2015-16 Utah Jazz - The tanking is over!

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865645854/Jazz-notes-Rudy-Gobert-makes-some-noise-on-Twitter-again.html

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865645840/Knicks-outlast-Jazz-in-overtime-113-106.html

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865645786/Upstill-Has-Dennis-Lindsey-been-good-for-Jazz.html

[QUOTE]In his first full offseason he let near All-Star players Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap walk in free agency, getting nothing for them in return but cap space. Fans and media wondered why Lindsey didn

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.gq.com/story/gordon-hayward-interview

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865645771/Jazz-midseason-review-Despite-adversity-injuries-playoffs-still-a-real-possibility.html

[QUOTE]Who knows what the Jazz

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865645745/In-an-ocean-of-injuries-Exums-still-hurts-most.html

[QUOTE]With Exum

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865645706/Utah-Jazz-honor-Martin-Luther-King-Jr-with-socks-shoes-T-shirts-and-respectful-quotes.html

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.slcdunk.com/2016/1/21/10806162/injuries-hurt-utah-jazz-the-downbeat-rudy-gobert-derrick-favors-warriors

The Jazz have no player that compares to Steph Curry, but let's say that the Jazz's equivalent is Hayward, in that he tends to carry the offense. Thus, in this scenario, Curry remains with the team.

Gobert is the Jazz not Hayward sorry.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.slcdunk.com/research-statistics-analytics/2016/1/19/10789296/golden-state-warriors-stephen-curry-clippers-j-j-redick-raptors-kyle-lowry-utah-jazz-gordon-hayward


Utah hasn't had a lot of the long ball in their careers. Part of that was strategy. Part of that was convention. But the most reasonable reason is personnel.


Main reason was Sloan.



Using LeBron as a guide this just solidifies my idea that it's not Gordon's job to be the primary ball handler, primary scorer, and ALSO the top three point shooter all in the same game.


It's not his job because he is a streaky shooter not a great shooter.





On the Jazz roster right now I see another All-Around Wing player in Rodney Hood (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/hoodro01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com), I see a scoring specialist in Alec Burks (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/burksal01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com) (not a shooting specialist)


Burks has been more of an all-around player than Hood. Hood is a scorer almost exclusively.



, and I see a number of "Three and D" aspirants in Chris Johnson (http://www.basketball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?search=Chris+Johnson&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com) and J.J. O'Brien (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/o/obriejj01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com).


Wouldn't O'Brien have to be able to shoot first?



The other guy who is a wing player, but wasn't yet mentioned, is Joe Ingles (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/i/inglejo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com). But I don't know how to classify him. We see him knocking down a lot of threes, important ones, but he's more than just a three point shooter. He's also somehow more than just an All-Around wing player also. He defies classification


He's one of their main ball handlers and a spot up shooter mostly.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3445696-155/utah-jazz-get-in-an-empire

Utah will likely be without Derrick Favors once again, due to back spasms

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3441444-155/jazz-cough-up-lead-lose-second

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/blogs/jazznotes/3441208-155/derrick-favors-dante-exum-doing-more


But he was working on his post moves with assistant Tony Lang, and has been in better spirits this week, especially since he traveled with the team.

I think it was just the one short road trip he didn't go on.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/blogs/jazznotes/3441212-155/forbes-jazz-worth-875-million-as

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3437768-155/utah-jazz-team-looking-to-defend


he won't return from injury until next season

The team has never said that.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/blogs/jazznotes/3436018-155/jazzs-goal-for-second-half-of


First half of 2014-15
Record: 14-27
Offensive rating: 102.9
Defensive rating: 106.6
Second half of 2014-15
Record: 24-17
Offensive rating: 102.2
Defensive rating: 97.6
First half of 2015-16
Record: 18-23
Offensive rating: 102.4
Defensive rating: 103.1

Offensive rating about the same through it all.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3433130-155/kragthorpe-jazzs-midseason-mark-is-acceptable


This team needs every bit of experience that even a brief playoff appearance could offer


I thought it was better to tank? :confusedshrug:



their most memorable victory, strangely enough, came the night when they lost a 17-point lead in seven minutes vs. lowly Philadelphia. Hayward helped rescue a win, with Gobert, Favors and Burks injured.

