RJ, just doesn't fit.

[spd2base]

He takes ill advised shots, plays lazy D, and just does not fit. If they're looking to maybe win with this group next season, then I get it. But its taking WAY too long for this kid to get in line with this team, and Spurs wont get outta the 1st round the way they are right now. We can't even beat a team without their stars in Oden, Roy, Outlaw...etc.

Weird thing is, Hill and Blair are doing great in this system. Is it RJ himself?

[KVas]

Probably just the fact he had never played in a complex system that focused on defense more than anything. That and he's played in the East his whole career where the competition was always lacking. Can't do much about it now, just got to live with him through the rest of this season cuz no one is going to take him.

[aznspursfan126]

ugh...the past few games have been very hard to watch.

[spd2base]

Sometimes u have to just recognize...we're not as good as we used to be. The rest of the league got better, and Spurs just got older. Changing of the guard is starting to happen, its hard to say...but well...

[MrGamez]

Agreed.. The flashy dunks are nice and all, but the missed fadeaways, lazy passes, and lack of effort on the boards are killing us!

[billsmith3503]

Yet he has more minutes than anyone.

[choppsboy]

Originally Posted by MrGamez

Agreed.. The flashy dunks are nice and all, but the missed fadeaways, lazy passes, and lack of effort on the boards are killing us!

It is the jump shots and the lack of any real attacking of the basket that bothers me. He only get's monster dunks when someone gives him a great pass. He should be dunking as a result of attacking the basket. Instead of driving when he is on the perimeter, he takes those lazy jump shots.

[admin]

Can he even be traded?

[spurscrazed]

My only question is that when the Spurs traded for him we were all excited because RJ used to average about 24 points per game in the eastern conf. I guess this confirms that the western conf will always be the most superior one.

I just wish that RJ would get a little more confident and get more comfortable with Pop's system. The kid seems to have flashes of good games, then he regresses as if he is afraid to play again.....

RJ is killing us with his hesitation somtimes.....

Com'on RJ It is doesn't take a rocket scientist to get Pop's system. Just do it...Pop wants you to unleach your inner power and bring that monster out....Be loud and confident be more consistent and be more courageous and get motivated man...

For the love of God RJ you are playing next to TIM DUNCAN.....

[spurs7794]

I think it was always clear from watching RJ before thisyear that he is soft, lazy, and not mentally tough. I was excited however that he was going to bring us athleticism and attack the basket off the dribble. We didn't need him to be clutch, we have the big 3 for that. Who could have expected that RJ would come to this team so that he can shoot jumpers all game and grab about 3 rebounds a game?

[maddog]

I agree he is a poor fit for this team. I think he would flourish in Phoenix or GS.
Add in that the Spurs still do not have a decent big to help Duncan it's not pretty.

[choppsboy]

We should trade RJ to Philly for Igudala. They are trying to trade Iggy.

RJ comes off the books in 2 years while Iggy has a long and expensive contract.

[pessimist]

Originally Posted by choppsboy

We should trade RJ to Philly for Igudala. They are trying to trade Iggy.

RJ comes off the books in 2 years while Iggy has a long and expensive contract.

Exactly why the Spurs WON'T do it.

[maddog]

Originally Posted by pessimist

Exactly why the Spurs WON'T do it.

Iggy has a really bad contract-
A good player making a lot of money
signed through 2014 for 12-15.9/year
He is also 26, while young, he is probably not going to become the superstar they envisioned when they gave him that contract.


The Spurs are in a tough spot.
The Spurs took a calculated gamble with RJ and it doesn't look like it has worked. Furhtermore, I don't see it working out with more time. It is not exactly RJs fault it just looks like a poor fit
It's not a huge risk as next year he becomes an expiring contract.

I have mixed emotions as for as what to do- try to make a big move- which would be high risk.
Or ride out the year- and try for an off season move - sign Splitter use a decent draft pick for trade Jeffersons expiring etc.
The problem with that is Tim and Manu or a year older.

[pessimist]

I don't think it's RJ's fault he is not fitting in. The Spurs are running the exact same offense they have in year's past when BOWEN was here. Jefferson has filled his shoes -- and just like always -- the Small Forward doesn't really get to touch the ball much.

Parker and Tim dominate the ball. Anything the SF gets -- it's on them.

Having played a lot of basketball myself -- when you play with guys where you never really get to touch the ball -- you lose focus -- and eventually you don't even really care.

I think that is the problem with RJ.

[Flipmode Master]

Originally Posted by pessimist

I don't think it's RJ's fault he is not fitting in. The Spurs are running the exact same offense they have in year's past when BOWEN was here. Jefferson has filled his shoes -- and just like always -- the Small Forward doesn't really get to touch the ball much.

Parker and Tim dominate the ball. Anything the SF gets -- it's on them.

Having played a lot of basketball myself -- when you play with guys where you never really get to touch the ball -- you lose focus -- and eventually you don't even really care.

I think that is the problem with RJ.

I gotta admit i don't think the Spurs ran ONE play for him last night...I can't even remember him even getting that many ball touches I mean...I can remeber a million times when Parker or Manu got the ball at the top of the key...they NEVER do that for Jefferson(not like he has given them much reason to)..he isn't going to produce more on his own..and with the Way Tim was fumbling balls last night..they should have ran a play for RJ.

[ginopark]

Originally Posted by pessimist

I don't think it's RJ's fault he is not fitting in. The Spurs are running the exact same offense they have in year's past when BOWEN was here. Jefferson has filled his shoes -- and just like always -- the Small Forward doesn't really get to touch the ball much.

Parker and Tim dominate the ball. Anything the SF gets -- it's on them.

Having played a lot of basketball myself -- when you play with guys where you never really get to touch the ball -- you lose focus -- and eventually you don't even really care.

I think that is the problem with RJ.

Gotta agree. The games need to be won by the big three with the way things are setup and the way plays are being run in crunch time. If TP is hittling his shots we win otherwise Tim tries to go inside and he just is not nearly as consistent inside anymore.

Last night was just another example of what has been happening all year in that they can't get it done at the end of games anymore. The opponent just seems to be way more intense.

[clovisnmspurfan]

Last nights game was a back to back which affects us more than the other
team because of our overall age. Have faith.

[Bryhn]

I think it was always clear from watching RJ before thisyear that he is soft, lazy, and not mentally tough.

Bingo. This dude turns more point blank easy passes into turnovers more than anyone. He has very little concentration and quite frankly I don't think he's very bright.

Soft indeed. Last night he screwed up and Pop lit into him and while Pop was going off, he went and hid behind players. He looked like an emberassed 9 year old.

He just looks complacent, lazy, and lost.

At this point I would trade RJ just to get him off the books for next year if even possible.

[ThomasamohT]

Originally Posted by pessimist

I don't think it's RJ's fault he is not fitting in. The Spurs are running the exact same offense they have in year's past when BOWEN was here. Jefferson has filled his shoes -- and just like always -- the Small Forward doesn't really get to touch the ball much.

Parker and Tim dominate the ball. Anything the SF gets -- it's on them.

Having played a lot of basketball myself -- when you play with guys where you never really get to touch the ball -- you lose focus -- and eventually you don't even really care.

I think that is the problem with RJ.

This is almost exactly what I've been thinking the whole season. Unfortunately RJ's problems lie mostly on Pop's inability to coach an offense. Pop has a great defensive mindset but his offensive sets are mediocre at best. How many times did we run 4 down ineffectively against the Lakers in the early 00's only to get embarrassed? That said, Pop can typically come up with very good plays for the end of games but it shouldn't even get to that point, especially with the level of talent we have on this team.