Is Blair...

[arakkus]

5th big now?

If so could we actually see Duncan Splitter together soon please

[Dice]

I thought Splitter looked good tonight considering. I'd like to see him start.

[crc21209]

I really thought that Blair would've been a beast on the boards tonight against Love, but that wasnt the case. But on a positive note Splitter played pretty damn good and even played in some meaningful minutes in the 4th quarter...

[The Truth #6]

Who cares about Tiago and Tim on the court at the same time? The point is to get Tim and Dice rest for the playoffs. Yes, Tiago needs to get court time but the point should be that it allows Tim to rest on the bench not for Tiago to get to play next to Tim.

[Texas_Ranger]

Blair did play just 5 minutes.

[Nathan89]

Blair did play just 5 minutes.

Because he sucks. The only reason he's not the 5th big is because pop doesn't want to crush any confidence he still has.

[Cry Havoc]

Blair is definitely in the doghouse. Sad. :(

[Ginobilly]

I really thought that Blair would've been a beast on the boards tonight against Love, but that wasnt the case. But on a positive note Splitter played pretty damn good and even played in some meaningful minutes in the 4th quarter...

It has not been the case this year with Blair with the way the refs have been calling a lot of phantom calls when he positions himself for rebounds. The league has been getting softer every year! I can't believe that the Euroleague/ACB is now considered a tougher league than the NBA. You can't even bang in the post anymore with all the ticky tack bullshit they call nowadays.

[mingus]

i hope not. Blair has showed signs of breaking out of his slump lately -- he looks better around the rim and his rebounds are about where we need them and expect them to be. if the Spurs didn't have the position they have in the standings atm, then i'd say put him in the dog house, but they have some leverage with where they're at in the standings. they need to use that leverage to play Blair and get him playing up to his potential. Dyess will be there when it matters most in the playoffs. it would only make sense to let Blair play further out of his slump because i still feel he can be a key player for this team.

[HarlemHeat37]

He isn't a starter-caliber player, I don't know why he's still going up against starters, it just hurts his game..he can still be very effective if he's going up against bench players..

[rayray2k8]

He's getting outplayed by Bonner right now and eventually Splitter will begin to eat his minutes up.
I love Blair, but he needs to step it up.

[Ginobilly]

He isn't a starter-caliber player, I don't know why he's still going up against starters, it just hurts his game..he can still be very effective if he's going up against bench players..


Maybe Pop is trying to get him to get used against NBA starters?? That's the only way your going to get better in Sports is to play against the best. The thing with Blair is that he has all the physical tools to be a 20/10 guy but he lacks the discipline and patience when he gets the ball deep into the post. He either throws up really quick and soft shots or tries to through it down too hard. He needs to find balance! He should watch some old tapes of Malik Rose and learn some of his moves. Or maybe call up Hakeem the dream during the summer, but I hear that Lebron and Bosh have already scheduled their appointments.:lmao

[angelbelow]

At this point him being in the starting lineup just isn't working out. Were 12-1 but you cant ignore just how bad of a fit he is. I think its appropriate to move him with the 2nd unit and let him continue where he left off last year. Maybe insert Dice or Splitter into the starting lineup and see how that works out for a few games.

This is why I find comments like "We're 12-1 so STFU" so stupid. You can always make your team better so why not weigh your options?

[arakkus]

If he was going to get minutes I would have thought it would be tonight 2 big rebounders who were owning us on the boards yet he only got 5 min all the other bigs were over 20. I say give Tiago a chance with the first team and lets funnel those guys right into our bigs like we use too and have them actually go oh crap.

[Obstructed_View]

I keep thinking of how good this team could be if they'd ever play Splitter with Duncan, Parker and Manu and just start mixing up the pick and rolls. They could also become a really strong defensive team. If you want Duncan to get rest, the best way is to put a shot blocker next to him so he doesn't wear down having to defend the paint by himself.

[Pauleta14]

It depends on the matchups

Imagine Blair betwenn Love and Milicic...

[Blackjack]

I keep thinking of how good this team could be if they'd ever play Splitter with Duncan, Parker and Manu and just start mixing up the pick and rolls. They could also become a really strong defensive team. If you want Duncan to get rest, the best way is to put a shot blocker next to him so he doesn't wear down having to defend the paint by himself.

Thought that was a big mistake tonight from Pop. Probably would have had a much better chance of not falling behind had he allowed Splitter and Duncan to play together and not sub for each other early.

