James Anderson | SAN ANTONIO SPURS TICKETS

Confident Anderson ready for liftoff

By Jeff McDonald
jmcdonald@express-news.net

LAS VEGAS — The change came in James Anderson not long into one of his first games at the Impact Competitive Basketball series last week.

The second-year Spurs guard-forward was driving to the hoop, through a thicket of bodies, when an arm reached down and knocked the ball from his hands, making ample contact with his wrist and forearm in the process.

Hearing no whistle, Anderson did something completely out of character. He opened his mouth.

“That’s a foul!” the 22-year-old known to even his closest friends as “Quiet James” bellowed at the nearest official.

A few feet away, Joe Abunassar — the Las Vegas-based trainer whose gym hosted the so-called “Lockout League” and who has been working with Anderson since early June — couldn’t help but smile. For him, there was something heartening about watching Anderson finally behave as if he were entitled to a call.

“If you’ve ever talked to James, he’s a very quiet guy,” Abunassar said. “But I think his confidence level is sky-high right now.”

For Anderson, the No. 1 priority this summer was rebuilding confidence in the wake of an injury-plagued rookie season in which his self-belief became as fractured as the bone in his right foot.

Without access to the Spurs’ practice facility or the team’s player development staff, Anderson has leaned on Abunassar to help him in that endeavor.

“It’s frustrating,” Anderson said last week between games in Vegas. “I wanted to come show the Spurs what I had to offer. I feel like I’ve still got a lot to prove to myself and to the coaches whenever the season starts back.”

It’s safe to say no player is rooting more fervently for the NBA labor dispute to end than Anderson.

He entered last season with high hopes as the 20th overall pick and former Big 12 Player of the Year at Oklahoma State, and for a fleeting moment lived up to them.

Anderson appeared in six of the Spurs’ first seven games, missing one to attend the birth of his daughter, and made 10 of his first 20 3-point tries. He became the first Spurs rookie to make a 3-point goal in each of his first six appearances.

Then disaster struck. On Nov. 11, team doctors diagnosed lingering soreness in Anderson’s right foot as a stress fracture to the fifth metatarsal. It would be late January before Anderson played again, by which time his bench spot as Gregg Popovich’s instant-offense generator had been ceded to fellow rookie Gary Neal.

All told, Anderson appeared in just 26 games, averaging 3.6 points.

“It wasn’t a good start to my NBA career,” Anderson said.

At the Impact series, which Abunassar envisioned to be a souped-up replacement for the NBA’s lockout-stricken official summer league, Anderson appeared ready to make good on a second chance at a rookie season. All he needs is for the league’s labor impasse to end.

In three games in Vegas, Anderson averaged 19.3 points and shot a sizzling 68.4 percent (26 of 38). Testament to an offensive game blossoming beyond mere perimeter gunning, Anderson did most of his damage from 2-point range, netting all but three of his field goals from inside the arc.

“I see the most strides in him as he plays,” Abunassar said. “James is a great drill guy. He’s a pure scorer. But he needs to get used to where to be, when to go, when to cut, when to fade, when to do all those things. Playing with veterans every day really helps him.”

In a sense, Anderson feels as if his career is stuck on the launching pad, still waiting for liftoff.

The Lockout League was a nice diversion, but it’s no substitute for training camp. There is only so much Anderson can accomplish in the gym without Spurs coaches around.

“I still feel behind, team-wise,” Anderson said. “I feel like I haven’t got to be together with the team much. It will come. I can’t rush into it.”

After a season spent on the periphery in San Antonio as an injured afterthought, Anderson is eager to prove himself worthy of a more significant role this season.

“The games I played in before I got hurt, it was a sample of what I can do,” Anderson said. “I’ve got a lot more to offer.”

Indeed, Anderson’s confidence is quietly soaring. One day soon, he hopes to be able to do more than just talk about it.

ON HOLD

For second-year Spurs guard James Anderson, the lockout could hinder his progress as much as a broken right foot did in his rookie season.

First six games: Averaged 17.3 minutes and 7.0 points.

Nov. 10: Played in last game before going on injured list with stress fracture. Gary Neal took over, making the NBA All-Rookie first team.

NBDL: Anderson averaged 14.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.0 assists in seven games for Austin Toros.

Jan. 29: Played three minutes in his return, finishing the season with a 3.6-point average in 26 games.

Source: Express-News research

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James Anderson at Impact Basketball

James Anderson warms up prior to an Impact Basketball game in Las Vegas on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2011. (Isaac Brekken / Special to the Express-News)

James Anderson competes in an Impact Basketball game on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2011, in Las Vegas. (Isaac Brekken / Special to the Express-News)

Players compete during an Impact Basketball game on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2011, in Las Vegas. (Isaac Brekken / Special to the Express-News)

James Anderson competes in an Impact Basketball game on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2011, in Las Vegas. (Isaac Brekken / Special to the Express-News)

Players compete during an Impact Basketball game on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2011, in Las Vegas. (Isaac Brekken / Special to the Express-News)

James Anderson competes in an Impact Basketball game on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2011, in Las Vegas. (Isaac Brekken / Special to the Express-News)

Players compete during an Impact Basketball game on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2011, in Las Vegas. (Isaac Brekken / Special to the Express-News)

James Anderson competes in an Impact Basketball game on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2011, in Las Vegas. (Isaac Brekken / Special to the Express-News)

Pop should be pleased with Spurs’ two Impact League players

Gregg Popovich likely couldn’t be happier about his two players who will develop this week in the Impact League in Las Vegas.

