Article: What’s Left in RJ’s Tank?

[spursfaninla]

This article is basically stupid. There is no good reason to think RJ is on the downside...

[peskypesky]

While the article is written well, its point thoroughly worked, and its main idea kept in tact even til the end, there couldn't be a worse premise. The guy has played every game for 2 straight seasons, his best since his 2nd-3rd seasons, while averaging 38 MPG; these alone severely quake and split the ground which the argument rests on. The fact he's 29, generally considered within an NBA player's prime, also helps to dispel the author's misgivings.

exactly. stupid premise for an article. what's his next article going to be, "Should basketballs be made of rock?". and then eight paragraphs of him explaining why it wouldn't work?

[barbacoataco]

I think RJ will be better than epected on defense. I also think/hope that either Hill or Hairston will wind up being a defensive plus on the perimeter. Also there is the possibility that McDyess, Haislip or Mahinmi will be able to defend some of the bigger forwards like Dirk or West that Bowen used to sometimes guard.

[mystargtr34]

This article really makes me question whether replacing Michael Finley and Ime Udoka with Richard Jefferson will improve the team at all.

When's this guy's article coming out about McDyess' win shares decreasing over the past 3 years.

Maybe Bonner > McDyess.

[pad300]

I'm ready for someone, anyone with accurate info as to how often Richard Jefferson took the ball to the rack.

From 82games.com

Player, % of shots close range shots, % of Dunks, Overall % of inside shots
Jefferson, 22%, 5%, 27%
Finley, 8%, 1%, 10%
Bowen, 14%, 1%, 15%

Yes, Bowen was more active near the basket than Finley was (offensively), and Jefferson was much more so (twice as big a percentage as Bowen, and 3 times as much as Finley). Bowen also shot a better percentage than Finley (EFG% .535 to .532), which is why some of us were so unhappy with Pop's mancrush on Finley. If the FO is smart, they will move Fin this offseason, just because Pop's usual judgement is going to with regards to this tradeoff.

Actually Fin deserves more credit than what LJ gives him. With Jefferson playing as the starting SF and Mason at the 2, Fin will be resting on the bench during the first tense minutes of the game, and steps up into the game to give Jefferson some time for rest. Last season, Fin was the starting SF and played 30minutes or some night in and night out, averaging about 10 points per game. However, some Spurs fans kept throwing bullcrap blames onto this veteran while ignoring the inactivity of Bruce who was around the same edge with Fin in terms of age.

1) FIn off the bench has been tried repeatedly. Unfortunately, Fin is absolute crap coming off the bench. This has been shown repeatedly when he was coming off the bench behind Barry or Manu (when we were trying to put Manu in the starting lineup...).
2) as the stats above show, Bruce is both more active on the offensive end. Bruce also puts far more effort in on the defensive end... You like Fin from his Dallas days, fine by me, but if I have to make a choice between Fin and Bruce right now, I take Bruce 7 days a week and twice on Sundays. This crap you are posting about Bowen's inactivity is weaksauce.

[Fabbs]

Excellent pad300.

Refreshing to see competence.