DuJuan Blair just said on ESPN that he has signed his contract. No details, but great news.
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DuJuan Blair just said on ESPN that he has signed his contract. No details, but great news.
Great! So is he going to play the rest of the summer league then?
so what do i do with this Panic Button now?
duncan228 scooped again
she'll get the link though...
He said on ESPN? ESPN radio or what?Quote:
Originally Posted by buttsR4rebounding
nice
I saw it too, was just about to post. The ESPN guy said, "What is it like playing without a contract? Does that affect your play?" And Blair goes, "My contract is done." The ESPN guy says, quote, "Oh!" I laughed.
Blair said it "just got done". I think this was the first public statement, just now, on ESPN News (TV). No details at all, just "it's done". No discussion about him not playing in the 2nd game or why. No discussion about whether he'd play the rest of the summer league. Just lots of chat about his rebounding progress, and a quote from a website called "spursproject.com" (is this real?)
Apparently there are Chuck Norris type jokes going around about Blair and his rebounding ability. If by "chuck norris jokes" you mean "really lame jokes".
It was on ESPN News. He did an interview from the Belagio.Quote:
Originally Posted by DMX7
Nice. What's the single game rebounding record for summer league?
Good, better to get this done early.
20. Lonnie Jones (who?)Quote:
Originally Posted by Tully365
Everybody, step AWAY from the ledge...
great news, Now lets see him play with ian down low in the post and dominate.
This is good news :toast
I wonder if they used the LLE for this
If this is true, GREAT!
Good chance he'll play next game then
Just another obvious outcome (to me) of what has turned out to be a near perfectly scripted offseason thus far. Blair fills a role the Spurs desperately need, while Blair wants the chance to share some time in the spotlight and prove the doubters wrong during a Spurs title run.
Excited to see its actually done now, though. I wonder what they paid him and from where?
there's already a thread on this
http://www.spursreport.com/forums/sp...-contract.html
:lol
I couldn't find any article yet. Maybe Duncan228 will find one later.
Awesome. Hope to see him playing next game with Ian down low.
if so only 2 year dealQuote:
Originally Posted by ffadicted
if the used some if not all the rest of the mle he could be more years
Save it for later.Quote:
Originally Posted by Wombatzu
I'm sure it was whatever was left of the MLE. He's obviously a 1st round talent, so I would use the rest of the MLE to sign him to a longer deal.
I sure hope he pans out theres a ton of hype!!
If Blair demanded a contract AFTER ONLY ONE SL GAME, then he put himself ahead of the team in demanding a contract, and make no mistake.
Of course, I'm still VERY GLAD that Blair has been signed with the Spurs.
I'm glad they got this thing done quickly. There is nothing holding him back. He can now concentrate on playing basketball.
I think the Spurs were planning on sitting him anyways for that game that he sat out. I'm thinking they pretty much had the deal done, just wanted to get insurance details on there in case something goes wrong with the knees. The Spurs supposedly didn't use the entire MLE on McDyess, so one would assume they would use the rest of it on Blair. It was something between the Spurs and Blair's agent.Quote:
Originally Posted by poeticism707
Will it be Wojnarowski to break the news?
Gah, people who say shit like this are dumbasses.Quote:
Originally Posted by poeticism707
McDonald was on ESPN 1250, The Zone, and he confirmed the Spurs DID plan on sitting Blair anyways. His being inactive had little, if anything, to do with the contract situation. Now that he's signed, this still doesn't mean that he will play in every game. McDonald stated that the Spurs are trying to figure out how to use him and they're specifically taking a cautious approach with him.Quote:
Originally Posted by bigdog
I am glad its done, I know it may be selfish or above the team, but there's no doubt in my mind that this was the right move for him. And depending on the contract it might be a great move for us too.
Blue collar guy. About as likely to go to Europe as Rush Limbaugh.
