Comments on: What’s Left in RJ’s Tank?

By: Caleb

Caleb — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 04:05:52 +0000

Manu is one season removed from his best season in the NBA... in 2007-2008 he was close to 20/5/5 in 31 minutes a game, 40% 3-pt shooting, a 24.3 PER. Surely the guy who was playing in 2008 isn't gone already?? Unless those ankle injuries really did him in, which is possible I guess, but even in his 44 game season last year he still posted a 22.9 PER - equal to what he did in 2004 through 2006. He just needs to get his 3-pt stroke back, which was the main decline in his stats last year. And Jefferson is not at all inefficient. His FG% is a bit low, true... but he draws fouls and makes threes. His points per shot last year was 1.31 (Career 1.36) - That's elite level scoring. Finally, while Parker is indeed awesome... he'll have to be happy with "second best PG in the league" as long as Chris Paul is around.

By: Kaveh

Kaveh — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 02:49:31 +0000

I've always hated this trade for the Spurs and this article merely justified by opinion. The Bucks, point wise, were WORSE when Jefferson was on the court last year by -2.4points! Furthermore, it is not like the Spurs were a great team last year without Jefferson. Even when Manu was playing, the team did not look like a threat to win the championship. When Manu was off the court, the team looked down right horrible as they were ousted in the first round by the Mavs, who were ousted by the Nuggets who were ousted by the Lakers.

I actually like the Mcdysse move better than the Jefferson move. Mcdysse is someone who can be effective without taking his shots. And I love the Blair pickup. Jefferson on the other hand is a volume shooter and very inefficient. His defense is horrid. Let's just say that Jefferson is what his PER says he is ---average as his PER is around 15 from memory. Does Jefferson/Mcdysse/Blair turn this team into a championship contender? I highly doubt it.

Much more important to the Spurs is TD, MG and TP. TP is awesome, and in my opinion the best PG in the league. TD and MG are both past their primes and are on the downhill slope. Currently, Pau Gasol is BETTER than Tim Duncan. Manu, even when healthy does not seem like the Manu of old.

Out of the elite 5 (LA, Orlando, Cavs, Celtics, Spurs), I give the Spurs the lowest ranking. I have a suspicioun that they are defeated by the Nuggets next year in the 2nd round.

By: Neil Paine

Neil Paine — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 02:48:18 +0000

Actually, Jefferson's a dreadful offensive rebounder -- among forwards who played at least 500 MP last year, he ranked 139th out of 149 in ORB%.

By: KneeJerkNBA

KneeJerkNBA — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 01:41:15 +0000

@Jason J: good point about Jefferson's ability to cut and move without the ball. Those guys will find him. Jefferson's a good offensive rebounder, too. He'll got lots of easy buckets.

By: chucksalot

chucksalot — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 00:06:44 +0000

At this point in their careers Jefferson is a much better defender than bowen. Bruce is pretty washed up

By: rhett

rhett — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 17:35:42 +0000

I think jefferson has some interesting comparisions with artest in la. Highly structured systems that already have deep pecking orders that limit them to 3rd or 4th options. It will be interesting to see how they adjust to rigid systems and fairly limited roles.

By: Jason J

Jason J — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 17:29:38 +0000

I think Jefferson could have a nice synergy with Manu and Timmy who are both creative passers who see guys on the move. He's also got a nice catch and shoot from 3, which they always need. Defensively he's no Bruce Bowen, but he ought to be fine inside the Spurs system. I just wish putting him and Tim on the floor together didn't remind me so much of the 2004 US Olympic team.

By: KneeJerkNBA

KneeJerkNBA — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 16:36:04 +0000

Jefferson's defensive numbers probably dropped the past few years because his teams weren't very good. When the other forward is Villanueva or Carter, you're doing a lot of helping off of your guy.