Shutting down Blair? - Contract reasonings

It's from hoopsworld so ... and from a 'chat' at that, but figured you all would want to know of it.

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Why didn't Gerald Henderson play in the game against NBA D-League Select? Is he hurt?
Steve Kyler:
No... there are contract things and some guys get held out... Gerald is on "loan" and he did not get much action in game 1... What was said here in Vegas was that he was not expected to play much from the beginning, it was about him practicing and getting some structured work in, he's not part of the Timberwolves plans as he's a Bobcat, so they are using those minutes for their guys.... we're hearing that DeJuan Blair may not play again until his deal gets done.

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http://www.hoopsworld.com/chat.asp?s..._TOPICS_ID=375

That would be amazingly stupid of him. I call bullcrap.

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Originally Posted by Mr.Bottomtooth

That would be amazingly stupid of him. I call bullcrap.

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I got the impression it was an organization decision ... not Blairs. But maybe I'm wrong.

If true, it's probably a good move on his part. He certainly showed his value in one game. I don't see how he could do much more to increase his value. He's a second-rounder so the terms and amount of his contract are totally up to negotiation.

37th pick pick worrying about his deal getting done?

Why does this sound like B.S.?

I know he had a double double in his 1st summer league game but damn.

More reasoning not to spend $15

HOOPSWORLD gossip? isn't that beneath then national inquirer as far as reliability goes?

Sounds like a Spurs' decision to me, unless Blair and his agent are holding out for a contract.

BUTTTTTT......remember, this is Hoopsworld.

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Originally Posted by rjv

HOOPSWORLD gossip? isn't that beneath then national inquirer as far as reliability goes?

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Fox News is lowest.

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Originally Posted by Mr.Bottomtooth

That would be amazingly stupid of him. I call bullcrap.

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I call very smart. Give 'em a taste, but save the knees. Those knees could be a timebomb every time he hits the floor.

And I bet he gets more than yourr average 37th pick on his contract.

Blair said on his twitter on 2 or 3 occasions that he's really looking forward to the next game and that it's all fun. Saying that, i'm not buying the report.

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Originally Posted by z0sa

Fox News is lowest.

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touche'.

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Originally Posted by wildbill2u

I call very smart. Give 'em a taste, but save the knees. Those knees could be a timebomb every time he hits the floor.

And I bet he gets more than yourr average 37th pick on his contract.

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Whether this is true or not, what kind of deal do you think he'll get?

Don't worry about it. Blair coming to the spurs was destiny. He's just resting up to shut down Bynum.

Depends whether or not the Spurs have plans for their LLE. There's no cap exception for 2nd round picks, so Blair either ends up getting paid league min, or out of the LLE. No telling which way the Spurs will go.

As a point of reference last year Mario Chalmers got $700k as the 31st pick in the draft. Blair's agent is probably looking for the Spurs to take a similar amount of the LLE and offer 2 years full guarantee.

what kind of protections can the Spurs put into any contract they give him? the team comes first, and I'd hate to gamble without protections on someone with his unquie medical condition, and that's manily because he's unproven in an NBA season. I think about this all the time. Even if he has a stellar year you still have to protect the future of the team, right?

That'd be weird. I guess if Blair's agent is paranoid about Blair's knees, he could have Blair shut it down and wait for his contract. I could see the Spurs shutting down ... but it wouldn't be for contractual reasons. For the Spurs, they likely want to see him play a few games before committing guaranteed money to him.

Hopefully it's not true. Blair needs some work and the Spurs need to make sure his knees can hold up. If he can't make it through summer league, no way he can make it through 82 games.

More info from the same chat:

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Andre Guimares in Recife, Brasil:
Hi Steve, What you thing about Blair ?? What you expect about him on Spurs ?? and what you thing about Flynn ?? You belive they can impress in their first season in NBA ??
Steve Kyler:
I like Jonny Flynn... he is very short for a NBA point guard... cat quick, and can do a lot with the ball, but like other "waterbug" guards, he's gonna have a tough go of it...

DeJuan had a solid game, however the Spurs are playing games with him on money so, we'll see... I know he's gotten big money offers in Europe - so San Antonio would be wise to lock him in for two-years before he bounces to Europe to get paid.

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http://twitter.com/dejuan45

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Chillin bout 2 go 2 sleep had a peaceful day n Vegas can't wait until da next game:)

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sounds like dejuan expects to play.