Blair and the Spurs were made for each other.:flag:
Yes. :flag:
Good deal, even if for the full LLE, which would be roughly $1.9 mil. A two year deal starting with a salary at that amount would be the same as what the 9th pick in the recently concluded draft is eligible to receive (assuming they signed for the salary scale figure). Given that he's one of the best players in the draft, it's well worth it.
Naw... Really?? Spurs Report = HypeQuote:
Originally Posted by Big Empty
You think he got that much?Quote:
Originally Posted by Marcus Bryant
:toastQuote:
Originally Posted by z0sa
I actually think it might be a good thing we got McDyess instead of Sheed. He seems a better fit for the Spurs.
So with RJ, McDyess and Blair, the offseason has been amazingly kick-ass.
I'm thinking he got the remainder of the MLE, like $1.3M so that they can lock him up for 3 years and full Bird rights.Quote:
Originally Posted by Marcus Bryant
Is Happy happy?
blair wasnt demanding a contract or hed sit out the SL.... in fact just a couple hours before the game yesterday he was "tweeting" about how ready he was to play. he didnt even know that he wasnt gonna play. at any rate this dude is ready. SL isnt as beneficial to him as it will be to mcclinton and some other prospects.Quote:
Originally Posted by poeticism707
No. But even if he did it would be a good deal, especially for a young big with his upside. The Spurs obviously wanted to get it done quick. If I had to guess, he probably got something like a 3 year, $4.5 million guaranteed deal starting at $1.4 million and with a player option for the 3rd year, so he could presumably opt out and get paid with the Spurs holding his Early Bird Rights in the summer Jefferson's large contract will end. I think the Spurs will prefer to let him hit free agency earlier so he'd be a restricted free agent.Quote:
Originally Posted by MaNu4Tres
Hell, Jodie Meeks got 3 years and $2.3 mil.
That sounds pretty good.Quote:
Originally Posted by exstatic
I think if they wanted to let him hit the market after two years, they wouldn't have re-worked the McDyess deal to 3 even years to keep some of the MLE available. Even at three years, he's still restricted for his first FA period.Quote:
Originally Posted by Marcus Bryant
Quote:
Originally Posted by SenorSpur
:lol:lol:lol:lol:lol
If you believe that, I have some land in Florida I'd love to sell you!
Oh come on. If Blair really cared about the Spurs, he'd play for free.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Body
Actually, if Blair was a team player, he'd take a day job and give the Spurs his wages to help offset some of the tax payments they're going to have to make.
Contract is done so it's time to work Blair. Prove your worth.
As of last night, the deal the Spurs had on the table for Blair was similar. The sticking points were who had the option on the final year, what clauses would be included (weight clause, offseason workout clause) and if the Spurs would have any protection if something happens to his knees.Quote:
Originally Posted by MB
Hopefully McDonald can get specifics. :hungry:
This is ridiculous, and an OVERSIMPLIFICATION.Quote:
Originally Posted by FromWayDowntown
Did anyone suggest that Blair should play for free?!?!?
Of course not. Why I suggested, is that thinking he's earned the right to sit out of Summer games until his contract is negotiated, is VERY FOCUSED ON SELF: ie selfish. He could have EASILY continued negotiations BEHIND THE SCENE, and NO ONE would have known about it. There would be no "swirling rumors" floating around the web.
I'd be the first to say I have NO IDEA if this is true, but IF IT IS, then Blair put himself above the team to do it.
Think about it: do you know how many NBA players have played out this very scenario through summer league? Some worse, some better, some All-Stars, and so on. If he was so determined to prove the other teams were foolish for not drafting him because of his knees, WHY DEMAND A CONTRACT WITHOUT PLAYING ANOTHER GAME BECAUSE OF THOSE VERY SAME KNEES?!?!? AND AFTER ONLY 1 GAME?!?!?
Again, I don't know if it's true, but if it is, then Blair put himself above the team in doing this.
As I earlier, I'm still VERY GLAD to have Blair.
Everybody talks about how unlucky Blair was on draft day. But if Blair got more than late 1st Round pick money, he actually got very lucky in the draft.
