Why Has Blair Gotten Worse?

[lefty]

If you look at his whole NBA career, Blair hasn't really improved since his rookie year. He is still doing the same rookie mistakes.

Right now, there is also an obvious physical issues. Last summer rumor, that his knees were done, seems to be true. That's tough for him.

I would say he has regressed since his rookie year
He looked promising back then

[DPG21920]

What people also have to realize when bringing up quotes like this:

He didn't have ACLs entering the NBA, so why should that start affecting his play now?

The difference in the NBA v. College is so overwhelmingly different that you can't use that logic. Not only are the seasons/travel much, much shorter, but the level of physicality/athleticism required is on an entirely different level. While he held up very well in college (which is still pretty amazing), it's not a huge surprise that in terms of years (meaning when people say he played 4 years in college v this is his 4th year in the NBA for example) the NBA years have taken their toll.

[Capt Bringdown]

Spurs fans are good at being obtuse when they want to be.

Who's being obtuse? Seems like a blindspot issue, as you refuse to acknowledge that there might be more than physical factors involved, when obviously it's a combination of mental/physical.
The problem with Blair's play is not 100% physical, the lack of development and subsequent downward spiral has been evident for quite some time for all with eyes to see.

[timvp]

Who's being obtuse? Seems like a blindspot issue, as you refuse to acknowledge that there might be more than physical factors involved, when obviously it's a combination of mental/physical.
The problem with Blair's play is not 100% physical, the lack of development and subsequent downward spiral has been evident for quite some time for all with eyes to see.

The point is that Blair's physical limitations are overriding everything else at the moment. He could have Tim Duncan fundamentals and Manu Ginobili heart ... but it'd all go for naught because the bottom line is that he's a 6-foot-5 power forward who has lost all his athleticism.

I know Spurs fans always have to have something to complain about but spending time nitpicking Blair's skillset is a waste of time at this point because it's all all moot unless he regains the ability to move.

[weebo]

Its amazing how a guy without any ACL's is playing in the NBA. Having said that, his other problem beside his lack of ACLs is his height.

[Capt Bringdown]

He could have Tim Duncan fundamentals and Manu Ginobili heart ...

That's an absurd hypothetical. And you know it, so it's time to play the old "I'm a better and wiser Spursfan" card:

I know Spurs fans always have to have something to complain about...

[timvp]

That's an absurd hypothetical.

No it's not. In other words, nothing about Blair's skillset or intangibles matter if he can't compete athletically. It's cut and dry ... and I don't see you disputing it. Your only reaction to that statement is to shift the focus or get emotional about a tangent that's not related to the heart of the matter.

And you know it, so it's time to play the old "I'm a better and wiser Spursfan" card:

?

I'm a Spurs fan as well. And I admit to being guilty of always having something to complain about. It's what we do. We've witnessed too many unforeseen collapses to ever get too excited about what's transpiring.

[Stump]

Not sure why Spurs fans are surprised about Blair's physical decline. I thought the consensus was that his career was only going to be 3-5 years long.

[Technique]

It's not just one reason for his poor play. The guy is unmotivated out there forcing up shots and unwittingly attempting to create a play every time he gets a touch.

If his athleticism was the sole reason, the guy wouldn't be out there, and he sure as wouldn't be bricking up shots but rather looking for players that can provide a positive offensive set.

I trust the team's doctors and they know better than any of us here what Blair's situation is. I highly doubt he would be out on the floor if his knees are as bad as some claim.

[timvp]

^ Why? His knees aren't going to get better with rest or rehab. It's a degenerative condition.

[DMC]

i think if blair and bonner doesnt work out......pop is going to shortened the playoff roster rotations maybe down to 8/9 players....guys like decolo, mills, blair, bonner fightin for that 9th rotation spot dependig on matchups....

Wow. If it doesn't work out? What year are you watching?

It's not a poor work ethic. Dude dropped a lot of weight in the summer. That's not by having a poor work ethic. Pop wouldn't give him any playing time if he work ethic was poor. Everything he's not doing could be attributed to his knees, even if indirectly. Having a prognosis like that doesn't inspire confidence, especially when he's coming off the bench now and, if he's in pain, maybe he sees the end of the road ahead. Hard to say. Either way he's not going to be traded, ever. No one would take him except as a write off.

[Technique]

If his knees were at the point where he no longer meets the NBA's athletic standards for his position; he wouldn't be on this team.

I find it hard to believe that his knees gave up on him; yet he's still out on the floor.

[RD2191]

^^^^LOL

[timvp]

If his knees were at the point where he no longer meets the NBA's athletic standards for his position; he wouldn't be on this team.

His contract is guaranteed. The Spurs aren't going to just release him at this point, especially when they already have an open roster spot.

I find it hard to believe that his knees gave up on him; yet he's still out on the floor.

He hasn't played a meaningful minute since it became painfully obvious that something is wrong.

[TimDunkem]

this clown is worster than rose final season at the spurs b4 he got traded...

[Bruno]

After having looked again at the 4th quarter, the issue isn't only physical: DeJuan has mentally given up. I don't really blame him for that because, for the third year in a row, he has gone from starter to DNP-CD.

At that stage, a trade would be the best for everybody. Even Blair for nothing (technically it would be for a top55 protected pick) would be fine to me. Spurs and Blair just need to part ways.

[Boomersgold]

After having looked again at the 4th quarter, the issue isn't only physical: DeJuan has mentally given up. I don't really blame him for that because, for the third year in a row, he has gone from starter to DNP-CD.

