McDonald: You've got questions, Blair's got answers

**duncan228** · 10-12-2009

You've got questions, Blair's got answers
By Jeff McDonald

DeJuan Blair has dominated every level of basketball he's ever experienced. He was a beast at Schenley High School in Pittsburgh, and later became an All-American at that city's flagship university.

He completely obliterated the Las Vegas summer league in July, and now is conducting his bull-in-a-china-closet business in the NBA preseason. He had 19 rebounds in his debut against Houston. He almost single-handedly won the Spurs' last game, against Miami, with 28 points -- 15 of which came in the fourth quarter.

But for all his basketball life, no matter the domination, no matter the opponent, the response to Blair has been consistent: He's great and all, but what happens when he gets to the next level?

Blair has heard this line of reasoning more than once, that his game will not completely translate to next-level domination. He prefers to offer his rebuttal on the court.

"I try not to listen to negativity," Blair said. "I only allow positive thoughts in my day."

The skepticism is fair: There isn't much of a track record for successful 6-foot-7 interior players in the NBA, especially when that player appears to be much closer to 6-5.

Before the start of Blair's inaugural preseason, even coach Gregg Popovich had his questions. He wasn't sure if Blair would ever have a natural matchup on the defensive end. When the Spurs face the Lakers, for example, who does he guard? Pau Gasol? Andrew Bynum? Lamar Odom?

He also wondered if Blair could develop enough of an offensive game to keep opposing teams honest -- and keep the Spurs from having to play 4-on-5 at that end of the floor.

Those questions are still valid, and still unanswered.

However, with a pair of monster games in the preseason already, Blair has stated his case. He deserves a spot in the Spurs' big-man rotation. Even Popovich sounds closer to being convinced, judging by his comments after Sunday's Blair-fueled victory over the Heat.

Blair's monster games, of course, come with the usual caveat. He piled up rebounds against a Houston lineup devoid of a player taller than 6-foot-9. He piled up the points against a Miami team sans Jermaine O'Neal, and not exactly known for its low-post defense.

How will Blair fare when the games begin to count, and the compe ion gets stiffer? Blair has heard this question before, and he's always answered.

"I'm just going to do what I do," he said.

**Spurs Brazil** · 10-12-2009

You've got questions, Blair's got answers
By Jeff McDonald on Oct 12, 09 02:32 PM

DeJuan Blair has dominated every level of basketball he's ever experienced. He was a beast at Schenley High School in Pittsburgh, and later became an All-American at that city's flagship university.

He completely obliterated the Las Vegas summer league in July, and now is conducting his bull-in-a-china-closet business in the NBA preseason. He had 19 rebounds in his debut against Houston. He almost single-handedly won the Spurs' last game, against Miami, with 28 points -- 15 of which came in the fourth quarter.

But for all his basketball life, no matter the domination, no matter the opponent, the response to Blair has been consistent: He's great and all, but what happens when he gets to the next level?

Blair has heard this line of reasoning more than once, that his game will not completely translate to next-level domination. He prefers to offer his rebuttal on the court.

"I try not to listen to negativity," Blair said. "I only allow positive thoughts in my day."

The skepticism is fair: There isn't much of a track record for successful 6-foot-7 interior players in the NBA, especially when that player appears to be much closer to 6-5.

Before the start of Blair's inaugural preseason, even coach Gregg Popovich had his questions. He wasn't sure if Blair would ever have a natural matchup on the defensive end. When the Spurs face the Lakers, for example, who does he guard? Pau Gasol? Andrew Bynum? Lamar Odom?

He also wondered if Blair could develop enough of an offensive game to keep opposing teams honest -- and keep the Spurs from having to play 4-on-5 at that end of the floor.

Those questions are still valid, and still unanswered.

However, with a pair of monster games in the preseason already, Blair has stated his case. He deserves a spot in the Spurs' big-man rotation. Even Popovich sounds closer to being convinced, judging by his comments after Sunday's Blair-fueled victory over the Heat.

Blair's monster games, of course, come with the usual caveat. He piled up rebounds against a Houston lineup devoid of a player taller than 6-foot-9. He piled up the points against a Miami team sans Jermaine O'Neal, and not exactly known for its low-post defense.

How will Blair fare when the games begin to count, and the compe ion gets stiffer? Blair has heard this question before, and he's always answered.

"I'm just going to do what I do," he said.
http://blogs.mysanantonio.com/weblog...got-quest.html

**Dex** · 10-12-2009

http://spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=136554

By a minute....228 is quick like ninja.

