DeJuan Blair erupted for 28 points, 21 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks tonight against the Oklahoma City Thunder before fouling out. Of those 21 rebounds, 10 were on the offensive glass. He hit 11 of 17 shots from the field while hitting 6 of 8 free throws.

If this is what this kid is capable when receiving starters minutes, and without any Anterior Cruciate Ligament in either knee, one must consider him to be far better than what his numbers might lead you to believe. The kid has heart and a basketball IQ light years ahead of almost any other rookie.

Blair is making solid contributions for a contender. (Credit: picapp.com)

Of all the rookies in the NBA this year, Blair far and above has made greater impact for a contender than anyone else. Other than Ty Lawson, Blair has played his way into the rotation of a team with a serious shot at the championship.

His nose for the ball and ability to grab them as an undersized power forward is uncanny. He has been starting at the center position since Matt Bonner went down with an injury, and has fought hard against much taller competition.

Not to discredit anything Tyreke Evans or Brandon Jennings has done this year, but it is crazy to even imagine what DeJuan Blair would be doing if he was playing in Sacramento or Milwaukee this season.

It is downright frightening.

Tonight’s match up between the Chicago Bulls and the San Antonio Spurs is the must watch game of the week. It airs tonight at 8:00 PM EST on TNT.

Derrick Rose will try to build upon his mercurial rise during last season’s playoffs, and it will not be easy for him to do so tonight, facing off against Tony Parker and the solid defensive minded Spurs.

Rose's second campaign begins with a true test. (Credit: picapp.com)

It will be interesting to see who picks up the scoring gaps that departed Ben Gordon took with him to the Pistons.

The Spurs manhandled the New Orleans Hornets last night, but we will have to see how well Tony Parker fairs after his hard ribcage-first landing last night. Reports claim he just had the wind knocked out of him, but by gauging by the sound of the thud from the impact, he might be a step slow starting things off.

The rest of the Spurs should be ready tonight as they were able to rest early after blowing out the Hornets by the end of the 3^rd quarter.  You know you’re in good shape for game 2 of a back to back if Matt Bonner leads the team with 29 minutes played the previous night.

Manu Ginobili dusted his first summer off for hoops in a few minutes. After a couple bizarre shots,  he was lights out the rest of the way. He looked like his former self last night.

No more tailored suits and sidelines for Manu. (Credit: picapp.com)

Richard Jefferson was solid during his Spurs debut. Look for him to explode soon once he adjusts.

Tonight’s highlights to look forward to will be seeing if Derrick Rose can lead his team past a revamped Spurs roster. It will be interesting to see how the Bulls and Spurs match ups play out.

The thing I am most looking forward to is seeing DeJuan Blair perform in his second NBA game. His first game was nothing less than amazing.

Will anyone in Chicago’s frontcourt can stop him?

Tonight DeJuan Blair begin what will serve to be his season long testament that he is clearly the steal of the 2009 draft. Blair was poised like a veteran displaying us a game well beyond his years.

His contribution with 14 points and 11 boards was impressive. It reinforces my argument that the San Antonio Spurs are my favorite pick to win it all this year.

Blair has star written all over him. (ESPN)

In a blowout victory over Chris Paul’s Hornets, Blair also owned the glass grabbing 5 offensive and 6 defensive rebounds.

He scored his 14 points  shooting 7-10 from the field, with 3 assists.

He did this is in 23 minutes.

He got to his spots on the floor easily. On defense he disrupted several shots by David West. He was effective playing against taller players.

I know this is only 1 game, but look out folks, this kid is will live up to his nickname “Beast.”

Fantasy basketball has returned, and I have a few picks to offer the readers that I think will be highly beneficial to any fantasy roster. Other than the usual suspects, these 3 picks should pack a huge impact to any fantasy league roster.

Here are my top 3 “steal of the draft” picks for this upcoming season.

Hope they put you into first in your league!

Expect big time production from thie young big. (Credit: picapp.com)

Marreese Speights

Speights is highly productive and has  strong numbers in limited play. Look for him to break out big time this season. He scores well inside, and has tremendous athletic ability and mobility for his size.

If he gets the minutes, he should serve well at a utility roster spot for  blocks, steals, and rebounds. He will not hurt your FG or FT %, and has low turnover rates as he always protects the ball.

Look for Randolph's value to sky this year. (Credit:picapp.com)

Anthony Randolph

Finally a starter, Randolph will shoot a high FG and FT %, and possibly average a double-double this season. With Brandon Wright pretty much a wash for the season, look for Randolph to log big minutes.

He is less of a secret since his breakout performance during the Las Vegas Summer League, and he will fill the stat sheets in multiple offensive and defensive categories, and is worth considering drafting him higher than he ranks. Worth drafting when you get into the 7th round.

Blair could end up being the bigest draft day bargain. (Credit: picapp.com)

DeJuan Blair

Odds are he will be passed on a lot like he was during the 2009 NBA Draft, but you should consider watching him on the waiver wire at the bare minimum. Blair is a rebounding machine, and scores points in bunches.

Keep your eye on him as the season begins, depending on how Gregg Poppovich uses him, he could be the steal of yet another draft by mid season. Let’s face it, Blair was a dominant force for Pitt last year, and has been nothing less than amazing during the preseason.

Antonio McDyess is officially a member of the San Antonio Spurs, strengthening Protect the Paint’s prediction that the Spurs are the team to beat for 2010.

McDyess (and draft choice DeJuan Blair) joins Tim Duncan and Matt Bonner to give San Antonio an incredibly strong, versatile frontcourt. Duncan does everything. He might not rap or be covered in tattoos. He’s never assaulted anyone, so his street-cred is lacking, but he’ll go down as one of the best basketball players ever.

McDyess' shooting touch can now help a contender. (credit:picapp.com)

Bonner started last season, but most likely will come off the bench for the new Spurs. His 44 percent from beyond the arc brings defenders out of the paint freeing up space for Duncan. Blair—the 37th pick in last month’s draft out of Pittsburgh—is a rebounding machine. This is a man who can protect the paint.

Which brings us to McDyess. The number two overall back from the 1995 Draft averaged 9.6 points and 9.8 rebounds per game last year in 62 games with Detroit, starting out as a reserve and eventually gaining a starting position because of his steady play. He might not have the same psycho look in his eye Kurt Thomas (traded to Milwaukee) did, but immediately makes the Spurs a much better rebounding team and more physical.

Jefferson will be slashing teams apart at will. (Credit: picapp.com)

Throw in the acquisition of Richard Jefferson—excellent defender, gets out on the break, in his prime—and the Spurs add the athleticism they lacked last season.

Tony Parker and a healthy Manu Ginobili, along with Duncan, McDyess, and Michael Finley gives the team five players who at some point have been All-Stars. The Spurs head into the season with their deepest roster ever, and this is a franchise that has won four NBA titles.

PROJECTED ROTATION

STARTERS/RESERVES

Tony Parker/George Hill
Roger Mason/Manu Ginobili
Richard Jefferson/Michael Finley
Tim Duncan/DeJuan Blair
Antonio McDyess/Matt Bonner

The five reserves are better than the majority of the starting five for the rest of the league.

McDyess—who will be 35 when the season begins—might not be in his prime, but even though the Lakers added Ron Artest and the Mavs traded for Shawn Marion, it will be incredibly difficult for these two teams or anyone to get past the Spurs in 2009-10.

The combo of Duncan, Ginobili, and Parker has won three titles already, and, provided the injury bug doesn’t bite, should make for at least one more.