Blair

[TD 21]

Why would you want Okur?

Because he has a big expiring contract. Even in the event they couldn't turn him, Blair, Anderson, their 1st and maybe another minor asset or two, into a starting PF, I'd still do it. They'd get rid of Jefferson's contract, which would allow for Leonard to start in perpetuity, free up the log jam on the wings and allow them to start Splitter, while having a center off the bench and one that can shoot.

[DMC]

Any time the Spurs have one of the big 3 out, the role players catch . They are what they are going to be for quite some time, so putting more weight on their shoulders isn't going to make them look better, but worse.

If we lost our best player and played better, that wouldn't make sense.

[BillMc]

This is where I'm at.

Splitter has to start for the Spurs to do anything this year. Blair off the bench as the third big wouldn't be a disaster; he can guard bench bigs and his lack of size won't be too much of an issue next to either Duncan or Splitter. Bonner as a fourth big is fine.

If Duncan and Splitter combine for 60 minutes, Blair can play 15-20 minutes and Bonner can play the rest. There's no reason that can't work. And then in the playoffs, bump Duncan and Splitter up to about 70 minutes and let Blair OR Bonner fill in the rest. It'll be a three-man bigman rotation in the playoffs ... like it always is.

It's so damn obvious at this point. And, tbh, it was obvious before the season started.

I generally agree with this. But most us Spurstalk fans (myself included) need not be so trendy. Weren't we all just talking how Pop's replacing Blair last year with Dice was what began our downward trend? Now, we want him out because Tiago is playing well. Just like Danny Green was the fad 2 weeks ago. And Blair "the Grizzly" 2 years ago. Roger Mason was a hero on this board for half a season...

I don't think it matters who starts, and Blair might be best as a starter, if in part, because he showed he was immature and sulked last year when benched. And also apparently resided at the "All You Can Eat" table.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for Tiago getting more time. But only a few weeks ago we were all taking about he plays so much shorter than he is and tries to fake out air, etc. He has a few big games and now he's the answer. Larger sample sizes are needed. (For me at least).

And it doesn't matter too much who starts and who comes off the bench as long as:

1. The player is mature enough to handle it. (Not Blair apparently)
2. The wonderful Blair and Bonner team is seldom or never used.

[TJastal]

I generally agree with this. But most us Spurstalk fans (myself included) need not be so trendy. Weren't we all just talking how Pop's replacing Blair last year with Dice was what began our downward trend? Now, we want him out because Tiago is playing well. Just like Danny Green was the fad 2 weeks ago. And Blair "the Grizzly" 2 years ago. Roger Mason was a hero on this board for half a season...

I don't think it matters who starts, and Blair might be best as a starter, if in part, because he showed he was immature and sulked last year when benched. And also apparently resided at the "All You Can Eat" table.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for Tiago getting more time. But only a few weeks ago we were all taking about he plays so much shorter than he is and tries to fake out air, etc. He has a few big games and now he's the answer. Larger sample sizes are needed. (For me at least).

And it doesn't matter too much who starts and who comes off the bench as long as:

1. The player is mature enough to handle it. (Not Blair apparently)
2. The wonderful Blair and Bonner team is seldom or never used.

Whether you agree or need more "sample sizes" Blair's defense & rebounding is regressing at an alarming rate. To the point where he cannot be used in either lineup (starting or off bench). His offense hasn't evolved to compensate for this. And let's be honest, his offense pretty much sucks anyway. No jumpshot, no spacing, very few post moves, shots swatted easily by bigger players, etc, etc. The spurs can only hide his growing deficiencies so long and the dam will burst. Pop had better recognize and do something about it fast before the spurs find themselves in a deep hole they can't climb out of. The only sane solution is to move him to the bench. , I'd be satisfied if they cut Blair out of the rotation completely and went with a Bonner / Leonard small ball bench. Stick either Green or Neal in the starting lineup and give Anderson another shot at redemption.