Hey Guys,
Here's my latest story from Vegas. This one's about DeJuan Blair, I've only posted a portion of it because the goal is to direct traffic towards the site. All feedback is appreciated. DeJuan is obviously not his usual self because of what's occured over the past few weeks, but it was a telling sign to me that his play wasn't fazed at all by it.
It's unfortunate but right now DeJuan Blair is becoming very familiar with the ugly, political side of professional basketball.
The worst part is that there isn't one thing that Blair has done wrong. As a sop re Blair dominated the country, averaging 15 points and 12 rebounds while helping lead Pittsburgh to their most successful season in school history. As great as Blair is on the floor he's even better off of it, possessing great character.
Yet somehow teams found a way to justify passing on him 36 times before the San Antonio Spurs quickly capitalized on everyone's mistake. Sure there is concern regarding his ACLs, but no player is risk-free and Blair's knees haven't given him trouble in years. The knees that Blair currently has are the same ones that he destroyed the 2nd overall pick Hasheem Thabeet on. They didn't prevent him from becoming an All-American nor will they keep him from becoming the steal of the 2009 NBA Draft.
Click here to read the story in its entirety!
Any feedback is apprecciatd.
Very cool article thanks for contributing.
Anymore info. on Blair would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Looks like timvp is on to somethingThey kept a portion of their mid-level exception after signing Antonio McDyess with the intentions of using it on Blair, which is why a deal is a foregone conclusion.
Great article, good info. Glad to see to see there doesn't seem to be too much tension surrounding his contract situation.
Blair gave us a lot of access leading up to the draft. My colleagues were blown away by him when watching him workout at IMG basketball academy in Florida. At one point Coach Mike, who writes for us at HOOPSWORLD, was talking about having to get new rims in cause DeJuan was going to tear their's a part. You won't notice it right now because he's a little upset with how negotiations have gone and the fact that he slipped, but DeJuan's full of personality and a very funny guy. His dedication fits in perfectly with what the Spurs demand of their players. Like Blair I expect him to be a Spur for a very long time.Very cool article thanks for contributing.
Anymore info. on Blair would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
It isn't ideal, but Blair is handling it well. The fact that he's been practicing with the team and playing in Vegas is a good sign. I've been told he's got some lucrative contract offers from overseas, but after talking to him that didn't even appear to be an option for him. It's nice to know that they money is there - but it's very obvious he wants to be in the NBA and he wants to be a Spur.
Lol I noticed that during warm ups on Sunday. Every time he'd dunk the entire basket would shake.
Yanis,
Do you know if he's playing tonight? There has been some speculation that his agent would prefer him to sit out until the spurs sign him to a contract. Do you know anything about this?
This is hoopsworld.... big grain of salt and what not...
Given the way everything fell out, I think he is MUCH better off being with the Spurs than just about any other team. They will find a way to do right by him. And they will be willing to use him in a way that will (hopefully) prolong his career, playing on those knees.
I know he has to be concerned about getting the financial security that would normally come to a player with his abilities. But if there is a place that he could afford to be patient, San Antonio is it. He'll figure out pretty quickly how much the fans love their Spurs, too.
Yep, but it's still interesting
Unfortunately I'm back in Corpus Christi. If I was in Vegas I'd have a snappy answer for you, but I've sent a text to our guys there on hand. Soon as I get something back I'll let you know, I wouldn't be surprised if he sits out. He showed everything he needed to in that first game, it's time for them to sign him. DeJuan's got a great basketball IQ and he's proved that he can play at a vey high level. If I'm Happy Walters I'm not sure where the incentive or reason is for DeJuan to play. Of course from our standpoint it sucks cause we'd like to see him play, but I'm all for DeJuan doing what he needs to get paid.
Thank you.
Yannis, the part of the article where you state:
"They kept a portion of their mid-level exception after signing Antonio McDyess with the intentions of using it on Blair, which is why a deal is a foregone conclusion."
