Ludden: White waits patiently for time with Spurs

[Kori Ellis]

Men's basketball: White waits patiently for time with Spurs

Web Posted: 03/27/2007 11:55 PM CDT

Johnny Ludden
Express-News

Michael Finley saw enough highlights of this season's dunk contest to know this much: Had Spurs rookie James White been in the event, he would have won.

"Seriously," Finley said. "The dunk contest has come to a point where we've seen everything. But he has dunks that people haven't seen."

Finley said he has seen White take off from the free-throw line and put the ball between his legs before flushing it through the rim. He also claims White can throw down a two-handed dunk from the foul line.

"Nobody's seen that," Finley said.

Aside from the Spurs, nobody's seen White doing much of anything this season.

Since signing with the Spurs on Nov. 3, White has performed most of his work at the team's practice facility or in the NBDL. Almost all of his court time on game days has come during private workouts long before fans are allowed into the arena.

That changed Monday when Robert Horry was placed on the inactive list after suffering an abdominal injury the previous night in Seattle. With about three minutes left in the third quarter and the Spurs well on their way to a 126-89 victory over Golden State, White made his NBA debut. He finished with nine points and three rebounds in 15 minutes.

"It's got to be hard for him after a whole year waiting for this," Manu Ginobili said. "He did very good, so we're all happy for him. It's not easy to be on a team and never have the opportunity to play."

White also doesn't know when his next chance will come. If Horry's injury has healed or coach Gregg Popovich decides the team could need Melvin Ely's size tonight against the New Orleans Hornets, White will go back to his familiar seat behind the bench.

"You have to approach it as a job," White said. "It's my job to stay professional, go out there and come to work every day like nothing has changed. You never know when you'll get your opportunity to play.

"Basketball is fun; you can't beat that as a job."

So far, that at ude has served White well. Spurs officials, while acknowledging they might have to wait until summer league to better evaluate White, are pleased with how he's fit in the locker room.

White also handled his two assignments to the Development League fairly well, averaging 16.3 points on 47.7 percent shooting in 15 games for the Austin Toros. With minutes few and far between on a veteran-heavy Spurs roster, he has spent some of his time working with shooting coach Chip Engelland.

"I've improved so much since I've been here," White said. "My shot, my mental preparation, my professionalism — everything basketball-wise, I've gotten better."

While White needs to continue working on his fundamentals, no one has ever questioned he has the athleticism to succeed in the NBA. His leaping ability is extraordinary, and some among the Spurs rank him alongside David Robinson as one of the franchise's greatest athletes. Before he had even finished his college career at Cincinnati, "Flight" White's impressive dunks had made him a YouTube star.

Some NBA scouts thought White had the potential to be a first-round selection last summer. He lasted until the opening pick of the second round when Portland chose him and immediately traded him to Indiana. The Pacers thought enough of White to give him a guaranteed two-year contract, unusual for second-round picks.

Indiana, however, was fairly well-stocked at the wing positions. Some in the organization also were rankled a little by White's at ude, which they perceived as too y. Called for a hand-checking foul during an exhibition game, White played the ensuing possession by holding his hands behind his back.

Still, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle called the decision to cut White at the end of the preseason one of the most difficult he has had to make.

"It was surprising at first, it took me a while to get over the shock," White said. "It kind of motivated me just like draft night. I felt like when I was drafted, I got shafted a little bit.

"When I came here, it was a whole different situation from Indiana, the tradition of winning, the professionalism of the whole team. ... I've learned something new from the older guys every day."

Finley has helped mentor White, providing a few words of advice or encouragement when appropriate.

"He's young, so he really won't appreciate this time with this team until maybe five or six years into the league," Finley said. "Hopefully, he can stay grounded and stay humble, and he'll be OK."

Popovich thought White played "pretty confidently" Monday. He rimmed out a 3-pointer for his first shot but settled down after making an easy layup off a pass from Brent Barry.

With less than 30 seconds left, White finally received an opportunity to show off his legs, jamming a lob from Fabricio Oberto through the rim. The dunk brought applause from the bench, but the Spurs also have seen better from the rookie.

"Hopefully, he'll get an opportunity to be in (the contest) next year," Finley said. "He has my vote."

