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DeJuan Blair

Home ▸ Archive ▸ Pro Sports ▸ DeJuan Blair
thedynasty1998's avatar

thedynasty1998

Senior Member

6,844 posts
Jan 14, 2010 9:30 AM
I was a huge fan of his last year in college, and really thought he would be a good pro. When I started hearing the projections that he would be around when Cavs picked, I hoped they would pick him, because I thought he would be an instant contributor.

Well last night he had 28 points and 21 rebounds and is averaging 7 ppg and 6 rpg on the year.

Does anyone else think the Cavs really missed on him? And what are your thoughts on him as a pro?
Jan 14, 2010 9:30am
j_crazy's avatar

j_crazy

7 gram rocks. how i roll.

8,372 posts
Jan 14, 2010 9:34 AM
you forgot to mention he's averaging 7 pts 6 reb in 16 minutes. Yes the cavs whiffed (as usual) but don't worry, they saved som money so they can sign no one in the off chance that LBJ leaves.
Jan 14, 2010 9:34am
bases_loaded's avatar

bases_loaded

Senior Member

6,912 posts
Jan 14, 2010 10:28 AM
The same Cavaliers team that has the best record in the NBA right now? I think they are doing ok with what they have and will make a trade here soon to make them even better. Just saying.
Jan 14, 2010 10:28am
thedynasty1998's avatar

thedynasty1998

Senior Member

6,844 posts
Jan 14, 2010 11:23 AM
Every team can get better. The Lakers won the Championship and signed Artest.

So, the best record in the NBA is useless.
Jan 14, 2010 11:23am
j_crazy's avatar

j_crazy

7 gram rocks. how i roll.

8,372 posts
Jan 14, 2010 11:25 AM
they had the best regular season record last year. didn't make the finals. blair makes this team better.
Jan 14, 2010 11:25am
Laley23's avatar

Laley23

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29,506 posts
Jan 14, 2010 11:37 AM
The only downsize if he may not play more than 3-5 good years on those knees. I think a team like the Cavs could have benefitted greatly NOW from him. But his knees are going to give soon.
Jan 14, 2010 11:37am
bases_loaded's avatar

bases_loaded

Senior Member

6,912 posts
Jan 14, 2010 12:43 PM
thedynasty1998 wrote: Every team can get better. The Lakers won the Championship and signed Artest.

So, the best record in the NBA is useless.
And the cavs got rid of a bunch of bench cloggers and got Shaq to beat Boston, LA, and Orlando...
Jan 14, 2010 12:43pm
thedynasty1998's avatar

thedynasty1998

Senior Member

6,844 posts
Jan 14, 2010 12:48 PM
DeJuan Blair is close to the same thing as Shaq at this point in their careers. Blair would have given them a threat on the block and a very good rebounder.

And I don't know why people think Shaq helps the Cavs beat the Magic. Maybe Boston and LA, but not Orlando. Orlando exposed the Cavs with the pick and roll, don't think Shaq is a good pick and roll defender.
Jan 14, 2010 12:48pm
bases_loaded's avatar

bases_loaded

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6,912 posts
Jan 14, 2010 2:27 PM
thedynasty1998 wrote: DeJuan Blair is close to the same thing as Shaq at this point in their careers. Blair would have given them a threat on the block and a very good rebounder.

And I don't know why people think Shaq helps the Cavs beat the Magic. Maybe Boston and LA, but not Orlando. Orlando exposed the Cavs with the pick and roll, don't think Shaq is a good pick and roll defender.
With Shaq the Cavs negate Dwight Howard with one guy. In the only game they have played this year he was in foul trouble early and finished with 11 points and 7 rebounds and the Cavs won by 9.
Jan 14, 2010 2:27pm
E

Elliot Stabler

Banned

388 posts
Jan 14, 2010 2:28 PM
bases_loaded wrote:
thedynasty1998 wrote: Every team can get better. The Lakers won the Championship and signed Artest.

So, the best record in the NBA is useless.
And the cavs got rid of a bunch of bench cloggers and got Shaq to beat Boston, LA, and Orlando...
Too bad that isn't going to happen
Jan 14, 2010 2:28pm
thedynasty1998's avatar

thedynasty1998

Senior Member

6,844 posts
Jan 14, 2010 2:40 PM
bases_loaded wrote:
With Shaq the Cavs negate Dwight Howard with one guy. In the only game they have played this year he was in foul trouble early and finished with 11 points and 7 rebounds and the Cavs won by 9.
[/quote]

There is no way you actually believe that. First off, Dwight Howard makes a living by playing the pick and roll. He gets his guy out of position and gets rebounding position. Most of his points come off of rebounds.