Ahem, Blair is a Spur drafted in the 2nd round. He's not stupid, he has to OBEY whatever the Spurs would ask of him. He has to play in order to showcase his abilities but if the Spurs decided they've seen enough he maybe done til pre season.

well hopefully they can lock him down
also hopefully Ian can take advantage if he is not playing

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Originally Posted by Pistons < Spurs

DeJuan had a solid game, however the Spurs are playing games with him on money so, we'll see... I know he's gotten big money offers in Europe - so San Antonio would be wise to lock him in for two-years before he bounces to Europe to get paid.

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I hope he doesn't pull a Splitter.

Hoopsworld Strikes Again.

Who's his agent and what is his rep?

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Originally Posted by galvatron3000

Ahem, Blair is a Spur drafted in the 2nd round. He's not stupid, he has to OBEY whatever the Spurs would ask of him. He has to play in order to showcase his abilities but if the Spurs decided they've seen enough he maybe done til pre season.

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Blair does have some leverage. The europe threat is a good one. I don't think it will come to that though. The Spurs know what they got and know how they've been burned before. They're not going to let Blair get away.

There's no such thing as an inside source at Hoopsworld. It's a Magic 8-ball they shake up.

crap. crap. crap.

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Originally Posted by coyotes_geek

Blair does have some leverage. The europe threat is a good one. I don't think it will come to that though. The Spurs know what they got and know how they've been burned before. They're not going to let Blair get away.

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The Spurs also have some leverage about Blair ever playing in the NBA again if he wants to pull the Euro card. Unless he wants to sit out a full year. This is non-sense anyway. There's no reason thus far to dwell on it.

When Blair was drafted, his agent said that he wanted to get Blair two years guaranteed -- and even mentioned getting more than the minimum. Considering that the Spurs only way to give him more than the minimum is to give him part of the LLE, the negotiations could get somewhat ugly if the Spurs aren't willing to get strong-armed into spending the LLE.

Let's just hope this is a HoopsWorld rumor.

who "burned" the Spurs?

Hope this thing doesn't turn into a nightmare for both sides..

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Originally Posted by mikeyc

who "burned" the Spurs?

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I guess it would be Splitter

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Originally Posted by coyotes_geek

Blair does have some leverage. The europe threat is a good one. I don't think it will come to that though. The Spurs know what they got and know how they've been burned before. They're not going to let Blair get away.

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Originally Posted by Bulwark

I guess it would be Splitter

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Did Splitter burn them by breaking a promise?

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Originally Posted by oligarchy

The Spurs also have some leverage about Blair ever playing in the NBA again if he wants to pull the Euro card. Unless he wants to sit out a full year. This is non-sense anyway. There's no reason thus far to dwell on it.

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When two sides have leverage against each other, what you get is a stalemate. Agree though that there's no point in dwelling on it yet. At the end of the day I think both sides are in agreement that they want Dejuan Blair in a Spurs uniform this coming season.

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Originally Posted by mikeyc

who "burned" the Spurs?

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Splitter & Scola. Not neccessarily them personally, but moreso by the situation.

Outside of the part about Blair going in Europe, the rest of the story could be true.

Even if Spurs use a part of the LLE on Blair, it isn't a big deal. The thing that matters is that Spurs locked Blair for 2 years. A 1 year contract would be quite bad.

Splitter, Scola, Javtokas have all had Euro contracts or offers that affected the Spurs plans to one degree or another.

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Blair's agent, Happy Walters, said his client is assured of a guaranteed contract with the Spurs. Unlike first-round picks, second-rounders typically are not afforded those.

"DeJuan will have a guaranteed contract with San Antonio," Walters said. "They got the steal of the draft in my opinion, so they will try to lock him in as long as they can."

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There's one quote from his agent. I'm still looking for the one where he said he wants Blair to get two-years for more than the minimum.

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Originally Posted by tempest186

Splitter, Scola, Javtokas have all had Euro contracts or offers that affected the Spurs plans to one degree or another.

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yes, but I don't think they were "burned"; The Spurs know they're rolling the dice with 2nd rounders, or 1st rounders in the middle of a Euro contract.

