Monday, May 11th, 2009...4:36 am
Introducing Austin Nichols
Austin Nichols is Ime Udoka is Roger Mason Jr. is Bruce Bowen.
Since the Spurs were eliminated from the playoffs, I’ve tried to paint a big picture of their options this summer. Those sort of discussions always gravitate toward marquee names. That’s fun, and given the current state of team, entirely possible, but as some of our readers rightly point out, the Spurs are not typically in the business of chasing names. They do things differently in San Antonio. Much of what they do is done off radar.
Unless you’re one of our French readers, you’re not likely to know the name Austin Nichols. Nichols is, many would argue, the best player of French Pro A. He’s a noted defender and dead-eye shooter. In this season’s EuroChallenge, Nichols shot 53% from within the arc and 36% from beyond it. As a SG/SF, his 22.3 points per game sit atop of the French League scoring chart. Here’s a little taste:
Nichols can curl and catch, he can corner 3, he can finish at the rim. In an April 2009 interview, former University of Michigan star-now a member of the French league-Daniel Horton said, “[Austin Nichols] is hands down the best shooter I have ever played with, maybe the best shooter I’ve ever seen.”
Before establishing himself with Hyeres-Toulon, Austin Nichols played college ball at Humboldt State and then a couple seasons in the D-League. He’s hoping to parlay his recent play into an NBA contract.
The San Antonio Spurs have invited him to an early summer mini camp, and he’d like to summer league with them from there. Last week, I spoke with Nichols about the summer ahead-a summer in which he intends to “buckle down and get ready to work.”
“I feel like this is a tremendous opportunity for me,” Nichols said. From my perspective, the opportunity is tailor fit. As our readers know, the Spurs like to spread the floor with shooters so that Tim Duncan can do work. One of the most pressing questions facing the team is how to replenish their wings, for the 2009 season and beyond. Nichols agreed with me that his skill set and strengths are a great fit for San Antonio.
But in true Spur fashion, Nichols’ fit runs deeper than what he brings to the court. L’Equipe recently ran a feature on him in which he was characterized as the “anti-star.” That is, a star of high skill and high character. I couldn’t help but ask him to speak to the character question: “I was always taught that no matter what you can do or what you accomplish you have to stay grounded and humble,” he remarks. “This is because everything that has been given to you can be taken away just as fast. I also feel that if you are humble and grounded then you don’t become complacent and you always strive to better yourself as a player and a person.”
The L’Equipe feature quotes his current coach, Alain Weisz, with this evaluation: “He isn’t a killer and I don’t know if he will ever become one. However, I think he has the profile to be a NBA starter. He is in the Bruce Bowen mold, a strong defender able to knock corner 3’s…To me, he is better than Pietrus.” (Thanks to Bruno for tracking down the article and providing a translation for the quote.)
With the big summer ahead, I asked Austin what he has planned. “My plans for the summer pretty much consist of doing whatever it takes to maximize my chances of making an NBA roster,” he said. “I was fortunate enough to get invited to the Spurs mini-camp and I was invited to the Cavs mini-camp as well. I don’t know if any other opportunities will arise, but, if they do, I’ll attend those as well. For training, I am going to work out with Phil Handy this summer.”
What will a day in the gym look like for Nichols? “A typical day of workouts for me consists of doing you regular routine things at first. Like shooting, dribbling, defense, etc. After that I like to focus on improving my weaknesses and perfecting my strengths so depending on the day the workout would be geared toward those things. Don’t really have a set routine, but I do like to be as efficient as I can be in my workouts.”
That hard work has taken Nichols from Humboldt State into the French League MVP conversation. This summer he hopes it takes him a few steps further. Austin Nichols will attempt to be the next car in the Bruce Bowen-Ime Udoka-Roger Mason Jr. train. The same train that players like Udonis Haslem rode into the NBA.
One thing those players have in common-each one does at least one thing really well, and each player gives strong effort on the defensive end. We know this about Coach Popovich: he’d sign a mossy stone with limited handles if he thought it could defend. Based on what others are saying about Nichols, he has a puncher’s chance.
The final question I asked Austin is why the call of the NBA still appeals to him—he’s a star where he’s at, and opportunity for a bigger contract with a Euroleague club is undoubtedly in waiting. His response is the same one Roger Mason would have given a few years back: “It’s the highest level of basketball and it demands the most from an individual on a daily basis. I belong in the NBA because I can meet that challenge. Not to say that I’m above anyone else or anything like that, but I feel that maximizing my potential and the level of my game means playing in the NBA.” So, it’s about more than fulfilling a dream. It sounds like Austin Nichols wants to become a better Austin Nichols.
My plan is to chronicle Nichols’ journey this summer. He’s kindly agreed to let 48MoH check in with him along the way. If Austin has his way, that journey will go from mini camp to summer league to training camp to an NBA roster. Maybe the Spurs roster. I’ll keep the updates flowing. Check back often. Until then, check this out.
(HT: T.J. Thompson for shining the light on Nichols back in early April. And thanks for the video link, too.)
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27 Comments
May 11th, 2009 at 6:03 am
Intriguing possibility, how tall is Nichols?
May 11th, 2009 at 6:31 am
I like the way he can curl off a screen, catch & shoot. That’s the type shooter we need rather than just someone who just spots up. He would make defenders work. I like his ability to get to the rim and finish too.
May 11th, 2009 at 7:04 am
Austin is a solid 6′6”.
