By Michael A. De Leon | July 23, 2008 | Print Print

Seven games can reveal quite a bit. In three games in the Vegas Summer League and four in the Rocky Mountain Revue, we’ve seen that George Hill still has a ways to go before he’ll be ready to be Tony Parker’s primary backup at point guard.

We’ve also seen that Ian Mahinmi may need to bake in the oven, or stay in Austin a little longer before he is worthy of consistent minutes in Gregg Popovich’s rotation.

But anyone who has watched just about every summer league game, as I have, has had a few pleasant surprises. Anthony Tolliver and James Gist look ready now and both deserve to not only be invited to training camp, but also deserve spots on the opening night roster.

The Spurs took a step today to assure that at least one part of that tandem will have a Spurs jersey on his back, at least in preseason, by signing Tolliver.

Details of the contract were not disclosed, but it is likely an unguaranteed contract which will keep other teams from picking up Tolliver’s rights.

Tolliver displayed an impressive stroke, especially from beyond the arc, and impressed me with his versatile all-around play.

From Spurs.com

He averaged 12.3 points and 5.0 rebounds in 23.0 minutes while shooting .571 (12-21) from the field and .615 (8-13) from beyond the arc in three games in Las Vegas. At the Rocky Mountain Revue Tolliver appeared in all four games, averaging 11.5 points and 3.5 rebounds in 26.5 minutes while knocking down 53.3 percent (8-15) of his shots form beyond the arc.

Last year Tolliver was in the Cavs training camp and played a few preseason games before playing for the D League’s Iowa Energy.

With Tolliver signed, Gist’s signing shouldn’t be too far behind. For more on Tolliver and summer league, download Spurscast episode 129.

Comments

1 Comment so far

robert wilson on July 27, 2008 7:00 pm
I wondered if the Spurs knew what they had in Tolliver and getting him above everyone else is correct.When they did it i was like ok now i know im not krazy.What im still wondering is do they know these guys are starters.That is Tolliver and Gist.Great players need garbagemen to clean up the mistakes that all to many times happen in a game and Gist and Tolliver are that and more.THEY CAN HIT OPEN THREES and at 6′9 there going to be open,there going to jump out the gym on offensive rebounds “Gist”,and muscle on rebounds “Tolliver”.THE SPURS better SIGN JAMES GIST.