The difference in Spurs draft hype: DeJuan Blair VS James Anderson

[Cane]

Blair was the bigger steal since he dropped so low (especially in hindsight of his rookie season, 20-20 games ) but FWIW sportswriters and talking heads mostly say that Anderson's also going to be a steal and a good addition for the silver and black. There might've been more hype if he didn't get injured and performed well in summer league but there doesn't seem much to say about a new guy otherwise. Buford did joke that there were high expectations since Anderson's a Big 12 Player of the Year, an award won by the likes of Blake Griffin and Kevin Durant. Also the Spurs don't seem to get (or want) much attention in general from the media especially after the East got revamped.

[024]

anderson didn't play in summer league due to injury so there is nothing to hype up. blair played a few games, performed pretty well, and spurstalk proceeded to blow that out of proportion. the same thing happened to gist.

if anderson played well in summer league, there would have been plenty of "anderson = next stephen jackson?" threads.

[Blackjack]

James Anderson was simply overshadowed for most of his college career playing on a less than stellar team. He played at Oklahoma State, not Pitt or in the Big East amongst the East Coast hype machine, his college career ended with an early exit from the tournament and he saw his stock slip due to an injury that kept him from playing at 100%; the majority of mock drafts still had him going around 16 throughout most of the pre-draft.

Factor in that he wasn't able to prove his worth during the Vegas Summer League and get fans worked up over future prospects, and it's easy to see why there just isn't much hype -- never mind the fact that good-to-great college scorers that don't possess elite size or athleticism are generally question marks at a much greater level than rebounders, the one aspect that translates better than any other facet of the college game.

Bottom line, Anderson seemed and felt like a 20 pick. He could be great he could be "meh." We just don't know and we've yet to get a glimpse at the next level to gauge. DeJuan Blair never looked or felt like a 37. Everyone knew the guy was deserving to go in the Draft Lottery had there been no question marks due to health. The Spurs lucked out, were put a a no-lose situation picking him in the second round with no first round guaranteed money and the guy had left a mark on college basketball, the draft process and during summer league play that had the masses all riled up and jacked about his future prospects.

Anderson basically seemed an expected talent at 20 (maybe a little better) and Blair felt like a steal or godsend. Throw in the recent successes of Millsap and Landry and the lack of real success for scorers the likes of Anderson in college ball, and you've got your answer: different players; different cir stance; different hype.

[ChuckD]

Hollinger has everyone in a tizzy with his new college player evaluation matrix. BIG plusses are outstanding rebounding for your position, a high combination of blocks and steals, and unconscious 3 point shooting. In college, Blair hit two of those, and Anderson none. While he was a good 3 point shooter, Hollinger's matrix is looking for long ball accuracy like McClinton had at Miami, 44-45%. That's why Blair had more draft hype.

[ElNono]

James Anderson was simply overshadowed for most of his college career playing on a less than stellar team. He played at Oklahoma State, not Pitt or in the Big East amongst the East Coast hype machine, his college career ended with an early exit from the tournament and he saw his stock slip due to an injury that kept him from playing at 100%; the majority of mock drafts still had him going around 16 throughout most of the pre-draft.

Factor in that he wasn't able to prove his worth during the Vegas Summer League and get fans worked up over future prospects, and it's easy to see why there just isn't much hype -- never mind the fact that good-to-great college scorers that don't possess elite size or athleticism are generally question marks at a much greater level than rebounders, the one aspect that translates better than any other facet of the college game.

Bottom line, Anderson seemed and felt like a 20 pick. He could be great he could be "meh." We just don't know and we've yet to get a glimpse at the next level to gauge. DeJuan Blair never looked or felt like a 37. Everyone knew the guy was deserving to go in the Draft Lottery had there been no question marks due to health. The Spurs lucked out, were put a a no-lose situation picking him in the second round with no first round guaranteed money and the guy had left a mark on college basketball, the draft process and during summer league play that had the masses all riled up and jacked about his future prospects.

Anderson basically seemed an expected talent at 20 (maybe a little better) and Blair felt like a steal or godsend. Throw in the recent successes of Millsap and Landry and the lack of real success for scorers the likes of Anderson in college ball, and you've got your answer: different players; different cir stance; different hype.

Good thing you're the #1 poster and typed all that in. I'll just:

+1

Thanks.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Excellent post, Blackjack.

That, folks, is why he's the self-proclaimed #1!

I am not comparing the 2 player's talents. I am comparing the draft hype between the 2. The contrast between the hype is just ridiculous based on what they accomplished as college players.

...only if you forget that we got Grizzly at #37! That's primarily why the hype was so overblown, and rightly so. The hype actually centred more around the FO than the player, in the sense of all the commentary along the lines of "Dayum! The Spurs FO has done it again! Another 2nd round jewel passed up by everyone else! Ginobili mark II!"

Anderson has a very nice college resume, but the jury is still out on how he will translate to the NBA. Many SGs who look great in college don't make it at the next level. I'm not saying he won't, just that I think most people are taking more of a wait-and-see approach with Anderson, which I think is wiser than over-hyping him and being disappointed with the 8ppg he will probably score this season. We need him to hit timely 3s, work hard on team D, and generally contribute to the bench energy that was so strong last year. Until we've seen him play for a year or two in the pros, I think it's also very difficult to judge his ceiling accurately.

