Richard Jefferson: Sinking the Spurs
By Alex McVeigh
When you think about it, Richard Jefferson was brought to the San Antonio Spurs and asked to do the impossible: combat father time.
After all, more than a decade of deep playoff runs has taken its toll on Tim Duncan, and Manu Ginobili and even young buck Tony Parker have proven that they are not immune to the injury bug either.
So they traded for Richard Jefferson, with an aged Bruce Bowen as the only loss of consequence, and they added a player who is capable of adding everything that Bowen gave them, and more.
After all, as long as Richard Jefferson could hit the corner three and defend, that would negate the loss of Bowen.
On paper, this put the Spurs right up there with the Lakers as the teams to beat in the Western conference, and most of the talking heads were split something like 60-40 on who would win the West, the Lakers or Spurs.
But that’s why the games are played. Because the Spurs are currently at 13-10, which is good for second in the Southwest and seventh place in the West.
As last season’s first round series with the Mavericks showed, the Spurs were sorely lacking in the athleticism department. The fact that they lost to the Mavericks, who were then even more out-athleticized by the Denver Nuggets, really shows the bind they were in.
But Richard Jefferson has basically been a black hole for them on offense, and given that the usually defensively minded Spurs are giving up 97.2 points per game, good for only 10th in the NBA.
Looking from afar, it just doesn’t seem to make sense. After all, how can there be such a drop-off from from glorified role player Bowen to 20 PPG scorer Jefferson.
Take a look at the stats, Jefferson is having his worst career scoring-wise since the started playing starter’s minutes. He’s shooting less than he ever has as a starter, and while his FG% and three-point percentage is okay, his free throw shooting is abysmal.
Simply put, he hasn’t become the offensive playmaker the Spurs wanted and needed him to be. He’s only cracked 20 points four times, and scored in the single digits eight times.
With Manu Ginobili battling ankle injuries, Tim Duncan having lost a step or two, Jefferson was supposed to be the stopgap to keep the Spurs’ window open another season or two.
Tim Duncan has been playing great this year, and could be a legit MVP candidate if the Spurs were to claim a top-four seed in the West. Matt Bonner, yes Matt Bonner, has been having a career year, giving the Spurs value from what was supposed to have been a guy to eat up minutes in the frontcourt.
Even DeJuan Blair, in limited minutes, is showing enough to make almost every team sorry they passed on him. But the Spurs are still struggling.
Against the Suns the other night, Jefferson was riding the pine during crunch time, as Roger Mason Jr. took his spot on the floor. I’m a big Roger Mason fan, and I think he should be on the floor at crunch time fi you’re down, but the fact that this journeyman role player was given the minutes over the Spurs biggest trade acquisition in recent memory?
Not a good sign.
Now, there is still hope for the Spurs. After all, there’s a reason that Jefferson is a career 17 PPG scorer. The fact that he’s still young (29), and is four points off that average is troubling, but a regression to the mean is possible. In his case, it wouldn’t be a regression, more of a progression.
Jefferson has clearly been a pretty big disappointment so far this season, and i hate the "its early" argument just as much as the next guy, but the fact is, its still too early to write him off just yet.
if things still look this disorganized come all-star break, then i think we have some serious issues.
the reason why i think any of us still believe in Rj is because his smarts and his positive at ude, it really sucks that this is happening, but hopefully we can pull it together.
I was against this trade from day 1. This guy is NOT an impact player. He will never be an impact player for the spurs. I think reality is finally starting to sink in.
That's not true.But Richard Jefferson has basically been a black hole for them on offense
I would be more accepting of Jefferson's 13 PPG average this season if he were bringing it on the defensive end. Unfortunately, he's not.
So far, Jefferson has been one of the streakiest players I've ever seen. If he's hitting shots and in a groove, he looks great. Even with his poor defensive mechanics, he seems to hound better. When he's missing shots, he totally takes himself out of his element. It's like he floats on both ends.
I think getting the offense geared toward him a little more would go a long way, but I'd still much rather see a player who can still bring other things to the table even when his shots aren't falling or he's not getting touches.
Hmmm, it couldn't be b/c he is playing on a team w/ Duncan, Parker and Manu on the team and learning a brand new system, could it? This article fails!
