Training Camp Invites

[mnWI]

I talked to the agent of center Darryl Watkins today, and he said that Watkins is going to camp with the Spurs. He played for the D-League team I work with last season, and I would say he has a legit shot at making an NBA roster.

For those not familiar, he started last season with the Sacramento Kings, making the team as an un-drafted free agent out of Syracuse. Watkins stands at 6'11, and runs the court like a guard. He has a very strong body, and every physical attribute you could want in an NBA center.

He doesn't always play with the best effort, and needs to play with better aggressiveness on the court. He is a smart but quiet guy. The big can pass the ball surprisingly well out of the high post, and relies on either the right handed hook or turnaround jumper on the offensive end. Watkins tends to rush things out of the low post, and has poor touch near the basket as a result.

Defensively, his understanding of how to rotate has really improved, and he's becoming smarter in this area. There are two main problems for him on this end of the floor. First of all, he's very foul prone because he has the tendency to jump for pump-fakes. His second problem is below-average shot-blocking instincts. He could be a great shot-blocker with better timing.

More fun facts:
Nickname is 'Mookie'
His girlfriend was on the show flavor of love.

I'd give him an outside chance at making the team. He's young, athletic, and improving, though he has a long way to go.

I'll post more invites if I find any out.

[Ballings7]

I am glad to know this

I saw some of him with the Kings last season before he was surprisingly cut, he was definitely impressive on some occasions. I really like his overall size, activity, and above-average agility. A year in the pro-ranks and an off-season, should only make him better.

I'd love to see him able to hang around past training camp, and eventually stay around.

Nice write-up, by the way... he should eventually improve where he needs to defensively.

[lukeridenour]

cool thanks for the info!

[coyotes_geek]

The Spurs definitely need another big man IMO, so this would make sense. Lord knows there's nothing worth getting excited over amongst the NBA free agents.

[the southern dandy]

As much as I'd like to get excited, I feel Watkins is just a warm body for training camp/ pre seasons.
I guess he could make the roster if Mahinmi proved to be strong enough to move into the rotation allowing Watkins to go to D-league.
Also our front court is painfully unathletic, so it's always nice to see a mobile big come on board.

[Magz50]

2 year deal for Watkins. I'm guessing he'll be playing some role then.

[Ballings7]

Wow, that's great

This guy has game as a complementary player, he just needs some touching up like any relatively young player.

Two significantly athletic, pretty well built, near 7-footers who are factors on both sides of the court on the roster? Tremendous.

I know Watkins won't play ahead of Oberto (at least not w/ regularity), but, it'll just be nice to have another agile big man around and get him some run at times.

I'd really like to see Tolliver stick around as well and take Bonner's role. He really should stay around too, because he's a different kind of big man from everybody else, in the way of a shooter out to three, and while under-sized height-wise, he's got long arms and his athleticism is better than average (superior to Bonner's anyway). Bonner going further down the bench or dealt. I like Bonner, he's a fun role-player in general, but on this team now, we need somebody better in his place, and Tolliver would be that in the near future.

[mnWI]

Watkins deal is two years, but not guaranteed.

We had Tolliver on our team in Iowa last season as well. He is much more NBA ready than Watkins, though he's not as big, strong or athletic. Shoots the ball quite well, however, and a very steady offensive player. Coaches will love him too. Great person off the court.

[Ballings7]

Ah, I thought there may be some non-guarantee... but does that go for November or January?