Blatche rumors won't die
Andray Blatche is easily the most talented player left in the free agent pool. Obviously talent isn't the only thing that goes in to signing a player, especially for a team like the San Antonio Spurs who actively search for non-knuckleheads.
Despite Blatche being a "non-Spur" type of player, both parties continue to be brought up together, whether it's by ESPN's Marc Stein, Blatche himself or lesser-known NBA scribes. Is this a "where there's smoke there's fire" situation or an exercise in some August boredom in the NBA circles?
There's a couple of reasons why the Blatche rumors might have some legs. First, is the practical reason that the Spurs are thin on the front line. Second, the Spurs are right in the middle of figuring out their training camp roster and it's entirely possible they're thinking about offering him a make good contract similar to the one James Anderson just agreed to with Atlanta. Third, it's entirely possible the Spurs think Blatche is too good to pass up for cheap money. It's not normally the Spurs style, but stranger things have happened.
The third reason needs to be examined because frankly, we've discussed the Spurs' frontline ad nauseam. In doing more research on Blatche, he might fit better on the court than you'd initially think. First off, I'm throwing out last year for Blatche much like many of us threw out Boris Diaw's season. He was in a bad situation, with a coach he either didn't like or didn't respect (or both) and he quit on his team. I'm not defending his actions, I'm merely saying Diaw's a very recent example of a player who's character and conditioning were questioned before he got to San Antonio and things turned out alright.
As for Blatche, If you're an ESPN Insider and visit John Hollinger's player breakdown there's a part of his Blatche summary that jumps out. The first bullet point reads "jump-shooting big man miscast as go-to guy. Struggles to create quality looks." Playing alongside JaVale McGee made Blatche the only low post scoring option for the Wizards. On the Spurs, he wouldn't ever be a go-to guy.
The Spurs ball movement would also solve the "struggles to create quality looks" as long as someone can explain floor spacing to him. NBA.com's Advanced Stats shows us he can pass a little and that he spends the bulk of his time on offense either in the paint right by the basket or out in the mid-range. That would mean he's able to play with just about any of the other Spurs bigs.
This isn't an endorsement of the Spurs signing Andray Blatche, just more of a look at how he might fit with the other pieces around him. Of course there's always those pesky character issues to consider, so who knows if Blatche would actually be a good fit in San Antonio. We'll wait before a credible rumor crosses our desk before diving much deeper in to this topic.
I say Gregg Oden bring him along slowly so he can adjust to the playing basketball again. In the meantime go after Darko or that Brazilian center, one of those guys paired with Oden & Duncan,Splitter could be a decent front line don't know if that could happen but from what I've read they could come cheap.
@ZILLA 99% chance Oden doesnt even attempt to play this year, and more likely than not to never play significant mins in NBA ever again. Imo he's 10x the gamble of a Blatche
I am not to sure I would be willing to dismiss a player like Blair so easily-He is quick strong & plays small ball well-for a team to be truely of champenship caliber it must be well rounded out to have the flexibily to ajust to different circumstances. I agree that Blair is not the type of big that is needed to compete with teams that play large ball but I think he is very affective in certain type of games & he (Blair)helps give the spurs more options. I think a multi dimensional team is far more dangerous then one that is not.
@jhhein I doubt many would say he has NO skills and CAN'T contribute. But it seems to me that he is just too big a liability to get PT in the POs. Just too small and no shot outside of 3 feet, and absolutely can't cover a real big with some skills. I'm fine with him starting the season on the team, but unless he makes considerable improvements, he is absolutely expendable
@Spursfan66 @jhhein I really like the way the team is composed-I think the spurs are one good athletic big away from from scaring the willy geelies out of the rest of the league.(might consider trading one player but it isn t Blair).
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@jhhein I agree that big is pretty key to advancing. Thing is with Blair is that he's already been on block since draft. His improvement has been virtually nil in his 1st 3 yrs. (ya, he had a few more ppg last yr but regressed in RPG so it was a wash) In my mind it just comes down to who is most likely to contribute when it counts (playoffs and crunch time games) Blair has gotten no burn in those situations for a reason. Most likely candidates for a trade are him, Neal, or Jax (expiring deal) Writing seems to be on the wall for DJB, and only HE can turn it around. I just dont see him making the stride suddenly in year 4. I actually hope he does, but obviously, I have next to no faith in him left.
