Blair sets Rookie record
Mike Monroe
DALLAS DeJuan Blair tilted his head down toward a doctor who was examining the Spurs rookie forward's blood-red right eye during Friday's NBA Rookie Challenge game at American Airlines Center.
Moments earlier, Golden State's Anthony Morrow, playing for the team of second-year NBA stars, had unintentionally poked a finger in Blair's eye after the Spurs' rebounding phenomenon had yanked down his 13th rebound, with 14:58 remaining in a game the Rookies would easily win, 140-128.
I'm all right, Blair told the man. I'm not letting this little thing keep me out. I'm having too much fun.
Indeed, the Spurs' second-round steal of the 2009 draft had a blast in the annual battle between the top rookies and the best second-year players. He dominated the interior and recorded the first 20-20 game since the league added the event in 2000.
Blair finished with nearly everything he could have hoped for: 22 points on 11-of-19 shooting and a Rookie Challege-record 23 rebounds. Elton Brand, then playing for the Chicago Bulls, had the old record, 21.
Blair, who was named to the nine-man rookie squad last month, had promised to go after Brand's record and snatched his 22nd rebound with 34 seconds remaining.
What Blair didn't get was the Most Valuable Player Award. That went to Sacramento Kings rookie Tyreke Evans, who tallied 26 points, six rebounds, five assists and five steals.
It hurts me, man, said Blair, shaking his head. It really does hurt me, but it is what it is.
In fact, a panel of media voters had been asked to turn in their MVP ballots with several minutes remaining in the game, the rookies well ahead and Evans' scoring work mostly done.
Blair pulled down his last six rebounds in the final 90 seconds and added the final two baskets that gave him the 20-20 in the final minute.
A recount, said rookies coach Adrian Dantley, surely would have given Blair the award.
It's too bad, Dantley said. He was an animal.
Evans, handed the MVP award, made a generous gesture indicating he wanted to share the trophy with Blair.
I'm going to share this MVP with (Blair), he said, and both players raised the trophy on the court.
Officially, the trophy will remain with Evans.
I just can't catch a break, man, Blair said. I don't know what I've got to do, but that's all right.
What mattered most, Blair said, was breaking the rebound record and having fun.
Oh, what fun he had.
His merriment included attempting a 3-point shot during the first half he missed and running out on a breakaway, tossing the ball off the backboard back to himself for a thunderous, right-handed dunk.
Just something I used to do back in the day, back in high school when I had fun, fun, fun like that every game, he said.
He joked that he had watched old film of teammates Tim Duncan and Antonio McDyess and more recent videotape of Richard Jefferson to know how to execute the carom dunk.
It helped that Spurs coach Gregg Popovich was nowhere to be seen.
I know for sure Pop wasn't over there, because I shot a three.
Had Popovich been in the building?
Let's just say I wouldn't just be on the bench, I'd be in the locker room, Blair said, giggling. But let's not talk about that. This was an All-Star Game.
the rookie knows his place with Pop
Congrats to Dejuan!
Having fun when playing for Pop is not easy though.
Craig Sager said Pop called during the game, not to check up on Blair after he was poked in the eye, but to tell him to stop shooting threes.
Blair=World Domination
what a performance go blair1!
Blair beasting at Dallas' Stadium... so nice to see. XD
We can't trade this guy.
but his trade value just skyrocketed
I love the Pop allusions.
where's the PS of Blair destroying the rookie wall?
Agreed. I think it makes perfect sense to trade him and Finely/Bonner for Haywood.but his trade value just skyrocketed
MVP MVP MVP MVP
Did anyone else see Blair fighting his instincts on defense? There was a couple times he was going to go for a block, but at the last minute took a step back and let the guy get the shot off.
He definitely knew it was an All-star game and wanted it to be fun!
Tyreke Evans looked embarrassed when he won the MVP. Hopefully Pop will give this kid enough PT to challenge for ROY.
ing re ed that Evans was named MVP.
I love this guy. He's got a magnanimous personality. And, most importantly he's a beast making a name for himself and the Spurs. The Pop references made me
I'm so glad he's a Spur!
Sucks that Blair is disappointed about the MVP. He deserved it, but that's what the NBA gets for insisting on leaning on fan voting. At least he had a good time, seemed to earn the respect of his teammates, and got to showcase what nearly every other team passed on.
Last night surely had more NBA GMs going.
At least he broke two records which will hopefully stand for a while. There will be a new MVP next year, but who knows when the next 20/20 or 23 rebound game will be.
Blair for Rookie of the Year. I like this guy more and more each game.
The good thing is Blair will most likely use this as motivation and work that much harder to get respect.
Blair - "You will respect me."
It's almost to the point that we're going to need a Blair emoticon...
Already looking forward to next years game when he plays for the Sop res
How did they call him? Heavy D?
Here a pic of his awesome dunk;
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