duncan228
06-24-2009, 01:20 AM
Could the Spurs get more from four? (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/Could_the_Spurs_get_more_from_four.html)
By Mike Monroe
The Spurs have won three NBA titles with their Big Three — Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker.
Does the addition of Richard Jefferson, a 2004 Olympian with a career scoring average of 17.7 points per game, give the Spurs a fourth star to share the scoring load on a team that understands adding offense is the only way to keep pace with the NBA champion Lakers, a team that averaged nearly 107 points per game last season?
Express-News NBA beat writer Mike Monroe analyzes the potent potentials. Averages are for the past two seasons to more accurately reflect Ginobili's true impact.
Tim Duncan
Minutes Per Game: 33.8
Points Per Game: 20.3
Potential for change: Obviously, Duncan will be affected less by Jefferson’s presence than will Parker and Ginobili because he is an inside player, rather than a perimeter player. Any diminution will be a result of Gregg Popovich lightening the workload of a player who will be 34 by next season’s playoffs.
Manu Ginobili
Minutes Per Game: 29.4
Points Per Game: 18.0
Potential for change: Popovich wanted the Big Three back in the starting lineup for the stretch run last season, but Ginobili’s stress fracture ruined that plan. With Jefferson on hand, Popovich can ease Ginobili back to a full load by playoff time, so expect these numbers to shrink slightly.
Tony Parker
Minutes Per Game: 34.3
Points Per Game: 20.6
Potential for change: The Spurs were at their best last season when Parker was aggressive driving to the basket. That won’t change much with Jefferson. If anything, his presence will keep opponents from packing the lane as much. Parker’s numbers are apt to improve.
Richard Jefferson
Minutes Per Game: 37.4
Points Per Game: 21.1
Potential for change: Injuries to Michael Redd and Andrew Bogut put much too big an onus on Jefferson to produce in Milwaukee. He is much more suited to a role as a third or fourth option, and that is what he will be with the Spurs. Expect both his playing time and scoring to drop, but also expect him to be happier in a tertiary role on a winning team.
By Mike Monroe
The Spurs have won three NBA titles with their Big Three — Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker.
Does the addition of Richard Jefferson, a 2004 Olympian with a career scoring average of 17.7 points per game, give the Spurs a fourth star to share the scoring load on a team that understands adding offense is the only way to keep pace with the NBA champion Lakers, a team that averaged nearly 107 points per game last season?
Express-News NBA beat writer Mike Monroe analyzes the potent potentials. Averages are for the past two seasons to more accurately reflect Ginobili's true impact.
Tim Duncan
Minutes Per Game: 33.8
Points Per Game: 20.3
Potential for change: Obviously, Duncan will be affected less by Jefferson’s presence than will Parker and Ginobili because he is an inside player, rather than a perimeter player. Any diminution will be a result of Gregg Popovich lightening the workload of a player who will be 34 by next season’s playoffs.
Manu Ginobili
Minutes Per Game: 29.4
Points Per Game: 18.0
Potential for change: Popovich wanted the Big Three back in the starting lineup for the stretch run last season, but Ginobili’s stress fracture ruined that plan. With Jefferson on hand, Popovich can ease Ginobili back to a full load by playoff time, so expect these numbers to shrink slightly.
Tony Parker
Minutes Per Game: 34.3
Points Per Game: 20.6
Potential for change: The Spurs were at their best last season when Parker was aggressive driving to the basket. That won’t change much with Jefferson. If anything, his presence will keep opponents from packing the lane as much. Parker’s numbers are apt to improve.
Richard Jefferson
Minutes Per Game: 37.4
Points Per Game: 21.1
Potential for change: Injuries to Michael Redd and Andrew Bogut put much too big an onus on Jefferson to produce in Milwaukee. He is much more suited to a role as a third or fourth option, and that is what he will be with the Spurs. Expect both his playing time and scoring to drop, but also expect him to be happier in a tertiary role on a winning team.