[maravich44Participant]

Even though Hansborough measured better than expected and is a legitimate 3 inches taller than Blair, all mock drafts have him late first round while Blair is in the middle. At 6’6′, Blair can not jump, and it’s ridiculous to compare him to Barkley. Hansborough has done everything there is to do on the collegiate level and while we all speculate he will never be an NBA star, his stock has risen. Most expect he will have a long career in the NBA as at least a decent player in the rotation. Why is Blair considered such a better prospect despite all the red flags such as his TERRIBLE standing verticle? I’m not sold that Blair will make the jump to NBA game and contribute as much as Hansborough. I am partial to Tarheels, and have heard the warnings about Tyler’s deficiencies, but am predicting he has a better pro career than Blair. Am I crazy?

[gatorheelsParticipant]

Blair has a HUGE wingspan which makes up for his lack of height not to mention how physical he his. He knows how to use his body to get in excellent position to get rebounds. I think they both will have similar careers. It is a toss up between the two if you ask me. I have to agree though I would go with Hansbrough based on the fact that he runs the floor better. Also Hansbrough has a clean bill of health while Blairs’ knees worry me a bit. I don’t know the full extent of the concerns about his knees but it is enough of a red flag for me to take Hansbrough over Blair.

[Knicksboy34Participant]

Depends. If I’m a team that needs a Bull…ill take Blair.

If I need a hustle guy who can score and rebound off the bench…Hansbrough.

I think Hansbrough gives you better value because he wont go high in this draft as well as I dont see Blair score alot.

[Michael.S.Participant]

has some knee concerns

[DeLaQuestParticipant]

I think it comes down to this: Assuming the knees are okay, Blair will do his thing (rebounding) in the NBA better than Tyler will do his thing (scoring) in the NBA.

In addition to Blair’s wingspan advantage over Hansbrough, DeJuan has an ever slight advantage in standing reach as well. This makes him “taller” for basketball purposes. Jumping-wise, Hansbrough’s no step vertical reach and max vertical reach are only slightly higher than Blair’s.

I tend to rate length and bulk above leaping ability. Legs get tired. Injuries and age slow a player down. But length and huge bone structure are a constant throughout a career. That said, Tyler’s emerging faceup shooting is the type of constant that Blair needs to develop.

Blair put up huge rebounding in a great conference. I think rebounding translates well to the pros and shows that a player has the physicality and desire to belong in the NBA. Scoring(Hansbrough’s thing) is a little trickier to predict.

But it all hinges on Blair’s knees.

[bobbybParticipant]

Rebounding is more positioning than jumping. Blair might average over 10 reb. per game if he gets playing time. I think Tyler is better value in the mid 20’s. Combine doesnt mean much. Just look at Durant he couldnt lift his own weight,was slow and not a great vert, but he now averages 25 points a game. Joe Alexander was of the charts on the combine but he will be at best a rotational player.

[DeLaQuestParticipant]

Rtbt, Good point about Milsap. He supports my theory that great rebounding translates and also indicates NBA compatibility. Milsap’s measurements weren’t that great but look what happened.

[rtbtParticipant]

You made some good points, especially about rebounding. Three of the greatest rebounders in NBA history couldn’t jump 6 inches off the ground. They were Wes Unseld, Paul Silas, and Charles Oakley.

I agree with you on the combine comment, however, I disagree with your opinion of J. Alexander. When the Bucks drafted him, they knew he was inexperienced but a great physical talent with tremendous potential. In other words, he was clearly a long term project from day one. It was no surprise to anyone that he barely played for Scott Skiles his first year.

But keep an eye on Alexander this year, I think you will be surprised by how much he learned and has improved since his rookie year. It was the same way at WV where he started off very slowly but improved dramatically each season.

[DeLaQuestParticipant]

Just to put things another way….

It’s a lot easier for me to envision Blair near the top of the league in rebounding than Hansbrough being the in the top 20 scorers.

[rtbtParticipant]

First, let me start by once again saying I think Hansbrough will become an excellent role player in the NBA. He will probably do for his team what Leon Powe does in Boston and Landry does with Houston. He will come off the bench, he’ll keep the defense honest because he can score, he’ll grab a few rebounds, and he will bring a team first attitude which will enhance team chemistry.

The one unknown with Hansbrough will be how he does when playing against better athletes going against them one on one. Throughout his entire college career he was always double and sometimes triple teamed. I think it will be interesting to see if he can take advantage of going one on one for the first time in years. If he’s better than people think on offense, he could be the steal of the draft. But at the very least, you’ll have a solid role player whom you can depend on every night.

As for Blair, you must go back to the Paul Milsap draft. Despite the fact that he led the NCAA in rebounding an incredible 3 years in a row, every GM in the league passed on him. Ask those same GMs if they had another opportunity, would they take Mislap in the first round and the answer would be a resounding yes. Well they can’t take Milsap, but D. Blair is the second coming of a guy who thrives on rebounding.

Every coach says Rebounding and Defense wins games. Keep in mind that scorers are a dime a dozen, but premiere rebounders are very hard to find. Even though NBA GMs should know that defense and rebounding wins games, they always seem to fall in love with offense.

In the end, it depends upon your team’s priorities. If you’re soft like Milwaukee or the Nets, D. Blair could be the man. However, if your team needs a guy to do what Leon Powe does in Boston, I think Hansbrough is your guy.

[The MantisParticipant]

Rebounding is one skill that can definitely translate from the NCAA to the NBA, assuming you’re not a 6-3 PF playing in the MEAC.. I don’t care where a guy plays, though….if he gets 11-12 rebs. a game in Div. 1,, and has the height/length to guard opposing forwards, he’ll be at least a decent rebounder in the pro’s. Now, this of course assumes that he has at least one other redeemable skill that will land him a roster spot on a pro team.

I think both Blair and Hansbrough will have nice NBA careers. However, I would rate Blair slightly above Hansbrough, as he is a better rebounder and can throw his weight around on defense. Hansbrough will have a better rounded offensive game, but will not factor as much rebounding-wise or defensively.

[rtbtParticipant]

I think both of you made excellent assessments. That brings me back to one of my original points, it depends upon the needs of your team.

If you need a tough, determined rebounder, than I would go with Blair. It’s so obvious that he is a premier rebounder whom I think will be another Paul Milasp.

But if your team needs a guy who can do what Leon Powe does in Boston, than Hansbrough might be a better choice.

[rtbtParticipant]

I think both of you made excellent assessments. That brings me back to one of my original points, it depends upon the needs of your team.

If you need a tough, determined rebounder, than I would go with Blair. It’s so obvious that he is a premier rebounder whom I think will be another Paul Milasp. The only concern I would have is the potential issue with his knees.

But if your team needs a more well rounded guy who can do what Leon Powe does in Boston, than Hansbrough might be a better choice.

[Stanford hoopsParticipant]

yeah id pick blair even though hes shorter..i think he will be a very solid rebounder in the leauge..im not very high on either of them though but since this draft is weak on big men you dont really have much of a choice

[fliptonnParticipant]

you know who else did everything there is to do in high school? JJ Reddick

but hansborough just reminds of Shavlick Randolph too much? You remember him? I think a young team will take him with a lot of depth at big man and hell just get lost similar to Josh McRoberts

[CorningKingsFan31Participant]

the guy gets every call and will go to the line 20 times a game.

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