DeJuan's role next year

[mingus]

Duncan has clearly declined. it's no longer a question anymore. the way i see it he's basically 75% of his former self. he needs help in the post, not only defensively, which has been obvious for the past two years, but also offensively. this is where i think DeJuan comes into the picture. he had two 20-20 games this year, both when Duncan was not playing. during these games, he was given the ball more consistently on the offensive end and he produced. he was inconsistent all season long, but you can't quesiton his talent. he would've been in the rookie of the year conversation if he played for a bad team. that's saying a lot with as good as this draft calss is.

what can we expect of him next year? i do think talent needs to brought it defensively to help Duncan out. obivously, DeJuan is undersized and won't ever be a great presence defensively, probably. but what about on offense? with the Big 3 not able to manufacture offense as they used to, can he assert himself next year? i think his improvement will be almost as important as any potential acquisition.

i think he has Milsap-like potential. what do you expect his role to be next year?

[DesignatedT]

I think Milsap-like role and comparison is fair to make. Definitely going to need some more help down low. I never want to see a Bonner-Blair lineup ever again.

[HarlemHeat37]

He will be an energy big off the bench, just like this year..he should be better next year with the added experience..it should help him have a better idea in regards to fouling and finishing at the basket, although his size is always going to hurt him when it comes to finishing..

I like the idea of having Duncan-Splitter-Blair-McDyess, Spurs will need 1 more big man to bring a different aspect, maybe in the draft, maybe Ian..

[mingus]

i think one of the things pop is goint ot tell DeJuan to work on over the summer in terms of his offense is a mid-range game. i think if he developed a 10 foot jumper it would to wonders for his game, because, against bigger guys, the drive or post up isn't always going to be there.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

He will be an energy big off the bench, just like this year..he should be better next year with the added experience..it should help him have a better idea in regards to fouling and finishing at the basket, although his size is always going to hurt him when it comes to finishing..

I like the idea of having Duncan-Splitter-Blair-McDyess, Spurs will need 1 more big man to bring a different aspect, maybe in the draft, maybe Ian..

Don't you think that might make Bonner coming back more likely? Perhaps as the 5th big since Pop still wants big men that can really spread the floor.

[NewJerSpur]

I liked his help defense at the rim and a good portion of the defense he played on Amare when they went head up. As HH mentioned, I think he'll play smarter as time goes on and stop committing dumb/senseless/late reach-in fouls.

He's another one that needs to get in the gym with Chip in the offseason. He actually showed signs of having a potentially decent mid-range jumper despite his struggles at the line which I'd like to see him develop; if he can present a threat in that regard, I think he'd be pretty dangerous with a headfake, especially given his quick 1st step. Would be cool to see him even workout with a guy like Larry Johnson on his offensive moves. His foundation will always be as the junkyard dog/energy/scrapper, but I think he has room for growth.

[HarlemHeat37]

Yes, I expect Bonner to be back, sadly..I'm hoping it will be an athletic big instead though..

[Amuseddaysleeper]

I liked his help defense at the rim and a good portion of the defense he played on Amare when they went head up. As HH mentioned, I think he'll play smarter as time goes on and stop committing dumb/senseless/late reach-in fouls.

He's another one that needs to get in the gym with Chip in the offseason. He actually showed signs of having a potentially decent mid-range jumper despite his struggles at the line which I'd like to see him develop; if he can present a threat in that regard, I think he'd be pretty dangerous with a headfake, especially given his quick 1st step. Would be cool to see him even workout with a guy like Larry Johnson on his offensive moves. His foundation will always be as the junkyard dog/energy/scrapper, but I think he has room for growth.

DeJuan said on twitter that he was going to be working a lot with Chip this offseason

[NewJerSpur]

DeJuan said on twitter that he was going to be working a lot with Chip this offseason

:tu

[ducks]

duncan better be there with chi also

[kaji157]

I would like him to start and play alongside Duncan at PF and move TD to C for good. If we can manage to make Duncan-Blair an effective combination that would give us a one-two punch similar to what we had in the early 2000´s. I think that would help his development a lot, at least that´s what i want for the beginning of the season.
You let McDyess have a 6th man role similar to what he had in the Pistons, as he would play PF off the bench with newcomer Splitter.
If either McDyess or Splitter appears to give Duncan the best sidekick, then move either of them to the starting lineup by midseason.

