Props to Richard Jefferson

[raspsa]

Yeah, RJ deserves recognition for his recent performances, including this win vs. the Celtics. I like that he didn't allow his bad start to get him down and just willed himself to be more aggressive scoring and rebounding. He's really not that creative a scorer when the defense is set so he should capitalize on offensive rebounds and of course keep moving and wait for Manu to pass him the ball. Lets see if he can maintain this level of play when TP comes back.

[crc21209]

Big props to RJ tonight once again...not only scoring 16 points but grabbing 11 rebounds as well. Another big thing about his game tonight was that he did all this after picking up 2 fouls in the first minute of the 1st quarter and having to sit the entire quarter after that!

[Xevious]

tp gets blame for rj not being aggressive
but it is up to rj to attack not tp

I'm not taking anything away from TP, but Manu is a much better playmaker, and RJ admitted himself that he needs a strong playmaker to be successful. Parker's game is at its strongest when he runs the pick-and-roll with Duncan and has shooters to kick to when he drives. RJ is not that player. Two things broke RJ out of his slump - playing most of his minutes with Ginibili (whether it be from the bench, or in the starting lineup), and playing his natural position.

I'm not trying to blame Tony or anything. He's an allstar and a finals MVP. But Pop is going to have to figure out what to do with this team once Tony comes back. If he starts, it's going to disrupt everything they've built on during his absence. You can't bench Manu without RJ IMO, and you can't have a starting lineup with Bogans in it. The only options I see are for Tony to come off the bench, or Hill (who has also established himself as a starter).

[EricB]

I'm not blaming TP for RJ's lack of aggression, that's on Jefferson..

Parker does have to get used to running more team-oriented fast breaks, but he probably isn't used to running with finishers other than Manu..Hill does the same thing though, it's probably just stylistic..

Jefferson has to stay aggressive when TP is playing, he'll get his touches..Tony has a tendency to overdribble, but he's not a ballhog, contrary to the belief of many..

Agreed 100%.

Great post.


Richard Jefferson is still not playing 100% RJ ball, but is playing damn good.

The silence at the Ticket 760 over " " Jefferson the scapegoat whipping boy's" good play is hilarious.

[jiggy_55]

Yup, great game by RJ.

I would like to point out that I think IF Pop goes back to starting Parker and Hill, instead of Manu, than all the good we have done will be for nothing. Manu has been comfortable as a starter, the Spurs are on a roll, leave him where he is. As all NBA teams do, we need to start our best lineup every night. RJ needs Manu more than anyone, and they should start together.
Hill won't be affected much by moving back to the bench, he will be a back up pg and sg, play his role and be aggressive while focusing a bit on the D.

Playoffs lineup:
Parker
Manu
RJ
Duncan
McDyess

[raspsa]

Yeah, the simple solution is let Manu be the PG, Tony the SG and RJ the SF. All three can start. The problem is though the 2nd unit will lack offensive punch.
I'd rather have Parker come off the bench, if he can accept this role. Or else, Manu and RK come off the bench and GHill starts alongside Parker.

[TJastal]

He's been finding his niche and playing decent. We will see how this continues when TP comes back and Gino goes to the bench and RJ starts.

[TJastal]

if rj has the ball and settles for a jumpshot instead of trying to drive that is on rj
but rj has to have the ball to attack or settle for jumpshot

Ducks, the problem is with Parker in the game his man doesn't have to guard him out to the 3 pt line and its a spacing issue. Hill and Ginobili are both 3pt threats and the combination helps keep the driving lanes open for Jefferson. And then there's that issue of TP can't seem to find RJ in the open court on breaks where his game really shines, which is something that Manu has shown he can do almost effortlessly.

There is going to be a problem IMO if Parker comes back to the starting lineup and Popovich moves Manu back to a bench role. I'd much rather see Parker coming off the bench rather than disrupt the good chemistry we've seen from the Hill/Manu/Jefferson trio.

[TJastal]

I'm not taking anything away from TP, but Manu is a much better playmaker, and RJ admitted himself that he needs a strong playmaker to be successful. Parker's game is at its strongest when he runs the pick-and-roll with Duncan and has shooters to kick to when he drives. RJ is not that player. Two things broke RJ out of his slump - playing most of his minutes with Ginibili (whether it be from the bench, or in the starting lineup), and playing his natural position.

I'm not trying to blame Tony or anything. He's an allstar and a finals MVP. But Pop is going to have to figure out what to do with this team once Tony comes back. If he starts, it's going to disrupt everything they've built on during his absence. You can't bench Manu without RJ IMO, and you can't have a starting lineup with Bogans in it. The only options I see are for Tony to come off the bench, or Hill (who has also established himself as a starter).

