The San Antonio Spurs NBA Summer League Preview
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Jun 29, 2009 9:23 AM CDT
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PrintAs I mentioned, I will be in Las Vegas for the whole thing. Expect a flurry of activity in this here space. Who's going? Why should you care? What to expect? When are the games? Hop your bad self on in and take a peek.
Who's going?
As of right now, I expect the following players to be participating in the NBA Summer League for the Spurs.
- George Hill
- Ian Mahinmi
- Marcus Williams
- James Gist
- Dejuan Blair
- Jack McClinton
- Eric Dawson
Other possible participants:
- Malik Hairston
- Nando De Colo
Why Should You Care?
Free agency starts next Wednesday, and that will have a big effect on the Spurs roster, but as of right now the Spurs only have 8 guys under contract. Michael Finley has yet to exercise his player option and Marcus William's contract is not guaranteed. So the Spurs have up to 7 spots available right now. Compare this with last year, when the Spurs entered the Summer League with 14 guys under contract. There is a LOT of opportunity right now.
What to expect?
Team-wise, this should be a fairly strong Summer League entry by the Spurs. George has a season under his belt, Ian has been in the system, this is the second Summer League for Gist and Hairston, and the third for Williams. But, the Summer League isn't about team success. It is about evaluating players. If I was Gregg Popovich, this is what I would want to see from each player:
- George Hill - George is already under contract. He's not playing for a roster spot. I think George has one task and one task only. Run the point effectively. The Spurs are counting on him to be the back up point guard this year. He needs to prove he's ready for it the ballhandling aspects of it. We know he can play defense and we know he can contribute off the ball. But, can he run the team? He had very mixed success last year in this endeavor and he will need the work in Summer League. I want to see him run the break. I want to see him get the team into sets. But, most importantly, I want to see him handle the pressure. Opposing point guards caused him problems last year when the bodied him up at halfcourt. He needs to learn to not be passive. I'd also like to see him show improvement in finishing around the rim. As Stampler said several times last year, he makes his layups more difficult than they need to be. I expect him to get 30-32 minutes/game (It's a 40 minute game) running the show.
- Ian Mahinmi - Ian is also under contract and is not playing for a roster spot. I want to see something, anything. Make some shots. Bang in the paint. Grab some boards. Run the court. I'd just want to see him play and get some rhythm. I wouldn't need to see him dominate, but I would need to see him compete on an even level and not look lost. I expect the team will try to run a significant amount of the offense through Ian in the blocks. While Ian isn't playing for a roster spot, I think he is playing for the $2.4 million on his 2011 team option. I think they have to make the decision before the season starts and I don't think it is a gimme at this point. He needs to make it a gimme. That $2.4 million will go a long way toward signing Tiago next summer. Oh yeah, I also want to see him stay healthy.
- Marcus Williams - Marcus IS playing for money. He has a non-guaranteed contract for this year and I'm sure the Spurs front office will have an eagle-eye on Marcus. I think he carries the biggest burden on the team. He'll be expected to be the playmaker from the wing creating for others, knocking down shots, and playing some serious defense. Having George around will help him because the offense should flow fairly well. I have no sense for what he can do at this level and I am eager to watch him play again. Last time I saw him was early in the 07-08 Toros season.
- James Gist - Another guy playing for a roster spot. If not with the Spurs, then somebody else in the NBA. He needs to play defense, show the ability to rebound using position, and knock down open shots. The man is a great athlete. The team knows he can dunk, run, and leap. He needs to show that he has rounded out his game and improved his fundamentals. His straight up man-to-man defense will be very important because I think they will try to see what he can do with 3's and 4's.
- DeJuan Blair - Be a bully. I know that's what I want to see him do. Be a bully in the paint without committing stupid fouls. Don't be a Danny Fortson, be a Jason Maxiell. I would also like to see his all around game. Does he pass? What's his shot like from 10 feet? Can he move laterally?
- Jack McClinton - Can he get off his shot against a motivated defender and will he work his butt off on defense? He doesn't have the freak-ish arms that George has that allows him to play the off guard defensively so Jack is going to have to prove he will work harder than everybody on that end.
- Eric Dawson - Another guy who is going to have to show he can bang. He's a big man and he will need to show he can be a bully in the paint. He'll also need to hit the 15 footer and prove he can defend mobile 4's.
