Malik Hairston: Your D-League Performer of the Week

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From the NBA:

Malik Hairston of the Austin Toros was today named NBA Development League Performer of the Week for games played during the week of Jan. 18, 2010.

Hairston, on assignment from the San Antonio Spurs, led Austin to a 4-0 record last week, including victories over the Erie BayHawks, Fort Wayne Mad Ants, Maine Red Claws, and Springfield Armor. Â He scored a team-season-high 43 points in an overtime road victory over the Red Claws in Portland, Maine on Jan. 22.

Hairston averaged 35.8 points, shooting 49 percent (48-of-99) from the field to go with 3.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists. Â He scored more than 30 points in all four contests last week.

hairston_bayhawksSince being sent to Austin by the Spurs, Hairston has been able to score at will at the D-League level and get to the rim with ease. Practicing every day with the big boys has definitely paid off for Malik and probably increased his trade value, if the Spurs are looking to deal.

With Michael Finley expected to come off the injured list soon and Matt Bonner back in the lineup, it remains to be seen how much time Hairston spends in San Antonio before the playoffs start. I wouldn’t be surprised if Malik finished the season out with the Toros before he heads back to the Spurs.

  • BlaseE

    Increasing his trade value is nice insurance, but I really think he a Spurs project. We traded Goran Dragic (who is looking good now) for him, and I really think Hairston is just being groomed for next season.

  • CGD

    I agree with BlaseE’s comment especially considering Finley, RMJ, and Bogans are free agents after this season. I wonder if Hailslip’s departure will have any impact on whether he comes back to S.A. this year.

  • DieHardSpur

    I sure wish he was getting the 10 minutes or so that RJ isn’t playing. But, then again, RJ plays the 4 more than the 3 and Malik would be a bit undersized I think.

  • Cory Clay

    Hopefully Malik is our next Stephen Jackson, Flight White didn’t work out for us but maybe this will end up even better.

  • http://48minutesofhell.com Andrew A. McNeill

    I like Malik Hairston and hope he stays a Spur. He needs to improve his range though, and quickly. He shot a handful of airballs from distance in the two games I watched last week. That can’t happen at the NBA level, when open looks are precious.

    That said, with the Spurs in win-now mode, if he has to be packaged in a trade to improve the team, I’m all for it. He’s not a can’t-miss player down the line, so if a future with him must be sacrificed for a better present, do it.

  • JT

    Man!!! Brad Miller is old like McDyes but I would take him over Dyess any day…

  • JT

    SPURSSSSSSSSS SUCK!!!!!!! FIRE JEFFERSONNNN.

  • BlaseE

    @ JT

    I wonder what, if anything, we could have offered Sacramento to get Miller and Salmons last year. We would have never had Gooden though……

  • Spurlady

    Since the Spurs aren’t winning anyway, why not give Malik and Ian some big minutes and see how they do. Obviously the current distribution of minutes hasn’t been a solution.