That was their most forgettable for me. It was a pathetic performance. Nothing to be proud of.

[Xiao Yao You]

Marc J. Spears: NBA says 2 games scheduled for Saturday are postponed to weather. BOS/PHI now Jan. 24 at 7pm ET. UTA/WAS will be re-scheduled at later date (http://*********.com/social/).

[Xiao Yao You]

Mike Mazzeo: No Derrick Favors tonight. (http://*********.com/social/) #Nets will face the other piece in D-Will deal, Enes Kanter, Sunday vs. OKC.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/blogs/jazznotes/3449609-155/no-utah-jazz-game-on-saturday


But each scenario works out the same for the Jazz: They will be playing three games in three nights, which will make for a fatigued team.

But hopefully they will be healthier. Could work out better for them.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865645972/Big-storm-postpones-Utah-Jazz-game-Saturday-at-Washington.html

[Shade8780]

hello?

is magnax home?

[Xiao Yao You]

magnax doesn't post here. Mostly just me, way of wade and sometimes el kabong

[WayOfWade]

http://www.sltrib.com/blogs/jazznotes/3436018-155/jazzs-goal-for-second-half-of


Offensive rating about the same through it all.
Huh, wonder why the defensive changed so much? Kidding! Gobert playing is obviously the difference. Weirdly enough it shows that Gobert doesn't inhibit the offensive rating of the team like some people/posters think.

[Xiao Yao You]

He's a big part of the offense. He still needs to work on his shot but he brings a lot with his pick and roll, passing, and offensive rebounding.

[Xiao Yao You]

https://jazzfanatical.wordpress.com/2016/01/25/and-heres-your-weekly-utah-jazz-wrapup-14/

[Xiao Yao You]

http://weareutahjazz.com/lockedonjazz/2016/01/22/emptying-the-noggin-the-race-to-get-out-of-town/

[Xiao Yao You]

http://saltcityhoops.com/haywards-jazz-blow-through-brooklyn-like-a-blizzard/

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.slcdunk.com/2016/1/24/10823402/utah-jazz-fanduel-gordon-hayward-rudy-gobert-rodney-hood-trey-burke

[Xiao Yao You]

[/URL][url]http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3454560-155/utah-jazz-prepare-for-longest-homestand (https://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/5930247/2015_2016_Week_13_-_Player_Stat_Table.0.PNG)

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3449398-155/utah-jazz-hurry-past-brooklyn-nets

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865646104/Jazz-Trevor-Booker-will-have-rebounding-challenge-Monday-against-Pistons.html

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865646072/Utah-Jazz-Trey-Burke-thriving-in-reserve-role.html

[QUOTE]But then something unexpected happened.


Brazilian point guard Raul Neto, who

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865646030/Hot-shooting-Utah-Jazz-turn-early-deficit-into-blowout-win-over-Brooklyn-Nets.html

[QUOTE]This was only Utah

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865646153/Utah-Jazz-coach-Quin-Snyder-sounding-more-positive-about-Derrick-Favors-return.html

Believe it when I see it at this point.

[Xiao Yao You]

The Utah Jazz will sign guard Erick Green of the Reno Bighorns to a 10-day contract, (http://sports.yahoo.com/news/sources--jazz-to-sign-guard-erick-green-140454146.html) league sources told Yahoo Sports.
– via Yahoo! Sports (http://sports.yahoo.com/news/sources--jazz-to-sign-guard-erick-green-140454146.html)

At least he is one of the best guys out there unlike O'Brien. Might be able to compete with Johnson.

