Could we get away with Blair starting at PF?

SApuro_ · Post #1 » by **SApuro_** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 4:52 am

I know how are we going to convince Pop to start a rookie not named Tim Duncan. I am watching the Spurs Clipper game and Blair has had an amazing game.haha right up until when he just got hurt.

My point was Dice has not worked out. I think he might be better suited coming off the bench. Bonner has played well but we need rebounding and defense. Blair can get us the rebounds...the kid is one rebounding fool. I dont care if he is 5'2.

Please dont let Ratliff shoot. He took a 10 ft jumper and was 4 feet short. Stick to blocking shots man.

TAI8 · Post #2 » by **TAI8** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 6:01 am

No way..He still hasn't earned them in my eyes..He needs to bring it every night because there are times when he reacts slowly on defense..I think every player in the league can become at least decent defensively if surrounded by the right system and right group of guys..Well we obviously have the right system..It's just up to the players to fully commit themselves night in and night out and quite frankly we're not doing just that..I've been extremely busy that I couldn't catch the Clippers game tonight, but by judging the box score it looks like we are starting to turn the corner..

Post #3 » by **Nolan** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 5:25 pm

I think he could but I'd rather have him coming off the bench. I like the change of pace and energy he brings off the bench. Pops needs to give him more minutes and more consistent minutes.

AntiSuperstar · Post #4 » by **AntiSuperstar** » Tue Dec 15, 2009 3:59 am

DeJuan Blair makes far too many faulty defensive rotations to be a starter right now(he's actually the worst defender of all the Spurs big men), where those mistakes would be an even bigger liability. Maybe later in the year it could turn into a possibility, but right now, it seems very questionable. Blair is also a wildly inconsistant player, he can have huge games and then put together a consecutive duds. Right now I think he's best as the last big off the bench of a 4 big man rotation, a role which emphasizes him coming off the bench and bringing energy. It also makes him being inconsistant less of a liability. If he's a starter, and he's having a terrible game he's going to get minutes regardless. I don't like it. I don't think Blair is ready to start in the NBA.

SApuro_ · Post #5 » by **SApuro_** » Tue Dec 15, 2009 5:13 am

Well my point was really Dice being a big disappointment. I caught about half the games so far but look over box scores and stat sheets ones that I miss and he looks terrible out there. He looks old and lacks confidence. The guy has put so many goose eggs this season its crazy. Blair has at least shown me sparks of dominance in 3 games that I can remember. Without a doubt he isnt the best defender but the guy can rebound.

I know chemistry is important to winning a championship but I kinda wish we could trade for a legitmate center. I am losing confidence that a Dice, Bonner, Blair rotation can get it done opposite duncan.

TAI8 · Post #6 » by **TAI8** » Tue Dec 15, 2009 9:23 am

SApuro_ wrote:Well my point was really Dice being a big disappointment. I caught about half the games so far but look over box scores and stat sheets ones that I miss and he looks terrible out there. He looks old and lacks confidence. The guy has put so many goose eggs this season its crazy. Blair has at least shown me sparks of dominance in 3 games that I can remember. Without a doubt he isnt the best defender but the guy can rebound.

I know chemistry is important to winning a championship but I kinda wish we could trade for a legitmate center. I am losing confidence that a Dice, Bonner, Blair rotation can get it done opposite duncan.

That is completely how I feel..Dice is strictly a jump shooter..Take that away from him and he's next to worthless..Bonner is strictly a 3 point shooter..Take that away from him and he's next to worthless..Blair is strictly a rebounder..Take that away from him and he's next to worthless..I feel like we have too many one dimensional bigs that don't help in the least bit in relieving the burden from Duncan having to do everything..I'm saying this right now..The problem lies in the front court outside of Duncan not playing up to standard San Antonio defense on a consistent basis..I cannot count all the times one of the three would let his man get the offensive board or arrive late on help D..If we could get a solid defensive C who provides length and mobility then that would do wonders for our defense..We definitely have the pieces to get such a trade done..It's up to the FO on whether or not they have the patience to wait it out and the trust in our front court to get it done..

AntiSuperstar · Post #7 » by **AntiSuperstar** » Tue Dec 15, 2009 6:48 pm

SApuro_ wrote:Well my point was really Dice being a big disappointment. I caught about half the games so far but look over box scores and stat sheets ones that I miss and he looks terrible out there. He looks old and lacks confidence. The guy has put so many goose eggs this season its crazy. Blair has at least shown me sparks of dominance in 3 games that I can remember. Without a doubt he isnt the best defender but the guy can rebound.

But unlike Blair, McDyess doesn't hurt the team as much when he isn't contributing as much with scoring and the like, namely because he doesn't make the same mistakes. McDyess is a solid defender next to Duncan, sets great screens, and doesn't force anything. Plus, he's not a bad rebounder either. Blair makes too many mistakes on defense, and also frequently fails to make contact when setting screens. He's also foul prone, a big no-no with Popovich. All these flaws can make him a real liability at times, which is why he's the last big in a 4 man rotation. Like I said, maybe later in the year if he's got a better understanding of the game, but right now I don't like it. Sure he's a better scoring threat than McDyess, but he's going to hurt the Spurs in numerous other ways. I agree with you that Blair is showing a lot of great signs, maybe if he builds on that and gets better I would agree with you completely. But if he remains as mistake-prone as he presently he is, it might be that his best use is as an explosive bench player. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.

