Comments on: Jamie Dixon at Spurs Training Camp

By: Timothy Varner

Timothy Varner — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 20:42:07 +0000

Crow,

Send me an email. timothyvarner [at] gma [dot] com.

By: Crow

Crow — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 20:38:21 +0000

Disregarding offensive rebounding too much can bite you. I did a study and found that when the Spurs won the titles they were usually average on offensive rebounding and when they didn’t they were near the b0ttom.

Blair was the right pick up but now they have to use him some or at least get to the point where they are prepared to when they need to.

By: Bentley

Bentley — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 22:23:09 +0000

I feeel like the Spurs can win 60 games, but I’m not sure they actually will. And I only say that because of injury concerns and the potential of the big 3 to get reduced minutes.

By: SpursfanSteve

SpursfanSteve — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 03:23:05 +0000

i think you’re right on Jason, both with the win prediction and the stratification.

By: jason

jason — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 02:17:05 +0000

Because everyone else is being so cautious in their predictions, i’m just gonna go on record right now by saying that this is a 60+ win team. given our record last year, the number of close games we lost or games we didn’t compete in due to injury, and given the ability our team now has to still field 3 stars even If one is down, I think we’ll crack 60 again, not that it matters… It’ll be a bit deceptive this year record wise because the good teams have only gotten better since last year and many bad teams have gotten worse, look for another year with a clearly stratified class system amongst NBA teams.

By: SpursfanSteve

SpursfanSteve — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 21:16:36 +0000

is Blair going to be starting, or is it going to be Mcdyess or Bonner? I think thats going to make a huge difference on how Blair is used. If hes the first big off the bench, we’ll probably see some plays drawn for him. If he starts, hes going to be doing what Kurt Thomas did, but with a little more freedom to attack the glass on offense. Thats my two cents at least. And personally, i hope he starts and Mcdyess comes off the bench with Ratliff.

By: ThatBigGuy

ThatBigGuy — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 19:23:21 +0000

Start Blair out on the strong side, then have him set the post to post screen. The post to post screen is devastating and simple to run, plus both guys are able to seal their defenders in any number of advantageous positions. Also, having Blair start on the low block, then running up to the free throw line to set a screen on Duncan et al would allow Duncan to dive to the strong side block for great position and allow Blair to dive weak side for the board.

Also, and this is something that takes practice, is a stagger screen with both posts at the top of the key. Have Blair set the high/first screen and then roll to the weak side. Then Duncan sets the second screen. With this second screen, you can do the pick and roll, but you have more options since the guard defender may be way out of position from the Blair screen. The guard can shoot or drive, the post can roll or pop. But add a post slip to the equation if Duncan’s defender has to contain the guard. This leaves only Blair’s man to guard Blair and a sinking Duncan.

I can think of about 5 more plays, but don’t wanna keep typing. From everything I’ve read about Blair, I think he’s going to fit in so well with us.

By: Robby

Robby — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 19:03:57 +0000

53 wins in the season might be too low for this teams (they just won 54 last season). I agree with Tim that the Spurs will win around 58 games. Although it wouldn’t really matter (playoff games counts). And Portland is right there in the mix, outside of Boston, Lakers, Magic, Cavs and the Spurs, they are the most dangerous team in the league.

By: Timothy Varner

Timothy Varner — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:53:34 +0000

Chris,

In order: Not sure about Haislip; spot-on re: Bogans; right about Ratliff; a little soft on their overall record. I think they’ll win 58 games or so. Challenge the Lakers for the top seed. Although, I agree with Hollinger on the Blazers. They could be really good, and might be right there with L.A. and San Antonio.

By: Chris K.

Chris K. — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:49:13 +0000

Tim,

What do you think of the rest of Hollinger’s assessment of the Spurs in 09-10?

Specifically…
Marcus Haislip: “Haislip’s translated stats from Europe weren’t very good and I’d be shocked if he can crack San Antonio’s rotation.”

and Keith Bogans: “Bogans struggled last season and isn’t likely to play a major role. However, because he defends and shoots 3s, he’s a good fit in San Antonio’s system and provides some insurance if Finley suddenly succumbs to age.”

and Theo Ratliff: “could prove useful matching up against the Lakers’ Pau Gasol.”

and Overall: “They’ll win lots of games, because that’s what they always do, and undoubtedly they’ll make a few shrewd in-season moves to boost their chances further. But for all the thrashing in the water the Spurs did this summer, the riptide of age might pull them right back to the same spot it did a year ago.

Prediction: 53-29, 1st in Southwest Division, 3rd in Western Conference”

By: errin

errin — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:08:28 +0000

I think Pop has a good pretty good understanding on how he will use Blair we were last in offensive rebounding and although we do wanna get back on denfense it also could help if we got a extra 8-10 points a game off of the o-glass Blair is a unique talent and you wanna take full advantage of his skill set.

By: Andrew A McNeill

Andrew A McNeill — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:42:26 +0000

I was just curious. It never dawned on me that teams would do this, but it seems like a good idea. Obviously they talk to a player’s college coach before they draft them. But bringing them to training camp as some sort of an “advisor” to the team about the player could pay some dividends in the short-term.

By: Timothy Varner

Timothy Varner — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:36:32 +0000

I wouldn’t read too much into it, Andrew. The Spurs have good relationships across the coaching community. NCAA coaches have attended past camps, although I can’t remember a situation that mirrors this one. It could be that they initiated the invitation to Dixon, but we don’t really know.

By: Andrew A McNeill

Andrew A McNeill — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:27:16 +0000

Tim,

Good stuff here. You may not know this, but how often do the Spurs do things like bring out a rookie’s college coach? Did they do this for George Hill last season to get a better sense of how to utilize him, or is this something different for a guy like Blair?