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...e.3ae3606.html

[Fabbs]

ppsssshhh.
Why didn't/doesn't Finley offer to come out of the games he is shooting 2-10 and let White play? He has my vote.

Mentor

[phyzik]

Damn, I cant expect Pop to unleash him in the playoffs... He still has a lot to develop, he did great in the 15 or so minutes he was in the game against golden state... but its still only 1 game and only 15 minutes.... against a pretty much non-existent defense.... and playing against the bench at that.

With that said, I REALLY cant wait to see what he can do next year.

[El_Mago]

Like I have stated, White has been working on the jump shot with Chip.

He has changed his mentality completely around, and his focus is on defense.

He has improved dramatically as he has stated and works extremely hard in practice.

The Spurs are excited about him, and will no doubt have him work some Summer League, which he might just dominate.

[THE SIXTH MAN]

"It was surprising at first, it took me a while to get over the shock," White said. "It kind of motivated me just like draft night. I felt like when I was drafted, I got shafted a little bit.

"When I came here, it was a whole different situation from Indiana, the tradition of winning, the professionalism of the whole team. ... I've learned something new from the older guys every day."

Finley has helped mentor White, providing a few words of advice or encouragement when appropriate.

"He's young, so he really won't appreciate this time with this team until maybe five or six years into the league," Finley said. "Hopefully, he can stay grounded and stay humble, and he'll be OK."

Indiana releasing him was probably the best thing to ever happen to him in his young NBA career. Right now its advantage white, because of the players that he's surrounded with. Hopefully he takes it and runs with it for his future whether if its with or with out the spurs.

[TDMVPDPOY]

how strong is he? strong enough for dirk?

his ceiling is the exercise bike, as long james white > exercise bike >>>>> dirk

[Mr. Body]

I have to say, all this is a nice surprise.

[milkyway21]

"Hopefully, he'll get an opportunity to be in (the contest) next year," Finley said. "He has my vote."

Finley shld know who got what it takes to win in the dunk contest. afterall he joined twice but lost(to Brent & Kobe).

hey i like the sound of this ->"Flight" White.

[Fabbs]

Finley said he has seen White take off from the free-throw line and put the ball between his legs before flushing it through the rim. He also claims White can throw down a two-handed dunk from the foul line.

Only Pop and Jeff Van Gundy would keep this guy repressed on the bench. Hey can we let him work on his defense while he is getting a little game time in? No. Oh i see. Kind of like 19 yr old Andrew Bynum has all the fundamentals down pat. That is why the Lakers are playing him now.

White also doesn't know when his next chance will come. If Horry's injury has healed or coach Gregg Popovich decides the team could need Melvin Ely's size tonight against the New Orleans Hornets, White will go back to his familiar seat behind the bench.

Heavens yes. We all know how Horry likes to play in the regular season. For goodness sake don't take 5 minutes away from Horry, Findawg, Fabs or Beno.

Playoff playingtime?

Already know yeah yeah no need to repeat: He was only a 2nd R pick, he did not get to play with Indiana, blah blah blah.

[Fabbs]

Whoever ed Pops lunch with Metamucil please do it again.
Maybe it will lighten him up again. Enough to let us see White for 5 minutes.

[ChumpDumper]

Only Pop and Jeff Van Gundy would keep this guy repressed on the bench.

Yeah, other guys would've waived him like Carlisle.

Oh i see. Kind of like 19 yr old Andrew Bynum has all the fundamentals down pat. That is why the Lakers are playing him now.

Who else do they have to play center?

Already know yeah yeah no need to repeat

It should be repeated that he's not all that good a player yet.

[ChumpDumper]

Whoever ed Pops lunch with Metamucil please do it again.
Maybe it will lighten him up again. Enough to let us see White for 5 minutes.

I saw him for a couple hundred minutes in Austin. He's got potential but needs alot of work.

[milkyway21]

Some in the organization also were rankled a little by White's at ude, which they perceived as too y.

???

[PerforatedNeckline]

i know they're just comments to a reporter, and a lot of jackasses manage to sound good most of the time, but i have to say that his comments in this story are pretty encouraging and refreshing. they talk about people being concerned about him being y with the pacers, but everything he says in this article sounds pretty grounded and humble. i like this kid.