- Malik Hairston - I think Malik has a decent chance to claim the Ime role. The wing defender who handles the more powerful 3's like Artest and Anthony. To get that role, he needs to prove he can defend. Duh. But, he also needs to show he can hit the open jumper. He's already proven to me that he has what Ime didn't have. The ability to finish. Ime didn't have that explosion around the rim. Malik has that.
- Nando De Colo - I really doubt he'll be over, but it is possible. I think the Spurs would have to sign him to a guaranteed contract for the season to get him to play in the Summer League. I'd think if he was that interested in coming over AND that good he would have been drafted higher. What do I know? I'd love to see him though.
I think the Spurs would be ecstatic if they could get 3 players, not counting George and Ian, out of the Summer League team. It's possible they get more, but I have my doubts.
When are the games?
The Summer League starts Friday, July 10th. However, the Spurs don't play their first game until Sunday, July 12th. The Spurs schedule is (all times Spurs time):
- Sunday, July 12th at 11:00 am vs New Orleans Hornets
- Tuesday, July 14th at 5:00 pm vs Denver Nuggets
- Thursday, July 16th at 3:30 pm vs OKC Thunder
- Saturday, July 18th at 5:30 pm vs Portland Trail Blazers
- Sunday, July 19th at 3:00 pm vs Memphis Grizzlies
You can view the entire schedule here. You should be able to watch every Summer League game on NBA.com. They should be streaming them all.
Scott from Ridiculous Upside has a post up beginning to compile the rosters.
I had hoped to have groundbreaking technological experience for you guys, but it doesn't look like it is going to happen. I'm not sure yet how I'll be covering the games. I might be blogging, I might be taking notes, I might watch all the games by everybody, I don't know. What I do know is that I'll be posting a lot?
For you Twitter hounds out there, we are at @poundingtherock http://twitter.com/poundingtherock
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Comments
Ian
I think youre correct in saying this summer league is more about rhythm and endurance for him, I think his D League stats prove he’s ready for the next step. I find it hard to believe theyd give up on a first round pick before even seeing him play in the NBA for more than a cup of coffee, Tiago or no Tiago
Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.
I’d love to see him AND Tiago in Spurs unis one day, and healthy… is that too much to ask?
Bring back Bruce, and free James Gist!
Pounding the Rock - where RJ happens.
mistake the month of Manu’s birthday, but then
Bring back Bruce, and free James Gist!
Pounding the Rock - where RJ happens.
the collective intellect of PTR corrects your mistake, and you are forced to
Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
Dunkin' Cheerleaders
I dont see why not
Though I doubt it’ll be this year. The “numbers” would suggest that Ian has a spot on this team already, and one can safely assume Tiago will when he comes over. The two of them would certainly solve the lack of athleticism problem in the front court
Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.
Damn, I still envy you, ATS.
You are going to take a camera with you, right? I want photos at least, although videos of your interviewing the players or just some of the behind-the-scenes not-on-TV stuff would be neat. (I’d love to see them working out, for instance, and see how comfortable they look with their jumpers without pressure.)
Whatever you send our way, I bet it’ll be great. Have fun over there.
Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
Dunkin' Cheerleaders
ATS, terrific post. Thanks for the summaries on each of the players. I still don’t know Hairston very well at all, since I wasn’t able to catch any of last year’s summer games, and I’m interested in seeing what he’s capable.
I’m so geeked out about you being there for the games and giving us a courtside view of the goings on, as well as the relative strengths of our guys.
You should be able to see quite a bit of “explosing around the rim” as you said, and I’m looking forward to enjoying it vicariously.
I want my Manu
Corrected.
We specialize in misinformation around here. Facts and stats just get in the way.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Jun 29, 2009 12:52 PM CDT up reply actions
That’s the only reply I get? The man gets press credentials and suddenly he’s too busy for replies of more than a single word!
I want my Manu
Yes.
We specialize in misinformation around here. Facts and stats just get in the way.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Jun 29, 2009 1:41 PM CDT up reply actions
I think we all thought the Spurs had to get at least one roster player out of the draft after we picked up RJ’s salary. Buford mentioned that McClinton was their guy at 37 until Blair fell. Doesn’t this mean McClinton has a leg up to getting a roster spot? Obviously the FO can’t outright say that now because they want him to compete and you aren’t going to commit in case he is terrible, but doesn’t that make sense.
