Can someone tell me why Dejuan Blair is hardly even playing anymore??

[PittPoker]

I just looked at his stats for this season, guy hardly gets in and is averaging 1 pt a game!!!

I mean, I realize he is not elite elite but he has had plenty of solid nice games in his NBA career. I am sure he can't be happy in Washington and needs a different team. What is going on with him?? Am I missing something??

I think there would be a few teams that could use him and would be playing him a lot more.

 

[TheDeanofPgh]

I have been wondering the same exact thing.

He is somewhat effective when he plays as well.
You would think he would've improved since his Spurs/Mavs days when he was receiving consistent minutes.
The NBA is going the small ball route, which ideally, would make his skill set more valued.

 

[Ski11585]

I admit I haven't followed him that closely but I remember Pop having some issues with his weight/work ethic while he was with the Spurs.

 

[KiwiJeff]

I think at one point his conditioning was called into question. Also, defensively, he is just not able to stop guys who are so much taller than him, and he only has a centers skills so they can't move him down to 4 or 3. Guys routinely shot over him, and a lot of NBA centers can hit jumpers, and he cannot contest those. I think he is pretty easy to game plan against for most NBA teams.

 

[Pittbaseball11]

Not a good fit for today's NBA. Undersized, can't space the floor, not a rim protector.

Teams are playing smallball more frequently but it's to get skill at more spots on the floor. Blair doesn't offer that.

 

[R-M-U-h-o-o-p-s-f-a-n]

Not a good fit for today's NBA. Undersized, can't space the floor, not a rim protector.

But... He could go to the Philadelphia 76ers and get 15 min a game off the bench. Might even get them a win!

Lol

 

[Ski11585]

Yeah, defense is a big one. Compare him to Draymond, who is also listed at 6'7" but can guard 1-5 and should have been DPOY last year.

 

[yourhired]

The wear & tear have caught up to Dajuan. But he has made a nice salary and believe he has qualified for the players pension so in the long term he's good.

 

[JoeScaz]

I think at one point his conditioning was called into question. Also, defensively, he is just not able to stop guys who are so much taller than him, and he only has a centers skills so they can't move him down to 4 or 3. Guys routinely shot over him, and a lot of NBA centers can hit jumpers, and he cannot contest those. I think he is pretty easy to game plan against for most NBA teams.

He is lean now.. not even carrying a lot of weight. I just think it's very hard to be a post player in the league when you are really about 6-5 1/2.

 

[Pittx9]

He was a legit player for the Spurs. I am surprised as well he doesn't get in for Washington much. Still the best player in Pitt history IMO. Personally I think more Pitt players will start to get into the NBA as a) the 30 second shot clock encourage more scoring and b) I think Jamie is embracing the athleticism on this team and allowing them to run the court more.

 

[ameoba defense]

He was a legit player for the Spurs. I am surprised as well he doesn't get in for Washington much. Still the best player in Pitt history IMO. Personally I think more Pitt players will start to get into the NBA as a) the 30 second shot clock encourage more scoring and b) I think Jamie is embracing the athleticism on this team and allowing them to run the court more.

Billy Knight is the greatest player in Pitt history, and it's not even close. Played in the pros at a high level. Charles Smith is probably number 2, then Blair, and then Clancy. (not talking about players from prehistoric days. Charley Hyatt was a beast, but it was a different game back then).