What if we started Blair???

[BillMc]

Okay, its summer, so I'm just sort of thinking aloud here.

But if we started Blair instead of McDyess, that would be an interesting combination. I'm not saying Blair is anywhere close to as good as McDyess, but if we did start Blair, here would be some interesting combinations:

1. Teaming Blair with Duncan, allows each to do what they do best: Tim to score in the paint on post-up moves and (recently) jump shots. Blair to get rebounds. If Blair does struggle as a rookie, it will likely be on the defensive end and he'll have an All-Universe defender manning the paint with him. Tim is also our tallest guy, so it will help on D to balance out DeJuan's height disadvantage. Yes, McDyess is better on offense than Blair but will it be needed in our starting lineup??? What will be needed is rebounding.

2. McDyess on the second team would pair him up with Manu for an unbelievably high BB IQ bench that should just destroy most teams subs. We could also use McDyess as a real scoring option on the second team. Hill and a still decent Finley would give us a simply brutal bench with a lot of experience.

Obviously, at crunch time McDyess would be in instead of Blair, but starting might be a different story.

Yes, yes, I know Blair hasn't proven a thing yet, but I'm just throwing this out there.

[celldweller]

I can see it happening.

[clubalien]

Then Tim would have a chance of winning the 6th man award.

[loveforthegame]

I could see Pop toying with that at some point in the season.

But I'm liking the idea of Blair's energy mixing with Ginobli and Hills in the 2nd unit.

[JustinJDW]

Trust me, I have thought about it, I would love nothing more than for Blair to start and have McDyess come off the Bench with Ginobili and dominate.

But it won't happen. It always takes our young guys forever to get decent minutes and Pop always chooses the old and experience over the young and athletic. Trust me, I would love for this to happen, but I doubt Pop would do it. In the end, Blair is still just a rookie.

[Spurs da champs]

Be interesting to see how we do against orlando when we go small blair vs howard, if maxiell can guard howard then blair can to.

[Dex]

Doesn't matter who starts, just who finishes.

NBA needs to expand the rules to allow for six men on the court so Spurs can finish with Parker, Ginobili, Jefferson, McDyess, Blair, and Duncan. :)

[coyotes_geek]

We definitely want Dyess starting next to Duncan. Better defender, money with that 15-18 footer so that he can be on the other side of the court pulling defenders away from Duncan and just a vet who understands the NBA game better, i.e. he'll know how to stay out of Duncan's way.

I think the best way to use Blair is to have him out there with Hill, Manu, Jefferson and Bonner when Duncan and Parker are getting their rest. That way you can spread the floor and let Blair be the vacuum who sucks up offensive rebounds. While Blair is a stud, I dont' think you want him crowded by a bunch of taller players. He'll be a more effective player if the paint area is less congested.

[Muser]

It will probably be experimented with, I still prefer Mcdyess starting though.

[Calavera]

Blair would start only if one of the two bigs are injured, which I don`t want to happen, so better be our star sub.

[hater]

Blair's energy off the bench would be lethal. Plus he is a rookie. Come on. I am sure he is gonna pile up fouls like crazy

[vander]

Blair will be more of a scorer than TD. TD will struggle to create shots for himself now.

[HarlemHeat37]

Blair will be more of a scorer than TD. TD will struggle to create shots for himself now.

:lol

[Solid D]

It's not out of the question, but it will be more "telling" to see who is finishing the games.

The combination of Tim Duncan and Malik Rose was very effective up until Robert Horry arrived and started out-performing Malik. Duncan and Blair would have some similarities to the Duncan/Rose frontline.

Defense will count double, so McDyess is more likely going to be the other Big getting the majority of the minutes...particularly at the end of games unless or until Blair learns the defense and can execute.

I'm assuming, of course, that it doesn't take an experienced pro like McDyess very long to become effective in the Spurs' defense.

[mikeyc]

our defense will really blow if it's Blair and anyone but Duncan and McDyess on the floor. I see this being a real problem.