[DrSteffo]

Bottom line, Anderson seemed and felt like a 20 pick. He could be great he could be "meh." We just don't know and we've yet to get a glimpse at the next level to gauge. DeJuan Blair never looked or felt like a 37. Everyone knew the guy was deserving to go in the Draft Lottery .

This. Also Blair is a BEAST.

[Chieflion]

...only if you forget that we got Grizzly at #37! That's primarily why the hype was so overblown, and rightly so. The hype actually centred more around the FO than the player, in the sense of all the commentary along the lines of "Dayum! The Spurs FO has done it again! Another 2nd round jewel passed up by everyone else! Ginobili mark II!"

I disagree. What you are saying is that everyone praised the Spurs front office for drafting Blair at 37 for the most part. So, if the situation is reversed and we get Anderson at 37 (hypothetically), you think the hype would have increased? I don't think this is the case.

[DespЏrado]

I don't know I'm sure as hyped for Anderson.

And he was proclaimed the steal of the draft on draft night.
I think you are just missing the volume but the hype is there, it just hasn't had any wind to blow open in the summer leagues with the injury.

I'm thinking the guy has a really great shot at a ceiling of Derek Anderson or Sean Elliott, and I'm looking forward to an Anderson, Neal, Hill, Manu, and Parker rotation. I don't think teams are going to know what to make of the Spurs next year. They could have just reinvented themselves in under two off seasons again.

Hill, Neal, Manu, and Anderson are probably going to put on some of the best three point shooting the Spurs have ever seen.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

I disagree. What you are saying is that everyone praised the Spurs front office for drafting Blair at 37 for the most part. So, if the situation is reversed and we get Anderson at 37 (hypothetically), you think the hype would have increased? I don't think this is the case.

Anderson was about right at #20 - he was listed between 16-22 on the 5 mock drafts I looked at - so it was no great surprise he went there. And yes, I think had he gone at #37 most people would be a bit more excited about him because at #37 he'd be considered somewhat of a steal, although not to the level of Blair. Blair was a top 10 pick who went at #37, a big surprise to most. No-one expected us to land Grizzly at #37, and I mean NO-ONE. There was talk he'd drop because of his knees, but not that far. Not one person predicted that before the draft, whereas we all knew Anderson was a likely pick at #20.

[mingus]

the main thing Anderson has to do is be a tenacious defender and b a threat from 3.

[Chieflion]

Anderson was about right at #20 - he was listed between 16-22 on the 5 mock drafts I looked at - so it was no great surprise he went there. And yes, I think had he gone at #37 most people would be a bit more excited about him because at #37 he'd be considered somewhat of a steal, although not to the level of Blair. Blair was a top 10 pick who went at #37, a big surprise to most. No-one expected us to land Grizzly at #37, and I mean NO-ONE. There was talk he'd drop because of his knees, but not that far. Not one person predicted that before the draft, whereas we all knew Anderson was a likely pick at #20.

I personally had Blair at the 13-20 range. But once I heard the reports, I understood why we got him at 37. I had Anderson in that range too, that was before the hamstring issue.

I need to emphasize that, no matter where a player is drafted, I look at the guy based on his abilities, and not hype him based on where he is drafted. I don't think Blair, whether he got drafted at 13, 20 or 37 is any different of a player than he would be.

[TDMVPDPOY]

blair if he had acls, is the next barkley....

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

I personally had Blair at the 13-20 range. But once I heard the reports, I understood why we got him at 37. I had Anderson in that range too, that was before the hamstring issue.

I need to emphasize that, no matter where a player is drafted, I look at the guy based on his abilities, and not hype him based on where he is drafted. I don't think Blair, whether he got drafted at 13, 20 or 37 is any different of a player than he would be.

Nor do I. And because of that he is an amazing find at #37! That is the whole point.

Anyway, I am very much looking forward to watching Anderson develop over the next few years. That is part of the excitement of having young players again.

RJ, OTOH, can bite me.

Oh, and I'm calling it now - RJ will be the whipping boy for Spurs fans this year... RJ all the way.

[ceperez]

anderson didn't play in summer league due to injury so there is nothing to hype up. blair played a few games, performed pretty well, and spurstalk proceeded to blow that out of proportion. the same thing happened to gist.

if anderson played well in summer league, there would have been plenty of "anderson = next stephen jackson?" threads.

exactly!

that is why even neal and gee got more praise

[Interrohater]

As some of the other posters have stated, it really has to do with a couple of factors. Dejuan Blair seemed like one of those "WTF just happened?!" moments with the descent to #37. That would be like your Fantasy Football draft is in the second round and nobody had picked Drew Brees yet.
On the other hand, you're picking fourth and you get lucky and get Brees. More like " yea, I got Brees." Still great that you got the guy you wanted, but not that gut-roiling, I-almost-wanna-throw-up-I'm-so-excited feeling.
Another thing would be Summer League. Beast did what he does best and made people look absolutely silly. It was hard NOT to get excited about it. We didn't see Anderson at all, not even warming up. (at least I didn't)

Last but not least is the Badass factor. I'll explain:
Dude1: "Hey man, Dude3 and I just went and bought new cars."
Dude2: "Oh cool. Is this it? A 2010 Honda Civic?"
Dude1: "Yea, it's perfect. Economical, great price, very very quick and it drives like a dream."
Dude2: "Awesome man, let's go for a ride."
Dude3: "Dudes!! Check out my new ride!"
Dude2: "Holy a$$balls! Is that a fu*#in Hummer?!?! Shotgun!!!"

