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In their Macrophenomenal Almanac, the Free Darko crew warn us about The MONGP: The Myth of the Next Ginobili-Parker. They write:

Every Foreigner that the San Antonio Spurs draft will turn out to be a star.

Examples:

Luis Scola (2002): The Argentinian, a vet of European ball, didn’t come to the U.S. until his late twenties. The Spurs had secured his rights years before, but inexplicably traded him to divisional rival the Houston Rockets before the start of the 2007-2008 season. Made a late push for Rookie of the Year, just not with the Spurs. PROPHECY FULFILLMENT: +5

Beno Udrih (2004): like many international Spurs picks, he was taken late in the draft and showed up roughly ten years later. Coach Popovich hated him because he once turned the ball over, and he was kicked out the door only to be born anew in Sacramento- again, not with Spurs, and with overtimes of Spurs condemnation. PROPHECY FULFILLMENT: +3

Ian Mahinmi (2005): A total unknown who stayed far away from us all until he played well for France in the 2007 Worlds. IN this case, this Myth served as an important form of motivation. PROPHECY FULFILLMENT: +1

It makes sense, then, that Spurs fans have a crazy fascination with James Gist, apparently based on the fact that he was drafted in Manu-territory and had a strong 2008 summer league. But he’s an odd twist on the MONGP myth. James Gist was drafted domestic, gave early indication of being able to play, and then sent to Italy. Pop wanted to mythologize him, it seems.

Fabrizio, an Italian Spurs fan and friend to this blog graciously sent me a mountain of Gist highlight video from his 2008-9 Biella campaign. Fabrizio is optimistic at the prospect of Gist sticking in the NBA, and highlight reel stuff always looks impressive. He tells me that James Gist has improved throughout the season and has a reputation of being a gym rat. But it’s always good to remind ourselves that video can be deceptive. In several of the clips Fabrizio sent me, Gist’s post defense was lackluster. He has a slight frame and seems unwilling or unable to muscle down low. I think his best hope is playing so well this summer that the Spurs send him to Austin for a year to see if he can develop into a small forward. That’s my take.

From a positive standpoint, the video shows a tremendous athlete who can knock down spot up jumpers and score around the hoop with put backs and transition dunks. Just on athleticism alone, he’s a good help defender. So, despite my reservation, I’m optimistic too. I give you James Gist highlight material against former D-Leaguers, current NBA hopefuls and future college assistant coaches. One day he’ll say that he dunked on them all.

See James shoot.

See James run and block. (#s 10 and 8 ).

See James hop and shoot.

See James start and finish the break. (#2, 3:30)

See James block and dunk . (#s 10 and 2)

See James deny a hoop and hurt a hoop. (#s 9 and 2)