**Spurs Brazil** · 10-12-2009

**phxspurfan** · 10-12-2009

lol...try again next time

**I. Hustle** · 10-12-2009

The article so nice you read it twice

**SCdac** · 10-12-2009

God I hope Pop plays this guy. Even if he encounters foul trouble, makes rookie mistakes, etc. The team could use new blood and new variations out there. We've needed a player like this the past couple of seasons.

**djohn14** · 10-12-2009

If Pops dosent play Blair I will be pissed. He dosent have to give him even backup mins at the start of the season, even though it looks like he will have earned them by then, but Damn if Pops dosent play him, he is a fool, a damn fool.

**NoOptionB** · 10-12-2009

Originally Posted by lakaluva

When the Spurs face the Lakers, for example, who does he guard? Pau Gasol? Andrew Bynum? Lamar Odom?

Kobe.

Lock. Down.

**angelbelow** · 10-12-2009

Originally Posted by lakaluva

When the Spurs face the Lakers, for example, who does he guard? Pau Gasol? Andrew Bynum? Lamar Odom?

We'll just have to wait and see, I currently don't think he'll have much success against Pau or Lamar.

Blair will really have to develop great timing and along with his long arms to be effective.

**NRHector** · 10-12-2009

Originally Posted by lakaluva

When the Spurs face the Lakers, for example, who does he guard? Pau Gasol? Andrew Bynum? Lamar Odom?

the question is when the spurs face the lakers who is going to guard him?

**Flux451** · 10-12-2009

Originally Posted by lakaluva

When the Spurs face the Lakers, for example, who does he guard? Pau Gasol? Andrew Bynum? Lamar Odom?

The real question is how are all three going to guard him at the same time?

**dougp** · 10-12-2009

Originally Posted by angelbelow

We'll just have to wait and see, I currently don't think he'll have much success against Pau or Lamar.

Blair will really have to develop great timing and along with his long arms to be effective.

He's our single possession defender on Artest. Almost rip off Artest's arm going for a rebound and cause him to get ejected.

CIA guys, CIA ...

**barbacoataco** · 10-12-2009

He could guard Odom for stretches. Blair has the strength to keep odom out of position and I don't think odom has the speed anymore to go around him. Blair has the standing reach of a 6'10-11" player so the whole size thing is kind of overrated since you don't grab rebounds or block shots with your head.

**Flux451** · 10-12-2009

but seriously. As far as I have seen from Blair. I think he would have the best chance with bynum. Mainly because he is the least experienced of the three and Blair wouldn't have to worry about the crafty ways of the two vets.

Time will tell. Can't wait.

**DPG21920** · 10-12-2009

Yes. Blair has had one outstanding rebound game given his minutes, but after that against the Heat he played 25 minutes and had 4 rebounds and against Olympiacos he had 2 in 11 minutes.

I don't see him getting more than 20 MPG and there is no way he averages 10 boards per game in that time.

**Flux451** · 10-12-2009

Originally Posted by Phila_Chamberlain

Does anyone still think my pre-training camp prediction of Blair averaging 8 and 10 is unlikely?

NEver saw that prediction, but sounds good to me.

**xtremesteven33** · 10-12-2009

Blair/Odom would be a tremendous matchup....

**K-State Spur** · 10-12-2009

Originally Posted by lakaluva

When the Spurs face the Lakers, for example, who does he guard? Pau Gasol? Andrew Bynum? Lamar Odom?

keep focusing on his height. nevermind that his vertical reach is equivalent to that of most 6'9 and 6'10 players.

i'm not worried, Pop found a way to effectively use Malik Rose against the self proclaimed most dominant big man ever.

**phxspurfan** · 10-12-2009

Originally Posted by K-State Spur

keep focusing on his height. nevermind that his vertical reach is equivalent to that of most 6'9 and 6'10 players.

i'm not worried, Pop found a way to effectively use Malik Rose against the self proclaimed most dominant big man ever.

LOL that's a sorry example man. We signed guys like Mark Bryant to try to guard him since everyone (including Malik) would foul out in 5 minutes against Shaq. We also got swept out of the playoffs 4-0 during the time Malik used to guard Shaq.

**weebo** · 10-12-2009

Originally Posted by lakaluva

Personally, I dont think his height will be an issue. And Rose could guard positions from 1-5. Blair on the other hand will be forced to come out and play a guy like Odom from the three point line.

Probably won't guard any of those guys, atleast not this year. He'll probably go against the laker's sceond unit. TD, McD, Ratliff, and Bonner will get the majority of minutes going against the laker's frontline.

**Interrohater** · 10-12-2009

Originally Posted by lakaluva

Personally, I dont think his height will be an issue. And Rose could guard positions from 1-5. Blair on the other hand will be forced to come out and play a guy like Odom from the three point line.

Odom is a career 31% 3 point shooter. Let 'em fly Lamar.