McDonald: You've got questions, Blair's got answers

[Spursmania]

Huh!!! You guys can stop worrying, Pop will play Blair, but you have to wonder how he's able to guard Odom or Pau.

Who would Blair guard will be really interesting to see. He's probably going to get eaten up alive numerous times, until he starts getting the defensive rotations down and plays some solid minutes in the games ahead. I'm glad we play 4 times.

[wildbill2u]

When the Spurs face the Lakers, for example, who does he guard? Pau Gasol? Andrew Bynum? Lamar Odom?

He breaks them down into edible pieces.

[TIMMYD!]

He breaks them down into edible pieces.

[Whisky Dog]

Don't have to worry about Odom anymore. That ugly kardashian chick is gonna his game up just like her sister did to Reggie bush for the last few years.

[Samr]

Don't have to worry about Odom anymore. That ugly kardashian chick is gonna his game up just like her sister did to Reggie bush for the last few years.

Yep, sleeping with a fat chick will do that to your self-confidence.

[ezau]

I don't think Blair would have the versatility to handle Odom. Gasol meanwhile is just too long and too smart so he's going to have a very tough time handling him. Bynum is my best best and at 265, Blair is even heavier than him.

[Russ]

You've got questions, Blair's got answers
By Jeff McDonald

The skepticism is fair: There isn't much of a track record for successful 6-foot-7 interior players in the NBA, especially when that player appears to be much closer to 6-5.

The template is Wes Unseld. Blair looks like a modern-day Wes Unseld. (Although I don't think he'll win Rookie of the Year and MVP in the same year like Wes.)

[Marcus Bryant]

[#2!]

blair vs. the lakers actually does present a matchup problem for the spurs so I won't expect him against them too much this year, but thats why we have duncan, dyess, theo, and mahinmi. So Pop is the answer to that problem, unless blair proves everyone wrong on this too.

but if mbenga, or powell get in the game, look out...

[CGD]

He is "undersized" in the traditional sense at 6' 6". But I think his awesome wingspan and standing reach allow him to play (and hopefully defend) at a 6' 9". If anything his lateral movement, not his height, will be the issue on D.

[ooshmay]

Does anyone still think my pre-training camp prediction of Blair averaging 8 and 10 is unlikely?

I think its unlikely only based on my thought that he wont get much court time to produce numbers like that.. not that he cant because i think he is a beast but i just dont see the minutes being available in the rotation for him.

U DONT NEED ACL'S TO PLAY IN THE LEAGUE!

[mystargtr34]

I think its proven that shorter burlier guys can use their strength to their advantage over taller, more skilled players. They can push them off their favoured block position and not allow them to back them down, forcing them into turnaround jumpers or hooks from more uncomfortable positions. Chuck Hayes is a good example, he gave Gasol quite a few problems in their series last playoffs by doing exactly that, and as skilled as they are, you know softer guys like Pau or even an Aldridge dont like to be pushed around and have an elbow or forearm stuck into their back.

Obviously you cant expect Blair to guard a guy as good as Gasol for 40 minutes, because hes just too big and too skilled... but throwing him out their to defend him for 10-15 minutes a night could really cause some problems for Pau and other bigger, leaner guys.

[SpurNation]

He could guard Odom for stretches. Blair has the strength to keep odom out of position and I don't think odom has the speed anymore to go around him. Blair has the standing reach of a 6'10-11" player so the whole size thing is kind of overrated since you don't grab rebounds or block shots with your head.

Ironically...he does use his head...and that's what makes him so good.

Talent is nothing unless you have the brains to use it effectively.

[Danny.Zhu]

When the Spurs face the Lakers, for example, who does he guard? Pau Gasol? Andrew Bynum? Lamar Odom?

I think Blair can only get some minutes when facing Lakers' bench.

But more importantly, Blair can lower Duncan's minutes during regular season and off season, so Duncan can be healthy when matching up against Lakers. And that's enough contribution from Blair I think.

[Em-City]

I think Blair can only get some minutes when facing Lakers' bench.

But more importantly, Blair can lower Duncan's minutes during regular season and off season, so Duncan can be healthy when matching up against Lakers. And that's enough contribution from Blair I think.

^^^^^^ what i'm thinkin..

[EricB]

The guy learns fast.

I don't know where everyone gets this "he can't guard Bynum" horsecrap.

Not hard to guard someone laying on the floor holding their damn knee.