In the 2009 NBA Draft, the San Antonio Spurs wasted no time in selecting DeJuan Blair when he fell in their lap at the 37th overall pick. Other teams passed up on him despite being projected as a lottery pick due to concerns about his ACL-less knees and being undersized at the power-forward position.

The Spurs took a gamble and believed in Blair when they locked him up with a multi-year contract. Looking back at Blair's rookie season campaign, it's safe to say the Spurs made the right decision.

Blair averaged 7.8 points and 6.4 rebounds while shooting 55.5% from the field in just 18.2 minutes of playing time in 82 games.

He started 23 games in the regular season where his numbers improved to 8.8 points, 8.4 rebounds and 56.3% field goal shooting in 23.6 minutes of action. If we use his per-minute stats his numbers will be more impressive -- 20.5 points and 16.9 boards per 48 minutes. Talk about a steal in the draft!

But in basketball, while stats are looked at to measure players' performance, there are a lot of intangibles to be considered.

There is no doubt that Blair had a good rookie year. He made it to the Rookie All-Star Game where he should have won the M.V.P. trophy but more importantly, he played a key role in the Spurs' rotation.

However, there are still areas of his game where he can improve.

On offense needs to improve his free-throw shooting. He shot a woeful 54.6% from the foul line in 82 regular season games. He also need to develop a mid-range jump shot and back-to-the-basket moves to make him more dangerous in the post.

In his rookie season, Blair relied on cutting to the basket and making put backs that showed he knows how to use his bulk and wingspan to get around the basket and grab some boards. Adding more to his offensive arsenal will make him a better all-around player and should be harder to stop in the post.

On defense, he is giving up a lot of height which causes him to commit more fouls. Also his lack of lateral quickness is a reason why he misses defensive rotations that makes him less effective on the floor and a liability on defense. Blair may need to lose some weight to make him quicker and he has to fully understand the Spurs' defensive principles to be an effective defender.

The off-season training could help him. He will not attend the 2010 Las Vegas Summer league but will have an individualized off-season training.

He has the right attitude towards the game, is hungry to learn and a hard worker. If he can improve on those things mentioned above, then expect a better second season for Blair.

It's no secret that most new Spurs players play better during their second year. George Hill is a testament to that. If this holds true for Blair, then things are going to be better for number 45 next season.

What are your thoughts? Are there other areas where Blair can improve to be a better player? Leave us your comments.

According to Newsday, Spurs' guard Tony Parker has said that he'd like to be traded if George Hill is given the starting point-guard job.

The Knicks have explored a few options, including Spurs point guard Tony Parker, who has told confidants that he would like to be traded if San Antonio goes with George Hill as the starter.

That's probably about the last thing I would have expected from Parker, considering he's always been very positive about Hill's growth.

Parker may not have to wait till the season starts to request his trade. He's been mentioned in several trade rumors leading up to the NBA Draft tomorrow.

According to elcorreo.com, El Baskonia will offer Tiago Splitter a contract which will run until 2015:

Ante la más que posible marcha a la NBA de una pieza básica en su entramado, el club vitoriano va a realizar un último esfuerzo por retener al capitán azulgrana con una propuesta de ampliación de contrato hasta 2015.

Fantastic news for Spurs fans huh?

Again, the San Antonio Spurs can offer Splitter the full mid-level exception which would be considerably less than what his current team probably will offer him. I'm sure Spurs fans will be hoping he passes up on a pay-day to play in the NBA. Stay tuned.

Also, Splitter spoke on his possible move to the NBA and the Spurs.

According to noticiasdealava.com, he states it is up to the Spurs and how interested they are in bringing him over:

Depende de que haya un interés real por parte de San Antonio en este momento, que son los que tienen mis derechos en la NBA. Todo depende de ellos.

With all signs pointing to the San Antonio Spurs 2007 NBA Draft pick, Tiago Splitter, coming to play for the Spurs next season, things are looking good for the team and the anticipation among Spurs fans is climbing.

But will the Spurs have to dig deep into their pockets to sway Splitter to making a concrete decision to make the move to the NBA?

According to an NBA exec, the Spurs will have to offer at least a five-year deal worth $25 to $30 million dollars.

But an exec of a Spurs rival tells the paper that the team will have to offer at least a five-year contract that is worth between $25 million and $30 million to get him to make the move.

There is no doubt Splitter has a stellar resume playing overseas. MVP honors and championships. But if what the exec has to say is true, should the Spurs dish out that kind of money for an unproven NBA player?

(source Express-News)

With Steve Kerr soon leaving the Phoenix Suns' position as General Manager, the Suns have been granted permission (per ESPN's Ric Bucher) to speak with Spurs' current assistant general manager Dennis Lindsey to replace Kerr once he leaves.

