Buck Harvey: J.R. gamble would be up to Popovich

[Sway]

I agree with bruno

I think the only chance to bring Smith is offer the full MLE. I hope he agrees to a 2 or 3 year deal because I don't think the Spurs will offer him the whole 5 years.

JR is my 1st option, Azubuike is the 2nd and R.Davis is the 3rd.

We need a guy to score that's why I don't want Pietrus, Barnes or Delfino

I agree with your post with one change, I would put James Jones or Dorrel Wright as the 3rd option.

[ShoogarBear]

I'm thinking you can't reform a player whose had problems at two previous stops.

I've never believed in the theory that classy veterans can influence gangsta wannabes.

As has been pointed out ad naseum, the guy is 22. Essentially he's the age of a four-year college senior. Writing him off would probably be like writing off Beasley or Mayo.

[ShoogarBear]

Long time reader, first time poster...so go relatively easy on me. . . . post deleted

I think the major issues is that, as you pointed out, Denver is probably the absolute WORST team for a young player with talent to be on, because of the "coaching" and the jack-it-up style of play of Iverson and Anthony.

To find out what JR Smith can really become, he needs to get out of that environment before he gets permanently Nuggetized.

[Marcus Bryant]

Smith's options for more than the MLE are limited to none. I'm not sure the Nuggets even bring him back at the MLE as they will already be in lux tax territory.

A couple of seasons with the Spurs would probably do him so good with respect to landing that big guaranteed contract. If he became a free agent in 2010 then he'd benefit from being a free agent the same summer that so many big name free agents are available. A number of teams will be clearing cap space to make a run at those and he could be in position to receive offers from the teams that miss out on LeBron and Wade and whoever else.

As for minutes in SA, it's not like he's going to take away that many from AI next season if he remains with the Nuggets.

[TDMVPDPOY]

JR comin here, wouldnt he lose all street creditbility? theres a reason why he got those tats all over his body....

[The Truth #6]

If he came here I would ride him and Tony for offense for the bulk of the regular season so we can save Manu and Tim. JR would love to be given the task of being one of our top two scorers. I don't think that's really that unrealistic. Manu needs to be rested, especially if he goes to play this Summer. This last season he took the whole Summer off and still was completely gassed by the second round. JR's offensive talents do go against the team concept but I think we could use that to an advantage, at least for the regular season. In the playoffs, I would look to Tim and Manu to dominate the ball more, and besides, JR doesn't know anything about the playoffs yet anyway.

So, I do think he is exactly what we need - an explosive scorer who can get his points by himself while we rest our old legs for the playoffs.

The only concern, which is legitimate, is if his presence torpedoes the team chemistry. Finley sucked in a lot of ways, but he was professional and showed up to practice early and I think he helped the team stay on the same page.

With JR, who is he going to hang out with on the team? How many times can he go to Dave and Busters with Tim and Tony? I suppose he could hang out at the tattoo parlor on his off-time and add subtle nuances to his neck tattoos, but I could see him becoming disgruntled here in SA. At the same time, he might find that SA has some of the nicest, most down home strippers anywhere in the country.

The whole scenario around JR is dicey but...exciting, somehow. I'm curious if we even offer him a contract. As some said, for Buck to even write about it probably means the team is considering it, especially as the Express News stories often seem written with the approval of the Spurs PR machine.

[Marcus Bryant]

When you have the MLE to offer and not much in the way of attractive tradeable assets then you will have guys like Smith, Pietrus, and Barnes to choose from to upgrade the swingman rotation. You can't be that selective.

I think Smith would be a great gamble. Ideally, you'd get him here on a short-term MLE contract and draft a swingman. If Smith didn't work out, you probably wouldn't find it that hard to move him on a short, average money deal.

[Lebowski Brickowski]

This dude is being seriously overrated in this thread.

What he is:

1. An athletic slasher who drives to the hoop no matter what. Who cares if no other player has touched the ball or if coach called a certain play.

That's why he takes so many FTs.

2. A player who doesn't know how to take a back seat or play well without the ball. You've GOTTA play well w/out the ball in SA.

3. A streaky shooter.

4. Selfish. Are you starting to notice a common thread in this post?

this dude

Give me Matt Barnes.

Good, active, willing defender.

Athletic (he can dunk too, people )

Consistent shooter.

"Hard-nosed" (whatever that means) -- Tough. he don't take no chit mang

Team Player

about 2-3 mil/year cheaper.

[Marcus Bryant]

Can Barnes be lured away from the Left Coast?

[Lebowski Brickowski]

Can Barnes be lured away from the Left Coast?

There's the rub. I think he'd thrive in the "Family Atmosphere" that Pop's created here. If he could see how this team works (if he doesn't know already) I would guess S.A. would be somewhere he could see himself playing.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Only 22 years old? Wow!



Believe it or not, this is the element of his game that worries me most.

I could see him giving us that instant offense that we so desparately need. I just wonder if he he's ready to grow up, become disciplined and actually become part of a winning culture. It'll be interesting to see how or if this goes down.

