Is it Richard Jefferson's fault?
by Big50 on Feb 9, 2010 9:57 AM CST
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PrintI was going to write a post about George Hill and some stuff, but I am sitting here at my desk after watching the first Spurs game I've seen in two months last night. I don't know what to say. My once extreme happiness with the Spurs FO and coaching staff has turned into a sour displeasure. I can't decide if I should blame them or Richard Jefferson.
The Richard Jefferson experiment is failing. Yes, there have been flashes of this team looking like world beaters, but those have been few and far between. RJ makes more money then anybody on this team outside of Tim Duncan. His production last night: 9 points on 2-9 shooting, 2 rebounds, 2 assists in 33 minutes. This would be acceptable if he were making some big defensive contribution, but the man is lost on the floor.
Timmeh trying to use Jedi mind tricks to help RJ
It is clear that Jefferson's confidence is nil. He looks like he needs to be sent to the D-League to dominate for a few games. I don't know if this is his fault or Pop's or what, but it's clear things are not going to get better unless RJ gets some swagger back. The question for Pop and the FO is can he get his swagger back and if he does will this team be good enough to compete for a ring? I'm not sure.
I tend to think that this team needs to make a move. (That was a lot of "t" words in a row) I'm not sure we need to do anything drastic like getting rid of Manu or Parker or even Jefferson (although that idea is appealing at the moment). If we could get a big man with an attitude of toughness and defense that would help this team exponentially. Hell, anybody with an attitude of defense and toughness might help this team.
If this team doesn't make the playoffs or (possibly worse) gets knocked out in the first round it will be a failure of epic proportions for this team and the front office. They had the money to put together the team that was younger and had the horses to make a push against a team like LA. The only way I can see that this season is salvaged is if RJ and this team regain confidence and gel, which seems very unlikely, or make some kind of move in the trade market.
Defense anyone?
I'd love to see a move that gets a guy who can make the not so small difference of a tough minded guy to get this team to have an edge. I think we can make that move. There are going to be guys available who are not big name guys that could help this team improve enough to be right there. Am I way off here? Does this team need another big talent to make a legit push for a title? Is RJ totally to blame or is the FO at fault?
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No one’s taking RJ off the Spurs’ hands. No one. Teams are trying to unload albatross contracts (re: Sixers and Dalembert) and not take any back unless the talent is ABSOLUTELY worth the financial hit. Richard Jefferson has, thus far, shown he isn’t worth the risk.
The best the Spurs can do is make trades for quality parts. Unfortunately, I can’t think of a single role player(s) who can slip right into the Spurs’ defensive schemes like a glove and would be available for chump change.
...!!
A tough interior defender like Kurt Thomas or Fabricio Oberto, both of whom we traded for RJ?
Vince Carter has also had a tough time fitting in with his new team, but last night he scored 48 and carried the Magic to a comeback win over the Hornets. Just saying.
To think we could have had him instead…
AKA: Linix129
by sw12 on Feb 9, 2010 11:58 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
Actually I think Vince would be even worse here than RJ.
by doggydogworld on Feb 9, 2010 12:33 PM CST up reply actions
+1
A lot of people are blinded by the numbers VC put up last night, and ignoring his numbers for the season. I also got a chance to watch a Magic game last week in FL, and he does NOT fit into a team-first system.
Don't compare RJ to Sean unless he's coming up clutch while playing with a failing kidney.
I agree, but at least Vince is aggressive.
"He was just a young skinny guy who looked like a winner. We didn’t know he was going to be as good as he is."
—Popovich on Manu Ginobli
he’s not. Sure 48 points looks aggressive, but he only got to the line 4 times!! Two of those times were with the game closing at the end, and the Hornets being forced to foul. So, that makes it 46 points, 2 of which came from getting to the line, that’s TERRIBLE! Fool’s gold if you ask me, once a chucker, always a chucker, once he felt he was in a groove, he even started taking really ill advised shots, Van Gundy could only watch. He would still be more aggressive than RJ though, but I realize that doesn’t mean anything.
GTFOML!
by the little o on Feb 9, 2010 5:20 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs
We need another guy that’s got the size and speed to play SF naturally, especially since we can’t count on RJ for… well, anything. A defensive-minded player at SF would be ideal, even if they can’t score to save their lives.
Don't compare RJ to Sean unless he's coming up clutch while playing with a failing kidney.
I think we can get Salmons or Posey for a couple of expiring contracts (Bonner and Mase). I really like Salmons, he is a pretty good overall player and he’s young.
"He was just a young skinny guy who looked like a winner. We didn’t know he was going to be as good as he is."
—Popovich on Manu Ginobli
a big trade: we would have to surrender manu or parker….so NO
a small trade: we would be just treading waters, a couple of new guys who dont know the system would come to play some minutes here and there…I dont think that improves us much
Maybe its better if we just stand pat and hope our Big 3 brilliance with some random contributions here and there can get us to a hot stretch on the playoffs….
"Rock and Roll angels bring that HardRock Hallelujah"
The small trade scenarios is feasible now if we think that our current core with different pieces can win a championship next year and we concede this season. A big trade is feasible if we dont think the combo of Parker, Manu and Duncan can get another championship.
"If an expert says it can't be done, get another expert"
- DBG
If I were the Spurs and if I cant get a trade done this is what I’ll do.
Activate Hairston and Ian, and deactivate Bogans and Theo.
Start Hairston and bench RJ, why? because RJ sucks and we need to start developing Hairston for next year because we got no money to sign anybody ( we need to sign Manu and the MLE is for Splitter so we have no money). Also Hairston will only get better, RJ is looking worse by the day. Hairston is hungry for a chance, he reminds me of Jax.
Maybe bringing RJ off the bench will be good for him, he will play with a little less pressure, and we will have a backup SF.
Ian needs to be part of the rotation also, we need a rotation of 4 bigs not 3 and half, 2 centers and 2 Pf .
Finally we need to start Manu Ginobili, why? because It has always worked.
"He was just a young skinny guy who looked like a winner. We didn’t know he was going to be as good as he is."
—Popovich on Manu Ginobli
Coaching staff to blame
When it comes to players not performing, it falls on the coaching staff. its their job to have the players ready to go mentally, I think thats what makes PJ a good coach in that sense he usually knows the right buttons to press to make a player perform.
Bring Back Bruce Bowen!!!
enough said.
I did not return empty handed. I came back with two huge handfulls.
No , this its not RJs fault he doesnt fit into a system that cannot properly or regularly utilize his skill set ( which consists of running to the hoop and dunking the ball).
Its the FOs fault for bringing him in.
In 2005, the spurs brought in Nazir Mohammed before the trading deadline. Hes no Gasol or KG, but his size helped anchor the middle and the Spurs went on to win the title.
Lets hope theres a little pre trade deadline magic in store for the Spurs this year….
...Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is forty five.
Nazr’s contribution is overrated. That trade was a salary dump. Nazr started but didn’t play that many minutes, played even less during his only full season with the Spurs and was then sent packing. I like Nazr but there were dozens of guys who could have stepped in and did what he did. He just happened to be the one who had Isaiah Thomas as GM.
by doggydogworld on Feb 9, 2010 9:47 PM CST up reply actions
Again, he is no KG or Gasol, but his overrated contribution still helped the Spurs win the title.
...Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is forty five.
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