This. +10000

[OrEmuN]

I am just thinking why don't RJ and Manu come off the bench and TP starts with TD. Since TP plays well with TD and vice-versa, that can be the solution, giving us a 2 pronged attack from both starters and bench

Starters - Parker, Hill, Bogans, Duncan, McDyess
Bench - Manu, Mason/Hairston, RJ, Bonner, Blair

Since RJ is ok to bench if he is playing Manu, that can be an option. I do not like Bogans in the starting line up and will actually wish to replace Hairston with him but wth, that is not possible with Pop's love affair with Bogans.

RJ will get the 3pt spacing needed from Mason, Manu and Bonner this way.

[TJastal]

I am just thinking why don't RJ and Manu come off the bench and TP starts with TD. Since TP plays well with TD and vice-versa, that can be the solution, giving us a 2 pronged attack from both starters and bench

Starters - Parker, Hill, Bogans, Duncan, McDyess
Bench - Manu, Mason/Hairston, RJ, Bonner, Blair

Since RJ is ok to bench if he is playing Manu, that can be an option. I do not like Bogans in the starting line up and will actually wish to replace Hairston with him but wth, that is not possible with Pop's love affair with Bogans.

RJ will get the 3pt spacing needed from Mason, Manu and Bonner this way.

Seems logical enough. I'm not totally convinced that TD's poor play as of late is due to TP being out, but if it is, this might have to be the solution.

[WalterBenitez]

RJ is great and I love this game mostly of the nigths.

[Mel_13]

In the ten games since going scoreless against the Knicks:

PPG: 14.8
RPG: 6.6
APG: 2.0
FG%: 57.8 (8th in the NBA, top 7 are all bigs)
3PT%: 22.2 (only 18 attempts in 10 games)
2PT%: 65.5 (2nd to Dwight Howard)
FT%: 83.9

[Xevious]

I am just thinking why don't RJ and Manu come off the bench and TP starts with TD. Since TP plays well with TD and vice-versa, that can be the solution, giving us a 2 pronged attack from both starters and bench

Starters - Parker, Hill, Bogans, Duncan, McDyess
Bench - Manu, Mason/Hairston, RJ, Bonner, Blair

There's a couple problems. Teams were jumping all over that starting lineup when the Spurs used it earlier in the season. The second unit was coming into the game playing catchup most nights. Especially if Parker is coming back from injury (you know his jumper is going to suck), where is all the offense going to come from?

And then as I've said in other threads, these guys are going to play longer minutes come playoff time. I doubt 10 players see the court unless it's a blowout. Duncan, Parker, Ginobili, Jefferson, Hill, and probably Dice and Bonner are going to play huge minutes. Bogans and Blair will play the rest. There will always be starters in the game. There's no need for Manu and RJ to be benched again. Benching Parker until he works his game out makes most sense. If he comes back hot (unlikely), let Hill play the sixth man role.

[Spurminator]

Jefferson finally seems to believe he belongs on the court with this team. He was the second best player for the Spurs last night.

[BillMc]

RJ's been playing well lately. Team is on the rise at the perfect time.

[MarCowMar]

Love love love his rebounding. He seems willing to work to adjust his game and has been professional through the rough start.

I hope Tony has been watching and considering ways to be more of a playmaker with this group. He has some players to run with in Hill and Jefferson.

[Dr Cox]

is it just me..or does anyone else like this lineup alot and hope it doesnt mess up its rythem when tp comes back?

[MoSpur]

Its not Parker's fault for Jefferson's struggles. I think Jefferson just plays better with Manu because of the type of players they are. Parker is use to throwing it into Duncan in the post or running off pick and rolls. He's needed to score when he's in that starting group.

That is why Manu is best when he comes off the bench. It works best for the team that way. When Parker comes back I think Manu and Jefferson need to go back to the second group. I think Hill starts with Tony, Duncan, Dice, and Bogans.

[NFGIII]

Its not Parker's fault for Jefferson's struggles. I think Jefferson just plays better with Manu because of the type of players they are. Parker is use to throwing it into Duncan in the post or running off pick and rolls. He's needed to score when he's in that starting group.

That is why Manu is best when he comes off the bench. It works best for the team that way. When Parker comes back I think Manu and Jefferson need to go back to the second group. I think Hill starts with Tony, Duncan, Dice, and Bogans.

Good points!

I agree wholleheartedly with the last paragraph. When TP comes back and Pop starts RJ with him I think he should fire himself. If anything has become painfully obvious this season is that RJ and Blair both play so much better with Manu than with TP. And as you stated it really isn't TP's fault. That's his game - score first PG - and to ask him to completely revamp it at this point in his career is utterly insane. That just isn't going to happen. Frankly Pop has encouraged this from the beginning. Maybe TP might look around and pass a little more but he will never remotely be a Nash/PAul/Kidd type of PG.

But TP does have input as to how RJ plays so he isn't completely innocent reagrding RJ's struggles. As you pointed out RJ plays well with a Manu type of player, which TP will never be. He needs a pass first PG or a lot more touches in order to acheive the productivity he has had in the past. Playing with TP won't accomplish that.