Is Jeff Ayres an upgrade over DeJuan Blair?

[Uriel]

Both players have essentially the same role (PF getting spot minutes), and both players are hated passionately by SpursTalkers. The question is, though, with Ayres now taking over Blair's role, would it be fair to say that he as at least an improvement over his predecessor?

[Bruno]

Yes.

0 > -10

[TE]

Easy answer by default, tbh.

[hater]

this is a good question but another one that can't be decided until the Playoffs

Let's face it, Blair was fine in the regular season, it was the playoffs where he was a black hole and useless. I would not say Ayres is an upgrade over Blair but definitely a lateral move with potential benefits

[313]

Well, he's taller.

[tholdren]

this is a good question but another one that can't be decided until the Playoffs

Let's face it, Blair was fine in the regular season, it was the playoffs where he was a black hole and useless. I would not say Ayres is an upgrade over Blair but definitely a lateral move with potential benefits

Wrong
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Season	Age	Tm	Lg	Pos	G	MP	PER	TS%	eFG%	FTr	3PAr	ORB%	DRB%	TRB%	AST%	STL%	BLK%	TOV%	USG%	ORtg	DRtg	OWS	DWS	WS	WS/48
2009-10	20	SAS	NBA	PF	10	91	24.0	.514	.500	.281	.000	23.9	25.1	24.5	9.4	2.9	3.5	5.3	19.5	122	101	0.3	0.2	0.4	.226
2010-11	21	SAS	NBA	PF	4	50	9.6	.366	.333	.238	.000	20.4	9.5	15.1	7.3	0.0	1.4	7.9	23.7	91	110	0.0	0.0	0.0	-0.021
2011-12	22	SAS	NBA	PF	10	76	22.9	.624	.630	.222	.000	11.2	23.6	17.6	4.6	2.0	1.0	3.3	18.8	128	100	0.3	0.1	0.4	.244
2012-13	23	SAS	NBA	PF	12	76	31.2	.619	.618	.265	.000	9.4	26.3	18.1	18.7	3.5	1.0	2.6	24.2	131	94	0.4	0.2	0.6	.348
Career			NBA		36	293	23.1	.544	.535	.254	.000	16.2	22.4	19.4	10.2	2.3	1.9	4.5	21.2	120	101	0.9	0.5	1.3	.220
4 seasons		SAS	NBA		36	293	23.1	.544	.535	.254	.000	16.2	22.4	19.4	10.2	2.3	1.9	4.5	21.2	120	101	0.9	0.5	1.3	.220

[hater]

yeah, he was still a defensive black hole and pretty much useless in a playoff series

[spurraider21]

if he doesn't bobble passes and blow dunks yes

[timtonymanu]

Ehh, I still think Blair was a better player.

A month ago he would have been a major upgrade over Ayres. Ayres is getting better though. We will see in a month.

[N0 LyF3 ScRuB]

blair and its not close.

@ the poll results

[tholdren]

yeah, he was still a defensive black hole and pretty much useless in a playoff series

blair has better numbers than tiago...see above

[james evans]

who in their right mind thinks ayers is better than blair?

[313]

if he doesn't bobble passes and blow dunks yes

And learns how to play defense instead of just standing there

[td4mvp2k]

Bonner was an upgrade over sh*tty blair tbh

[td4mvp2k]

.

[HI-FI]

offensively it's Blair. but I never felt good with no ACLs on defense or playing within system. I think Ayres has the potential to be much more well rounded but we'll need to revisit this thread in couple months.

[Seventyniner]

Ayers gives the Spurs more of what they need from a big man. Blair is the better player in a vacuum but not for the Spurs given the composition of the rest of the team.

[Tuddy]

Ayres defense on face up players is good. He struggles with bigger guys in the post, but he won't have to guard them once he stops playing backup Center.

[hater]

blair has better numbers than tiago...see above

so? we were getting bounced in the 1st round with Blair instead of Splitter

[playblair]

blair = better defender/rebounder/pnr player...............................

ginobili/blair PNR = legiit(blair haters wont admit they miss ginobili/blair PNR).................. ayres is a horrible PNR finisher........................

blair = 2 30/20 games..............

[playbonner15]

ginobili/blair PNR results to a blair weak ass tear drop

[cd021]

this is a good question but another one that can't be decided until the Playoffs

Let's face it, Blair was fine in the regular season, it was the playoffs where he was a black hole and useless. I would not say Ayres is an upgrade over Blair but definitely a lateral move with potential benefits

Agreed

[cd021]

if he doesn't bobble passes and blow dunks yes

He definitely improved in that area. He is catching and finishing much more consistently. Last 5-10 games have been a different story. Plus his rebound has been a positive.

[SanDiegoSpursFan]

Blair is better but Jeff is much better for this team. Spurs didn't need what Blair could offer and his negatives greatly outweighed his positives because of that.

[TheGoldStandard]

I'd take Ayres, he is developing chemistry with the team and it's going to pay dividends if he can keep this up. His energy off the bench in the playoffs for a few minutes will do some good.