I want a 3 year contract with the third spurs option
why bird rights

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Originally Posted by init2winit

I understand trying to get your mil ticket with shotty knees but if this turns our to be true I just lost a lot of respect for this guy.

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yeah how dare he try to get a guarantee 2 million and look out for himself
you would do the same thing

I agree, I was just mentioning that those are three possibilities for someone saying they were "burned"

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Originally Posted by timvp

There's one quote from his agent. I'm still looking for the one where he said he wants Blair to get two-years for more than the minimum.

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http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09177/980097-100.stm ?

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Despite the concerns about Blair's long-term durability, Walters said that he "guarantees" Blair will sign a guaranteed contract with the Spurs and is confident he will sign for more than the league minimum of $457,588.

Under the collective bargaining agreement with the NBA, teams are required to give guaranteed contracts only to first-round picks. Agents such as Walters can attempt to negotiate guaranteed contracts on their own.

"No doubts at all," Walters said.

Walters said he will likely seek a two-year contract because he believes Blair will outperform the value of his first contract.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09178/980333-175.stm

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His agent appears ready to play hardball. The Spurs don't like getting pushed around. I could see Blair's agent telling him to sit out until he gets the guaranteed money.

Hopefully the two sides agree soon and Blair can concentrate on beasting.

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Originally Posted by mikeyc

yes, but I don't think they were "burned"; The Spurs know they're rolling the dice with 2nd rounders, or 1st rounders in the middle of a Euro contract.

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Whether you call it getting 'burned' or crapping out on rolling the dice they still ended up in an unfortunate situation on more than one occasion with regards to being able to add players to the team when they want to. If Blair's agent is threatening to go make money in europe (and there's no proof that he is) that is something the Spurs do need to take seriously.

I already asked Blair on his twitter page and posted the link, but I don't expect an answer.
We'll have to wait till tonight to find out.
That, OR we can ask everyone's least favorite local journalist, Mcdonald.
Why do I get the feeling that he'll turn into everyone's favorite soon because he actually replies to fans?
Spurstalk and Mcdonlad working hand and hand.. Could be a beautiful relationship. :lol

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Originally Posted by Bruno

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09177/980097-100.stm ?

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:tu Beat me to it.

I can understand him though... He dedicated years of his life to basketball and now he wants a guarantee he will get at least something out of it. I doubt he comes from a rich family...

If I were him I would seriously consider a guaranteed european contract if that news has any legs. (In the case if the Spurs wouldn't commit at least some money)

If he gets injured in SL he is fucked.

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Originally Posted by init2winit

^ nice sig.

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thanks. i took it myself when i was in chicago for the 4th of july.

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Originally Posted by z0sa

Fox News is lowest.

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...except for CNN, MSNBC, ABC, CBS, NBC...

Blair's agent, Happy Walters, said it was in Blair's best interests to turn professional. He has a limited number of years to earn money because of his two surgically repaired knees.
"He doesn't have any [ligaments]," Walters said. "No one has ever been drafted without [ligaments]. Teams didn't know how long he would hold up in the NBA grind. Going back to college would have made the situation worse. This was a decision to take care of his family."


Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09178...xzz0LGQUZYNf&C

this is very intersting. I guess it was the reporter and not the agent who said, "He has a limited number of years to earn money because of his two surgically repaired knees."

either way I find the quote from his agent incredibly intersting. "Going back to college would have made the situation worse. " would have made what "situation" worse? his knees? where he's drafted? I'm assuiming he meant his knees since this is after the draft, and you can't get worse than the 2nd round. and if he did mean his knees, what does this say about a contract down the line? it doesn't add up.

If Blair is backstabbing the only team in the league that decided to take a chance with him because of money issues after being drafted in the second round, he officially lost all my respect.

This better be bogus or a team decision.

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Originally Posted by Kamnik

I can understand him though... He dedicated years of his life to basketball and now he wants a guarantee he will get at least something out of it. I doubt he comes from a rich family...

If I were him I would seriously consider a guaranteed european contract if that news has any legs. (In the case if the Spurs wouldn't commit at least some money)

If he gets injured in SL he is fucked.

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Although I am sure he has some kind of insurance policy against a career ending injury. If not, he didn't learn much at Pitt.

