Thursday, January 14th, 2010...2:13 pm
Malik Hairston Back to Austin
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Malik Hairston is headed back to Austin, for a while. Per Spurs.com:
The San Antonio Spurs announced today that they have assigned guard Malik Hairston to the Austin Toros, the NBA Development League team owned and operated by the Spurs.
Hairston has appeared in 21 games with San Antonio this season where he averaged 0.5 points in 3.5 minutes. He has also played in two games for the Toros where he averaged 25.0 points and 4.0 rebounds in 35.0 minutes.
It was bound to happen once Michael Finley became healthy and came off the inactive list. Can’t argue with getting the guy some good quality playing time, either.
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15 Comments
January 14th, 2010 at 2:36 pm
Do we know Finley is healthy or is this to have Ian available every night for the next couple of weeks or are the Toros lacking an awesome SG/SF?
January 14th, 2010 at 2:39 pm
@BlaseE
Finley isn’t healthy yet, but with the Spurs resting Duncan some nights and Bonner out, they were probably looking for free up spots for Haislip and Mahinmi.
That, and they probably just wanted Malik to stretch his legs for a few games.
January 14th, 2010 at 3:50 pm
I feel bad for the guy. He could be part of a backup unit for many other teams in the nba right now.
January 14th, 2010 at 4:43 pm
Really like Malik, but he will get caught a little behind Haslip for size and D. I’m with you Zain could be part of just about any other teams 2nd unit, nice problem for the SPURS to have. But seeing the progress we have made with both Fin/Bonner out I still think their expirings would be VERY enticing to some teams (Wiz/Detroit I/m look at you!!) Maybe there would be that last piece?
Any idea’s?
January 14th, 2010 at 4:57 pm
Think it’s best for all involved. Any move that (hopefully) allows us to get a better look at Ian and Haislip is beneficial. Those guys are potentially much more important to our title chances than Malik. Quite honestly, I don’t look forward to either Matt or Fin coming back for lots of reasons, but one of which is that it probably limits the above and I think they add nothing to our rotation at this point. Malik will probably fill Fin’s role next season.
January 14th, 2010 at 5:21 pm
@ agutierrez.
We def need The Red Rocket in there. He spreads the floor better than any other of the Spurs shooter.
January 14th, 2010 at 5:26 pm
@junierizzle.
I really think we have enough shooters to spread the floor without either Fin/Bon needed, but if we could get the extra QUALITY big for them (maybe pushing Ratliffe to an insurance policy) I think that would be far more beneficial for the SPURS.
January 14th, 2010 at 5:27 pm
@ junier I agree that the rocket spreads the floor, however this team was unable to jell like they have since his absence. I think we have only lost two games since he has been gone and our defense is much improved. Plus his return takes minutes from blair ian haislip that i dont like.
January 14th, 2010 at 5:31 pm
With bonner in the game our team lived and died by the three. Now without him in there we are more focused on rebonding and punishing teams down low.
January 14th, 2010 at 5:38 pm
I’m with you bigtee with these 2 out we were getting back to old style SPURS ball. Two bigs and we grind the win out with Defense/Rebounding and an extra Quality big would just power that along and also maybe give Timmeh more rest.
I just love the way the teams playing without these 2 and I would like to develop the quality young guys we have.
GO SPURS GO!!!!!
January 14th, 2010 at 7:43 pm
As a Spurs fan living in Eugene, OR (home of Hairston’s Ducks), this is tough to see. I have seen how good Hairston can be. I understand that with big name players on the roster like Manu and Jefferson, and three point aces like Mason and Finley all playing the same position, Hairston just isn’t going to get playing time. I have watched Hairston since he was a freshman in college, and I know that he can play with some of the best in the league. He has that slashing ability with a strong body that can get to the rim even if he is bumped a little. I really want him to excel and I want the Spurs to win. Too bad those don’t seem to be synonomous wishes at the moment.
January 15th, 2010 at 5:21 am
Too bad Malik couldn’t crack the rotation this year, but I guess he’ll be in better shape playing 35 minutes at night than a couple.
Now it will be interesting to see how long he will remain a member of the Spurs, since it does not make any sense to keep him around if he is not deemed good enough to earn 10 minutes of burn when one of the key role players in his position is injured.
Best,
N
January 15th, 2010 at 7:34 am
My thinking is that this is a move to free roster space for a trade deadline add-on.
January 15th, 2010 at 7:37 am
Malik Hairston remains on San Antonio’s roster, even if he is playing in Austin.
January 15th, 2010 at 10:54 am
Tim,
the fact that he still takes a roster spot is one of the reasons I fear he’s gonna be moved.
Other reasons are his cap friendly contract (teams may like that team option on the second year) and the fact that, being over the tax, SAS may decide to carry less players into next season.
What is your impression?
Best,
N
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