[DesignatedT]

I dont really care about Bonner. If Splitter is the player he is expected to be than Bonner shouldn't be getting time when the games matter anyway. He still might be a good utility big during the regular season (knows the system very well, hits shots in the regular season).

On the other hand, Mason needs to get the fuck out right now... along with bogans and the spurs need to try there luck with a couple new perimeter guys.

[NewJerSpur]

On the other hand, Mason needs to get the fuck out right now... along with bogans and the spurs need to try there luck with a couple new perimeter guys.

Mason is gone, he's a free agent and it's going to be a mutual split. I'd like to see Bogans back myself and think (as was mentioned in the Think Tank) that it may come down to he and Bell, regardless of the outcome of the draft due to the team's questionable depth.

[SenorSpur]

I dont really care about Bonner. If Splitter is the player he is expected to be than Bonner shouldn't be getting time when the games matter anyway. He still might be a good utility big during the regular season (knows the system very well, hits shots in the regular season).

On the other hand, Mason needs to get the fuck out right now... along with bogans and the spurs need to try there luck with a couple new perimeter guys.

Bonner also needs to GTFO also. His playoff failings are now official.

[jason1301]

i think one of the things pop is goint ot tell DeJuan to work on over the summer in terms of his offense is a mid-range game. i think if he developed a 10 foot jumper it would to wonders for his game, because, against bigger guys, the drive or post up isn't always going to be there.

cheers to that !!!!

[Ditty]

i think one of the things pop is goint ot tell DeJuan to work on over the summer in terms of his offense is a mid-range game. i think if he developed a 10 foot jumper it would to wonders for his game, because, against bigger guys, the drive or post up isn't always going to be there.

if he can do that and show signs he can can shoot he will be deadly hopefully he lives to his pontential of being a paul milsap clone

[poop]

DeJuan said on twitter that he was going to be working a lot with Chip this offseason

great, this has always done wonders for our team's free throw shooting. and has made great shooters out of mediocre ones.

ROFL how does this guy have a job? telling pro bbers 'here, put your hand a little more like this...' jesus christ what a joke.probably gets paid huge as well.

[angelbelow]

DeJuan said on twitter that he was going to be working a lot with Chip this offseason

awesome news

[blkroadrunners]

Chip Engelland was pretty high on Blair all season.This is great for Blair's development.

[TheProfessor]

great, this has always done wonders for our team's free throw shooting. and has made great shooters out of mediocre ones.

ROFL how does this guy have a job? telling pro bbers 'here, put your hand a little more like this...' jesus christ what a joke.probably gets paid huge as well.
Is that you, mexicanjunior?

[DesignatedT]

great, this has always done wonders for our team's free throw shooting. and has made great shooters out of mediocre ones.

ROFL how does this guy have a job? telling pro bbers 'here, put your hand a little more like this...' jesus christ what a joke.probably gets paid huge as well.

steve kerr, shane battier, tony parker, grant hill is just a shortlist who have credited engelland for ultimately making them a better shooter. plus, he is an assistant coach now... he does other things than just help people shoot. every other team in the nba wouldn't mind having him behind there bench.

[DAF86]

Hopefully Blair works on finding ways to not be such a liability on the defensive end. His lack of size hurt us a bit this season.

[Big P]

Having him play backup center was not the best way for DeJuan to spend his first year...the kid needs to be playing his PF position.

[Mal]

He`ll get his chances, like Hill had it.

[scottspurs]

Dejuan role for next season is to dominate the paint.

[Borosai]

2nd PF.

[EricB]

His role will be the same as this year. Energy guy off the bench, get boards and garbage points.

[boutons_deux]

He's a great player about 3 inches too short for his NBA position.

[Spurs Brazil]

I hope he can work on his defense and post moves

[HankChinaski]

Chip working with this guy with his jump shoot to something that has to be defended by opponents would do a lot with stretching the floor on offense.

His post moves are a bit wild, but definitely show a hell of a lot of promise. If he can get a soft more controlled touch with his post game, he could be devastating inside and out especially if a jump shot from him develops over the off season.

