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From Slovenia To San Antonio, Baynes Finally Makes NBA Debut With Spurs

After weeks of on-again-off-again reports that the San Antonio Spurs signed overseas center Aron Baynes out of Slovenia to a multi-year contract, the native Australian import finally made his NBA debut on Friday night against the Dallas Mavericks.

By Wendell Maxey

42 seconds and one turnover.

Aron Baynes final state line may not scream Hall of Fame worthy performance, but what matters most is his team got the 113-107 win over Dalles and the 6-foot-10 center can breath easy that his first NBA game is now in the books with the San Antonio Spurs.

It was a long time coming, made even longer over the last couple of weeks.

Reports first surfaced from media outlets on January 9 in Slovenia where Baynes was playing for Union Olimpija Ljubljana and averaging 12.4 points and 6.8 rebounds per game in Adriatic League and 13.8 points and 9.8 rebounds per game in the Euroleague. Yet there was growing concern that the deal had reached a snag due to the lingering buyout with Olimpija and overall timeline of Baynes and the Spurs coming together with a formal announcement of his signing.

But those worries were put to rest this week with a press conference and especially by Friday's game against the Mavericks when Baynes' No. 16 jersey was hanging in his locker for all to see.

"I want to bring some toughness," Baynes said on Wednesday during his introduction to the San Antonio media.

"(Veteran Brooklyn forward) Reggie Evans has made a career for himself being a tough guy. I try to play with a lot of energy. I want to work 100%."

Hopefully some increased playing time (or at least more than 42 seconds) will come for Aron Baynes to actually show that toughness and energy in San Antonio.