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ATS Summer League Microscope - DeJuan Blair - San Antonio Spurs

DeJuan missed game two of the NBA Summer League.  With his contract all inked up like Chris Andersen, he got after it in game three.  BFO (Blair Force One) had 20 points and 5 rebounds in 27 minutes of play.  He got the post-game interview.  He got the MYSA story.  He was Tweeted by David Thorpe.

But did he get the ATS Thumbs Up?  Overall, yes, but three things really concern me.

Star-divide

ATS Causes For Concern

One, for the second game in a row, he showed a lack of hustle to the defensive end and instead trotted.  In one particular instance, it was after he had made an extra effort to get an offensive rebound that was a long shot to grab.  He then lollygagged behind the play and put his team at a numbers disadvantage.  His lollygagging paid off as the Thunder missed a contested layup and Blair got a dunk.  While this is correctable, and it will be corrected as we all know or he won't play, it is a disturbing indication that he's not quite the all-out motor we had thought.

Two, he's short.  At only 6' 7", he was unable to adequately defend DJ White in the post.  On two occasions, DJ was able to back him down to about 10' and then shoot over him.  Blair can bang and hold his position, but he can't challenge those shots.

Three, he got outworked on the defensive glass.  The man he mostly matched up with, Serge Ibaka, had 8 rebounds in 22 minutes.  7, yes 7, of those were offensive rebounds.  DeJuan had two defensive rebounds.  That is not a good ratio.  AT.  ALL.

Other observations on DeJuan

He did work hard for the most part on defense and was active in the pick and roll.  He did, however, on a couple occasions allow his man to post up in front of him without challenging the position from the beginning.  He didn't start playing his defense until his man got the ball.

He needs work with his shot.  It comes out of his hands with a sideways rotation.  He won't be able to develop a good mid-range game with his current stroke.

He loves the contact in the post when he has the ball.  He instigates the contact on his moves and looks to overpower his opponent.  I like.  He did show a lack of control on a couple of possessions and will need to learn to maintain his aggression while maintaining control as he starts to play against better competition.

ATS Verdict

Outside of his height, I expect my other two concerns will be addressed.  In order for the Blair Force One to be a contributing member of the Spurs rotation, he is going to have to crank his motor up on the defensive end and OWN that end of the court first.  We all know this.  You don't play for the Spurs if you don't.  He'll get there.

The most underrated part of Blair's game is his footwork  He probably has the best footwork of any big man in Vegas.  And yes, I am including The Lord Of The Dance in that statement.  He can spin and dip with great speed while always maintaining his pivot foot.  It's what allows him to get up shots in the paint.

I think DeJuan will be a beast for us this season, but he still has a couple basics he needs to work on -- hustling and rebounding on the defensive end -- before we even get to the whole "learning the system" part of things.  So, if you are looking for something to watch with regards to DeJuan, watch his transition hustle from offense to defense and his work on the defensive glass.

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Great analysis, ATS. I’m guessing this observation does not include the first game that DeJuan played? Maybe he got the post-contract signing laziness that most pros get, and that he’ll be back to his tractor beam-hands, rebound hound self next game.

by silverandblack_davis on Jul 17, 2009 6:53 PM CDT reply actions  

While these comments were exclusively about the game against the Thunder, he did the same lollygagging up the court in the Hornets game. I either made the comment in the game thread or in the recap. I think the game thread.

We specialize in misinformation around here. Facts and stats just get in the way.

by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Jul 17, 2009 6:59 PM CDT up reply actions  

Wow, if DeJuan was lollygagging, then Thabeet probably looked like he was walking on water. David Thorpe was ripping Hasheem on that in his tweets.

by silverandblack_davis on Jul 17, 2009 7:16 PM CDT up reply actions  

Actually, there was a brief mention of his tendency to lollygag in one of the pre-draft articles…it said that in one of his workouts, the coach told him to hustle back on defense because he showed the tendency to lollygag—and that he immediately corrected it once it was pointed out…

by Toki9 on Jul 17, 2009 9:27 PM CDT up reply actions  

Great post.

I think that yesterday Blair was trying to show us that he can do more things besides rebounds.

He will improve on his defense, Pop is going to take care of that. We have to remember he is just 20, he still a kid, which is scary.

He’s got to improve his mid range shot, I agree with you on that. Chip England can take care of that, and we also have Mcdyess who is one of the top mid-range shooters in the league, he can give him a few pointers also.

by spursfan87 on Jul 17, 2009 6:55 PM CDT reply actions  

Hm, we’ll see. I want to watch him play more before I speak in absolutes, because he seemed very able to grab defensive rebounds in the first game. It can be a cause for “concern”, but honestly, I feel like that’d be nitpicking at this point.

Good analysis, ATS.

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

by LatinD on Jul 17, 2009 7:17 PM CDT reply actions  

Memphis has a summer league team with all sorts of size so it will be very interesting to see how he plays in that game. Thabeet at 7’3". Haddadi at 7’2". They also have two guys at 6’11" but they aren’t getting a lot of time so far. I want to watch this game.