[Libri]

Trust me, I have thought about it, I would love nothing more than for Blair to start and have McDyess come off the Bench with Ginobili and dominate.

But it won't happen. It always takes our young guys forever to get decent minutes and Pop always chooses the old and experience over the young and athletic. Trust me, I would love for this to happen, but I doubt Pop would do it. In the end, Blair is still just a rookie.

Its happened before. Even though Tony started his rookie season as a backup to Antonio Daniels, Pop made him a starter after a few games. If the coaching staff feel the same way about Blair, he could get some starter minutes during the early part of the season to see how he responds.

[mikeyc]

it's all about mintues, though. Blair comes in around the 6 minute mark in the first quarter, and plays with Duncan for another three. Blair only plays the last few minues with Bonner. And then he closes out the quarter and McDyess starts the second with Blair.

[HarlemHeat37]

Ian is obviously the x-factor..if he can out-play Bonner for the bench spot, then our bench will be in really good shape..I worry about a Blair-Bonner frontcourt, it would be horrible defensively, like we saw with Gooden-Bonner last year..Ian's size and athleticism alone would be an upgrade to anything we've had in a while defensively(outside of Duncan), so hopefully he pans out..

Blair-Bonner would never work..we would HAVE to have Hill/Manu/Hairston or Jefferson on the perimeter with them at all times to limit penetration, and it would be impossible for them to defend if any starting-caliber post big men are on the floor against them..

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

I'm just old school at heart I guess. I'm a believer in consistency from your starters, X-factors on the bench. As Solid D brought up the learning curve for the defense is probably going to be steeper for Blair than it will be for a vet like Dice. It's worth experimenting a little, but at this point I'm not wild about the idea of a rookie Blair lining up against NBA starters.

[mikeyc]

this is why we need an veteran big man who can play D for 15 a game.

[angelbelow]

You know, I could see it either way. There are big advantages to starting Blair or McDyess. That just comes with playing next to a hall of famer.

[vander]

Ian is obviously the x-factor..if he can out-play Bonner for the bench spot, then our bench will be in really good shape..I worry about a Blair-Bonner frontcourt, it would be horrible defensively, like we saw with Gooden-Bonner last year..Ian's size and athleticism alone would be an upgrade to anything we've had in a while defensively(outside of Duncan), so hopefully he pans out..

Blair-Bonner would never work..we would HAVE to have Hill/Manu/Hairston or Jefferson on the perimeter with them at all times to limit penetration, and it would be impossible for them to defend if any starting-caliber post big men are on the floor against them..

man, you certainly think you know a lot about Spurs basketball. :lol

there's a better chance of Bonner taking minutes from McDyess than Ian taking minutes from Bonner. Bonner's D is solid, better than anything Ian could amount to this year yet.

[SenorSpur]

A delicious thought that I, and apparently many others, have thought about.

Knowing the complexity of the Spurs offense and Pop's conversative approach toward most rookies, I wouldn't count on seeing it happen this year. Probably next year.

[galvatron3000]

Eventually I see Dice headed to the bench and Ian starting at center. PLayoffs roster may change to

Duncan
McDyess
Jefferson
Ginobili
Parker

Mason
McDyess
Hill
Blair


scrubs

Bonner has lost the spot to Ian already. TRUST!

[coyotes_geek]

Ian is obviously the x-factor..if he can out-play Bonner for the bench spot, then our bench will be in really good shape..I worry about a Blair-Bonner frontcourt, it would be horrible defensively, like we saw with Gooden-Bonner last year..Ian's size and athleticism alone would be an upgrade to anything we've had in a while defensively(outside of Duncan), so hopefully he pans out..

Blair-Bonner would never work..we would HAVE to have Hill/Manu/Hairston or Jefferson on the perimeter with them at all times to limit penetration, and it would be impossible for them to defend if any starting-caliber post big men are on the floor against them..

We're talking bench minutes here. Is a Blair-Bonner frontcourt going to be that much worse defensively than a Bonner-Thomas one was last year? Yes, the Spurs would have to have Manu and Jefferson out there with them, but so what? You've got a big 4. You're going to want at least 2 of them out there together at all times anyways.

