ESPN NBA Rumors: Jefferson hasn't shown intensity this season/Not Playing Enough D

[BillMc]

Any ESPN Insider can give us the gist of this Jefferson rumor?

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/featu...2frumors#12934


Many thanks,

Bill

[YoMamaIsCallin]

When the Spurs inked Richard Jefferson this offseason in an effort to retool a bit and make another run at a le, they hope he'd be a defensive stopper for them.

But as ESPN affiliate site 48 Minutes of points out, Jefferson isn't doing enough on D, and the Gregg Popovich has turned to other members of the squad to man-up on the opposising sqaud's best player.

"The Spurs pessimist, certain to demur, will point to Richard Jefferson's uneven play, wondering what the offseason fuss was all about," writes Timothy Varner. "Jefferson has looked decidedly mediocre on most nights, despite a couple convincing early season performances. What's the deal?

"Unfortunately for the Spurs, the main concern with Jefferson is that he's not impacting the game enough on the defensive end. His man defense is good, but not great. The Spurs consistently look to George Hill and Keith Bogans to guard the opposing team's best perimeter players. Hill and Bogans relish the role of defensive stopper, and they also bring the goods. This is something the Spurs wanted from Richard Jefferson, and could still use, but have yet to see.

"The worry here can't be explained away by a lack of understanding. This is not a matter of Jefferson learning the system. This is a lack of defensive intensity."


John Hollinger
Scouting report on Jefferson's D
"Jefferson focused more on defense in Milwaukee after taking the year off with the Nets a year earlier, though he'll bail on his rebounding responsibilities to leak out on the break. He does a good job one-on-one and opponents rarely try to post him up or isolate against him, but he's not as enthusiastic about chasing opponents through screens or helping on the weak side."

[BillMc]

When the Spurs inked Richard Jefferson this offseason in an effort to retool a bit and make another run at a le, they hope he'd be a defensive stopper for them.

But as ESPN affiliate site 48 Minutes of points out, Jefferson isn't doing enough on D, and the Gregg Popovich has turned to other members of the squad to man-up on the opposising sqaud's best player.

"The Spurs pessimist, certain to demur, will point to Richard Jefferson's uneven play, wondering what the offseason fuss was all about," writes Timothy Varner. "Jefferson has looked decidedly mediocre on most nights, despite a couple convincing early season performances. What's the deal?

"Unfortunately for the Spurs, the main concern with Jefferson is that he's not impacting the game enough on the defensive end. His man defense is good, but not great. The Spurs consistently look to George Hill and Keith Bogans to guard the opposing team's best perimeter players. Hill and Bogans relish the role of defensive stopper, and they also bring the goods. This is something the Spurs wanted from Richard Jefferson, and could still use, but have yet to see.

"The worry here can't be explained away by a lack of understanding. This is not a matter of Jefferson learning the system. This is a lack of defensive intensity."


John Hollinger
Scouting report on Jefferson's D
"Jefferson focused more on defense in Milwaukee after taking the year off with the Nets a year earlier, though he'll bail on his rebounding responsibilities to leak out on the break. He does a good job one-on-one and opponents rarely try to post him up or isolate against him, but he's not as enthusiastic about chasing opponents through screens or helping on the weak side."

Many thanks!!!

[HarlemHeat37]

His man defense has gotten better since the team's been making huge defensive strides for a few weeks now, but he's absolutely horrible at fighting through screens..

[BillMc]

How long until the first trade Jefferson thread???

[HarlemHeat37]

There have already been posts talking about RJ trades, we'll probably see a lot more in the next few weeks if he doesn't improve.. , if he struggles vs. Boston and Denver, you'll probably see a bunch at that time..usually trolls that don't realize we won't be able to move his contract..

[rjv]

His man defense has gotten better since the team's been making huge defensive strides for a few weeks now, but he's absolutely horrible at fighting through screens..

sounds like parker

[elbamba]

I think Jefferson has played about as well as one could expect to this point in the season. Dice, Blair and Bogans have all had their share of poor games. If he doesn't improve by March I will be more concerned.

[NZ Spurs]

So 48MOH is a legit source now?