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Originally Posted by mikeyc

Blair's agent, Happy Walters, said it was in Blair's best interests to turn professional. He has a limited number of years to earn money because of his two surgically repaired knees.
"He doesn't have any [ligaments]," Walters said. "No one has ever been drafted without [ligaments]. Teams didn't know how long he would hold up in the NBA grind. Going back to college would have made the situation worse. This was a decision to take care of his family."


Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09178...xzz0LGQUZYNf&C

this is very intersting. I guess it was the reporter and not the agent who said, "He has a limited number of years to earn money because of his two surgically repaired knees."

either way I find the quote from his agent incredibly intersting. "Going back to college would have made the situation worse. " would have made what "situation" worse? his knees? where he's drafted? I'm assuiming he meant his knees since this is after the draft, and you can't get worse than the 2nd round. and if he did mean his knees, what does this say about a contract down the line? it doesn't add up.

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Blair's agent is named "Happy"? A sports agent named "Happy"...that's a bad joke waiting to happen...

Lies!!! He's said too many right things to say this idiotic blurp!

I read that article a while back and his agent clearly doesn't have confidence in the longevity of Blair's career. The Guy turned pro so he could get those checks, he's on borrowed time and he knows it and I don't blame him for trying to get some money. Health is not guaranteed but an NBA contract is.

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Originally Posted by alchemist

I read that article a while back and his agent clearly doesn't have confidence in the longevity of Blair's career. The Guy turned pro so he could get those checks, he's on borrowed time and he knows it and I don't blame him for trying to get some money. Health is not guaranteed but an NBA contract is.

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That's the weird part...if you're his agent, why would you want to keep repeating that and drive down any chances of long term contract--and further cementing perception of your player as a damaged good? Sounds like a dubious behavior on his agent's part.

His agent is a business man not a doctor. He'll find any excuse to squeeze a contract out of a team. Spurs aint no suckas, they'll take their time to make sure both sides r happy. Besides, the human body is a remarkable piece of work. The younger u r the more plasticity ur body has so Blair having these injuries at a young age has allowed his body time to heal and adjust properly. So, sure he may not play 20 yrs or even 15, but 10 good years is feasible after that who knows! He's defied medical science so far :toast

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Originally Posted by toki9

That's the weird part...if you're his agent, why would you want to keep repeating that and drive down any chances of long term contract--and further cementing perception of your player as a damaged good? Sounds like a dubious behavior on his agent's part.

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The only reasoning I can think of is because this was a guy who was projected as a lottery pick on many lists. It could get framed in the media as an ego trip; a guy feels that he should have been a first round pick and is demanding that the team that drafted him give him a first round pick's contract. Of the two options it's better to look like an underdog watching your family's back than a petulent kid.

Wow. This is pretty bad. When is the last time someone held out for money on the Spurs?

Blair seems as good as advertised on the boards, but demanding his contract be finalized after only one SL game is really presumptuous.

I understand his reasoning, of course, but this is still pretty selfish. If Manu could wait his turn until his late 20s to get his first big money contract, why can't Blair?

Whatever the Spurs sign him to, they BETTER lock him up for 3 years, not two: even though I believe he can't sign with another NBA team until that first 3 years is over, still the Euro teams are a threat.

I hope Blair will be as dedicated after getting his contract, because if he get's happy and sits around on his laurels, he won't have the chance to get his second contract.

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Originally Posted by z0sa

Fox News is lowest.

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:lol people love to hate the Fox News, they must be doing something right.

He will be a spur for now either way. The league has never seen knees like his before they have yet to fail him, add in how quickly medicine is progressing it is hard to say he has x amount of years till his knees pull a south park and testicles pop out of them. We had Sean play while needing a kidney transplant and then afterwards, so who knows, nothing is impossible. I will appreciate Blair's skills as long as he plays, all indications point to him being a good if not great pro and a great person to have in the locker room. So what if he doesn't see the court in Vegas again, we know what he is, he will be a significant part of the rotation. I hope for his family he can cash in on his gifts.

http://images.southparkstudios.com/i...cters/165a.jpg

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Originally Posted by Pucho!!!