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]Aaron Falk: [URL="http://*********.com/social/"]Derrick Favors said there have been days he couldn

[Xiao Yao You]

The Utah Jazz announced today that the team has signed guard Erick Green from the Reno Bighorns to a 10-day contract. (http://reno.dleague.nba.com/news/jazz-sign-erick-green-to-10-day-contract/) Green becomes the NBA

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE][URL="http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14647616/the-jazz-hope-enough-money-their-rebuilding-plan-work"]They

[WayOfWade]

I'm kind of torn on the point guard situation, but I do like what the article says about how the Jazz need a "3&D" point guard, that way Hayward/Hood/Burks (if he can stay healthy) can do more of what they know they can do. And while it's great that Lyles is doing a good job, I just don't want to see Favors go, I love the guy (even if his 16-game stretch of back problems irked me a bit).
Back to the point guard stuff, I believe you said that Exum needs to prove himself again and I'd say you're absolutely right, torn ACL's are nothing to scoff at. I personally think that he will rebound and be the point guard this team needs, but that remains to be seen.
As for this Erick Green, eh, I'm really not that interested in D-Leaguers to be honest. I loved Sundiata Gaines back in the day, but since then I've just lost interest. Neto and Burke are doing decent enough, at least Trey isn't shooting >40% from the field this year

[Xiao Yao You]

Neto is a 3 and D. He's shooting 39% from 3 and gets after people on D. Exum showed signs of being one too.

They might not have any choice but to let Favors go. I don't think they'll be able to pay everyone. Gobert, Hayward and Favors all could be looking at max contracts by 2018 not too mention the rest of the core.

Johnson was a D-leaguer. Some good players have came from there. Interesting that Green is the guy that was traded for Gobert though I imagine they chose him for Denver.

I was Trey's biggest critic and I still don't love his game but he looks like a legitimate bench scorer now. I'd guess he will be one of the first guys to go in the next couple years though.

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]Andy Larsen: Quin Snyder told us that Favors had no pain on his back today, (http://*********.com/social/) which obviously is great news for the team.

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE] Josh Lewenberg: [URL="http://*********.com/social/"]Jay Triano spoke to media over the phone earlier, said every Canadian player they

[Xiao Yao You]

Gordon Hayward understands that financial realities could break up a team on the rise. “I’m constantly thinking about that,” he said. “Contracts are so short now. A lot of our guys are on their rookie deals, and they’ll come up for extensions. It all might determine whether or not I stay in Utah.” (http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14647616/the-jazz-hope-enough-money-their-rebuilding-plan-work)
– via ESPN.com (http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14647616/the-jazz-hope-enough-money-their-rebuilding-plan-work)

“All teams will have to deal with this issue. Maybe we’ll have to deal with it a little more, with so many young players, and having had some good fortune in the draft. It’s going to be tricky for everyone,” Utah GM Dennis Lindsey told ESPN.com (http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14647616/the-jazz-hope-enough-money-their-rebuilding-plan-work).
– via ESPN.com (http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14647616/the-jazz-hope-enough-money-their-rebuilding-plan-work)



They could get out of money concerns in a pinch by dealing a player into someone’s cap space, and with extra picks in the bag, they would have a chance of replacing outgoing production with someone on a cheaper rookie deal. Those picks are insurance against such a trade, and the Jazz know set-in-stone rookie deals will look even better as the cap leaps. Don’t expect Utah to deal them for a short-term upgrade. “Picks are that much more valuable,” Lindsey says (http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14647616/the-jazz-hope-enough-money-their-rebuilding-plan-work).
– via ESPN.com (http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14647616/the-jazz-hope-enough-money-their-rebuilding-plan-work)

The Kings gave away part of their future to splurge on mismatched goodies, but they have DeMarcus Cousins. The Blazers haven’t spent one lousy year in the lottery, and Damian Lillard has them neck-and-neck with the meticulous Jazz. “We don’t have that one dominant player,” Utah coach Quin Snyder told ESPN.com. “That one guy we can throw the ball to and say, ‘He’s gonna score.'” (http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14647616/the-jazz-hope-enough-money-their-rebuilding-plan-work)
– via ESPN.com (http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14647616/the-jazz-hope-enough-money-their-rebuilding-plan-work)



