Spurs: Frontrunners to acquire Al Jefferson

[Raven]

no need to go old now that splitter proved us he can be a cornerstone for the franchise.

[SpursIndonesia]

no need to go old now that splitter proved us he can be a cornerstone for the franchise.

Big Al is about the same age as Splitter, though he does have much more NBA mileage on those legs & body (AFAIK he's quite durable and not a monkeyballer).

[DeadlyDynasty]

no need to go old now that splitter proved us he can be a cornerstone for the franchise.

I love how you can plug any player into Pop's Fool's Gold Machine and Spurfan immediately thinks he's a cornerstone player.

[Brunodf]

AJ also has to create basically all the offense for himself and a lot for his team.

Splitter can just sit around and do clean up work off of whatever Duncan, Ginobili, Parker, and others don't accomplish.

This guy is dumb.
AJ is the third worst defensive player in the league.
AJ shots 44% in the post, Splitter 46%.
AJ has given up the second most points per possession in the PnR, Splitter allows the fewest points per possession.
Splitter FG% 60% vs AJ 48%

[Trainwreck2100]

I love how you can plug any player into Pop's Fool's Gold Machine and Spurfan immediately thinks he's a cornerstone player.

As opposed to save us with your one arm Dwight Howard

[Cry Havoc]

That's a tough call. In a bubble, Jefferson is a better player than Splitter. However, Splitter and Tim have great chemistry and anchor the 3rd best defense in the league. I'd be hesitant to make any move that jeopardizes that.

[DeadlyDynasty]

I would not trade RJ for Carmelo cause I don't wanna mess with the chemistry

[Cry Havoc]

I would not trade RJ for Carmelo cause I don't wanna mess with the chemistry

If only we had one more all-star on our team we would be unstoppable.

[stretch]

This guy is dumb.
AJ is the third worst defensive player in the league.
AJ shots 44% in the post, Splitter 46%.
AJ has given up the second most points per possession in the PnR, Splitter allows the fewest points per possession.
Splitter FG% 60% vs AJ 48%

Splitter also has the luxury of playing alongside an all-star PG, all-star wingman, and all-star big man, all of whom are going to be in the hall of fame.

AJ is the best player on his team.

I agree that Splitter is most likely a better fit for the Spurs. But as an individual basketball player? As a guy to lead a team? AJ > Splitter every day of the week.

[stretch]

That's a tough call. In a bubble, Jefferson is a better player than Splitter. However, Splitter and Tim have great chemistry and anchor the 3rd best defense in the league. I'd be hesitant to make any move that jeopardizes that.

This.

[Brunodf]

Splitter also has the luxury of playing alongside an all-star PG, all-star wingman, and all-star big man, all of whom are going to be in the hall of fame.

AJ is the best player on his team.

I agree that Splitter is most likely a better fit for the Spurs. But as an individual basketball player? As a guy to lead a team? AJ > Splitter every day of the week.

Yeah but to say that Splitter just "sit around" is stupid tbh. And we don't need someone to take away shots from Parker/Manu/Timmy tbh...

[FkLA]

People have clearly not seen Splitter play much tbh. Like DPG said, the golden god is arguably the best finishing big man in the pick and roll game. Hes also statistically the best at defending it. His low post game isnt bad either, Duncans resurgence this year has limited his touches in the post but I know last year he was statistically better than Timmy. I dont think calling him a solid, 15 and 10 starting caliber center is farfetched tbh.

Al is the better, more explosive offensive player but considering our offense is explosive enough as is Id rather keep the golden god.

[Clipper Nation]

I love how you can plug any player into Pop's Fool's Gold Machine and Spurfan immediately thinks he's a cornerstone player.

Not as funny as how Mitch Kupcake (and Lakerfan) thinks that buying all the biggest names guarantees chemistry and success

[stretch]

Yeah but to say that Splitter just "sit around" is stupid tbh. And we don't need someone to take away shots from Parker/Manu/Timmy tbh...

So you think Splitter is someone you can consistently rely on to be a serious contributor in points? Like I'm talking a top 2 scoring option on a playoff team, the way Jefferson is?

I agree completely and said multiple times that Splitter fits better most likely with the Spurs current setup, can you not read? But my reply was to the idiot that said Spliter >>>>>>>>>>> Jefferson. That's just a load of crap.

People have clearly not seen Splitter play much tbh. Like DPG said, the golden god is arguably the best finishing big man in the pick and roll game. Hes also statistically the best at defending it. His low post game isnt bad either, Duncans resurgence this year has limited his touches in the post but I know last year he was statistically better than Timmy. I dont think calling him a solid, 15 and 10 starting caliber center is farfetched tbh.

Al is the better, more explosive offensive player but considering our offense is explosive enough as is Id rather keep the golden god.

I don't think Splitter is a 15/10 center on most squads. He is in an absolutely perfect situation with the Spurs. But replace Al Jefferson with Splitter on the Jazz? Sure he might get 15/10, but they would be a meaningless 15/10 as the Jazz would likely be in the running for the #1 overall pick, while Jefferson is putting up 15/10 type of numbers and getting to the playoffs.

Jefferson provides a number of elements that Splitter can't provide for most teams. Again, he is just in a perfect situation with the Spurs where he provides exactly what the Spurs need from his position.

[stretch]

I love how you can plug any player into Pop's Fool's Gold Machine and Spurfan immediately thinks he's a cornerstone player.

I have never seen a coach that somehow finds ways to turn average talent into solid role players the way Popovich does. It is incredibly rare for a player to play in San Antonio, and not be successful (in terms of their own personal contributions). He is an amazing coach.

