RJ's Contract Details

[Kori Ellis]

For everyone flipping out...
RJ was a bad fit last season, but the Spurs aren't crazy. They must have had some indicator that he would change. He ruined the spacing most of the time when he was on the court. That's the major thing that needs to change - not his scoring or defense.

I know everyone is flipping out because the Spurs didn't make big changes this summer, but despite the sweep - I don't think the Spurs needed to change that much.

A healthy Parker will make a huge difference. You guys somehow are forgetting how good he was when healthy the season before. He was one of the best players in the league.

Splitter will make a big difference (hopefully). His size will obviously be a big asset. Plus they won't have to overuse Bonner. Despite the Bonner hate on the forum, as a role player, he's not atrocious. He just isn't a starting center or a guy who should be relied on in the clutch. Splitter's presence will also allow the Spurs to manage McDyess's minutes. He obviously wakes up in the second half of the season, so the Spurs can limit him early on.

Though I think the George Hill point guard experiment failed, many of you don't. I think he'll continue to be used as a combo guard - more so an off guard. He should continue to develop on both ends of the court and becoming increasingly important to the team. He obviously believes in the Spurs' mantra and is a worker. So I expect him to continue making strides.

If Tony is healthy, then Manu/Tim won't get so worn down throughout the season. Last year, they had to do too much - Tim early in the season and Manu in the second half of the year. By the playoffs, they were both often losing their legs during games.

Blair can beast. You know he can. He just needs to get some more defensive basics down and he'll be a big asset to this team.

And don't throw in the towel on any other changes...just maybe not right now. If the Spurs start losing a lot during the season, they have a big trading chip in Parker.

[MaNu4Tres]

I agree Bogans and Mason sucked and I'm glad they're gone... but Bogans averaged a grand total of 7 mins in the playoffs, and Mason 10 mins.

Which should tell you how non-existent the Spurs' bench was. (Huge weakness; part of it was Pop's fault for investing in the wrong players (Mason, Bogans, Bonner to an extent over Blair).

This was a main reason the Spurs' execution wasn't up to par in the 4th quarters against Phoenix. Pop investing in the wrong players (Mason, Bogans) going into the playoffs and in the playoffs hurt the Spurs chances in the end because Manu, Parker, Hill all had to play too many minutes because the players Pop invested in continued being atrocious. Which left the main play-makers on the perimeter (Parker, Manu and Hill) winded with their hands on their knees in the 4th quarters against Phoenix and even Dallas.

This next year Spurs will have Splitter and Blair (hopefully) over Bonner. Anderson and Hairston over Bogans and Mason (which should be an instant improvement if they are just healthy).

[DPG21920]

If the Spurs have to trade TP the run is over. No matter what happens, RJ's contract hurts the Spurs.

The Spurs aren't dumb, but they make plenty of mistakes. I think the mistake here was making this pre-arranged deal with RJ thinking he would get at least this on the open market. They mis-judged the market and ended up doing something they did not have to. They could have not talked RJ into opting out and had his services for this year and could cut their losses next year or use him as a trade chip this year to improve.

Now if things don't work out, it means losing TP, not RJ.

I am making assumptions here that the Spurs and RJ had a deal in place, which could be wrong. But this contract points to them having a deal.

[ElNono]

Which should tell you how non-existent the Spurs' bench was. (Huge weakness; part of it was Pop's fault for investing in the wrong players (Mason, Bogans, Bonner to an extent over Blair).

This was a main reason the Spurs' execution wasn't up to par in the 4th quarters against Phoenix. Pop investing in the wrong players (Mason, Bogans) going into the playoffs and in the playoffs hurt the Spurs chances in the end because Manu, Parker, Hill all had to play too many minutes because the players Pop invested in continued being atrocious. Which left the main play-makers on the perimeter Parker, Manu and Hill winded with their hands on their knees in the 4th quarters against Phoenix and even Dallas.

This next year Spurs will have Splitter and Blair (hopefully) over Bonner. Anderson and Hairston over Bogans and Mason (which should be an instant improvement if they are just healthy).

Whatever turns out to be, I'll be watching... getting agitated and cursing when Bonner sees the floor... the usual stuff...
Good deal, bad deal, we're just burning time until the season starts, then we get glued to the TV (or the seats)...

If people renege about some of these deals, it's because they're also eager to see a lot of the new and young talent waiting in the wings. Ultimately, we'll see whatever Pop wants us to see, so by the time the whistle blows, we'll just sit back and watch.

