Training camp/ Pre season news and thoughts

ss1986v2 · Post #21 » by **ss1986v2** » Thu Oct 9, 2008 5:00 am

figured this was the best place for this. news on our camp fodders contracts from sham:

salim stoudamire ($200,000)
desmon farmer (none)
darryl watkins ($20,000)
devin green (none)
anthony tolliver ($200,000)

those figures are the amounts of guaranteed money in their deals. so it looks like tolliver has a leg up on watkins, and that while salim might miss out on making the team thanks to his injury, at least the spurs made his stop worth it.

Ballings7 · Post #22 » by **Ballings7** » Sat Oct 11, 2008 10:07 pm

I want one of Watkins/Tolliver on the team, sticking around

Was disappointed to see Dallas get Shawne Williams for just Eddie Jones/2 2nd rounders - guess we weren't interested enough or didn't quite have enough.

the southern dandy · Post #23 » by **the southern dandy** » Sun Oct 12, 2008 12:16 am

I really like what Watkins is providing out on the court right now. His rebounding and shotblocking add a whole new dimension to the Spurs team. Tolliver's shot hasn't been falling but he still seems to be better than Bonner at other aspects of the game, particularly rebounding. I cannot stress enough how much I want Bonner gone. He has almost no room for improvement and he's playing terrible basketball, I'd like to be proven wrong here though.

On the wings I think this training camp has been particularly competitive to this point. Malik Hairston has been showing off a well rounded game with deceptive athleticism and power. Out of the non guaranteed contracts he appears to be winning a position right now. Desmon Farmer has also played well particularly scoring the basketball, I fear his game isn't well rounded enough but he's certainly in the argument for a roster spot. Devin Green has also played nicely but he's been overshadowed to a large extent. Salim Stoudamire has a lot of work to do if he is seeking a place as a SA wing.

The point guard position has been equally competitive. Jacque has been playing hard and at times been trying to do too much, it's obvious that Curious George has been breathing down his kneck for that backup job. George has played particularly well defensively and despite having problems offensively, he's already vastly superior to Jacque. Ideally George wins the backup role and Jacque becomes the ideal third string guy. Also the be factored in is the injured Stoudamire. If he manages to impress with improved point guard skills, Vaughn may be packing his bags.

All in all this is definitely one of the best training camps in terms of playing level that the Spurs have had. As a result they have a plethora of roster options to look at.

the southern dandy · Post #24 » by **the southern dandy** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 6:42 am

http://blogs.mysanantonio.com/weblogs/c ... _t_20.html

I find this article to be a bit demoralising. I hope Macdonald is wrong in his assumption that Watkins is simply on board to make up numbers.

Watkins has definitely played well enough to deserve consideration for a roster spot. Gaines and Green on the other hand probably are just around to make up numbers.

the southern dandy · Post #25 » by **the southern dandy** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 6:47 am

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spur ... oster.html

It looks like the Spurs are still very impressed with Tolliver despite his shooting problems thus far. I like the guy too but roster space has to be cleared for his inclusion.
He plays tough inside and that's something everyone has to appreciate.

Blame Rasho · Post #26 » by **Blame Rasho** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 1:15 am

200,000 bucks is alot of money to give a guy who they are just lukewarm. I think Tolliver will be on the roster to tell you the truth. I don't think they put too much stock on the preseason numbers.

HarlemHeat37 · Post #27 » by **HarlemHeat37** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 1:34 am

George Hill looks like the real deal..he's ALREADY an above-average NBA defender, just imagine when he starts maturing and gaining experience..

I'm really hoping Hairston can make the team..we could really use his athleticism..he has looked great so far in the pre-season..

Ballings7 · Post #28 » by **Ballings7** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 3:05 am

Yeah, i really like what I've read on the boxscores from Hairston and Hill

I want to see Hill's defense

Great · Post #29 » by **Great** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 3:52 am

Farmer is a playmaker and he makes plays.

Hill is very good.

the southern dandy · Post #30 » by **the southern dandy** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 3:18 am

The good news coming out of the Spurs camp is that Hill's wrist is only sprained and he should only miss a couple of games. Kurt Thomas has also returned and seems to be progressing well.

Four games into the preseason the battles and subplots seem to be taking definite shapes. Unfortunately it looks like Salim is really going to struggle to make the roster. He is still yet to make his debut for the Spurs and the other wings and point guards have flourished.

