Q & A with DeJuan Blair

October 31, 10:50 AMNBA ExaminerSherron Shabazz

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Many experts will agree that DeJuan Blair dropping to 37th in the 2009 NBA Draft was a crime. Blair was the Co-Big East Player of the Year for Pittsburgh scoring 15.7 points a game and grabbing 12.3 rebounds in his sophomore season. NBA teams liked Blair’s abilities but were scared off by reports that he had no detectable ACL’s left in either knee. 

The Spurs took a chance on Blair that just may pay off. Blair began the NBA preseason by scoring 16 points and grabbing 19 boards in just 22 minutes. When the real games began Blair continued to impress by helping the Spurs defeat the Hornets with 14 points and 11 rebounds. 

I recently spoke with the Spurs reserve forward and found him to be surprisingly aloof.  But hey, he’s only a rookie…

SS: You had a pretty impressive first NBA game. What did it feel like? 

DeJuan Blair: Another game. I’m just taking it one game at a time. It felt like another game. 

SS: There’s been a lot of talk about you slipping in the draft.  Do you have any extra motivation to show teams what they missed out on? 

DeJuan Blair: No. It’s just me keeping playing. I’m not worried about other teams. Congrats. I hope they have good seasons (laughs). 

SS: What’s your preparation like on game day? 

DeJuan Blair: Get here early, shoot, lift, relax, and wait ‘till the game. 

SS: Now you’re playing with some pretty impressive veteran power forwards in Tim Duncan and Antonio McDyess.  What have they taught you in this short time to help you improve your game? 

DeJuan Blair: I’m just learning every day. They keep telling me to keep my head, relax, and play. So I’m just going to keep playing and the rest will come. 

SS: You came to a team with a great legacy and a few titles.  What does it feel like being a rookie and possibly being on your way to compete for an NBA championship? 

DeJuan Blair: It’s an amazing feeling. I just gotta keep playing, take it one day at a time, and try not to get down on myself. Sometimes I won’t get minutes, sometimes I won’t play at all—I just gotta keep playing. 

SS: Have you experienced any rookie hazing thus far? 

DeJuan Blair: Nah, just bring donuts every day. That’s it.

For more info: Michael Chartier, San Antonio Spurs Examiner