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

Only Pop and Jeff Van Gundy would keep this guy repressed on the bench. Hey can we let him work on his defense while he is getting a little game time in? No. Oh i see. Kind of like 19 yr old Andrew Bynum has all the fundamentals down pat. That is why the Lakers are playing him now

Bynum got to see even more playing time because Kwame had been out on injury this season.

But it's true. Bynum did get more minutes than White and he was pretty raw his first year. But he was a first round draft pick. And getting mentored by Kareem. And we're seeing that pay off now.

I'd like to see James White get a couple more games of playing time (if not just a measly five minutes-- if we're weighing in whether to go with a guard, instead of a big in the 13 man rotation),

but I trust this time they knew what they were doing by waiting to finally play him. It sounded like White was pretty immature ( y- in that Indiana mention) and playing him too soon, or giving him any undeserved minutes, maybe wouldn't have been the wisest decision .

Plus, we have the veterans right now. So of course he wouldn't get playing time over Finley and Barry.

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

i know they're just comments to a reporter, and a lot of jackasses manage to sound good most of the time, but i have to say that his comments in this story are pretty encouraging and refreshing. they talk about people being concerned about him being y with the pacers, but everything he says in this article sounds pretty grounded and humble. i like this kid.

Now this doesn't have anything to do with not thinking White was being sincere, but it did sound like White was pretty y in the Indiana mention. (i.e. putting his hands behind his back, thinking he was shafted in the draft.)

But the way White said he treats it like a job, and still appreciates the fact that he gets to play basketball as a job, is pretty encouraging. I think being under the Spurs wing actually guided him, by getting a more mature understanding of how to be professional as he said, and being more humble. So I hope things turn out good for the guy, since he has the natural ability.

[Fabbs]

I saw him for a couple hundred minutes in Austin. He's got potential but needs alot of work.

I saw Finley and Beno play a couple dozen games in San Antone and L.A.
They have potential but they need a little work.

Yeah, other guys would've waived him like Carlisle.

Yeah, other guys like Cuban would pay him 17 mil to go away.

[ChumpDumper]

They have potential but they need a little work.

Less than White needs.

Yeah, other guys like Cuban would pay him 17 mil to go away.

To save $17 more million, sure.

[Kori Ellis]

By the way, the college slam dunk contest that JWhite was in (against Carney, David Noel, etc) is on ESPN right now.

[milkyway21]

By the way, the college slam dunk contest that JWhite was in (against Carney, David Noel, etc) is on ESPN right now.

thanks! I'll check if it will be shown here also.

may i ask why some sites are reporting that Horry won't return? Meaning for the rest of the season? if so, who do you think will take his spot- Ely, Butler, or White? How serious is the injury? Poor Bob Rob, i mean

[SRJ]

I'm eagerly anticipating White's future here. But it seems like some fans are unduly impressed with athleticism, as if "more of it" = "good player".

You know who's not terribly athletic? Tim Duncan

You know who is terribly athletic? Stromile Swift.

Obviously, I hope White works out as a Spur. But you don't get belong on a roster just because you can compete in a slam-dunk contest.

[AFBlue]

ppsssshhh.
Why didn't/doesn't Finley offer to come out of the games he is shooting 2-10 and let White play? He has my vote.

Mentor

Finley is a great locker room guy. There was a story earlier in the season about him disciplining Jackie Butler and running extra laps with him after practice....and now this. He is a positive veteran influence to these young guys with alot to learn. Why are you ing on him?

BTW, since Fin was told to let loose and not hesitate to take his shot, those 2-10 nights show up far less often....in case you missed the 9-12 performance the other night.

[Please_dont_ban_me]

Indiana, however, was fairly well-stocked at the wing positions. Some in the organization also were rankled a little by White's at ude, which they perceived as too y. Called for a hand-checking foul during an exhibition game, White played the ensuing possession by holding his hands behind his back.

That's funny.

[Taco]

Men's basketball: White waits patiently for time with Spurs

Web Posted: 03/27/2007 11:55 PM CDT

Johnny Ludden
Express-News

Michael Finley saw enough highlights of this season's dunk contest to know this much: Had Spurs rookie James White been in the event, he would have won.

