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.
Will it be Wojnarowski to break the news?
Gah, people who say like this are dumbasses.
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.
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.
Yes.
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 = Hype
You think he got that much?
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.
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.
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.
, Jodie Meeks got 3 years and $2.3 mil.
That sounds pretty good.
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.
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.
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.
Hopefully McDonald can get specifics.
This is ridiculous, and an OVERSIMPLIFICATION.
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.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.
Hopefully McDonald can get specifics.
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