The Dennis Lindsey Interview
During the 2nd quarter of Sunday’s Spurs Summer League game, Dennis Lindsey gave an insightful interview to Joel Myers, who had the game call. An transcript is not available, but LJ Ellis has summarized the interview in a set of talking points. He’s given me permission to reproduce his notes here. The Spurs are sometimes stingy with the media, but Lindsey let’s his guard down just enough for us to get a rare peak at our target, however obscured.
From LJ:
-Players added during the draft have skills that can fit the Spurs.
-Spurs didn’t get the chance to work out Blair prior to the draft. However, he was a priority interview during the pre-draft camp in Chicago.
-Blair is down to 274 pounds with 8% body fat.
-Spurs like Blair’s force, size and that he carries his weight well. What they really like is his feel — he’s a very underrated passer. Also has great hands.
-Pittsburgh coach Jamie Dixon said that Blair carried practice. As a power forward, it’s a rare trait to have a bigman who is a leader.
-Spurs hope that Blair’s rebounding numbers will carryover from college. Historically, rebounding is something that is predictive when going from college to pros.
-Spurs thought that McClinton’s range to be selected in the draft was going to start in the 30s. They were surprised he was still on the board at 51. Spurs were very pleased he dropped that far.
-McClinton’s skills comparable to Eddie House — but still a long ways away.
-They like McClinton’s motor. They also like the fact that not only is he a shooter, he’s a shooter with good footspeed. Spurs like his ability to create separation — especially on pin-down screens.
-This is a key offseason for Mahinmi.
-After they drafted him, Mahinmi made good progress in France and then they were pleased with his play in Austin. One of the best players in d-league two years ago.
-This is Mahinmi’s real season to show what he can do after a year off due to injury. He has good physical tools — now the Spurs want to give him some experience.
-Spurs hope Mahinmi has a lot of upside. The Spurs view Mahinmi and Gist as rookies since they are both just 22 years old. Both have physical gifts but they still need to connect all the dots.
-Gist had a very good year in Italy with a low budget team that overachieved. Gist was a big part of why that team overachieved and the Spurs like his development.
-Going over to Europe and experiencing the world helped Gist’s development. Dell Demps, RC, Pop and Lindsey went over to Italy and saw Gist growing.
-Gist improved his skillset in Europe thanks to two-a-day practices and playing in a highly competitive environment.
-Felt fortunate to draft George Hill last year. In the 2008 draft, the Spurs felt really good about six or seven players so they decided not to trade their first round pick.
-Picking Hill was a tough choice but they liked that Hill fit them culturally and they liked that he was an NBA defender from Day 1.
-The Spurs think that Hill’s rookie season was productive. Played well backing up Parker and played well when he was forced to start. Also played well at shooting guard and performed well in the playoffs.
-Hill has been working with Chad Forcier and Chip Engelland and the Spurs have seem some good growth. They think he has good tools and they like that he’s a hard worker.
-Hill and Roger Mason, Jr. elevated their games last year early on to keep the Spurs afloat.
-The Spurs program is a “work program”. When the Spurs bring in players, they have to believe that the player is a worker. Duncan and Robinson set the foundation of the program due to both being humble people. Humility and intelligence are important. Players have to be able to have a conversation in an adult manner because the culture of the team is worldly. All these attributes help players get better.
-There’s no indications that Manu Ginobili won’t be healthy. He’s fully healthy and cleared. Ginobili provides the pace and pulse to the team. Ginobili is a postseason player — a championship-moment player. There was no way to replace that in the playoffs without him.
-Big commitment by Peter Holt and the ownership group. Pop and RC went to Holt and told him their feelings about where the Spurs were at as a basketball club. Pop didn’t mince any words after the Dallas series — the team was short compared to the other conference finals contenders. Holt stepped up and allowed the Spurs to spend.
-Holt’s reasoning for letting the Spurs spend was due to: 1) trusting that Pop and RC know what they are doing 2) with Duncan only having three years left, the Spurs want to go out swinging to honor him.
-Antonio McDyess is a player the Spurs have tried to add to the program for a long time. The Spurs have a lot of respect for Detroit’s program — in a lot of ways they are similar to San Antonio’s program in nature. Due to that, the Spurs hope that McDyess’ fit will be seamless.
-The Spurs needed to give Duncan a little bit more help by adding an interior defender and an experience player.
-McDyess is understated — a pro’s pro. McDyess and Pop had a conversation during free agency and quickly got on the same page.
-Pop’s honesty when talking to free agents and agents is valuable. He speaks direct and between the eyes and people appreciate that.
-Pop told the front office that the Spurs really needed to add some physicality. McDyess and Blair address that need.
-There are no championships won during the offseason but if you don’t address needs, you won’t put yourself in a position to win a championship.
-The Spurs are happy with the needs they filled and they hope to push forward and add even more.