The writer:
In his own words:
The teams I hate are numerous, and they grow with each passing season. A few of the more obvious include the New York Yankees, Miami Hurricanes, San Antonio Spurs and the Dallas Cowboys.
http://bleacherreport.com/users/15042-alex-mcveigh
That would be true if he was mentally re ed. But, after 25 games into the season, and he still has no clue on offense or defense, its no longer the system.Hmmm, it couldn't be b/c he is playing on a team w/ Duncan, Parker and Manu on the team and learning a brand new system, could it? This article fails!
Some more from his bio:The writer:
In his own words:
The teams I hate are numerous, and they grow with each passing season. A few of the more obvious include the New York Yankees, Miami Hurricanes, San Antonio Spurs and the Dallas Cowboys.
http://bleacherreport.com/users/15042-alex-mcveigh
My favorite teams are the Dallas Mavericks, Boston Red Sox, New York Giants and Virginia Tech Hokies. I consider myself a modern fan, in that geography doesn't dictate my teams. My teams have been pretty fortunate of late, but I was also there through the Danny Kannell and Tim Naehring days, so please don't think I'm a fair-weather fan.
I also try to foot for my hometown teams the Nationals, Capitals and Wizards, but not if they play the above teams.
LMAO that probably post in spurstalk as mono or stretch
My favorite teams are the Dallas Mavericks, Boston Red Sox, New York Giants and Virginia Tech Hokies. I consider myself a modern fan, in that geography doesn't dictate my teams. My teams have been pretty fortunate of late, but I was also there through the Danny Kannell and Tim Naehring days, so please don't think I'm a fair-weather fan.
I also try to foot for my hometown teams the Nationals, Capitals and Wizards, but not if they play the above teams.
Last time I checked that was called a BANDWAGONER aka whoever is winning at that specific time is my team.
Horrible article. RJ not producing the way we all hoped he would couldn't have anything to do with the fact that until lately, there were never any plays run for him ever, or could it?
Also, taking opponents' PPG as an indicator for defensive performance is re ed as it doesn't factor in the different pace of different teams.
Spurs waited too late to decide to spend, should have done this after the 2007 Championship. After what happened in 2006 that should have been the year of the push. Like the guys we have but will probably take a major trade signing or next season to be a contender, unless this team pulls a 1999
As much as we all hate to say it becuase it shows you the truth NUmbers dont lie.. They tell you the truth plain and simple.. While on paper SPURS seem to be one of the most talent put together rosters in the league. I think we are putting to much on Jeffersons shoulders this early, while Yes i have seen him make some bonehead desicion making thus far with turnovers i cant really say is all his fault to be honest i am witnessing the SPURS have thier interior defense broken down. The oposition getting to the lanes at will and see no help defense or shot blocking presetn and duncan cannot be everywhere all the time.. McDyess is largely to blame cuase he plays soft down low and has never been a shot blocker, he's been throughout his career a solid bigman due to his offsenive ability..
Second i want to point out that Tony Parker is a concern of mine, the guy flat out cannot play "D".. Defense is not taught in Europe i guess cause i see it as a trend over there.. TP also Passing ability all goes a far as to say he is the 3rd best passer on the team and doesnt have the know how to get others envolved in the offense and that is not good as all... Lastly the guy hurts you in transition casue on fasts breaks he cannot shot the three and teams now that, and they will lag off him and gather into the paint.. Not saying he cant shoot but pull up jumps shots on fast breaks are non existent. He has to wait till everyone gets down and sets up the offense by that time 12-15 seconds have run off the clock and now they need to rush a shot.....
i watched the game last night and the game against the suns and both of these teams seem to score with easy setup the offense and move the ball around no problems Spurs on the other hand look like its a struggle to score and must work hard to get easy baskets....
Changes need to be made just not sure what...
Last edited by DaBears; 12-17-2009 at 03:20 PM.
