DeJuan Blair

[Boots]

Hey, from Toronto. Fantasy question. I'm in a deep draft with keepers and looking at this kid.

Is Blair going to get any significant mins. What role will he have. Obviously if Tim and McDyess run into 'old age' injuries etc., this could change Blairs role but aside from that, will he get any burn.

And what type of stats would you expect from him this year.

Thanks

[locus7]

He doesn't need big minutes. Blair can get double-doubles (plus rip a few opponents arm's off) in garbage time alone. Its an advantage not having these cumbersome ACLs that slow everyone else down.

If The Beast is ever unleashed in a significant way, look out!

[Nolan]

He's gonna get minutes and he will more than likely be the first big off the bench for us. His stats are going to be hard to predict, he's definitely going to be a good rebounder but his scoring numbers are going to be hard to predict given that most of his offense comes from garbage buckets and offense rebounds. But I could care less about his scoring, I want him to rebound and play physical, thats what we need him to do.

[SApuro_]

Blair has looked really good this pre-season but the two surprises for me is how well george has been playing. Boy does he look like a great back up and how well Ratliff has played. I figured the guy for 6 fouls and another body come practice but he's looked good enough to make the rotation.

I hope Blair gets enough minutes to suck down some boards. I agree with Nolan if he scores bonus I just want to see him rebound like crazy.

[co_laper]

Well I think Blair will end the season averaging about 18 minutes a game if he doesn't fall out of the rotation. In 18 minutes, I guess i'll be expecting about 5-6 boards a game. His scoring is harder to predict. We're not going to count on him to score and yeah it'll most likely be from put backs. I'm guessing in 18 minutes againts backups, he can average about 6-8 points and 5-6 boards a game. That will be a successful rookie season for Blair IMO. The 2nd year is when we'll count on him even more.

[holeydonut]

Actually, I'm curious about Blair's "no ACL" situation.

Last season Al Jefferson completely tore one of his ACLs and went down for a full year. My question is - if DeJuan blair awkwardly comes down in the same manner as Al - will he just completely rip his knee apart? That is, if DeJuan has no ACLs to tear, is he actually going to suffer a career ending injury where a normal player would only have a season ending injury?

To Locus7's point - is Blair actually better off without having to fear an ACL injury; or would the circumstance of an ACL injury basically cause a Shaun Livingston type knee buckle that ends Blair's career?

And why does DeJuan have no ACLs now, but then regular post-ACL-repair sports players usually recover with their ACLs still present in their knees? It seems kind of creepy how Blair's "scar tissue" was absorbed by his body as I've read in some reports of Blair's knees.

[co_laper]

Great question. I have no idea myself. Definitely would like to know the answer to that. Post something here if you find the answer.

[Nolan]

14 points and 11 boards, 5 those being offensive boards in his first game tonight. He's looking really good off the bench for us hopefully he can keep this up all season.

[tony parker 09]

Great game from him...really impressed. Keeping in mind he did get a good run tonight with Duncan only playing 20 odd minutes. Great start to an NBA career, Double Double on debut!

[SApuro_]

Blair had a good game last night but by no means was he stellar. I know 14pts and 11 boards looks good in the box score but he defense was terrible. He got 4 stupid fouls. His pick and rolls were absolutely awful.

He was fantastic on the boards he always seemed to be around the basketball. Nice put backs and good energy but he does look really undersized out there. I can't see him playing well against Gasol or Bynum but he will improve through out the year.

[co_laper]

I didn't see him play with Duncan at all. I saw him playing with Dice in the 1st half. I even remember him playing Center in a small ball lineup in the 4th quarter.

Well foul problem is expected. That's an issue with just about every rookie bigs. Especially undersized ones because they'll try to slap the ball down low.

In a way, we're using him in the right way. We don't have him guarding the opposing post scorer. He'll play againts backup bigs who are hustle players so we're masking him quite nicely.

[Blame Rasho]

All I want for him is to rebound. Anything else is gravy.

In games vs the Bulls I would like for Pop to use TD and Blair because of rebounding issues. If we are going small I think that is the way to go... TD can cover alot of Blairs mistakes on TD.

[SherronShabazz]

my interview with dejuan blair...

http://www.examiner.com/x-1192-NBA-Exam ... Juan-Blair

[Greek]

Actually, I'm curious about Blair's "no ACL" situation.

Last season Al Jefferson completely tore one of his ACLs and went down for a full year. My question is - if DeJuan blair awkwardly comes down in the same manner as Al - will he just completely rip his knee apart? That is, if DeJuan has no ACLs to tear, is he actually going to suffer a career ending injury where a normal player would only have a season ending injury?

To Locus7's point - is Blair actually better off without having to fear an ACL injury; or would the circumstance of an ACL injury basically cause a Shaun Livingston type knee buckle that ends Blair's career?

And why does DeJuan have no ACLs now, but then regular post-ACL-repair sports players usually recover with their ACLs still present in their knees? It seems kind of creepy how Blair's "scar tissue" was absorbed by his body as I've read in some reports of Blair's knees.

I have him on my fantasy team too, thats why i am here. About the no ACL, 1 of the Greek basketball legends (Panagiotis Yiannakis) he was playing up to his 37 without ACL. He was never very athletic, but for a guard was really strong. Also to be able to play like that u need very strong quadriceps to be able to hold u r knee. I am not a doctor and maybe that i am mistaken, but this is what ive heard

[SApuro_]

Well the kid is averaging over 8 boards a game in limited mins. He's goin to turn out to be a fine pro. He might have a shorter career than some but will be productive while he's out there.