Jefferson should be first option on offense

[peskypesky]

I know a lot of people will disagree, but I'm starting to think RJ should be the first option on offense.

Here's my reasoning. It shouldn't be Parker. He's prone to ankle injuries and will just get too beaten up over the course of the season. It's one thing for a beast like Lebron to drive it in to the paint repeatedly, another for someone as small as TP. Plus, how often does a team whose main scorer is a PG win a Championship? Aside from the Pistons with Isaiah Thomas?

I would love for it to be Tim, but I think his offensive game is being hampered by his lack of mobility and hops. Plus, we need him to grab boards.

It clearly can't be Mason, Finley, Bonner, McDyess or whoever else starts.

That leaves Jefferson. He's a proven scorer. He can create for himself. He can slash. He can shoot from outside. His athleticism (witness the dunk on Oden), is stunning, and no one else on the Spurs can bring it like he can.

[Phenomanul]

I know a lot of people will disagree, but I'm starting to think RJ should be the first option on offense.

Here's my reasoning. It shouldn't be Parker. He's prone to ankle injuries and will just get too beaten up over the course of the season. It's one thing for a beast like Lebron to drive it in to the paint repeatedly, another for someone as small as TP. Plus, how often does a team whose main scorer is a PG win a Championship? Aside from the Pistons with Isaiah Thomas?

I would love for it to be Tim, but I think his offensive game is being hampered by his lack of mobility and hops. Plus, we need him to grab boards.

It clearly can't be Mason, Finley, Bonner, McDyess or whoever else starts.

That leaves Jefferson. He's a proven scorer. He can create for himself. He can slash. He can shoot from outside. His athleticism (witness the dunk on Oden), is stunning, and no one else on the Spurs can bring it like he can.


Sure, while Parker is out....

Longterm this is still TP's offense to run... especially because he is the best one man fast break in the league....

[Höfner]

Tony Parker's first option.

[Finperro]

Longoria is undoubtedly the biggest threat in fast-breaks but his size restricts from being an equally lethal weapon in half-court offense, especially the opponent team defends pick&roll well. And Longoria wasn't even a decent shooter, which allows whoever guards him to devote a full attention caring for Tony's paces without giving a shit about his horrible jumpers. Tim Duncan should still be the first offensive option IMHO and when Duncan is doubled, more shots are better to be launched from Finley rather than Longoria. Longoria needs to learn how to work as the engine for his team instead of a striker, then statistically his assists need some growth in great urgency. Manu of course is the first offensive option for the 2nd unit.

[Padron]

I agree very much.RJ has seemed a bit stagnent in the offense a little lost.If hes out there with mason or finilly starting .There not gonna get to the lane there shooters that stay out the arch.So if you move rj around and get him the ball as the first or second option behind tim.He will open up shots for the shooters with his drives.And tony and just use his smarts when to turn on his offense and run and when not to.He doesnt have to come down and try to score all the time thats why hes always getting hurt.

[Padron]

Sure, while Parker is out....

Longterm this is still TP's offense to run... especially because he is the best one man fast break in the league....




Where not a fast breaking team.Tony can score at will sometimes but he needs to slow it up and now hes got more talent at the bench .He needs to fine his guys he can trust to score like RJ.

[SpurNation]

Parker needs to iniate the offense as the first option. He's not that good at scoring when having to come off the ball. So having Jefferson as the first option would negate Tony's effectiveness and strengths while as RJ is better coming off the ball than initiating.

As the season progresses I'm sure we'll see more effective play from both as both will get better acclimated to each other's game.

If anything...we need to see someone not named Duncan to be able to put up points in the paint.

[Agloco]

I'm reminded of when Sean Elliott had the ball in his hands years ago. Every time I'd yell at the TV: "Take it to the rack Sean!!!"

As long as Jefferson is doing the same each time he gets it, good things will happen. He has no business settling for 20 footers. Get in the paint. We've got two of the best slashers the NBA has seen, take it to the rack an let Blair and Timmy cleanup.