Surprisingly it looks like Hairston has played his way into a roster spot. While his scoring hasn't been spectacular from the outside, he has operated well inside. Which is something that the Spurs really could use from the wing. He also racks up an outstanding amount of blocks and rebounds for a relatively short and stocky wing player.
Farmer has also been good but looks to be behind Hairston as this point. He didn't receive any minutes in the Cavs game and I don't view this as a good sign. He's a great scorer but he may be too undersized and lacking in the other parts of his game.
Green has also been a pretty solid player, displaying some nice playmaking skills. He remains largely overshadowed by the other two players.

Tolliver seems to be winning the available big man position battle. He is obviously favoured by coach Pop who has given him the green light to shoot whenever the opportunity arises. He's certainly played reasonably well, even picking up his shooting in the cleveland game. I don't think he deserves to be the almost lock that he appears to be though. It would be nice to see an intelligent player replace Bonner in the rotation.
Watkins has been easily the most frustrating story from camp at this point. He is a big man that provides so much of what the Spurs need. Athleticism, shotblocking and size are all attributes Watkins posesses in abundance. I feel his defense is already far enough along to make a difference. Unfortunately it seems he is not in favour with the Spurs staff as his minutes have been limited. I won't be pleased when/if Watkins is waived.

Ballings7 · Post #31 » by **Ballings7** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 3:34 am

Yeah, once again, I dig what I'm reading about Hairston, Farmer, Tolliver, and Watkins... especially Watkins/Hairston/Tolliver. I'm especially interested to see Hairston and Farmer.

All bring different things, and those of which the Spurs can definitely use. But one thing that they all have is some form of decent or better agility that would help up front and on the perimeter.

Honestly, I'd like us to keep all three of Hairston/Tolliver/Watkins, but it'll be two.

That's great news about Hill, him missing some serious time after steadily getting going here would be just terrible.

the southern dandy · Post #32 » by **the southern dandy** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 7:41 am

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spur ... _cuts.html

From reading this article it looks all but assured that Anthony Tolliver will make the team. The article revolves around him and he has received high praise from Pop.
Watkins would have been a nice addition to the team but it looks as if he is on his way out.

There's an obvious battle between Hairston and Farmer going on right now. It's almost impossible to see who they'll choose for that final roster spot.

Great · Post #33 » by **Great** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 4:04 pm

Right now the Spurs have 3 guys who can approximate what Hairston can do. Ime, Finley, and Bowen.

Beside Manu, the Spurs have no other SG/SF on the current roster who can do what Farmer can do.

Watkins skill set seems to fill more of a need than Tolliver.

HarlemHeat37 · Post #34 » by **HarlemHeat37** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 4:06 pm

Watkins>Tolliver..

I disagree completely about Hairston though..he would EASILY be the most athletic player on our roster, and he's POTENTIALLY a better defender than Ime, after he gets some maturity and experience in..Finley and Hairston are completely different players..

Ballings7 · Post #35 » by **Ballings7** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 5:40 pm

There isn't quite like anybody like Hairston on this team...

the southern dandy · Post #36 » by **the southern dandy** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 8:50 pm

I've noticed that it's taking the Spurs an unusually long time to make their first roster cuts this year. Could this be a sign that they are trying to work out ways to keep more than two of these invites?

Bonner's contract isn't as bad as people tend to think, it's just bad for the Spurs' standards. Rasho was moveable, ergo Bonner should be too.

Ballings7 · Post #37 » by **Ballings7** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 8:56 pm

Yeah, I'd love to be able to keep all three of Tolliver/Hairston-Farmer/Watkins

Tolliver makes Bonner expendable.

We need Watkins on the roster more than Bonner, because Tolliver's going to make it, and one of Hairston/Farmer will.

Ballings7 · Post #38 » by **Ballings7** » Sun Oct 19, 2008 2:22 am

Tolliver 3-10 FG, 0-3 3p, but 8 rebounds, 2 stls, 6 pts

Fin 4-6 3P, 13 pts - nice

Salim 6 pts, 3 ast, 2 stls

Tony 19 pts, 8 ast

Bonner 10 pts, 4 rebs

Thomas 6 pts, 6 rebs

So far against Indy, early 4th

Great · Post #39 » by **Great** » Sun Oct 19, 2008 3:29 am

Watkins fills a need.

Farmer is a very talented. Spurs are going to be very tough!

the southern dandy · Post #40 » by **the southern dandy** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 9:56 am

http://blogs.mysanantonio.com/weblogs/c ... _a_15.html

It looks like Stoudamire has reinjured his groin during practise this week. One would have to imagine that this setback would pretty much signal the end for him. While I'm a little disappointed by this, I'd really like to see Hairston get a shot at the roster.