Dejuan Blair finding rhythm?

[biskvito]

People said Splitter was a key piece to beat the Lakers, or something like that. I'm not getting this vibe from Pop, though. It'll be interesting to watch how Spurs adapt to each team.

[DMC]

Let's call it like it is: Sure DeJuan had some points and some rebounds, but he also made a few boneheaded moves. Sure he got some putbacks and made a couple good power moves, but he also missed several easy chip shots at the rim. Sure he got a few and-1s but he bricked a few freethrows.

I like DB, and have since I first saw him play, but he's got a lot of room for improvement. Tonight there were windows when the Spurs played around him, and overcame his mishaps as if he was just a body on the floor they had to contend with. After he gave up that save to Atlanta for an easy look, he turned on the gas and got a bit energized. That's the Dejuan we need to see at the beginning of the game.

I think Pop and the coaches have worked with him to the point where his effectiveness has dropped because his old habits that made him effective are dying, but then he will hit a higher peak when his fundamentals become second nature.

I do think some of his shots tonight were rushed, but he's finding his rhythm, and it's good to see him do well against a >.500 club.

It's not like some other players that you know are playing at their dead level best. You know, just know that DB is a beast waiting for his moment to break out. Like Sean says, he's a man among boys out there (some of you don't get all excited) and he pretty much gets his hands on every rebound and affects the break.

As a side note, how about Matty's defense lately and those offensive boards? I thought Matty was huge in that regard tonight.

[Cry Havoc]

The only big with with talent was Al Horford tonight.

Pachulia out.
Collins sucks. Didn't guard blair.
Marvin Williams small.
Powell small.
Josh Smith small.

I guess Blair was bully some true bigs tonight. LoL at people thinking the Hawks bigs are big and play big.

So I guess you yourself could have gone out here and put up 16 and 12 tonight, huh? I mean, it's such an EASY thing to do, right?

[Cry Havoc]

Let's call it like it is: Sure DeJuan had some points and some rebounds, but he also made a few boneheaded moves. Sure he got some putbacks and made a couple good power moves, but he also missed several easy chip shots at the rim.

7-10 is apparently worthy of criticism now.

Let's see.... exactly one Spur shot better than he did tonight.

[DMC]

7-10 is apparently worthy of criticism now.

Let's see.... exactly one Spur shot better than he did tonight.

If you cannot see the roughness around the edges of Blair's game, you should just keep reading the box score and shut the up.

[TE]

Nathan89 about to take over the reigns of seku.

[Cry Havoc]

If you cannot see the roughness around the edges of Blair's game, you should just keep reading the box score and shut the up.

[Agloco]

Warriors, Warriors, and Hawks. All small.

Maybe he can build his confidence and play better against bigger teams.

The only big with with talent was Al Horford tonight.

Pachulia out.
Collins sucks. Didn't guard blair.
Marvin Williams small.
Powell small.
Josh Smith small.

I guess Blair was bully some true bigs tonight. LoL at people thinking the Hawks bigs are big and play big.

This is hands down the stupidest I've ever seen on this board. That includes all of the crap that festers in the NBA forum.

[Cry Havoc]

12 boards and he sucks! We had other players who had a whole FOUR REBOUNDS for us tonight! Blair is awful! He did it against a small team*!




* Dice 4 rebounds, Duncan 4 rebounds, Manu 3 rebounds, Splitter 1 rebound

[Cry Havoc]

This is hands down the stupidest I've ever seen on this board. That includes all of the crap that festers in the NBA forum.

You've clearly never seen some of the Parker hate threads, where he goes for 30 points and 6 assists on 55+% shooting and posters on the board rip him for being too selfish.

[Agloco]

You've clearly never seen some of the Parker hate threads, where he goes for 30 points and 6 assists on 55+% shooting and posters on the board rip him for being too selfish.

Yeah, forgot about that.

Those posts were definitely in the dumb-tank as well though.