"Seriously," Finley said. "The dunk contest has come to a point where we've seen everything. But he has dunks that people haven't seen."

Finley said he has seen White take off from the free-throw line and put the ball between his legs before flushing it through the rim. He also claims White can throw down a two-handed dunk from the foul line.
"Nobody's seen that," Finley said.

Aside from the Spurs, nobody's seen White doing much of anything this season.

Since signing with the Spurs on Nov. 3, White has performed most of his work at the team's practice facility or in the NBDL. Almost all of his court time on game days has come during private workouts long before fans are allowed into the arena.

That changed Monday when Robert Horry was placed on the inactive list after suffering an abdominal injury the previous night in Seattle. With about three minutes left in the third quarter and the Spurs well on their way to a 126-89 victory over Golden State, White made his NBA debut. He finished with nine points and three rebounds in 15 minutes.

"It's got to be hard for him after a whole year waiting for this," Manu Ginobili said. "He did very good, so we're all happy for him. It's not easy to be on a team and never have the opportunity to play."

White also doesn't know when his next chance will come. If Horry's injury has healed or coach Gregg Popovich decides the team could need Melvin Ely's size tonight against the New Orleans Hornets, White will go back to his familiar seat behind the bench.

"You have to approach it as a job," White said. "It's my job to stay professional, go out there and come to work every day like nothing has changed. You never know when you'll get your opportunity to play.

"Basketball is fun; you can't beat that as a job."

So far, that at ude has served White well. Spurs officials, while acknowledging they might have to wait until summer league to better evaluate White, are pleased with how he's fit in the locker room.

White also handled his two assignments to the Development League fairly well, averaging 16.3 points on 47.7 percent shooting in 15 games for the Austin Toros. With minutes few and far between on a veteran-heavy Spurs roster, he has spent some of his time working with shooting coach Chip Engelland.

"I've improved so much since I've been here," White said. "My shot, my mental preparation, my professionalism — everything basketball-wise, I've gotten better."

While White needs to continue working on his fundamentals, no one has ever questioned he has the athleticism to succeed in the NBA. His leaping ability is extraordinary, and some among the Spurs rank him alongside David Robinson as one of the franchise's greatest athletes. Before he had even finished his college career at Cincinnati, "Flight" White's impressive dunks had made him a YouTube star.

Some NBA scouts thought White had the potential to be a first-round selection last summer. He lasted until the opening pick of the second round when Portland chose him and immediately traded him to Indiana. The Pacers thought enough of White to give him a guaranteed two-year contract, unusual for second-round picks.

Indiana, however, was fairly well-stocked at the wing positions. Some in the organization also were rankled a little by White's at ude, which they perceived as too y. Called for a hand-checking foul during an exhibition game, White played the ensuing possession by holding his hands behind his back.

Still, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle called the decision to cut White at the end of the preseason one of the most difficult he has had to make.

"It was surprising at first, it took me a while to get over the shock," White said. "It kind of motivated me just like draft night. I felt like when I was drafted, I got shafted a little bit.

"When I came here, it was a whole different situation from Indiana, the tradition of winning, the professionalism of the whole team. ... I've learned something new from the older guys every day."

Finley has helped mentor White, providing a few words of advice or encouragement when appropriate.

"He's young, so he really won't appreciate this time with this team until maybe five or six years into the league," Finley said. "Hopefully, he can stay grounded and stay humble, and he'll be OK."

Popovich thought White played "pretty confidently" Monday. He rimmed out a 3-pointer for his first shot but settled down after making an easy layup off a pass from Brent Barry.

With less than 30 seconds left, White finally received an opportunity to show off his legs, jamming a lob from Fabricio Oberto through the rim. The dunk brought applause from the bench, but the Spurs also have seen better from the rookie.

"Hopefully, he'll get an opportunity to be in (the contest) next year," Finley said. "He has my vote."

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...e.3ae3606.html

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

00:28 SEC INTO THIS VIDEO

[bdictjames]

00:28 SEC INTO THIS VIDEO

He does look y. Hopefully his head wont grow and he'll choose to stay with the Spurs for a minimum contract.