He makes more in salary than he would have if he was drafted earlier and goes to the perfect team -- where he can play for big stakes in the spotlight right off the bat.
Damn. That would be a contract starting with a $700K salary in 2009-10. Spurs would then be able to offer another $700K salary to someone using their MLE and still have the full LLE at their disposal.Quote:
Originally Posted by timvp
Did they use the MLE to sign him or LLE?Quote:
Originally Posted by timvp
I agree completely.Quote:
Originally Posted by Russ
No one knows for sure yet what the specifics are.
He played the first game and showed them what he can do. The guy is a horse with no ACLs. He had to get his insurance in order and finalize his contract. I have absolutely NO PROBLEM with that. He's already guaranteed a spot on the team. Playing a summer league game for him is totally meaningless.Quote:
Originally Posted by poeticism707
You keep rambling on and on about this same dumb point. Blair didn't want to sit out the game. He was planning on playing. The Spurs and his agent wanted him to sit out.Quote:
Originally Posted by poeticism707
You really need to post less and read more.
Again, Blair didn't play a role in sitting. He didn't even know he was going to sit until they told him right before the game. His agent and Buford were close a contract before the game and they just changed his rest date so that they could go ahead and finish dotting the i's.
Blaming Blair when he had no idea what was happening makes no sense.
Sense. Evidently it is not common.
$700K is less than the 30th pick's 1st year salary scale.Quote:
Originally Posted by Russ
I'm sorry I have to pull this card again so quickly, but...
http://wa4.images.onesite.com/commun...86/thefuck.jpgQuote:
Originally Posted by poeticism707
I think he was thinking theoretically MB...
:lol:lol:lol:lolQuote:
Originally Posted by poeticism707
What a funny outburst. Tell me, what would you do if you were in his position?
I hope the Spurs got a team option for a 3rd year in the deal.
Tell me youd do any different if you were in his position. His family's future is in the balance. I seriously doubt he cares what public perception is.Quote:
Originally Posted by poeticism707
Man, that is so funny!Quote:
Originally Posted by ElNono
Firstly, that wasn't an outburst.Quote:
Originally Posted by angelbelow
Secondly, as I said, it would have been RIGHT if he'd just continued to negotiate behind the scenes. That's class.
But again, he's only 20 years old, so I understand perfectly well.
Also, as I STATED EMPHATICALLY, I have no idea if this rumor is true: if he really sat out in order to force the Spurs hand after only 1 SL GAME.
But if he did, then it was selfish, and he put himself above the team.
For the record: didn't you clearly state in an earlier post that he'd put himself above the team?!?
At any rate, as I also emphatically stated, I am very glad to officially have Blair on board.
Friend: just because someone is famous, or an athlete, doesn't mean you should justify their wrong behavior.Quote:
Originally Posted by Agloco
I hope he feels like he was treated fairly by the FO because a good experience will make a lasting impression on him and help form a loyalty to the organization in future contract negotiations. I'm glad it was done expeditiously. :tu
Quote:
Originally Posted by poeticism707
He MAY have put himself above the team, but I do not see a problem with that because all NBA players are independent contractors, which means no contact no money. I am glad we paid the man and now he can play. Good job RC!!
Behavior that you believe to be wrong.Quote:
Originally Posted by poeticism707
Unsigned second round picks take a risk in playing summer league. See Patty Mills' situation:
4-6 Months of Inaction for Patty Mills
The Aussie PG will have his work cut out for him this season if he’s to have any hopes of making an NBA roster: “Pritchard said doctors inserted a screw to repair the foot and Mills is expected to miss four to six months. That eliminates any chance at a training camp invitation for Mills, but Pritchard refused to address his future with the team. The Blazers selected Mills with their last pick of last month’s draft, No.55 overall. ‘Feel really bad for the kid,’ Pritchard said. ‘He’s a great kid and a high-energy guy who came in looking to really make an impression on us. It was just an unfortunate accident.’”
http://www.slamonline.com/online/nba...r-patty-mills/
It is unlikely he will get a pro contract anywhere until he has recovered from his injury.