May 11th, 2009 at 7:06 am
Nichols is 6′6″ & 200 lbs. He seems like a very worthy addition for little money. I say we should sign him ASAP.
May 11th, 2009 at 7:13 am
He shoots very smoothly. The thing with Bowen & Udoka are that they are set shooters. The video definitely shows he can catch & shoot with a smooth, quick motion. His form reminds me of Finley & his quick release reminds me of Reggie Miller. Definitely a camp invite… hope he makes it to the Spurs.
May 11th, 2009 at 7:25 am
Ah, the pesky Cavs are in on him as well. Damn, they wanna keep Lebron so they will do anything. I hope the Spurs step up if he’s does well.
May 11th, 2009 at 7:29 am
Agree with GoSpurs44. That caught my eye immediately. He is not a typical spot up shooter, but more of a Miller/Hamilton type of shooter. That is way more of a thread since his defender can’t cheat off him. They need to stay on him and fight through screens. He is definitely worth the look.
May 11th, 2009 at 7:59 am
Looks like a solid project, low risk, decent reward. His screen reading is excellent the way he sees where his defender is going and executes the proper cut. Rip Hamilton-ish, indeed. One thing I have issue with: how can he be “the best shooter I’ve ever seen” and a “dead eye shooter” if he’s only shooting 36% from the Euro 3 line, which is closer than the NBA 3 line? Tell me he’s a “good shooter” and let’s go from there.
May 11th, 2009 at 10:34 am
at the very least, as a humboldt state alumnus, he’d be a decent smoking buddy for mason when he gets to hankering for ganja.
May 11th, 2009 at 11:21 am
I’m excited to see what happens to him over the summer. He looks promising.
May 11th, 2009 at 11:38 am
I love the arc on his shots. Great form and follow through. Great post.
May 11th, 2009 at 11:43 am
[...] True Hoop, I saw a link to an article about the next (maybe) great find by the San Antonio Spurs, Austin [...]
May 11th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
I like what I’m seeing; imagining a consistent, curling shooter in the Spurs offense makes me giddy. But I won’t get too far ahead of myself. I hope San Antone is the right fit for Nichols and that Pop like what he sees and gives him a chance.
And of course the Cavs are also zeroing in on this guy. Blanks and Ferry have operatives shadowing Pop, R.C. and Lindsay 24/7.
May 11th, 2009 at 7:41 pm
One word: smooooooooth!
May 11th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
Watched Nichols when he was at Humboldt State, they were in our conference. Was great as a D-2 player, and I’d agree with the assessment that he’s more a come-off a screen type than a spot-up guy. Perhaps he’s grown a bit, but he was always listed at 6-5 in college, and that seemed right. But from the photo above, he’s clearly thicker than back then.
This will interesting to follow over the summer, I hope he pans out.
May 12th, 2009 at 9:34 am
it’ll be great to see him here.
just wondering how he would do against the likes of a shane battier/ron artest/bruce bowen [during practices]. if he learns how to use screens like ray and rip, good stuff!
May 13th, 2009 at 6:05 am
I am french so i watched Nichols a little this year, and i remember a great night he had, scoring 45 pts with 10/13 from the 3 pts line!
Believe me, he can shoot as well from the nba 3 line, he likes to shoot 1 meter behind the line.
May 13th, 2009 at 6:59 am
Thanks, Fred. In the videos I linked to he appears to shoot from well beyond the line, as well.
May 13th, 2009 at 11:28 am
Newbie here. I just discovered this site a week ago and have been truly impressed by the level of insight both in the posts and the comments.
I’ll say up front that — like everyone else who has commented so far — I am intrigued by the possibility of what Austin could contribute to the Spurs. However, at the risk of being persnickety, I’ll add that I’m a little bit concerned at how many shots Austin appears to take with his feet not square to the basket. That’s the kind of thing that’s easier to get away with in “lower” (relatively speaking) levels of competition, but that would likely catch up to someone over the course of a grueling NBA season. Thankfully, though, it’s also the kind of thing that can be corrected fairly easily.
May 14th, 2009 at 9:00 am
[...] rough translation. And, while you’re there, you’ll notice a little blurb about Austin Nichols winning the Pro A scoring title. Of note: Parker says with confidence that Splitter will not join [...]
May 15th, 2009 at 8:10 am
Hopefully, the Spurs can nab this guy or somebody like him that will work out. I like the idea of getting a guy like this, who can really produce in the NBA, for cheap. Weather or not it’s Nichols or Williams or somebody else. I think this is a need that we can fill without the big name and huge check.
May 15th, 2009 at 9:08 am
Look at the Draft Preview: Workout Buzz post. You’ll see that they’re working out lots of guards. It’s too early to know for sure, but Nichols or someone like him might be the plan.
May 15th, 2009 at 10:32 am
[...] our readers know, we’re getting to know Austin Nichols this summer. He’s a great guy who hopes to fight his way onto an NBA roster next season, with San Antonio [...]
May 16th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
Sounds like a solid prospect for Spurs Basketball. Sure hope Kevin Pritchard isn’t reading this…
May 16th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
If he’s on the Cavs and Spurs radar, I’d assume others are watching him as well.
May 23rd, 2009 at 6:59 pm
Watched Austin all 4 years at Humboldt State University. Watched him torch University of Nevada, Reno in preseason. He is for real. Always a smooth shooter, passer, defender. Love to see him finally make it to where he belongs, the NBA.
May 26th, 2009 at 8:55 am
Going by the highlight clip he’s awfully impressive. I think the Spurs should definitely sign any player who shoots 100% from the field.
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