Reply With Quote
Maybe his last year or two in the league. Don't perpetuate myths please.
Barkley was a freak of nature, being that short and mid-centered yet also being agile and capable of such power and finesse.. I don't see Blair with that kind of touch offensively, or the agility, but Barkley routinely took it easy on defense and was out of shape. Blair has already proven being in shape is not a concern for him, or trying on defense.. it's his mental for ude that needs work.
Maybe his last year or two in the league. Don't perpetuate myths please.
I've heard and read plenty to the contrary, even from Barkley himself (he has a scathing way of talking about the way he defended).. but it's not an argument I care to make, tbh, as it's simply a response to someone else's comparison that I actually don't even agree with.
I do think in his prime years he was excellent on both sides of the court, especially come playoff time.
So what argument are you making again?
Like I said, please don't perpetuate myths. What you've heard and read is from other people doing the same thing. Barkley is very self-deprecating, particularly about his defense, but anyone that watched him knows that's complete and total bull . He used to defend David Robinson when they played the Spurs. There was a stretch of years where Barkley was the best player in the NBA in a league that included Jordan, Robinson, Olajuwon, and Malone. He was not lazy on either end of the floor and he was never out of shape until he was far past his prime.
When motivated, Barkley was a really good defender. Saying otherwise is just being mal-informed.
Russell? Bill Russell? You guys are kidding right?
Translation: When the ball was in play. Barkley didn't mail it in, even when he was unhappy. The only time he ever complained is if the team wasn't doing enough to win or when his teammates didn't play as hard as he did.
Blair is Blair. The only way that he will be the man is to stop taking plays off. He will have stretches where you see him everywhere on the floor and then there are times when you thought he had been sitting on the bench. He also is somewhat of a black hole when the ball comes inside. He needs to find the open man instead of forcing every shot. Yes, he needs to think a little bit more about his game.
I'm pretty sure I was agreeing with you.
Blair has the hands of bruce bowen always poking at the ball and getting in the passing lanes so good on D. just when you throw Bynum, Gasol, and Odum at him he needs a lot of help, no sherlock. We have the edge on guards, hopefully 3 point shooting come playoffs, and our front court won't be bad with Tiago making rotations and being one of our better post defenders. He can learn so much from Dice and Duncan at the post.
It's pretty obvious: that Blair is not Barkley or Russell
This is exactly right. Blair really needs to focus more on his strengths and develop his game around them, which was sort of the hints that he gave during the offseason...I believe he stated he was working on his floater (to drop buckets over taller defenders) and his jumper, which is obviously a must if he wants to be compe ive at his height. He's gotta develop a 15-20 foot jumper like Dice in my opinion.
He's still young of course but he has to become more decisive; make decisions faster, and preferably the correct ones. That's really where you can draw a line in comparing players; some understand the game and know exactly what to do with the ball as soon as they receive it. It makes sense he's not the best at this yet because of his inexperience but unfortunately the Spurs are in win now mode. And we are talking about Blair being too short for the Spurs to win now, given he takes up starter minutes. I do think Blair can improve a lot on offense, but I just don't see him becoming a great defender. Especially not for this post season. The statement "Blair is too short!" to me is correct. There's only so much you can do to stop a tall, explosive forward/center when starting several inches shorter than said compe ion. When the Spurs are in the playoffs in need of crucial stops, and the Lakers kick it into Gasol to quickly extend the ball into the rim (I say extend because this is really where the height disparity is seen..we see it with Tim or any other good, tall forward...they can catch the ball and place it right in so quickly because of their height, starting from a higher point, shorter defenders need to jump quickly to even have a chance at contesting, and this naturally leaves them prone to falling for ball fakes because of the fact that a 6'7" big man defender will have to be waiting on the balls of his feet ready to lunge to contest the shot) and Blair is guarding him...it's an easy 2.
(of course I made many assumptions on coverages, some unrealistic but it's applicable to any teams with big front courts)
That's why Blair won't be on the court, and that's part of why a 6'6" or 6'7" big man, such as Hayes or Blair, can't play starter minutes for a championship contending team. Not in this NBA. They can't compete with the Celtics or Lakers front courts.
This is why, we all know, the Spurs signed Tiago Splitter. Hopefully he can provide that solid, consistent post defense the Spurs need to complement Duncan.
