<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">SAN ANTONIO (TICKER) -- The San Antonio Spurs announced on Thursday that they have signed French power forward Ian Mahinmi. The Spurs selected the 6-11, 230-pound Mahinmi in the first round of the 2005 draft with the 28th overall pick. The 20-year-old has played in the French A league for the last four seasons. During the 2006-07 season, he averaged 4.3 points and 3.2 rebounds in 33 games, averaging 12.7 minutes per game. </div> Source: Yahoo Sports <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">SAN ANTONIO (TICKER) -- The San Antonio Spurs on Thursday released point guard Vassilis Spanoulis. The 25-year-old native of Greece was acquired by the Spurs on July 12, along with a 2009 second-round pick, from the Houston Rockets in exchange for center Jackie Butler and the rights to power forward Luis Scola. Spanoulis averaged 2.7 points in 31 games for Houston last season. </div> Source: Yahoo Sports
Hmmm......I wonder why they brought over Ian Mahinmi so quickly. Wasn't he only playing Volleyball 2-3 years ago, he needs some seasoning. I bet he's out of the league when his rookie contract is up.
<div class="quote_poster">J_Ray Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Hmmm......I wonder why they brought over Ian Mahinmi so quickly. Wasn't he only playing Volleyball 2-3 years ago, he needs some seasoning. I bet he's out of the league when his rookie contract is up.</div> After dealing Jackie Butler, the Spurs needed to bring in another big man. They probably feel better about Mahinmi coming over so they can start working him into the system and easing him into becoming the eventual starting center a season or two down the line. He'll probably average 8 to 10 minutes at center behind Oberto and Elson. I guess Melvin Ely will be out of a job once again.
<div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">After dealing Jackie Butler, the Spurs needed to bring in another big man. They probably feel better about Mahinmi coming over so they can start working him into the system and easing him into becoming the eventual starting center a season or two down the line. He'll probably average 8 to 10 minutes at center behind Oberto and Elson.</div> <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The 20-year-old has played in the French A league for the last four seasons. During the 2006-07 season, he averaged 4.3 points and 3.2 rebounds in 33 games, averaging 12.7 minutes per game.</div> The guy needs more than 1-2 seasons before he's the starting center, unless the French A league is better than the NBA IMO, he's possibly a bigger project than Saer Sene on the Sonics
<div class="quote_poster">J_Ray Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">The guy needs more than 1-2 seasons before he's the starting center, unless the French A league is better than the NBA IMO, he's possibly a bigger project than Saer Sene on the Sonics</div> Neither of us can honestly say how far along he is because videos of him are pretty non-existent. However, you have to look at the track record for the Spurs and trust their judgement. They've proven time and time again they can spot International talent, and if they feel he's ready to come over, then he must be ready. I also wouldn't be surprised to see Splitter brought over if they can negotiate a reasonable buyout. He's been solid in the tournament and looks like a player who could contribute right away. He held his own against Amare and Howard last night in the FIBA tournament.
