Richard Jefferson: Sinking the Spurs

[alchemist]

He said everything you guys said during game day threads, only a lot more polite.

^^^^^^^^^

[Ibanezsr]

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.

Thomas is doing nothing as a Buck and only managed to get 17 minutes a game last year... and now he is a yr older. Same for Oberto... he was logging 14 minutes a game... And if those 2 were still around with Bonner than you would never see DeJuan Blair play... and who knows if they would have even drafted him... Bowen wasnt even playing 20 minutes a game last yr... and was in Pop's doghouse... There is a reason why he retired... He should have retired after 2008. You could tell he def. lost a step last yr... And if he was playing that would take time away from George Hill... Jefferson averages more than all 3 of those guys combined in their last year with SA... And he is durable.. I am not the biggest Jefferson fan either but I cringed everytime I saw KT, Oberto and Bowen come in the game last yr...

[Stringer_Bell]

It's all RJ's fault, not the 15+ turnovers per game (that have a habit of turning into fast break points at the most unfortunate times). RJ is a shy and tentative when we play good teams, and more pro-active when we play .500 and under teams.

But, he's got greatness in him. Let's give him until the end of the month before we call for a sports therapists or trades?

[z0sa]

I didn't know teams sank or swam in December. Unless you're the Nets.

[spurtech09]

rj ain't sinking the spurs

[L.I.T]

Epic logic fail.

[murpjf88]

rj ain't sinking the spurs

he doesn't help matters either.

[HarlemHeat37]

Very poor article, especially the part about being a blackhole on offense LOL..the writer is also ing ugly, which takes some credibility away from him in my book..

Jefferson has disappointed, especially against better teams..his D has been disappointing for the most part as well..however, he wouldn't be the #1 reason this team has underachieved so far..

Jefferson was brought in to be a #4 option, sometimes #3..it's difficult for others to do their jobs when Tony Parker has played like he has so far, especially since he's the PG..it hurts the entire team..

RJ needs to step his game up, but it starts with Tony..we aren't going anywhere without him playing at a high level, and that's the main thing that is "sinking" the Spurs..

[FkLA]

RJ isnt carrying his weight plain and simple. I dont necessarily think we should give up on the guy yet but lets also not make excuses for him. He isnt living up to what was expected of him...him underperforming has been a big reason for our slow start.

[all_heart]

RJ isnt carrying his weight plain and simple. I dont necessarily think we should give up on the guy yet but lets also not make excuses for him. He isnt living up to what was expected of him...him underperforming has been a big reason for our slow start.

+1
I really believe part of it is the spurs system, it's rigid and uncomfortable for a guy like RJ. The turnovers IMO could be due to a lack of called plays, they are just winging it out there and it shows, even TP and TD have miscues. Either way RJ needs to step it up and he knows it.

[Indazone]

I'd say Ariza for RJ but there's nothing I can think of to make the salaries match up.

[Chieflion]

I'd say Ariza for RJ but there's nothing I can think of to make the salaries match up.

The Spurs would like to take Battier off your hands too.

[Danny.Zhu]

I say we wait another 20 games before considering the worst case scenario.

[TJastal]

The Jefferson I saw in the latest game was dynamite, raining down thunderous dunks from every angle & knocking down jumpers. Granted, it was the warriors, but we haven't had a guy like that since Sean Luck_The_Fakers_Luck_The_Fakers_Luck_The_Fakers_Lu ck_The_Fakers_Luck_The_Fakers_Luck_The_Fakers_. I got a feeling once everything starts clicking, we're going to see alot more 20+ pt outbursts from him.

[Xevious]

Jefferson has disappointed, especially against better teams..his D has been disappointing for the most part as well..however, he wouldn't be the #1 reason this team has underachieved so far..

Jefferson was brought in to be a #4 option, sometimes #3..it's difficult for others to do their jobs when Tony Parker has played like he has so far, especially since he's the PG..it hurts the entire team..

RJ needs to step his game up, but it starts with Tony..we aren't going anywhere without him playing at a high level, and that's the main thing that is "sinking" the Spurs..

Completely agree. Tony's dropoff from last year is much more concerning than what RJ is or isn't bringing to the table. I have little doubt that RJ will start clicking on offense when (if) Tony and Manu start playing well.

[Allanon]

I'd say Ariza for RJ but there's nothing I can think of to make the salaries match up.

This would have been an ideal trade for the Spurs and the Rockets.

Ariza spotting up for 3's and playing yeoman's defense is what the Spurs need. The better Tony plays, the worse RJ gets. The better RJ gets, the worse Tony will get.

RJ attacking the rim would have best worked with a shooting PG like Brooks.

[TJastal]

This would have been an ideal trade for the Spurs and the Rockets.

Ariza spotting up for 3's and playing yeoman's defense is what the Spurs need.

RJ attacking the rim would have best worked with a shooting PG like Brooks.

Isn't Parker a shooting PG? Maybe you should clarify exactly what that means Allanon.

[Bender]

^ that gay Lakers sig pic is hilarious

[Allanon]

Isn't Parker a shooting PG? Maybe you should clarify exactly what that means Allanon.

I think of Tony Parker as a scoring point guard but not a shooter...just like RJ.

Brooks is a shooter type point guard (ie. 3 pointers, mid-range)...just like Ariza.

So you have Ariza forced to play like RJ on the Rockets (creating off the dribble) and RJ forced to play like Ariza on the Spurs (spot up shooter).

Swap the two of them and Tony gets his shooter in Ariza and Brooks gets his scorer in RJ.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

RJ is very talented. It's just going to be a matter of him fitting in on the Spurs. 13PPG is fine if he's contributing in other areas. He just hasn't found his spot yet. People say it takes a year to fit into Pop's system sometimes. That logic probably doesn't change just because someone is an all-star caliber talent.

[dbestpro]

RJ is starting to fit in nicely. TP is still having a hard time adjusting to the offensive team role. Now the radical idea. Move Manu and G Hill to the starting lineup and bring TP off the bench. This is the ideal spot for TP if Pop can not make him pass the ball or make him pass the ball, better. At least he won't be getting torched by other team's PG right out the gate and he can shoot to his heart's content.