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JohnWalllace Nailed It on Leadership - Now, Will the First Official Meeting of the DeJuan Blair Fan Club Please come to Order?
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misterearl
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3/21/2009  9:58 AM
The operative word is MAN.

exerpted from NBADraft.net:

"Strengths: Blair is a man with great girth He does what he looks like he should do C bang on the inside, grab rebounds, and with his 7'3" wingspan, anchor his team's interior defense ... Shows soft touch on his shot both with contact and from the line...Generally stays out of foul trouble, something especially impressive for someone of his size and propensity for contact. (pause for dramatic effect) Very competitive and eager to improve, there are no motivation question marks with him."

No motivation question marks - check.

A winner. (you had me at 7'3 wingspan) Seems to have a great rapport with his teammates and has already taken on somewhat of a leadership role as a freshman on the upperclassmen-led Pitt Panthers squad. Has a gregarious personality, a natural leader and strong clubhouse guy ...

"Natural leader" - double check

I could be sadly mistaken but Blair seems to own many of the best qualities of Elton Brand, and I like Elton Brand.

However, a discussion of Blair's skill set goes beyond the tangible statistics and even beyond his listed height at 6'6. I could care less. The operative word is "leadership". The fact he assumed a leadership stance as a freshman speaks volumes about the respect he fosters from teammates. I have a feeling the rookie hazing will be kept to a minimum.

Second, watching him over the weekend, there is a mature quality about Blair that would fit well in New York. I squinted and saw a faint reincarnation of Charles Oakley, without throwing the too-slick pass into the first rows. There is a confidence, not a swagger, but a sense that the young man knows where he is on the court. That quality, the same quality Bill Bradley describes in his book "Life on The Run" is what separates average basketball players from the herd.

Of course, Blair has his imperfections. They all do. But the Knicks desperately need to recruit and nuture leaders who can endure the inevitable tough times and hang tougher. I don't care about his height, the depth chart or the nitpickers who will find something to moan about in every young player. I want toughness. I want an enforcer who other teams are forced to account for and put at least two bodies on. In the immortal words of Diana Ross, "I want muscle."

Give me Blair.
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JrZyHuStLa
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3/21/2009  10:17 AM
You're a very strange person.
BRIGGS
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3/21/2009  10:48 AM
Posted by misterearl:

The operative word is MAN.

exerpted from NBADraft.net:

"Strengths: Blair is a man with great girth He does what he looks like he should do C bang on the inside, grab rebounds, and with his 7'3" wingspan, anchor his team's interior defense ... Shows soft touch on his shot both with contact and from the line...Generally stays out of foul trouble, something especially impressive for someone of his size and propensity for contact. (pause for dramatic effect) Very competitive and eager to improve, there are no motivation question marks with him."

No motivation question marks - check.

A winner. (you had me at 7'3 wingspan) Seems to have a great rapport with his teammates and has already taken on somewhat of a leadership role as a freshman on the upperclassmen-led Pitt Panthers squad. Has a gregarious personality, a natural leader and strong clubhouse guy ...

"Natural leader" - double check

I could be sadly mistaken but Blair seems to own many of the best qualities of Elton Brand, and I like Elton Brand.

However, a discussion of Blair's skill set goes beyond the tangible statistics and even beyond his listed height at 6'6. I could care less. The operative word is "leadership". The fact he assumed a leadership stance as a freshman speaks volumes about the respect he fosters from teammates. I have a feeling the rookie hazing will be kept to a minimum.

Second, watching him over the weekend, there is a mature quality about Blair that would fit well in New York. I squinted and saw a faint reincarnation of Charles Oakley, without throwing the too-slick pass into the first rows. There is a confidence, not a swagger, but a sense that the young man knows where he is on the court. That quality, the same quality Bill Bradley describes in his book "Life on The Run" is what separates average basketball players from the herd.