His agent is a business man not a doctor. He'll find any excuse to squeeze a contract out of a team. Spurs aint no suckas, they'll take their time to make sure both sides r happy. Besides, the human body is a remarkable piece of work. The younger u r the more plasticity ur body has so Blair having these injuries at a young age has allowed his body time to heal and adjust properly. So, sure he may not play 20 yrs or even 15, but 10 good years is feasible after that who knows! He's defied medical science so far :toast

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Pucho, I seriously doubt he will play ten years without ACL's. I give him 3-5 years at his best. NBA is an 82 game season plus playoffs with SA. It just doesn't sound very likely that he could pull off that many years in the NBA grind without ACL's. It's clear that's why he wants to make money now for himself and his family. I hope the Spurs do give him a good 2 year contract. As Byron Scott said while viewing him play at SL, "that's a man out there."

I think he will earn his pay. I think his College rebounding game will translate to the NBA, and again he has a short window to play. He knows that and his agent knows that.

I hope the Spurs are fair with him. After all, they did take him knowing he has no ACLS thus they have to know his window of playing in The NBA will most likely be a short 3-5 years. :toast

Look the contract Bucks gave to their 2nd round pick

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Milwaukee Bucks second-round pick Jodie Meeks was signed to a three-year deal worth $2.3 million, with the first two years fully guaranteed and partial coverage in the third.http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/column...Chatter-090714

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Originally Posted by Spurs Brazil

Look the contract Bucks gave to their 2nd round pick

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damn:wow

Of course, if I am his agent I use RC's own words against him in negotiations. RC said that he sees Blair playing 20 minutes a night, that they were trying to trade up to the late 1st round to get him, etc which are all indications that they would have no problem in paying him guaranteed money. I think they will arrive at a price somewhere between the money for a late first rounder and the minimum with the 1st year totally guaranteed, the 2nd year partially guaranteed and a 3rd year team option.
That would protect the Spurs against a total disaster if his knees can't hold up (which I don't think they are overly concerned with) and also give them his bird rights if he really blossums into a 15 point, 12 rebound guy like he was at Pitt.

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Originally Posted by Spursmania

I hope the Spurs are fair with him. After all, they did take him knowing he has no ACLS thus they have to know his window of playing in The NBA will most likely be a short 3-5 years. :toast

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If he is out of the league in 5 years that would be really depressing, it would suck to lose Duncan and Ginobli and have to rebuild without Blair

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Originally Posted by Spurs Brazil

Look the contract Bucks gave to their 2nd round pick

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with all the horrible, HORRIBLE contracts in the NBA today, what's the risk in just giving Blair what he wants. is a 3 year / 7 million deal (or whatever, I just made that up) really all that risky when you consider that RJ would probably struggle to get 10 mill per year out on the open market right now, even TD is getting about 5-7 million more than he's worth right now, yet they're going to squabble with this kid over what? 500k? :lol

I refuse to fall in love with this kid. it's only for my protection, though. *sigh*

:(

Thinking about it a little bit, this would be the perfect time for the agent to tell Blair to stop playing. The Spurs got a taste of how good Blair is, Blair is still healthy and training camp is a long ways away so there's time to negotiate. His knees are admittedly a concern so getting that guaranteed money is more important than most draft picks. The agent wouldn't be doing his job if he wasn't trying to protect Blair.

If Blair does sit out, I would 100% see where he's coming from. It's a business.

We'll see what happens. Hopefully the Spurs sign him ASAP and the contract issue can go in the past.

Even if Blair sits out the rest of summer league, it wouldn't be a tragedy. Everyone already saw how good he is and Blair doesn't have much left to prove in this setting. Plus it'd give the Spurs more of an opportunity to take a look at Gist and Mahinmi -- and really, that's most important right now. Is Gist ready to make the jump? Is Mahinmi still a legit prospect? Blair has answered his questions already.

I'd do the same if I was his agent... he deserves like 1 mill a year MINIMUM...

That Jodie Meeks contract is crazy. Has he proven a damn thing even in Summer League? I thought Milwaukee was supposed to save some money??

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Originally Posted by timvp

Thinking about it a little bit, this would be the perfect time for the agent to tell Blair to stop playing. The Spurs got a taste of how good Blair is, Blair is still healthy and training camp is a long ways away so there's time to negotiate. His knees are admittedly a concern so getting that guaranteed money is more important than most draft picks. The agent wouldn't be doing his job if he wasn't trying to protect Blair.

If Blair does sit out, I would 100% see where he's coming from. It's a business.

We'll see what happens. Hopefully the Spurs sign him ASAP and the contract issue can go in the past.