Having bigs helps you rebound, defend against size, control pace, and usually get more scoring opportunities in the paint and attempts at the line -- something Splitter is quite adept at doing.

Hopefully Pop sees it fit to play Duncan and Splitter together down the line.

[Obstructed_View]

Thought that was a big mistake tonight from Pop. Probably would have had a much better chance of not falling behind had he allowed Splitter and Duncan to play together and not sub for each other early.

Having bigs helps you rebound, defend against size, control pace, and usually get more scoring opportunities in the paint and attempts at the line -- something Splitter is quite adept at doing.

Hopefully Pop sees it fit to play Duncan and Splitter together down the line.

I keep believing that they're going to get a chance eventually and everything's going to change. I never stop letting myself get my hopes up. :lol I think they'll probably have to really click in order to get Pop's attention away from carpet bombing the basket from 24 feet.

[arakkus]

I love the current offense. lots of movement and pick and rolls finding open shooters. If the defense gives you open 3s you have to take them the Wolves weren't even running at our shooters. Ginobli is the only one that I remember even taking contested 3s. I want Splitter for the defense and the rare easy shot near the rim. The lakers average much more attempts than us since they lead us in assists I'm sure there taking open 3s as well.

[Blackjack]

:lol

I'm trying to be optimistic, hopeful even. I'm right there with you, just telling myself it's only a matter of time.

Ignorance is bliss. :downspin:

[rogcl1]

I keep believing that they're going to get a chance eventually and everything's going to change. I never stop letting myself get my hopes up. :lol I think they'll probably have to really click in order to get Pop's attention away from carpet bombing the basket from 24 feet.

I just want to see two big guys out there. I also think Splitter and Duncan is where the future lies, but from what I have seen it appears to me that Splitter will have trouble with the mobile fours and MCD will be better suited to guard them.

[angelbelow]

I keep thinking of how good this team could be if they'd ever play Splitter with Duncan, Parker and Manu and just start mixing up the pick and rolls. They could also become a really strong defensive team. If you want Duncan to get rest, the best way is to put a shot blocker next to him so he doesn't wear down having to defend the paint by himself.

Personally, I was salivating at the thought of Splitter and Duncan in the 4th. While the wolves were scoring on splitter, Splitter wasnt sitting back and just taking it. He did a good job boxing out on the defensive end and a great job being active and drawing fouls on the offensive end(i think it was 3 straight possessions.) I thought Splitters D was decent but Love and Darko were just circus freaks tonight.

Ultimately they went Dice and Duncan - which is great too.

[TD 21]

Thought that was a big mistake tonight from Pop. Probably would have had a much better chance of not falling behind had he allowed Splitter and Duncan to play together and not sub for each other early.

Having bigs helps you rebound, defend against size, control pace, and usually get more scoring opportunities in the paint and attempts at the line -- something Splitter is quite adept at doing.

Hopefully Pop sees it fit to play Duncan and Splitter together down the line.

He's going to have to. He can't expect Duncan, at this stage of his career, to not only guard a guy 2 inches taller and 20-25 pounds heavier, but also keep a glass cleaner like Love off the glass. He's having a tough enough time guarding bigger centers, he can't be expected to singlehandedly take care of the paint.

I'm not trying to make an excuse for his blatant offensive struggles, but it's not fair what they're asking him to do. He's not even a true center as is and they're only compounding their difficulty with guarding bulky post players with size, by often pairing him with Blair or Bonner. As well as Bonner is playing, we all know he can't help him in the paint.

Bulky post players with size, who can score with their back to the basket or inside in general, give the Spurs problems. This is where not having a single true center hurts them. Their best bet in these scenarios is to play Duncan and Splitter together or at least play McDyess more.

[itzsoweezee]

Enough with the Duncan-Splitter nonsense. It will never happen. It's not by accident that Popovich never plays them together.

[Obstructed_View]

I love the current offense. lots of movement and pick and rolls finding open shooters. If the defense gives you open 3s you have to take them the Wolves weren't even running at our shooters. Ginobli is the only one that I remember even taking contested 3s. I want Splitter for the defense and the rare easy shot near the rim. The lakers average much more attempts than us since they lead us in assists I'm sure there taking open 3s as well.

Again, how does that spread the floor?

[tvdij]

If splitter picks up his rebounding, I don't see any reason why DeJuan isn't a 5th big.

Dejuan hasn't shown he can guard mobile bigs (he only played 5 minutes because he didn't look good against Kevin Love) and got pulled quickly in the Orlando game because of the matchup with Rashard Lewis. Who can he guard? Paul Milsap? Because he stuggles with 7 footers, which Tiago looks solid against. He will struggle with a 4 with a good face up game (or post game for that matter since he's small, although his lower body positioning helps with that).