Aside from being based on an incorrect assumption (as Kori and timvp point out), I think the basis of your complaint is also absurd. He sat out of a summer league game -- one that counts for absolutely nothing. You are aware, aren't you, that absolutely none of what occurs in Las Vegas this week has any real bearing on the San Antonio Spurs' business, either competitively or economically.Quote:
Originally Posted by poeticism707
Thus, even if Dejuan Blair was the guy who decided not to play in that meaningless summer league game -- and he wasn't -- such a decision was both inherently practical from his standpoint and in absolutely no regard selfish, given that the game that he missed means nothing to the Spurs.
This notion that players should be entirely altruistic and that players who take practical steps to protect themselves (steps that have no adverse impact on the team) are somehow to be questioned has reached absurd proportions.
I'm confused - didn't Dice get the full MLE for two years, 3rd year 50% guaranteed?
Most lucky second rounders get one year guaranteed minimum and maybe a partial guarantee on year two. If they are real longshots, they get no guaranteed money at all. For falling out of the first round, Blair did real well.Quote:
Originally Posted by superbigtime
According to some sources on the internets, McDyess got less than the full MLE.Quote:
Originally Posted by RuffnReadyOzStyle
The latest reports are three full years, starting at a lesser figure. They money works out about the same.Quote:
Originally Posted by RuffnReadyOzStyle
As I've said many times, though a few who keep trying to taunt and attack me don't even bother to read it, that I HAVE NO IDEA IF THIS PARTICULAR RUMOR ABOUT BLAIR SITTING UNTIL THE CONTRACT IS DONE IS TRUE.Quote:
Originally Posted by timvp
I hope it isn't. But is is very possible. I've already my stance IF HE DID (which again, I don't know for sure, no more than someone can say with assurance that he didn't sit out for those reasons, especially as silently as the Spurs do business).
Anyway, as I've also said, Blair will be a great rebounder for the Spurs
Quote:
Originally Posted by FromWayDowntown
O really? Then why have a SL at all?
Why shouldn't players sit home and send videos of themselves shooting free trows?
If the players in the SL, most notably those who are NBA bound, have NO DUTY TO PARTICIPATE, why go at all? Why not just stay home, not go to practice, and not bother to tell the FO? After all, if the players have NO DUTY to attend and contribute, then certainly the players have NO DUTY to tell the FO the skipped something completely NON SPURS RELATED.
If you follow your logic through it's ultimate, and erroneous conclusion, then you will have a SL full of Allen Iverson's, all talking about "practice." And since the SL games are just "practice," then they'll skip those as well.
Then this tool, on the verge of being a great one for the Spurs, the Toros, becomes beyond useless.
In other words, friend, you are clearly mistaken. Practice matters: the SL matters.
So the summer league games are something other than exhibitions that amount to glorified scrimmages? I suppose that if the Spurs entry in Vegas does well, the Spurs will actually start the 2009-10 season with an extra win or two?Quote:
Originally Posted by poeticism707
What you can do is cancel ALL THE DEVELOPMENT of the following players if they don't bother showing up for "practice":Quote:
Originally Posted by FromWayDowntown
-Ian Mahinimi, whose only been "practicing" for 4 years!
- Hairston, who has only practiced for 2 years at least!
-Hill, who has grown a lot in "practice."
-Blair, who maybe never gets a contract, without "practice."
-And many others.
So, following your logic, these players would lose their development, which would result in a loss of championship for the Spurs, as it is THESE PLAYERS who the Spurs depending on to pull their respective weight.
Again, you are mistaken, friend. Practice matters.
:lolQuote:
Originally Posted by Russ
Quote:
Originally Posted by timvp
Thanks.Quote:
Originally Posted by exstatic
Ian and Hill couldn't really be used in this comparison because both were first round picks with guaranteed contracts. They could play as much as they wanted in the SL or DL and still be fine if they were to have ever gotten injured.Quote:
Originally Posted by poeticism707
In looking at any second rounder, their opportunity is basically to show a FO that they can play and garner a guaranteed contract. Since you used Malik in this comparison, he hasn't shown enough to do this in two years until now.