[Leetonidas]

Meh, sounds like ESPN is just trying to stir up the pot. Jefferson's D has been acceptable thus far, it's not like anyone was expecting him to be Bruce. His offense will come but really he is the 4th option and doesn't need to score that much anyway. As long as his PPG is hovering around 15 then I see no problem.

[xtremesteven33]

Jefferson has always been a mediocre defender.

He has all the tools to be a great defender but it seems to me he lacks the defensive instincts/intensity that you need to be a great defender night in/night out.
Im hoping he improves in this area because the Spurs wont be getting far without some damn good wing defenders....

[BillMc]

Jefferson has always been a mediocre defender.

He has all the tools to be a great defender but it seems to me he lacks the defensive instincts/intensity that you need to be a great defender night in/night out.
Im hoping he improves in this area because the Spurs wont be getting far without some damn good wing defenders....

It's a matter, I suppose, of really WANTING to play D. Not just when you're guarding a man with the ball, but the complete package. Bogans is a vet who knows he'll be out of the league if he can't be a d-specialist, Hill is a young guy who will do anything to prosper in the league. Jefferson is a successful, well-paid guy. One wonders if he has the fire for D that Bogans and Hill have. That said, I do like Jefferson, and I think he'll come around as far as overall contributions. But when Pop wanted him to be a "lock down" defender, that may not be in his nature.

[Spursmania]

Hope RJ reads this article gets pissed and follows up with an awesome defensive performance against Boston tomorrow night.

[bigbendbruisebrother]

how long until the first trade jefferson thread???

5-4-3-2-1

[Doe]

Wow that's lame on ESPNs part, you PAY to be an Insider and you get snippets from a FREE (although fantastic) blog? Glad I never ponied up for that service.

As far as the article, Jefferson's D is a bit disappointing considering he was going to be responsible for checking the top perimeter players. Besides effort, he also has some bad habits he needs to fix, such as closing out. On the other hand, Hill and Bogan's have done a damn fine job filling in.

[Whisky Dog]

It's jefferson's offense, scoring, and playmaking that need to take another step up. His defense won't get much better, but he can score better than he is now. He still looks out of place, no rhythm to his game.

[ginobilized]

Am I correctly remembering RC Buford saying right after the RJ signing to the effect
we're still looking for a lockdown perimeter defender. I never had the impression that the Spurs had an expectation for RJ to fill that role. That's Bogan's job. However, RJ is a nice upgrade from last year's starting small forward Michael Finley.

[Muser]

If Parker stopped treating him like Bowen and Pop ran some plays for him then we might see the Jefferson we had all hoped for.

[Kamnik]

Bull ...

[EmptyMan]

Bull . Jefferson hasn't put up many stats but the dude IS intense.

[pjjrfan]

Jefferson looks like the guy that Manu totally undressed in game 6 of the 03 finals. I thought the guy had some game, he does, but come crunch time, he is going to be a big let down. Every game he has been in this year that has come down to the wire he has looked shaky even shakier than the rookies when they get a taste of real spurs crunchtime. As a Spurs fan I would love to be wrong, but so far he hasn't convinced me, and pretty soon I think his teammates will catch on a lot faster than us fans.

[kbrury]

I think Jefferson will be fine as he said in an article the other day he is still learning, and I think Pop is still learning as well its been a while since he has had a player with RJ's skills.

[crc21209]

People need to realize that RJ isnt going to be Bruce Bowen 2.0. And we dont need him to be...I think Hill and Bogans are more than up for the task of defending the teams best player on any given night. RJ was brought here to be another offensive weapon..ask ANY team and I think they'll tell u that Offensively a 4-some of Tony, Manu, Timmy, and RJ scare the out of teams more-so than a 4-some of Tony, Manu, Timmy, and Bowen. Although Bruce was an excellent defender, it was 4 on 5 many teams for the Spurs on the Offensive side of the ball last year. Some people are just born to play D and love it. RJ just isnt one of those guys...but we don't need him to be.....he can't be poor on D, all we need him to be is OK.

[Big P]

How long until the first trade Jefferson thread???

Honestly though, IMO I dont think that he will be with us for the full 2 years on his contract.

[EP Money Man]

However, RJ is a nice upgrade from last year's starting small forward Michael Finley.

The only upgrade over Finley is athleticism and quickness. Finley is a better shooter and so far a similar type defender. Finley has a pure J, whereas RJ dunks.