http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...k.36e0fd8.html
Web Posted: 12/17/2006 12:42 AM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News
James White has yet to play a single game for the Spurs, but he's already reserved his place in franchise history.
On Saturday, the rookie guard became the first player the Spurs have ever assigned to the NBA's Developmental League.
White is expected to make his debut for the Austin Toros this afternoon against Sioux Falls.
The Spurs signed White on Nov. 3 after the Indiana Pacers waived him. The Spurs have liked what they've seen of White in practice, but the veteran-heavy team doesn't have many minutes to give him.
White will continue to earn his NBA minimum salary. The Spurs can recall him at any time.
NBA teams are allowed to assign first-and second-year players to the D-League up to three times each season.
"With the limited number of practices we have it's really not going to help him advance any more than he has right now," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "He knows the system and the only way he's going to know the system more is to play.
"But at this point, playing in any system is going to help him develop as a player."
The Spurs don't have control over how the Toros use White. But Toros coach Dennis Johnson, the former Boston Celtics guard and Los Angeles Clippers coach, has told the Spurs he plans to play him regularly.
"It's a give and take," Popovich said. "We wouldn't presume to tell them what to do. But the most important thing is the minutes. Dennis has already said he doesn't have any problem playing him a lot of minutes."
The Spurs hope they'll be able to better evaluate White while he plays in Austin.
"We're just as happy with him as a person as we are as a player," Popovich said. "We think he fits into the system and to our family great. We just want to know what he can produce now if he's given minutes and some time to play."
Mahinmi visits: Ian Mahinmi, the Spurs 2005 first-round draft pick, is in town this week.
Mahinmi, who is playing in France this season, has a slight hip strain the Spurs' doctors are examining. He will also spend some time around the team.
Mahinmi signed this summer with Pau, which is playing in the Euroleague, in addition to France's top professional league. He has shown flashes of his potential, but is averaging a modest 4.3 points and 3.1 rebounds.
Trading days: It's difficult being a Philadelphia 76ers player these days. Not only do the Sixers have the worst record in the Eastern Conference, the players have to deal with a daily does of trade rumors involving Allen Iverson, some of which are beginning to include other members of the roster.
Forward Kyle Korver's name bubbled up through the rumor mill on Saturday.
"Trades are part of sports," Sixers coach Mo Cheeks said. "They're part of the NBA. As guys are around the league long enough they realize things can happen."
Briefly: Jackie Butler was experiencing flu-like symptoms and didn't attend Saturday's game. He and Eric Williams were on the inactive list. ... Time Warner customers didn't get to watch Saturday's Dallas Cowboys game. But a satellite feed made the game available at the AT&T Center's media room and the Spurs' locker room.
Good to see. Hopefully White can help the Toros win a game.The Spurs hope they'll be able to better evaluate White while he plays in Austin.
"We're just as happy with him as a person as we are as a player," Popovich said. "We think he fits into the system and to our family great. We just want to know what he can produce now if he's given minutes and some time to play."
Props to ChumpDumper for saying since the start of the season that Spurs should send White in DLeague during the Toros' december home games streak.
I'm happy Mahinmi gets to spend some time around the team.
arent they winnin games behind a one mean team in fizer?
Good to see management likely still sees some raw talent in him, so they send them to the d-league as opposed to releasing him upright.
Not today.
24:45
2-7 FG
1-2 3PT
4-5 FT
3 REB
2 AST
3 PF
1 ST
2 TO
1 BS
9 PTS
Pretty passive on offense, which is kind of expected since he hasn't practiced with this team at all. Still he didn't take advantage of all the opportunitues presented the way Julius Hodge did last season. Defense was good. Defended all the perimeter positions. Didn't really shut anyone down, but closed out on shooters and stuck with the smaller guys well.
Got his number called late but got stuffed once and had another play broken up -- he got one of his assists off of that with a nice kickout to Brock Gillespe for a three. Only had one breakaway dunk opportunity but got fouled.
I'll write more about the game later, but it was an ok debut.
Fizer is in Spain this year.
here the link to the boxscore
http://www.nba.com/dleague/games/200.../boxscore.html
white had 9 pts, 3 rebs, 2 asts, 1 blk and 1 stl in 24mins
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