Even if Blair sits out the rest of summer league, it wouldn't be a tragedy. Everyone already saw how good he is and Blair doesn't have much left to prove in this setting. Plus it'd give the Spurs more of an opportunity to take a look at Gist and Mahinmi -- and really, that's most important right now. Is Gist ready to make the jump? Is Mahinmi still a legit prospect? Blair has answered his questions already.

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Whole-heartedly agree. That first game was all we needed to see. If we see more, great. Otherwise, work the other guys out. Break into the LLE to sign Blair. He'll be worth a Million a year. Give him two years guaranteed, a third year team option, to retain Bird Rights and build in incentive.

Blair is a good signing for a portion of the LLE IMO.

As far as the Spurs go, I don't think it's neccessarily about the money. It's about the LLE. If they use some of that LLE money on Blair, which they'd have to in order to give Blair more than league min, then the remainder of their LLE basically just becomes another league min contract. So for all practical purposes the Spurs are facing a decision on whether they want to use their LLE on Blair or someone else. If the Spurs could offer Blair something in the 2yrs / $1.6 mil range and still have their LLE they'd do it in a heartbeat, IMO.

If Brian Scalabrine can make 3 Mil we can piece together at least, the very least, a Million for Blair.

I see Blair and his agent's point, but don't like the tactics. He's still a rookie and needs to be in there getting work and quite, frankly, to prove himself. Playing up that his "knees may go" is a double-edged sword because it would (and should) give the Spurs hesitance for longer contracts. We don't need if he can last 1 82 game season, much less 2 to 3....

But, the message it sends if he sits, is he's putting himself ahead of team. Yeah, there are reasons for it, but the Spurs are too good of an organization for these tactics. Keep playing while your agent negotiates, DeJuan. You do your job, he does his.

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Originally Posted by coyotes_geek

As far as the Spurs go, I don't think it's neccessarily about the money. It's about the LLE. If they use some of that LLE money on Blair, which they'd have to in order to give Blair more than league min, then the remainder of their LLE basically just becomes another league min contract. So for all practical purposes the Spurs are facing a decision on whether they want to use their LLE on Blair or someone else.

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If the Spurs use the LLE this season they can't use on the next one, right?

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Originally Posted by coyotes_geek

As far as the Spurs go, I don't think it's neccessarily about the money. It's about the LLE. If they use some of that LLE money on Blair, which they'd have to in order to give Blair more than league min, then the remainder of their LLE basically just becomes another league min contract. So for all practical purposes the Spurs are facing a decision on whether they want to use their LLE on Blair or someone else. If the Spurs could offer Blair something in the 2yrs / $1.6 mil range and still have their LLE they'd do it in a heartbeat, IMO.

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It's between Blair who has potential to get 7 + Boards a night or some veteran who will ride the bench.

1 freaking summer league game. Dude has not proven shit.

Already posters here are balloting him in the hall of fame.

Dude has to play the whole summer league and pre-season to prove anything

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Originally Posted by Spurs Brazil

If the Spurs use the LLE this season they can't use on the next one, right?

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Correct. They couldn't give out another LLE contract until 2011.

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Originally Posted by BillMc

I see Blair and his agent's point, but don't like the tactics. He's still a rookie and needs to be in there getting work and quite, frankly, to prove himself. Playing up that his "knees may go" is a double-edged sword because it would (and should) give the Spurs hesitance for longer contracts. We don't need if he can last 1 82 game season, much less 2 to 3....

But, the message it sends if he sits, is he's putting himself ahead of team. Yeah, there are reasons for it, but the Spurs are too good of an organization for these tactics. Keep playing while your agent negotiates, DeJuan. You do your job, he does his.

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How is he putting himself before team? I give them points for caution and wisdom. This young man knows this could possibly be the only contract he ever gets to sign.

If, indeed, he is actually sitting out tonight.

hoopsworld

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Originally Posted by timvp

Thinking about it a little bit, this would be the perfect time for the agent to tell Blair to stop playing. The Spurs got a taste of how good Blair is, Blair is still healthy and training camp is a long ways away so there's time to negotiate. His knees are admittedly a concern so getting that guaranteed money is more important than most draft picks. The agent wouldn't be doing his job if he wasn't trying to protect Blair.

Blair has answered his questions already.