[nbaman99]

For everyone flipping out...
RJ was a bad fit last season, but the Spurs aren't crazy. They must have had some indicator that he would change. He ruined the spacing most of the time when he was on the court. That's the major thing that needs to change - not his scoring or defense.

I know everyone is flipping out because the Spurs didn't make big changes this summer, but despite the sweep - I don't think the Spurs needed to change that much.

A healthy Parker will make a huge difference. You guys somehow are forgetting how good he was when healthy the season before. He was one of the best players in the league.

Splitter will make a big difference (hopefully). His size will obviously be a big asset. Plus they won't have to overuse Bonner. Despite the Bonner hate on the forum, as a role player, he's not atrocious. He just isn't a starting center or a guy who should be relied on in the clutch. Splitter's presence will also allow the Spurs to manage McDyess's minutes. He obviously wakes up in the second half of the season, so the Spurs can limit him early on.

Though I think the George Hill point guard experiment failed, many of you don't. I think he'll continue to be used as a combo guard - more so an off guard. He should continue to develop on both ends of the court and becoming increasingly important to the team. He obviously believes in the Spurs' mantra and is a worker. So I expect him to continue making strides.

If Tony is healthy, then Manu/Tim won't get so worn down throughout the season. Last year, they had to do too much - Tim early in the season and Manu in the second half of the year. By the playoffs, they were both often losing their legs during games.

Blair can beast. You know he can. He just needs to get some more defensive basics down and he'll be a big asset to this team.

And don't throw in the towel on any other changes...just maybe not right now. If the Spurs start losing a lot during the season, they have a big trading chip in Parker.

Also looks like James Anderson is good pick from the draft, so if you really think about it, we are much better than the last year. Plus, it been said that Pop coaching Jefferson privately, so i guess he is ready to play like the way he can. If the guy score 2 to 5 more points than last year and improve his defence we're ok. Specially now we have Tiago also.

[lurker23]

Great post, Kori. Agree with you on pretty much everything. While I think Hill is better at the 2 than at the 1, I don't think it's that detrimental to the team to have him run point 10-15 mpg. Also, if Pop is really as high on Temple as he's been in the media, I still think there's a chance he gets most of the backup pg minutes, allowing Hill to focus more on sg. Of course, it's hard to say if that option runs into the same combo-guard-as-pg issues.

[Agloco]

2005 roster people:
HtWtBirth DateExpCollege

17 Brent Barry
12 Bruce Bowen
23 Devin Brown
21 Tim Duncan
20 Manu Ginobili
Dion Glover
5 Robert Horry
43 Linton Johnson
4 Sean Marks
34 Tony Massenburg
2 Nazr Mohammed
8 Rasho Nesterovic
9 Tony Parker
33 Glenn Robinson
31 Malik Rose
14 Beno Udrih
Mike Wilks


All NBA Type stuff huh??????

Yes as a matter of fact, thanks for pointing that out.

Team game people that extends past one player or another. Lets let RJ show us he is a complete coward befor we burn him to the stake

Problem is that now you've replaced key people like Bowen, Barry and Horry with the likes of RJ and Bonner and Mason. Add to that the fact that that Manu and Timmy are not the same players anymore and you get why the Spurs are in decline (and why Splitter, Anderson, etc, etc. won't make any sort of difference). At least "Money Mase" wont be around to rob us of another years salary. Too bad the same can't be said for the other two amigos.

[Kori Ellis]

Great post, Kori. Agree with you on pretty much everything. While I think Hill is better at the 2 than at the 1, I don't think it's that detrimental to the team to have him run point 10-15 mpg. Also, if Pop is really as high on Temple as he's been in the media, I still think there's a chance he gets most of the backup pg minutes, allowing Hill to focus more on sg. Of course, it's hard to say if that option runs into the same combo-guard-as-pg issues.

Neither do I, as long as Manu is in the game, because then he's not really running it

[HarlemHeat37]

Meh, the contender talk is kind of pointless IMO..

The Spurs should definitely be better, just sit back and watch, while hoping for a bunch of IFs to come through..they were going to try and win in Duncan's last few years anyways, I guess this is the best they can realistically come up with..they do have some major upgrades if they stay healthy..

As far as I'm concerned, Miami will easily win the le, barring injuries, so I'm just going to enjoy the Spurs and Duncan's last years, while hoping for the best..

[Big P]

Jeff McDonald: RJ's deal: 2010-11 ($8.4 million); 2011-12 ($9.282 million); 2012-13 ($10.164 million); 2012-13 ($11.046 million). Twitter

[DPG21920]

Kori, what did you mean when you said if the Spurs start losing they have a trade chip in TP?