Did we really just add a player good enough to be guarded by Bruce Bowen?

by BlaseE on Jul 17, 2009 8:45 PM CDT reply actions  

The Grizzlies have just traded for Z-Bo because apparently, Thabeet sucks.

by silverandblack_davis on Jul 17, 2009 9:30 PM CDT up reply actions  

You didn’t see that before?

I used to be a c+x kind of guy, but nowadays I just go nuts with my z. - LatinD
Retire Bowen's #12!

by Tim C. on Jul 17, 2009 10:38 PM CDT up reply actions  

I guess he didn’t. Where did you live before you accepted a job offer in Phoenix rikiddo?

"He's Manu Ginobili"

by the little o on Jul 17, 2009 10:58 PM CDT up reply actions  

Sacramento. Even attended a Spurs playoff game(they lost – m54r).

I used to be a c+x kind of guy, but nowadays I just go nuts with my z. - LatinD
Retire Bowen's #12!

by Tim C. on Jul 17, 2009 11:31 PM CDT up reply actions  

54? Wow…

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

by LatinD on Jul 17, 2009 11:49 PM CDT up reply actions  

Shouldn’t that be m10r?

Superman wears Manu Ginobili pajamas to bed. - CMoney
I don't like chatty. I don't do chatty. I like quiet. Quiet and mean. Those are my people. - Nurse Jackie

by bellasa on Jul 19, 2009 4:11 PM CDT up reply actions  

That’s why I was surprised. That must be some amazing insult.

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

by LatinD on Jul 19, 2009 5:11 PM CDT up reply actions  

I don’t know your little code – I just thought the numbers were chosen at random. Must have started before my time.

I used to be a c+x kind of guy, but nowadays I just go nuts with my z. - LatinD
Retire Bowen's #12!

by Tim C. on Jul 19, 2009 7:05 PM CDT up reply actions  

I think it’s ATS’s code. It’s the number of letters missing between the beginning of the word and the end of the word. So… if November were a curse word, you would write N6R. Or if you’re me, you would just write the curse word. ;)

Superman wears Manu Ginobili pajamas to bed. - CMoney
I don't like chatty. I don't do chatty. I like quiet. Quiet and mean. Those are my people. - Nurse Jackie

by bellasa on Jul 19, 2009 7:37 PM CDT up reply actions  

Sactown huh? Well you’re still young don’t be too down on yourself. You could find a job in another location if you’re savvy enough. I would’ve done the same as you if I didn’t decide to go to grad school instead of trying to get a job anywhere in today’s economy. I’m sure I hate living back at home more than you hate living in Phoenix. .

"He's Manu Ginobili"

by the little o on Jul 17, 2009 11:55 PM CDT up reply actions  

Heh, it’s funny – I’ve already hatched my 3rd plan to move to Portland.

I used to be a c+x kind of guy, but nowadays I just go nuts with my z. - LatinD
Retire Bowen's #12!

by Tim C. on Jul 17, 2009 11:58 PM CDT up reply actions  

AWESOME!!!!! I’m so happy, ecstatic, gleeful for you rikkido. I really mean it. If it doesn’t plan out don’t worry. You’re still the same in my book. You just seem kinda unhappy in phoenix that’s all. I kinda would be too (I would be more happy for leaving home) but you’re your own person in phoenix, what you do is what you do. Gosh, you are envied so much. Seriously.

"He's Manu Ginobili"

by the little o on Jul 18, 2009 12:26 AM CDT up reply actions  

I love it when a plan comes to hatching.

5 in 10
I want my Manu o;—-)

by J.R. Wilco on Jul 18, 2009 3:45 AM CDT up reply actions  

He definitely got us about 4 more boards that he either tipped or caused the other player to knock out of bounds. He presence on the defensive glass was better than the box score.

by bduran on Jul 17, 2009 9:57 PM CDT reply actions  

Thanks for the update, ATS. Lollygagging and his shot can be corrected. And he’ll have to if he wants to play. I’m excited about his excellent footwork, though. That’s not something that is easily taught/learned, IMHO.

My people call it "sarcasm." - Lauri

by CapHill on Jul 17, 2009 11:21 PM CDT reply actions  

Totally agree. The footwork is something that guys just seem to have. And he has it.

We specialize in misinformation around here. Facts and stats just get in the way.

by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Jul 17, 2009 11:26 PM CDT up reply actions  

Blair Force One!

I guess you like it too

BLAIR FORCE ONE

by FreshmakerDTM on Jul 18, 2009 11:17 PM CDT reply actions  

I’m throwing my full weight behind BFO as well.

All 118 lbs of it!

5 in 10
I want my Manu o;—-)

by J.R. Wilco on Jul 20, 2009 12:08 AM CDT up reply actions  

What, are you claiming to be a 14 year old female gymnast now?

We specialize in misinformation around here. Facts and stats just get in the way.

by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Jul 20, 2009 12:27 AM CDT up reply actions  

I gotta do something with the doctored birth certificate the Chinese government issued to me. My oldest won’t pass for 14 for at least another couple of years.

5 in 10
I want my Manu o;—-)

by J.R. Wilco on Jul 20, 2009 1:07 AM CDT up reply actions  

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