James Gist Update (6/26/09) - "I'm going to play for the Spurs this year"

[SPUROFTHAMOMENT]

Look what I found today:

Diamondback Blogs | James Gist update from Ty Lawson’s NBA Draft party…

James Gist update from Ty Lawson’s NBA Draft party…

…That’s right. We’ve got eyes everywhere. Last night in D.C., Lawson had a draft watch party (I think that’s what you call it) He was one of what seemed like a dozen point guards picked by Minnesota, but was later traded to Denver.

Anyway, former Diamondback staffer Jason Koebler - on very special assignment for his internship with Washingtonian Magazine - was in attendance and generous enough to give us these tidbits about Gist and Steve Francis, who made appearances.

You’ll recall that Gist was selected by the Spurs in last year’s draft before heading to play pro ball in Europe. San Antonio still holds his draft rights.

Clinton, Md., native and hated Tarheel point guard Ty Lawson went No. 18 in Thursday’s NBA draft, and Lawson threw a VIP party at D.C.’s Park on 14th nightclub to celebrate the occasion. His guests included former Terp standouts James Gist and Steve Francis, oh, and I was there too.

Francis flew in from Houston specifically for the event according to Jeff Fried, who represents both Lawson and Francis. Stevie Franchise showed up well after Lawson was selected, and the two posed for some pictures while Francis offered Ty some fashion tips (“You need to buy yourself some Gucci”) and some words of encouragement.

Gist, drafted last year by the San Antonio Spurs No. 57 overall, has played basketball with Lawson since the two were in elementary school. Last year the Terp didn’t make the Spurs roster and played with Pallacanestro Biella in the Italian professional leagues. But Gist said this year he’s determined to have a reunion with his longtime friend.

“Sunday I’m going down to San Antonio to start working out,” he said. “Hopefully I get to play against Ty again. I’m going to play for the Spurs this year.”

Gist said he likes the way the Terps’ program is going, after making the NCAA tournament last season. “I always follow those guys and I always support them. They have something to build off of last year,” he said.

He also took a shot at No. 10 pick Brandon Jennings, who played for Lottomatica Roma after deciding to forego college. “I don’t ever like to say anything bad about anyone and I wish him the best of luck,” Gist said. “But we did beat them in the playoffs last year.” Let’s see if Gist is in the league next year for a rematch.


Hmmmmm....

[lounorthside]

Sounds good.....but we will see

[SPUROFTHAMOMENT]

Yeah, I'll hold off on the WooHoo's for now!!! Maybe he's being optimistic?

[kaji157]

I don´t geet it, this guy is a PF or SF?

If he is a SF, can he handle? can he shoot the 3? What i remember of him was him playing as PF, but many here speak of him as if he was a SF.

[socalspurs]

Sounds like he wants to make the team but it remains to see if he really would. I would really like to see him though. I don't see him as a SF, but they say he's working on his shot. I don't think he's terribly undersized though as a PF either.

[Grego]

Originally Posted by socalspurs

Sounds like he wants to make the team but it remains to see if he really would. I would really like to see him though. I don't see him as a SF, but they say he's working on his shot. I don't think he's terribly undersized though as a PF either.

As long as Pop plays small ball, a tweener will do fine if he can rebound/defend big guys.

[grizzly_bexar]

He's athletically capable of playing either 3 or 4.

He's not really a great fit (yet) for either position.

He has a good shot from outside, not much handle. So not really a true 3.

Kind of undersized for a 4.

[spursfan20]

I really do not understand the excitment other spurs fans have regarding this player coming to our team. Seriously... This player went through training camp last year and was cut.

[StNick2261]

Originally Posted by kaji157

I don´t geet it, this guy is a PF or SF?

If he is a SF, can he handle? can he shoot the 3? What i remember of him was him playing as PF, but many here speak of him as if he was a SF.

He's played PF most of his life... but he's gained some SF skills as well. If we play against "big" teams, he'd be good in the SF position for added size... if we play against smaller "quick" teams, he'd be good in the PF position to keep up.

[admin]

Tremendous!

[TheLadiesMike]

Originally Posted by spursfan20

I really do not understand the excitment other spurs fans have regarding this player coming to our team. Seriously... This player went through training camp last year and was cut.

Because the other options at his spot would be Finley or Bonner.

[grizzly_bexar]

Originally Posted by spursfan20

I really do not understand the excitment other spurs fans have regarding this player coming to our team. Seriously... This player went through training camp last year and was cut.

He has aspects to his game that we haven't had on this team for years-- at least until the addition of Jefferson.

And we've lacked a big/mobile forward to guard Dirk/Amare/Odom/West since forever. We've gotten by with Bruce and defense-by-committee, except when we haven't-- see '06 playoffs, '08 playoffs, '09 playoffs. He doesn't have to be great to be better than what we had last year.

[theinswes]

once again, an overlooked benefit of that multi-player trade for RJ was freeing up roster spots. we don't have to worry that we're stuck w/ oberto & bowen's contracts, even if they'll just sit on the bench. instead, guys like blair, gist, hairston, ian will be given REAL opporutnities to make the team, rather than a fight for who isn't forced to the toros. of course, all this hinges on popovich, and while i've completely resented his decision to favor old guys, you know he's been responsible in these personnel changes, so he must be coming to the realization. his playing of george hill AFTER he said hill would not play in the playoffs was to me, an important change in his ego/stubbornness - or at least i'm hoping it was.

[spurscrazed]

This is Fantastic news indeed.!!!

Again I am more excited to see my beloved Spurs this coming year getting all healthy and all the missing puzzle pieces all put together hopfully.

[BoerneAg54]

Originally Posted by spursfan20

I really do not understand the excitment other spurs fans have regarding this player coming to our team. Seriously... This player went through training camp last year and was cut.

Hey, this kid is the answer to all of our problems, got it?

[old timer]

I did not think he got cut as such. The Spurs could not fit him in and by helping to get him a position with the right team in Italy the Spurs put him in position to learn fundamentals, team play, and mature both as a person and especially as aball player. This allowed them to keep him as their player as well as make some serious coin while getting some really quality playing time.

From all the feedback we have been privvy to he seems to have done everything the Spurs could have hoped for and progressed as they wanted on all fronts. Why should he nott expect to be with the big team next year? Why should we not expect him to be?

[highplainsspur]

Originally Posted by TheLadiesMike

Because the other options at his spot would be Finley or Bonner.

Well that arguments over.

[crazytlingit]

He was sent over seas before the start of the training camp. The thought was he should develop.

[one3]

we can never have enough athletes, the league today is largely based on athleticism

[ProjectGSX]

Sounds like wishful thinking more than a confirmation to me.