One stat I keep noticing that seems to be overlooked is Steals...by Blair!

by LakehillsFan on Oct 24, 2009 5:48 PM CDT Comment 14 comments

I am definitely a Blair fan, maybe that is why I notice these little things. Looking at the preseason stats on the team page, Blair has 13 steals!! The next closest total is Manu with 5. Blair is averaging 1.86 steals per game, in 17 minutes per game. And they are not all in the paint, he has grabbed a few in transition. I know this is the preseason and the regulars are not getting their minutes or going 100%, But....

In the preseason DeJuan has been going against other rookies, bench players, and folks that won't be playing during the regular season. He has done well in this venue. I hope it will translate into some decent time during the regular season. I realize his minutes will go down with the start of the season, I am hoping for at least 10 - 15 minutes in the beginning.

A couple of passes in transition where Blair gets the ball from Manu have translated into to points. Others also seem to be trying to get him the ball in the paint. It appears that the 'old guard' is trying to get him involved. Which translates into...they think he can be an positive additional at the offensive end as well as a rebounder. He also needs to stay on Pop's good side. We have seen what happened to Malik Rose, George Hill and others during their first year. Pop's dog house is at the FAR end of the bench.

Am I making a mountain out of a molehill, or is our Man Mountain finding other ways to get the Spurs the ball when there is no chance to grab a rebound?

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I noticed this too in the OKC game (listened on the radio while driving from Austin – WOAI carries a LONG way).

He had two steals in a row in that game (I think in the 3rd quarter). One on a guard trying to dribble around him and another defending the post. Both turned into points (dunk by Hill on one of them).

Two words: long arms. Blair and Hill may be able to stand side-by-side with their arms extended and cover 1/2 the width of the court.

"Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect." - Mark Twain

by spurchief on Oct 24, 2009 6:31 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn't doubt it

Two words: long arms. Blair and Hill may be able to stand side-by-side with their arms extended and cover 1/2 the width of the court.

Evey- "Are you a crazy person?"
V- "I'm quite sure they'll say so."
V for Vendetta, blowing your mind away since 2005.

by KA1Z3R on Oct 24, 2009 6:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wuz planning to save this stat for another article but LHF beat me to it.

Blair was a regular pickpocket since college. I won’t be surprised if he tops the team in this category. It’s not just the arms but also his pantherlike reflexes that come into play. And finally, he has a great feel for the game. He’s good in getting into passing lanes and reading plays.

Reminds me of MJ & Pippen who’d get steals especially in crucial moments of the game. Those were killer plays. It can kill the enemy’s spirit.

I expect Blair getting the steal with Hill and Manu running the break.

To Manu belongs 999 names. 1,000 – 1. One must keep the names hidden in the deep recesses of the soul. Only by uttering the names in utter reverence and sheer terror shall one experience sublime ecstasy. And as one meditates upon each divine name, one ascends into a higher state of enlightenment. Upon reaching the 999th level, one enters Nirvana and comes into the presence of the Immortal One and gorges on alfajores to your heart’s content.

by 'DSilverlining on Oct 24, 2009 6:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Familiarity is comforting. Robinson always averaged a lot steals for a Big man…

Just call me The Profit

by Manuwar on Oct 25, 2009 12:09 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Couldn’t agree more, LHF. Steals are so important, and they’re one more thing that coaches want to see from their players, assuming they’re doing it within the confines of the defensive strategy.

And Manu wrote about Blair specifically in his recent article. So you’d have to say that the vets are seeing what he’s capable of.

That and Pop’s quote about Blair being a good NBA player … and soon. I don’t remember him saying anything about Hill like that last year.

I’m trying to keep my expectations low, but I’m beginning to think that we have a chance to see him with more PT than the average Spur rookie.

Consider the gun jumped
5 in 10

by jollyrogerwilco on Oct 25, 2009 2:50 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I see Blair coming into the game late in the second quarter and early in the fourth quarter. Late the second quarter allows Pop to rest his starting big men, give the rookie a chance to show what he can do and (hopefully) keep the ball out of the other team’s hands. The same logic for the fourth quarter, basically resting the men who are going to be on the court at the end of the game. DeJuan hasn’t shown a lot of defense yet…but hopefully he can restrict the other team to ‘one shot and done’.

by LakehillsFan on Oct 25, 2009 2:41 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Blair can probably get so much rebounds because of that huge wingspan he has.

GO SPURS GO
SPURS 2010 NBA Champions (if team is healty LoL)

by Manu-20 on Oct 25, 2009 2:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The last game against the Pacers where he went up against the center & wings was done on purpose acc. to Pop just to give him different looks.

He will hold his own against All-star pf because he loves the challenge. And if he goes up against a second stringer or a rook, I pity the fool.

Also, TD has taken him under his wings so he will definitely improve. Finally, he’s humble & willing to learn & do the dirty job. He fits perfectly in the second unit.

Blair's the third quarter kick in the opponent's balls - the little o
The Spur's "Los Cojones Grandes"

by 'DSilverlining on Oct 25, 2009 10:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

While steals are important and there’s no doubt he has a knack for getting them, I would like to see more of his play and not just stats (damn you stern!) in order to determine if he gambles too much defensively when trying to get steals. While steals are great and usually generate an easy fast break opportunity, if we gamble and don’t end up with a steal, it leaves us playing 4 against 5 for a play. Now, i’m not saying that I would like Blair to stop going for steals, he good at it, I would just like to know if he hurts us or helps us when going for those steals, and this will be determined with watching him play more. Perhaps i’m just making a big deal out of this ever since I watched the heat vs. spurs highlights of their preseason game (turn your attention to the play at the 1 minute and 11 seconds mark.

When the tooth fairy's own tooth falls out, it is taken during the night by Princess Peanut.

by the little o on Oct 25, 2009 10:19 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

good point. steals can cut both ways depending on the play.

If the opponent is just setting up after receiving a pass then it could be a low risk gamble.
His instinct + reflexes + long arms makes him a good thief. He just have to restrain himself if he is accidentally matched up against good ball-handlers in the wings and just play straight-up D. But with most PFs, he has better odds to get a steal.

Blair's the third quarter kick in the opponent's balls - the little o
The Spur's "Los Cojones Grandes"

by 'DSilverlining on Oct 25, 2009 11:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree with you, he’s too sneaky for most PFs. Oh, and thanks for putting me in your sig, what an honor.

When the tooth fairy's own tooth falls out, it is taken during the night by Princess Peanut.

by the little o on Oct 25, 2009 11:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I love the way that phrase implies total immobilization/destruction of the enemy. But also hints of dirtiness, much like my man, Bowen. We need someone to play the villain’s role and at the same time, someone who opponents will grudgingly respect.

Blair's the third quarter kick in the opponent's balls - the little o
The Spur's "Los Cojones Grandes"

by 'DSilverlining on Oct 25, 2009 11:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I completely agree that Blair is capable of playing the villian’s role while still earning the respect of our opponents. I wonder what will happen to that respect once Blair breaks an opponent’s arms, does it disappear, or only get stronger?

When the tooth fairy's own tooth falls out, it is taken during the night by Princess Peanut.

by the little o on Oct 26, 2009 12:14 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs