Spurs Roundtable: Would Al Jefferson mean an NBA Championship for the Spurs? (Video)
On this new episode of the Project Spurs-News 4 WOAI Spurs Roundtable, Paul Garcia, Kyle Boenitz and Jeff Garcia discuss the rumor of the San Antonio Spurs being the frontrunners to land Jazz big man Al Jefferson.
Should the Spurs pull the trigger? What will the team need to give up? Is losing Tiago Splitter worth it to get a player like Jefferson?
The panel also discusses the All-Star game in Houston and how the Spurs will be well represented.
All this and much more on this new episode of the Spurs Roundtable.
Correction: Host intended to say "Chris Sheridan" when giving credit to Jefferson rumor.
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If the trade is Jakson and Splitter for Al Jefferson, it's a no brainer from SA's perspective. Make the trade. Now Utah is the team that should not trade. From SA's perspective Splitter trade value is as high as it has ever been and he may sign with Utah next year, but don't expect Jackson to sign with Utah next year. Plus Jackson and Tinsley were involved in a off the court issue when they were both in Indiana. SanAntonio has regular season chemistery, but I doubt if the current team can when a NBA championship. Although the roll players look great against the Bulls last night.
@PopKat I think the Spurs could possibly win with this current team, but with Al Jefferson I think their chances are a bit higher. I agree, it's Utah that shouldn't do this trade. You don't find too many like Al Jefferson nowadays. Splitter for Jefferson seems like a "Dream".
The main problem with Splitter he cannot rebound. Look at Splitter's 5 rebounds in 33 min last night against the Bulls, but Noah got 15. If the Spurs get out rebounded by 23 against OKC, Spurs wont win, especially in he playoffs. , Now if Spliter can play well against Ibaka., Perkins and Collison in the playoffs, then Spurs can win a championship. But I don't think Splitter will show up in the playoffs against OKC, because he does not have what it takes.
@PopKat I don't need to look. Read some of my comments on this page, you'll see I don't disagree with you. I've been saying the same thing.
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This trade ain't happening. We can't disrupt the team's cohesion at the expense of a slow but effective Jefferson. If they ask for Tiago, are we guaranteed that Jefferson would fit in the pick and roll? remember Richard Jefferson guys. Don't get blinded by talent and names. But I doubt Utah would ask for Tiago. They reason why they're going to move Al is they need to have minutes for Favors and Kanter. They're still deep in the frontline. But if they ask for draft picks and any of Mr Hanga or Bertrans. then fine by me. But to lose Tiago now. Are you out of your minds?
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@UsernameAlvin We may lose Tiago after this year if not moved this year. It's 50/50 a chance things could work or not. But if you don't try how will you know? Splitter and Jefferson are the same age and play the same position. You said Jefferson is slow but effective, is Splitter not the same? I never knew he was fast. When thinking of both players, who is doing more for their team? Who is having to work harder to get a win? Jefferson doesn't have a Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili or Tim Duncan. Splitter has that and even with that you don't get much from him other than pick and roll action. The guy doesn't rebound and offensively he's limited. Jefferson is a player that can create more opportunities for himself to make a shot than Tiago can right now. Jefferson is a guy averaging 9.5 rebounds compared to Splitter averaging 5.8 rebounds per game. Jefferson is averaging 17.4 points compared to Splitter averaging 10.5 points per game. Jefferson can get you numbers similar to Tim Duncan's. If Duncan were to sit out or have an off night, it's okay you still have someone that can get you numbers like his. I guess I am out of mind for believing this guy can do more for our team than Splitter can. I don't dislike Splitter, I think he could do more effort wise. But If the Spurs were to decide to keep him, I'm fine with that. As for Richard Jefferson he was used wrong. I like Pop, but Everybody can't be Bowen. Jefferson get's some blame too because he could have done more, but the Spurs system wasn't a good fit for him or the team. Also If we didn't have Richard Jefferson we would have never gotten Stephen Jackson back last year.
@DifferentVSTheSame Exactly the same question I am gonna throw at you bro. If we don't try how will we know? The SA play's are so perfect now I'm having second thoughts on parting with Tiago. He's the perfect pick and roll player. Al is better but can he do the same thing for SA? We might get that championship trophy this year because Tiago is playing the pick and roll to a T.
@UsernameAlvin Great question, "cool points on that." The Spurs are playing very well right now, not perfect. Spurs are still weak at Rebounding. How do we know Jefferson won't do the same, or better? He's using the pick and roll in Utah and it's been pretty successful for him, and his team. I can understand your feelings on Splitter. When watching him he does some pretty good things offensively with the pick and roll. Other than that what else? We have a starting Center running away instead of jumping up and trying to get rebounds. It's his effort to do certain things he's very capable of doing that I find frustrating. He plays soft and allows other big's to beat him out for rebounds. Sometimes he just runs off and doesn't try. Matt Bonner I see try harder than him, and he's one of if not the most limited players on our team. I hope we win a championship this year too, but we are going to need more than just pick and roll action to win. What happened in Detroit? That pick and roll didn't stop us from losing the game and getting outrebounded (49-33). Like I said I don't dislike Tiago, but he can do better. Jefferson doesn't have to be the answer for us, but he's not a bad choice to go with.
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players who come to SA go one of two ways they either get much better because the pressure is no longer on their shoulders, or they clam up and just suck because the system is too much for them or they don't want to follow their assigned role. I cant seem to think of anyone who has just sat right in the middle. I believe Jefferson will be the type that just gets better. For one he is already sold on the spurs , just read his comments from last years butt kicking. 2 he will have guards that keep other people from collapsing on him, freeing him up for an even better shot. 3. a winning team makes everyone play better. A star on a losing team just doesn't shine as bright. If we get Al Jeff. then we just pulled off the trade of the year.
We have one big guy that plays at the PF/ center well and that is Duncan. Diaw, Bonner and Blair are under sized and slow and forget about even considering them athletic enough to defend an elite front-court. And in any one that would ever compare Splitter to Jefferson needs to evaluate their basketball knowledge. He is Average at best and that took him 3 years to get to that point.
http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=belrawx Blair x Butler
This transfer but the trade of Al Jefferson for Tiago, Mills and Captain Jack.
@DifferentVSTheSame We have five/six guys for the PF/C positions. But only two that are fit for the three-spot. A solution where you loose Jackson/Leonard will create a bigger problem defending small forwards.
I really wish it was that easy, but I don't see the Spurs getting better by losing Jackson.
@be_Spurs Spurs aren't giving up Leonard and he wouldn't even be considered in that trade. The deal would have been Splitter and Jackson, and possibly Mills or De Colo. Jackson is understandable, but it's either him or one of the big 3. Diaw can play backup SF. His size allows him to be able to play 3 positions. Also the Spurs are one of the few teams that actually use their D-League system. So if need be they could easily get a SF that's doing well there. Aron Baynes fans could possibly see him play more as he would be the go to Center off the bench. "Rebounds and Blocks".
This is all 100% conjecture, and honestly it sounds like the same logic people applied to the Lakers (and we all saw how that turned out). Chemistry takes time, Just ask Tiago. Plus you guys are completely missing the boat on what Pop and the spurs believes wins championships. Defense. Tiago is a WAY better defender than Big Al, and, like you pointed out, Stephen Jackson is our only reliable backup to Leonard. This is the first year in the last five that we are actually putting up the defensive numbers similar to championship years. Why would you want to put that in jeopardy on a hunch that Timmy and big Al would = instant championship. I say go after Big Al (who is already a big Tim Duncan fan) in the off season.
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@What thaTiago Splitter is not a "Way" better defender than Al Jefferson. He can't even hold his own without Tim Duncan. He got trashed by Greg Monroe, and he continues to get trashed by other NBA players. Jefferson is doing a lot more than Splitter is, and he doesn't even have the talent the Spurs have. Splitter is trying to improve with his current stats at age 28. Jefferson is doing what he's doing at the same age, and still has room for improvement. The best thing about Jefferson is he can take pressure off of Duncan. If Duncan is having an off night you know you still have a guy who can produce with numbers similar to his. Splitter won't even get you close. I'll take the guy who's averaging 9.5 rebounds over the guy who just got his rebound average bumped up from 5.8 to 5.9 per game. I'll take the one averaging 17. 5 points per game at age "28" versus the one averaging 10.5 at the same age. Why not make a trade? Both are free agents after this year. There's no guarantees Splitter will re-sign next year. If Splitter's value is good enough to get Al Jefferson, I'd make that trade. Jefferson is a hungrier player on the court than Splitter is. I do like Stephen Jackson, but the Spurs have needed big's that can produce for quite some time now. Al Jefferson is one big dude that can produce on the court.
@DifferentVSTheSame I agree that Jefferson is light years ahead of Tiago in the post. Tiago is a role player, Jefferson is one of the most dominant centers in the league. My reasoning is that in the playoffs, after Tim, Tony, and Manu get their guaranteed shots and rebounds whats left? In my opinion (yours can differ) Jefferson would have similar number to tiago but slightly worse on defense. In order for Big Al to put up the numbers he has he needs touches. So you have to ask yourself who do you take those touches away from? I am not a Tiago fan personally, I have always felt he looked a little unsure of himself out there. BUt numbers dont lie - on this team, in this situation, he is extremely efficient. Shooting one of the highest percentages in the league. I guess I just believe that the Big Three have another run left in them. There record speaks for it self and I for one believe in the adage "if its not broke, don't fix it". All that being said I see where ever one is coming from, I just don't see giving up Jackson (even if he is over paid) and the teams current chemistry to get him. In my opinion, you finish out this year, bring back Manu and Jax next year for reduced salaries, and then go after Big Al or another dominant post. But again that's my opinion and you are entitled to your own. After all we all want the same thing. GO SPURS!
@What tha Splitter is slightly better than Jefferson on defense? Jefferson has 60 blocks, 47 steals, 379 defensive rebounds. Splitter has 40 blocks, 40 steals and 219 defensive rebounds, so far this year. We had the #1 record when we traded George Hill for Kawhi Leonard. We had the #1 record when we traded Richard Jefferson for Stephen Jackson. I like Stephen Jackson, but it's really him or Ginobili to make that deal work. I too feel the Spurs have another run in them. I think they have a better chance at winning with Jefferson than they do with Splitter. But If they decide to not make any trades, I still think they could win with what they have. What happens if Tony, Manu and Timmy aren't having good games in the playoffs and the Spurs need someone that can get points? Jefferson can score in more ways than Splitter can. You don't see Splitter shooting and making mid-range jump shots. Jefferson is capable of doing so, while also capable of making low-post shots. I can understand your thoughts though. Spurs are playing well right now, so why mess it up. Why not see how far they can go with what they have. That too makes sense. At the same time how much longer will Ginobili play after this season? We may have Duncan next year, but what about Ginobili? What if he decided to retire? But like you said we all want the same thing.
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@DifferentVSTheSame @What tha Here we go again with the Splitter fan club speaking up...Im starting to think Splitter is setting up fake profiles to create a buzz about himself...