This is such a red herring. Finley didn't play any D for the last three months of this season, and he still got run. Besides that, I think J.R. would play D here if he came.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

So either the Spurs make a gamble or else morons will scold the front office from here on.

And blame it on R.C. to boot...

[SenorSpur]

This is such a red herring. Finley didn't play any D for the last three months of this season, and he still got run. Besides that, I think J.R. would play D here if he came.

You know Pop has a much shorter leash on younger players than vets. Though he did get Finley to upgrade his D while he was here, from non-existent to below average.

I agree with you in that I'm sure J.R. is capable, he just hasn't been held accountable. No worries with that here in Spurland.

[saxman]

This dude is being seriously overrated in this thread.

What he is:

1. An athletic slasher who drives to the hoop no matter what. Who cares if no other player has touched the ball or if coach called a certain play.

That's why he takes so many FTs.

2. A player who doesn't know how to take a back seat or play well without the ball. You've GOTTA play well w/out the ball in SA.

3. A streaky shooter.

4. Selfish. Are you starting to notice a common thread in this post?

this dude

Give me Matt Barnes.

Good, active, willing defender.

Athletic (he can dunk too, people )

Consistent shooter.

"Hard-nosed" (whatever that means) -- Tough. he don't take no chit mang

Team Player

about 2-3 mil/year cheaper.

In my opinion, Barnes is effective because of the system they play in Golden State...up and down...shoot as soon as you are open...a style not like the spurs.

[exstatic]

This dude is being seriously overrated in this thread.

What he is:

1. An athletic slasher who drives to the hoop no matter what. Who cares if no other player has touched the ball or if coach called a certain play.

That's why he takes so many FTs.

How terrible. A swingman who takes it to the rack and gets to the line.

2. A player who doesn't know how to take a back seat or play well without the ball. You've GOTTA play well w/out the ball in SA.

He's the 4th option in Denver, and would be that here. His career numbers are 9 FGA per game.

3. A streaky shooter.

Lot of young players are. His last two years, his streaks have been 44 FG% 39 3G% and 46 FG% and 40 3G%.

4. Selfish. Are you starting to notice a common thread in this post?

9 FGA per game is selfish?

If you don't like the guy, fine, but attacking his game just makes you look stupid.

[Ronaldo McDonald]

What better showcase than 2 years of playoffs with the Spurs? Over the last six years with our core players, the average playoff penetration is 3.167 rounds deep. He's only going to get one round or none with most of the teams willing or able to offer him the MLE.

I hope he's thinking this way, but I get the feeling he's a me first kinda guy who wouldn't want to be a 4th option even if it means being on a winning team.

[Ronaldo McDonald]

Either way, he's THE guy we should try to get this summer. A lineup of TP, Manu ( a healthy one), TD, J.R. and Brent (assuming he starts next year where he left at the end of this year) would kick ass on offense.

[MaNu4Tres]

People who post on here saying, " ZOMG NO WAY HE DOESN'T PLAY DEFENSE", " ZOMG HE CUSSES NO WAY I WANT HIM HERE". News flash people J.R Smith is the only realistic option at the wing position that can actually improve this team. Listen you hard headed people about Artest, ARTEST ISN'T COMING HERE. ARTEST IS ONLY OPTING OUT IF HE CAN GET MORE THAN WHAT HE GETS PAID NOW OR JUST AS MUCH. SPURS DON"T HAVE THAT MONEY OR THE ASSETS FOR A SIGN AND TRADE. JR Smith is the only wing out there in free agency for the MLE and below that is an actually threat from the triple threat position. What I mean by that is he can put the ball on the floor and create, and also shoot lights out from three. He's athletisism is the best out there. With the right direction and leadership ( which we have) I believe this man has the upmost potential. For those of you who say no to J.R Smith have to be on something. He is worth the risk.

[MaNu4Tres]

Long time reader, first time poster...so go relatively easy on me. I live in Denver and I've seen quite a few Nuggets games since I moved here, and J.R. Smith is a very exciting player to watch when he's into the game. The problem is simple...when he's not into the game, he's a waste of a roster spot. Maybe it's a product of coming off the bench on a team with 2 of the biggest ball hogs in history, but if he doesn't hit his first couple of shots, he jakes it the rest of the game...he stands around on defense pouting and takes even more ridiculous shots trying to jumpstart his game. Best case scenario is that he hits his first few shots and goes on a tear...which means he'll stand around on defense itching to get back to the other end. And that's not even mentioning the off-the-court problems. Granted, the off-the-court issues don't bother me as much as it does some...if you show up on time and you work hard and you're a team player, what you do on your own time is your business, not mine. Yes, he's got incredible athletic skill but at this point, he's just too into his own game. I've just seen too many games at the mausoleum known as the Pepsi Center, a building that will be as quiet as church if it's a tight game but will blow up if Melo or J.R. Smith throws down a nasty dunk even though they're down by 15. The Nuggets have really good talent at all 5 spots on the floor, and a pretty decent bench, but they don't have any concept of team at all.

