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I'm sticking with RJ.
Early in the offseason, the Spurs were able to acquire Richard Jefferson from the Milwaukee Bucks in what basically amounted to a salary dump for the Bucks. At the time, most Spurs fans were excited about the trade. However, a couple months into the season, Jefferson is playing decently well or is a bust -- depending on which Spurs fan you ask.
Using 20/20 hindsight, which of the talented swingmen below do you think the Spurs should have gone after?
Stephen Jackson
PROS:
-Fan favorite former Spur who has proven championship mettle.
-Has three-point range and isn't afraid to let it fly.
-Very underrated passer and playmaker.
-Named the Spurs as a team he wanted to play for when he demanded a trade.
CONS:
-Bad contract. Is owed $27.8M through the 2012-13 season.
-He's a low percentage shooter who uses up a lot of possessions.
-Turns the ball over a ton.
-May not want to revert back to a secondary role.
-Numerous offcourt issues.
Vince Carter
PROS:
-Easily the most talented player on this list.
-Still an elite athlete.
-Can score, pass, shoot and defend when he's motivated.
-Is capable of carrying the offense single-handedly.
CONS:
-Shooting just 39.2% from the floor and 30.9% on threes this season.
-Dominates the ball offensively; he's not a role player -- just ask his teammates.
-Questionable heart and work ethic. Injury prone, though he doesn't miss many games.
-The trade for Carter would have included both George Hill and Roger Mason, Jr.
Shawn Marion
PROS:
-One of the best rebounding small forwards in league history.
-Can still get out and run on the break -- and finish.
-Doesn't need plays called for him to have a huge impact.
-Versatile defender who has defended all five positions.
CONS:
-His three-point shooting ability has vanished. He has no threes on the season.
-His numbers indicate that he's in a steep decline. A shadow of his former self.
-Is due $40 million over the next five years.
-Hasn't enjoyed being a role player in the past.
-Can be shut down by good defensive teams -- especially in the playoffs.
Trevor Ariza
PROS:
-Was outstanding with the championship Lakers team last season -- especially in the playoffs.
-Great length makes him a quality defender on the ball and in terms of help defense.
-At 24, by far the youngest player on this list.
-Rebounds, swipes steals and has range on his jumper.
CONS:
-Is having a horrible year with the Rockets. 38% from the field, 30% on threes.
-Not always a smart player, especially when it comes to shot selection.
-Used to have a lazy and egotistical rep earlier in his career.
-Would have required the MLE to sign, which would have meant no Antonio McDyess.
Ron Artest
PROS:
-One of the best perimeter defenders of this generation.
-Has transformed into a good three-point shooter.
-Rebounds the ball and is a better than expected passer.
-Doesn't seem to mind having a smaller role offensively
CONS:
-Combustible both oncourt and offcourt. Not exactly the most stable player in the NBA.
-Looks like he has lost some of his athleticism; relies on his jumper more now.
-Takes questionable shots at times -- especially late in games.
-Like Ariza, the Spurs would have used the MLE to sign him.
Richard Jefferson
PROS:
-Still an elite athlete who can run and jump with the best of 'em.
-Can shoot the three and is the most efficient shooter on this list.
-Doesn't rock the boat. Will gladly play a supporting role.
-By all accounts a good teammate who is willing to learn.
CONS:
-Doesn't rebound the ball much anymore.
-Has lost lateral quickness, which makes him an average defender.
-Has a tendency to disappear if not kept involved.
-Owed a ton of money ($29.2M) this year and next.
-Years on bad teams brought upon sloppy habits.
If you were in charge of the Spurs this summer, which would you have taken? I have a pretty good idea on my answer but I want to see what others think first.
Last edited by timvp; 01-15-2010 at 03:26 PM.
I'm sticking with RJ.
jax is turning around the bobcats
fck all u haters
I added in Shawn Marion. Let me know if I forgot anyone else who fits into the discussion.
Ariza, comparable to artest defensively, is the youngest and can still improve, no baggage like the rest, decent offensively (people dont realize he went from being like the #5 option on the lakers to #1 on the rockets, of course hes gonna struggle), and hes used to being a role player.
Jackson will win this one in a landslide and I voted for him, but it's not really a fair question.
