Should Pop work with RJ again during the summer?

[Trill Clinton]

If Pop was the Wizard and could give RJ a heart, then I would say yes. Since that isn't the case, RJ is what he is. There is nothing more Pop can do.

[objective]

The most annoying thing with RJ on this board is when people make excuses for him over his role and how he used to be a 20 point scorer when he was featured.

Ron Harper changed his whole career around based on being a role player. Harper was a big scorer like RJ. He went to Chicago to be a big scorer in the absence of MJ. But he was a terrible fit and then MJ came back and there was even less need of a scorer.

So he changed his entire game to become one of the best role players in the league.

Ron Harper did it. Richard Jefferson didn't. I don't know if it's because he's too soft or too lazy or not smart enough, but he has zero excuses. He's being paid more than enough to play his ass off with intelligent plays and tough defense without being a top 2 option.

Jefferson is a disgrace and the writing was on the wall before his contract was ever signed, too bad a lot of people including the Spurs refused to read it.

[GSH]

Why does every vet we bring in revert to some jump shooting 3 point got? Can't we bring in a scorer to actually score without shooting the ball 99% of the time?

I'll take that question. It's because Pop has always made it clear to any better-than-average player who comes here that "We already have a Big 3". I'm sure he lets them know in his own way, but when they haven't gotten the message, he has come right out and said it in exactly those words. He's made the statement to reporters, to make sure that players got the message.

No one is going to rival the Big 3, nobody is going to show up the Big 3, nobody is going to take the place of one of the Big 3. Go to the 3P line. Stand there. Wait.

People can debate whether it was the best way to handle things - he's won 4 rings his way, after all. But there is no doubt that players come here and become 3P shooting stiffs, because that's what they are expected to do. That wasn't Jefferson's game, and most of us knew that when he was signed. There was plenty of discussion about how his game wasn't really suited to Pop's coaching philosophy. It really isn't surprising that's how things turned out. I'm not happy with RJ here, but I am also convinced that his numbers would have been a lot better the last few years if he had been on another team.

[v2freak]

I think he needs a sports psychologist.

[ChuckD]

Of course, Pop didn't play him. Kinda hard to score more then that when your playing less than 10 minutes a game and garbage minutes at that.

Hairston could have been a solid role player at the very least and with some experience and maybe more than that. We'll never know now.

4>0rings was lamenting the fact that the team hasn't had any guys who score around the basket, well Hairston could. He had a good first step and could really get to the rack. As well as being an excellent cutter (something Jefferson used to be good at, but no longer).

Now go back to your miserable popsucking life.

I love how you people think you're smarter than every GM in the league. You do realize that 29 other GMs took a pass when we let him go....twice.

[Cessation]

I bet when this is over, fo will say they ed up, same way they said about scola.

[ezau]

I'm not giving RJ excuses but POP simply didn't have enough plays designed for him. POP is content with having a BIG THREE and he didn't know what to do by having an athletic and dynamic player in RJ.

, this dumb coach didn't even want to trust Splitter until it's too late in the season. In fact, he's so stubborn he opted to change RJ's game by letting him shoot in the corner, instead of designing plays that can maximize RJ's abilities.

The old man is simply too stubborn and sad to say, he's washed up as a coach.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, POP has been bailed out by Duncan his entire career here in San Antonio.

Now that TD is no longer the dominant player that he once was, POP wasn't able to adjust and he knows it. He's lucky to have won four rings here TBH.

Heck, Adelman would have had six rings by now if he coached SA since 97.

Point is, it's all about TD and we owe that big guy bigtime for what he's done for the franchise.

[ducks]

maybe pop should work with hill

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

The only thing Pop should work on RJ with is finding him a new team. Serious ing answer, tbh.

Winner.

The guy had a perfect opportunity to show that he could contribute here, to the point of the coach working with him over the summer, and he blew it. Ship his arse ASAP.

[KaiRMD1]

Pop should work with the whole team.

[4>0rings]

I'll take that question. It's because Pop has always made it clear to any better-than-average player who comes here that "We already have a Big 3". I'm sure he lets them know in his own way, but when they haven't gotten the message, he has come right out and said it in exactly those words. He's made the statement to reporters, to make sure that players got the message.

No one is going to rival the Big 3, nobody is going to show up the Big 3, nobody is going to take the place of one of the Big 3. Go to the 3P line. Stand there. Wait.

People can debate whether it was the best way to handle things - he's won 4 rings his way, after all. But there is no doubt that players come here and become 3P shooting stiffs, because that's what they are expected to do. That wasn't Jefferson's game, and most of us knew that when he was signed. There was plenty of discussion about how his game wasn't really suited to Pop's coaching philosophy. It really isn't surprising that's how things turned out. I'm not happy with RJ here, but I am also convinced that his numbers would have been a lot better the last few years if he had been on another team.

I'd agree in the real early years but not now. This team is so leaderless and they don't care who shoots the ball. They are glad when someone takes over. Look at Neal, guy is fearless and doesn't care who's what option, if he's hot and making shots, he's taking them no matter what... and they LOVE him for that. This team is dieing for someone to come grab it by the throat and tell them, this is what we're doing. It's like they are all looking at each other waiting for someone to step up and no one ever does.

[MR.SILVER&BLack]

nope would rather have pop work with hill, anderson, and splitter. working with RJ again would be a waste of opportunity to work with the teams future.