NBA Draft: Blair's decision to enter the draft backfires; Selected 37th overall

11:06pm - Thursday, June 25th, 2009 by InsidePittsburghSports News Wire

DeJuan Blair went into Thursday night's NBA draft as a projected lottery pick but things turned for the worse tonight as Blair was not drafted in the 1st round and was selected 37th overall in the second round by the San Antonio Spurs.

The decision to declare for the NBA has backfired on Blair who was stunned that he fell to the second round.

Many thought Blair wouldn't get past the Indiana Pacers at #13.

Blair's former teammate Sam Young was selected 36th overall by the Memphis Grizzlies.

Young was also projected to be a first round pick.

Second round picks do not receive guaranteed contracts and have to earn a roster spot.

Comments

Kenny Powers

Haha good for him. Knew this would happen. Chris Taft all over again, getting bad info and declaring

06/25/2009 11:08pm

Sports70

predicted this from the day he declared...it's unfortunate cause he could have continued his education while being on top 15 team

06/25/2009 11:08pm

jamski3

Wow!! that's all I can say.

06/25/2009 11:08pm

Kenny Powers

Sports, I do remember you saying that

06/25/2009 11:09pm

Sports70

it really sucks...even tho I'm a UNC fan, PITT is my 2nd favorite, and I just love college basketball (it's my favorite sport) in general...i just watch the NBA draft to see where everyone goes, but I can't stand watching the NBA...it's just sad how many guys made stupid decisions and/or were misled - Blair, Budinger, Summers, Mills, Derrick Brown, Meeks, Paul Harris, Devendorf, Dar Tucker, Elonu, Costner...even some of the 1st-round picks have no business being in the NBA

06/25/2009 11:19pm

jamski3

If he makes the roster he will be paid... If he went to Pitt another season and blew out his knee again he would never even get drafted... guess it's the chance he took and now has to have some awesome workouts or he will be playing on the playground.

06/25/2009 11:34pm

jamski3

Guess that tatoo of himself saying "God's Gift" wasn't enought to get him into the 1st round.

06/25/2009 11:36pm

SV84

Whoop whoop whaa

06/25/2009 11:38pm

SV84

No really this was a joke, I'd take him over Thabeet who got dominated twice.

06/25/2009 11:39pm

Sports70

SV84, that's why I can't stand the NBA - I would take Blair over Thabeet as well. but the NBA plays a different "style"

06/25/2009 11:47pm

SV84

I know I hate it too, so boring compared to college. That and a great guy and player Hansbrough was said to not have success for reasons beyond his control no matter how much he tries to get better.

06/25/2009 11:51pm

cgr62

The NBA is a joke. Havn't thought it was good since MJ was in his prime.

06/26/2009 12:53am

mwiles19

Hahaha...thats all there is to say about it. Shoulda stayed at Pitt but chased the money. Love it.

06/26/2009 7:19am

Who gets a tatoo like that? When I heard that last night I was like WTF!

06/26/2009 7:36am

↑ previous comments ↑

wfd2183

If any of you had a shot at the nba you would have left to try to get paid too.....People who are critical of blair leaving are just being foolish.

06/26/2009 8:57am

mwiles19

He had a shot at the NBA either way, so if he stayed he obviously wouldn't have hurt his chances based on where he was drafted.

06/26/2009 9:03am

wfd2183

he blows his knee out next year he has 0 chance of getting drafted why wouldnt he go after being projected in top 15 picks by everyone.

06/26/2009 10:47am

Doogs

Greedy. Should have stayed.

06/26/2009 4:24pm

This could be the best thing that happened to Blair -- he gets to learn under Tim Duncan and head coach Gregg Popovich with a championship contender. If he develops into a solid player as I believe he will, the long-term contract will come eventually. From a basketball career standpoint, there was nothing to be gained from another year in college.

06/26/2009 9:01pm