[SenorSpur]

We definitely want Dyess starting next to Duncan. Better defender, money with that 15-18 footer so that he can be on the other side of the court pulling defenders away from Duncan and just a vet who understands the NBA game better, i.e. he'll know how to stay out of Duncan's way.

You've hit it right there. McDyess is a better defender. On the other side of the ball, he is absolutely lethal from midrange. Moreso than any other big the Spurs have had.

[Cry Havoc]

Am, I the only one hoping that Bonner is still around? He could give us some good 8-10 MPG with his shooting when we need a quick stretch of the D.

[BillMc]

Am, I the only one hoping that Bonner is still around? He could give us some good 8-10 MPG with his shooting when we need a quick stretch of the D.

I think the much maligned Bonner will be useful coming off the bench. In fact, our bench will be a very good balance of young athletes and experienced vets.

[galvatron3000]

man, you certainly think you know a lot about Spurs basketball. :lol

there's a better chance of Bonner taking minutes from McDyess than Ian taking minutes from Bonner. Bonner's D is solid, better than anything Ian could amount to this year yet.


Am, I the only one hoping that Bonner is still around? He could give us some good 8-10 MPG with his shooting when we need a quick stretch of the D.


I have absolutely no problem with Bonner staying especially with him spending so much time in the system playing an active role but if he can be used to bring in something we can use now or a pick later I'm all for that as well. He is a bench player who can provide good minutes as the team is presently constructed but I see him "more" as a trade asset but I also know he has value in the Spurs rotation. We don't want to get rid of too many players that are familiar with the system just to bring in someone who will probably have trouble unless it's done quickly. <RAMBLIN>

[coyotes_geek]

Am, I the only one hoping that Bonner is still around? He could give us some good 8-10 MPG with his shooting when we need a quick stretch of the D.

I've got no beef with Bonner coming off the bench. Granted if the Spurs trade him for someone better I'm fine with it. But barring that there's a role for Bonner on this team.

[MoSpur]

I can see Pop trying it out if Blair plays worthy of it, but I really like Blair's energy. I think his energy would make him a great bench player. Imagine him, Manu, and Hill coming into the game? Wow. Three guys with that much energy to try to turn the game around will be lethal.

[BillMc]

There will also be a starting spot available when Tim rests back-to-backs. Blair and McDyess will be an interesting (if short) starting 4 and 5.

[Libri]

There will also be a starting spot available when Tim rests back-to-backs. Blair and McDyess will be an interesting (if short) starting 4 and 5.

Good point. If the Spurs want to see Blair in a starting role, this might be the way to go.

[Cry Havoc]

I got beef with Bonner coming in for any amount of minutes. His role is to high 5 his teammates when they go sit down and get them a gatorade.

You do realize he was one of the best 3 point shooters in the league last season, right?

[sam1617]

I got beef with Bonner coming in for any amount of minutes. His role is to high 5 his teammates when they go sit down and get them a gatorade.

The dude isn't that bad. He has a good shot, and he plays with energy. His only problem is that he is a SF in a PF's body.

[ohmwrecker]

It is an interesting scenario considering Duncan and McDyess have a similar game as far as being effective inside and out. While Blair and Mahinmi have not developed much of an outside game.
I think particular match-ups, depending on who we play, should determine who gets more minutes. However, Pop does not really like to change his rotation much once he gets it set and when he does, it usually does not work well. So, I think the pressure is on the coaching staff to mete out minutes according to individual match-ups and, of course, who is playing well at any given time.

[Dex]

The dude isn't that bad. He has a good shot, and he plays with energy. His only problem is that he is a SF in a PF's body.

Seriously.

I don't want extended minutes for Bonner either, but he was the 8th best 3-pt shooter in the league last year, and hit the 2nd most of said shots out of the Top 10. Can't be the worst guy to have near the end of the bench.

It's not his fault Pop got high on peyote and mistook him for a Center.

