Last night, I was certain he'd play. His skill set (long perimeter defender who is fairly mobile) seemed to scream minutes against a team like the Suns (small forwards anonymous). Adelman continues to let him get paid to have courtside seats to a lot of games. Watching the closeouts of the 3 point shots taken by Frye, Dudley and Turkoglu, it seems like his length would've improved our perimeter D last night. I had the same feeling about the games against Toronto (Bargnani and Kleiza are both decent shooting bigs) and Golden State (I think he would've been massively helpful against Lee, knowing his game and being able to spell the defensively inept [though offensively brilliant] Scola). The use of Chuck Hayes in exchange for Jeffries seems problematic with the exception of defending stronger post-up bigs (ie vs. SAS, vs. IND, vs LAL). While not a shot blocker, he doesn't give up height to the point that opponents can simply shoot over him. Does anyone think, given Adelman's willingness to finally let Hill and Lee get some serious minutes, and the continued problems we have with Bud scoring this season, that Jeffries will finally start to see minutes on the floor? Or, more importantly, does anyone think his presence could alter the course of our games defensively that would help point us in the right direction. To clarify, I certainly don't think he is *the* solution, but he can definitely be part of it.
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What the difference between Jeffries, Hayes, and Battier? Nothing other than Battier and Hayes somehow bring "intangibles” to the table and Jeffries doesn't.
He has the highest standing reach and biggest wingspan of any player on the team. You can't teach that, and as bad as he may be at lay-ups and defensive rebounding he makes up for it with more than solid D. 5-10 minutes a game ain't that bad, which is where Hayes and Battier ought to be.
OP makes a good point. Certain match-ups with Jeffries out on the court would help. I'm not a fan of Jeffries by any means, but all PHX did was run Pick and Rolls with Nash up top and let him go 1 on 1 with our Centers/PFs. Jeffries can guard multiple positions and would be able to defend Nash on the pick n roll just fine. This game would have been the ONLY game i wouldnt mind seeing Hayes and Jeffries on the court at the same time for defensive purposes. That could have made the difference in the game. Line up of Hayes, Jeffries, Lee, Martin and Lowry probably could have worked down the stretched.
where is calvin murphy? thats the real question. tired of listening to the bull and clyde make a fool of themselves
I agree. I think he is in Adelmans doghouse or something. At 6'11, we could definitely use his defense. Playing him next to Hill wouldn't be so bad either. Both are quick and agile.
I've only been asking for JJ to be freed for weeks now....definitely not the solution, but how can he not help? We're fine offensively for the most part, but defense continues to be an issue. Guarding quicker, but not smaller bigs is a problem. I dont understand why he doesnt get some kind of PT more often. Other coaches give players an opportunity because you never know when that little used player may have an impact in a certain game. He needs to be put out there at the very least for a 1-2 min span every half because at the very least he's going to give you 1 or 2 energy plays during that span. The key is putting him in there with the right players, but combinations is something RA seems to be struggling with.
Morey really should work on a deal for Anthony Randolph. It's a crime what D'antoni is doing to his kid. Randolph would flourish with our veterans on the floor with him. Just like Hill is right now. Jeffries wants to be in NY, so work out a deal.
Man, you know things have gotten bad when even the idea of Jefferies needing to get playing time is being thrown around.
At the 4, I think he's a better overall team defender than Hayes. But JJ is a kinda weak rebounder and the team already sucks at that. I'd actually like to see him get a little time at the 3, especially with how Shane and hard G have been shooting. At least JJ knows he can't shoot. I think he'd play enough D to be useful.
im not too sure of JJ at the three, but that is exactly the type of thing teams have done to us first and we just adjust to them, which put us in an unfamiliar lineup resulting in screw ups. For once, I'd like to see this team make a bold move and force other teams to adjust and screw up their lineup. Afterall, weren't we suppose to be very versatile?