I have no doubt in my mind, that if guys like Splitter, Leonard, George Hill, and others all started their careers in different organizations, not a single one of them would have turned out the way they currently have. He just seems to find a way to get the best out of his players, and give them the confidence they need to be successful.

[Cry Havoc]

I love how you can plug any player into Pop's Fool's Gold Machine and Spurfan immediately thinks he's a cornerstone player.

Saltier than the dead sea. That sub .500 superstar team starting to wear on you?

[FkLA]

So you think Splitter is someone you can consistently rely on to be a serious contributor in points? Like I'm talking a top 2 scoring option on a playoff team, the way Jefferson is?

I agree completely and said multiple times that Splitter fits better most likely with the Spurs current setup, can you not read? But my reply was to the idiot that said Spliter >>>>>>>>>>> Jefferson. That's just a load of crap.



I don't think Splitter is a 15/10 center on most squads. He is in an absolutely perfect situation with the Spurs. But replace Al Jefferson with Splitter on the Jazz? Sure he might get 15/10, but they would be a meaningless 15/10 as the Jazz would likely be in the running for the #1 overall pick, while Jefferson is putting up 15/10 type of numbers and getting to the playoffs.

Jefferson provides a number of elements that Splitter can't provide for most teams. Again, he is just in a perfect situation with the Spurs where he provides exactly what the Spurs need from his position.

What number of elements? Hes a better offensive player that demands and draws more attention and double teams than Splitter, Ill give you that. Which is kind of a big deal but I dont think its elite enough to were you can just overlook his terrible defense (i.e. Dirk). What other elements does he bring though ?

[midnightpulp]

I love how you can plug any player into Pop's Fool's Gold Machine and Spurfan immediately thinks he's a cornerstone player.

I wouldn't call Pop's system a "Fool's gold machine." The only thing (and it's a pretty big thing) holding this Spurs team back from raping the league is the lack of a superstar. Put a 27 year old Duncan and a '05 Ginobili in there, and it's GG NBA. Even then, they still wouldn't be as talented as Miami and OKC on paper, but they still beat either of those teams in a 7 game series because they run a better system.

FWIW, I think Pop's a better coach now than when he was winning championships.

[DeadlyDynasty]

I have never seen a coach that somehow finds ways to turn average talent into solid role players the way Popovich does. It is incredibly rare for a player to play in San Antonio, and not be successful (in terms of their own personal contributions). He is an amazing coach.

I have no doubt in my mind, that if guys like Splitter, Leonard, George Hill, and others all started their careers in different organizations, not a single one of them would have turned out the way they currently have. He just seems to find a way to get the best out of his players, and give them the confidence they need to be successful.

This is what Spurfan (most of them, anyways) will never understand. Pop's system is amazing at maximizing their scrub talent, but at the end of the day scrubs are scrubs. Splitter wouldn't be nearly as effective anywhere else in the NBA--and Danny Green, Gary Neal, as well as others would be straight up unemployed. Scrubs always end up showing their true colors. See 2012 WCF.

[FkLA]

Green and Neal are alot more limited than Splitter.

[stretch]

What number of elements? Hes a better offensive player that demands and draws more attention and double teams than Splitter, Ill give you that. Which is kind of a big deal but I dont think its elite enough to were you can just overlook his terrible defense (i.e. Dirk). What other elements does he bring though ?

Drawing attention and double teams is one of the best aspects a player can bring to the game, so I'm not sure why you are trying to minimize that. It makes the entire game easier for the rest of the team.

But if we really want to break it all down...

low post game
high post game
jumper
ball handling
footwork
leadership
experience
drawing defensive attention
athleticism
offensive rebounding
defensive rebounding
shot-blocking
offensive efficiency

Every single one of those aspects he either is statistically superior in every way possible, or has obviously proven to be superior to Splitter at.

[stretch]

This is what Spurfan (most of them, anyways) will never understand. Pop's system is amazing at maximizing their scrub talent, but at the end of the day scrubs are scrubs. Splitter wouldn't be nearly as effective anywhere else in the NBA--and Danny Green, Gary Neal, as well as others would be straight up unemployed. Scrubs always end up showing their true colors. See 2012 WCF.

Green and Neal are alot more limited than Splitter.

I would agree with that. Splitter is still just an average basketball player at best. He might have certain needs he fits well, but is not a special player in any way.

[FkLA]

Drawing attention and double teams is one of the best aspects a player can bring to the game, so I'm not sure why you are trying to minimize that. It makes the entire game easier for the rest of the team.

How am I minimizing it when I said it was kind of a big deal. I simply said hes not good enough offensively for his defense to be overlooked, like Dirk for example who was such an elite offensive player that he was still one of the best players in the league despite his D.

But if we really want to break it all down...

low post game
high post game
jumper
ball handling
footwork
leadership
experience
drawing defensive attention
athleticism
offensive rebounding
defensive rebounding
shot-blocking
offensive efficiency

Every single one of those aspects he either is statistically superior in every way possible, or has obviously proven to be superior to Splitter at.

About half of those things Al has a minimal advantage in, or possibly even a disadvantage (simply plays more mpg) . Leadership and experience are just lol. Bringing up ball handling when comparing a center and a PF/C whos bread and butter is his post game is just dumb. Im not saying Splitter is better than Al, but Splitter is far from a scrub or even just an average NBA player. Hes the starting center for alot of teams imo.

[FkLA]

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ba...6616--nba.html

good read tbh

[DeadlyDynasty]

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ba...6616--nba.html

good read tbh

le says it all, as well as the first couple paragraphs I read. Decent player in a great situation.