Of course, Blair has his imperfections. They all do. But the Knicks desperately need to recruit and nuture leaders who can endure the inevitable tough times and hang tougher. I don't care about his height, the depth chart or the nitpickers who will find something to moan about in every young player. I want toughness. I want an enforcer who other teams are forced to account for and put at least two bodies on. In the immortal words of Diana Ross, "I want muscle."

Give me Blair.

If this was 1994 Id agree with you. The problem is Mike Dantoni wants Kyle Singler at PF
RIP Crushalot😞
JohnWallace44
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3/21/2009  12:43 PM
He really has to be Charles Barkley to work in the league. Maybe he's got handle, its hard to tell when he's posting up all the time. He showed a little bit of Barkley type ability in the UConn game.
Alan Hahn: Nate Robinson has been on a ridonkulous scoring tear lately (remember when he couldn't hit Jerome James with a Big Mac in early January?)
buddapaw
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3/21/2009  1:06 PM
Posted by misterearl:

The operative word is MAN.

exerpted from NBADraft.net:

"Strengths: Blair is a man with great girth He does what he looks like he should do C bang on the inside, grab rebounds, and with his 7'3" wingspan, anchor his team's interior defense ... Shows soft touch on his shot both with contact and from the line...Generally stays out of foul trouble, something especially impressive for someone of his size and propensity for contact. (pause for dramatic effect) Very competitive and eager to improve, there are no motivation question marks with him."

No motivation question marks - check.

A winner. (you had me at 7'3 wingspan) Seems to have a great rapport with his teammates and has already taken on somewhat of a leadership role as a freshman on the upperclassmen-led Pitt Panthers squad. Has a gregarious personality, a natural leader and strong clubhouse guy ...

"Natural leader" - double check

I could be sadly mistaken but Blair seems to own many of the best qualities of Elton Brand, and I like Elton Brand.

However, a discussion of Blair's skill set goes beyond the tangible statistics and even beyond his listed height at 6'6. I could care less. The operative word is "leadership". The fact he assumed a leadership stance as a freshman speaks volumes about the respect he fosters from teammates. I have a feeling the rookie hazing will be kept to a minimum.

Second, watching him over the weekend, there is a mature quality about Blair that would fit well in New York. I squinted and saw a faint reincarnation of Charles Oakley, without throwing the too-slick pass into the first rows. There is a confidence, not a swagger, but a sense that the young man knows where he is on the court. That quality, the same quality Bill Bradley describes in his book "Life on The Run" is what separates average basketball players from the herd.

Of course, Blair has his imperfections. They all do. But the Knicks desperately need to recruit and nuture leaders who can endure the inevitable tough times and hang tougher. I don't care about his height, the depth chart or the nitpickers who will find something to moan about in every young player. I want toughness. I want an enforcer who other teams are forced to account for and put at least two bodies on. In the immortal words of Diana Ross, "I want muscle."

Give me Blair.

This sir is a major issue
"Low Percentage Shots r US, these are our Knicks" "NY KNICKS the cure for basketball fanatic"
GoNyGoNyGo
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3/21/2009  2:17 PM
I am impressed by Blair. Is he coming out? If the Knicks get Blair, they can let Lee go for sure.
TMS
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3/21/2009  4:00 PM
is this guy really any different from Craig Smith of the T'Wolves?... 2nd round pick at best IMHO... i wouldn't waste no lottery pick on another undersized PF, i don't care how much girth he has... please, enough w/the Elton Brand comparisons, shall we?
After 7 years & 40K+ posts, banned by martin for calling Nalod a 'moron'. Awesome.
nyk4ever
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3/21/2009  4:05 PM
These types of guys rarely work out in the NBA. For every Elton Brand theres about 10 Michael Sweetneys.
"OMG - did we just go on a two-trade-wining-streak?" -SupremeCommander
GKFv2
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3/21/2009  4:06 PM
Posted by nyk4ever:

These types of guys rarely work out in the NBA. For every Elton Brand theres about 10 Michael Sweetneys.