I'm rooting for Blair, but he seems to have lost his mojo a little bit.

[doobs]

Blair is a great player in certain situations. His energy and nose for the ball are things that simply can't be coached. He's talented enough to crack the rotation of a legitimate contender, but not as a starter/finisher. Give the man 15-20 minutes and let him beast.

Bonner is great in certain situations, too.

In all honesty, the Spurs need Splitter to develop into a very good all-around big if they hope to contend for a title. Blair and Bonner and McDyess are great luxuries to have depending on the opponent, but Splitter and Duncan need to be the meat and potatoes.

[jjktkk]

Enough with the Duncan-Splitter nonsense. It will never happen. It's not by accident that Popovich never plays them together.

Its only a month into the season. I wouldn't rule out starting Splitter and Duncan together, once Splitter acclaimates himself with the Spurs system.

[TD 21]

As for Blair, I expect McDyess to start next game, just like I expect him to against the Lakers. Other than that, pre All-Star break at least, Blair will probably remain the starter. But long term, I can't see him being in the playoff rotation.

If it's not going to eventually be Duncan-Splitter for a good amount of time against bigger front lines, then this team can't be taken seriously as a contender. It's that simple. The best team in the league is that because they have the biggest and best (when healthy) front line in the game. Playing Blair (at all) and Bonner for long stretches next to Duncan isn't going to cut it.

If he had his hands full with Milicic, wouldn't it stand to reason that Bynum would be even more of a challenge? And he'll have to guard Gasol in stretches. Both are taller and longer and in the case of Bynum, he's also 20-25 pounds heavier.

If it comes to that (Lakers-Spurs), Duncan is going to need every bit of energy he can summon and every bit of help he can get in the paint.

[Obstructed_View]

I love the current offense. lots of movement and pick and rolls finding open shooters. If the defense gives you open 3s you have to take them the Wolves weren't even running at our shooters. Ginobli is the only one that I remember even taking contested 3s. I want Splitter for the defense and the rare easy shot near the rim. The lakers average much more attempts than us since they lead us in assists I'm sure there taking open 3s as well.

The Lakers have two guys that can dominate on the inside and command a double team. I'd imagine that they aren't settling for jumpers. They attempted 29 and 23 in their two losses, so they aren't having any more success than anyone else when they do.

[Obstructed_View]

There really is a lot of potential in this front line. The Spurs should be able to have a solid foundation and a lot of adaptability with so many versatile guys. Nice to get out of this performance with a win and see how they go from here.

Have a good night, guys.

[EricB]

Again, I think theres been way too much weight put into a game vs Minnesota the night before Thanksgiving.

Now the games against Dallas and New Orleans, I'll agree then things should be reevaluated after them.

[elbamba]

Blair needs to come off the bench. He is more of an energy guy and he would fill in great in that role.

[Obstructed_View]

Again, I think theres been way too much weight put into a game vs Minnesota the night before Thanksgiving.

Now the games against Dallas and New Orleans, I'll agree then things should be reevaluated after them.

Probably a fluke game where you just burn the tape and be glad to get out of Dodge with a win. Might be a blessing in disguise for Manu to look at the box score and say, "Holy cow, I shot that many threes?" Honestly, if he penetrates or creates a play on half of those attempts, the game probably goes way different. I don't like to put it all on him, though.

[jiggy_55]

I just can't believe how bad he's turned. Can we safely blame this on his loss of weight taking away from his size and strength? Or is he just ice cold? This baffles me every night, he should be avging 12 and 8 easily while shooting extremely high fg%.

Where is that jumper he worked on? He was great in pre-season but that's disappeared. He was way better last year when he had no jumper and had all that fat!

1. He needs to go back to the bench
2. Pop needs to play him some damn minutes (6 minutes tonight?) and call some plays for him, pick and rolls etc.

[TwelveGs210]

I agree with a previous poster as far as Pop's goal being not to play Splitter and Duncan together, it makes sense to have the second legit, back to the basket big come in to spell Duncan so we always have a true center on the floor.

[xellos88330]

The way I see it, Blair is actually pretty important as a starter. It does make the other team pretty darn predictable when he is on the court.

