Marcus Williams Called-Up to San Antonio Spurs

by Scott Schroeder on Apr 7, 2009 8:57 PM EDT in NBA D-League Player News

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Marcus Williams has been called up to the San Antonio Spurs, apparently taking the spot of Manu Ginobili, who was recently lost for the season. In 45 games in the D-League, Williams was averaging 23 points, 7.0 boards and 5.3 assists, as a sort of point-forward for the Spurs affiliate, the Austin Toros.

Williams, a former Spurs second round pick, was called up at the end of last season the LA Clippers, and was recently named D-League Performer of the Week for last weeks efforts - 27.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and 11.5 assists per contest!

We've discussed Williams at length as of late, so I'll defer to our most recent call-up rankings:

Williams is the consensus for us as the player most deserving of a call-up. In the month of March, Williams averaged something ridiculous: 25.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, 5.8 assists, shooting 92% from the free-throw line along with showing improved range, hitting 36% from beyond the arc.

He's also extremely long and handles the rock quite a bit for the Toros. Williams has had a little trouble adjusting to the recent additions of DeMarcus Nelson and Malik Hairston, but lines like his last game - 11-of-20 from the field for 29 points, including 3-4 on his threes, six rebounds and four assists are becoming the norm for him.

For more analysis, check out this RidiculousUpside post where Jon breaks down one of his recent games, or check 48 Minutes of Hell here (can he play the point?) and here (where Tim Varner talks Spurs, D-League style).

Since the Spurs have 15 players under contract, I'm assuming that Malik Hairston has been waived, since he wasn't just recalled. There is the possibility of an injury exception, however.

UPDATE: They announced this on Futurecast - also heard by commenter TorosGirl.

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Comments

This is a good call-up for the Spurs.

Manu Ginobili is out for the season with a stress fracture in his leg. Marcus Williams will give them an offensive boost and versatility off the bench which they need BADLY. I wouldn’t be surprised if they call up another player not named Malik Hairston. I’m thinking another scorer or somebody with versatility like Marcus Williams. Are there any two-way players who play defense and provide a bit of scoring?

by E-ROC on Apr 7, 2009 9:32 PM EDT reply actions

No room on the roster

Just talking to Tim Varner about that now. They actually have 15 under contract right now. We’re both assuming that Malik Hairston will be released..

Blogging at RidiculousUpside

by Scott Schroeder on Apr 7, 2009 9:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Jacque Vaughn shouldn't be on the roster either.

However, I doubt Popovich would get rid of an uber-grit player like Vaughn, who even gets minutes over George Hill, which is a travesty.

by E-ROC on Apr 7, 2009 9:50 PM EDT up reply actions

That's the problem

Jacque, or even Oberto, seem to not have a future in San Antonio, but I’d assume Hairston is probably gone.

Blogging at RidiculousUpside

by Scott Schroeder on Apr 7, 2009 9:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Hey, don’t the Spurs have 15 guys under contract? Do they have to cut somebody to bring him up?

We specialize in misinformation around here. Facts and stats just get in the way.

by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Apr 7, 2009 9:40 PM EDT reply actions

Yep

Unless the Spurs were able to get an injury exception.

Wouldn’t surprise me if Malik Hairston is gone though – similar positions. They did this last season, when the Spurs called up Marcus, DerMarr Johnson and Keith Langford in the same week, who were all with the Toros at the time. I’ll try finding out what’s going to happen as soon as the game is over.

Blogging at RidiculousUpside

by Scott Schroeder on Apr 7, 2009 9:44 PM EDT up reply actions

I thought they signed Hairston through the end of the year. Hmmm, interesting. I just don’t see where it makes sense for them now. It’s not like they would play him in the playoffs.

Also, I can’t imagine they got an injury exception.

We specialize in misinformation around here. Facts and stats just get in the way.

by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Apr 7, 2009 9:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Well

In the 3 that I mentioned, the Spurs had signed those guys for the remainder of the season, only to be released during the week. It makes sense in the same sense that Malik Hairston was signed – to get a look at Williams – the Spurs use the D-League the right way.

Blogging at RidiculousUpside

by Scott Schroeder on Apr 7, 2009 9:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, but those were early in the season before they had to be guaranteed contracts (not sure if they were or not, but I doubt it). Hairston’s became a guaranteed contract sometime in late January or whenever that deadline is.

We specialize in misinformation around here. Facts and stats just get in the way.

by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Apr 7, 2009 10:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Actually

If signed after the season begins, but before January 5th (10 day call-up time), they are partially guaranteed, if I remember right.

Blogging at RidiculousUpside

by Scott Schroeder on Apr 7, 2009 10:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, but at some date, all partially’s become guaranteed. I’m not sure when that is though.

We specialize in misinformation around here. Facts and stats just get in the way.

by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Apr 7, 2009 10:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Fair enough

But I don’t think it’ll hurt the Spurs cap too much to cut a couple weeks of Hairston’s salary..

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by Scott Schroeder on Apr 7, 2009 10:20 PM EDT up reply actions

No, probably not. I don’t see it buying them much either and making it worth their money to pay two guys who aren’t going to be playing for them. I can’t see them signing either guy into next year now. But hey, Marcus is coming off that triple-double so maybe they see him as an asset to protect.

We specialize in misinformation around here. Facts and stats just get in the way.

by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Apr 7, 2009 10:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Btw, I’m in rambling mode now. Don’t expect coherency.

We specialize in misinformation around here. Facts and stats just get in the way.

by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Apr 7, 2009 10:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Haha

That’s my specialty. That, and protecting my D-League guys at all costs, as you’ve probably already noticed.

Regardless, I could see Williams possibly getting a look next year, if they like what they see in practice. He’s been running the Spurs system for the past two seasons, so that shouldn’t be a problem. He’s obviously talented – if nothing else, he might have been close to signing with another team, but gave Spurs the chance to sign him. Gives them a chance to get a longer look at Summer League, if nothing else.

Blogging at RidiculousUpside

by Scott Schroeder on Apr 7, 2009 10:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Hairston it is. Interesting.

We specialize in misinformation around here. Facts and stats just get in the way.

by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Apr 8, 2009 6:32 PM EDT up reply actions

I wouldn’t mind Jacque getting waived in order to get Williams on the roster. Jacque might have the worst +/- in the NBA.

"Boxing is dirty," said Casamayor. " The day I’m not ready to be a dirty fighter is the day I don’t fight anymore because it will mean that I have no heart for it anymore."

by Zocalo on Apr 7, 2009 10:30 PM EDT reply actions