Wednesday, October 7th, 2009...5:38 am
DeJuan Blair as the San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are a glorious mess, but a mess nevertheless.
Their first preseason game hinted at the team’s potential greatness, but also showcased all the work that lies ahead before they can achieve that greatness. DeJuan Blair is the obvious story from last night, and he’s a good representative of all the good and bad which Gregg Popovich must mold into a contender.
DeJuan Blair put up 16 points and 19 rebounds in 22 minutes in the loss to Houston. The San Antonio Spurs may have lost by 14, but the only numbers that anyone will remember are Blair’s. Statistically speaking, Blair put up numbers that pace themselves alongside Andris Biedrins, David Lee and Emeka Okafor. Those three players are slated to earn 9, 8, and 10.6 million this season. Blair will earn $850,000. And sure, I grant that Blair’s field goal percentage and shot blocking will fall short of that group. He’s not as good as those three. But his per minute scoring and rebounding rates will at least meet the production of aforementioned threesome. So if you’re trying to quantify what the Spurs stole in the second round, there are three measures to get you started.
But DeJuan Blair is firmly settled into San Antonio’s bench, and he’s their third or fourth option off the pine. It’s not so bad to have a double-double at the end of your rotation. But there are reasons he sits down the line.
Here’s what I know: DeJuan Blair lost nothing in translation. His NCAA game is his NBA game. DeJuan Blair is Carl Landry is Paul Millsap. Rebound rates transfer. It’s a crudely simple equation that, thankfully for the Spurs, adds up.
What Blair does well is an immediate help for San Antonio. It’s what he doesn’t do so well that leaves me thinking. DeJuan Blair has a long way to go as a defender. Smart coaches will game plan for him, and expose his flaws to San Antonio’s disadvantage. And he looks, as everyone would expect, a little lost on offense.
So basically what you have in DeJuan Blair you have in the rest of the team, including Richard Jefferson and Antonio McDyess: unquestioned talent, but very little cohesion. This Spurs team is going to take time. Settle in, Spurs fans. Choppy waters ahead. The need for all the new players to learn the system and develop chemistry with one another is a need that is supplied over long months, not the short weeks which lead to opening night.
Complicating matters further is Gregg Popovich’s understandable reluctance to push his aging core too hard too early. Tony Parker, Antonio McDyess, Tim Duncan, Michael Finley and Theo Ratliff did not play last night. With the exception of Parker, all of those players are out of shape and in need of reps. Earlier this summer Gregg Popovich said he wanted Tim Duncan to start the season out of shape. He wasn’t lying. It’s clear Pop plans to use November and December to work his core into game shape. It will take months for this team to find a rhythm. There is a sense in which this is true every season, but it’s especially true this season.We won’t know what they’re actually capable of until late in the season, and that’s health providing.
So be excited about 16 points and 19 rebounds in 22 minutes. And then remember missed rotations, an offense without an identity, a smattering of ill-advised shots, and a long list of personnel questions without immediate answers. These are your San Antonio Spurs. They’re a work in progress.
29 Comments
October 7th, 2009 at 6:08 am
As Bill Simmons would say, “you just pooped in the punch bowl!”
I think everybody understands that this is the FIRST preseason game of the year so nobody expected a finished product.
The season is a marathon and nobody knows this better than Pop. We’ll be peaking at the right time.
BTW Manu did play!
October 7th, 2009 at 6:10 am
Tim,
Manu did play last night, he was all but impressive, but he played!
October 7th, 2009 at 6:12 am
I mean, of course the offense looked poor and lacked identity: normally, it’s going to revolve around Tim, Tony, Manu, and RJ, all of whom either didn’t play or played sparingly. Of course Blair’s field goal percentage was low; while he’ll usually be the 4th or 5th option when he’s on the court, he was sometimes the first option last night and had to take more shots than he normally would.
Blair’s need to improve his rotations are unquestionable, and I’m sure there are going to be growing pains… but to try and extrapolate anything about the team in general from an October game where the foci of our offense weren’t playing or hardly did seems premature.
October 7th, 2009 at 6:17 am
We can’t win the title in the first month, but let’s make sure we don’t lose it.
October 7th, 2009 at 6:36 am
Martin and all,
I read this and thought, “Why is everyone pointing out that Manu played last night?” Then it hit me. Not sure how I let that slip through. Force of habit of including him with Tim and Tony, I guess. Anyway, thanks for alerting me to my blunder.
October 7th, 2009 at 6:39 am
Tim,
Manu did play, scored 4 points, 2 rebs and 1 stl in 14 mins. of play…
October 7th, 2009 at 6:57 am
Well, November and December to finish core player conditioning — that might explain why those Row 3 home opener seats were available for us to scoop up just this past Sunday. I agree, though: It’s more important to win late in the season with an aging crew than to kill in the first two months. And if you don’t play those top fellas as much before New Year’s, then they don’t get hurt so much, do they?
