Spurs notebook: Popovich wants rookie to develop with squad

Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Spurs coach Gregg Popovich likes what little he's seen of James White in practice. He doesn't have any plans to send the rookie guard to the developmental league, but he also doesn't have any plans to put him in a game anytime soon, either.

"We're evaluating him now mostly as an individual," Popovich said. "How he fits with other people in a team setting, see how he works out before or after practice. The days we haven't practiced, some of the young guys have gone three-on-three. We've seen him in those situations."

Popovich's impressions?

"He definitely has skills and is athletic," he said. "He's a mature young man who understands his time is ahead of him. In the meantime, he seems very willing to work. So far, nothing but a positive report on him."

White has the disadvantage of having not spent the preseason with the Spurs. They signed him the first week of the season after Indiana waived him.

That's one reason why Popovich wants to keep him with the team instead of sending him to the Spurs' D-League affiliate in Austin.

"He needs to learn the language of the team and players," Popovich said. "I want to see him in practice and work with him for right now and see what he's all about."

Olé: The Spurs went looking for a fight shortly after arriving in Sacramento on Saturday. They found one at Arco Arena.

Tim Duncan, Eric Williams, Michael Finley, Matt Bonner, Beno Udrih and Spurs assistant strength coach Chris White attended the Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight bout between Georges St. Pierre and Matt Hughes.

Manu Ginobili passed on the offer to join them.

Said Ginobili: "I'm a lover not a fighter."

Get well soon, Shaq: Duncan won't have to deal with Shaquille O'Neal leaning on him when Miami visits the AT&T Center on Wednesday. The Heat center is expected to be out four to six weeks after undergoing surgery Sunday to repair torn cartilage in his left knee.

Duncan, however, wasn't happy to hear his longtime rival was hurt.

"That sucks," Duncan said. "You wish injuries on no one. That's the worst thing in the world, to work an entire summer to come back and have that happen so early in the season.

"I guess if there's a silver lining, that's it: It's early in the season, and he'll be able to recover from it, get back in shape and get back on the court and they can get used to playing with him again."

Briefly: Sacramento forward Kenny Thomas had to leave Sunday's game in the second quarter with a cut lip. ... Francisco Elson received a delay-of-game penalty for not having his jersey tucked in when he lined up along the lane for a free throw. In addition to cracking down on step-under fouls, the league also is trying to rid the game of untucked jerseys.

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/bask ... 5b965.html

I was wondering if James is going to play any time soon.

I guess Pop sees him as a future project and nothing for him now.I think he can really help us in the future.Maybe he is the next Bowen?

I wonder if the NBA would consider letting White participate in the Dunk competition even though he hasn't played a single second of regular season NBA Basketball.

^
Hell yeah, that would kickass!

I'd like to see these 8 go at it in the dunk contest, although it would never happen:

1. Desmond Mason
2. Vinsanity
3. LeBron
4. J-Rich
5. Josh Smith aka J-Smoove
6. J.R. Smith
7. Ricky Buckets
8. Flight White

I still think Mason has the illest throw-downs in the L imo...

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But back to Flight White being included on the regular Spurs roster - This
is exactly what you would want to hear as a fan:

"He definitely has skills and is athletic," he said. "He's a mature young man who understands his time is ahead of him. In the meantime, he seems very willing to work. So far, nothing but a positive report on him." - Pop

That quote tells me that Pop likes his capabilities and that the staff is still determining his work ethic and potential affect on team chemistry. It also tells me that he may have a future at the starting SF role down the road if he shows the desire to work and meshes with the guys, which is exactly what we fans are hoping for!



Can someone post some pics of his sick dunkage?!

SAS Sizzle wrote:Can someone post some pics of his sick dunkage?!

The following thread has a bunch of pics and video links of James White dunking:
http://www.clubspurs.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=127&highlight=james+white

righteous, how was the game ryno?

It was a butt load of fun, thanks brother.