[peskypesky]

Tony's great, don't get me wrong. He wasn't the MVP of a Finals for nothing. But it just seems pretty obvious over the past couple of seasons that the ankles are a weak point, and he will get beaten up over the course of the season. i think he needs to be fresh and undamaged for the playoffs.

[Spursfan 87]

Yes Rj should be the #1 option. I really never liked the idea of a pg as the #1 option offensively. RJ looked more comfortable once tony went out in last game, also the offense looked more fluid.

[duhoh]

i trust pop.

[SA210]

Manu!

[peskypesky]

Manu!

what are you smoking?

[SA210]

what are you smoking?

Manu weed

[AFBlue]

Sure, while Parker is out....

Longterm this is still TP's offense to run... especially because he is the best one man fast break in the league....

+1

Even though Hill will be the starting PG, I think RJ will actually bring the ball up and initiate offense more than a few times with the starting unit while TP is out.

But when TP is in, he's a much better facilitator and he breaks down defenses much more efficiently.

[My Fault]

Some in here must not watch basketball much...

[da_suns_fan]

I know a lot of people will disagree, but I'm starting to think RJ should be the first option on offense.

Here's my reasoning. It shouldn't be Parker. He's prone to ankle injuries and will just get too beaten up over the course of the season. It's one thing for a beast like Lebron to drive it in to the paint repeatedly, another for someone as small as TP. Plus, how often does a team whose main scorer is a PG win a Championship? Aside from the Pistons with Isaiah Thomas?

I would love for it to be Tim, but I think his offensive game is being hampered by his lack of mobility and hops. Plus, we need him to grab boards.

It clearly can't be Mason, Finley, Bonner, McDyess or whoever else starts.

That leaves Jefferson. He's a proven scorer. He can create for himself. He can slash. He can shoot from outside. His athleticism (witness the dunk on Oden), is stunning, and no one else on the Spurs can bring it like he can.

Unbelievable.

Is there any Bucks fans on ST?

[ElNono]

Other than Duncan, who you know has an actual chronic issue with his knee, the rest need to play. The injury bug can hit anybody anytime. You just have to deal with it.
This whole manage their time thing is getting out of hand if you have to do that with young guys too.

[timaios]

PPG after 5 games :

Tony Parker 14.8
Tim Duncan 14.6
Manu Ginobili 13.8
Richard Jefferson 13.6

Apparently there is no first option on offense.

[ElNono]

PPG after 5 games :

Tony Parker 14.8
Tim Duncan 14.6
Manu Ginobili 13.8
Richard Jefferson 13.6

Apparently there is no first option on offense.

Yeah, but don't forget that we really haven't had a close game this season.
And in some of them we have had extended garbage time.

[AussieFanKurt]

If he keeps those dunks up maybe he could be first or second on O

[UnWantedTheory]

I thought everyone was complaining about him not being a solid #1, but on this Spurs team he wouldnt have to be, he would be a three of four...Now we want him as our #1?

[UnWantedTheory]

But whatev...I believe in yous guys ya know....

[#2!]

But whatev...I believe in yous guys ya know....

I think that when the playoffs roll around at least two of the original big 3 will step up. That said, RJ is certainly worth looking at as a number one option for a large part of the regular season.

In fact while Tony is out right now is a great time to force the spotlight on Jefferson and see how he does for a few games. At the very least he will become more acclimated with the system, and more comfortable being aggressive with his shot(although that probably began with "the dunk":lol).

[TIMMYD!]

I'm calling it the dunk from now on

[eric365]

At least we will see tonight how he does in first option with Parker AND Duncan out.

It will be diffucult for RJ with so few offensive threat in the lineup :depressed

[peskypesky]

bump

[SpurNation]

When Parker is out of the line up...yep.

And RJ wasn't the first option in the past 2 games. He may have scored well...but most of those drives and shots were made as being the second or third option of the possesion.