They’re poking around the point guard market now, according to several league sources, and they’ll look again over the summer. (http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14647616/the-jazz-hope-enough-money-their-rebuilding-plan-work) With Hood and Hayward able to handle the ball, the ideal upgrade isn’t an expensive dribbling maestro like Mike Conley. A spot-up guy willing to grind on defense would be perfect, but the best matches, such as Patrick Beverley and George Hill, aren’t available.
– via ESPN.com (http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14647616/the-jazz-hope-enough-money-their-rebuilding-plan-work)

Jrue Holiday would work, but suitors are petrified of his leg issues, and the Pelicans, low on quality young players, are reluctant to deal him, (http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14647616/the-jazz-hope-enough-money-their-rebuilding-plan-work) league sources said. Utah showed little interest in Mario Chalmers, a rare missed opportunity.
– via ESPN.com (http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14647616/the-jazz-hope-enough-money-their-rebuilding-plan-work)

[/URL]

That’s a dicey deal. [URL="http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14647616/the-jazz-hope-enough-money-their-rebuilding-plan-work"]Atlanta wants to make another run at Cleveland, and it has had major trust issues internally with Schroder. (http://*********.com/tag/injuries/) For Utah, ditching Burks without any assurance Hayward re-signs is a gamble. Teague may not bring enough shooting or defense to fit Utah’s point guard model. The most likely scenario might be Utah using its cap space to rent an unused backup, such as D.J. Augustin or Mo Williams, that could punch up the offense and at least push Neto and Burke.
– via ESPN.com (http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14647616/the-jazz-hope-enough-money-their-rebuilding-plan-work)

[WayOfWade]

They might not have any choice but to let Favors go.
True, but sad. However the fact that Lyles is coming along does make this seem more bearable than just him walking away and the Jazz having no backup plan. At the very least the Jazz will have the ability to choose between the 2 when the time comes.


I was Trey's biggest critic and I still don't love his game but he looks like a legitimate bench scorer now. I'd guess he will be one of the first guys to go in the next couple years though.
Lol, thought you were talking about Lyles, I was just like :biggums:


Quin Snyder told us that Favors had no pain on his back today
Thank goodness, hopefully this means that the Jazz will be able to take the next 5 games of this homestand, this part of the schedule is huge

[Xiao Yao You]

st like :biggums:




Yeah I got to start calling them by their last names. At least I can keep Burke and Burks apart unlike the announcers.

[Xiao Yao You]

Chris Mannix: As @WojVerticalNBA and I discuss on his podcast: Keep an eye on Atlanta before the trade deadline. Hawks been discussing Jeff Teague w/teams (http://*********.com/social/)
– via Twitter ChrisMannixYS (http://twitter.com/ChrisMannixYS)









Zach Lowe: Utah is one of their potential partners, as I wrote yesterday in Jazz column: (http://twitter.com/Marquette_g/status/692355790372499456) http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14647616/the-jazz-hope-enough-money-their-rebuilding-plan-work …
– via Twitter (http://twitter.com/Marquette_g/status/692355790372499456)

Zach Lowe: Agreed, Milwaukee will take a look. They hit Teague w/ offer sheet in restricted FA (http://*********.com/social/) twitter.com/Marquette_g/st…– via Twitter ZachLowe_NBA (http://twitter.com/ZachLowe_NBA)

He could make sense depending on what they had to give up. Contract through next year. Plays in a similar system. I'd have no problem giving up Burke for him. Maybe Booker. Pleiss. The rights to Tomic. The OKC pick. Cap space. Some 2nd round picks.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=jde5eaa

[Xiao Yao You]

Al Iannazzone: Kristaps Porzingis will play on World Team with Bojan Bogdanovic, Clint Capela, Mario Hezonja, Nikola Jokic, Nikola Mirotic, Emmanuel Mudiay, Raul Neto, Dwight Powell and Andrew Wiggins (http://*********.com/social/).