Blair is in a different situation. He was slated to be a top 15 draft pick. He went ahead and showed what he had in his first SL game and most likely saw what happened to Pat Mills and smartly decided to wait it out until a contract came. I believe he still wanted to play, but he has to think about his long term future and who will be taking care of him first.
A good example is Leon Powe with the Celtics. His contract was up and he got hurt on the last year of that contract. Celtics didn't offer him anything which means he has no income until he is healthy again. Powe and Mills are both good examples as to what could have happened to Blair and he smartly shut it down until his contract was finalized.
Another factor to take into consideration is that this is the SL... meaning that the teams consist of other players who are new to the league and are trying to make a team. Because of their desire to make a team and there newness to the league, it's even more important to secure a deal before playing in the SL. You would be more likely to get injured in a SL game then you would during the regular season where seasoned vets play.
I see what your point is involving a team first attitude, but you have to remember in order for him to have that attitude, he has to be secure in himself before anything. Having home taken care of has to be the first step in being part of a team. That way, there are no qualms or issues or questions as to what could or might happen. Now that the contract is done, he can go full throttle and play with nothing in the back of his mind about having to play half speed or careful about getting hurt.
I would rather see that type of player then one who is just going through the motions.
...but that will not shut me up one iota just the same!Quote:
Originally Posted by poeticism707
Assuming (falsely) that contract negotiations had anything to do with Blair's absence, I don't see the harm in a player missing a practice to take care of the business side of his job. It's not as if missing one practice (I'll note, too, that it's one against a whole lot of guys who aren't going to play a second in the NBA) is going to retard Blair's growth. And it's not as if the Spurs were going to use Summer League games to determine Dejuan Blair's worthiness to be given a guaranteed contract. They had already committed themselves to Blair by announcing immediately after he was picked that they expected him to play 20 minutes per night in the coming season.
Again, my ultimate point here is that some draw some pretty strong conclusions (or at least some pretty strong inferences) about a player's commitment to the concept of team from some pretty weak evidence.
Blair suited up and was in all the huddles for Game 2 versus the Nuggz. Imagine the nerve of that guy...suiting up like he was going to be playing. How selfish!!!
I just glad he's signed for the duration. I'm guessing the Spurs are now much more familiar with his body.. probably stick him into all sorts of CAT scans, MRI machines.. the works.:lol
"We're talking about practice, man. I mean, how silly is that? We're talking about practice. I know I'm supposed to be there. I know I'm supposed to lead by example . . . I know it's important . . . I honestly do. But we're talking about practice, man. What are we talking about? Practice?"Quote:
Originally Posted by poeticism707
Weren't you told by Mrs. Kori Ellis herself to read more and to post less? You talk too damn much.Quote:
Originally Posted by poeticism707
Some people just don't know when to quit when they are behind.
Grizzly Blair!
Friend: if you (or anyone else) bothered to notice:Quote:
Originally Posted by FromWayDowntown
I made NO INFERENCES: what I said is IF BLAIR HAS DONE THIS, THEN IT WAS WRONG BECAUSE OF THESE REASONS.
That is as cut and dry as it gets.
Did I say Blair did this? Did I STATE ANYWHERE that Blair has done this? I state OVER AND OVER that I don't know, but IF he did, it was wrong.
Seriously: not that I'm speaking to you in particular FromWayDownTown, but the group think on Spurs Talk is beyond CHILDISH.
But of course, a good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor a bad tree good fruit.
Neither can an immature tree bear mature fruit.
But the point was that even IF he did do it because of contract reasons, he was still justified.Quote:
Originally Posted by poeticism707
IF THAT HAPPENED, then no, he wasn't friend.Quote:
Originally Posted by montgod
At least, however, you are not calling me childish names and posting pics of curse words.
But supposedly I am responsible for these things, when I have cursed no one, have spoken no negativity against anyone, and only spoken the truth.
