09 Draft: Backup PF answer?

[Fez Hammersticks]

Dejuan Blair is only 6'7" (270 lbs) but the guy is a monster. He is currently putting up 15 ppg and 13 rpg. NBA comparison: Paul Milsap/Anthony Mason.

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 ... Very soft hands Generally stays out of foul trouble, something especially impressive for someone of his size and propensity for contact 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-led Pitt Panthers squad. Has a gregarious personality, a natural leader and strong clubhouse guy Shows soft touch on his shot both with contact and from the line.

A tremendous number of Blair’s points still come as a result of his tireless work on the offensive glass. He by far and away ranks as the top offensive rebounder in our database (nearly 50% better than his nearest competitor) and is second only to Blake Griffin in total rebounds per game so far this season. The Pittsburgh native continues to show an amazing nose for the basketball, relying on his great positioning, freakish 7’3” wingspan and outstanding hustle to haul in six offensive rebounds per game. As was the case last season though, Blair is still hurt by his lack of explosiveness around the rim. He still gets a fair number of his put back attempts blocked or altered since he doesn’t elevate well. Granted, he has always done a great job of using his body to create space for a shot, but when talking about the NBA, simply creating contact won’t be enough to ensure a free look in the paint.

 

[La Bomba]

That picture isn't Blair by the way. It's Pitt's point guard, his name just slipped out of my mind. Blair is number 45 I think.

 

[Natebishop3]

Guys that size will always have trouble making the transition to the NBA at the power forward spot.

 

[BalancedMan]

Guys that size will always have trouble making the transition to the NBA at the power forward spot.

Charles Barkley?

 

[B-Roy]

Guys that size will always have trouble making the transition to the NBA at the power forward spot.

Carl Landy, Paul Millsap, Leon Powe...etc. etc.

Seems undersized power forwards are turning out quite well.

 

[Natebishop3]

Charles Barkley?

Oh yeah... cause Barkley is the norm...

 

[Natebishop3]

Carl Landy, Paul Millsap, Leon Powe...etc. etc.

Seems undersized power forwards are turning out quite well.

I didn't say undersized. I said his size. Millsap and Powe are 6'8 and about 30 lbs lighter, Landy is 6'9. Powe is averaging 6.8 points and 4.1 rebounds. Not exactly staggering.

 

[Natebishop3]

Here's another guy his size who put up good numbers in college

http://www.nba.com/playerfile/robert_traylor/

 

[number 10]

I didn't say undersized. I said his size. Millsap and Powe are 6'8 and about 30 lbs lighter, Landy is 6'9. Powe is averaging 6.8 points and 4.1 rebounds. Not exactly staggering.

we're talking about a backup PF, 6.8 points and 4.1 rebounds would be pretty good.

also, Millsap in his last season had 15.5 rebounds (40 min, pace adjusted), Blair at the moment is averaging 20.4. That's pretty impressive.

 

[Natebishop3]

we're talking about a backup PF, 6.8 points and 4.1 rebounds would be pretty good.

also, Millsap in his last season had 15.5 rebounds (40 min, pace adjusted), Blair at the moment is averaging 20.4. That's pretty impressive.

Yeah, but my point is, the guy is 6'7 270. He's short and fat for a big man. He can push around college level big men, but NBA bigs would eat him alive.

 

[Ed O]

 

[Ed O]

I've seen him listed at 6'6", 287 pounds, also.

His production is great this year, but if he's closer to 6'5" than 6'9", or if he's on the wrong side of 270? Man, he has an uphill battle...

Ed O.

 

[Natebishop3]

I've seen him listed at 6'6", 287 pounds, also.

His production is great this year, but if he's closer to 6'5" than 6'9", or if he's on the wrong side of 270? Man, he has an uphill battle...

Ed O.

My point exactly. I'm not saying he's not going to be good, I've never seen the guy play, but the odds are seriously stacked against him.

 

[number 10]

Yeah, but my point is, the guy is 6'7 270. He's short and fat for a big man. He can push around college level big men, but NBA bigs would eat him alive.

I'm not going to argue you there, neither of us have even seen him play, and scouting is the only way to predict how well a player with mediocre athleticism will make the transition from college to NBA. Still, there is a precedent of "undersized" big men with a great wingspan having successful NBA careers. If nothing else, a poor showing at the pre-draft measurements could drop him into the 2nd round, perfect for the Blazers.

I think the most important lesson here is that solid backup PFs are cheaply available in the bottom half of the draft, we'll just have to wait and see if Blair turns into this type of player or not.

