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Another shot at Butler by Ludden. Not surprising.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...e.3546a2e.html
Web Posted: 07/11/2007 10:39 PM CDT
Johnny Ludden
Express-News
LAS VEGAS — Jackie Butler and James White played in 17 games between them last season. Neither made a single appearance in the playoffs, and most of their work came after practice or long before fans started filing through the arena doors.
But here in the desert, where the temperature hit nearly 115 degrees this week, the Spurs' two youngest players were finally able to shed their sport coats and jeans and pull on a uniform. And after five games in the NBA summer league, Butler and White both look capable of playing their way off the Spurs' roster — albeit for entirely different reasons.
Butler had 11 points and six rebounds during 31 minutes as the Spurs concluded their schedule here Wednesday with a 79-68 loss to Minnesota. With the exception of his foul trouble, the 22-year-old center was one of the Spurs' best players during the five games, averaging 12.2 points and 7.0 rebounds, both highs for the team.
"For the most part," said Spurs assistant coach Don Newman, "I thought Jackie had a very good week.
"I think the next thing for him is to obviously get in a situation where he can play some minutes. I think if he was ever in a situation where he could play and knew his minutes were coming, I think you would see a guy who would certainly improve."
That situation, however, doesn't figure to be with the Spurs, who are deep and experienced at the center and power forward positions with Tim Duncan, Fabricio Oberto, Robert Horry, Francisco Elson and Matt Bonner.
The Spurs also don't have the luxury of sending Butler to Austin to play in the Development League because he's already been in the NBA for more than two seasons. And while Butler has impressed some scouts with his footwork, soft hands and instincts, those same scouts question whether he will ever be successful playing in the Spurs' defensive system, which requires the team's big men to make reads and communicate scheme changes to teammates.
At least two teams have inquired about Butler's availability during the past week, and the Spurs are expected to consider any deal that would allow them to get out of paying the $2.4 million he has on his contract this season.
Butler didn't appear to hurt his stock this week. In poor physical condition for most of the first half of last season, he has shed about 30 pounds since joining the Spurs. He showed nice touch on his shot and passed well out of the occasional double team.
"He did the things we asked him to do," Newman said. "He came prepared. He ran the floor extremely well as a big, and we certainly were going to force feed him down on the block and give him an opportunity. I thought he responded."
Butler's biggest problem was foul trouble, and referees lacking NBA experience exasperated his struggles. Players are allowed up to 10 personal fouls in summer league. Butler picked up eight in two games and seven in another.
"I thought he had a very physical mentality," Newman said. "But as the game goes on, you have to learn how to adjust."
White, meanwhile, hasn't looked as if he learned much during his rookie season with the Spurs. While the 6-foot-7 guard is amazingly athletic, he's struggled to finish at the rim after absorbing contact. His defense has been lacking, at best.
White played seven minutes Wednesday after straining a tendon in his right ankle. He's expected to be ready to play Friday when the team begins a five-game schedule at the Rocky Mountain Revue in Salt Lake City.
If White doesn't improve in Utah, where coach Gregg Popovich is expected to attend games, the Spurs could decide to waive him before Aug. 1 when his contract will guarantee him $100,000.
"I didn't think he stepped up to the physicality of the summer league," Newman said. "He has to be a better defender. He has to be more hard-nosed on the floor. He can't react to every play. ...
"I think if he's going to make it on this team he has to step it up."
Notebook: The Spurs were unable to complete the signings of Bonner, Oberto and Jacque Vaughn because of logistical issues in getting their contracts signed and certified by the league office. ... Forward Rich Melzer and point guard C.J. Watson had good showings for the Spurs here. Second-round draft pick Marcus Williams shot poorly, but played capable defense.
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Another shot at Butler by Ludden. Not surprising.
there gonna trade him.
un ing real.
RC Buford continues to up.
Wow, Jackie Butler and James White must have both pissed in Ludden's morning coffee.
What is with this guy?
So the Spurs are telling me, that Jackie Butler isn't better than Francisco Elson.
Excuse me, what ing games are you mother ers watching!?!?!?!!?
Looks like White's future with the Spurs is growing short.
Yeah, until we get a front office that knows what it's doing, this franchise will never amount to anything.
I'm pretty sure Johnny Ludden is telling you that.
Alternate interpretation: the Spurs believe that Ian has more potential than Butler, and they need to clear the third center slot if they want to bring him over this season.
Likewise, if they ditch White, maybe we'll get lucky and see Sanikidze this fall.
Exasperated? I think he means "exacerbated."
Ludden is a Spurs puppet.. and....
he's right.. they both suck.
Butler is playing well so now it's time to trade him? Nice logic there. By Newman's comments, you can pretty much put an end to the Jackie Butler era.
Props Butler and good luck wherever you end up
Oh and the Spurs better not just dump him for a second round pick or else that trade is going to come back bite them.
As far as James White goes, he has pretty much sucked in summer league. The only reason I'm not ready to give up on him is because of how well he played in the real games last year. He had nice stats, a nice PER and played good defensively. Summer league isn't a place for a Bruce Bowen replacement to shine.
Ludden had a positive spin regarding Williams. Sounds like the Spurs are trying to save face. He's been far worse than White or Butler, but Ludden has been kind.
And still nothing about Sanikidze?
Sanikidze is a backup plan
spurs hope to get a long three via trade if not
then Sanikidze gets mentioned
Are you being sarcastic? You really think he'll be traded??
wts
Isnt Mahinmi basically an Elson clone? Our three 'future' big men, Splitter Mahinmi and Elson couldnt go for 20 in an empty gym. Butler has legit scoring ability for a near 7 footer plus he is still 20 pounds overweight and only 22. He DOMINATED last years number 9 pick Patrik O'Bryant. The only reason we should consider letting go of Jackie is it Scola was coming over, and we all know that isnt happening.
The final words of the Jackie Butler chapter.
BTW, Newman needs to work on his CIA skills. Not exactly covering up any intentions with that quote. And his coaching, especially his rotations, were piss poor in the five games in Vegas. Not only did his rotations hurt the flow of the game, it hurt the ability to get a good read on players.
so we are looking foward to seeing our new young talent, and we're realizing half of them suck and half of them will be traded? ehhhhhhh
It tells me that Pop still has the Dallas Mavericks loss from '06 eating at him.
Smallball lives!!
Domestic scouting would hit a new new low if the player the Spurs keep off of this summer league team is Marcus Williams. He's seriously, next to CJ Watson, been the worst player on the team.
That greek dude would have been better than Marcus
oh yeah we traded him
No not the Greek dude. We cant have anyone remotely resembling Borat running around on the at&t court. I dont care if he is a stud in 5 years thats embarassing.
I cant begin to explain how disappointed ive been with Williams, i mean i dont even wanna talk about him.
Wasn't this williams dude a supposed star in his college? Then that ginger dude took all his minutes or something? Sounds like this overhyped biatch shoulda stayed in school.
I'm sure the Greek Miami Vice character would do more on a basketball court than have long arms.
LameMarcus Williams might be a quality troll name.
Spurs SL team sucks with the exception of Butler who ahs risen to mediocre. Butler crappy defense will never allow him to get floortime with the Spurs. Better to waive/trade them all and keep spots open for the next Justin Williams of the NBDL
and btw the Spurs ability to select rookie talent appears to suck as well. After the acorns of Parker and Ginobili the blind hogs have resorted back to the averages.
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