What are you talking about man? I thought Sweetney was the next big thing?
Thank you, Rick Brunson.
nyk4ever
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3/21/2009  4:08 PM
Posted by GKFv2:
Posted by nyk4ever:

These types of guys rarely work out in the NBA. For every Elton Brand theres about 10 Michael Sweetneys.

What are you talking about man? I thought Sweetney was the next big thing?

Unfortunately, I was one of the ones who did think he was. I've since learned my lesson.
"OMG - did we just go on a two-trade-wining-streak?" -SupremeCommander
misterearl
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3/21/2009  5:14 PM
These types of guys rarely work out in the NBA.

nyk4ever - no doubt. Undersized, but rugged, dudes like Charles Barkley, Charles Oakley, Ben Wallace, Lucious Jackson, Gus Johnson, Wes Unseld, George McGinnis, Dave Cowens, Truck Robinson, Anthony Mason and Jason Maxiel rarely work out in the NBA.

"You're a very strange person."

No doubt. And I'm proud of it JrHustla

But there's more... here is The Answer Man's Top Ten Strange Things List

10. Dr. Strange

9. Jamal Wilkes jump shot

8. Mayonaisse on french fries. No, hold up, that's just plain nasty

7. The extra tat's on Wilson Chandler's neck

6. Cameo's lyrics to "She's Strange"

I like the way she walks
I like the way she talks
she turns me on with a special concern
now I'm a different guy
and I don't compare to many
but next to her I'm plain ordinary
Not many can see the light blue aura
that surrounds the girl wherever in the world
she's a 9, a 10 a 25th
she's bittersweet and .....

She's strange
and I like it
She's strange
Just the way she is
Strange
Walking down the avenue
She's strange
Always doing something new

5. Anchovies

4. Scott Kazmir for Victor Zambrano... no, hold up, that's just plain dumb...

3. Crop circles, people who thought the world was round, Tayshaun Prince

2. the fact the Amazon River runs in the opposite direction from every other body of water

1. President of The United States Barack Hussein Obama
once a knick always a knick
Ira
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3/22/2009  4:24 PM
Posted by JohnWallace44:

He really has to be Charles Barkley to work in the league. Maybe he's got handle, its hard to tell when he's posting up all the time. He showed a little bit of Barkley type ability in the UConn game.

Barkley was a good leaper. I don't think Blair is.
fishmike
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3/22/2009  5:18 PM
yes.. lets please build our team around a 6'7 center
"winning is more fun... then fun is fun" -Thibs
islesfan
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3/22/2009  5:42 PM
Posted by fishmike:

yes.. lets please build our team around a 6'7 center

He'll fit in great with the 5'7 shooting guard that you and others want to build our team around.
If it didn’t work in Phoenix with Nash and Stoutamire... it’s just not a winning formula. It’s an entertaining formula, but not a winning one. - Derek Harper talking about D'Antoni's System
misterearl
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3/22/2009  6:14 PM
"yes.. lets please build our team around a 6'7 center"

fishmike - the suggestion is to insert Blair at muscle forward for his leadership and toughness

(He can share the position with Chris Wilcox)

Next, find a young center in the mold of Marcus Camby

Wilson Chandler, who will only improve with experience and confidence, at skill forward

once a knick always a knick
misterearl
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3/22/2009  6:20 PM
Theme Music: "We're A Winner"

- Curtis Mayfield

"Very competitive and eager to improve, there are no motivation question marks with him."

A winner. Seems to have a great rapport with his teammates and has already taken on somewhat of a leadership role as a freshman on the upperclassmen. Has a gregarious personality, a natural leader and strong clubhouse guy ..."

what's not to like?

once a knick always a knick
Finestrg
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3/22/2009  6:21 PM
Sam Young was tremendous all game long for Pitt today and Lavance Fields was calm down the stretch and hit a couple of deep jumpers to help secure the win against Ok. State. But make no mistake about it, Blair got them this win today. Subpar game overall (esp. in the first half where he just never got involved) but without Blair just owning the paint down the stretch Pitt probably doesn't beat Ok. State. He showed us all why he's so valueable - he picked it up and went into beast mode when it counted, collecting every loose ball, every rebound down the stretch of the game...

