Is Blair to Blame?

[eisfeld]

yes he does but Manu does not handle ball as much when Parker is out there.

But doesn't matter. If Blair wants to start he needs to play well regardless of Manu.

That's what I wanted to say... a 12 hour work day is really bad for my brain

[TD 21]

Blair has sucked, but his sucking has nothing to do with Duncan's sucking when he sucked.

I agree. I don't buy this whole "spacing" nonsense. Not to say it doesn't help Duncan, because it does, just like it does any player. But it's not like he hasn't succeeded playing next to a non shooter. People pretend as if Mohammed and Oberto never played on the Spurs, like they didn't win championships with them starting at center...only they did and Duncan was widely considered to be the best player in the world during that time. What Duncan needs next to him more than anything, is a big who can help him defend the rim.

You look at the Lakers when Bynum is healthy, do they care that he has virtually no shooting range and go "we're not playing him next to Gasol"? No...and they're the two-time defending champs.

Some games Duncan struggles in, no question, will be age/mileage related. Other games, he'll just struggle. It won't be age/mileage related, it won't be Blair playing next to him, it'll be the fact that it happens to every player throughout the course of a long season. People need to accept that fact and not always read too much into it.

[Xevious]

I say give it time. They may have to change the lineup eventually, but give Blair a chance to prove himself as a starter. Last year every game had a different starting lineup and nobody got any chance to find their place. Until Splitter gets acclimated, there's no reason to make a change anyway. McDyess seems like he'll have the same level of production whether he starts or comes off the bench.

[The Truth #6]

Blair needs to get back to his roots. That is true.

We aren't pounding the ball into Tim so I don't see what there is to complain about. Other players like RJ, Tony, Neal, and Anderson are playing well so I think a balanced attack is a way better idea than 4 Down every play. Save that for the playoffs if possible.

[ChumpDumper]

I agree. I don't buy this whole "spacing" nonsense. Not to say it doesn't help Duncan, because it does, just like it does any player. But it's not like he hasn't succeeded playing next to a non shooter. People pretend as if Mohammed and Oberto never played on the Spurs, like they didn't win championships with them starting at center...only they did and Duncan was widely considered to be the best player in the world during that time. What Duncan needs next to him more than anything, is a big who can help him defend the rim.

You look at the Lakers when Bynum is healthy, do they care that he has virtually no shooting range and go "we're not playing him next to Gasol"? No...and they're the two-time defending champs.

Well, the Spurs had Horry and the Lakers have Odom for spacing. Ultimately, versatility is what is needed.

It seems to me like Duncan is talking more outside jumpers than before, and I think it is by design. There is finally another low post offensive player on the Spurs, and I'm not talking about Blair. Duncan's outside shooting is right up there with Dice's in my opinion, and Splitter could be the beneficiary of the spacing afforded with Duncan's hanging out in the key or thereabouts. That, of course, depends on Splitter's acclimation to the NBA game. Seems like it's the plan from what little I've seen, though.

[Dex]

Well, the Spurs had Horry and the Lakers have Odom for spacing. Ultimately, versatility is what is needed.

It seems to me like Duncan is talking more outside jumpers than before, and I think it is by design. There is finally another low post offensive player on the Spurs, and I'm not talking about Blair. Duncan's outside shooting is right up there with Dice's in my opinion, and Splitter could be the beneficiary of the spacing afforded with Duncan's hanging out in the key or thereabouts. That, of course, depends on Splitter's acclimation to the NBA game. Seems like it's the plan from what little I've seen, though.

I think there are a number of reasons that Duncan has been quick with the jumper this year.

1) The new offense - with the Spurs running and gunning, Duncan is looking for quicker shots. Instead of surveying the defense from the elbow, he is just letting fly.
2) Less Four-Down means less time with his back to the basket, making his midrange jumper one of his most readily available weapons.
3) Duncan has spent a lot of time on the floor with Blair, who I would imagine becomes the primary post option in the tandem since he doesn't have the same range as Tim.
4) In an effort to reduce the wear and tear on Tim from taking it inside, at least early in the season.
5) He was hot from outside in the first game, so why not keep shooting them? However, he seems to be trying too hard to recreate that magic though and it may be getting in his head, as his outside shot has been off ever since.

Duncan was best in the last game when he just took the ball and went with it. Then again, Elliott says the same thing every telecast, and yet Tim still hasn't gotten the memo.

[ChumpDumper]

I'm just going by history here. Specifically year two of the Duncan era.

[pjjrfan]

Blair has sucked, but his sucking has nothing to do with Duncan's sucking when he sucked.

this is pretty much right on. Blair's d has been weak, thought he is still rebounding well, Tim had some great looks against the Clippers he just couldn't knock them down. Against the Hornets thier big men gave him problems he couldn't do anything against them.

[TD 21]

Well, the Spurs had Horry and the Lakers have Odom for spacing. Ultimately, versatility is what is needed.

It seems to me like Duncan is talking more outside jumpers than before, and I think it is by design. There is finally another low post offensive player on the Spurs, and I'm not talking about Blair. Duncan's outside shooting is right up there with Dice's in my opinion, and Splitter could be the beneficiary of the spacing afforded with Duncan's hanging out in the key or thereabouts. That, of course, depends on Splitter's acclimation to the NBA game. Seems like it's the plan from what little I've seen, though.

I agree. But if you were to say what Duncan needs most next to him, is it a legit big man to help him defend the rim or is it a stretch four?

It's definitely by design. It's something that Pop wanted more of starting a couple of seasons ago, only the Spurs didn't have another low post big man then, so inevitably Duncan would have to be positioned mostly in the low post before long. Now they have two other low post big men, so Duncan doesn't always have to be the center on offense. Hopefully, this is one more thing that goes towards keeping him as fresh as possible for the playoffs.