Chad Ford Gives Spurs Only A+

[Buddy Holly]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2...tGrades-090626

SAN ANTONIO SPURS

GRADE: A+

Round 1: None

Round 2: DeJuan Blair (37, obtained via Warriors and Suns), Jack McClinton (51, via Hornets and Raptors), Nando De Colo (53, via Rockets)

Analysis: The Spurs always seem to find a way to make a little into a lot. With no first-round picks they were still able to come away with some terrific players.

Blair, if his knees stay sturdy, is the steal of the draft. McClinton is a clone of Eddie House. And De Colo really impressed me with his point guard skills at the Eurocamp.

I think Blair can come in and help immediately on the boards and McClinton can be a nice scorer coming off the bench. Factor in the addition of Richard Jefferson on Tuesday, and the Spurs have had one heck of a week.

[tp2021]

So the Spurs traded the backup PG that the Suns never use, and got back Malik Hairston, DeJuan Blair, and cash? Great trade.

[TheProfessor]

So the Spurs traded the backup PG that the Suns never use, and got back Malik Hairston, DeJuan Blair, and cash? Great trade.

Well put.

[stxspurs]

yes...he led the nation isn rebounds i believe

[TDMVPDPOY]

seems like everywhere is givin us a A+

so what does that mean for the teams with the top3 picks in the draft? arent A+ also?

[Dex]

So where are all the FO Haters now?

[florige]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2...tGrades-090626

SAN ANTONIO SPURS

GRADE: A+

Round 1: None

Round 2: DeJuan Blair (37, obtained via Warriors and Suns), Jack McClinton (51, via Hornets and Raptors), Nando De Colo (53, via Rockets)

Analysis: The Spurs always seem to find a way to make a little into a lot. With no first-round picks they were still able to come away with some terrific players.

Blair, if his knees stay sturdy, is the steal of the draft. McClinton is a clone of Eddie House. And De Colo really impressed me with his point guard skills at the Eurocamp.

I think Blair can come in and help immediately on the boards and McClinton can be a nice scorer coming off the bench. Factor in the addition of Richard Jefferson on Tuesday, and the Spurs have had one heck of a week.

I am REALLY excited about McClinton coming to us. Especially after watching him destroy destroy my Terps year in and year out. Good pick!

[superbigtime]

This offseason so far really atones for past FO ups. They are sitting pretty right now. Have to see how C situation shakes out.

[Bukefal]

blair is really a good pick. we are lucky. As for the the other 2, i dont know

[KenGee21]

"Looks like the Suns are stockpiling on subpar siblings".......Taylor Griffin

Now their saying Kerr plans on shipping Amare and Barbosa to Golden State - "Were not championship contenders" (Quote from Steve Kerr)
Genius...lol

[coyotes_geek]

So where are all the FO Haters now?

Don't worry. The haters will reappear once the FO is forced to cut loose one or two guys out of the Williams, Hairston, Gist trio because they're out of roster spots.

[Marcus Bryant]

If the concern about his knees is overblown, the Spurs just got one of the top players in the draft at #37. McClinton looks like another steal too.

[spurspokesman]

yes...he led the nation isn rebounds i believe

That is correct my friend

[coyotes_geek]

When you don't have a 1st round pick and you still walk away with the undisputed best rebounder and arguably the best shooter in the draft you have to feel pretty good.

[vander]

So where are all the FO Haters now?

let's see we've had Duncan for 12 years and the FO is only now going out and really trying to add talent and build a championship team

thanks FO

if Boston had gotten TD in that Draft, they'd have at least 7 by now

just sayin

[papashango]

let's see we've had Duncan for 12 years and the FO is only now going out and really trying to add talent and build a championship team

thanks FO

if Boston had gotten TD in that Draft, they'd have at least 7 by now

just sayin

As many f'd up drafts the Celtics have had you're telling me if they had Duncan they'd have 7 championships right now? I guess you're assuming the Lakers would've never gotten Kobe.

[Gino2882]

Why do people think Blair is not an option at Center. He played there in college and dominated the likes of Hasheem Thabeet. His wingspan and strength allow him to guard much bigger players and he rebounds as well as anyone in college.

Blair at the 5 next to Duncan would be excellent IMO.

[coyotes_geek]

Why do people think Blair is not an option at Center. He played there in college and dominated the likes of Hasheem Thabeet. His wingspan and strength allow him to guard much bigger players and he rebounds as well as anyone in college.

Blair at the 5 next to Duncan would be excellent IMO.

If Blair plays next to Duncan then Duncan is the center. Of course in San Antonio we pretend that Duncan is always the PF and anyone who plays next to him is magically transformed into a center. But in reality Blair is an NBA 4 and that's all he'll ever be.

[vander]

As many f'd up drafts the Celtics have had you're telling me if they had Duncan they'd have 7 championships right now? I guess you're assuming the Lakers would've never gotten Kobe.

obviously if they had TD, their subsequent drafts would have been much different

and as for the lakers, they weren't that epic of a team. don't forget just how close the they were to only winning one of those 3 les, Portland blew that 15 point 4th quarter lead, and it took horry's miracle shot and very shady refereeing for them to get past Sacramento. they weren't really that dominant.

[Bigzax]

i'm no front office hater, but down low, we still have only TD-light, a rookie, a guy with potential that can't stay healthy, and the red rocket.

Thank goodness our team is a little less light in the ass today then they were yesterday, but it's not enough yet.

Another big please. Thanks.

[Spurtacus]

Only an A+? , our FO blows donkey !

[Cry Havoc]

Why do people think Blair is not an option at Center. He played there in college and dominated the likes of Hasheem Thabeet. His wingspan and strength allow him to guard much bigger players and he rebounds as well as anyone in college.

Blair at the 5 next to Duncan would be excellent IMO.

Blair is 6'6" and very thin.

As much as you'd like to believe, there is no way he plays 5 against a legit big man in today's NBA. Of course, there aren't many actual post-players left, but even so, he'd get murdered if he has to give up half a foot of height. It's not about his ability, it's the fact that the NBA is simply another level.

However, I could see him being inserted into some small ball lineups at the 5. He gives us some options we didn't have before.

[kbrury]

I don't think you can say blair is very thin man.

[Road House Captain]

Blair is 6'6" and very thin.

As much as you'd like to believe, there is no way he plays 5 against a legit big man in today's NBA. Of course, there aren't many actual post-players left, but even so, he'd get murdered if he has to give up half a foot of height. It's not about his ability, it's the fact that the NBA is simply another level.

However, I could see him being inserted into some small ball lineups at the 5. He gives us some options we didn't have before.

277 lbs is thin?

[kbrury]

if 277 lbs is thin im anorexic.