Maybe taking Smith from that sort of "team" and putting him on a "team-first" squad such as the Spurs would help his maturity...and for all the Spurs' deficiencies, we know that "maturity and experience" is definitely not lacking. I'm just not willing to take a huge gamble with the MLE on a streaky, selfish guy who'll throw up 25 points one night and 4 points and 6 turnovers the next. We need help in a major way at the 2/3 and unless you mitigate a possible Smith signing with another 2/3 via the vet's exception or the draft, you're blowing this year's MLE on a guy you cannot count on from quarter to quarter, much less game to game.

Frankly, I think it's all moot because Denver will likely match any offer for him and the Spurs aren't dumb enough to make an offer on a RFA and sit back and wait while that money's tied up and the Nuggets wait until the last second to match. All the signs point to Smith re-signing with the Nuggets, although with AI choosing not to opt-out, I think the Nuggets will definitely look to trade to reduce the cap number for next year. Up until now Nuggets ownership had no problem going over the luxury tax threshold but they don't seem willing to spend as freely as they had. I still believe they'll keep Smith and deal in other directions, but I might be totally wrong on that. They're dealing with the AI thing and they're having a meeting with Melo and his agent tomorrow to discuss his future in Denver. If they do wind up working something out (biggest rumor being Melo to Detroit for Chauncey Billups and Tayshaun Prince) there's going to be a need for scoring and Smith can fill that for the Nuggets on the cheap.

Thats all the signs of a young player playing for an undisciplined team as the Denver Nuggets are. They have no leadership, no discipline and it shows year in and year out. Their best two scoreres and players have no idea on where the line is between a good and a bad shot or how to even play a lick of defense and it trickles down to the role players. With the right direction J.R Smith can be a very vital piece to a championship contending team.

[Kindergarten Cop]

Frankly, I think it's all moot because Denver will likely match any offer for him and the Spurs aren't dumb enough to make an offer on a RFA and sit back and wait while that money's tied up and the Nuggets wait until the last second to match.

First off, welcome aboard!

Secondly, didn't the Spurs do exactly this just two seasons ago - twice, with one of them coincidentally being the exact same team being discussed?

[meestahmeestah]

First off, welcome aboard!

Secondly, didn't the Spurs do exactly this just two seasons ago - twice, with one of them coincidentally being the exact same team being discussed?

Thanks for the welcome!

I remember the rumors that the Spurs were going to offer Elton Brand before his last contract, but were afraid to do so because of the cap tie-up. I don't remember a similar situation where the Spurs actually offered...well, I do, but very vaguely. And I don't remember what website I found that lists all the NBA transactions, sortable by team/year/etc. Hmmm...I'm going to have to do some research because now it's going to bother me.

I suppose in my original post I could have said "I've seen J.R. Smith play for the last 2 and a half seasons and the kid ain't worth it" but then again nobody's ever accused me of doing things the easy way.

[TJastal]

Review.

JR Smith is athletic, check. Spurs need a young stud.

JR Smith is young, check. Spurs need youth. So?

JR Smith will help the spurs, right? Check. Oh, wait, can he really? Lets think about this a second.

This guy is a borderline headcase waiting to happen who I believe is probably currently in the best possible situation he can be in, given his style of play. If he ends up going to a structured, disciplined team he's going to fail miserably. He's much better off staying where he is and holding onto his schtick as a high flying acrobatic dunker who can give you 30+ on a rare night.

He is the type of player that IMO will play his best ball in an unstructured "go with the flow" playground type atmosphere where there is no such thing as constraints, directions, demands, and sacrifices. Which pretty much defines the nuggets as a team. And pretty much doesn't define the spurs.

Its pretty telling when even George Karl himself has said and I quote "The thing that was driving me crazy was his decisions,". Bottom line: I think the spurs should steer clear of this guy, and help save what's left of Popovich's receding hairline.

We'd be much better off with Pietrus or Vujavich

[Kindergarten Cop]

Thanks for the welcome!

I remember the rumors that the Spurs were going to offer Elton Brand before his last contract, but were afraid to do so because of the cap tie-up. I don't remember a similar situation where the Spurs actually offered...well, I do, but very vaguely. And I don't remember what website I found that lists all the NBA transactions, sortable by team/year/etc. Hmmm...I'm going to have to do some research because now it's going to bother me.

I suppose in my original post I could have said "I've seen J.R. Smith play for the last 2 and a half seasons and the kid ain't worth it" but then again nobody's ever accused me of doing things the easy way.

I was referring to the Spurs signing both Elson (of the Nuggets) and Butler, who were both RFAs, to offer sheets two seasons ago and tying up the MLE. So that shows that the Spurs WOULD do something like that.

[Spurs da champs]

Pop has dealt with Stephen Jackson who is worse then J.R Smith imo,And if you all stick think about that brawl Jackson ran after the fans and asaulted them he wasn't even provoked now J.R was provoked by that flagrant foul and that little nate robinson. So J.R is no where near as bad as Stephen Jackson.

[TJastal]

Another quote I looked up

When asked if Smith might be given a spot at backing up Anthony Carter at PG, head coach George Karl said, "That would be a lot of fun, putting your worst turnover-per-minute man at point guard,"