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I was surprised they doubled Blair. Then I smiled and laughed out loud too
Inside, Outside, Around and Through
by Graydon Gordian
With around 7 minutes left in the 3rd quarter, the Spurs found themselves ahead by 12. The previous play had featured a nice back-to-the-basket move by DeJuan Blair, and after Peja Stojakovic dribbled into a 16-foot spin-around fadeaway miss (not the shot the Hornets want Peja taking), Duncan secured the rebound and San Antonio was headed back up the floor.
Tony Parker fed the ball into Blair, who had established position on the low block and was being guarded by David West. After a few anticipatory dribbles by Blair, Darius Songalia left Tim Duncan and collapsed onto the ball. Blair immediately noticed the double and tossed the ball back out to Parker. The ball then made a decisive journey around the 3-point line: From Parker to Manu Ginobili and then finally into the hands of George Hill, who was setup in the corner. Hill paused and extended; the ball slid through the net.
That play won’t be making any highlight reels, nor should it. It wasn’t the game’s most spectacular or impactful play. It didn’t initiate or conclude the particular run the Spurs were on, nor did the 21 point lead built up during that stretch stop New Orleans from fighting their way back into the ball game. But the play struck me nonetheless.
On the surface the play, although well executed, doesn’t seem that noteworthy. The Spurs have run that exact play, and run it exceptionally well, for years. Duncan draws the double then kicks the ball back outside. The ball is quickly moved around the perimeter to a waiting shooter- Bowen, Ginobili, Horry, Bonner – who, setup in the corner, buries the ball at the bottom of the net. But Duncan wasn’t the player who drew the double and it wasn’t Bowen or Bonner or any member of the old guard who took the shot. The play began with an undersized 20-year-old power forward from Pittsburgh and ended with an unheralded 23-year-old combo guard from Indianapolis.
Put more succinctly, with around 7 minutes left in the third quarter, I watched the Spurs perfectly execute a play they’ve been running for years. But it didn’t begin or end with guys who’ve been doing it for years; it began and ended with guys who’ll be doing it for years to come. That’s why, with around 7 minutes left in the third quarter, I couldn’t help but smile.
Last edited by Blackjack; 01-18-2010 at 11:42 PM.
I was surprised they doubled Blair. Then I smiled and laughed out loud too
When teams start doubling Blair you know the kid has arrived in a big way. He has a snaky sneaky way of shooting when he's in the low post
cool story, bro.
Nice read. On that play, I'm not sure if the hornets really wanted to double on Blair. But it could be due to the fact that Blair just scored on the low post before that play.. I was shouting on top of my lungs when Hill made that 3-point attempt. This is the future of the spurs- I'm glad the FO picked them from the draft. The spurs future is bright with these youngsters.
Not to let the facts get in the way of a good story, and it doesn't take away from the thought for the piece too much, but, IIRC, D.Brown (or a 'small') was the initial defender on Blair, which is what caused the help from a big and the ensuing chain of events that were correctly do ented..Tony Parker fed the ball into Blair, who had established position on the low block and was being guarded by David West. After a few anticipatory dribbles by Blair, Darius Songalia left Tim Duncan and collapsed onto the ball.
Good read. I don't even remember the last time I saw a player in a Spurs uniform hustling every damn possession to get the board. I really hope Blair can compensate size with effort in the playoffs against the Flakers and Nuggets.
I remember that sequence and yes it was eerily familiar.
Blair's recent 29 & 21 performance, versus the Thunder, have opened a lot of eyes lately.
Nice read.
Blair continues to make the coach's who passed on him in the draft exponentially more stupid as the season goes on. I'm just glad no one else had the balls to take the risk. Besides Griffin, is there a better rookie big in the NBA right now?
I'm pretty sure Blair is still the leading Rebounder for a Rookie. Considering the Spurs have other guys to put the ball in the basket, they got exactly what they wanted from the draft.
Goddamn Blair is a beast and this articles makes me smile also lol
nice article about past present and future a little bit of nostalgy too... horry for 3 !!!!!
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