Secondly, Shaq is not even in the same category as Dwight Howard anymore. He's a body to guard Howard which the Cavs didn't really have last year, but Howard would eat Shaq alive if they play one on one on him for an entire series.
Jan 14, 2010 2:40pm
jordo212000's avatar

jordo212000

Senior Member

10,664 posts
Jan 14, 2010 2:44 PM
Blair has been a nice surprise. But he was kind of a gamble. Who actually thinks a 6'6'' PF with no ACLs is going to have much success?
Jan 14, 2010 2:44pm
thedynasty1998's avatar

thedynasty1998

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6,844 posts
Jan 14, 2010 3:40 PM
jordo212000 wrote: Blair has been a nice surprise. But he was kind of a gamble. Who actually thinks a 6'6'' PF with no ACLs is going to have much success?
I understand that, and that's why he slipped. But the Cavs drafted some guy that is over in Congo. They are obviously rolling the dice on him, and they didn't expect him to contribute at all this year. So they basically said they are not using the draft to improve their chances of winning a championship and hopefully keeping Lebron.

Even if Blair was a bust, he is still on the roster and you are not paying him a bunch of money drafting him at the bottom of the first round.

IMO, the risks were minimal compared to the potential reward.

Hell, they have Jawad Williams playing some at the 4 right now.
Jan 14, 2010 3:40pm
hoops23's avatar

hoops23

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15,696 posts
Jan 14, 2010 3:48 PM
So much ignorance in this thread, I can't even comment because it'll be a waste of time.
Jan 14, 2010 3:48pm
D

devil1197

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6,220 posts
Jan 14, 2010 3:59 PM
Once again, no we did not miss out on him because he isn't the type of player the Cavaliers need right now.

They need a shooting PF that can stretch the floor or a young C to replace the aging Shaq/Z for the future. Since Blair isn't a stretch PF and he isn't a C at 6'7 there isn't a need for him.

thedynasty, you obviously know nothing behind the Cavs drafting this season.
Jan 14, 2010 3:59pm
thedynasty1998's avatar

thedynasty1998

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6,844 posts
Jan 14, 2010 4:06 PM
I don't really know about the draft. But from my understanding they drafted the guy from Congo knowing he wouldn't be on the roster this year. They don't have to pay him and therefore create cap space to sign someone like Shaq. I don't know if it's that simple or if there's more to it.

Although Blair is 6'7" he could play some center. And you could always play him with Z. Then you have the outside shooting big and a presence on the block.

Verajao isn't a shooting PF and either is Hickson, so I'm not exactly sure what you are saying. I don't disagree with you that that's what the Cavs need, but based on their personnel it's not something they have attempted to do.
Jan 14, 2010 4:06pm
thedynasty1998's avatar

thedynasty1998

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6,844 posts
Jan 14, 2010 4:08 PM
LTrain23 wrote: So much ignorance in this thread, I can't even comment because it'll be a waste of time.
Please explain. I'm not going to pretend like I'm a diehard Cavs or NBA fan. But in college I watched Blair often and always came away more and more impressed. Hell Okafor went in the top 3 or whatever, and Blair absolutely abused him every time they played.

Do you not think the Cavs missed on Blair? Do you not think he would make the Cavs a better team?

Honest questions, because I know you are a Cavs fan and would probaby know more so than I.
Jan 14, 2010 4:08pm
D

devil1197

Senior Member

6,220 posts
Jan 14, 2010 4:13 PM
Exactly, AV and Hickson aren't shooting PF's so why would you go draft another one? Cleveland knew what it was doing and now they have the pieces to go out and get a Jamison type player to fill the final piece.

AV may not be flashy but he brings way more to the table than Blair does right now and he wouldn't even touch his minutes imo. The guy has been clutch on the defensive end so many times this year (LA, ATL, and just recently POR to name a few) along with providing enough scoring off the bench where he is the most comfortable as a player.

Blair hasn't set the world on fire either, comparable minutes to JJ both average 7 ppg with Blair getting more boards because he doesn't have guys like Shaq/LeBron/AV going after them only Tim. Blair's numbers wouldn't improve simply because he wouldn't get anymore minutes playing on the Cavaliers.
Jan 14, 2010 4:13pm
Azubuike24's avatar

Azubuike24

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15,933 posts
Jan 14, 2010 4:14 PM
Okay, sorry to say, but Emeka Okafor never played against DaJuan Blair in college.

