Richard Jefferson
Overview: A talented slasher who is a solid second or third option. Possesses very good athleticism, boasting good explosiveness and quickness along with a strong frame and a great wingspan. Injuries have slowed him to an extent. A highly touted prep player, he enjoyed an impressive career at Arizona. Put up eerily similar numbers during each of his seasons under Lute Olsen. Blossomed during his second season in New Jersey and has been playing at a relatively high level ever since. Had a down year in 2006-07, but rebounded before being traded to Milwaukee for the 2008-09 season. Contributes in many different ways and is a smart and productive team player, but has struggled to be as consistent as he once was playing alongside Jason Kidd. Still one of those rare perimeter players who is a lights out shooter and gets to the free throw line at a good rate, without turning the ball over much. Defense and rebounding have fallen off noticeably during the past two seasons, following repeated ankle problems. A very good scorer, but not good enough to be a team’s premier option. Will have to accept a much smaller role now that he’s been traded to San Antonio. Has to become more efficient as a scorer in less touches while bring the same intensity on the defensive end. Clearly a “Spurs guy” when considering the intangibles he brings to the table. Will likely thrive playing a smaller role, similar to the one he had in New Jersey in 2005-2006.
Offense: A nice offensive option who is more productive than efficient. Gets almost one-third of his shots up in spot up situations with isolations, shots off of screens, fast breaks, and pick and rolls accounting for the majority of his other touches. Possesses a solid jump shot with good range and a high release point, and has improved dramatically in recent seasons as a catch and shoot option despite only decent mechanics. Takes a lot of contested jumpers, but doesn’t change his mechanics considerably when he does. Not a terribly consistent shooter off the dribble, despite his ability to create, has improved his midrange game a bit, and doesn’t get tunnel vision to the rim like he used to. Has a good first step, showing good quickness and timing, which allows him to break his man down going in either direction. Doesn’t get out in transition as often as he used to, but still finds quite a bit of success going one-on-one. Not the most advanced ball-handler, but uses craftiness and subtle misdirection steps to maneuver through the lane. Shows great ability to adjust in the lane and takes contact very well. Goes to the line at a terrific rate and shoots a good percentage. Has been a fantastic finisher historically, but hasn’t been very effective around the basket recently, seeming to force a lot of tough shots and not finish his drives as efficiently. His drop off in shooting percentage at the rim accounts for many of his struggles, though his dramatic improvements as a shooter mask some of these issues. Moves well off the ball and makes good, quick cuts to the basket, where he catches and finishes well. Also uses his athleticism to get out and make plays in transition. A low-mistake player who makes good reads in the passing game and gets a decent amount of assists.
Defense: Lateral quickness has fallen off noticeably following ankle troubles, which has impacted him defensively. Shows a good defensive stance, but doesn’t always move his feet well when being attacked off the dribble. Sags off his man too much in one-on-one situations, leading to some easy shots. Overplays help defense at times, leading to open shots for opponents on the weak side. A good post defender who uses his body well while showing good fundamentals, even looking comfortable when matched against power forwards. Offers San Antonio some nice defensive versatility, but will need to work hard to fit into their defensive system. Change of scenery could be exactly what the doctor ordered on this end of the floor.
Unless the Spurs sign someone like Raja Bell, they will need RJ to play at a high level on defense. Someone has to replace Bowen's defensive presence if the Spurs are to return to defensive elite status. I on't see who else on this roster can do it. Hill is too small to be effective against bigger perimeter players. Finley is done. Mason is OK but not an elite defender. Hairston is raw and probably won't get minutes. RJ has to be the man. Pesonally I would like to see them bring back Bowen as a defensive specialist with limited minutes.
On a more talented roster Pop will manage his minutes. Hopefully this prevents a recurrence of his ankle problems w/c will be essential if Pop really expects him to step up his defensive game. Offensively, he's just following the natural progression from aggressive slasher to a more perimeter-oriented game as injuries and age increasingly take their toll. I'm really looking forward to Tony, manu and RJ being on the floor during crunch time.
That's the plan for now. IMO Hairston has the potential to develop into a solid defender as seen in the SL games so far. Let's see how he fares the rest of the pre-season and in training camp but I like his game.
That report makes it sound like his defense sucks
His defense is impossible to judge..
Up until his last year in NJ, RJ was a very good defender..while he's obviously going to slow down with age, those were also the days where he didn't have as much responsibility on offense..his defense took a direct hit when Kidd was shipped out, forcing him to become the #1a/b option with Carter..this current position he's in will be the least responsibility on offense he's had since that season..
so it's impossible to tell..
it's difficult to judge with the Bucks, because he was their primary offensive player for most of the year with the injuries to Redd and Bogut..Richard Jefferson should never be the #1 option on a team, probably not even a #2..