What is your source of this information? Or is it simply speculation?
Good lord I hope the ink gets written and dries fast.
Not saying that I don't know why you're saying this, but what in this article is there to take with a grain of salt? I just wrote the story based on what DeJuan told me. When it comes to my coverage of the Spurs I'll be upfront in saying not to expect many breaking stories or scoops. That's just not the way the organization works. This past weekend I sat down with several assistant coaches, R.C., and the head of player personnel. Didn't get a quote or one ounce of information, but that wasn't my intention. I was just letting them know that we were there covering the team so they'd recognize the extents we're going to in order to cover them. I know in the past we've been off on some things, we've also been right at times believe it or not, but I'd like to get rid of the notion that anything you see from me needs to be taken with a grain of salt. I'm not trying to provide that type of coverage because the Spurs simply don't allow it, and far be it for me to question the way they go about their business because no franchise is ran better in the game. I'm going to tell the story I'm told and nothing more, because when it comes to the Spurs and the relationship I have with them - that's all there is.
That's based on the response DeJuan gave me when I asked if there was a chance he'd be playing anywhere else next year. We've been told teams from overseas are ready to pay him over $1 million guaranteed but based from my conversations with DeJuan that isn't even something that interests him in the least bit. The portion of the mid-level being available is based on the fact that McDyess didn't receive it in its entirety.
If your record between guesses and facts improves, then so will my respect and credibility on your publication. It's not that complicated, really.
I have to say that admitting you were trying to move traffic to your site is a good first step.
FWIW, I don't 'hate' hoopsworld. It just hasn't been a reliable source of information. If you tell me that's changing, then great.
Thanks. The reason I was asking is that while some places reported that Dice didn't receive the entire MLE upfront, the actual contract terms were not disclosed.
This would be confirming that information.
Albeit from Hoopsworld, it's the second source to confirm McDyess's contract is starting at $4.5M. And using the rest of the MLE ($1.35M?) on Blair would make a lot of sense as to why they got McDyess for that money. I wouldn't have been prepared to grab Blair, either.
All I'm asking for is an open mind. I can tell you, although you may have trouble believing it, there's a lot of emphasis from the higher ups to make sure everything we put out is concrete and factual. I know we've had our moments to forget, but by no means are we allowed to just make stuff up and put it on the site. If I went and put an Odom to San Antonio piece on the site right now this would be my last post as a HOOPSWORLD writer. We're a team so I know everyone's actions reflects on me and rightfully so, but we're working hard to do things the right way and shake the "take this with a grain of salt" label. I know it will take time and I don't blame you in the least bit.If your record between guesses and facts improves, then so will my respect and credibility on your publication. It's not that complicated, really.
I have to say that admitting you were trying to move traffic to your site is a good first step.
FWIW, I don't 'hate' hoopsworld. It just hasn't been a reliable source of information. If you tell me that's changing, then great.
Traffic is the name of the game for an online writer. Those numbers help us get sponsors and prove that our voice is getting heard. However, I wouldn't put the article up here if it was solely opinion based full of speculation from my part - it contained quality quotes from DeJuan and that's why I wanted to pass it on.
Looking forward to giving your online publication a second look.
I'll be looking for more articles from you.
Stay true to that, and you'll get respect - and traffic.
For the record, Joey Dorsey went at 33 in last year's draft, and he got a contract that looks to be approximately the equivalent of the bottom of the rookie scale. The difference is, Dorsey's skills and history had him projected to go about 40th in the draft. The ONLY thing that kept Blair out of the top 15 in this draft was the concern over his knees.
I'd like to see him get a deal like Dorsey's - enough to send a message, and to let him get past some of the financial worries, and focus on basketball. If the Spurs had the 30 pick this year, I think they still would have taken Blair. And they would be paying him $824K this season, and $886 next season. If his knees hold up - even for two years, that would be a bargain.
Looking forward to giving your online publication a second look.
I'll be looking for more articles from you.
Well appreciated!
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