If Blair is able to hold his own, it is a huge plus. If he doesn't, the Spurs still have a whole lot of game left to counter with a different player. It is better than finding out he isn't going to be effective when he comes off the bench and the Spurs lose a lead, or get into a bigger hole. It also helps Pop to solidify the rotations and manage the minutes of the bigs better. With Blair starting, he will be getting minutes, and Pop can get a good pulse check on the other team. Regardless, they will both be somewhat happy.

[mingus]

As for Blair, I expect McDyess to start next game, just like I expect him to against the Lakers. Other than that, pre All-Star break at least, Blair will probably remain the starter. But long term, I can't see him being in the playoff rotation.

If it's not going to eventually be Duncan-Splitter for a good amount of time against bigger front lines, then this team can't be taken seriously as a contender. It's that simple. The best team in the league is that because they have the biggest and best (when healthy) front line in the game. Playing Blair (at all) and Bonner for long stretches next to Duncan isn't going to cut it.

If he had his hands full with Milicic, wouldn't it stand to reason that Bynum would be even more of a challenge? And he'll have to guard Gasol in stretches. Both are taller and longer and in the case of Bynum, he's also 20-25 pounds heavier.

If it comes to that (Lakers-Spurs), Duncan is going to need every bit of energy he can summon and every bit of help he can get in the paint.

for sure. i'm really impressed with Splitters defense in every way. his P&R defense and post defense have been excellent. he's actually very unique in that regard. with more experience he will get even better.

with his foot speed, he should be able to guard the likes of Dirk, David West, Boozer. with his height he should be able to guard a guy like Gasol or Bynum. Spurs haven't had a guy with that kind of defensive flexability since Duncan was young and in his prime.

from what i can see, Splitter is basically what the Spurs have been looking for to pair with Duncan for the last 3 years. there's no way he isn't paired with Duncan down the road. i think what Pop is doing is he taking into account that Splitter played this summer and is easing him in. i just can't fathom that Pop won't pair these two together.

[Bruno]

Spurs are too deep at PF/C.

While it's sure that being too deep is nowhere near problematic as a lack of depth, it's a drawback. I find that Pop is doing a bad job at managing all these players. Bonner and Dice plays too much minutes, Blair and Splitter not enough. Losing some games is a price Pop should be ready to accept to develop the young players.

The line between being deep and being too deep is thin and Pop should be able to put back Spurs on the other side of the line. If he isn't able to do it, a trade should be considered even if I doubt Spurs will do it since this excess of depth will be only a one year problem with Dice retiring at the end of the season.

[Spursfanfromafar]

Spurs are too deep at PF/C.

While it's sure that being too deep is nowhere near problematic as a lack of depth, it's a drawback. I find that Pop is doing a bad job at managing all these players. Bonner and Dice plays too much minutes, Blair and Splitter not enough. Losing some games is a price Pop should be ready to accept to develop the young players.

The line between being deep and being too deep is thin and Pop should be able to put back Spurs on the other side of the line. If he isn't able to do it, a trade should be considered even if I doubt Spurs will do it since this excess of depth will be only a one year problem with Dice retiring at the end of the season.

I think Pop is doing the best job considering Blair's play, which has been erratic, out of place and mostly unsuitable against certain types of bigs. I suspect Blair's play has taken a major beating this season and all the talk about him adding a jumpshot has only meant that his post play has come down a notch, while his jumpshot is mostly all about bricklaying. His rebound rate is also off and on and not as consistent as it was in the previous season.

Having said that, we have two bigs who are 34+, one big who is mostly perimeter bound in the offense and one big who is a rookie. Blair is good insurance even if he is not good enough now as a center. I think Pop will persist with Blair till he gets some consistency going or replace him with Splitter gradually at the center position.

If however by Febraury, there is not much improvement, I think Blair can be a good trade chip to snag someone like a Brandon Rush or Wilson Chandler, maybe. I mostly don't think that is going to happen though. Blair seems to want to improve and seems a good learner and a project that can be persisted with.

[Bruno]

Blair is good insurance even if he is not good enough now as a center. I think Pop will persist with Blair till he gets some consistency going or replace him with Splitter gradually at the center position.

If however by Febraury, there is not much improvement, I think Blair can be a good trade chip to snag someone like a Brandon Rush or Wilson Chandler, maybe. I mostly don't think that is going to happen though. Blair seems to want to improve and seems a good learner and a project that can be persisted with.

There are some kind of misunderstanding. The player I think Spurs should consider to trade is Bonner, not Blair.

[mystargtr34]

Im interested to see how many minutes Blair will play against the Mavs. They have a very tall and athletic front line with Chandler and Dirk and i really dont see a good matchup there for Blair. Assigning him to Dirk to begin the game would be suicide on the Spurs behalf... and you dont want Duncan away from the basket in isolations against Dirk.