[DMC]

12 boards and he sucks! We had other players who had a whole FOUR REBOUNDS for us tonight! Blair is awful! He did it against a small team*!




* Dice 4 rebounds, Duncan 4 rebounds, Manu 3 rebounds, Splitter 1 rebound

You respond like a player or team fan, not like someone who knows anything about basketball. So, unless I ask you, keep your bull to yourself.

[pawe]

Im just enjoying this great 1st qtr of the season run TBH

[mystargtr34]

Its really good to see this improvement from Blair... but i still would prefer him coming off the bench. He has too many deficiencies to be a starting bigman if you want to win a championship. Plus the Spurs two biggest roadblocks to the Finals are the Lakers and Mavs... both who provide matchup nightmares for Blair if he were to start.

Playing great though.

[SpursDynasty85]

Its really good to see this improvement from Blair... but i still would prefer him coming off the bench. He has too many deficiencies to be a starting bigman if you want to win a championship. Plus the Spurs two biggest roadblocks to the Finals are the Lakers and Mavs... both who provide matchup nightmares for Blair if he were to start.

I feel you on this one because Dejuan Blair lacks the defensive presence of a traditional PF and sucked it up early in the year. BUT, I still think Pop made the right move by putting him in the starting line up and developing him. At least were not starting Bonner right?

[SpursNextRomanEmpire]

He's not rushing anymore, at least thats what it looks like to me. He's not jittery.

[Cry Havoc]

You respond like a player or team fan, not like someone who knows anything about basketball. So, unless I ask you, keep your bull to yourself.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_forum

I suggest you read that, Mr. 54 posts. When, exactly, in your short life in this forum, have you displayed any kind of modest basketball knowledge?

[Nathan89]

12 boards and he sucks! We had other players who had a whole FOUR REBOUNDS for us tonight! Blair is awful! He did it against a small team*!




* Dice 4 rebounds, Duncan 4 rebounds, Manu 3 rebounds, Splitter 1 rebound

I never said he sucks. My point is that he hasn't proven anything yet. Just performing against the small teams. Lets see if he can continue with this play against other teams with tall/physical bigs.

The other guys with four rebounds do not continuously take rebounds away from their teammates. Among other things that factor into statistical differences between the bigs because Timmy is still a much better rebounder than 6'5 grizzly.

[Nathan89]

Nathan89 about to take over the reigns of seku.

[jestersmash]

You respond like a player or team fan, not like someone who knows anything about basketball. So, unless I ask you, keep your bull to yourself.

Is this a joke? You didn't respond with any semblance of an evidenced-based argument and yet you have the gall to call his post bull ? How ing re ed are you?

Next time, try responding with an actual evidence-based counter-argument over useless and ignorant ad hominems.

[Roger Freemason Jr.]

If you cannot see the roughness around the edges of Blair's game, you should just keep reading the box score and shut the up.

You gotta be blind to not see the roughness, but that doesn't mean he isn't an all around useful player. Blair makes up with power, what he lacks in size. He is aggressive and his D is great. He's been stealing the ball every chance he gets, and the Blair we're seeing right now, isn't yet the Blair who contributed like last year, but he's rapidly getting back to that point, and will surpass it greatly this season. Don't you worry, Blair is the bomb.

[mingus]

If you actually watch what he's doing though instead of saying "they're small" and oversimplifying things, you would notice he's making improvements/adjustments in his game that will translate against bigger frontcourts.. That move he had on horford where he used his body to create space is one of those things. He wasn't doing that before.

[jermaine]

16 and 12 tonight making clutch shots and rebounds.

Also, 3 double-doubles in the past 6 games.

If he can keep this pace all season long.... watch out.


Everything seems to be going right for us so far. I haven't been this excited for our team in years.

Its because of the big booty white gul that he bonning! That one with his number painted on her body.

