Monroe: Spurs notebook: Elson frustrated, plans to play without face mask + Beno News

[some_user86]

Spurs notebook: Elson frustrated, plans to play without face mask

Center will work minus protective gear in practice to see if he can do without.
Web Posted: 10/27/2007 01:09 AM CDT

Mike Monroe
Express-News
Frustrated with a protective face mask that impairs his vision slightly, Spurs center Francisco Elson discarded it for a brief stretch at the start of the fourth quarter of the team's preseason game against the Houston Rockets.
Elson had worn the mask throughout training camp after breaking the orbital bone around his left eye in the European Championships on August 30. But he played without the mask for the first 5 minutes, 48 seconds of the fourth period and said he would play without it in the Spurs' final practice sessions before Tuesday's regular season opener against the Portland Trail Blazers.

"I was really frustrated with it, sitting on my face like that," Elson said. "I was trying to play a little free, but it was too short to really tell."

The mask served its intended purpose on Thursday night in Orlando, however, protecting Elson's face from an elbow thrown by the Magic's Adonal Foyle.

"Thank God it was there," Elson said of the mask softening the blow he took from Foyle, "so it's good for something. But I don't have to wear it any more. They said the time is up already."

Nevertheless, Elson prefers to play without the mask.

"I'm going to try it in practice and see how it goes," he said. "Practice is more contact and pushing around than in the games I think."

A big test: Rookie Ian Mahinmi finished off his first NBA preseason with 24:36 of court time that showed Spurs coach Gregg Popovich he may one day be able to compete against the likes of Houston's 7-foot-6 Yao Ming.

But for now, it appears Mahinmi is headed for the Spurs' National Basketball Development League affiliate, the Austin Toros.

"He's been very aggressive throughout training camp, and this was just what the doctor ordered, to face this kind of compe ion," Popovich said after Mahinmi scored six points and grabbed five rebounds.

"Having him be here this year is really going to help him, playing against quicker guys down in Austin. Starting to be able to compete at that level is going to improve him more than any kind of drills, or anything else. We're thrilled for him. He's shown a lot of improvement since he's arrived."

Mahinmi understands he needs to work on his game in the NBDL.

"That is a possibility, a good possibility, and I'm ready for that," Mahinmi said. "If I have to do that I will go there and try to be a better player. And if I stay here, I will be happy about that, too."

As for his first encounter with Yao, Mahinmi believed he was "not that bad."

"I was more focused on the defensive plays," he said. "I was doing the best I can to stop Yao. I know he's tall and he's big, but I have to move my feet and contest his shot. I think I was not that bad and did a decent job on defense."

Beno coming back: Injured point guard Beno Udrih had the cast removed from his broken left index finger Thursday, essentially fast-forwarding his recovery time by a week.

He was not supposed to lose the cast until next week, but got good news when doctors discovered the fracture was healing faster than expected.

Udrih still needs a few days of rehab before returning to basketball activities. It remains unlikely he will play in Tuesday's opener against Portland.


[email protected]
Staff writer Jeff McDonald contributed to this report

Link: http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...k.3cc601c.html

[SenorSpur]

Essentially, it's very tough to trade a player that's injured. Once he's healthy, perhaps the Spurs can showcase Beno a bit during the occasional blowout win. Of course knowing Beno, that will likely hurt his chances even more.

There simply has to be a team out there that can utilize him. Perhaps Boston? I heard tonight on the ESPN telecast that they may well be scouring the wire for someone to backup Rondo once the season starts.

Someone correct me on this. If the Spurs waive Beno, and another team picks him up, the new team assumes his contract. Thus ridding the Spurs of any contractual liability. Is that correct?

[whottt]

Some people were commenting about how Elson seemed clueless on some rebounds...I'm wondering if the mask had something to do with it.


All I know is...based on the preseason he's had...I'm a big fan of Elson's mask.

[some_user86]

I am unbelievably excited over Mahinmi. Damn it if he doesn't shock and awe us all when he finally matures out.

[ChumpDumper]

Someone correct me on this. If the Spurs waive Beno, and another team picks him up, the new team assumes his contract. Thus ridding the Spurs of any contractual liability. Is that correct?

Yes, but a team would need cap space, a trade exception or injured player exception to cover it.

[SenorSpur]

Yes, but a team would need cap space, a trade exception or injured player exception to cover it.

The T-Wolves may be a player. After all with Garnett now gone, McHale is looking for younger players, and cap flexibility. If this is in fact the last year of Beno's contract, surely McHale has room for a soft, uncommitted, backup PG.

[coopdogg3]

I would rather Elson miss a few rebounds then risk his eye.

