Author: katadmin

Denmon: “I’m better than the 59th pick”

Typically speaking, little is ever expected out of the No. 59 pick in the NBA draft.

That is fine by Marcus Denmon, the Missouri guard the Spurs selected with the draft’s second-to-last selection Thursday night.

“I feel I’m better than the 59th pick,” Denmon said.

When the Spurs’ one-man draft class arrives in San Antonio on July 5, the team’s brain trust — from general manager R.C. Buford and coach Gregg Popovich on down — will greet Denmon with one directive: Prove it.

Nobody questions Denmon’s credentials as a fill-it-up scorer. As a senior last season, Denmon averaged 17.7 points — tied for second in the Big 12 —  led Missouri to its second conference tournament championship in four years, and was named a second-team All-American.

A two-time first-team All-Big 12 selection, Denmon shot better than 40 percent from 3-point range over four college seasons, one of the most accurate marksmen in the country.

And yet there he was Thursday,  moments away from going undrafted.

Speaking with the Express-News via telephone from his hometown in Kansas City, Mo., on Friday afternoon, Denmon said he will use his long slide on draft night as motivation once he arrives in San Antonio.

“With my accolades and my body of work, I was still overlooked,” said Denmon, who next month will compete for the Spurs’ summer league team in Las Vegas. “I’m going in hungry and humble.”

And, perhaps, with a chip on his shoulder that could serve him well.

Leonard, Anderson on Spurs’ Summer League roster

By Mike Monroe

LAS VEGAS — Three players who were on the Spurs roster through the 2011-12 season are among 18 players the team will take to Las Vegas for Summer League play that will begin for the Spurs on Sunday with a game against the Atlanta Hawks.

Kawhi Leonard, the 2011-12 first-team All-Rookie selection to started 39 games at small forward last season, will be the team’s featured player in Las Vegas. He has been in Las Vegas for six days as a member of USA Basketball’s select team that has been scrimmaging against the U.S. Olympic team as it prepares for London.

Swing man James Anderson, the team’s first-round draft pick in 2010, and point guard Cory Joseph, a first-rounder in 2011, also are on the summer roster. So is Missouri guard Marcus Denmon, selected in the second round (59th overall) on June 28th.

The Spurs also will get a look at seven-footer Alexis Ajinca, the 20th selection in the 2008 draft, by Charlotte. The French-born Ajinca has played 71 NBA games for three teams (Charlotte, Dallas and Toronto), averaging 3.1 points and 1.6 rebounds in limited playing time.

Among other noteable summer league signees: Eric Dawson, the former Sam Houston High School star who played four games with the Spurs on 10-day contracts last season; 6-11 Ryan Richards, the club’s 2010 second-round pick (49th overall); and former Texas Longhorns big man Alexis Wangmene, who played one season at UT with Joseph.

The Spurs are to play five summer league games, concluding with a July 21 game against the Mavericks.

Jacque Vaughn will serve as head coach of the summer Spurs.

SPURS SUMMER LEAGUE ROSTER
No. Player – Pos. Ht. Wt. DOB From Yrs.
42 Alexis Ajinca – C 7-2 248 5/6/88 France 4th
25 James Anderson – G 6-6 215 3/25/89 Oklahoma State 3rd
10 Dwight Buycks – G 6-3 190 6/6/89 Marquette 1st
34 Derrick Byars – G/F 6-7 220 4/25/84 Vanderbilt 2nd
23 Eric Dawson – F 6-9 250 7/7/84 Midwestern State 2nd
1 Marcus Denmon – G 6-3 185 3/20/90 Missouri 1st
17 Moses Ehambe – G/F 6-6 215 5/22/86 Oral Roberts 1st
43 Darius Foster – G 6-3 210 1/12/88 Wilberforce 1st
11 JaMychal Green – F 6-8 228 6/21/90 Alabama 1st
7 Cedric Jackson – G 6-3 190 3/5/86 Cleveland State 2nd
5 Cory Joseph – G 6-3 190 8/20/91 Texas 2nd
2 Kawhi Leonard – F 6-7 225 6/29/91 San Diego State 2nd
14 Kalin Lucas – G 6-1 195 5/24/89 Michigan State 1st
19 Ryan Richards – F 6-11 230 4/21/91 England 1st
30 Alexis Wangmene – F/C 6-7 241 3/1/89 Texas 1st
27 Tyler Wilkerson – F 6-8 240 7/25/88 Marshall 1st
24 L.D. Williams – G 6-4 210 5/8/88 Wake Forest 1st
40 Luke Zeller – F/C 6-11 245 5/8/88 Notre Dame 1st
Head coach: Jacque Vaughn
Assistant coaches: Bret Brielmaier, Will Hardy, Taylor Jenkins, Alex Lloyd, Christos Marmarinos, Lele Molin, Darko Rajakovic
Athletic trainer: Dice Yamaguchi