Yes, and thank you. I was expanding on the point.
Is it? It keeps changing. It went from being about height, to not just height, then back to height, and then to Barkley when that was the easiest side to take.
Do y'all think Blair might be better used as trade bait? I would hate to see him go but this team has some huge holes. Maybe if he can be utilized as a energy bench guy, but as for now Blairs game doesnt give much to the team as a starter.
Last edited by Chomag; 11-01-2010 at 07:10 PM.
Wrong. It was NEVER solely about height. You're trying to make this a black or white issue when I never said it was solely either.
Stop trying to sidetrack what's true: Dejuan Blair cannot be the 2nd most important big man for the Spurs behind Duncan, minute wise, if they want to win a championship.
That's my argument.
It's tough to say. I like Blair a lot, even though I recognize he shouldn't start. It all depends on what he could possibly bring to the Spurs. Some teams might be interested in him, he can certainly pull down many rebounds any given game and have good stats...so who knows.
What about waiting more than 2 games before ruling him out as a starter?
He has shown enough last year to deserve more time to prove his value.
Your argument is flawed. He was underused last year, and has started two games so far. He's not playing well yet, but we all know what he can do. You seem to be suggesting that he's not a good player, which is just completely wrong.
See I liked what Kenny Smith said during a spurs game last year. Blair should look for Barkley in the summer and learn from him how to use his body to still be able to be a great player in the leauge.
I'm not suggesting he isn't good, I've said many times I'm a fan of Blair for the hustle and energy he brings. I've been pretty clear about what I believe. I'm not suggesting he should be traded or anything, because I know Tiago is returning and hopefully he can develop this year into a good defender.
I don't need to repeat my argument again, and I think most people who've watched and played enough basketball can understand that THIS YEAR, in THIS LEAGUE, the Spurs will not win with Blair in the starting and main complementary role to Duncan. If you think Blair and Duncan are stopping Pau and Bynum/Odom, you're nuts. If you think Blair and Duncan are stopping Garnett and Shaq, you're nuts.
You think my argument is flawed? Well statistically, maybe. But who's to say every argument must be backed by specific stats in order for the argument to be sound? I'd like to think that most people aren't like Chumpdumper, requiring stats and properly cited sources for any argument in this basketball forum.
I know it's only been two games, but my argument isn't concerning these types of games, it's looking ahead to the playoffs. And clearly bringing another tall, defensively solid big man was on the agenda, for that is just what the Spurs did this summer, because it's the truth that they are in need in that category if they want to win, in this current win-now situation they are in. Deteriorated Duncan isn't gonna get the job done on his own. And a 6'7" PF/C taking the 2nd most minutes of all big men on the Spurs won't be enough to complete the front court.
Of course, time will tell. When the playoffs roll around, be sure to bump this thread, especially as the Spurs go further, if they do. We'll only see then who's starting next to Timmy and playing the most in hopes of stopping the opposition. My bet is it won't be Blair, and if that's the case, in itself my argument will have been pretty sound looking back. I know Pop sometimes gets obsessed with his small ball antics, but for some reason I don't see him throwing Blair in as the starter and expecting him to stop Pau and/or Bynum. Blair would foul out in the first half if he did. Said reason for Pop not doing this? --> Blair's defense isn't adequate. Why? -->primarily because he's too short to consistently, possession after possession, stop the best big men in the league.
Last edited by ALVAREZ6; 11-01-2010 at 09:38 PM.
Bahahaha....Blair's statline vs the Clippers: 0pts, 5reb, 3to, 4pf, in 19:45min..
Sorry DeJuan, you're slowly proving to us that you're bench material..
He hasn't looked as confident this season for some reason. I'm disappointed in these first 3 games.
For whatever reason, Blair simply doesn't play well with Duncan. It was the same story last year. Move him back to the bench and he'll be fine.
Do you think it has anything to do with the game being more structured, specifically on offense, when Duncan is the game? The offense is more predictable and there's less variability in what the Spurs are going to do to you when the vets are in. Dejuan flourishes in moments when the game is more on the out of control side, game going back and forth, more hustle and scrappy play comes out.
Perhaps you understand what I'm inadequately describing due to time constraints but do you think it's valid, or anything to do with this subject?
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions