Lack of Minutes for Blair?

by Newton Pham on Oct 26, 2009 3:21 PM CDT

Looking at the depth of bigs, what do you guys think the number of minutes DBlair will play? Currently he has to contend with fairly quality bigs who can play the 4 in McDyess, Bonner and Ratliff. While they do have a lot of miles on them I think it will be tough for a rookie to crack the rotation full of established and experienced vets, Bonner excluded. However, Bonner does bring shooting to the table and can spread the floor.

Poll

How many minutes will DeJuan Blair average per game this season?

0 to 10 minutes

7 votes

10 to 15 minutes

41 votes

15 to 20 minutes

33 votes

20 to 25 minutes

11 votes

25 to 30 minutes

1 votes

30 to 35 minutes

0 votes

35 to 40 minutes

1 votes

94 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 11 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

10 to 15, I bet. But I wish it were 20 mpg.

Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
Dunkin' Cheerleaders

by LatinD on Oct 26, 2009 7:10 PM CDT reply actions

I voted 10-15 as well… but I also predict 10-15 ppg and rpg

"If an expert says it can't be done, get another expert"
- DBG

by LasEspuelas on Oct 26, 2009 11:12 PM CDT reply actions

If he’s getting a double double every night while playing less than 15 minutes, then Pop will be required to play him more.

That being said, for the better part of the first half, I think he’ll get less than 10 minutes — unless garbage time is expanded by us having regular blow-outs. But, barring that and depending on his performance on the defensive end (doesn’t it always come down to that) if he starts to meet Pop’s MDS (minimum defensive standard) I see his ceiling this year as being a main rotation guy/situational starter (yes, over Bonner even) by the season’s end.

Consider the gun jumped
5 in 10

by J.R. Wilco on Oct 27, 2009 1:09 AM CDT reply actions

WTH! you damn tease! I see what you’re ceiling for Blair is, and I agree with you. He already plays slightly better defense than Bonner in my eyes, and if he learned the system, it’ll only get better. I also saw that you expect Blair to get less than ten minutes in the beginning, which is not far off from your initial statement of:

I don’t think Blair will get anything more than 5 min a game. Pop can’t possibly allow him to play any more than that.

however, you fail to mention if you believe Blair will meet Pop’s MDS, or how many minutes you think he’ll get in the second half/throughout the whole season.

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

by the little o on Oct 27, 2009 2:21 AM CDT up reply actions

I know that I fail to mention any of that stuff. I have no real basketball training. I’m just a Spurs fan who’s love for words briefly coincided with DubVats’ need for a pair of eyes to read every comment that is posted around here.

My list of posts is so heavily tilted toward off-the-wall subjects that it makes the Tower of Pisa look like a marvel of engineering.

Even as I was writing the comment you replied to, I was thinking, “Someone’s gonna bust on me for even thinking that I know what I’m talking about here.” So I did indeed leave any concrete conclusions right out of my hypothesizing. Please get used to it. Not having really watched Blair very much (pre-season blackouts and all) everything I’m basing my thoughts on is really nothing more that what I’ve noticed Pop doing before, and what he’s said about Blair.

That being said, the caveat emptor having been issued, and since you’ve specifically requested it, here you go:

Should Blair meet Pop’s MDS, I can see him getting up into the 20-25 minutes per game by the end of the season. I really think (without him having played a singe minute of regular season NBA ball) that Pop thinks he’s a special player and is capable of helping us win this year. Or at least he can help us tread water while resting the playoff guys at the end of the season.

Consider the gun jumped
5 in 10

by J.R. Wilco on Oct 27, 2009 2:04 PM CDT up reply actions

I'm going to assume that you're saying that Blair will meet Pop's MDS and get 20-25 minutes per game by the end of the season.

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

by the little o on Oct 27, 2009 2:39 PM CDT up reply actions

blair is going to get his chance, but not early in the season.

by spursfan87 on Oct 27, 2009 1:16 AM CDT reply actions

His great hands and tenacity will earn him more time.

by 4Him on Oct 27, 2009 4:06 AM CDT reply actions

I was gonna compare him with Albatross last season. He got good minutes but only after the injuries of manu and tony. I don’t remember the last time we had a good rookie on a healthy team.
Blair is not a garbage man, he won’t play alot in blow-outs. Haislip and Ian will get the pt.

by SaSleepless on Oct 27, 2009 8:54 AM CDT reply actions

He’ll get good minutes the first month. Pop doesn’t know exactly what he’s got yet, and he wants to find out ASAP.

by doggydogworld on Oct 27, 2009 8:54 AM CDT reply actions

I’m gonna say the impossible and predict that Blair will play at least 20 mins a game. Pop, make it happen.

"Yes, it's important that I have good numbers, and I'm well-respected as a player. But I think it's more important that I'm respected as a man." - Some Tall Guy Who Wore #50

by theonlyromeo on Oct 27, 2009 10:05 PM CDT reply actions