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Im a big fan of Blairs game. I think he is going to be a good player in the NBA, but im starting to think it doesnt have to be with the Spurs. Spurs need a bigger more experienced player Today. Not next year or 2 years from now.
http://www.nba.com/playerfile/dejuan...on_splits.html
His playing time has been less in the past 2 losses than it was in games the Spurs have won.
Does this mean that he would have been instrumental in helping the team win if he played more minutes? Or that the team actually kept the game close enough to almost win by not letting him play more minutes?
It's going to be interesting to see what Blair will do in the next several games. Intensity doesn't seem to be a problem more so than being over aggresive in his decisions on the court. And a lack of experience might tend to have a player of his youth and inexperience lean more to the decisions he's been making that have been getting him less minutes as the games add up.
But I can't help but wonder at this early stage that he just might not be able to handle many of the taller bigs in this league no matter how well he might be positioned. Will experience build that confidence and ability to defend such advesaries in this league?
His offensive game so far has been a pleasant suprise at this early stage. He has scored more than I thought he would be at this time. But by the same token, his defense has been suprisingly softer than I would imagine.
There's no doubt about his rebounding ability. And in many occasions if he hasn't been able to garnish the rebound...he's effectively deflected the ball away from an opposing player helping to stagnate a fast break opportunity and allowing his teammates to respond and set up on D.
I've always thought he would be a great compliment to Duncan on the floor at the same time. After the first 10 games (and a couple of starts)...it appears he has a way to go to getting to that level of starting with Duncan. And with Bonner proving to be much more effective off the bench, perhaps Blair just might have sunk to the ranks of 4th option big man.
Amazing how fast things happen to players in this league.
What's next for Blair?
Im a big fan of Blairs game. I think he is going to be a good player in the NBA, but im starting to think it doesnt have to be with the Spurs. Spurs need a bigger more experienced player Today. Not next year or 2 years from now.
I don't understand his lack of minutes, 6 - 9 minutes in the last two games. What are we saving him for? We could use his offensive rebounding, or just rebounding in general. The last two games were close, more rebounds could be the difference.
Maybe I'm just a big buffoon, but I've been disappointed by his rebounding the last few games, at least compared to the expectations from pre-season, SL and college.
He isn't really getting his hands on balls from my perspective, and seems to have trouble blocking out and jumping for the ball. Long arms are great, but they don't outreach guys who are 2-4 inches taller who are also jumping. Most of this is on the defensive boards. I'm believe his defensive rebounds per 40 is probably about 20-25% less than Bonner's the past 5 games, and while Bonner has had some good rebounding games that shouldn't happen. Maybe I'm crazy on this and I've already deleted the losses from my dvr so I can't rewatch, but those are my impressions.
Defensively he hasn't been very good but I would expect that from a rookie.
He's got the Wizards next... ass
Spurs have the players/contracts to make a pretty damn good deal.
Adding Blair makes the deal even sweeter. Especially if its for a quality big.
you guys are already talking about shipping him out?
I wouldnt do it because hes not going to be a good player. I would do it because he doesnt fit the teams need right now. Hes good for his size but right now the road to the championship is SIZE.
Lakers,Celtics,Blazers,Mavericks all have size. I dont see Blair being able to compete with 7 footers on a regular basis and have much success. Thats just my opinion right now but hopefully im wrong and he does find a way to compete on the same level as 7 footers...
Last edited by xtremesteven33; 11-20-2009 at 04:40 PM.
The only time hes effective is when duncan is on the bench. he clogs the middle to much for TD. + he cant shoot a jumper.
I also feel like every time he touches the ball he feels inclined to shoot it. I would like to see him get some more time tho.
I don't understand this. The Spurs get lucky by having young, talented, frontcourt player, with first-round talent, literally fall into their laps, and some of the folks here want to ship the guy out 10 games into the season. Amazing!
whats next probably more tongue lashing form pop on his great 1on1 defense
Do you think Blair will be able to compete with other 7 footers based upon what you have seen so far?
Dont get me wrong I like his game. I know hes going to develop into a good player for his size but I dont see him having the impact I thought he was. He doesnt have much elevation for his size and hes just a banger right now. If we want to play a banger next to Tim than I think it needs to be somebody who is a legit 7 footer to stay compe ive with the other bigs in the NBA.
Well said. I don't understand either, how after 7 or 8 games so many are already wanting to break this team up, fire the coach, get rid of great draft choices and move the team to Timbuktu. San Antonio and South Texas are noted for their laid back love of life, yet so many are ready to commit Hari Kari over a few loses and lesser minutes than expected.
Trade him for a 30+yr vet so we have a player that Pop will play at least? J/K at this point I would hate to see him go and it would be pretty stupid to give him up.
Besides in about 9 years Pop will give him plenty of PT. We just got to be patient. lol
Sir Charles made a career of it including guarding DRob and at times frustrating the out of David. Granted, Blair has a long way to go to be compared to Barkley but, who knows...I say give him a chance. If nothing else he brings desire and effort you don't always see from other players. If he can become a Malik Rose type player and bring that style to the game then we won't get hurt by keeping him.
Personally I think his lack of minutes the past couple of games has more to do with the game situation than it did with Blair. I seriously doubt Blair is in Pop's dog house. Pop likes Blair's energy and passion for rebounds. Most likely they are working with him towards learning the system more quickly without making a lot of mistakes and hurting his confidence. JMHO
Im pulling for Blair dont get me wrong....
No problem...I understand where you are coming from. I too wish he was about 4" - 6" taller. He is definitely the kind of guy you want covering your back though. He is a warrior!
He's making too many mistakes right now on the defensive end and has gotten sloppy on offense. He needs to get smarter if he's going to have a significant impact on this team.
dont compare blair to veterans! hes been in the nba less than 2 months. and people are judging what an overall player he is in the nba! insane, yes hes not producing like jennings and hes not as tall as we would like, but this is unbelievable. and if we ship him out with all our bench who will we get ? one good tall player? give the kid a chance to get conditioned.
What is wrong with the Spurs goes beyond the new guys like Blair and RJ. The team overall has a lack of effort and mostly from the guys who Pop says already knows the system. Pop created this beast whereas in the past the Spurs would take the night off for the long season. Now the skill level is at a point where they can't take a play off let alone the night off. I see this "lack of effort" infecting the new guys. The recipe for the Spurs to win with Blair playing more minutes or less is the same. The need to play harder. The ship will not right until they do.
Pretty much..
He's in a mini-slump right now..the fact that he's an undersized big man means he's gonna have to take some time to get a feel for the compe ion in the league..he's going to have stretches like this..
He's gonna have to improve his defense though..he's one of the worst defenders on this team, which is saying a lot, because we have a lot of poor defenders right now..
I'd say more bench time. Which is sad, cause I believe Blair can adapt if given minutes and trusted. But at 4-6 and Parker and Manu out,I don't think Pop is any mood to give anyone a learning curve. Blair is not the only one weak on the defensive end, IMO only HIll and Bogans are bringing any kind of consistent defensive effort, everyone else is struggling.
Well then they should've addressed that in the offseason. Instead of a trade for a $14million Wing, maybe they should've traded for a $9million C along with a $5million SF. That way the paint problem is taken care of along with the offensive versatility.
sonavu ...the guy is a 20 yr. old rookie and 10 games into his first season and people are already bashing on him??
Oh how the mighty have fallen.
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