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Bingo. If RJ doesn't fit, change the system so that he does. He's far more talented than anyone the Spurs can reasonably acquire.
I agree RJ doesn't add much if you use him incorrectly but the Spurs can use him correctly. Running more in transition and allowing RJ to score 17+ a game helps the team more than letting him score 11 and just featuring Tony/Manu. Tony/Manu/Duncan can really get theirs at any time. But a more confident RJ tries harder and defends harder. Basically it doesn't make sense to use him as a 4th option.
I wrote this in the other thread:
Another option would be changing the system enough to allow RJ to play his game. He was averaging 20ppg at the beginning of the season when the Spurs were winning. They are a much more dangerous team with an aggressive RJ. In fact I think they're better of that way than trying to find a 3 and D(efense) player to replace RJ. There's not that many Bowen clones out there. Allowing RJ to play his game makes everyone else more dangerous because the defense doesn't know who to stop.
The whole reason the Spurs got RJ was because they didn't believe they had enough offensive firepower with Bowen's declining defense and Finley's non-existent defense. I think the Spurs best chance at competing is to go back to that running game and then focus on improving the defense. Play JA and Splitter and less Bonner (definitely no Bonner and Blair at the same time) will also help the defense. They can also look for a cheap good backup defensive big. That's a very realistic plan that allows them to compete and maintain team chemistry. It doesn't make sense to mess with team chemistry if you're just shuffling players around. It's much easier to change the gameplan.
Bingo. If RJ doesn't fit, change the system so that he does. He's far more talented than anyone the Spurs can reasonably acquire.
You don't change the system to fit RJ. That is ridiculous. He's not better than Tim/TP/Manu, those are the guys you play to their strengths.
RJ's strengths aren't conducive to winning.
I don't even know what strengths RJ has.
He scored a lot more at the beginning of the season in large part due to hitting a lot of shots.
Well the other problem is that even if you wanted to change to fit what RJ is known for, he doesn't do it as well as he used to because of a decline physically. It just makes no sense trying to change the team to something you know has little chance of winning for a guy like RJ. Almost as little sense as signing him for that 2nd time.
Building a team around a marginal player is a terrible idea.
Couldn't care less. We're ed anyway. A giant gaping hole at centre. I piece of at SF. Pop's mancrush on Bonner. We have no shot
It's very simple idea. Run more and get more open court opportunities. It helps RJ's game and everybody else. I remember Neal in an interview after a game saying that was Pop's gameplan. The big 3 will always be able to get their opportunities.
The Spurs did it at the beginning of last season and were on a record breaking pace. If they had kept the offense close to the same level and improved the defense I think they would have won the Finals. Actually it was more shocking for them not to have won based on the pace they set. I think '05 Pistons are the only team that started as well and didn't win and they at least made it to Finals game 7.
Not this again. Run and gun doesn't work in the playoffs. Game slows down and you need to be able to score on a set offense.
'05 Pistons were a grind it out team.
Not to mention that building a team because your marginal player can't play any other way is an even worse idea.
Disagree therealtruth. You can't base your gameplan on your piece of small forward just cause he sucks and you overpaid him so bad. We run n gun last year and ed it. Our teams won championships with defense. Phoenix couldn't win with run n gun. Dallas couldn't win with run n gun until they played D last year. There's no point running more, we ran heaps last season. We need defense and rebounding. There is zero Point strategising your team based on just trying to get RJ to be better, especially with massive gaping holes in the middle, him.
I was only talking about the offensive gameplan. There's no question defense has to be better to contend. Even last year if we had Splitter and Anderson in the rotation the defense might have been good enough. Without Anderson we were too small to defend at the wings. By using Splitter sparingly we had plently of Bonner & Blair and not enough rim protection. Even if Splitter's defense was as bad as Bonner, if all he did was backup and raise his arms, it would be harder to score because of his length. Combine his length with Duncan in the starting lineup should help cover the hole in the middle.
In reality we don't know the defensive potential of the team at full strength. With a good defender like Leonard in the wings it might be better than you think if Pop can focus on defense.
rather give the sf startin spot to james anderson or kawhi, or put gino there with neal playin SG...
im tired of the RJ clown, who like bonner is just makin numbers on the court for 3 on 5
RJ starting would be a terrible mistake.
I expect him to start and play big minutes.
Ah, it's good to see SpursTalk finally rounding back into form.
i'd like to see James Anderson and Kawil Leonard play.
the way Pop sat RJ the whole second half of the last game against the grizz...i wouldn't be surprised if he's given up on him completely and relegates him to 15 mpg. huge deserved slap in the face to RJ that i think showed what Pop thinks of him, which is that he's worthless.
NEVER, ever, EVER change the system for RJ. This should not have to be explained. Run and gun will get you dominated in the playoffs if that's your only strong point.
Plus you got the wrong year for the Pistons, it was 2006 that the Pistons were on record pace about halfway through the season and they got face ed in the ECF by Miami. Really big letdown from that Pistons team.
I would like to see RJ play 8 minutes a game. Maybe if he have channel an entire game's effort into 8 minutes on both sides of the court, he can be useful. If he can't bust his butt for 8 minutes, then I want him out of San Antonio ASAP.
I care that RJ was foolishly re-upped a year ago and that he's still on the roster.
I still don't want him starting.
Things I'm not looking forward to in 2012:
RJ starting
Bonner starting
Bonner/Blair lineup
Tiago being benched
Pop not using common sense
Things I'm looking forward to:
Tim and Manu having the chance to play another season before they retire
Tiago/Kawhi/Anderson/Neal
This cat plays better defense than RJ...
The Spurs had no choice but to resign RJ. There was no alternative last season and there's still no real alternative till we know how Leonard develops. I'll say this though the Spurs should have gotten a backup SF after Anderson got injured. It's always good to have a backup at each position to push the starter to play better. Manu was forced into becoming the backup SF.
Defense happens on both sides of the court. The whole reason defensive teams favor half-court offense is that there is less of an opportunity for turnovers than in fast-break situations, a higher likelihood of converting the possession to points or collecting the rebound (can't get a bounce if your Center is just crossing the halfcourt) and an easier time getting your guards (wonder why they're named that?) back on D. There are exceptions, I know, but they tend to be cons uted of teams with preternaturally gifted (i.e. "once in a generation"-level players.) RJ isn't on that level. Neither is anyone on our team anymore, really.
Also take into account that playing hard defense is exhausting and therefore does not match well with run and gun style of basketball. A defensive possession ends with getting the rebound. If players only think of getting to the other half of the court as fast as possible to score, the possession will more likely end with an offensive rebound and points for the opponent.
Spurs just should be opportunistic when to run, but defense should be a priority.
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