Friday, November 27th, 2009...9:18 am
Learning from Marcus Haislip
Marcus Haislip saw his first action of the season Wednesday night against the Warriors. He played 4 minutes, scoring two points but not making a mark in any other basic statistical category. A quick scouting report from the game would tell you that Haislip was completely unassertive on the boards and played a handful of ghostly possessions. But he did knock down a 19 foot shot and, honestly, could have scored on at least two other possessions where he used his speed to get out in front of the break. The Spurs’ guards simply missed him.
One assumes Marcus Haislip was activated so that Gregg Popovich could have a long bench of quick, athletic players at his disposal against the microball Warriors. After all, Theo Ratliff was not far removed from his best minutes of the season. Based on the recent play of Ratliff, I wouldn’t have expected Marcus Haislip to play against Golden State. But Haislip, in hindsight, made sense given the match up.
The Spurs play the Yao-less Rockets this evening, a team that features one of the smallest (but overachieving) frontcourts in the league. The Rockets, like the Warriors, push the ball whenever possible. Haislip might enjoy another evening in gym shorts.
The point to take from this is not the fact of Haislip’s minutes, or lack thereof. His appearance against the Warriors tells us very little, if anything, new about the Spurs. But there is at least one important note to file away: It’s a long season, and the Spurs are still trying to figure out their roster, and how that roster might take shape moving forward.
You know that awkward feeling of uncertainty that accompanies new relationships. You’re not sure what to say. You’re not sure how to interpret a strange host of new mannerisms, or whether the one you flashed made its intended point. You can hear the music, but haven’t quite mastered the rhythm. That’s how this Spurs team feels to me.
13 Comments
November 27th, 2009 at 11:13 am
Coming into this season, I was really hoping that Marcus or Ian would make a splash and work there way into a more consistent role in the rotation. I guess I’ll just assume that due to the pre-season and whatever goes on in practice, Pop has decided to go with the old dogs instead. I won’t say I’m necessarily disappointed since I have been surprised by Ratliff’s play and Bonners stubborn knack of making consistent contributions, but one still has to wonder. You look around the league and see these 6 10 guys just throwing down alley oops and put backs… why not us!?! Guess that’s just not the SPURS’ ammo.
November 27th, 2009 at 11:46 am
I was happy to see Haislip get some minutes and thought it was funny that I was the only one in my family (we had an early Thanksgiving) that knew who he was. I was surprised to see him suited up. I just assumed it would be Ratliff, but like you said, even in limited minutes, Haislip (or even Mahinmi) would make more sense against that Warriors team.
I think you summed up every Spurs fans’ feelings in that last paragraph pretty well.
November 27th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
It seems like Pop is sees that McDyess and RJ are starting to become comfortable enough that he can now play with the back end of his roster.
As much as I like Malik Hairston, if Mason continues to play the way he does, there’s no reason to have Malik on the main roster. It’s better suited for big men like Marcus or Ian.
For all Marcus could provide, it makes the most sense why he’s the next to experiment with.
This uncertainty is exciting at the same time. You don’t know what you got. But that’s a good thing because if health is not a factor, the Spurs will be there.
November 27th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
Pop likes to try new things out. Doubt if Haislip continues to see much time beyond tonight’s game, but I’ve been wrong before.
November 27th, 2009 at 2:56 pm
i wish we never gave away luis scola…
November 27th, 2009 at 3:41 pm
I just don’t understand why the Harriston/Haslip/Mahinmi trio can’t get some quality minutes against these sub .500 teams. Also why not give them the ‘Dirk test’ (ie guarding a slick perimeter shooting bigs) isn’t that why we brought them here?? As these types of players (young long athletic bigs) the same who killed us all last year?? Also saving time for our starters as Dice seems to be getting our rotations
November 27th, 2009 at 3:44 pm
^^Hairston and Marcus Haislip got quality minutes. That unit with them gave up so many points Duncan and Parker had to be pulled back against one of those sub .500 teams.
They blew that opportunity. They didn’t do anything super wrong, but they also didn’t do anything to help.
Having said that, if you take away Ellis’ crazy game, GW shot 39%. Spurs played well even as “un-athletic” as the Spurs are.
November 27th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
Yeah you have a point Grego, except Ellis DID have a crazy game. I’m sorry, but you can say “Well if this happened or if this didn’t happen or if he didn’t do this” and make any team look great.
The fact is Ellis had a crazy awesome night, we pulled out a victory this time, but letting someone score as efficiently as Ellis did is never a good thing.
November 27th, 2009 at 4:33 pm
^I’m just saying that everyone else was shut down. And Ellis scoring had nothing to do with athletic bigs.
George Hill and the other lucky wings played him as well as he could. There were hands in his face on the majority of his jump shots but he couldn’t miss in the first 2.5 quarters.
Guys are going to go off like that. If Hill couldn’t make his life difficult, then no would would. Spurs did play good team defense against a team that is dangerous for scoring.
The Warriors only took 11 3 pointers. And they made 2 of the 3 in the first 10 plays. Spurs chased them off the the line more often than not. They also out-rebounded them on both the offensive and defensive glass. And they limited GS to 15 assists on 40 field goals made.
GS averages
109 ppg
21.7 apg
48.4% fg (even with Ellis, they shot 46.5%)
39% 3pt (attempt 17 3pts/game making 6.8)
37.6 rpg (9 off/game)
All their numbers show drops even with Ellis’ crazy game. It’s not perfect, but for November, that’s pretty good that they could weather the Ellis storm and still cause the rest of the team to underperform.
November 27th, 2009 at 9:37 pm
Tim must have a new relationship on the fire…
November 28th, 2009 at 8:22 am
roger mason jr strained his hamstring last nigt. Fml. Hopefully we will have manu back in his place just in time…
November 28th, 2009 at 3:14 pm
I agree with Grego, although giving the younger additions on our team more minutes seeems plausible, the fact is, they may not be ready just yet, and them giving up half of the lead and makinh Pop bring Duncan and Parker back is pretty evident of that. Before we worry about developing our younger guys, I think we should develop the chemistry between the guys on the roster who will take us to championship number 5 first.
November 29th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
i would rather see mahinmi on the floor. his defensive contributions are more valuable than spotty offense from haislip. hairston isn’t really needed considering bogans has suprised us with his hustle and defensive intesnity and earned a spot in the rotation. c’mon pop, let ianny play…
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