I just hope, like everyone does, that the division title doesn’t come down to one or two wins difference. Out of shape players in November-December might do that to you. Starting (and staying) on the road throughout the playoffs could make the title chase a trek up a steep hill. Not sure when I’ve ever seen a preseason opener with zero minutes for Tony and Tim. Amazed we only lost by 15. At least we’ve got stars to suit up as our preseason advances. I wouldn’t want to be a Rockets fan this year, sans Yao and Artest.
October 7th, 2009 at 7:01 am
If Blair continues to put up numbers like that he wont be the 4th or 5th option off the bench for long more like 2nd or 3rd. Pop knows exactly what he is doing i have total faith in him and i believe we will be a strong team from start to finish b/c we simply just have more talent than alot of teams and that will make up for our lack of chemistry early on.
October 7th, 2009 at 7:30 am
Blair was a solid defender in college with quick feet and hands. He will learn to defend in the NBA, especially because he will be getting the best coaching available. That he was a little lost on offense is no surprise. 9 out of 10 good rookies are. He will not a 3rd or 4th option off the bench, unless he totally becomes disinterested, which won’t likley happen. Blair, unlike most guys his size and shape, is the real deal, and it doesn’t say much about the writer who can’t tell the difference
October 7th, 2009 at 7:41 am
Considering how little any two or more spurs on the floor last night had ever played together, They did well.
A lack of chemistry was expected. But its not as if Tim, Tony, Manu, and Finley struggled together. A lot of the minutes were given to players who won’t play much during the regular season if they even make the cut.
I’d be surprised if you actually watched the game rather than read the box score with the commentary offered. I get not reading to much into a stellar line from a preseason game, but you also shouldn’t read too much into a bad line.
Based on lineups and plays it looked to me like the Rockets were trying to win while the Spurs were trying to evaluate players. Blair won’t be the focus of the Spurs offense, nor of an opponents defense, when he lines up next to Tim.
October 7th, 2009 at 7:49 am
I believe that in the case of Blair, Pop is taking it with calm. He did the same with George last year and it paid dividends.
Also, he doesn’t like 5th bananas to get overhyped (see Pops Mensah Bonsu).
Spurs need to remain under the radar (BTW, I loved PtRs latest screensavers! http://www.poundingtherock.com/2009/10/7/1072066/wallpaper-from-under-the-radar)
October 7th, 2009 at 7:49 am
Sorry, I messed up
http://www.poundingtherock.com/2009/10/7/1072066/wallpaper-from-under-the-radar
October 7th, 2009 at 7:55 am
i had some really good seats last night man and my voice is gone!!! anyhow let me say i was once agains displeased with ian, williams,jonesshoot eeven bogans. those first three in my very strong opinion need a new home. im not just ranting because i saw ian have one bad game, its the way he plays after 2yrs, of practice after being a first rounder, his body when your up close to me is really thin but seems like he can hold his own, however when theres alot of bodies in the post hes being pushed around like a ragdoll! its his mechanics that worry me not his build. i really payed attention last night didnt even have a beer because i was soo excited! im glad you put that article up tim because BLAIR IS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!!!do you guys remember one of the rockets trying to take a rebound away from blair? i think it was landry, he almost hyperextended his elbow and broke it just to grab a rebound!! as soon as blair came in the game started turning around, it was incredible!! everytime blair came in we cut down leads significantly!! i honestly didnt think he would be that great, he threw scola around , got into a lil scuffle w/him didnt back down whatsoever. i noticed the rockets already started changing their defense around blair, and yes they were doubling him in the post already
October 7th, 2009 at 8:13 am
Good article, I definitely think we need to have cautious optimism with the team and Blair this early in its/his development. I just wanted to note about missed rotations that it’s hard for our coaches to plan a defensive strategy when you don’t even know who the opposing lineup is going to be or who your typical floor mates are. Blair doesn’t know where he fits in a rotation. I think it will be easier for him to learn rotations in terms of learning to play with Duncan or Dice or Ratliff. I think our random line-ups will look better against preseason teams not coached by Rick Adelman in general. I’m looking at you, Clippers.
Sidenote: Thanks for the link, Martin. That was unexpected to see here in the comments.
October 7th, 2009 at 8:20 am
I also wanted to bring up that Blair can really use the rim to protect his shot a la Parker but with a post-up twist. He has strength and reach but not height so it was really skillful how he forced Landry and Scola to have to go through the rim to get a block. His finish isn’t great or he was just unlucky, but a lot of his attempts just seemed to roll off the rim and could have just as easily fallen in. His shooting percentage was suprising to me after watching the game, and I would say it is misleading to what I saw.
October 7th, 2009 at 8:35 am
Krista,
Don’t misread me. I’m bullish on the Spurs. I love the roster; like their chances against any and all comers. I’m just saying it’s gonna take some time. That’s all.
