Richard Jefferson's last 5 games

[#41 Shoot Em Up]

It's all about making shots.

[Waps1980]

Learning the system also includes him spacing the floor, something he has done well this season.
Although sometimes he seems frozen on the corner 3, its because he's shooting so well his defender needs to respect him and that spaces the floor allowing Tony and Manu to go to work.

I would like to see him work of his fake from 3 as it would open his game up to the drive which in turn could help him get more open 3's.
He's been money in the bank from that long 2 he's been shooting.

[Agloco]

Looks like y J found his stroke again. Just in time too.

[Danny.Zhu]

His stats this year is almost the same as last year, except for the 3 pointer percentage.

[silverblk mystix]

This learning the system thing is stupid, especially offensively...he's not doing anything different other than hitting the jumpshots/3s he wasnt hitting last yr. Knowledge of the system isnt the reason he's been so much better, its the fact that its apparent he put in serious time in the summer working on his shot.

He still needs to attack the basket more, thats how he made a name for himself in the league...now that part of his game is non-existant. He could be that much more of an asset if he attacked the basket occasionally. How many people were simply hoping for a good spot-up shooter when we first aquired RJ ??

It may seem that way but it is misleading to think that.

It is NOT an easy thing to REMAIN in the corner when the ball is taken into the middle...most players INSTINCTS are to run in to try and help or rebound. It is NOT easy to remain in your spot and TRUST that TP or Manu will find you. That is why many times last season RJ would end up catching the ball INSIDE the 3 pt line and have a defender on top of him...so RJ would drive and clog the lane and throw off the spacing,etc...

also when he would catch the ball..his mechanics were to catch, gather, crouch down low, then spring up to shoot-allowing the defender to close in...

this season he is ready to rise BEFORE he catches the ball...

there are a few details that he has added that have improved how he fits into the offense...and of course-he IS hitting the open shots WITHIN the offense.

[FkLA]

It's more a comfort level thing. Pop did say that they threw out about 40% of the playbook last year to accommodate RJ and Dice. He knows the playbook better and more of it, and he has a better feel of what to do. He also doesn't freeze like a bunny in the headlights any more. He either sizes up the jump shot and takes it, drives, or passes around the horn.

It wasn't just learning a new system is was learning a new style of playing the game. From going to a fast breaking speed to a slow paced pass the ball around game style. That was what was hard for him to learn how to play Spurs half court style of ball.

I do agree that I would love for him to drive a little bit more but his ball handling is not that great. So I will take his hard defense and three pointers from the side pocket.

It may seem that way but it is misleading to think that.

It is NOT an easy thing to REMAIN in the corner when the ball is taken into the middle...most players INSTINCTS are to run in to try and help or rebound. It is NOT easy to remain in your spot and TRUST that TP or Manu will find you. That is why many times last season RJ would end up catching the ball INSIDE the 3 pt line and have a defender on top of him...so RJ would drive and clog the lane and throw off the spacing,etc...

also when he would catch the ball..his mechanics were to catch, gather, crouch down low, then spring up to shoot-allowing the defender to close in...

this season he is ready to rise BEFORE he catches the ball...

there are a few details that he has added that have improved how he fits into the offense...and of course-he IS hitting the open shots WITHIN the offense.

I cant argue with any of these. He's more comfortable now, he has adjusted better to a new style of play (although SA is playing at a quicker pace this yr than he did his one yr in Milwaukee), and his shooting mechanics are faster now...but tbh these are pretty minor things compared to him having put in serious time on his jumpshot. Because lets be honest, despite last yr being his first here he still had alot of the same open looks he is getting now. He just wasnt hitting them, or even taking them at times because of a lack of trust in his shot.

He's hitting his shots and playing solid basketball, he deserves props...Im just saying did any of you guys simply hope for a good spot up shooter when we got him? I wasnt expecting 20 ppg and a bunch of fastbreak dunks from him, but he was still a capable 1-on-1 player even in the halfcourt (Milwaukee)...right now thats completely gone. He never drives and creates shots/gets to the line on his own anymore. Its alittle dissapointing despite his improved play this season.

[Manu20]

His stats this year is almost the same as last year, except for the 3 pointer percentage.

RJ with 86 made 3 pointers already he had a total of 59 made last year