Dream draft for me would be -- grab a big-time PG prospect like Maynor or Warren possibly Teague, and acquiring 2 additional picks further down and grab Sam Young, a very underrated wing talent and either some replacement size for David Lee or additional size to go along with Lee in either DeJuan Blair or Taj Gibson. Say Maynor, Young, Blair or Gibson.... That's a coup and a half right there if Donnie could ever pull that off. You're upgrading the PG spot for the future 10 fold, drafting a wing prospect who's probably as hard-nosed and talented as any in the draft (a slightly smaller version of Wilson Chandler & Michael Finley) and you expand & upgrade interior play with either a monster in the paint in Blair or if he's gone, a very complete two-way interior presence in Gibson. All of these guys are seasoned, NBA-ready players who could come in and help out right away. To me that's what this draft is all about - an opportunity to fill out your roster with plus talent. The big-time center prospect and the guaranteed star probably aren't there, save for maybe Blake Griffin who could be a star - the Knicks need to be smart and recognize that and max out this draft to just build a competitive roster by adding assets. To me that's the best thing they can do right now. Mutiple smart draft moves like that would immediately upgrade our overall talent base, improve our depth chart at almost every position across the board and also give us some nice flexibility to possibly do some other things that would've otherwise been impossible. DONNIE: THINK BROAD AND BIG! BE ACTIVE AND A BIG PLAYER IN THIS DRAFT!!!!
misterearl
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3/22/2009  6:37 PM
Finestrg - thank you



G Duhon - unless a significant upgrade at lead guard is available, no sidegrades please

G Hughes - holds down the off guard until further notice

F Chandler - give him the position and monitor his off season activity

F Wilcox - worth consideration playing next to a legit center

F Blair - muscle and leadership after one season

C Marcus Camby - whatever it takes to get a quality 6'11 in the middle

F Danilo Gallinari - fingers crossed

That's seven

once a knick always a knick
misterearl
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3/26/2009  3:30 PM
(cut and paste alert)

“Its freakish how well his feet move with that girth, that size of a butt,” said the former Pitt assistant Mike Rice, now the coach at Robert Morris. “The way that he uses it, it’s unfair.”

So how can a big backside be an asset? Look at 7-3 Hasheem Thabeet, who shared the conference player of the year award with Blair despite being overwhelmed in Pittsburgh’s two victories over UConn this season. Blair is eight inches shorter yet in their first matchup scored 17 more points and grabbed 19 more rebounds than Thabeet, who is listed at 263 pounds.

“Width can make up for size,” Pittsburgh Coach Jamie Dixon said.

Rice said that post play was all about balance. Players use head fakes, ball fakes and elbows to try to get their defender off balance. All Blair has to do is swing his hips.

“Hasheem Thabeet has such trouble with him because DeJuan is always knocking him off-balance with his derrière,” Rice said. “And he creates space so a 6-foot-7 guy can score on a 7-foot-3 guy.”

There are a few precedents for the mix of Blair’s body type and athleticism, but not many. Numerous coaches brought up Charles Barkley and Robert Traylor, known as Tractor. The Boston Globe basketball aficionado Bob Ryan compares him to Wes Unseld because of the combination of size and ability to burst up and snatch rebounds.

- Pete Thamel NYTimes
once a knick always a knick
misterearl
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3/26/2009  3:32 PM
Blair puts it this way: “It’s hard to get around my wide body. Why not push people out of the way with it?”
once a knick always a knick
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JohnWalllace Nailed It on Leadership - Now, Will the First Official Meeting of the DeJuan Blair Fan Club Please come to Order?
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