Comments on: Spurs Waive Williams

By: Daniel

Daniel — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 05:53:59 +0000

I work at CVS and earlier tonight Marcus Williams actually came in my store. We talked for a few minutes and he told me that he already has an offer to play in Europe. He’s good enough to make it on an NBA squad, but with so many Spurs at his position having guaranteed money, there was little he could do this training camp. Entirely too good to be in the D-league another season. Perhaps some team in the central division (Indiana?) might have a place for him later this season or next.

By: J

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 02:09:20 +0000

looks like after last april, then Hairston was waived off the 15-man roster so the spurs could sign Marcus williams, Malik was hungrier to prove himself:

http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=4105

By: BB

BB — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 07:42:58 +0000

Although Marcus Williams and the three or four other guys fighting for that last roster spot represented some intriguing, unmolded talent, I can’t remember a season in the past five or ten years where I’ve been so excited about those three young guys that made the roster coming up in the system and getting a chance to prove themselves. It seems like more often than not in this past decade our rookies and project players are only vague intimations of some amorphous future contribution, reminding us of their presence only when an errant pass or player bumps its way to the far end of the bench (and the camera follows. Mengke Bateer!). Or, like Mahinmi a few years ago, they come in to play help defense and occupy space, but generally stay out of the way. Beyond all that, we might be the only fans in the league who _expect_ our first-round picks not to show up in the NBA for a year or two. The Spurs take their time when it comes to developing personnel.

However, I think that the unexpected success of Roger Mason Jr. and George Hill in a constrained situation last year really opened Pop’s mind to developing young or unknown talent for its own sake. You’d think he would’ve figured this out Tony’s rookie season, but so it goes. I suspect that the team’s interest in solid oldsters like Ratliff and McDyess depends in part on their faith in minutewise contributions of untested talent. Maybe it’s all wrong, anyway. In any case, that’s why I’m particularly excited about Hairston, Mahinmi, and Blair this year.

By: Grego

Grego — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 07:25:24 +0000

More guys will see time in the first half of the season as long as they can sustain a lead/momentum.

The longer Pop can rest the big guys, he happier he’ll be. I think Pop really wants to make use of these 15 roster spots.

By: greyberger

greyberger — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 07:00:30 +0000

For us to see Haislip this season, he’s got to break into a really tough 12-man lineup. 1-10 are locks, and Ratliff is a near lock. That 12th spot could very well go to Bogans or Hairston and become an establised role.

If we keep Ian for the season, Haislip is competing with him in everything he does.

By: Will

Will — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 06:35:52 +0000

JBlock,

I’m (once again) not sure about Williams and D-league. What I’m sure is that even if he had made the roster, the Spurs couldn’t have sent him to the Toros. On the other hand I’m not sure the Toros can’t just sign him up like any other player on this planet — but if an NBA team comes with an offer at any point this season there’s nothing the Spurs can do about it.

So all in all Williams might very well still stay in the “Spurs zone” (be it D-league or Europe) but the Spurs don’t have special rights to him.

By: doggydogworld

doggydogworld — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 05:46:40 +0000

I think Marcus goes to Europe. Unlike Hairston, he hasn’t impressed people in the NBA enough to get picked up here. At this point in his career Europe would be better money and experience. In fact, the Spurs front office might help set him up with an overseas deal.

By: RuffnReady

RuffnReady — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 04:25:19 +0000

Even though he failed to make the roster, 2 years with the Spurs can only have helped him to be a better balla and a more rounded person. Good luck in Europe, Marcus.

Deepest and most flexible Spurs roster I’ve seen in 20 years of following the team. Can’t wait to see them play for real!

By: Robby

Robby — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 02:16:53 +0000

Jason,
In my opinion, Haislip will surprise a lot of people this season. His ability to defend mobile bigs is one contribution he might give to the team.

Replacing Horry is entirely different. But Haislip’s athletic ability will give us something that we’re lacking in the past.

By: Robby

Robby — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 02:11:55 +0000

CDH,
You are correct, the Spurs loose rights on Williams by waiving him. I’m not so sure about his D-League eligibility.

My bet is he might play in Europe this season and then maybe comeback to the Spurs next year.

By: 09.20.21.50

09.20.21.50 — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 23:14:34 +0000

Graydon,

You up to grab a pre-game beer or two before we massacre the Bulls this Thursday?

By: CDH

CDH — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 23:00:10 +0000

He can’t be assigned there by the Spurs, but I think he can go back there on his own, if he doesn’t get any better offers. The Spurs, however, have no rights to him. Am I correct on this?

By: Jblock

Jblock — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 22:48:36 +0000

I thought we were having this whole debate (Williams vs. Bogans) based on Williams having used up his Toros eligibility. If he can be stashed away another year I don’t see how this is even a debate but don’t think that was an option this season.

Anyone have any insight on this important point?

By: J

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 22:04:05 +0000

>The Austin Toros experiment, to date, is entirely >dependent on Malik Hairston at this point…

and Mahinmi. Had he not missed much of last season to injury and surgery, he might have been NBA-ready at the present time. He’s a heck of a shot blocker, and I expect by mid-season he will be the best center in the NBDL.

Moreover, last year, Hairston was cut from the 15-man roster to make room for Williams who was tearing up the D-league. Hairston seems to have responded with hard work and catching up. I think Williams will get a Toros slot. The question is whether the Spurs can keep him or will some other team sign him up.

The spurs depth this year is incredible, putting them in a position to weather injuries and consider trade options during the season. Let’s just hope that the rotation can keep up with that of the lakers, cavs, celtics, and magic.

By: jason

jason — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 21:38:12 +0000

I’m still interested to see what haislip does this season he has a lot to prove but seems hungry and physically talented enough to make something of this experiment, I hope he suprises people and can be the Robert Horry replacement we’ve always dreamed of