Cleveland has an exception, they might be willing to take a flier on Beno. Can always hope I suppose.

[ChumpDumper]

The T-Wolves may be a player. After all with Garnett now gone, McHale is looking for younger players, and cap flexibility. If this is in fact the last year of Beno's contract, surely McHale has room for a soft, uncommitted, backup PG.

You just described Marko Jaric.

[coopdogg3]

You just described Marko Jaric.

The only thing better than 1 Marko is 2 Markos.

[mystargtr34]

Al Jefferson for Beno

[timvp]

He was not supposed to lose the cast until next week, but got good news when doctors discovered the fracture was healing faster than expected.

Wasn't it a year ago that Beno magically got healed from his preseason injury? I'll give it to Beno he has great timing to miss all of training camp and then suddenly be ready for the regular season.

I'm sure that watching Washington play also helped that finger heal . . .

[coopdogg3]

I got a finger for Beno.

[SenorSpur]

Pop and R.C. may as well keep Washington because they'll never be able to trust Beno in a meaningful game ever again. Besides that, he'll never beat out Jacque Vaughn for the backup PG spot.

[timvp]

Beno being "ahead of schedule" could easily translate to "we are waiving Darius Washington".

I'm guess we'll see a move one way or the other in the next 24 hours. With the Spurs still actively taking an interest in Beno's injury status, it doesn't sound like he's about to be waived. That leaves Washington versus Williams ... a battle I expect Williams to win due to the fact the Spurs invested a second round pick in him.

Even though that's a rather lame reason to keep a player.

[Bruno]

I'm really happy to see that Mahinmi has had a quite good preseason.
With Horry coming back slowly, I expect him to be on the active roster for the start of the season and to get some garbage time before going to Austin.
These garbage time minutes will give him an extra motivation to work hard and to reach his upside.

[mystargtr34]

Ive been surprised also, the guy is basically an opposite of Scola. His game just translates so much better to the NBA game than a Euroleague setting.

[mystargtr34]

Do you have any information on exactly how tall Ian is....he was listed at 6'10" when he was drafted but he looks a little taller.

[Mr. Body]

Beno's greatest talent is avoiding training camps. It's like an artform with him. Naturally he could have gone with his finger boo-boo for the last week, but now that the last tests are over, he peels the cast off. What a disgrace.

[Bruno]

Do you have any information on exactly how tall Ian is....he was listed at 6'10" when he was drafted but he looks a little taller.

Mahinmi was measured at 209cm without shoes last year.
It makes 6'10.3" without shoes.
He should be at 6'11.5" with shoes.

[angel_luv]

Elson play last night underneath the basket was a little Nazr- like.
I hope it is the mask and that removing it also removes the resemblance.

Good news about Beno. I hope he can get himself in gear and out on court. He has his work cut out for him.

[Holt's Cat]

The only reason you keep Beno is that you think you can eventually find someone to take his contract and rid you of the luxury tax impact. You'll have to pay them to do so, but it's enough money to make the Spurs keep a player who they'd otherwise have no qualms about dispatching.

Beno couldn't beat out the less talented Jacque Vaughn last season. I see no reason why that will change this season.

[mystargtr34]

Mahinmi was measured at 209cm without shoes last year.
It makes 6'10.3" without shoes.
He should be at 6'11.5" with shoes.

Wow, i was right. Thats nearly a legit 7 foot in shoes...its a rarity even for NBA players. Even guys like Dwight are 'only' 6'9" without shoes.

Amare is 6'8.5"

Ide say Tim Duncan would only barely scratch 6'10" without shoes.

With Ian though, combine that with his long arms, he might have a reach of somewhere around 9'5", and his leaping ability. It could be scary on the defensive end if he can ever put any of that together.

[Holt's Cat]

Beno being "ahead of schedule" could easily translate to "we are waiving Darius Washington".

It feels that way. It would cost too much for the Spurs to waive Beno outright.

I'm guess we'll see a move one way or the other in the next 24 hours. With the Spurs still actively taking an interest in Beno's injury status, it doesn't sound like he's about to be waived. That leaves Washington versus Williams ... a battle I expect Williams to win due to the fact the Spurs invested a second round pick in him.

Even though that's a rather lame reason to keep a player.

Yes. The Spurs don't want to admit a mistake. Even though it's a fairly minor mistake.

[mystargtr34]

i might change my name to Jay Bilas

[wildbill2u]

Elson was amazing last night with his jumper. We'd read the coaches wanted him to take it more and he did with some good results.

You know something, everybody looks better this year than at the same time last year. This team could be something special.