The Phoenix Suns have been granted permission to talk to San Antonio Spurs assistant general manager Dennis Lindsey about being their next GM on the condition they wait until after Thursday's draft, league sources said Tuesday.

It seems the Suns really want to be like the Spurs. This wouldn't be the first time, the Suns dipped into the Spurs organization. Aside from Kerr, they also hired former Spurs' assistant coach, Alvin Gentry as their head coach.

I guess imitation is the best form of flattery.

With all signs pointing to San Antonio Spurs' 2007 NBA draft pick, Tiago Splitter, coming to the team next season, Spurs fans will finally get to see what he can do in the NBA as well as Spurs' guard Manu Ginobili.

Here is what Ginobili had to say about Splitter in an interview with the San Antonio Express-News:

"I've heard he's developed his game so much over the past couple of years," Ginobili, himself an international icon with Argentina, said Tuesday. "I'm dying to see him. I'd love to see him play with us."

Add Ginobili to the list of those eager to see Splitter wear the Spurs jersey after he was drafted three years ago.

Why wait for the NBA Draft on Thursday to find out who the San Antonio Spurs select?

The NBA bloggers here are Bloguin got together and did a mock draft. Here is who the Spurs selected with the 20th pick by Ed from Bloguin's own NBADraftBlog.com:

#20 - San Antonio

With the 20th pick in the NBA Draft, the San Antonio Spurs select Avery
Bradley.

At this point, the Spurs just go with the best available player.  Bradley could have gone has high as the lottery, so to get him at #20 is a steal. He will be groomed to eventually take over for Tony Parker and allows the Spurs to shop George Hill while his stock is at its highest.  In the meantime, Bradley can backup both guard positions.

Interesting. He passed up on players such as Damion James, and Larry Sanders. Also, interesting to note a big-man wasn't drafted. Perhaps it wasn't needed with all signs pointing to Tiago Splitter coming to the Spurs.

As for Bradley, he is a 6'3" guard and played with the Texas Longhorns averaging 11.6 points, 2.1 assists, and shot 43.2% from the field in 2009-2010.

To see the complete mock draft, click HERE.

Just a few days remain until the 2010 NBA Draft arrives and the San Antonio Spurs will be selecting at number 20 and 49, and the Spurs are still working out players.

According to the American Chronicle, Clay Tucker will be working out with the Spurs:

"I have a tryout with (NBA) Washington this week, then one with the Cavs," Tucker said. "I also have one with San Antonio. I'll see if I have a legitimate chance to make a club. If not, I'll go back to Spain. It's a win-win situation."

Tucker has been playing in Barcelona, Spain, including last year playing for DKV Joventut Badalona in the professional ACB League.

Tucker is a 6'5" guard who averaged 16.2 points, shot 41% form the field, 41.3% from the three-point line, 81.5% form the free-throw line, and 3.4 assists with DKV Joventut in 2009-2010.

Though he has not participated in any pre-draft workouts for the San Antonio Spurs, there is quite a bit of Internet chatter about the possibility of Texas Longhorn star forward Damion James becoming a Spur on Thursday.

In their mock draft, The Sporting News says this:

20. San Antonio. Damion James, SF, Texas. The Spurs would like to move up to get a solid wing player like Paul George or Xavier Henry but, failing that, James would help fill their small-forward need.

For those of you that don't bleed burnt orange, James has been a four year starter for The University of Texas at Austin. He is 6'7" 225 lbs. with an athletic, muscular frame. Though he was a very successful small to power-forward for the Longhorns, he will be a little undersized in the NBA and doesn't come in with a real position niche. That being said, James has made a real statement at Texas and was a genuine leader on a very good basketball team.

He has also left his mark for posterity, becoming the Big XII all-time leader in rebounding in 2010. A conference with the nation's highest RPI last season. Not an easy feat. Last season he averaged a double-double for Texas with 18 points and 10.3 rebounds per game. In his four years for the Longhorns he has never averaged less than 25 minutes per game, so he is battle tested and has proven consistency. He has even showed a lot of success from the three-point line, shooting over 38% in the 2009-2010 season. He was the guy you want to have the ball with the game on the line if you were a Longhorn fan.

Draft Express has said this about the Texas star:

James has the personality that Spurs fans have come to expect from its stars. He has no penchant for the spotlight, bypassing the NBA Draft as a junior to return to the 'Horns for a chance to improve his game and take one more shot at the NCAA Final Four. He doesn't pound his chest, get in fights, talk back to coaches, or make controversial comments to the media. He just plays basketball and lets his performance speak for itself.

For a fan base that has come to value personalities such as David Robinson, Tim Duncan, and Manu Ginobili I think Damion James will fit right in.

The 2010 NBA Draft is this Thursday and San Antonio Spurs' guard, Manu Ginobili, weighed in on the Spurs and the draft and feels the team made a good choice in 1999 with the 57th pick.