Isn't Dejuan Blair too short to play power-forward?

[tim_duncan_fan]

He has a small-forward's height.


Will the strength and wingspan be enough and will he be able to handle taller big men?

[TimDunkem]

7.2 wingspan and an 8.10 standing reach. He'll be fine at the PF position.

[timvp]

That and his knees are the question marks. You never know how short PFs will transition until you see it on the NBA court.

But I'm hopeful he can survive in the NBA. His rebounding numbers are a great sign that he can compete against bigger players.

[tim_duncan_fan]

That and his knees are the question marks. You never know how short PFs will transition until you see it on the NBA court.

But I'm hopeful he can survive in the NBA. His rebounding numbers are a great sign that he can compete against bigger players.

I know he'll trash all of the beanpoles...the Thabeet video is hilarious, but I'm worried about our frontcourt if we are going to be counting on him to start.

[timvp]

I know he'll trash all of the beanpoles...the Thabeet video is hilarious, but I'm worried about our frontcourt if we are going to be counting on him to start.

He's not starting. If he adapts well, he could move his way up to the first bigman off the bench. But the MLE will be used to get the starting big next to Duncan.

[EricB]

Yeah He may get more minutes some nights than others due to matchups and if he plays good enough, but I gaurantee he's gonna be leaned on to be the energy guy off the bench,.

[angelbelow]

isnt paul milsap like 6'6? and elton brand 6'7? wasnt barkley like 6'4?

if this guys got heart then it'll work.

[Man In Black]

Think Elton Brand like or Malik in 2001 prior to the big contract offer, but on 2 knees that are mysteriously healthy despite missing ACLs.

[TimDunkem]

Think Elton Brand like or Malik in 2001 prior to the big contract offer, but on 2 knees that are mysteriously healthy despite missing ACLs.

Yeah, how do you start every game for your college team, beast the boards, and run all day long with no ACLs?

[HarlemHeat37]

there's no way he's starting..

Pop has already said that they'll be using the MLE for a starting big man..having Blair off the bench will be solid..

[mystargtr34]

A standing reach of 8'10.5" is very good for a PF. He will look smaller than other 4's, when essentially he isnt. You dont rebound or block shots with the top of your head. If you look at him closely, he has no neck, so the height of his shoulders is where most 6'9" and 6'10" guys are - he will be fine playing the PF position.

Some one made the comparison earlier, Blair actually has a bigger wingspand and standing reach than Blake Griffin, who is 6'10". So essentially, he plays bigger than Griffin.

[Mugen]

A standing reach of 8'10.5" is very good for a PF. He will look smaller than other 4's, when essentially he isnt. You dont rebound or block shots with the top of your head. If you look at him closely, he has no neck, so the height of his shoulders is where most 6'9" and 6'10" guys are - he will be fine playing the PF position.

Some one made the comparison earlier, Blair actually has a bigger wingspand and standing reach than Blake Griffin, who is 6'10". So essentially, he plays bigger than Griffin.

thats assuming they never jumped off the ground when they played.

I don't think Blair has much of a vertical, whereas Griffin can probably jump out the arena.

in terms of toughness though, im taking my boy blaaaaair

[TimDunkem]

A 33 inch vertical leap isn't that bad.

[crc21209]

If guys like Millsap, Baby Davis, and other "4's" who are small can make it...so can Blair. And he will.

[Libri]

The good thing is that he has some weight on. He's not going to be pushed around easily.

[mystargtr34]

thats assuming they never jumped off the ground when they played.

I don't think Blair has much of a vertical, whereas Griffin can probably jump out the arena.

in terms of toughness though, im taking my boy blaaaaair

Im talking strictly about size. Athleticism is different. Dajaun Blair has PF size, and essentially more size than Blake Griffin. But no where near the athleticism (or game for that matter).

[mystargtr34]

A 33 inch vertical leap isn't that bad.

Thats actually pretty damn good for a PF. Especially a burlier one who can use his extra size to his advantage.

[raspsa]

So much depends on the fire that burns inside a player that will enable him to play beyond his size. Barkley was willing to do anything to go after rebounds. So was Rodman. From the little I've heard from Blair, he seems to have a similar desire to do what's necessary to get the job done. I think he needs to convert more of that body fat into solid muscle. That should improve his strength and quickness. Those long arms can deceive opponents, getting into passing lanes, reaching in for deflections or blocks. And he's got a pretty good leap as well. I wish him success and so does the Spurs nation I dare say.

[Chieflion]

A 33 inch vertical leap isn't that bad.
This is very good for a guy with no ACLs.

[TimDunkem]

This is very good for a guy with no ACLs.

Yeah really. :lol

[ulosturedge]

This is very good for a guy with no ACLs.

lol he has ACL's. He wouldn't be able to move latterly or make sudden changes of direction without them :rolleyes

[mathbzh]

33 inch is good.
But, though I don't think it will be a problem given his strength, his 26 inch no step vertical is average at best.

[timtonymanu]

Look at Jason Maxiell. Guy's about 6'6.

[scottspurs]

lol he has ACL's. He wouldn't be able to move latterly or make sudden changes of direction without them :rolleyes

John Elway had no ACLs. I think he was just fine with his lateral movement.

[TimDunkem]

33 inch is good.
But, though I don't think it will be a problem given his strength, his 26 inch no step vertical is average at best.

Even for a burly PF?

[scottspurs]

People need to stop with all the Blair negativity. Follow the Production. 12 rebounds a game in college. Production Production Production!!!!!

[ulosturedge]

John Elway had no ACLs. I think he was just fine with his lateral movement.


I've torn both my ACL's like Blair. Elway must have had some amazing cartlidge cause my knees popped out every chance it could get while they were torn. Any quick jukes or side steps and the knee goes wobble wobble. I have to cry bullshit on that one.

[Spurs da champs]

I think he can be compared to chuck hayes in that he can hold his own against much taller opponents but he's talented that's what separates him from chuck. And I'd want to see him throw damn pau like he did rasheem.

[scottspurs]

I've torn both my ACL's like Blair. Elway must have had some amazing cartlidge cause my knees popped out every chance it could get while they were torn. Any quick jukes or side steps and the knee goes wobble wobble. I have to cry bullshit on that one.

Its not bullshit http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_6966936 Elway played without ACLs and I believe Thurman Thomas didnt have an ACL as well. It is possible to not have ACLs. My little brother played every sport in high school without his MCL. Sometimes bodies act differently then other bodies and some people are able to overcome these problems. I'm not a doctor but I have seen it with my own eyes.

[spurspokesman]

isnt paul milsap like 6'6? and elton brand 6'7? wasnt barkley like 6'4?

if this guys got heart then it'll work.

If? Out of the question. He's an oxxxxxxx>

[exstatic]

isnt paul milsap like 6'6? and elton brand 6'7? wasnt barkley like 6'4?

if this guys got heart then it'll work.

/thread

[Rummpd]

Malik Rose used to play Shaq as well as anyone and had a similar build = this guy adds needed toughness regardless of size to the Spurs.