[dbestpro]

Am, I the only one hoping that Bonner is still around? He could give us some good 8-10 MPG with his shooting when we need a quick stretch of the D.

Yes, you are th only one.

[coyotes_geek]

It's not his fault Pop got high on peyote and mistook him for a Center.

Pop wasn't high. He just didn't have a better option.

[BillMc]

Ah, yes, no matter what a thread starts out is it always ends in a Bonner discussion! :) All roads lead to Rome, all threads lead to Matt.

[Cry Havoc]

Yes, you are th only one.

I suggest you read the posts of others in this thread.


And being a center? You do realize that we needed to fill his position BY A ROOKIE.

Isn't that what we wanted from Rasheed Wallace? A center who could shoot threes to spread the floor? But now that we have Antonio, suddenly hitting threes at a +40% clip is a worthless skill?

[ohmwrecker]

There is a new Bonner thread. Just FYI.

[Cry Havoc]

that's what everyone was giving Sheed grief about.

Really? I must have made up those elated discussions on ST about how Sheed's 3 point shooting would stretch the D and open up the floor for Duncan to power inside and Parker/Ginobili/Jefferson to slash. Silly me!

[Darkwaters]

Eventually I see Dice headed to the bench and Ian starting at center.



Whoa! Lets crack the rotation before we start Mahinmi. His last two games in SL have definitely looked much better than his first, but the guy is still a serious question mark. I'm not sure he can leapfrog Bonner at all. I just hope he proves me wrong.

[slick'81]

i dont think the spurs payed mcdyess 5 mil to come off the bench this season

[anakha]

Personally, the idea of Bonner in a specialist role makes sense to me.

Just don't ask him to do anything more then spread the floor for 10-15 minutes a game.

[jb4g]

A delicious thought that I, and apparently many others, have thought about.

Knowing the complexity of the Spurs offense and Pop's conversative approach toward most rookies, I wouldn't count on seeing it happen this year. Probably next year.

me too, especially considering dyess preferred to come off the bench in detroit. But Blair is a rookie, so Its probably not gonna happen.

[TimDunkem]

I see McDyess starting, but coming out of the game for Blair like Mason for Ginobili. However, unlike Mason, McDyess will be the big next to Duncan in crunch time.

[Killakobe81]

Bad move. Blair can't stretch the defense so paint would be crowded for TP ...any team with a decent PF would put him in pnr ...and he is not mobile enough to handle the better pnr combos ...in the NBA ...
Blair also woul;d be better served playing against the smaller backup NBA frontcourts similar to what he face in college and summer league ...

No doubt Blair was a steal ...shoot Lakers should of taken him if we knew Lamar was going to be this much trouble but if he starts I would LOVE that we would then just pnt with Gasol Kobe and we murder that matchup until Mcdyess comes in ...

[Killakobe81]

And Blair is GREAT rebounder but MCdyess is a better overall player ..you guys on here kill me.

[Spurs da champs]

Seriously.

I don't want extended minutes for Bonner either, but he was the 8th best 3-pt shooter in the league last year, and hit the 2nd most of said shots out of the Top 10. Can't be the worst guy to have near the end of the bench.

It's not his fault Pop got high on peyote and mistook him for a Center.

Yeah man his 3's really killed in the playoffs. :rolleyes Bonner's trash get rid of him.

[Dice]

McDyess wouldn't have a problem coming off the bench. He did it for the start of the seaon last year.

The thing is, the more minutes he plays, the better he plays. Last season there were times when you know the Piston coaching staff were thinking they needed to get Dice off the floor and get him some rest. The problem always was that Dice was the guy hitting the shots, and making the plays.

Trust me, once he gets going you'll want him out on the floor as much as possible.

[ohmwrecker]

No doubt Blair was a steal ...shoot Lakers should of taken him if we knew Lamar was going to be this much trouble but if he starts I would LOVE that we would then just pnt with Gasol Kobe and we murder that matchup until Mcdyess comes in ...