Disagreement I can deal with, and easily. I am ever ready to discuss like adults.
Childish taunts and curse words, I will ignore and bear without retort, rather than dignify such behavior with a response.
Just to completely understand your view, I have quoted your descriptive post of your reasons. The main point you are making is that he is being selfish IF he stopped playing because he didn't have a contract and is putting himself above the team.Quote:
Originally Posted by poeticism707
Would selfish also be another word for being responsible, prepared, or smart? Because if he was hurt seriously, make no mistake, the same word, selfish would be used by the Spurs FO in being responsible, prepared, and smart in not signing Blair to a contract.
Similar case is everyone's favorite retread that is consistenly brought up...Javtokas. He got hurt, Spurs helped him out with his injuries, was not signed to a contract.
He could have played and continued negotiations, but still risked a serious injury with no possibility of a contract if that happened.
So exactly, how is that being selfish in a negative sense IF he sat out for contract reasons? Did you read my previous posts? And how is he not justified for the reasons described?Quote:
Originally Posted by poeticism707
Again, I would rather him not be worried about getting hurt and playing full throttle with a completed contract then to play half speed which makes him more apt to get injured especially against a bunch of SL players. That's the life of a second round pick.
poeticism707, I think your reasoning fails because you start from a false assumption: Blair is NOT part of the spurs team until he's got a contract.
Until then, he cannot not put himself above the team, as you said, since there's no "team", yet.
Friend: I made it very clear that IF Blair sat out for contract reasons, and used the media to force the Spurs hand, it was wrong. I also stated very clearly that IF this is the case, he could have EASILY told the Spurs his concerns in private, then there would be no swirling internet rumours.Quote:
Originally Posted by montgod
See. The solution is very simple. But here I am, being bashed, when Tim Duncan, the cornerstone of the Spurs franchise, has always been a class act, has never used the media for leverage, and even took less money than he deserved so that the Spurs could continue to be contenders. If Duncan, of all players can do this, then everyone else can fall in line.
As, I stated before, IF THIS IS THE CASE WITH BLAIR, meaning I have no idea one way or another. However, since I've made this statement VIRTUALLY everytime I've posted, and it's been completely ignored and my words twisted, I'm sure it will be ignored in this response as well (not necessarily by you, mont).
Imagine the position he'd be in if he suffered a career-ending injury while playing for free. He passed on his senior year in college, and he'd be missing out on at least a million dollars, if not multiple millions. Even though he didn't choose to sit out because of contract issues, I think he would have been fully justified if he did. This is not an issue of selfishness, it's good business sense (this is his profession, after all).
This reasoning is not sound friend: the moment the Spurs drafted Blair, he was a part of the team.Quote:
Originally Posted by Milo
Or else, why can't another team sign him, then? Because the Spurs OWN HIS RIGHTS, CORRECT?
And why is that? Because he is now a part of the Spurs team. Just because his reaching the "inner circle" hadn't happened yet, was a mere formality because most drafted players are not signed until the late summer or fall.
Also: on a subjective note, why was Blair so thankful and appreciative of the Spurs drafting him, of taking a chance on him?
It's because he's now apart of the team.
Yes I did, and I am OKAY with that, why? because he's putting his family first.Quote:
Originally Posted by poeticism707
Also, although many posters have said this, Blair himself did not want to sit out, the hold out came as a shock to him. It's not like he twittered "no money no game."
The media has eyes and ears everywhere. He in no way, used the media to try to leverage a contract.
Finally, the deal seemed to get done rather quickly, which likely signifies that this deal was already in the works before the media found out about it.
As I've said many times prior, friend: IF BLAIR DID THIS (I don't know, clearly), then the easiest thing for him to do would've been to just communicate his concerns to the FO in private, then there would be no rumors or guesswork. That is the simplest and classiest solution: the RIGHT SOLUTION.Quote:
Originally Posted by Thompson
Again, this is all hypothetical, as I have no idea if Blair did this or not.