Blair's Learning Curve

[SpurNation]

And so he was hard on himself...took owness for his play...came back out and played decent...wants to become better...is willing to listen...takes responsibility to become better in the NBA...and doesn't make excuses for anything beyond his control only to learn by it.

What a horrible player to have on your team.

By the way...he had an average game considering he is 20 years old and played in only his 2nd regular season game. But we have come to expect more than average from just his brief appearnaces and performances....What was the excuse for the rest of the team other than Duncan that has more experience than Blair?

[Mel_13]

And so he was hard on himself...took owness for his play...came back out and played decent...wants to become better...is willing to listen...takes responsibility to become better in the NBA...and doesn't make excuses for anything beyond his control only to learn by it.

What a horrible player to have on your team.

By the way...he had an average game considering he is 20 years old and played in only his 2nd regular season game. But we have come to expect more than average from just his brief appearnaces and performances....What was the excuse for the rest of the team other than Duncan that has more experience than Blair?

I think you're missing the point. I don't think we have any Blair critics here yet. There are some, myself included, who are already tired of those that think more minutes for Blair is the solution for all problems.

[Russ]

Blair's Learning Curve
By Graydon Gordian
TrueHoop Network

After the game I spoke with Antonio McDyess about his tutelage of Blair. McDyess mentioned that after Popovich pulled Blair from the game because of one too many unnecessary fouls, Blair was hard on himself as he returned to the bench.

Another sensational sign from Blair. This guy is just too good to be true.

[raspsa]

1st NBA game:
- Robinson: (34m) 23pts, 17rbds, 3blks, 1ast
- Duncan: (35m) 15pts, 10rbds, 2blks, 2 asts
- Blair: (22m) 14pts, 11rbds, 3 asts

2nd NBA game:
- Robinson: (40m) 19pts, 18rbds, 8blks (!!!), 2 asts (and 4 steals!)
- Duncan: (23m) 9pts, 5rbds, 2 blks, 4 asts
- Blair: (12m) 6pts, 4rbds

Everything still going as planned...

I'm looking forward to you posting their comparative stats for the entire regular season...

[callo1]

LOS ANGELES(AP) Dirk Nowitzki scored 21 points and the Dallas Mavericks were 25 of 32 from the free throw line in routing the Los Angeles Lakers 94-80 Friday night for their first win of the season.

Nowitzki made 10 of 11 from the line and grabbed 10 rebounds, Shawn Marion added 18 points and Jason Terry 16 to end the Mavs' six-game losing streak against the defending NBA champions. They hadn't won against the Lakers at Staples Center since March 11, 2007.

Erick Dampier had 10 rebounds and Jason Kidd had 11 assists.

Kobe Bryant led the Lakers with 20 points. Andrew Bynum had 14 points and 10 rebounds, and reserve Shannon Brown added 12 points.

While the Mavs paraded to the line as the Lakers racked up 29 fouls, Los Angeles got there just 14 times, hitting nine shots.

The Lakers never made a run in the fourth, getting derailed by horrendous shooting and turnovers by Lamar Odom, Josh Powell and Bryant. Their lone highlight was Brown's thundering dunk off Bryant's jumper that bounced off the rim. It got the crowd on its feet in a collective exclamation even with the Lakers trailing by 12.

The fans were on their feet again to hit the exits with three minutes remaining and the Mavs ahead 90-73.

Dallas extended its lead to 73-54 in the third on a 13-2 run, with four points from Nowitzki and five by Terry. Two free throws and a driving layup by Jose Barea later gave Dallas its largest lead of 22 points. Barea finished with 12 points.

The Lakers were called for two technicals, including Ron Artest's first of the season moments after he was whistled for his fourth foul and went to the bench. Lakers coach Phil Jackson brought back Brown and Jordan Farmar, who were productive during the second quarter, but it didn't help. The Lakers scored just 15 points in the period and trailed 78-60 going into the fourth.

The Mavericks led 52-45 at halftime, helped by 15 of 18 free-throw shooting. Jackson went deep into his bench in the second quarter, bringing in Brown, Farmar and Luke Walton for a stretch against the Mavs' second unit.

Brown was especially effective, scoring 10 points, and Bynum added eight to draw Los Angeles into a tie at 37. But the Mavs dominated the final 4 1/2 minutes, outscoring the Lakers 15-8 despite Bryant returning during that run.


So the Blair hype had reached the point where a reality check was needed then? Sounds kind of like the >72 game talk I had been hearing from a different camp.

[will_spurs]

I'm looking forward to you posting their comparative stats for the entire regular season...

It's a kind of running joke after many people (including ESPN Daily Dime if my memory is correct) decided to compare Blair's 1st game stat line to HoF-ers like D-Rob and Duncan. Even Pop made a side comment comparing Duncan's rookie season and Blair's.

I'm in the "level-headed" camp of people who realize the Spurs lucked out on serious talent with Blair, a player who basically has as much upside as pretty much any forward I can think of. But still a rookie... still with only 2 NBA games under his belt... and with all the future unknowns (and some present knowns) that can derail a promising career.

And in conclusion I still think he's holding his own pretty well when you compare his production to others, especially given the low number of minutes played. Which leads me quickly to another point: the interventionism of Pop vs the laid back approach of Jackson, who is well known to let his players "sink" - it's their responsibility to get their head over the waterline again. I wish that in a lost game like Chicago's he would let a guy like Blair play (and if needed foul out) even though he is making mistakes. I don't get the point of pulling guys out of the game as soon as they are making mistakes.

[ulosturedge]

Would have been nice to have the complete package from Blair out of the box, but I think that would be asking a bit much. I know I was guilty of thinking, "hey if he's a good rebounder he must be a good defender." The two don't always go hand in hand. Everything is good though cause the potential is there. If the Spurs can get Bonner to improve his footwork on defense i'm sure they can do the same with Blair.

[Bukefal]

This is normal, Blair will be fine. The beastttt

[exstatic]

He basically had the same issues in that article at Pittsburgh. He has very quick hands and feet. He tends to take risks and use his quick hands to go for steals (actually led Pitt in steals those two years he was on the team). He needs to learn to use his feet and chest like the article says.

Yeah, his defense is going to be based on getting to, and holding his position. If he does that, he'll be fine because he'll get more than his share of rebounds. Pop always says that the defense isn't over until possession is secured. DeJuan will tilt the balance in our favor in that regard.