Both James Anderson and Kawhi Leonard have big upside during their professional careers. And both will be an integral part of the Spurs team next season after the lockout ends.

With the inactivity surrounding the NBA during the lockout, the chance for any development for young players is critical. Particularly so for Anderson and Leonard, who will be beginning this week.

Anderson looked to have made a big start for the Spurs last season before sustaining a stress fracture in his right foot. The team erupted on a fast start while he was out of the lineup. By the time he returned, his place in the rotation had been snapped up by others.

But Anderson is a critical part of this team and could legitimately challenge for playing time if he reports to training camp ready to play. The Las Vegas action will help him.

Leonard needs much work against top competition. The Spurs love his athleticism and competitive zeal, but he needs to play against the very best to accurately gauge how he much he will be able to help the team this season.

There’s a chance that the Impact League games will be streamed. If they are, bet a lot of laptops on Spurs Lane will be glued to the action for a glimpse of Leonard and Anderson.

Their performance will be vital as they prepare for the upcoming season — whenever it starts.

Spurs roster analysis

Spurs beat writer Jeff McDonald breaks down the team’s assets heading into the offseason:

Tim Duncan, forward
Age: 35
Contract status: One year, $21.2 million
Future: Still vital piece of franchise despite producing career-low numbers. Could exercise early-termination option this summer and sign longer-term deal for less money to give Spurs financial flexibility. No player in NBA stands to lose more money during potential lockout than him.

Manu Ginobili, guard
Age: 33
Contract status: Two years, $27 million
Future: Survived season relatively healthy, except for sprained elbow he took into playoffs. Getting older, but remains one of league’s toughest covers.

Tony Parker, guard
Age: 28
Contract status: Four years, $50 million (final season non- guaranteed)
Future: Approached All-Star form again after signing big contract extension in October. Stands as Spurs’ most viable trade chip entering offseason, though it is unlikely team would go that route.

Richard Jefferson, forward
Age: 30
Contract status: Three years, $30.3 million
Future: Enjoyed a better second season in San Antonio than first, but again faded during playoffs. Long-term deal inked last summer likely to keep him in Spurs uniform for foreseeable future.

Antonio McDyess, center/forward
Age: 36
Contract status: One year, $5.2 million (partially guaranteed)
Future: A rocking chair. Though he has a year left on his deal, McDyess has announced plans to retire after 15 seasons. Spurs will miss his toughness and veteran voice in locker room.

Matt Bonner, center/forward
Age: 31
Contract status: Three years, $11.3 million (final season partially guaranteed)
Future: Emerged as NBA’s most accurate 3-point shooter this season. Likely to remain a part of team’s plans as a coveted “spread-four” man.

George Hill, guard
Age: 24
Contract status: One year, $1.5 million
Future: Continued to play key role at both guard spots in third NBA season. Entering final season of rookie-scale contract. Under current guidelines, Spurs have until Oct. 31 to sign Hill to an extension or he becomes restricted free agent in 2012.

DeJuan Blair, center/forward
Age: 22
Contract status: Two years, $2 million (next season partially guaranteed, final season non- guaranteed)
Future: Started first 63 games before being replaced in starting lineup by McDyess. Best used as situational player against smaller frontcourts. Cheap contract makes him payroll-friendly.

Gary Neal, guard
Age: 26
Contract status: Two years, $1.75 million (both seasons non- guaranteed)
Future: One of NBA’s most compelling storylines after emerging from European League obscurity to set Spurs’ rookie 3-point records. Though contract is not guaranteed, he’s a lock to return next season.

Tiago Splitter, center
Age: 26
Contract status: Two years, $7.61 million
Future: Much-anticipated Brazilian never quite found his place as rookie but remains an integral part of the future. Offseason development will be imperative, but could be hampered by lockout.

James Anderson, guard
Age: 22
Contract status: Three years, $5.5 million (final two seasons at team option)
Future: Promising rookie was swallowed up by foot fracture that cost him 39 games. His development could be another casualty of labor strife, especially if there is no summer league.

Danny Green, guard/forward
Age: 23
Contract status: Free agent
Future: A raw but versatile defender who showed promise in separate stints with team and was active for every playoff game. A probable training camp invitee with a chance to stick.

Steve Novak, forward
Age: 27
Contract status: Free agent
Future: A deadly outside shooter the Spurs have been charting since before 2006 draft. Could be invited to training camp if he doesn’t hook on elsewhere.

Chris Quinn, guard
Age: 27
Contract status: Free agent
Future: Little-used as emergency option at point guard. Could return for camp, though Spurs could just as easily look elsewhere to fill role.

Da’Sean Butler, forward
Age: 23
Contract status: One year, $788,972 (non- guaranteed)
Future: Easily most intriguing name at bottom of roster. Will have a chance to make team out of camp if fully recovered from knee injury suffered in 2010 Final Four with West Virginia.