Does Pop go through the motions for the first 3-4 minutes and wait till Blair gets two quick fouls or Dirk scores 6 quick points and then make the obvious change? Sounds pretty stupid but its pretty likely tbh. The other solution ... and it seems as good a time as any...would be to finally make the inevitable change and move Blair to the bench where his game is more suited and start Dice on Dirk who has a good track record on him.

Im also really interested to see how Splitter will defend Dirk.... he has the size and length.... and more importantly the quick feet to stay with him out on the perimeter. It should be a really good test for him.

[Obstructed_View]

There are some kind of misunderstanding. The player I think Spurs should consider to trade is Bonner, not Blair.

Bonner has started too many games for the Spurs to have any trade value. Every other team in the NBA knows that he's a defensive weakness to exploit and he's way overpaid for a guy that hits threes sometimes.

[TJastal]

for sure. i'm really impressed with Splitters defense in every way. his P&R defense and post defense have been excellent. he's actually very unique in that regard. with more experience he will get even better.

with his foot speed, he should be able to guard the likes of Dirk, David West, Boozer. with his height he should be able to guard a guy like Gasol or Bynum. Spurs haven't had a guy with that kind of defensive flexability since Duncan was young and in his prime.

from what i can see, Splitter is basically what the Spurs have been looking for to pair with Duncan for the last 3 years. there's no way he isn't paired with Duncan down the road. i think what Pop is doing is he taking into account that Splitter played this summer and is easing him in. i just can't fathom that Pop won't pair these two together.

Spurs need a more established player to pair with Duncan. They need the mophead!!!

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/6702/clevelandcavaliersvbost.jpg

[arakkus]

I agree with a previous poster as far as Pop's goal being not to play Splitter and Duncan together, it makes sense to have the second legit, back to the basket big come in to spell Duncan so we always have a true center on the floor.

I disagree if Splitter can handle the minutes then I think you rotate him and Duncan out so you always have one of them on the floor for defense. Much like we do with Ginobili and Parker for running plays. They start and end game together. Mcdyess, Bonner, and Blair are brought in for matchup/ foul trouble. This is of course if Splitter can handle being a starter, however, Blair has been given 14 games I think Splitter should have near the same opportunity before deciding.

[Mel_13]

Im interested to see how many minutes Blair will play against the Mavs. They have a very tall and athletic front line with Chandler and Dirk and i really dont see a good matchup there for Blair. Assigning him to Dirk to begin the game would be suicide on the Spurs behalf... and you dont want Duncan away from the basket in isolations against Dirk.

Does Pop go through the motions for the first 3-4 minutes and wait till Blair gets two quick fouls or Dirk scores 6 quick points and then make the obvious change? Sounds pretty stupid but its pretty likely tbh. The other solution ... and it seems as good a time as any...would be to finally make the inevitable change and move Blair to the bench where his game is more suited and start Dice on Dirk who has a good track record on him.

Im also really interested to see how Splitter will defend Dirk.... he has the size and length.... and more importantly the quick feet to stay with him out on the perimeter. It should be a really good test for him.

Recent history says yes. Two fouls in the first 71 seconds:

http://espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=300108024

[TJastal]

I would deal him in a second. He has nothing between his ears. He did nothing to improve this summer and it shows. I would love to see him get delt for a vet big. Spurs need a bigger more mobile player up front. Anderson V would be a great pick up....dont know how we could make the Money work but he would fit nice.

We could pretend he makes the rookie salary.. then pretend the cavs would actually trade him for Blair. Pretend is fun, huh?

[TD 21]

There are some kind of misunderstanding. The player I think Spurs should consider to trade is Bonner, not Blair.

I won't say I wouldn't trade Bonner, but I wouldn't be shopping him. He'll have to be a bigger part of their success in the playoffs than Blair if they're going to go far. Blair is just not ready for the level of competition from the second round on. He makes too many mistakes, which you can't have when every possession matters.

I wouldn't shop anyone on this team (not counting Udoka and Quinn, who have no trade value), but if I had a to pick a player I'd be open to moving in the right deal (meaning, getting a better fit in return), it would be Blair. It has little to do with his struggles this season.

I just think he's not a great fit on this front line. They can bury him this playoffs, but next season, when McDyess is gone, he'll have to be in the playoff rotation. Even if he does becomes more well rounded and make better decisions, his size (or lack thereof) will always be an issue. He can't guard the Nowitzki types, nor the Gasol types.