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Well.....yes and no. He did a great job of rebounding in 1 SL game. I'd like to see him out there for at least 1 more. I thought that his height was a bigger issue than anything. He forced a few shots amongst the trees.

Will the weight that he lost cause him issues with getting the spacing he is used to ?

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Originally Posted by Muser

It's between Blair who has potential to get 7 + Boards a night or some veteran who will ride the bench.

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I can understand the Spurs wanting to do due diligence and just see who they could possibly get for the LLE. But in the end I think we'll end up seeing the Spurs use a chunk of the LLE on Blair for a contract in the 2yr/$1.6 mil range and then shop for vets who will take league min.

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Originally Posted by tmtcsc

Will the weight that he lost cause him issues with getting the spacing he is used to ?

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no

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Originally Posted by BillMc

I see Blair and his agent's point, but don't like the tactics. He's still a rookie and needs to be in there getting work and quite, frankly, to prove himself. Playing up that his "knees may go" is a double-edged sword because it would (and should) give the Spurs hesitance for longer contracts. We don't need if he can last 1 82 game season, much less 2 to 3....

But, the message it sends if he sits, is he's putting himself ahead of team. Yeah, there are reasons for it, but the Spurs are too good of an organization for these tactics. Keep playing while your agent negotiates, DeJuan. You do your job, he does his.

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Well let's be fair though. The Spurs haven't hesitated to use strong arm tactics either. Just last year in the negotiations with George Hill they gave him a contract offer that only paid him 80% of rookie scale in his 3rd year and said take it or leave it. Every other 1st round pick got the 120% that the CBA allows. They did the same thing to Mahinmi too.

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Originally Posted by bishopospurs

If he is out of the league in 5 years that would be really depressing, it would suck to lose Duncan and Ginobli and have to rebuild without Blair

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I know it would be terrible and depressing. :depressed

But the medical facts are playing against him. Despite him having done so well up to now, time is against him. If anything else were to happen to either of his knees, his prognosis for complete recovery would not be good. Why do you think he wasn't drafted in the first round? Plenty of M.D.'s understand this and conveyed their opinions to the GM's and owners, IMO.

I am thrilled to have him, and will pray and hope he remains as health and strong as a bull. I'm just going to enjoy what we have now and hope he can play for a long time.

2/1.6 sounds good to me.

Man, you know the Spurs have got it bad when they can't even get their second round, barely in the league and was about to not even get drafted, players to play in SL.

Instead, they demand the MLE, and take summer off, on their agent's advice.

If anyone had a RIGHT to do this, it was DUNCAN after his rookie season, but did he?!?!?

Nope: he came to play, and was the biggest BARGAIN in the league.

To he whom much is given, much is expected: Blair was given much in athletic gifts, but he's not showing anything in the class department.

In Fact if you are young you must to choice between a better First Contract or a Better Second

Probably in Europe he can won more money with the First, but NBA he can made a Big Second Contract

A couples of million isn´t a Big Money in Europe, but Europe never can pay 10 millions or more for season like a player who play some season in the NBA

Manu had one small first contract of 2 millions a year, and paying 2 millions buyout.
He lost money in that 2 first years, but the second contract was 10 millions a year.

If he remain in Europe he never can signed a 50 millions second contract

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Originally Posted by poeticism707

Man, you know the Spurs have got it bad when they can't even get their second round, barely in the league and was about to not even get drafted, players to play in SL.

Instead, they demand they demand the MLE, and take summer off, on their agent's advice.

If anyone had a RIGHT to do this, it was DUNCAN after his rookie season, but did he?!?!?

Nope: he came to play, and was the biggest BARGAIN in the league.

To he whom much is given, much is expected: Blair was given much in athletic gifts, but he's not showing anything in the class department.

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It's his agent, Blair wants to play tomorrow.

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Originally Posted by Muser

It's his agent, Blair wants to play tomorrow.

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The proof is in the pudding: we'll see.

If I had to guess I would say the problem isn't the money like the LLE, it's the number of years.

My memory is that LLEs are limited to 2 years.

Spurs could lose him to an offer sheet after only two seasons. That's not what they want. Why get Milsapped?

If they had MLE left I'm sure they wouldn't scoff too much at greater than minimum salary guaranteed for 3 years, but they don't.

Maybe they'll just guarantee all 3 years at the minimum with the raises.

The key is the length, not the total.