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]Andy Larsen: [URL="http://*********.com/social/"]Quin Snyder:

[Xiao Yao You]

Andy Larsen: [URL="http://*********.com/social/"]Quin Snyder:

[Xiao Yao You]

Aaron Falk: [URL="http://*********.com/social/"]Derrick Favors says he hasn

[Xiao Yao You]

http://saltcityhoops.com/who-is-erick-green-and-why-did-the-jazz-sign-him/

[QUOTE]After a so-so showing for Denver

[WayOfWade]

Don't think so
Better? Yes. Significantly better? No. I feel like he'd max average 21.5 PPG and not much more. He just doesn't have that "it" factor to go get his own. I thought Hayward was supposed to be our clutch guy this year, but now it looks like that's Rodney Hood's role; he isn't afraid to get the ball and either succeed or fail while Hayward is content to just stand by and let Hood do his thing

[Xiao Yao You]

http://saltcityhoops.com/utahs-rising-stars/

[Xiao Yao You]

Better? Yes. Significantly better? No. I feel like he'd max average 21.5 PPG and not much more. He just doesn't have that "it" factor to go get his own. I thought Hayward was supposed to be our clutch guy this year, but now it looks like that's Rodney Hood's role; he isn't afraid to get the ball and either succeed or fail while Hayward is content to just stand by and let Hood do his thing

He's better just not a go to guy. Yeah Hood, Burks and Burke all have more of a scorer mentality.

[Xiao Yao You]

Jody Genessy: [URL="http://*********.com/social/"]Raul Neto cleared the NBA

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3460401-155/kragthorpe-jazzs-home-court-woes-continue-in


while missing Alec Burks for another month or so.

might be only a couple more weeks

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3458959-155/utah-jazz-drop-a-close-one

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3460171-155/utah-jazz-hayward-struggles-during-detroits

[Xiao Yao You]

http://weareutahjazz.com/lockedonjazz/2016/01/25/emptying-the-noggin-jazz-fall-to-pistons-to-start-homestand/


Rodney is learning a lot about how good a player he can be in this league

Will he ever be consistent is the question?


Reggie Jackson was more than the Jazz could handle. He hit on 12 of 19 from the field and had 29 including a huge three late in the game that clinched it for the Pistons.


Neto might have made a difference there.



The Jazz are not defending the three point line well.


Like defensive rebounding it has been a problem for a long time.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865646195/Rudy-Gobert-shines-during-rough-night-for-Jazz.html

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865646192/Fourth-quarter-rally-comes-up-short-as-Jazz-narrowly-fall-to-Pistons.html

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865646194/Favors-finally-comes-back-but-cant-power-Jazz-to-victory-against-Pistons.html

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865646272/Utah-Jazz-Charlotte-Hornets-preview-Gordon-Hayward-is-the-most-underrated-player-in-the-NBA.html

[QUOTE]His ability to guard point guards to centers is a truly phenomenal trait and one that the Jazz have sincerely missed. His ability to keep smaller and faster players in front of him is one of his talents that shouldn

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865646263/Jazz-Kemba-Walker-who-scored-52-vs-Utah-last-time-coming-to-town.html

[WayOfWade]

http://www.sltrib.com/home/3471801-155/monson-utah-jazz-still-far-from

The Jazz could trade a combination of Burke and draft picks for help at the point, but, again, that interferes with Exum's ascent.

I feel a bit more now like people are really having a bit too much faith in Exum right now. These guys are saying that the Jazz probably shouldn't bring in another PG because it will stunt Exum's growth, but he's already out for the season, so getting a veteran PG (even for just this season) can do nothing but help, just hold the fort down until Exum returns and either proves or disproves his potential.

[Xiao Yao You]

he Utah Jazz announced today that the team has assigned center Tibor Pleiss to the Idaho Stampede, (http://www.nba.com/jazz/news/jazz-assign-tibor-pleiss-idaho-stampede-0) the Jazz

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/home/3471801-155/monson-utah-jazz-still-far-from

I feel a bit more now like people are really having a bit too much faith in Exum right now. These guys are saying that the Jazz probably shouldn't bring in another PG because it will stunt Exum's growth, but he's already out for the season, so getting a veteran PG (even for just this season) can do nothing but help, just hold the fort down until Exum returns and either proves or disproves his potential.