Great post. I can’t wait to read your Vegas stuff.
Did we really just add a player good enough to be guarded by Bruce Bowen?
Vegas 18th/19th
I have tix to the Saturday & Sunday games on July 18, 19. Looking forward to watching Blair in Metallic Silver & Black! Go Spurs Go!
FUCK FUCK, im going back to my town for a month, and my internet SUCKS there.
I hate you all.
"Rock and Roll angels bring that HardRock Hallelujah"
WHO ERICK
Does he come from a big college. I couldn find him on espn stat. I foudn something that said he was 6’4 and wieghed 321 pounds. Is that true.
GO SPURS GO
SPURS 2010 NBA Champions (if team is healty LoL)
From the RU archives:
Eric Dawson has seen some starting looks recently. He’s a 6’9" center forced to play out of position half the time, and while he does a decent job backing up Dwayne Jones, he’s not as good playing alongside him. There are stretches where he falls in love with his midrange shot when he really shouldn’t.
And again…
This was the first time I’ve seen Eric Dawson play in a while. He finished with 18 and 12, but I remain unimpressed. He needed 20 shots to get those 18 points, and while he has good quickness inside, he’s really more of an undersized center than a forward. Whenever he’s paired up with a pivot (like Jones) and gets pushed outside, he doesn’t really have the shot or the moves to play out there. Defensively his first instinct is to take up the inside position, and on several plays he had to be pointed towards his man near the perimeter. His quickness doesn’t really translate out there either, and he was taken off the dribble a few times.
Blogging at RidiculousUpside, where we converse with recently fired mascots.
by Scott Schroeder on Jun 29, 2009 9:14 PM CDT up reply actions
ATS will be in the hizzy! You must allow me to bask in your presence, aura, musk, etc. I will throw(n) rose petals at your feet when you walk if that’s what it takes?
ATS, your first 10 beers are on me…….as long as you are gambling. O, wait, you are a wine drinker, how quickly I forget. I’ll be sure to stop by the liquor store and by the finest bottle of Boone’s Farm that money can buy. I also got a $4.99 steak dinner with your name on it, nothing but the best for you o’ great one.
Seriously, whoever makes it down here, dinner and drinks are on me. You read that right beaches! Remember it, write it down, take a picture, rec it, make it green.
Rikiddo, you coming down too?
It is what it is.
We are who we are.
by SinCitySpur on Jun 30, 2009 2:47 AM CDT reply actions 3 recs
I might make it up for one of the weekend games, but can’t stick around the whole night, unfortunately.
Bring back Bruce, and free James Gist!
Pounding the Rock - where RJ happens.
I just made it green. Love the energy and hospitality, Sin.
by silverandblack_davis on Jun 30, 2009 7:32 PM CDT up reply actions
You might want to sit the next play out, Champ.
And for the record, I think you should actually lose recs for asking for recs. It should be a rule.
"If I was the kind of guy who posted a signature line, this would be it from now on." -SiMA
by SgtinManusArmy on Jun 30, 2009 8:25 PM CDT up reply actions
It was more of a make-it-green-to-see-who-would-notice-it-and-take-me-up-on-my-offer rec. Shirley, my post was not rec worthy.
It is what it is.
We are who we are.
I just emotionally negative recced you as well, foreigner.
"If I was the kind of guy who posted a signature line, this would be it from now on." -SiMA
by SgtinManusArmy on Jul 1, 2009 2:14 PM CDT up reply actions
It is very possible that I will make it for the 18 and 19 games. I just need to convince someone to go with me.
Just call me The Profit
go find Hipuks. Then tell him/her/it to come back.
Bring back Bruce, and free James Gist!
Pounding the Rock - where RJ happens.
De Colo is an awesome player
Hello,
I am from Cholet, where De Colo and Beaubois played the last few years. I am very happy that the Spurs drafted De Colo. They made a very good choice. De Colo was elected French MVP last season. If you want to watch one of his game you can watch the EuroChallenge final online at this address (click on LIVE WEBCAST, in the middle right part of the page): http://www.fibaeurope.com/cid_KNce8jInH7Qj1EsyH5rjn2.compID_BYg5Rb55Jw-G5I3MZ6JB01.html
This is a very exciting game, and De Colo played great as usual.