[Cessation]

lol blair homers taking the truth for hating, no denying blair was licking the chode at start of season, and only had about 3 good games, all vs weak frontlines

but last 5 games hes been looking much better, his play against the hawks was real impressive, sure he made some dumb plays, but he played threw them and put timmy on the bench in crunch time, which is saying something

hopefully the confidence he gained, will translate against the top west teams, and if blair can pull his weight in the playoffs, our chances at a le increase greatly

[Vito Corleone]

The only big with with talent was Al Horford tonight.

Pachulia out.
Collins sucks. Didn't guard blair.
Marvin Williams small.
Powell small.
Josh Smith small.

I guess Blair was bully some true bigs tonight. LoL at people thinking the Hawks bigs are big and play big.

So the fact that Horford guarded Blair and Blair still scored and rebounded well against him still going to be a knock against Blair? Open your eyes, Blair had a good game against a big front line. And just to show that they are big. Horford is listed at 6'10, Collins 7'0, Williams 6'9, Powell 6'9, and Smith 6'9.

These guys aren't the Lakers or C's but they are a big line and they are a talented front line, and most of all they are a excellent barometer for how good Blair is getting.

The Hawks are considered big because of the size of their guards and small forwards. The guys Blair was playing against aren't that big (6'9-6'10). So yeah, as far as Blair is concerned, the Hawks play a smaller frontcourt.

Blair was guarding and guarded by Al Horford and he is 6'10

Let's call it like it is: Sure DeJuan had some points and some rebounds, but he also made a few boneheaded moves. Sure he got some putbacks and made a couple good power moves, but he also missed several easy chip shots at the rim. Sure he got a few and-1s but he bricked a few freethrows.

I like DB, and have since I first saw him play, but he's got a lot of room for improvement. Tonight there were windows when the Spurs played around him, and overcame his mishaps as if he was just a body on the floor they had to contend with. After he gave up that save to Atlanta for an easy look, he turned on the gas and got a bit energized. That's the Dejuan we need to see at the beginning of the game.

I think Pop and the coaches have worked with him to the point where his effectiveness has dropped because his old habits that made him effective are dying, but then he will hit a higher peak when his fundamentals become second nature.

I do think some of his shots tonight were rushed, but he's finding his rhythm, and it's good to see him do well against a >.500 club.

It's not like some other players that you know are playing at their dead level best. You know, just know that DB is a beast waiting for his moment to break out. Like Sean says, he's a man among boys out there (some of you don't get all excited) and he pretty much gets his hands on every rebound and affects the break.

As a side note, how about Matty's defense lately and those offensive boards? I thought Matty was huge in that regard tonight.

For every bone headed play Blair did he make two good plays to make up for it. Case in point the inbounds pass to Bibby. Right after he was like a man possessed with two straight buckets, getting to the line, and good rebound.

Its really good to see this improvement from Blair... but i still would prefer him coming off the bench. He has too many deficiencies to be a starting bigman if you want to win a championship. Plus the Spurs two biggest roadblocks to the Finals are the Lakers and Mavs... both who provide matchup nightmares for Blair if he were to start.

Playing great though.

I would prefer Duncan and Dice were getting fewer minutes, this is all that matters. When will some of you realize, these games are good and all but the two goals that matter are staying healthy, and monitoring the minutes of Duncan, Manu and all the rest of our over 30 guys.

I never said he sucks. My point is that he hasn't proven anything yet. Just performing against the small teams. Lets see if he can continue with this play against other teams with tall/physical bigs.

The other guys with four rebounds do not continuously take rebounds away from their teammates. Among other things that factor into statistical differences between the bigs because Timmy is still a much better rebounder than 6'5 grizzly.

you keep saying the Hawks are small, please point out what teams are big compared to them. I get that the Lakers and C's are bigger, but really how many other teams are bigger? This is not a small team no matter how you call it. Their front line is talented and big. I would love to have either Horford or Smith. Olajuwon was 6'10, I guess he was also small. I have never seen a better big man in all my days of watching basketball (1975 first ABA basketball game I attended).

Blair did well last night, he gave the Spurs everything they needed. For what we are paying him, we got a of a deal.