Mysterious Offseason Workouts Pay Early Dividends for Richard

[JWest596]

Nobody is "overpaid" in their contract if a river parade occurs.

RJ looks damn promising, Manu and TP played well and Tim did his almost usual '20/10' routine despite a bad first half. The Rockets always play us tough and yes we were fortunate for their decisions made and game injuries but we are beginning off to a good start which compared to last season is a big w00t!

We get Splitter assimilated and in shape, DB and bench getting better...I like what I'm seeing so far.

[The Truth #6]

Jefferson's been thriving off the Bowen role (offensively). Stay in the corner and wait for the swing pass. No need to put the pressure of being a second or third option on him this soon, otherwise they risk messing up his confidence with added expectations. Pop doesn't need to call more plays for him, he just needs to tell Gino to tone back the contested 3-pointers late in games.

That's just crazy talk. He's a career scorer. I think he can handle the pressure of extra shots. The challenge is to get good shots, which he has been. There were several times in the Rockets game when Manu or Tony would be dribbling around looking for their own shot when a pass to an open RJ would have been the better basketball play.

[Blackjack]

That's just crazy talk. He's a career scorer. I think he can handle the pressure of extra shots. The challenge is to get good shots, which he has been. There were several times in the Rockets game when Manu or Tony would be dribbling around looking for their own shot when a pass to an open RJ would have been the better basketball play.

While I don't believe they need to be calling isolations for him down the stretch, you're right. Manu and Tony seemed to forget about him (and most everyone else for a stretch there) during some crucial stretches -- the guy scored on the outlet to end regulation but I don't believe he took a shot for a good stretch before that play or even one in overtime.

What kills me about games like last night is when Manu tires and no one puts the onus on themselves to finish the job, or simply the fresher man doesn't demand the ball.

Manu had his shot going and he's always got the guts of a burglar. But when he doesn't have his legs to get to the cup, he starts getting 3 happy. And when Manu gets 3 happy, that ain't good for the team -- the Spurs need to get to the basket, and subsequently, the line, down the stretch. No one on the Spurs gets to the line easier than Manu when he's got his legs, but RJ has been getting there more frequently this year.

That's why they need to get RJ involved more late in games. They need to create the seams so RJ can attack off the ball to get to the line late. It's RJ, Manu and Indy that have gotten to the line most frequently this year and they need to know that for situations like last night.

[Cessation]

After a second look, I'd say the first two manu threes were bad, but the 3rd one was fine. He was open and he had his feet set. Sometimes he goes for these dagger threes, this time they didnt go in, he's just a daring player. He did put us into ot with the awsome shake and bake, and had the steal with 16 sec left when we were up by one, preventing a potential game winning score by the rockets. We shouldn't be so hard on manu, you can't play perfect all the time. He was 4-11 on threes which is a descent percentage.

[TJastal]

While I don't believe they need to be calling isolations for him down the stretch, you're right. Manu and Tony seemed to forget about him (and most everyone else for a stretch there) during some crucial stretches -- the guy scored on the outlet to end regulation but I don't believe he took a shot for a good stretch before that play or even one in overtime.

What kills me about games like last night is when Manu tires and no one puts the onus on themselves to finish the job, or simply the fresher man doesn't demand the ball.

Manu had his shot going and he's always got the guts of a burglar. But when he doesn't have his legs to get to the cup, he starts getting 3 happy. And when Manu gets 3 happy, that ain't good for the team -- the Spurs need to get to the basket, and subsequently, the line, down the stretch. No one on the Spurs gets to the line easier than Manu when he's got his legs, but RJ has been getting there more frequently this year.

That's why they need to get RJ involved more late in games. They need to create the seams so RJ can attack off the ball to get to the line late. It's RJ, Manu and Indy that have gotten to the line most frequently this year and they need to know that for situations like last night.

Hill has shown some flashes of being a guy who can not only get to the line with frequency, but knock em down at an 80% clip. Perhaps there is a closer job in his future?