On June 24th, VC and RJ were the only two available and the Spurs reportedly tried for VC first. GS wouldn't have traded Jackson for expirings on June 24th and conventional wisdom on that date was that Artest and Ariza would stay with their former teams unless offered more than the MLE by another team.
If only Jackson had made his trade demand in June....
Stephen Jackson, then RJ.
Vince Carter would have been a disaster. Too much to give up for a ball-hog slacker.
I'd rather trade for RJ and sign McDyess than sign Artest or Ariza.
RJ/McDyess > (Artest or Ariza)/Oberto/KT
Trevor Ariza.
He's having a bad season with the Rockets because he thinks he needs to be the star on that team. With the Spurs he would be a top role player.
Great defender, great motivation against the Lakers, great 3pts shooter when he plays like a role player.
The Spurs would be a much better defense team with him.
Good that you added him because I would pick him or Artest and as Ron can cause some troubles Marion would be the perfect pick.
At once we would be matched up better with Mavs and we could go small ball more often, no being worried about rebs disadventage.
I'm good with RJ though - I think he can pick it (game) up and produce better as the season will go forward - February and March will tell us.
I'll take a cheap 24 year old Ariza.
Im glad with RJ, it's just too bad it takes him so long to find his role and productivity in this team. But he is still great and I support him.
Although I wouldnt have minded seeing Vince Carter with us, but if it meant losing Hill, hmm not really.
For me, it'd either be SJax or RJ...
Between the two, I'd go with SJax.
Jackson has played with the Big 3 and knows the Spurs system, and he brings the toughness that the Spurs need. While he has had offcourt issues, he wasn't a problem in his first stint in SA, and he could probably stay out of trouble in this city again.
As far as his terrible contract, Spurs could always explore trade options after the 2011-12 season with his expiring.
I do think he'd be a bit less turnover prone with the Spurs than he is on the Bobcats now though, since his role in the Spurs system would be a different one than he plays in Charlotte (meaning he won't be counted on to handle the ball and the offensive load with the Spurs).
RJ is good, guys. I like the way he's starting to fit in. The only player who might have been a better option is Stephen Jackson, and that's assuming we could have traded for him with the same package.
We should sign Bowen out of retirement to back up RJ. Then package Fin in a trade for a decent 7 footer. It won't happen, but it's what I'd like to see.
Yeah, if we're talking giving up almost same pieces, then SJ all the way. He knows what he was coming to and wanted to come back. The others required using the MLE and giving up more.
Caron Butler would have been reallly nice especially w/ his playmaking abilities, defense, and lower contract, but RJ's not too bad.
If contracts aren't an issue (judging from all players included on the list besides Artest and maybe Ariza), I like Maggette. Guy's been on fahyah this season.
Stephen Jackson then RJ.
Oh, and using the MLE for a player like Ariza or Artest would not have been optimal since getting a quality big man this past offseason was arguably as important as finding a defensive/quality swingman.
So, for me, those two (or any player commanding the MLE) were easily ruled out, even though I did like the idea of Ariza on the Spurs.
That question is pretty tough. Since the Spurs "problem" this year is defense I think Ariza or Artest would have really helped in that department. But if using the MLE on one of them means no McDyess (I still believe he will improve as the season moves on) I doubt I would do it.
I never really liked Carter.
Jax is another player I really like so of course I would love to have him on the team.
Right now I am ready to roll the dice with the combo of Jefferson and McDyess. Both are not playing their best basketball and the Spurs are still 3rd in the west with 0,5 games behind the second. If the team can build chemistry and everybody is playing like they are capable of, I really like the chances to go for No. 5. Health probably is the biggest concern here. So I stick with RJ.
RJ, Ariza would have been my preference because he is young hard defender and a top role player who would fit very nicely in the spurs roster but we needed the mle for a big so I stick with RJ.
I'll take Ariza. He proved he can be the X factor in a playoff series. Then again I wanted Jax back
Ariza
jax
Rj
my top 3
Jackson is a ballhog and has an ugly contract. I would have like more Spurs not doing a trade and playing Finley 35mpg than doing a trade for Jackson.
Jefferson hasn't had a great start but I'm going with him because he is still better than the rest.
IMO rj is still the nobrainer
I probably should have included Corey Maggette since the Warriors would likely salary dump him. Oh well.
Caron Butler wouldn't have been available last offseason. Good thought, though.
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