Being objective as possible, that's a pretty weak article. I mean, "take a look at the stats", or merely pointing out conference standings and defense-related stats, is just a cop out for critics who aren't watching every minute of every game. "Looking from afar", yeah I guess the Spurs have had a disappointing start, but looking from afar you can't see the team beginning to gel with, finally, a fully healthy team. Jefferson is settling into the offense little by little, regardless of the compe ion. .533 FG% and 8/13 FT's in the last five games, at least 1 offensive board in four of those, that's not bad at all, it's showing progression imo. Let's not forget the season is a marathon, not a sprint - 59 more games of basketball to watch. We've heard Tony remark about how essentially there's been "nobody" who can do what RJ does at SF the past decade or so... it was exaggeration, but still telling.
I'd rather the Spurs try to integrate a player like Jefferson into the system and struggle at first, than integrate just a role player like Mason/Udoka/Bogans and have a relatively successful beginning. Public perception is whatever, especially this early. Seeing Jefferson throw down multiple reverse dunks, and not only that - key members of the Spurs embracing him for it (giving him props), that's a good sign if you ask me. Same with putting in effort on defense and rebounding, which I think people are underrating (dude has blocked as many shots as Bonner in 23 games, most of them requiring a certain amount of athleticism). He hasn't shown "stopper" potential, but hasn't been a flop either. I don't think his defense is that much worse than Carter's, or say Maggette's, would have been on the Spurs.
There's no way the spurs don't pull the trigger on something before the trade deadline is he's still lingering
It's early
You say that you were against this trade every day... Beat a dead horse already... Would you rather have Fab, Kurt & Bowen back.. riding pine and looking older than the team looks now? RJ's #'s are off yes.... but anyone's would be coming into SA's system... At least he is having some good games... Dice has been worthless... But a bigger problem than Jefferson is Parker. Parker's #'s are way off and he knows the system. He is off 6 pts from his average last yr, is off by 1 assist (5.9 comapred to 6.9 last yr) and his turnovers have doubled (3.5) since last year... All while playing the worst defense he has ever played... Gino has been horrible this yr as well... Gino and Tony combined for 9 turnovers last night against GS. Talk all the smack you want about RJ but like it or not he is the reason why SA has won some games this year.... I don't think Fab, Kurt and Bowen, at this point in their careers, could say the same..
Phx scored easy but GS? They shot 42.5% and were held to 91 pts (15 below their average)... And this was done by a defense of SA playing on a b2b. Are you really going to complain about that? I totally understand your complaints about PHX but GS not so much... And the changes that need to be made are either play Ratliff/Mahinmi or bring another player in to protect the paint... because Dice, Bonner and Blair aint gona cut it... I can't see Mahinmi being much worse than Dice... Dice has missed a ton of rotations and is playing mega soft...
Pretty amateur article, even if the content is correct.
Even if Jefferson was shooting lights out and scoring 20 a game, I dont think they would have enough to seriously compete with the Lakers.
I am not so much reffering to the shooting percentages by opponents which "dont get me wrong is a concern" buta bigger concern is the points in the paint to me that is a big whole that needs to be addressed..
Another key indicator is that spurs correct me if im wrong but are among the bottom of the list when it comes to forcing turnovers.. Well all know Parker cannot play "D" to save his life...
Your right, I can't defend manu's and TP's play. I, however, seriously regret making the tradfe for RJ. The spurs would have no worse of a record than they do right now. Fab, Kurt and bruce new the system and played well in the system. Kurt, for his age played very well. His numbers were better than what Antonio is putting up this year. Fab was great at cutting to the basket and his passing ability was beyond reproach. As far as bowen, I miss him more with each passing game. His skills may have diminished, but he could still defend and hit the corner three.
The spurs would have been better holding off on a trade until mid season when the could of probably made a play on bosh or a player of his caliber. If nothing materialized, they could of made a move for a wade or bosh caliber player in the offseason. A move that seemed realistic figuring Manu coming off the books.
Instead, their stuck with a huge immovable contract that will decrease the liklihood of the spurs making any major moves at the trade deadline.
So he hates the Cowboys but he's wearing a sweater of them?The writer:
In his own words:
The teams I hate are numerous, and they grow with each passing season. A few of the more obvious include the New York Yankees, Miami Hurricanes, San Antonio Spurs and the Dallas Cowboys.
http://bleacherreport.com/users/15042-alex-mcveigh
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