Jefferson was used as New Jersey's defensive stopper for years, and they were always a highly-ranked defense..while he has certainly slowed down, he'll also have less focus on offense with all the talent around him, and he'll have a great defensive system in place..
I'm not worried about his defense, and I think he'll be fine as our stopper..team defense wins in the NBA, not individuals..
Yeah, I think Jefferson should be able to make big strides defensively since most of his energy will be used on that end of the court. We won't know until we see him in action but I don't see why he can't at least get to the Mario Elie or Jaren Jackson level of defender.
And really, anything he does will be a big improvement over Finley's defense from last season.
But it makes it sound like his injuries have really left him a lesser version of himself.
It's possible, we'll have to see..the surgery coincided with the added responsibility on offense once the Nets completed major moves to rebuild..
there's really no way of knowing until we see him in action..
The fun starts 1min in.
LOL, I was watching that when it happened..what did you want Jefferson to do there exactly?..he was right up in his face..dude was throwing up 40-footers..best player in the NBA, that's what will happen..the scouting report always tells you not to overplay Lebron's J, instead of allowing him to drive, especially if you're playing for the Bucks with nobody behind you..
sounds like finley at that point in his career
lol L-Train
Good post.
I generally share the same sentiment, not being too worried about his ability to defend in the Spurs' system, but it's definitely going to be a different look.
R.J. did seem to slow a bit after the surgery, and was never as laterally quick as someone like Bowen, but he does bring a physicality that's more capable of nullifying offenders and punishing defenders in the post. (One of the most exciting things to me about this roster, is their collective ability to get to the free-throw line and get the opposition into foul trouble.)
Pop's made no secret that R.J.'s duty will be to check the best player night-in and night-out, and I'm pretty confident he'll be at least adequate in that role. Definitely an upgrade over the likes of Finley, as has been mentioned.
I'd love to see Bowen back as insurance or a player like McGuire added, but if Hairston's capable of truly gaining Pop's trust, adding someone won't be completely necessary.
The only two holes that I could see potentially biting the Spurs in the ass are: another good sized wing-defender and a legit 6' 10< defensive big.
Jefferson should be solid, even if not not Bowen-esque, but even as much faith as I have in Hairston.. I'm not so confident in Pop entrusting such a crucial role to somewhat of an unknown.
McGuire would be a great get, someone in the lines of a Posey on the defensive-end, but I'm not sure how attainable he is.
Yeah is is unstoppable when he is that hot, then again so is any superstar when they get as hot as he was that night! This proves? It proves nothing on RJ nor his so called D or what he can bring to a team with 3 stars already, he will just have to be key piece not the star nor stopper.
Wow, amazing. Never seen that before. I still say McGrady's performance to close the game out against the Spurs in the 04-05 season is more impressive though.
where would the often mentioned perimeter defensive specialist fit? try to take it as what it is, there are 96 minutes at the wing and RJ+Manu+Mason will take about 80-85 (ignoring some possible minutes at other positions than 2/3). then you've got Finley for 15. that's it. the 5th wing gets some garbage minutes every other game and some more minutes in back to backs and in case of injuries. right now this 5th wing is Hairston. a densive specialist for 5-10 minutes doesn't make much differece in my book and the cool down a player if needed theory doesn't work either. IMO it only makes a real difference, if you play such a player (like Bowen) for 30 minutes and he makes the best perimeter player from the other team work for every inch of the court. looking at our current wing rotation, this player did only have a room if the Spurs trade Mason for him. forget all other scenarios. even Bruce at the roster for some 10 minutes wouldn't make a difference. you want impact defense? you need to make room for it as well as for other categories like rebounding or shooting. an impact defender needs to get at least the 3rd most minutes from the wing pool.
the point is, we can chose between a wing rotation with above average 3pt shooting ability, or a wing rotation with above average perimeter defense.
both at once is not possible IMO.
Spurs need to think about a Mason trade, if they want their trade mark defense back.
Jefferson is as good a two-way SF as the Spurs have had since Elliott.
What I'd like to see is how good his corner 3 is (that shot was always open for Bowen), and just how good his defense really is. Since he can afford to be the #3 option on offense with the starters (and maybe #4 in crunch time), he can focus that much more on defense.
I remember when Bruce Bowen gaurded "The King" in the Finals.
i cant fckn wait to c rj in a spurs uni this season
that commercial was dope...
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
