to guys who will soon find themselves in your position? That is, of being asked to play abroad for a season or two to improve their games prior to coming to the NBA. What advice might you give Greivis Vasquez?

JG: I would say that if a team suggest you do one or two years overseas, take that opportunity to learn and grow and experience new things. In the end it will pay off. Before I came over here I thought I knew everything and thought I was more grown up than I actually was. This was my first time living by myself with no family or friends nearby. I had to try and learn a new language so that I could communicate with people here, and I had to adjust to my surroundings. Now that I’ve completed my year I’m better ball player and, more importantly, a better person. As for Greivis, I wish him nothing but luck in whether he decides to stay in the draft this year or go back to Maryland. (Ed. Note: Vasquez has decided to return to school.)

Thanks for your time, James. Good luck.

In this interview along with some others, Gist says he see's himself as a 3 and his coach mentions this as well. He also talks about learning directly from Bruce (but he is gone now).

So I do not think it is out the window for Gist being used as a 3. It would be better for him if he could. Is it possible, I do not know? But I remember "biz" saying he could play the 3.

[ChumpDumper]

Unclench. There is no way he is getting part of the MLE while Sheed, et.al., are still out there.

[024]

Givony at DX knocks his rebounding at one point, but KBP is right here, at least in principle. Rpg numbers are in general lower in Yurp.

well the knock on scola was unjustified since he averaged above 9 rebounds per 40 minutes for a long period of time in europe. splitter gets around 8-9 per 40 while haislip averages around 7 rebounds per 40. even in europe, for a PF, that would be average to below average. gist manages to get 8.9 per 40 this year, albeit against weaker compe ion.

[DPG21920]

This is nothing to get overly excited about or worried about.

1) We do not even know if it is true
2) He is certainly not getting the MLE or any part of it.
3) If he is a LLE player, he is the 3rd or 4th big more than likely
4) He could be a bust and his ceiling does not seem to be extremely high, so no need to call him Amare.
5) He would only be taking Gist's spot more than likely and if he can/does make the team and gets minutes, that is a good thing.