Murder? I respect Gasol's game, but isn't Blair the tough, physical kind of player that gives Gasol so much trouble?

[FireDavidStern]

I got beef with Bonner coming in for any amount of minutes. His role is to high 5 his teammates when they go sit down and get them a gatorade.

Yes because he made 118 3pts (tied with Kobe for 39th in the league) while shooting 44% and playing 24 minutes with solid if not great defense. You are absolutely right that the Spurs could not use this type of player on the team.

Yes Bonner did not play well in the 5 playoff games we had, but Tony and Hill were the only Spurs to play well so why is Bonner singled out. (attacking Pop for not playing Hill should happen more than attacking Bonner for struggling)

[mudyez]

we have to stop this overhyping...maybe he will be a breakthough player from day one, maybe just a good secondrounder.

keep your coolness!

what has he proved until now...is Joey dorsey the second coming of Dwight howard? No he isnt! Hopefulle Blair will be great and maybe even a starter for us this year. But wait until at least december!

every second thread is about him..."is he the second best pick?", "is he gonna start?", and so on and so on...every bonner tread is a Blai thread...every Summerleague thread is a Blair thread...

Hey, I'm just as excided as you, but at this point he is a nice second round pick, which will have to earn minutes behind Timmy, Dyess and Bonner!

Hopefully you can blame me for writing that come `10!

[TDMVPDPOY]

wrong thread

[scottspurs]

Team Discipline:
C-Tim Duncan
PF-Antonio Mcdyess
SF-RJ
SG-Roger Mason
PG-Tony Parker

Team Energy:
C-Ian Mahinmi
PF-Dejuan Blair
SF-Malik Hairston
SG-Manu Ginobili
PG-George Hill

Team Length:
C-Tim Duncan
PF-Ian Mahinmi
SF-Marcus Haislip/James Gist
SG-Manu Ginobili
PG-George Hill

Team Speed:
C-Ian Mahinmi
PF-Marcus Haislip/James Gist
SF-RJ
SG-George Hill
PG-Tony Parker

Team Small Ball:
C-Tim Duncan
PF-Marcus Haislip/James Gist
SF-Manu Ginobili
SG-George Hill
PG-Tony Parker

Team Defense:
C-Tim Duncan
PF-Antonio Mcdyess
SF-RJ
SG-Manu Ginobili
PG-George Hill

Team Shooter:
C-Tim Duncan
PF-Matt Bonner
SF-Michael Finley
SG-Roger Mason
PG-Manu Ginobili

Team Rebound:
C-Tim Duncan
PF-Dejuan Blair
SF-Malik Hairston
SG-Manu Ginobili
PG-George Hill

Team Down by or Up by 30 in the 4th:
C-Matt Bonner
PF-Marcus Haislip/James Gist
SF-Michael Finley
SG-Malik Hairston
PG-Roger Mason

Team Closer:
C-Tim Duncan
PF-Antonio Mcdyess
SF-RJ
SG-Manu Ginobili
PG-Tony Parker

It doesn't matter who starts. What matters is that the right lineup is out their on the court in the right situation. Pop will decide, we will enjoy.

[TDMVPDPOY]

would prefer a backup center that can play defense and block shots...so we can have a lineup or either center - mcdyness or center - blair....

mcdyness - blair just to small

[EricB]

I see Blair as a Ginobili type in that he's only gonna be good in bursts so to speak.

20 24 minutes a game, that good burst at the end of the first beginning middle second, and then end of the third finish game if he's playing better than Dyess.

[EricB]

Scott brings up a great point.

Pop is a matchup coach and if the roster goes forward as is, he has a gigantic amount of options, matchups, ways to go with his roster.

[mingus]

man, you certainly think you know a lot about Spurs basketball. :lol

there's a better chance of Bonner taking minutes from McDyess than Ian taking minutes from Bonner. Bonner's D is solid, better than anything Ian could amount to this year yet.

if Ian keeps playing the way he's been playing in Summer League and shows more progress, Bon Bon will be the de facto waterboy.