Concerning his participation in the summer league, it will depends as you said if they sign him this year. If they do then he might participate, but still, it will not guarantee his participation. Otherwise De Colo will play with the French National team this summer, and Popovich is suppose to come and see few games, so is Larry Brown. So if the Spurs sign him this year, I would not be surprised that they let him play with Les Bleus this summer.
Last summer, De Colo played his first official game with Tony Parker and the French National Team. He scored 28 pts at 100% against Belgium, leaving TP with “just” 19 pts. I was very surprised that he was drafted so low, but glad that the Spurs got him. I cannot explain it. I am honestly wondering if it is not unconscious discrimination from the NBA scouts, because Beaubois his teammate was drafted 25th by Dallas. Beaubois is good, but did not have the same huge impact as De Colo had on Cholet Basket team for the last 2 years. He was our leader, while Beaubois was “just” our scoring joker. Anyway, I hope the Spurs will give De Colo his chance.
Watch the game and tell me what you think.
Eti,
Thanks for the reply. Please come by and let us know if you here anything new on Monsieur De Colo.
We specialize in misinformation around here. Facts and stats just get in the way.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Jun 30, 2009 3:52 PM CDT up reply actions
Hey, I’ve got something in common with Beaubois. Scoring Joker is the position I play as well!
My name is DeJuan Blair. You blocked my shot. Prepare to die. - CH&LD
I want my Manu o;—-)
Ok, I guess joker was not the appropriate word, excuse my English (I am French)… I was using it in the sense of a wild card. DId anyone watch the game yet?
No apology necessary, Eti — it’s an international gang here. Your English is a hell of a lot better than my French! And I’m watching the game now. Just started to, that is.
Oh wow — de Colo starts with a bang, scoring the first points of the game by driving straight to the basket. Very nice. If anyone else wants to watch this, the game doesn’t start until about 20 minutes into the video. De Colo is in red, wearing no. 12 and a face mask.
Yeah, he’s very active in this game.
Kind of funny to be watching Keith Langford — his tenure as a Spur was so brief I never really saw him play before (outside of college ball, that is).
Hey Lauri, so did you watch the game until the end? The best part is the last ten minutes. Maybe I should have told you that before though.
by Eti on Jul 1, 2009 8:50 AM CDT up reply actions
I watched it as well. They had a nice come back.
What most impressed me about Nando? His patience. He was very good at letting the game come to him. He didn’t over dribble. He didn’t take bad shots. He showed nice patience.
What didn’t impress me? His athleticism and body. He’s a solid player who is very fluid and smart, but he’s not explosive and he’s not tall. He seems too short for an NBA shooting guard and too slow for an NBA point guard. He’s also very thin.
My conclusion: He’s not the next Manu Ginobili. He won’t make an all-start team. Right now, I think his upper limit is a Steve Blake. However, I think if he develops some physically — height, strength, quickness — he could be more like a Billups, Fisher, Hinrich kind of guy.
We specialize in misinformation around here. Facts and stats just get in the way.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Jul 1, 2009 12:08 PM CDT up reply actions
his upper limit is a Steve Blake
Yay. I’m doing cartwheels. That’s generally what you don’t want to hear, as a player.
"If I was the kind of guy who posted a signature line, this would be it from now on." -SiMA
by SgtinManusArmy on Jul 1, 2009 2:15 PM CDT up reply actions
Right now, as in this year when he suits up. Steve Blake started for a team that finished tied with us last year.
We specialize in misinformation around here. Facts and stats just get in the way.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Jul 1, 2009 3:35 PM CDT up reply actions
And Jacque Vaughn was the back-up PG to an all-star on the 2007 Championship team. So your point is?
Bottom line, I’m not going to be thrilled with us drafting the “French Steve Blake,” no matter how many Bud Lights I have in my system.
"If I was the kind of guy who posted a signature line, this would be it from now on." -SiMA
by SgtinManusArmy on Jul 1, 2009 7:27 PM CDT up reply actions
well, no matter how many Bud Lights you had in your system, you still wouldn’t be drunk. So your point is?