I think you mean Hasheem Thabeet. He also went as high as he did because he's 7'3 with a very high ceiling.
Jan 14, 2010 4:14pm
hoops23's avatar

hoops23

Senior Member

15,696 posts
Jan 14, 2010 4:14 PM
Look, Blair is a very solid player.. I'm not saying that.

However, we already have 4 similar players to DaJuan Blair in Andy, Leon, JJ, and Shaq...

Shaq was brought in to combat the size of other teams like LA and Orlando.. Look at our two games this season against Orlando and LA. Dwight Howard was SHUT DOWN. Shaq had him in foul trouble 8 minutes into the game. LA? Our size and physicality killed them inside. Shaq is essential to this team winning a championship, there is NO doubt about that.

The Cavs only need is a stretch 4.

The Cavs picked Kid Congo, not only based on potential, but based off that fact that they didn't want another guaranteed contract sitting on the bench. We are waaaay over the salary cap, so any way they can save a few bucks and a roster space for a future trade to drastically improve this team, they'll do.

Also, Jawad isn't really playing the 4. He's playing the 3 in place of Moon, who is sitting out a couple of weeks with a strained groin...
Jan 14, 2010 4:14pm
G

goldengonzo

Senior Member

140 posts
Jan 14, 2010 4:17 PM
In the Cavs' defense, whenever you have the opportunity to draft a player from Congo who played in the Spain's equivalent of the NBDL, you just hafta take him.
Jan 14, 2010 4:17pm
thedynasty1998's avatar

thedynasty1998

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6,844 posts
Jan 14, 2010 4:37 PM
Some very good points made and I understand the Cavs side of it. Although I'm not sold on Vargejao being the contributor he's made out to be.

And I strongly agree on the Shaq comments. I think he's huge in the postseason. I just hope he's able to rest enough through the regular season to still have something in the tank come postseason. But Dwight Howard is much better than Shaq and although he was in foul trouble, you can't rely on that.

I think if the Cavs make it to the finals against the Lakers Shaq plays a huge part. He can shut down Bynum and really bring a strong presence to the paint.
Jan 14, 2010 4:37pm
j_crazy's avatar

j_crazy

7 gram rocks. how i roll.

8,372 posts
Jan 14, 2010 5:03 PM
call me crazy but if the kids good enough to play in the NBA at all, why let him stay in the Congo where the coaches aren't nearly as good? how will he ever develop if he has sub par coaching? you're saying he was drafted because of his physical attributes and potential, but I got $100 says he never suits up for the cavs.
Jan 14, 2010 5:03pm
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devil1197

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6,220 posts
Jan 14, 2010 5:23 PM
thedynasty1998 wrote: Some very good points made and I understand the Cavs side of it. Although I'm not sold on Vargejao being the contributor he's made out to be.

And I strongly agree on the Shaq comments. I think he's huge in the postseason. I just hope he's able to rest enough through the regular season to still have something in the tank come postseason. But Dwight Howard is much better than Shaq and although he was in foul trouble, you can't rely on that.

I think if the Cavs make it to the finals against the Lakers Shaq plays a huge part. He can shut down Bynum and really bring a strong presence to the paint.
Howard doesn't have the offensive skill set to dominate against Shaq. He cannot shoot and relies on raw power and athleticism to just push straight through guys. He cannot do that against Shaq and won't do it in a 7 game series.

AV is probably the 3rd most important player on the Cavalier roster outside of LeBron and Williams.
Jan 14, 2010 5:23pm
sleeper's avatar

sleeper

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Jan 14, 2010 5:45 PM
j_crazy wrote: call me crazy but if the kids good enough to play in the NBA at all, why let him stay in the Congo where the coaches aren't nearly as good? how will he ever develop if he has sub par coaching? you're saying he was drafted because of his physical attributes and potential, but I got $100 says he never suits up for the cavs.
Because the Cavs are trying to win now, and at pick #30 there wasn't anyone that was going to contribute that was worth a guaranteed contract. The kid from Congo may never pan out, but does it really matter if he does? This isn't the NFL, where at #30 you can pick up a decent player that can help your franchise, the NBA only has about 5-10 guys each draft that could make an immediate impact.

Now, DaJuan Blair may be having a decent season, but he wouldn't find his way into the rotation and essentially would be sitting on the bench with his guaranteed contract wasting a roster spot. His position is covered nicely by Shaq, Z, V, Hickson, and at times even LBJ.
Jan 14, 2010 5:45pm