[K-State Spur]

Blair will be more of a scorer than TD. TD will struggle to create shots for himself now.

:rollin

because TD will miss all that athleticism and jumping ability that he used to get shots the last few years?????

Duncan has been using strength, smarts, and fundamentals to get most of his shots since 2005. Those aren't going to deteriorate for a while still.

Assuming that his knees can come back to somewhere near full strength, we'll notice his game decline on the defense end long before it goes offensively.

[Brazil]

Team Discipline:
C-Tim Duncan
PF-Antonio Mcdyess
SF-RJ
SG-Roger Mason
PG-Tony Parker

Team Energy:
C-Ian Mahinmi
PF-Dejuan Blair
SF-Malik Hairston
SG-Manu Ginobili
PG-George Hill

Team Length:
C-Tim Duncan
PF-Ian Mahinmi
SF-Marcus Haislip/James Gist
SG-Manu Ginobili
PG-George Hill

Team Speed:
C-Ian Mahinmi
PF-Marcus Haislip/James Gist
SF-RJ
SG-George Hill
PG-Tony Parker

Team Small Ball:
C-Tim Duncan
PF-Marcus Haislip/James Gist
SF-Manu Ginobili
SG-George Hill
PG-Tony Parker

Team Defense:
C-Tim Duncan
PF-Antonio Mcdyess
SF-RJ
SG-Manu Ginobili
PG-George Hill

Team Shooter:
C-Tim Duncan
PF-Matt Bonner
SF-Michael Finley
SG-Roger Mason
PG-Manu Ginobili

Team Rebound:
C-Tim Duncan
PF-Dejuan Blair
SF-Malik Hairston
SG-Manu Ginobili
PG-George Hill

Team Down by or Up by 30 in the 4th:
C-Matt Bonner
PF-Marcus Haislip/James Gist
SF-Michael Finley
SG-Malik Hairston
PG-Roger Mason

Team Closer:
C-Tim Duncan
PF-Antonio Mcdyess
SF-RJ
SG-Manu Ginobili
PG-Tony Parker

It doesn't matter who starts. What matters is that the right lineup is out their on the court in the right situation. Pop will decide, we will enjoy.

cannot wait to see the team closer in action

[mudyez]

Team Discipline:
C-Tim Duncan
PF-Antonio Mcdyess
SF-RJ
SG-Roger Mason
PG-Tony Parker

Team Energy:
C-Ian Mahinmi
PF-Dejuan Blair
SF-Malik Hairston
SG-Manu Ginobili
PG-George Hill

Team Length:
C-Tim Duncan
PF-Ian Mahinmi
SF-Marcus Haislip/James Gist
SG-Manu Ginobili
PG-George Hill

Team Speed:
C-Ian Mahinmi
PF-Marcus Haislip/James Gist
SF-RJ
SG-George Hill
PG-Tony Parker

Team Small Ball:
C-Tim Duncan
PF-Marcus Haislip/James Gist
SF-Manu Ginobili
SG-George Hill
PG-Tony Parker

Team Defense:
C-Tim Duncan
PF-Antonio Mcdyess
SF-RJ
SG-Manu Ginobili
PG-George Hill

Team Shooter:
C-Tim Duncan
PF-Matt Bonner
SF-Michael Finley
SG-Roger Mason
PG-Manu Ginobili

Team Rebound:
C-Tim Duncan
PF-Dejuan Blair
SF-Malik Hairston
SG-Manu Ginobili
PG-George Hill

Team Down by or Up by 30 in the 4th:
C-Matt Bonner
PF-Marcus Haislip/James Gist
SF-Michael Finley
SG-Malik Hairston
PG-Roger Mason

Team Closer:
C-Tim Duncan
PF-Antonio Mcdyess
SF-RJ
SG-Manu Ginobili
PG-Tony Parker

It doesn't matter who starts. What matters is that the right lineup is out their on the court in the right situation. Pop will decide, we will enjoy.

a little bit too easy...you could use a computer to do the subing!

still have to decide who can do what on which opponent and which player has a ood day in certain areas.

but overall it shows our versatility

[Killakobe81]

Murder? I respect Gasol's game, but isn't Blair the tough, physical kind of player that gives Gasol so much trouble?

pnr defense is about mobility Shaq sucks at it too ...kg is betterat it than Perkins ...in the low block? i agree blair has advantage ..