But whether he is first or second or third option...he's proving that he can be counted on. :tu

[bigbendbruisebrother]

Manu weed

It's good shit, ain't it?

[BillMc]

i trust pop.

+1

[peskypesky]

bumping this again. goddamnit.

[ginobili fan]

It's not a bad idea but Tony is so talented offensively that I doubt it happens

[anonoftheinternets]

bumping this again. goddamnit.

well sure...coz ur the only one who thinks so...

[DPG21920]

They brought him in so that on any given night, the Spurs could have another player carry the scoring load. They did not bring him in to be the first option. He was brought in to add athleticism to the wing and defend.

[portnoy1]

I wouldnt have him as first option, but he has to get touches on a consistent basis. the 4 shot attempts are bad play by him Parker not looking for, Pop not running anything for him and RJ not being aggressive. RJ has to take his shots. Screw everybody else. Just because you make an extra pass to TP doesnt mean your gonna eventually get it back. TP is looking for his shot regardless of who is on the team. RJ needs to have that same mentality, "screw TP im making plays when i get the ball". That will lower TP's many attempts and give RJ more. If the team becomes to individual then Pop will start running plays again, like he needs to anyway.

[HarlemHeat37]

Jefferson has limited ability to create as a #1 option, that just isn't his game at all..#3 or #4 is what he thrives at, and that's what he should be..we clearly have legit #1/#2 options, we just need to work out the chemistry and style of play..

[portnoy1]

Jefferson has limited ability to create as a #1 option, that just isn't his game at all..#3 or #4 is what he thrives at, and that's what he should be..we clearly have legit #1/#2 options, we just need to work out the chemistry and style of play..
Thats true but look at how the Celts use Allen. Allen is a solid shooter and they make sure he gets attempts by moving him without the ball. RJ is not a number 1 option but needs plays run for him in the high post iso or coming of curls. The difference in the 2 teams. Rondo is trained to look for allen. Parker is trained to be offensively aggressive.

[HarlemHeat37]

I definitely agree with that, I've been calling for it in every game thread..he obviously shouldn't be the #1 though..

[DPG21920]

Rondo has to look for Ray. Rondo is not an offensive threat. If he could score like TP and could be a legit #1 option like TP, you bet there would be struggles. Not to mention that Ray is a catch and shoot guy.

Not really apples-to-apples.

[HarlemHeat37]

That's part of the problem though..both Parker and RJ are kind of ineffective for the most part when they don't have the ball..they both have the ability to slash well off the ball, but they can't play as spot-up shooters..

the Celtics 3 perimeter guys are all capable of providing something off the ball..Pierce and Allen are both good/great shooters, Rondo is a great defender that can slash and rebound too..

[DPG21920]

RJ is not a great spot up shooter, but he is getting wide open looks and has been a solid 3-PT shooter for his career. He should be able to hit these shots then mix in some drives.

[portnoy1]

Rondo has to look for Ray. Rondo is not an offensive threat. If he could score like TP and could be a legit #1 option like TP, you bet there would be struggles. Not to mention that Ray is a catch and shoot guy.

Not really apples-to-apples.
My point was PG's looking for guys that are not the main 1-2 options and making sure they're involved. Pierce and KG are the 1-2 punch, Allen is an allstar, but still a specialist who you cant really build your team around. Yet Rondo gets him the ball in his spots, even though Allen can get most of his shots of Rondo's penetration or KG/Pierce getting double teamed in the post. In SA Parker/Duncan are the 1-2 options, with Manu being tied with Tim for that 2nd spot. RJ is an allstar caliber player. He can get shots by simply standing behind the arc and watching Tim/Tony or Manu get double teamed and work off that. However he can also get touches in his spots. Mid Post iso or cutting to basket. With the Celts the opposing defense has to plan for Allen's movement without the ball. In SA RJ has been relagated to be just another Finley with skills. The opposing defense can practically prepare the same, just with the knowledge that RJ can put it on the floor and nothing else.