Out of the top 6-7 teams in the West, who could he succeed against? Maybe the Jazz, but other than that, I don't like the match-ups. His greatest strengths (per minute scoring and rebounding) will also be minimized, because the key players will be playing more minutes.

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

I'd rather have Blair take Bonner's minutes at least.

[kaji157]

I don´t think Splitter deserves a lot of minutes yet. I like the approch Pop is taking towards the bigs, Duncan is the only one that get´s his minutes by default, and all the others have to play hard to earn minutes.
As of know, McDyess and Bonner are outplaying Splitter and Blair. It´s on these two to outplay the formers.

[kaji157]

I would deal him in a second. He has nothing between his ears. He did nothing to improve this summer and it shows. I would love to see him get delt for a vet big. Spurs need a bigger more mobile player up front. Anderson V would be a great pick up....dont know how we could make the Money work but he would fit nice.

I don´t think there is a big market for Blair like players, even last year when his value was sky high, most similar experimets Leon Powe, Carl Landry, failed miserably on the defensive end, and Landry is the only one getting significant NBA minutes.
Not so say that Landy´s have Milsap range, who i won´t put in this list because he is a better player than Blair in my mind.

[Zelophehad]

Blair was at his best as an undersized center who could outwork backup 5s unfortunately since you guys have another, probably better backup center he's without a role can excel in on this team.

[mingus]

Blair has potential to be a very good player. everyone expected to see him with a jumpshot and it didn't happen. i think it will eventually. once he gets a jumpshot he'll be able to use his footspead to get to the rim and score easier. what he can and should have improved for this year is defense. horrible defender.

[Sofaking]

Damn a lot of y'all giving up on Blair 14 games into the season?:wow I think this season, Spurs fans has got it too good. Blair is a quality big and on another squad like say Raptors or even the Thunder, he could put up atleast 13 and 9. He's in a lil slump but it's not his fault Pop played him against a 3 point shooting SF in Lewis totally negating his strengths. I remember when we played the Lakers last yr and Pop put him on Artest and that move nullified that match up. IMO a Duncan, Splitter starting Line up is too frail right now. Both Guys are not bruisers and I think that's where Blair fits in. I mean, dude is only in his 2nd season,21, sophomore slumps are bound to happen. It took Parker 3-4 yrs to get it straight. The rockets sometimes starts Chuck Hayes(who is actually smaller than Blair:wow) and we've seen him give Gasol, Bynum and even Timmy a lot of problems. Later down this season when Blair Breaks out against a contender, I'll revisit this thread

[Cessation]

Let blair start, as long is he doesnt get too many minutes. Its good that pop sees what blair is about, and subs him out quickly, if hes getting owned.

Blair is rather one dimensional, a rebounder, he played well last year because he was playing against second string big guys. Hes too short to score and rebound over taller, more skilled starting pfs. On the defensive end, opposing big guys with any kind of jumper shoot in his face with abnormal confidence.

The offence completelly stalls if duncan isnt hitting his outside shot, since blair has no range. On top of that he turns the ball over and makes silly fouls with regularity.

He wont grow any taller, and he wont get any more skilled, since he barelly takes jumpers, on which he supposedly worked all summer, and is too short to lay it in, for the most part. He could clean up his turnovers and fouls, but again if timmy is cold outside hell grind the offence to a halt, thats why bonner is getting so much playing time, instead of blair.

I dont see him getting significantly better. To the point where he can hold his own and be productive for the team, against the elite frontlines in the west come playoff time. I think hes starting and getting any kind of minutes, because splitter is still getting used to the nba. Tiago got 22 minutes of the bench vs blairs 5 against the twolves, might be a sign of things to come.

[BackHome]

Blair is a great player in certain situations. His energy and nose for the ball are things that simply can't be coached. He's talented enough to crack the rotation of a legitimate contender, but not as a starter/finisher. Give the man 15-20 minutes and let him beast.

Bonner is great in certain situations, too.

In all honesty, the Spurs need Splitter to develop into a very good all-around big if they hope to contend for a title. Blair and Bonner and McDyess are great luxuries to have depending on the opponent, but Splitter and Duncan need to be the meat and potatoes.

+1
I kinda think that Blair is falling in the same bad path that Malik followed when he tried to play outside his game and go offense. Blair is a good player a spark for the bench who should focus on what he does best and that is rebound and geat easy dunks and put backs.

He still needs alot of work on his outside game but he need to be patient and understand that it takes time.