His defensive lapses this season are acceptable. It was his first year in a confusing ever switching lineup with this team all season. One could expect the Spurs grading his off season development with his offense and getting him setup more at the PF side on D. Come training camp for the spurs with him you should see him a lot more comfortable with the defense strategies and rotation with the spurs. He's a guy I feel high on coming out stronger next season so long as Pop doesn't play him at the 5 whenever he jumps on the court.

[itzsoweezee]

he needs to finish better around the rim. the fact that, unlike milsap, blair's not a good leaper really hurts him.

[TDMVPDPOY]

maybe he should develop a jumper, didnt malik rose develop a jumper in his final season with the spurs

[Mr Bones]

The Spurs bought low and now I think they should sell high. If Blair is packaged with Jefferson's expiring contract before next year's trade deadline, it could very plausibly bring a great piece or two very good pieces to a San Antonio team that has obvious needs, one of which unfortunately is not a 6'5" center. I love his attitude and wish him the best-- I really do-- but this is one time I hope the Spurs go with their heads and not their hearts.

[TDMVPDPOY]

The Spurs bought low and now I think they should sell high. If Blair is packaged with Jefferson's expiring contract before next year's trade deadline, it could very plausibly bring a great piece or two very good pieces to a San Antonio team that has obvious needs, one of which unfortunately is not a 6'5" center. I love his attitude and wish him the best-- I really do-- but this is one time I hope the Spurs go with their heads and not their hearts.

and who will be the bigs on our team besides duncan and mcdyness (splitter)? you want to go through another season with bonner

[Man In Black]

Him & Chip better find some tapes of the following players: Malik Rose-Should be readily accessible, Larry Johnson-not as accessible but should be able to be found, and Hall of Fame Legend, Wes Unseld-Might have to crack open the NBA Vault. All of these guys are shorter than 6'7" and in their own way, dominated the opposition. For Malik, it was key games. For Larry, it was a few seasons. For Wes, the only player to ever win ROY and MVP the same year. Look at his rebound number's and FG% for his career. IF DeJuan gives the Spurs 70% of that...we're baaaaaccccckkkkkk!

[ploto]

To get more playing time from Pop he must develop a mid-range shot.

[Man In Black]

I beg to differ on that mid-range shot. He needs to learn hook shot with either hand, he needs to learn how to gather himself. He needs to use the sniper motto, Quick is slow, slow is smooth, and smooth is fast. He needs to be selective on the amount of shots. For him, 10-12 shots max. And for offensive rebound put-backs, again...gather and look. If not, throw it out and reset the offense.

[Mr Bones]

and who will be the bigs on our team besides duncan and mcdyness (splitter)? you want to go through another season with bonner


If Blair is packaged with Jefferson's expiring contract before next year's trade deadline, it could very plausibly bring a great piece or two very good pieces to a San Antonio team that has obvious needs, one of which unfortunately is not a 6'5" center.

[Manufan909]

He's 6'7" actually (maybe 6'6" but he doesnt play barefoot), and he plays like 6'10", whereas Bonner is 6'10" and plays like he's 6'5". You can't always go by actual measurements.

Plus, Blair is a smart choice to keep on, he's cheap as fuck for the next 3 years. This being his rookie year, I think he was fantastic. If Chip and Dice add a 10-15 ft jumper to his arsenal, he'll be deadly on O.

It does worry me that I've heard no mention of Blair improving his D over the offseason though. He wasn't offensively a liability, because he scored of broken plays, putbacks, and pick and rolls. He was defensively a liabilty because he didn't use his immense mass and strength to their full potential. No one really ever backed him down, but then he never fought for position against guys like Pau who can easily shoot over him.

The only people you really want to trade are players who don't hold their weight, like Bonner/Mason/RJ, and you shouldn't trade a player who does hold their weight (Blair) if it possibly forces you to keep a guy like Bonner, who becomes worthless in the POs except for the last two games.

[spursfaninla]

great, this has always done wonders for our team's free throw shooting. and has made great shooters out of mediocre ones.

ROFL how does this guy have a job? telling pro bbers 'here, put your hand a little more like this...' jesus christ what a joke.probably gets paid huge as well.

Your frustration is understandable, but your take is unfounded.

Our FT shooting as a team was a problem of psychology more than anything; evidence of that was the ft% during the long regular season.