And for the record, I’m reading a lot into the stellar preseason line. I compared Blair to Lee and Okafor after one game. That’s pretty giddy. Delirious maybe.
You’re correct about the Spurs evaluating players while the Rockets attempted to win. No question that was happening.
October 7th, 2009 at 8:49 am
No worries here. The “Spurs” if any of you all follow the Spurs as I have, you know Pop treats the pre-season as practice for his new players. I am excited to see what Blair has brought to the table (19 boards) in 22 minutes, nice. I am hella excited for this season to begin! Go Spurs….
October 7th, 2009 at 9:46 am
I was at the game last night and I can tell you… don’t worry about blair’s fg pct.
most of those misses came early on close in good looks. Honestly it just looked like he was nervous, and or excited early. his “bad” first half (which included 11 boards) was short lived… he dominated that 3rd quarter and seemed to own the court.
defensively he was impressive… scola caught on fire but as soon as they put blair back in he slowed down and got noticeably frustrated.
I realize it was only one game… but I cant even begin to describe what it was like watching him in person. he had mine and my friends jaws on the floor. He looked like a more athletic boozer on offense and defense and a stronger rodman on the glass. He made some noticeable rookie mistakes…but thats expected. after some popovich polishing, blair could be a diamond.
October 7th, 2009 at 9:48 am
Pop, being the coach that he is, really did a job by letting these guys go without the vets. They were really exposed and were almost set up to lose. This was a 48 minute tape session against NBA talent that both he, his coaches, and his vets will dissect this pre-season. Tim and Tony make a job of making players look good, but minus them, we got to see some more natural basketball and see what tendencies the new guys are gonna have. Just great stuff guys.. This is what the group needs to see before the heavy hitters jump in and start directing traffic. Yes, Manu played, but i think he’s just gotta get his feet wet. Tim’s right.. this line-up has so many players that can contribute something but they will be a team of individuals for a while. Expect the elite teams to give us problems early. oh.. players like Blair, Dice and Ratliff will be key in fashioning this new teams identity.
October 7th, 2009 at 10:58 am
I hear you, Tim, and yet I don’t remember that last time a Spurs rookie had a first game like DeJuan’s. I can’t see him being David Lee.
And honestly, despite his struggles to adapt to the Spurs’ defensive system, he didn’t look lost to me on offense. He had a couple of clever passes, rolled efficiently a few times and showed purpose and resourcefulness when looking for his own shot. He obviously needs to work on his team offense and his screens, but it was a good start.
Cautious optimism is fine, but I prefer to be dangerously optimistic instead and crash down to earth if Blair eventually becomes a serviceable role player and nothing else.
October 7th, 2009 at 11:26 am
One game is worst sample size you can have next to zero, but his two assists at the power forward position are excellent. Only 3 power forwards (according to ESPN’s player breakdowns) finished last season with more than 3.5 assists per 48. They were Boris Diaw (5.8), Lamar Odom (4.2), and Pau Gasol (4.5). DeJuan was at 4.4 last night on top of his 16 FGA’s. That was also on a terrible team shooting effort. I’d have to look back at the game to know if any assists were left on the floor. I don’t think he had 1 assist in all of Summer League. I could be off on that though.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:18 pm
mahinmi looked awful last night. i really want him to do well since he has size and athleticism, but does he really look like an nba player worthy of a contract extension? did last night doom him? wouldn’t surprise me. he may have a great game this friday, but it will be against non-nba caliber players. oh ian, we hardly know ye
October 7th, 2009 at 1:39 pm
RJ,
Mahinmi’s stats were awful, but I don’t think it was an epic fail or anything. He showed some good things. I’ll grant that he underwhelmed, however.
October 7th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
Did Haislip not play?
October 7th, 2009 at 3:46 pm
More fuel for the Dejuan Blair fire…
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-45-26/What-s-With-All-the-Good-Young-Rebounders-.html
October 7th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
[...] Timothy Varner of 48 Minutes of Hell says DeJuan Blair and the Spurs are works in progress. basically Varner points out that Blair is a great rebounder but he needs work on his overall defense and ihs offensive game. And the Spurs have a lot of work to do to mold the new players into a cohesive unit. [...]
October 7th, 2009 at 9:13 pm
A rookie is no longer a rookie once the regular season ends and the post season begins.
October 8th, 2009 at 8:52 am
anyone who really follows the Spurs knows that the preseason is useless. If you want to know whats up, read between the lines of Pop’s interviews…if you’re a true Spurs follower, it shouldn’t be a problem!
October 11th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
[...] Der an 37. Stelle gedraftete Rookie wird einige GMs noch in Erklärungsnot bringen. Ebenso Pop. Denn SanAntonio ist ziemlich tief [...]
Leave a Reply