SApuro_ · Post #8 » by **SApuro_** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 6:12 am

I am in florida so I dont catch all the spurs games but from the box score looks like Blair starting and Dice coming off the bench worked. Both put up good numbers in limited mins. I know its the Clips at home but any good news I'll take at this point.

We are 5 games over .500 and havent even hit our stride. Things are starting to pick up. I know alot of wins have come from bottom feeders but we aren't as far back as it feels.

DwayneSchintzus · Post #9 » by **DwayneSchintzus** » Wed Dec 23, 2009 2:49 pm

it just bugs the hell out of me that the Spurs can't put a decent big next to Duncan. Just someone with size that can grab a freaking board. right now i'm not sure they have the quality size to compete in the West.

Post #10 » by **Nolan** » Wed Dec 30, 2009 4:44 pm

Well Blair's been starting lately and he's been doing a good job and so has the team. His rotations on defense are improving and unlike McDycess Blair doesn't need the ball to be effective on offense, he's grabbing a ton of offensive rebounds.

Downtown · Post #11 » by **Downtown** » Wed Dec 30, 2009 10:32 pm

I don't get it. I follow the Grizzlies and wish they could get a single bench player that makes a difference in games, and here I watch your team come up with the likes of Blair, Hill, and Mason, all on bargain contracts yet able to make significant contributions. Can your GM please give Memphis' GM some advice?

Post #12 » by **Nolan** » Wed Dec 30, 2009 11:03 pm

Downtown wrote:I don't get it. I follow the Grizzlies and wish they could get a single bench player that makes a difference in games, and here I watch your team come up with the likes of Blair, Hill, and Mason, all on bargain contracts yet able to make significant contributions. Can your GM please give Memphis' GM some advice?

I can give your GM some advice. GIve us Marc Gasol :wink:

SApuro_ · Post #13 » by **SApuro_** » Thu Dec 31, 2009 3:56 am

Starting Blair and bringing Dice off the bench seems to be working out very nicely. Blair has improved a great deal but still has miles to go. He gives the one of the worst pick and rolls I have ever seen. I did notice that Manu and him have been gelling very nicely. Manu is such a great player to play with. He creates and constantly will look for the open player. He was really on last night. Its good to see him put together a great game. I know it was against the T-wolves but the team is starting to gel now. You can really see it.

Roger mason has been looking really nice too. I imagine we will get some nice trade offers for him. He can shoot lights out and is a real bargain plus his contract is coming off the books.

AntiSuperstar · Post #14 » by **AntiSuperstar** » Fri Jan 1, 2010 11:09 pm

I'm starting to come around about the idea of starting Blair. He is improving at least, and I'm starting to really lose confidence in McDyess to the point where even if Blair doesn't pan out it's worth a gamble anyway because there is so much more potential. Honestly, if the Spurs traded McDyess it wouldn't bother me.

Post #15 » by **Nolan** » Wed Jan 6, 2010 6:51 pm

AntiSuperstar wrote:I'm starting to come around about the idea of starting Blair. He is improving at least, and I'm starting to really lose confidence in McDyess to the point where even if Blair doesn't pan out it's worth a gamble anyway because there is so much more potential. Honestly, if the Spurs traded McDyess it wouldn't bother me.

McDyess has been pretty disappointing so far but it seems like he's more comfortable coming off the bench and he's been playing much better off the bench. He's not producing like I though he would but he's been doing okay.

Post #16 » by **Nolan** » Thu Jan 7, 2010 11:13 pm

We're 9-2 when Blair plays over 20 minutes in a game, I known its a pretty small sample size but its still a interesting stat.

SApuro_ · Post #17 » by **SApuro_** » Fri Jan 8, 2010 12:09 am

I have been very pleased with Blair's production. He is the best option we have for starting right now. Bonner is just too weak and Dice has proved unproductive in a starting role. I like how even though Pop starts a player that doesn't necessarily mean they will get big mins. 20-24 mins is fine for Blair.

Post #18 » by **Nolan** » Tue Jan 19, 2010 2:32 am

Blair's been producing in the last 4 games averaging 13.8 PPG and 14.5 RPG. Those are some crazy numbers, I doubt he can keep it up but I really hope he does.

Donald Kaufman · Post #19 » by **Donald Kaufman** » Tue Jan 19, 2010 9:53 am

I was going to go and crunch the numbers for Blair's last few games - I knew his rebounding pers were off the charts, but damn!

I doubt he keeps it up either, but boy can this kid play.

Post #20 » by **Nolan** » Tue Jan 19, 2010 10:48 pm

Turnover King wrote:I was going to go and crunch the numbers for Blair's last few games - I knew his rebounding pers were off the charts, but damn!

I doubt he keeps it up either, but boy can this kid play.

Kid's a beast and I love it. I can't wait to see what he does in the playoffs.