At that stage, a trade would be the best for everybody. Even Blair for nothing (technically it would be for a top55 protected pick) would be fine to me. Spurs and Blair just need to part ways.

Don't forget that De Colo was drafted 53rd and Patty was drafted 55th. If we do trade Blair for a top 50+ protected pick, who says that a player outside of the top 50 is completely worthless? The player that we draft might be a diamond in the rough and end up having more potential than Blair.

[AusSpur]

I believe if losing all that weight has affected his play. He used to be able to clear an area for himself and rebound at an elite rate when he was at his best. Hard to be a 6'5 centre without some width and strength to help you.

[Mel_13]

Don't forget that De Colo was drafted 53rd and Patty was drafted 55th. If we do trade Blair for a top 50+ protected pick, who says that a player outside of the top 50 is completely worthless? The player that we draft might be a diamond in the rough and end up having more potential than Blair.

In the sort of trade that Bruno suggested, the pick is protected in a way that it is never conveyed. See the trade of Beno Udrih to Minnesota.

[Russo21]

First Year 82 games 18 mpg 7.8ppg 6.4rpg 55%FG
Second Year 81 games 21 mpg 8.3ppg 7.0rpg 1.2spg
Third Year 64 out of 66 games 21 mpg 9.5ppg 5.5rpg 0.9spg
This Season 22 games 16mpg 5.9ppg 4.5rpg 0.7spp 46%FG

Turnovers, fouls and blocks are basically the same from rookie year til now. Points and rebounds are dropping drastically. So why? Is he fat. Maybe. Maybe his knees are really bothering him a lot and already 249 games into his career his knees are giving way. We all knew he was capable of being a guy capable of giving you a 20-20 game here and there and a sometime 10-10 guy. Those games are non-existent now. He averaged 8 and 7 in his second year. You'd expect a 3rd season jump to 10pts 10reb not a drop to 5.9pts 4.5rpg. He's officially half the baller he coulda/shoulda been.

My knees are ed and i cant even play sports anymore let alone play world class nba ball. I cant even run around the block without being in pain. Maybe Blair's knee's are very nearly at the end of their life. A little fat dude playing PF with no ACL'S and overall ty knees isn't going to last long in this league. I'd say Blairs days in the NBA might be coming to a close in the near future. He's lost his athleticism and fire, whether thats at ude, bad knees or both i dont know. Maybe Blair is in pain everytime he runs down the court or jumps or pivots to make a move. I definately dont see him having a long and prosperous career unfortunately. The Time is already ticking on the young fella's NBA days.

There was a reason he fell so far to us in the draft. We drafted the lottery talent DeJuan Blair who fell into our laps, the dude with no ACL's. Thats why we got him. Cause other teams were afraid to sign the dude with no acl's. He showed many flashes of fine basketball making other GMs wish they signed him when they could have. But maybe the medical reports were right... He defied the odds for 3 seasons, but Blair has no ACL's and just 4 years in, his career is at the beginning of the end. Maybe his body is finally giving up on him, just as everyone thought on draft night that they would when he fell into our laps.

[exstatic]

After having looked again at the 4th quarter, the issue isn't only physical: DeJuan has mentally given up. I don't really blame him for that because, for the third year in a row, he has gone from starter to DNP-CD.

At that stage, a trade would be the best for everybody. Even Blair for nothing (technically it would be for a top55 protected pick) would be fine to me. Spurs and Blair just need to part ways.

It's going to sound gay, but I think he REALLY misses Indiana George. His game just literally fell off a cliff after they trade GH3 to the Pacers.

[dbestpro]

I was a Blair fan after his first year because he focused on what he does best and that was rebound. Every since he has tried to expand his game the one thing he did well has suffered.

Now, if it is at ude, injury or whataburgers, it doesn't matter as long as he stays at the end of the bench. if their ever is a Blair resurrection, here or elsewhere, he has to forget about scoring, and play more like Evans or Faried.

You don't always have to be athletic to play hard. Blair has not played hard since his first season.

[therealtruth]

I was a Blair fan after his first year because he focused on what he does best and that was rebound. Every since he has tried to expand his game the one thing he did well has suffered.

Now, if it is at ude, injury or whataburgers, it doesn't matter as long as he stays at the end of the bench. if their ever is a Blair resurrection, here or elsewhere, he has to forget about scoring, and play more like Evans or Faried.

You don't always have to be athletic to play hard. Blair has not played hard since his first season.

I agree. He's capable of playing like a Faried or Evans but hasn't shown that since his rookie season.

[Fabbs]

In an interview for Spurs Live Gary Neal was talking about how Pop & the big three set a tone in practice and the locker room to where if you don't play your role and embrace the team concept you are an outcast.

I immediately thought of Dejuan Blair.

Yet if you're Michael Fins, Soft or Matty Bonner you're embraced by that tough Pop and *big three**.
Spare us.

Not aiming this at you benstanfield just pointing out what bull it is some fabricated notion that non Medium 3 players have to **play your role or you're out** given those three soft s (Finley Bonner) complete blessing by their boifriend Pop the last 5 years. And condoning by the Medium 3.

[Libri]

Here is an old article about Blair's knees, how he had adjusted and the problems he could encounter. I like the second paragraph where it explains how the absence of acl's puts strain on the quads and hams.

No Ligaments, No Problem

How can DeJuan Blair play without an anterior cruciate ligament in either knee?

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_a...o_problem.html