We specialize in misinformation around here. Facts and stats just get in the way.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Jul 1, 2009 7:58 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
Ok, how about his upper limit is Roger Mason?
We specialize in misinformation around here. Facts and stats just get in the way.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Jul 1, 2009 8:17 PM CDT up reply actions
As Lauri said, don’t apologize. We knew what you meant and fully appreciate your chiming in.
We just like to have fun with words. It’s not meant to be at your expense.
We specialize in misinformation around here. Facts and stats just get in the way.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Jun 30, 2009 9:57 PM CDT up reply actions
You dont need to apology, specially with me, Im the worst with English on the whole PTR
"Rock and Roll angels bring that HardRock Hallelujah"
Especially if you try hard like in that post.
Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
Dunkin' Cheerleaders
Chilai, I think Manu-20 just snatched that crown from you… :)
by silverandblack_davis on Jul 1, 2009 9:22 PM CDT up reply actions
Thanks for the insight into Mr. De Colo. De Colo… sounds Portuguese. Hmm.
Anyway, thanks, welcome, stick around, and beware SiMA.
Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
Dunkin' Cheerleaders
That was a jerk thing to say. I didn’t even deserve that. All because I disagreed with you about Rasheed and hate Evita, huh?
You just got a 50-comment no-rec ban from me. Hope you don’t say something brilliant in the next 50 statements, cause you’re on your own. Beware the SiMA my ass.
"If I was the kind of guy who posted a signature line, this would be it from now on." -SiMA
by SgtinManusArmy on Jun 30, 2009 8:28 PM CDT up reply actions
I wrote “beware SiMA”. You added “the”. I wonder what Freud would say to that…
Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
Dunkin' Cheerleaders
by LatinD on Jun 30, 2009 8:48 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
LD, that was a truly excellent pic. That’s a big rec from the JRW — AND a JTU for you as well!
Now if I could only find a way to refer to myself in the 3rd person, I’d have the trifecta of ego going on in this comment. Oh, I already did! Hah.
Now have some of this:
My name is DeJuan Blair. You blocked my shot. Prepare to die. - CH&LD
I want my Manu o;—-)
I think I know what Freud would be feeling.
"If I was the kind of guy who posted a signature line, this would be it from now on." -SiMA
by SgtinManusArmy on Jul 1, 2009 12:28 AM CDT up reply actions
You can count to 50?
We specialize in misinformation around here. Facts and stats just get in the way.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Jun 30, 2009 9:58 PM CDT up reply actions
That’s my girl.
We specialize in misinformation around here. Facts and stats just get in the way.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Jun 30, 2009 10:30 PM CDT up reply actions
It’s easy because its around the number of people I’ve killed, and your age.
"If I was the kind of guy who posted a signature line, this would be it from now on." -SiMA
by SgtinManusArmy on Jul 1, 2009 12:29 AM CDT up reply actions
Yeah, I forgot, you can do it on your digits.
We specialize in misinformation around here. Facts and stats just get in the way.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Jul 1, 2009 12:48 AM CDT up reply actions
Summer league roster, Colo is on it
Are these rosters tentative or if a name is there, does it mean the guy is going to be showing up?
Fairly solid. I think they put them on there if they expect them to play.
We specialize in misinformation around here. Facts and stats just get in the way.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Jul 1, 2009 1:38 PM CDT up reply actions
Very interesting!
So AusTechSpur, from your comments about De Colo’s game, do you think De Colo should integrate the team?
I think he could be a decent option behind Parker and Hill, but he may not make it to the US for a year or two more.
Bring back Bruce, and free James Gist!
Pounding the Rock - where RJ happens.
I think he could. I think, if he developed his three point stroke, he could be a combo guard the way Roger Mason is. Play some point and play some off guard. He looks like he is already a better passer than Roger, but he was doing it against lesser competition. It will all come down to how he adapts to playing against the better athletes.
That Bologna team had some decent talent in Boykins, Langford, and Kopponen. So, it’s not like he was playing against low-level talent. It was better than D-League talent so I’m cautiously hopeful.
We specialize in misinformation around here. Facts and stats just get in the way.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Jul 1, 2009 8:16 PM CDT up reply actions
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