The Toros Are in Cedar Park::Dennis Johnson and George Hill

by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Feb 1, 2010 10:33 PM CST in Outside the League

The Austin Toros will be playing a pair of games in Cedar Park against the Reno Bighorns. The games are Tuesday and Wednesday in the brand new Cedar Park Center. It's the 9000 seat arena where the Texas Stars play. Tickets are pretty inexpensive, starting at $6, and I'll bet a few PtR'ers are headed to it. So step out and go get yourself a Malik Hairston fix. I guarantee you will see more dunks than in a Spurs game.

You'll also get a chance to sign the petition to get Dennis Johnson into the Naismith Hall of Fame. The Austin Toros and the Maine Red Claws are circulating the petition to get DJ some recognition. Andrew McNeill, at 48MoH, did a really nice article on him interviewing some of the Toros. If you can't get to the game, you can sign the petition online.

DJ was a great defensive player and as Spurs fans we know great defensive players are undervalued. I was just a little too young to remember how DJ played. I just remember he was good. Before the Spurs-Hawks game last week, I asked coach Popovich about Dennis' defensive style and whether it was anything like Jerry Sloan's (I think Sloan might be Popovich's all-time favorite player that he never coached). Here's what he had to say,

I'd put him in the skill category. He was really long, he had these long arms and great anticpation. He'd get in passing lanes and get his hands in there. Jerry would just scare you to death. He'd say, "give me the ball or I will kick your ass", and they'd give him the ball. So, they were a little bit different.

Hmmm, really long. Hmmm, point guard with long arms. Hmmm, who does that remind me of? Hmmm, Pepperdine? Was that a West Coast IUPUI of the 70's? Did you know that Dennis Johnson wore number 3?

George has a long way to go to be a Dennis Johnson. Hell, he has a long way to go just to stand in the shadow of a Dennis Johnson. There are some similarities though.

Anybody care to run out some names for who would be a modern day Jerry Sloan?

Tweet Comment 24 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Bruce is the obvious one only Bruce is very diplomatic afterwards. I can’t imagine Jerry appologizing or making excuses for elbows or knees.

Also Matt Harpring. It’s not wonder he plays under Jerry.

"I will five all over this blog." - JRW

by Manuwar on Feb 1, 2010 10:59 PM CST reply actions

Artest is crazy enough and physical enough to be scary. I’d think Kurt Thomas was in contention for a while.

We specialize in misinformation around here. Facts and stats just get in the way.

by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Feb 1, 2010 11:14 PM CST reply actions

Artest is a different kind of crazy. Like he doesn’t get it all of the time where as Jerry seems like he gets it but he is just crazy about winning and doing anything to get there. I never watched Jerry Sloan play but that’s just the impression I get from how he carries himself.

"I will five all over this blog." - JRW

by Manuwar on Feb 1, 2010 11:20 PM CST up reply actions

100% agree.

We specialize in misinformation around here. Facts and stats just get in the way.

by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Feb 1, 2010 11:23 PM CST up reply actions

Kendrick Perkins.

GTFOML!

by the little o on Feb 1, 2010 11:22 PM CST reply actions

Thabo Sefolosha? Trevor Ariza? Mostly because of their length. If I put premium on the in-your-face defender quality, I’d say Noah (ugly) or Kendrick Perkins (although they aren’t guards like DJ).

The Roleplayer's Realm

by silverandblack_davis on Feb 1, 2010 11:24 PM CST reply actions

He’s a ways back, but long after Sloan, is Buck Williams.

We specialize in misinformation around here. Facts and stats just get in the way.

by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Feb 1, 2010 11:26 PM CST reply actions

Raja Bell

"I will five all over this blog." - JRW

by Manuwar on Feb 1, 2010 11:27 PM CST reply actions

Since Dennis Johnson passed away several years ago I will restrain myself from offering my opinion out of respect. But since he was part of the 80s Celtic teams along with Bird & McHale you can probably guess how I felt about him.

Also. . .

Hmmm, Pepperdine? Was that a West Coast IUPUI of the 70’s?

I’ve been to IUPUI (years ago) but I must say it did not remind me of Pepperdine.

Pepperdine University Main Campus – Malibu, CA

Which of these things is not like the others? 15 NBA Championships, most wins in NBA history, current NBA champions, lost by 20 to the F'ing Spurs.

by olf on Feb 2, 2010 12:51 AM CST reply actions

You will soon rue the day you crossed me, olf. Just warning you.

We specialize in misinformation around here. Facts and stats just get in the way.

by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Feb 2, 2010 1:31 AM CST up reply actions

He’s sort of a low-intensity troll.

To serve man.
Gustatus similis pullus.

by Hipuks on Feb 2, 2010 3:33 AM CST up reply actions

Hey, give me a break. I’m only one guy. Keeping an eye on all you Spur lovers isn’t easy.

Which of these things is not like the others? 15 NBA Championships, most wins in NBA history, current NBA champions, lost by 20 to the F'ing Spurs.

by olf on Feb 2, 2010 11:26 AM CST up reply actions

Oh, and that’s a joke olf. I know sometimes you have a hard time with the sarcasmometer.

We specialize in misinformation around here. Facts and stats just get in the way.

by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Feb 2, 2010 8:42 AM CST up reply actions

You know, I think it’s your avatar. It makes it hard for me not to take what you write seriously. :)

Re: Dennis Johnson
I thought of a nicer way to put it. Thinking back to those 80s wars and what he regularly did to us still gives me nightmares. And I think he would take that as a complement.

Which of these things is not like the others? 15 NBA Championships, most wins in NBA history, current NBA champions, lost by 20 to the F'ing Spurs.

by olf on Feb 2, 2010 11:25 AM CST up reply actions

After seeing a larger version of your avatar in this post, I think it makes you look like every young Marine recruit’s version of a nightmare drill instructor! When I saw it the first time, it took me a month before I got over my fears and posted anything. And you are such a nice, gentle soul in person. I think I need to take a kinder, gentler Wayne photo.

by janieannie on Feb 2, 2010 1:12 PM CST up reply actions

I agree with Jane.

Lemme know if you want to use that Cubits Ninja Bot shot I took outside of Rosario’s.

Consider the gun jumped
5 in 10

by J.R. Wilco on Feb 2, 2010 1:21 PM CST up reply actions

I’d like to see that shot, JRW – perhaps a FanShot?

by janieannie on Feb 2, 2010 2:33 PM CST up reply actions

I’ll let DubVats to post it himself, if that’s what he wants to do with it.

Besides. Weren’t you there to see him while he was all dressed up?

Consider the gun jumped
5 in 10

by J.R. Wilco on Feb 3, 2010 1:21 AM CST up reply actions

Nah, I wouldn’t change it a bit. I think it helps keep a lid on things around here. A nicer one would just encourage people to try to take advantage of him.

Which of these things is not like the others? 15 NBA Championships, most wins in NBA history, current NBA champions, lost by 20 to the F'ing Spurs.

by olf on Feb 2, 2010 1:25 PM CST up reply actions

I didn’t realize these games were up so soon. Won’t make tonight due to a Lost party at my house (give me a wedgie, please), but I may shoot for tomorrow. There are really no excuses: 6 dollars and in my backyard.

Neither he nor Gob were prepared for the challenges of using cats to catch a seal.

by Cedarpark on Feb 2, 2010 1:57 PM CST reply actions