 

[Natebishop3]

I'm not going to argue you there, neither of us have even seen him play, and scouting is the only way to predict how well a player with mediocre athleticism will make the transition from college to NBA. Still, there is a precedent of "undersized" big men with a great wingspan having successful NBA careers. If nothing else, a poor showing at the pre-draft measurements could drop him into the 2nd round, perfect for the Blazers.

I think the most important lesson here is that solid backup PFs are cheaply available in the bottom half of the draft, we'll just have to wait and see if Blair turns into this type of player or not.

Yeah, don't get me wrong. I would love to have a scrappy power forward who can rebound, play d, and score. I'm just skeptical of guys that size.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Jason Maxiell
6'5" w/o shoes
6'6.25" w/shoes​

Paul Milsap is 6'6.25" also. If you can play, you can play.

 

[Natebishop3]

Jason Maxiell
6'5" w/o shoes
6'6.25" w/shoes​

Paul Milsap is 6'6.25" also. If you can play, you can play.

And you're totally ignoring my point. It's not just his height. It's his height/weight ratio. The guy weighs 270+ lbs and he's listed at 6'7.

 

[MickZagger]

If were looking for a backup PF who can bring energy off the bench, collect rebounds and play tough we should look at Taj Gibson from USC. Another ideal player, but probably more of a starter guy is Patrick Patterson from Kentucky, about as good of a rebounder at his size as you can find. He kinda reminds me of Rodman, with an offensive game. Blair is a great hustle guy as well, he works really hard. But, as people have brought up in this thread he definitely is undersized.

 

[drexlersdad]

If were looking for a backup PF who can bring energy off the bench, collect rebounds and play tough we should look at Taj Gibson from USC. Another ideal player, but probably more of a starter guy is Patrick Patterson from Kentucky, about as good of a rebounder at his size as you can find. He kinda reminds me of Rodman, with an offensive game. Blair is a great hustle guy as well, he works really hard. But, as people have brought up in this thread he definitely is undersized.

patterson is mocked to go in the lotto right now. surprised you didnt say heytvelt!

 

[MickZagger]

Heytvelt won't have a successful NBA career unless he learns to play better in the post. I can't think of a better outside shooting big man in college right now though. He shows flashes of his athleticism, but nullifies it by playing so far away from the basket. He'll be a 2nd round pick.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

16 pts 18 rebs tonight for Blair. The guy is a beast on the boards.

 

[MARIS61]

Backup PF is still our big hole, as it has been since Zach left and LaMarcus started.

I hope we continue to build through the draft, and not trade for a vet.

 

[craigehlo]

I hope we continue to build through the draft, and not trade for a vet.

For real?

Rebuilding phase is over. We need to acquire guys that have the smarts to fit into the system and be ready to play on their first day here.

Brandon Bass could be a solid, cheap option this summer if we have cap room.

 

[Natebishop3]

For real?

Rebuilding phase is over. We need to acquire guys that have the smarts to fit into the system and be ready to play on their first day here.

Brandon Bass could be a solid, cheap option this summer if we have cap room.

Maris wants to bake the cake for another five to six years.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Undersized big man with a tremendous wingspan. Outworks the competition regularly inside the post thanks to his fantastic motor, toughness and intensity level. Arguably the best rebounder in college basketball. A tremendous interior defender who is terrific at getting in the passing lanes. Extremely efficient and highly productive offensively as well. Sticks to his strengths and will battle inside all day—especially on the offensive glass. Still needs to improve his perimeter skills, both offensively and defensively, is somewhat of a man amongst boys at the collegiate level.

-DX

He's a Sophomore, mind you. Have any of you watched Pitt this season? The guy is a beast! He's like Paul Milsap in the body of a young Jahidi White. Despite his height, I think he'll end up being a lotto pick this summer.

 

[MAS RipCity]

Blair would e coo, but I still want Psycho T

 

[sabas4mvp]

ike diogu was an undersized pf in college and he dominated for ASU... look where he is now.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

I was one of the first on the Blair bandwagon!

With Minnesota trading for another pick, their target is obviously Ricky Rubio.

Now that the Rubio-to-Portland balloon popped, I hope KP can bring Blair to Portland.

 

[Haakzilla]

That picture isn't Blair by the way. It's Pitt's point guard, his name just slipped out of my mind. Blair is number 45 I think.

...either the picture got changed or your're blind???

I prefer Bass or Blair for the back-up PF spot, but I am not so sure that they will be available to KP...

 

[Wizard Mentor]

What I like about Blair as a backup PF is that Backup PF is probably the easiest position for a rookie to transition into the offense. If we got a starting rookie PG, things would be rough for a while.

Clearly, Blair has skills we want.