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for the right price, I don't see why you wouldn't sign him... It might be better than having a guy like james anderson just riding the bench. we'll make the spot for a big that can crack our lineup, and we all saw what happened in the western conference finals when timmy stepped off the court and tiago was left to man the paint on the defensive end himself. we need help in the frontcourt and I don't know if anyone has looked at available bigs but they dont grow on trees. Like I said for the right price and a good change in blatche's approach and attitude might do some good.
Tempting, but all teams in the nba have passed on this guy, including the Heat who need a big as well.
He was benched for being out of shape last year and has a lot of baggage as well (he's the lapdance Tuesday guy).
Lamar Odom looked like a great pickup for the Mavs last year. My concern is Blatche could do the same to the Spurs. Something is up with this guy. He's more of a chance than he appears to be.
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@jh, liveND, 66: Good posts. I think we're all in agreement we need some big. I know the Spurs are still working guys out, so at least they are trying. We'll see what happens.
@matta1 lol ya matta, our resident "insider" on mysa is pretty much the only guy claiming we dont need a big. And i appreciate your takes too
@matta1 matta, it is still better than nothing... Odom had too many chances, and Dallas is not like the SPURS in training camp with their players!
@LiveNDie inLA @matta1 Looks like AJ is meeting with him in houston and may get him to Nets. I think it would be a terrible choice for him..too many distractions, young team, inexperienced coach. Hopefully Lucas will advise him against Nets.
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@LiveNDie inLA @matta1 Unfortunately hes more likely to get more PT in NJ than SA though, and I think that's one of his main goals
Great point,does make you wonder why-Lets have faith the spurs do their homework & make the right choice.
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If Blatche is taken in, who will he replace, Blair? Here I go again inviting the attention of "you know who". But really with Blatche in the lineup (if ever), the position of Blair becomes untenable. He becomes a redundant guy. Sad to say, he is an undersized guy who plays a game of the giants, pf/c. Anyway, go ahead coach POP, GM Buford take the chance on Blatche. Its only $ he may turn out ok.
@rtesoro440 lol are you afraid rt? Have you not heard Blair has been on the block since the draft? Funny how you said he must prove himself before spurs consider him, now just say go for it.lol Maybe you CAN learn...
I thought YOU would react HAREBRAIN. No one is taking the Spurs seriously about trading Blair. Even if they wanted to, there are no takers. As I repeatedly said, he is undersized for a pf/c and how he performed. Isn't there ANY GRAY MATTER BETWEEN YOUR EARS? THICK SKULL!
@rtesoro440 Hmm rt..AB signs a NON guaranteed MINIMUM deal just as I said he would..so much for your mo money, mo money theories..lol
@rtesoro440 lol I LOVE that you have to resort to juvenile hissy-fits rt. I also LOVE that you think you actually know what other teams think about Blair etc. You don't even know how the cap works in simplest terms, yet you claim to know what every team in NBA thinks about a player? Here are the facts..Blair does NOT have to have his contract guaranteed until around January, so Spurs CAN AFFORD to be patient and see what some team may give for him as season unfolds. It would also NOT hurt the Spurs to see how he responds and if he really has improved as he says he has with the summer work and weight loss. And I'm SURE you don't know it, but MANY players tend to play MUCH better in contract years as he is in now. It ALSO would help his trade value if Spurs throw him out there and he responds well. WHY would they just cut him now if they DON"T EVEN NEED HIS ROSTER SPOT? And his TINY contract does NOT make any difference in what Spurs can pay ANOTHER GUY? With or without Blair, SPURS CAN ONLY PAY ANOTHER PLAYER A MINIMUM DEAL!!!
Now if YOU actually had any brains, you would understand this after having it explained to you MANY TIMES..lol
Insert your next tantrum below...LMAO
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Well if the Spurs fix him up, he will be the biggest reslamation project in NBA history.
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I think that SA might be after one of the bigs that will be aviable next summer(free agancy) & this might be a factor that is coming into play in what they are planning to do.
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Don't know why they are now playing the waiting game, just sign him along with Greg Oden.
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Well put I must say. A make good offer might just be the ticket to re-invent this still man as a person and as a professional. There would be no real outlets for his Tom-Foolery with the likes of TD, and other veterans around him. He could remain in a secondary role offensively and defensively alleviating any real pressure. Just show willingness to work, learn, follow. Yes Sir Pop...No Sir Pop. Preseason camp is low profile enough and Pop makes it enough of a grind I'm sure. It would be sufficient scenario to make a decision by end of camp, and besides its not a financial burden at all. Go for it RC and Pop!!!