Do you think that signifies the official end of the run or do you think they can trade TP and actually get better next year?

[Kori Ellis]

Also looks like James Anderson is good pick from the draft, so if you really think about it, we are much better than the last year. Plus, it been said that Pop coaching Jefferson privately, so i guess he is ready to play like the way he can. If the guy score 2 to 5 more points than last year and improve his defence we're ok. Specially now we have Tiago also.

Well Jefferson said he hasn't been working out at all - so I don't know if that's true.

But yeah, I think the Spurs improved this summer. Even just with Tony's health and the acquisition of Splitter, that's a step up. Will it be enough to contend? I guess we'll find out.

[Agloco]

He picks that option up, Spurs trade him or buy him out. Sure, it might be his own decision, but he doesn't really get to stay with the team. He will get the money and then look for another new contract.

So my question would be, why the does this kind of option exist anyway? It has no meaningful purpose at all because it is definitely guaranteed that Jefferson will pick up the option. They aren't fooling anyone here.

Just as he picked up this one.

[Kori Ellis]

Kori, what did you mean when you said if the Spurs start losing they have a trade chip in TP?

Do you think that signifies the official end of the run or do you think they can trade TP and actually get better next year?

They could get better - I have no idea who they would trade for though. Personally, I don't think the team is going to be as horrible as some people think. RJ just needs to watch A LOT of tape.

[DPG21920]

They could get better - I have no idea who they would trade for though. Personally, I don't think the team is going to be as horrible as some people think. RJ just needs to watch A LOT of tape.

It is hard for me to fathom trading TP and getting better short term. Long term I can certainly see though.

I don't think anyone thinks the Spurs are going to be terrible. Everyone knows they will be good, better than last year, but that is not the goal for the Spurs & Tim.

[DMX7]

Stupidest move this franchise has ever made, ever.

[DesignatedT]

Our supporting cast of RJ,Hill,Blair,Splitter,Dyess,Anderson is one of the best we have ever had. People saying were done have every right to believe that but to say its because of resigning RJ or even Bonner is just plain re ed. If we are indeed "done" than its because our big 3 aren't good enough. plain and simple. Our last le we had a supporting cast that is no where near as talented as the one we have now. We had an aging Bowen and Finley rounded out by guys like Oberto, Jacque Vaughn and Francisco Elson.

You can make the argument of "well they fit in the system" all you want. RJ is the best SF we have had since Elliott and the cast we have is plenty good to win a championship. Whether it happens or not will be on our big 3. maybe they are done, who knows but its always been up to those 3 guys.

[ElNono]

Well Jefferson said he hasn't been working out at all - so I don't know if that's true.

But yeah, I think the Spurs improved this summer. Even just with Tony's health and the acquisition of Splitter, that's a step up. Will it be enough to contend? I guess we'll find out.

My head tells me I don't think it will be enough. My heart will make me invest in League Pass + ticket for a couple of games + make me cheer for them anyways.

[DPG21920]

RJ's signing signifies why the Spurs run is over imo. It is not "him", but he is what they did not need coming off a sweep when the goal is to win a le. They needed to get creative and pull off a ballsy move.

[elemento]

people still claiming that Pop has coached Jefferson privately ROFL

They haven't done !!

It's such a bad contract that it makes me sad to be honest. Too much money and too long.

Do you guys really think Parker is going to resign for less then the max ? And to play with guys like Bonner and RJ ?

I mean, RJ got a 40m/4y playing like . Of course Parker is going to want much more than that.And he deserves it.

This bad contract is going to affect Spurs future in a bad way. Mark my words. Parker is not going to resign with the Spurs.

[DesignatedT]

RJ's signing signifies why the Spurs run is over imo. It is not "him", but he is what they did not need coming off a sweep when the goal is to win a le. They needed to get creative and pull off a ballsy move.

like what? lol

[ElNono]

Our supporting cast of RJ,Hill,Blair,Splitter,Dyess,Anderson is one of the best we have ever had.

I don't agree. At all.

[DPG21920]

like what? lol

Like not going back to the well that got them swept. Staying pretty much status quo we all know would not cut it.

Signing Tiago + a rookie is not enough and they know it.

But they got under the tax line and they will be compe ive.

[DesignatedT]

I don't agree. At all.

you give that cast to duncan in 04 and in 06 and they win it all.

[DPG21920]

This is not 04 and 06 and Pau/Kobe & Wade/Bron/Bosh weren't playing together.