So the moral of the story is: It may be everything you need in a car, but it's hard to get excited about a Civic.

[benefactor]

James Anderson was simply overshadowed for most of his college career playing on a less than stellar team. He played at Oklahoma State, not Pitt or in the Big East amongst the East Coast hype machine, his college career ended with an early exit from the tournament and he saw his stock slip due to an injury that kept him from playing at 100%; the majority of mock drafts still had him going around 16 throughout most of the pre-draft.

Factor in that he wasn't able to prove his worth during the Vegas Summer League and get fans worked up over future prospects, and it's easy to see why there just isn't much hype -- never mind the fact that good-to-great college scorers that don't possess elite size or athleticism are generally question marks at a much greater level than rebounders, the one aspect that translates better than any other facet of the college game.

Bottom line, Anderson seemed and felt like a 20 pick. He could be great he could be "meh." We just don't know and we've yet to get a glimpse at the next level to gauge. DeJuan Blair never looked or felt like a 37. Everyone knew the guy was deserving to go in the Draft Lottery had there been no question marks due to health. The Spurs lucked out, were put a a no-lose situation picking him in the second round with no first round guaranteed money and the guy had left a mark on college basketball, the draft process and during summer league play that had the masses all riled up and jacked about his future prospects.

Anderson basically seemed an expected talent at 20 (maybe a little better) and Blair felt like a steal or godsend. Throw in the recent successes of Millsap and Landry and the lack of real success for scorers the likes of Anderson in college ball, and you've got your answer: different players; different cir stance; different hype.

[elemento]

Agree with Blackjack.

We were happy after DB's performance in the SL, but when he dropped 19 rebounds in 22 minutes against Houston we just went nuts ..it was so funny to see fans from the other teams getting mad on their FOs cuz they didn't get Blair.

[Brazil]

let's see Blair without ACL stuff is a potential top 10 pick spurs got him at 37 !! Anderson pick is about right in the 20's

[The Truth #6]

The question mark about Blair was his ACLs.

The question mark about Anderson is...is he actually any good?

I agree they'll both be role players. When we got Blair we needed rebounding and many were tired of our soft interior play.

When we drafted Anderson people wanted the next Bruce Bowen so I think expectations for what the team needed were just different.

[lotr1trekkie]

As I recall on Blair's draft nite the TV analyists were over the top about how the Spurs had stolen a gem.
This season's draft was rather ho-hum and then the Spurs draft Anderson. I don't seem to remember any poster even mentioning Anderson prior to the draft. I'm sure someone did but I didn't see it.
Another, point is that Blair does one thing very well and his statue and nicknames add to the hype. Anderson on the other hand seems to be the total package---not a human hi-lite reel but solid in all aspects of the game. Coachable too. Maybe he needs a really good nickname. Any ideas.

[jimo2305]

i think one thing also is that blair's team went deeper in the tournament than anderson's.. . i think..

the deeper your team goes.. the more people will know who u are

[spursfaninla]

Blair was a high-risk and high reward pick. Anderson is about right for his pick.

Blair's production per 40, as TimVP showed, is the best of any post player not named DROB or TD in the last 10 years.

Anderson has shown nothing to indicate he will be the equivalent on the wings, although we don't know what his ceiling will be.

[SCdac]

DeJuan in his first summer league game put up 20 and 5 , then went on to grab 19 rebounds (in 22 minutes) in his first pre-season game. I think his game just really speaks for itself. He uses his body so well, and it was apparent from day 1. Really definition of a hustle player, at least for a big man... Anderson's game is probably going to depend alot more on shooting (seems like an athletic gunner), and well, we've yet to see him play in Silver and Black... Still can't wait to see him play though. His offense and overall youthfulness should help.

[Mr. Body]

Anderson was very good for an underwhelming Big XII school in a conference that wasn't actually all that good. He bombed in the Tournament, perhaps of no fault of his own.

Blair was one of the signature players the year before for a Big East with a lot of storylines. Not the best player in the NCAA, but a charismatic player on a very nice Pittsburgh team that was one epic loss to Villanova away from the Final Four. He was one of the most visible players in college basketball and is absolutely outstanding at one skill, among others.

I don't see much comparison. Blair is easily the better player at this point. Anderson should be proud of his conference POY accolades but he is a lukewarm talent at this point. Hope he can contribute, of course; but he simply doesn't rightfully fire the imagination the way Dejuan Blair does.