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Bye bye Jones, Williams and Jerells...
Numbers working against Spurs hopefuls
Mike Monroe
The deepest training camp roster the Spurs have enjoyed in years heads into the final two weeks of preparation for the regular season with plenty of compe ion remaining among the 18 players.
At stake: Spots in the regular playing rotation and one spot not already penciled in for players with fully guaranteed contracts.
A few years back, there would have been little debate about keeping the full complement of 15 players the NBA allows.
On the brink of the 2009-10 campaign, however, the general economic downturn that finds teams cutting back on expenses at every turn makes each roster spot beyond the mandated minimum of 13 an expensive luxury.
The Spurs figure to be over the league's luxury tax threshold by at least $10 million. That means each extra roster spot comes at twice the price of the added player's contract. The tax is a dollar-for-dollar addition to a payroll that exceeds the cap, projected to be around $65 million.
The ownership group headed by Peter Holt agreed to become a luxury tax payer so a roster that needed youth and athleticism could get it. There may be limits to the spending when it comes to adding players who aren't likely to be part of the team's rotation.
No wonder, then, that head coach and president of basketball operations Gregg Popovich says the final roster spots are apt to remain vacant — unless there is compelling proof that not filling them would amount to basketball lunacy.
“The way we look at it, (not filling the final spots) is most likely,” Popovich said, “unless somebody shows you that you are crazy to cut them because they have played so damn well.
“There's got to be one or two guys show us we're crazy to cut them. If they play that well, we're going to have to keep one or two more bodies than we probably had planned on.”
Spurs without full guarantees — swingmen Malik Hairston and Marcus Williams, point guard Curtis Jerrells and big man Dwayne Jones — are in the unenviable position of having to prove their worth, not only to the coaches, but to the bean counters.
The candidates do their best to ignore the bottom line while making their best case between the lines.
“I try not to even get involved in the numbers game,” said Hairston, who appeared in 17 Spurs games last season. “The only thing I think about is going out every night and going as hard as I can.
“I want to be the best perimeter defender on the court. That's when I bring the energy and attack and bring some youth to the team. Every opportunity I get, I try to make something positive happen.”
Three games into the preseason, Hairston has shown his versatility and productivity at the offensive end. Playing 16 minutes per game, he has solid averages of 6.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists.
He knows his real shot at cracking the roster is convincing Popovich he can be a valuable perimeter defender.
Thus far, he has presented a credible argument.
“Malik's doing a fine job,” Popovich said. “He's obviously concentrating on playing good defense; doing good work in that area. That's an emphasis for everybody, all the young kids. You need to get that part of the program down first, and he's definitely doing that.”
Williams, who played some point guard for the Austin Toros last season, has shot only 28.6 percent.
Jerrells, the former Baylor star, had his best outing in Sunday's victory at Miami, where he scored nine points.
Popovich admits he has formed some definite opinions about the candidates, but he isn't tipping his hand. His fondest wish would be accountant-proof production from one or two of them.
“For me, personally, I like having the extra guys on the team because it's hard to practice when you only have 12 players,” he said.
“It sounds simplistic, but when you only have 12 or 13, often a couple of them are hurt, or somebody is sick, and maybe somebody needs a rest. It's really difficult in the NBA to get practices in as the year goes along.”
Bye bye Jones, Williams and Jerells...
Gosh, it's hard not to root for Hairston.
I couldn't agree with you more.
C'mon, Pop.“I try not to even get involved in the numbers game,” said Hairston, who appeared in 17 Spurs games last season. “The only thing I think about is going out every night and going as hard as I can.
“I want to be the best perimeter defender on the court. That's when I bring the energy and attack and bring some youth to the team. Every opportunity I get, I try to make something positive happen.”
“Malik's doing a fine job,” Popovich said. “He's obviously concentrating on playing good defense; doing good work in that area. That's an emphasis for everybody, all the young kids. You need to get that part of the program down first, and he's definitely doing that.”
You want him on this team, you NEED him on this team!
yep good point mate
explosive G/F
definitely needed
Hairston will make the squad. He is a better (obviously) offensive option than Bogans. His chances of cracking the active roster and getting significant minutes will be based on his ability to play solid defense. I think he will cut into Finley's minutes by the end of the year. However, when it comes to playoff time he will have to be significantly better than Finley to sway Pop to play him over a proven vet.
Unless Hariston has some sort of major setback in the next two weeks, he is making this roster.
i agree. I see Hairston making the roster and having a chance to potentially crack the rotation during the grind that is a long season. Knowing Pop though, I can't see him favoring Hairston over Finley come playoff time - even if the results are obvious to us ardent fans.
By the way, if Hairston does make the roster, I wonder what will become of Marcus? It sounds as though he still is an under-developed player, in some respects. I understood the Spurs were high on him, based upon how he was tearing up the D-League last year.
well lets hope
Hairston is a lock.
if you look at his summer league stats (http://www.nba.com/summerleague2009/...malik_hairston), you can't help but love his shooting which has developed ever since d-league. his numbers look good in preseason as well and if his defense is better than finley's (to be read: if he understands the spurs system well enough), then he's going to play. otherwise, he's young, has good strength and mobility and pop likes his character.
on another note, i'm more excited about our youth on the bench (hill, hairston, blair) than the acquisitions this summer; anyone else echo those feelings?
As one of many who have been pining away for the Spurs to infuse the roster with more youth and athleticism, I have waited for this day for some time. Assuming Hariston is a lock to make the team and when you throw Ian into the mix with Blair and Hill, I can certainly echo your feelings totally.
All my SpursTalk Cash ($36,900) on Malik Hairston!!!
We're guaranteed a 14 man roster already unless we trade someone. I think Hairston is anything but a lock even though he's probably going to be better than at least one player already on the team.
Malik FTW!
I would love to see a second unit captained by Manu with Hill, Hairston, Ian, and Blair.
As Monroe's article suggests, cutting Jones, Jerrells and Williams only gets the roster down to 15. There may be 1 or 2 more cuts after that, unless there are compelling reasons to the contrary.
replace Ian with Ratliff, and it is on.
Rat = shot blocker
Blair = rebounder
Hairston = perimeter defender
Manu = sparkplug
Hill = swiper
Who can they cut after Malik? Isn't everyone else already guaranteed?
Doesn't sound good at all... looks like they plan on leaving the 15th (and even the 14th) slot empty!
1. Duncan
2. Manu
3. Parker
4. RJ
5. McDyess
6. Finley
7. Bonner
8. Mason
9. Hill
10. Haislip
11. Blair
12. Mahinmi
13. Ratliff
14. Bogans
Also recall that in the game against Olympiacos Bogans started. Bogans also played 21 minutes in game against the Heat, that is the 3rd most minutes behind Blair and Mahinmi.
Clearly Hairston is out playing Bogans, unfortunately Pop is leaning towards Bogans. Bogans however is showing absolutely nothing for his efforts, so who knows, he also may be cut!
Last edited by ceperez; 10-13-2009 at 12:43 AM.
is it plausible that hairston gets cut along with the others?
I think were cutting a big - Mahinmi or Hairslip, most likely Haislip.
1. Duncan
2. Manu
3. Parker
4. RJ
5. McDyess
6. Finley
7. Bonner
8. Mason
9. Hill
10. Hairston
11. Blair
12. Mahinmi
13. Ratliff
14. Bogans
Malik has definitely improved a great deal since we first got a chance to take a look at him. If he continues to work as hard as he does, who knows what the ceiling is for him. The way I see it, his improvements are a major positive but his room to left to improve and become a better basketball player is another positive.
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