Draft Countdown: DeJuan Blair

[Mr.Raptorsingh]

DeJuan Blair
Power Forward (Rank: #12) | 6-7, 250 | Age: 20
Pittsburgh (Sophomore)

Positives:
--Excellent offensive rebounder
--Competitiveness
--Physical Toughness
--Energy/Intensity
--Likes to mix it up inside
--Setting Screens
--Great work ethic

Negatives:
--Back to basket scoring
--Ability to defend at the next level?
--Average athleticism
--Ball handling
--Jumpshoot/Free-throw shooting
--Undersized 4 or 5?

Topics for discussion:
--Would he be someone the Raps should consider picking up with another pick?
--A possible solution to our lack of physical toughness, especially inside?
--Closest NBA comparison

A nice starting point for discussion is this article on ESPN.com by Chad Ford:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2009 ... our-090518

Watch the clip, and you'll see that he's shed about 15 lbs, as he says, and looks noticeably thinner, with added explosiveness it seems. I'm a huge fan of Blair BTW.

[ATLTimekeeper]

I think he could surprise people and go quite high. Like, maybe Memphis.

I just don't see him fitting into an uptempo offense. He's also prone to lazy fouls, and the more he runs the more tired he's going to be = lots of lazy fouls. I also think our frontcourt needs to get older, not younger. If we want rebounds, just resign Pops.

[Gruel]

Will end up developing into a more physical Craig Smith who can actually rebound.

[gloriousthree]

I loved his game at Pitt. He literally went through opponents to get his points and rebounds.

However he really is too small for the NBA game. He'd need Barkley's combination of athleticism and skill to be a star and I really don't think he has that. He certainly didn't in college.

Also does he really fix a need? We need a slasher, a wingdefender and a guy that can close out games more than an energy rebounder (Pops and Hump should do fine there).

[Rhettmatic]

ATLTimekeeper posted this in another thread. Chad Ford re: Blair:

Several teams in the lottery have shown a lot of interest. Toronto is desperate for a beast to match with Chris Bosh or Andrea Bargnani. The Bucks are in desperate need of a physical low-post presence to pair alongside Andrew Bogut (plus, Blair really seems like a Scott Skiles-type of player). The Nets are looking for the same thing to put next to Brook Lopez. The Pacers didn't have any real paint presence last season.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2009 ... our-090518

[ansoncarter]

7'2 wingspan is good but it's not that out of the ordinary for a 6'7 player if he's a wide-body

be more impressed if he had a crazy standing reach

his will probably be under 9' which kind of sucks for a guy who can't jump (just guessing he can't jump. Plus pretty sure he's a 2foot jumper)

[A_wildstabatanything]

Not at #9. Not with our holes on the wing.

No way... wouldn't even consider it.

[Mr.Raptorsingh]

Not at #9. Not with our holes on the wing.

No way... wouldn't even consider it.

Definitely not an 9, but he may be someone to take a look at with another 1st rd. pick, if we do acquire one.

We need someone like Blair--guys like him usually end up playing key roles on winning teams. Look at the playoffs. Landry, Millsap, Glen Davis were huge for their respective teams.

[chrome381]

Man i love this guy, i wish we had a roster spot for him here but we have way too many bigs, hes definitely gonna be successful in the NBA no doubt

[tecumseh18]

We need someone like Blair--guys like him usually end up playing key roles on winning teams. Look at the playoffs. Landry, Millsap, Glen Davis were huge for their respective teams.

But their teams all (eventually) lost.

I disagree. Undersized forwards can get you through the regular season, but in the playoffs a team needs length. Lots of it. Speaking of Barkley, how many championships did he win?

[Tommy Udo 6]

There is talk (confirmed by Jonathan of Draft Express) that the Bulls are trying to move up. They are prepared to trade both picks and/or Tyrus Thomas to do so.

This is the guy I think the Bulls want to get......

[ATLTimekeeper]

There is talk (confirmed by Jonathan of Draft Express) that the Bulls are trying to move up. They are prepared to trade both picks and/or Tyrus Thomas to do so.

This is the guy I think the Bulls want to get......

For their sake I'd hope the Bulls wouldn't give up Tyrus just for Blair. Blair can't score with his back to the basket.

[5DOM]

Blair + Noah frontcourt? That's polar opposite of ours

[Tommy Udo 6]

It may not be Blair who they want - but Bulls are ready to offer Tyrus & 2 draft picks (16 + 26) in an effort to move up per reports. Of course, discussions cant get serious until after positions are determined tonight.

Here's the link to Draft Express:

http://www.draftexpress.com/blog/Jonath ... dcast-3216

[Raptorian]

I would love to get Blair if we got an additional draft pick. Obviously we need a wing or PG, but this guy is going to do well for a team next year. I see him in the Big Baby mould. A guy who could come off the bench and give you an excellent scoring option and who could fill in as a starter from time to time. Obviously he is a little undersized for the NBA game, but his bulk could make up for that a bit.

[bargs]

he could end up as a steal if he was picked late

[flipside21]

he could end up as a steal if he was picked late

Boozer, Milsap, Maxiel, Hayes . . .

I think these guys success is going to leave Blair picked earlier than he probably should be.

I don't see any reason why we shouldn't draw a comparison between Milsap and Blair - very very similar college players.

[bargs]

he could end up as a steal if he was picked late

Boozer, Milsap, Maxiel, Hayes . . .

I think these guys success is going to leave Blair picked earlier than he probably should be.

I don't see any reason why we shouldn't draw a comparison between Milsap and Blair - very very similar college players.

ya probably an in between millsap and maxiell ...definitely an impact player.

[Gold Chain]

he could end up as a steal if he was picked late

Boozer, Milsap, Maxiel, Hayes . . .

I think these guys success is going to leave Blair picked earlier than he probably should be.

I don't see any reason why we shouldn't draw a comparison between Milsap and Blair - very very similar college players.

ya probably an in between millsap and maxiell ...definitely an impact player.

Maxiell is NOT An impact player.

[223red]

Negatives (all by his own admission):
- already had surgery on both knees
- fat
- weak legs
- can't jump
- can't defend pick and roll / risk to switch on screens (Triano's standard defense)

Maybe not with 9th if more athletic or skilled players are still available.