SCHEDULE
Sunday: vs. Hawks, Cox Pavilion, 7 p.m.
Tuesday: vs. Lakers, Thomas Mack, 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday: vs. Clippers, Cox Pavilion, 9 p.m.
July 20: vs. Heat, Cox Pavilion, 7 p.m.
July 21: vs. Mavericks, Cox Pavilion, 5 p.m.

Ex-Spurs guard Hill stays with Pacers

George Hill has agreed to a new contract with the Pacers. AP

Former Spurs guard George Hill reached an agreement on a new contract with the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday.

Hill’s co-agent, Michael Whitaker, wrote in a text message that Hill, a 26-year-old restricted free agent, will sign once the NBA’s moratorium period ends July 11. He did not disclose terms.

Hill joined the Pacers after a draft-day deal in 2011 that sent Indiana draft pick Kawhi Leonard to San Antonio. Hill averaged 9.6 points and 2.9 assists per game last season.

Lin to visit Rockets: Speaking on condition of anonymity, two people with knowledge of the plans say Jeremy Lin will visit the Houston Rockets today, and the New York Knicks guard is expected to get a multi?year contract offer.

The Rockets waived Lin last year, and he was claimed by the Knicks, turning into a breakout star when he landed the starting point-guard job.

Meanwhile, Knicks guard Landry Fields agreed to sign an offer sheet with the Toronto Raptors. ESPN.com reported the deal is to be for three years and about $20 million.

Since both players are restricted free agents, the Knicks will have three days to match the offers after they can be signed July 11. They have said they intend to keep Lin.

Gordon, Suns reach deal: A person familiar with the talks says restricted free-agent guard Eric Gordon has agreed to a four-year deal with the Phoenix Suns worth about $58 million. The New Orleans Hornets have the right to match the deal and keep Gordon.

Allen to visit Heat: A person familiar with Ray Allen’s plans says the free-agent shooting guard will visit with Miami officials Thursday.

Allen also is scheduled to visit Friday with the Los Angeles Clippers, according to the person who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Miami can offer Allen only the mini mid-level exception worth just more than $3 million for next season, or roughly half what the Boston Celtics are willing to pay to keep the NBA’s leading 3-point shooter.

Cavs interested in Roy: People familiar with the situation say the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors are interested in free-agent guard Brandon Roy, who is attempting a comeback.

Roy met with the Warriors earlier this week, said a person who spoke on the condition of anonymity. The Cavs have not yet set up a visit, said another person who also wished to remain anonymous.

Roy, a three-time All-Star, announced his retirement last season after five seasons with Portland because of chronic knee problems.

Kings’ plan dead: Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson’s “Plan B” to build a new sports arena is not only dead, it never really took shape. Johnson, a former Phoenix Suns point guard, said that the city and arena operator AEG have concluded that the financial model is not viable for the region without an anchor sports tenant.

Kings owners Joe, Gavin and George Maloof pulled out of a plan to help finance an arena earlier this year, saying it didn’t make financial sense for the franchise.

Rookie signings: The Magic signed first-round draft pick Andrew Nicholson, a 6-foot-9 forward out of St. Bonaventure who was the 19th overall selection in last week’s draft. .?.?. The Warriors signed first-round pick Harrison Barnes, the seventh overall pick who played at North Carolina. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.