Duncan is too old to re-tread his BAD technique at the line.

Parker usually shoots them ok; I think that was psych-issues too.

He helped lots of people on the Spurs as other posters have said, and currently our George Hill's excellent 3pt shot was built from the ground up by Chip.

I believe he helped tony work on his jumpshot, which appeared out of nowhere; until that point, he only had a drive-layup and a floater.

I get the frustration about the ft shooting; it was pretty sad. But Chip has done good work with the mechanics of players shot, that is undeniable.

as for Blair, he has a lot he can work on; defense, go-to moves in the post, and a mid-range jumper. I think all 3 would be important improvements, but if I were going to pick one, it would be the go-to post move. That would allow Duncan to shoot the jumper and save him the grind on the season.

[Agloco]

He will be an energy big off the bench, just like this year..he should be better next year with the added experience..it should help him have a better idea in regards to fouling and finishing at the basket, although his size is always going to hurt him when it comes to finishing..

I like the idea of having Duncan-Splitter-Blair-McDyess, Spurs will need 1 more big man to bring a different aspect, maybe in the draft, maybe Ian..

Maybe by trade....... I see a rotation of Duncan/Okafor/Splitter/Blair/McDyess with McDyess sitting most of the regular season while Splitter gets incorporated into the system.

[Mr Bones]

He's 6'7" actually (maybe 6'6" but he doesnt play barefoot), and he plays like 6'10", whereas Bonner is 6'10" and plays like he's 6'5". You can't always go by actual measurements.



He's 6' 5.25" in bare feet and 6' 6.5" in sneakers.

[mingus]

i think amidst all the trade and FA talk we'll hear over the summer and the implications those potential pick-ups would have on the roster, Blair is a guy that will come in and be a much better player and have an impact that maybe would be considered a surprise, kind of like how George Hill had this year, but maybe even moreso.

[Capt Bringdown]

didnt malik rose develop a jumper in his final season with the spurs

No, he started taking a lot of jumpers, which was a big mistake.

[dbestpro]

DeJuan can't grow 6 inches but he can work on his outside shot and his lateral quickness. His size will always limit his minutes in the post. If he can some how find a way to play some small forward from time to time he could stay on the floor when the opposing team tries run good post bigs agianst him. He is still young so there is time to develop his outside shot.

[silverblk mystix]

I think he should , first of all;

Play TWICE as many minutes as Duncan in the regular season...

this would be the best thing for the spurs---saving wear and tear on TD

and this would also improve Blairs game---he just needs TONS of minutes so he can dominate the pros the way he dominated college---

fuck the height/size thing---just let him play.

[TD 21]

He will be an energy big off the bench, just like this year..he should be better next year with the added experience..it should help him have a better idea in regards to fouling and finishing at the basket, although his size is always going to hurt him when it comes to finishing..

I like the idea of having Duncan-Splitter-Blair-McDyess, Spurs will need 1 more big man to bring a different aspect, maybe in the draft, maybe Ian..

I agree, same role for Blair, but his minutes, if his game improves as expected, should jump from 18 to 20-22.

If those four make up the big rotation, then expect the fifth big to be a stretch four, but not Bonner. Bonner, at the peak of his career isn't going to settle for a drastic pay cut (which, given the Spurs financial limitations, I can't see them offering more than the minimum to fill this role) or a reduced role (which he'd almost certainly have to take, because Splitter will be ahead of him and Blair, so long as he improves, figures to be as well).

Assuming Splitter signs and McDyess isn't traded to facilitate re-signing Bonner, the guy I see filling Bonner's role is Cook. He's a similar player, will cost the minimum and can't gripe about being a fifth big, seeing as how he's been out of the league the majority of this past season and probably would have been even longer if not for his bloated contract. In fact, he'd probably be ecstatic not only to have a job in the league again, but to be on an organization and team the caliber of the Spurs.


Yes, I expect Bonner to be back, sadly..I'm hoping it will be an athletic big instead though..

Assuming Splitter signs, the only way Bonner is back is if McDyess is traded. Unless the Spurs carry a sixth big (which I don't see given their already bloated payroll), there will be no athletic big, unless you count Splitter. He's athletic and mobile, but not as athletic as a guy like Mahinmi.