[iggypop123]

you guys should know with ginobli as experience its not about who starts its about who finishes the games

[HarlemHeat37]

We're talking bench minutes here. Is a Blair-Bonner frontcourt going to be that much worse defensively than a Bonner-Thomas one was last year? Yes, the Spurs would have to have Manu and Jefferson out there with them, but so what? You've got a big 4. You're going to want at least 2 of them out there together at all times anyways.

I trust Kurt Thomas a lot more defensively than I do Blair..I know DeJuan is more mobile, but I don't think he's going to be better than an average defender this season..I just wouldn't trust having 2 undersized defenders together in the frontcourt, one of them being a rookie..if it's for like 5 minutes, then maybe, but otherwise, they would get killed by any above average big man IMO..

[ffadicted]

Nope. Hill, Ginobili, Hairston, Haislip, Mahinmi and Blair is an insane second lineup, and pop likes giving proven vets more minutes.

[honestfool84]

I could see Pop toying with that at some point in the season.

But I'm liking the idea of Blair's energy mixing with Ginobli and Hills in the 2nd unit.


mhmm.

[JustinJDW]

The more I think about it, the more I realize that we should keep Blair on the Bench. It wouldn't be smart at all to automatically throw him in the Starting Lineup and against the great bigs in the League. McDyess is a smart veteran who will do well with Duncan, and Blair will provide great energy off the Bench along with Ginobili and Hill.

Yeah, McDyess should start and Blair should come off the Bench, no doubt about it.

[xellos88330]

I am liking the thought of Mahinmi and Blair together. Their teamwork down low has been really impressing me.

[raspsa]

Timmy is is verstile. He can hit from the outside and let Blair grab rebounds. He can man the post and let Big Mac hit the mid-range jumper. Both models work.

[Rick Von Braun]

Nope. Hill, Ginobili, Hairston, Haislip, Mahinmi and Blair is an insane second lineup, and pop likes giving proven vets more minutes.

Well, it is insane since that lineup has 6 players :downspin:

Seriously, if Finley and Bonner are still on the team, Pop will play them first. Hairston, Haislip, Mahimi and even Blair will have to fight for minutes and show Pop they are worth being part of the rotation.

[peskypesky]

There's no way to even guess until we see Blair in some real games. In theory, I'd love to pair him with Duncan as starters and just dominate the boards, while pairing McDyess with Manu off the bench for a 1-2 punch. But this is all unfortunately way premature.

[FkLA]

Anyone who thinks Blair should start is retarded. Im all for being optimistic about Blair, but wanting him to start and labeling him a future star before he even plays a regular season game is becoming annoying. A bunch of you are overrating him way too much.

[mudyez]

Anyone who thinks Blair should start is retarded. Im all for being optimistic about Blair, but wanting him to start and labeling him a future star before he even plays a regular season game is becoming annoying. A bunch of you are overrating him way too much.

agree...just look at the contract he signed...if there where signs of him beeing the next coming of *insert multiple all star powerforward*, he would have aked for more and the Spurs would have paid it!

right now we have to see him as a nice roleplayer. not more not less!
furthermore he should be labled "prospect" coz if things go well, he might become that inserted multiple power forward.

I'm also excited about Blair, just not as optimistic, as everyone else here!

[spursfan1000]

Id like this idea but what if Blair can't guard the big men like Gasol and Bynum who start for the Lakers, Rasheed and Garnett who start for Celtics, I would much rather have Mcdyees start for defensive purposes.Itd be nice to see Manu and Blair come off the bench together also.

[angelbelow]

I guess on a rebuilding team this would be a fantastic idea. But since were playing for a championship, we have to be more cautious.