Why DeJuan Blair Went So Late

On Wednesday, Spurs second-rounder DeJuan Blair went for an ungodly 28 points and 21 boards against the Thunder. Blair, a rebounding machine who came out of some unknown school called "Pitt," hit the OKC with exactly what that team needs to make its cipher complete. Though for the record, some of us yet believe that Serge Ibaka will grow into that duty.

Regardless, OKC could've easily had Blair on their roster, as could every other team in the NBA. For once, the Spurs didn't pull off a move that required genius; they just picked up a player whom some had projected to go mid-first.

These are the days of miracles and wonders, which is why things are jumping the eff off over at Darnell Mayberry's Thunder Rumblings. Perhaps drunk off the novelty of Sam Presti having made a mistake, a whole city wonders why they have B.J. Mullens, not Blair, on their roster.

Mayberry, ever the peacemaker, arrives at the following special place:

But the draft, as we all know, is based on potential. Are we to assume Blair has more upside than Mullens? The Thunder might have made the right call in passing on Blair. OKC might have blown it. Only time will tell. But where will Blair be when Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, James Harden and Jeff Green are hitting their strides five years from now? How will those knees, with their missing ACLs, have held up? Will Blair still be the same outstanding dirty worker or just an ordinary 25-year-old with no lift?

How you like them apples, Mr. 20/20? The plot thickens, though. The Thunder aren't the only team that passed on Blair. I'm pretty sure all of them did, which means all local papers might do well to ask Mr. Mayberry to work his magic on their picks. Or, they could read this post, where myself and Tom Ziller will offer each NBA team who passed on Blair their very own personal rationalization. If any of these ever find their way into the press, the fee is two dollars.

Note: We started with the teams that had picked once all the better players were off the board. The Kings will never have to apologize for taking Tyreke Evans over Blair.

Atlanta: Getting Blair would have guaranteed a bloody fistfight between the rookie and an angered Kendrick Perkins. Stern did early damage control, convincing Rick Sund that Blair was missing those ACLs and one of his lungs. Too risky.

Utah: The Carlos Boozer situation, resigning Paul Millsap, and exactly how those two pieces fit together, gave us the closest the Jazz gets to a circus. Sloan doesn't even tell his kids about elephants. So they really needed another power forward?


Sacramento: Mayor Kevin Johnson's well-timed executive order forced Petrie's hand with Omri Casspi. The "Make Sacramento Attractive to New Yorker Ex-Pats Plan" continues to develop.

Dallas: Dirk Nowitzki, devotee of stretching, don't trust anyone missing ligaments. Veto power.

Oklahoma City: Case already closed.

Chicago: Taj Gibson was an even bigger reach.

Memphis: Even more the case for DeMarre Carroll! This is unreal. It's like everyone was so busy looking for steals at this point, they overlooked the guy who slipped. When a player drops, his stock slips, and ergo, he stinks. A sleeper is like falling in love at Starbucks: special.

Minnesota: "Forget rebounding. Look at Blair's awful assist-to-turnover ratio!" -- David Kahn, June 2009

New York: Part of the workout for the Knicks was "Empire State of Mind" karaoke, and Blair is always flat with his middle-C's. Also he pointed out that the chorus made no sense, then threatened to leak to track. Donnie Walsh was not pleased. Toney Douglas has great soup recipes.

Cleveland: Dan Gilbert is a businessman first, pro sports team owner second. And some foreign tax software contracts just can't be passed up. Hence, Christian Eyenga. Sorry, Blair. Get birthed in central Africa next time.

Sacramento: They knew Brockman would be available later.

Washington: Trading both Wizards picks wasn't an attempt to win now and avoid massive tax payments. It was just prevented Blatche Shoe the Sequel.

Portland: Dante Cunningham isn't just a hard worker, he's also tall. Plus, he's perfect for Brandon Roy.

Houston: In two years, we'll be writing explanations as to why everyone but the Rockets passed up Sergio Llull! More Ls than New Jersey, that kid.

Detroit: DaJuan Summers of Georgetown was the closest anyone else came to picking Blair before the Spurs. That has to count for something, even if it's mildly offensive, right?

Memphis: Drafting veterans is so Next Level. Chris Wallace knows all about Sam Young's rookie savvy.