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  1. #1
    Five Rings... Kori Ellis's Avatar
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    In the past few days, timvp and I have established some connections in France that get to watch the Spurs' projects (Mahinmi and Sanikidze) on a regular basis as part of their work.

    Here's just some feedback we've gotten on Mahinmi:

    Ian Mahinmi is a tremendous potential. He was put on the map last summer thanks to his performance in the Under-18 European Championship. He showed very good things (especially in defense) in a limited playing time as he was Johan Petro's backup. This season he played with the first team of STB Le Havre (Pro A, first French Division). His offensive game is still raw and he needs to lift some weights but he is already efficient in defense thanks to his height. He is a very nice and polished man. But he is not soft and plays with aggressiveness. He signed his first pro contract this season and I think he needs to develop in Le Havre, close to his family.
    timvp was also given a lot of pictures of Ian which he'll post in this thread. Throughout the season, we should get a lot of updates on the prospects' progress.

  2. #2
    Mr. Dignity Solid D's Avatar
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    Good deal. Nice!

  3. #3
    5. timvp's Avatar
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  4. #4
    Hedo Layup Drill ShoogarBear's Avatar
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    Maybe those same connections can also give you the hookups on some excellent non-fly-containing Bordeauxs.

  5. #5
    Spurs are Lottery Bound. SequSpur's Avatar
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    Why leave him over there? Just bring him in and he can start practicing.

    He obviously sucks.

  6. #6
    Hedo Layup Drill ShoogarBear's Avatar
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    Hey, Sequ, who did you want the Spurs to draft?

  7. #7
    Spurs are Lottery Bound. SequSpur's Avatar
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    No one. They shoulda dumped it.

  8. #8
    Banned
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    Why leave him over there? Just bring him in and he can start practicing.
    Cuz it's more beneficial to his development that he get attentive coaching and have a chance to play than to sit the bench with the Spurs right now.

  9. #9
    Spurs are Lottery Bound. SequSpur's Avatar
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    Disagree.

    someone that big should be learning from Duncan, Muhammed and Rasho.

    Combine those and you can come up with something better than French Fries.

  10. #10
    Appoggiatura
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    Sequ is a genious.

    I wonder why has no one hired him as a basketball advicer yet.

  11. #11
    Five Rings... Kori Ellis's Avatar
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    Sequ, you know that when the Spurs drafted Manu they left him in Europe for 3 years to develop too. So it's not like players can't develop over there. If this kid was a year from being able to play in the NBA, then I'd say bring him over now too so that he could learn under Duncan. But he's not even close. He's 18 and very raw.

  12. #12
    Banned
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    Disagree.

    someone that big should be learning from Duncan, Muhammed and Rasho.

    Combine those and you can come up with something better than French Fries.
    That's not exactly how it works in practice for the "project" 4th-stringer. He's inordinately low on experience already (so I hear), he needs real game-time minutes...and lots of them.

  13. #13
    I love J.T. smeagol's Avatar
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    No one. They shoulda dumped it.
    I give you . . . Grumpy!

    Go Grumpy, go . . . Dopey, Bashful, Sneezy and the rest of the gang are waiting!

  14. #14
    Spurs are Lottery Bound. SequSpur's Avatar
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    Manu wasn't 6-10 going on 7 foot.

    Summer Camp, Summer Camp, Preseason, IR for one season. Then he'll be fine.

    They just don't want to pay him.

  15. #15
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    Sequ is the biggest troll on this board...yeah thats right, he is a troll on the team he is "supposed" to root for board

  16. #16
    Wisconsin Spurs Fan Dre_7's Avatar
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    Sequ, you know that when the Spurs drafted Manu they left him in Europe for 3 years to develop too. So it's not like players can't develop over there. If this kid was a year from being able to play in the NBA, then I'd say bring him over now too so that he could learn under Duncan. But he's not even close. He's 18 and very raw.
    Yeah, but Sequ thinks Manu sucks too, so not a good argument.

  17. #17
    Keith Jackson mookie2001's Avatar
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    historically i own exactly half of connections
    i wish yall would have checked with me beforehand

    ive got perfection as a result of...

  18. #18
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    thanks for proving my point Sequ

    PS: Thats some sweet ceramic (tiles? not sure what the word is in english), thanks for the link, i'll see if I can get some.

  19. #19
    Drive For FIVE Spurologist's Avatar
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    Did anyone notice that a total of 4 french players were drafted.

    Gelebale
    Petro
    Turiaf (ok. he played for zags)
    Mahinmi

    Tony might have opened that door for frenchmen into the league. Don't ever remember this many frenchmen drated in the NBA draft.

  20. #20
    Veteran milkyway21's Avatar
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    Sequ, you know that when the Spurs drafted Manu they left him in Europe for 3 years to develop too. So it's not like players can't develop over there. If this kid was a year from being able to play in the NBA, then I'd say bring him over now too so that he could learn under Duncan. But he's not even close. He's 18 and very raw.
    sooooo young. but he shld be here to learn the NBA moves early.i'm just hoping if the Spurs bring him in soon, i he won't turn to be another Darko., the Detroit Pistons' mascot.

    BTW, speaking of French connection, I read a column the other day that there's a parade in honor of Tony Parker scheduled in Franch for winning his 2nd ring.

    Hope you could post some of the pictures here soon.

  21. #21
    Spurs love forever RobinsontoDuncan's Avatar
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    Kori, manu was playing in the italian leagues, which are by far the best leagues in europe, Ian is playing in the french leagues against no talent polish centers that "eat nails for dinner" which means all Ian is set to learn is how to be a no talent hack that just is a teams enforcer.

  22. #22
    My uncles' friend is JFK NameDropper's Avatar
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    Rumor has it Pop and R.C.'s knowledge of basketball towers over SequSpurs...not that it's difficult to do.

  23. #23
    From Down... Under xcoriate's Avatar
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    Kori, manu was playing in the italian leagues, which are by far the best leagues in europe, Ian is playing in the french leagues against no talent polish centers that "eat nails for dinner" which means all Ian is set to learn is how to be a no talent hack that just is a teams enforcer.
    Thats about the talent Ian has at the moment. His athletic..... and plays good D for his age. Currently he is an enforcer with less muscle, more quickness, and above average D.

    Euro leagues are best suited for his development at the moment. Unless the Spurs see the new CBA farm team thing as a viable option.

  24. #24
    I like boobs a lot! Slo spurs fan's Avatar
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    Sorry my French pals, but your league sucks and Le Havre won't play in Euroleage. Le Havre isn't good enough even to compete in ULEB cup. He should come to San Antonio or be transfered to Spanish or Italian top 4 teams wich compete in Euroleague. Maybe team from Adriatic league could be good solution too.

  25. #25
    Mr. Mundt
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    Kori, manu was playing in the italian leagues, which are by far the best leagues in europe, Ian is playing in the french leagues against no talent polish centers that "eat nails for dinner" which means all Ian is set to learn is how to be a no talent hack that just is a teams enforcer.
    Italy does have more than one league (as do other European countries), but you do know only the first division is really any good. It is probably the best league in Europe, but the Spannish league is pretty good too, and the French league is probably only behind those two, the Greek league, the Adriatic league and the Turkish league, so it's not really that bad. But it doesn't matter anyway as long as he has good coaches at the club (which the Spurs claim he has) and he gets enough playing time. I don't know what his contract status is, but if he's gonna improve, he'll probably go to a better European club before coming to the states. The Spurs roster will probably be too good for the next couple of years for experimenting with draft picks, so i would say pretty confidently i doubt we will see Ian in San Antonio for at least 3 years.

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