Yep. When healthy he had one of the worst offensive seasons in NBA history. With his size he'll be able to play on the wing too so I don't think you are blocking him from playing. Only thing that should keep him off the floor is his ability.

[Xiao Yao You]

There are two schools of thought from league sources, the first being if the Hawks opt to move Teague then they may try and force Splitter into the deal. (http://www.basketballinsiders.com/nba-am-why-the-hawks-have-to-look-at-deals/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter) Moving off both Teague and Splitter, along with a free agent departure of Horford, could get the Hawks to over $49.2 million in usable summer-of-2016 cap space.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=heklwjq

[Xiao Yao You]

Jody Genessy: Jazz coach [URL="http://*********.com/social/"]Quin Snyder on swirling trade talk:

[WayOfWade]

http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=heklwjq
Interesting trade, although I haven't seen enough of splitter and Miscula to know whether it's be worth it or not

[QUOTE]Jazz coach Quin Snyder on swirling trade talk:

[Xiao Yao You]

I like the roster but you can always get better and they have the flexibility to do so. Pleiss they don't need.

[Xiao Yao You]

Aaron Falk: [URL="http://*********.com/social/"]I asked Gordon Hayward about his All-Star chances this week:

[Xiao Yao You]

http://weareutahjazz.com/lockedonjazz/2016/01/28/breakdown-exciting-jazz-lineup-data/


When Rodney Hood, Gordon Hayward and Rudy Gobert are on the floor together the Jazz are +4.1 over 24 games and 494 minutes. The offensive rating is 109.7 and the defensive rating is 105.5.


When Rodney Hood, Gordon Hayward and Derrick Favors are on the floor together the Jazz are -.6 over 27 games and 557 minutes. The offensive rating is 105.9 and the defensive rating is 106.6.

Interesting that they are a better offensive team with Rudy and those two than Favors.


When all 4 of the Jazz core pieces are together, Hood, Hayward, Favors and Gobert the Jazz have a +8.8 rating over 14 games and 247 minutes. An offensive rating of 110.2 and defensive rating of 101.3
I'm not ready to put Hood ahead of Burks. If he can play like this month sure but after his great finish last year and bad start this year I don't know what to make of him still.



That leads to the Trey Lyles impact. The line-up of Hood, Hayward, Lyles and Favors has played 154 minutes together this year over 12 games and in those the Jazz are +5.3 with a 109.1 offensive rating and a 103.8 defensive rating. Only 5 of those minutes have come in January since Lyles has improved.



The line-up of Hood, Hayward, Lyles and Gobert has played 137 minutes together and the Jazz are +4.9 with an offensive rating 111.8 and a defensive rating of 106.9. 132 of these minutes have happened in January since Favors was hurt.

Favors line-up better than Gobert line-up defensively is surprising.


[QUOTE]Alec with Gordon, Favors and Gobert

[Xiao Yao You]

http://weareutahjazz.com/lockedonjazz/2016/01/27/emptying-the-noggin-jazz-blow-out-the-hornets/

[QUOTE]From the beginning he reminded me of Brandon Roy. In Roy

[Xiao Yao You]

http://saltcityhoops.com/grading-quin-snyder-part-1/


Defense: A-


Without Rudy they haven't been very good an even with him they have been inconsistent this year.

[QUOTE]Rodney Hood is doing things as a second-year player that I wasn

[Xiao Yao You]

http://saltcityhoops.com/salt-city-seven-expanding-offense-hayward-on-the-future-rising-stars/


Jazz players are getting comfortable going deeper into their sets.
They need to do a better job of not going deep into the shot clock. Too many bad shots as the shot clock runs out still.

[QUOTE]

[Xiao Yao You]

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14647616/the-jazz-hope-enough-money-their-rebuilding-plan-work


They let Paul Millsap (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3015/paul-millsap) and Al Jefferson (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2389/al-jefferson) walk for nothing


Quit saying they walked for nothing. They opened cap space which allowed for the trade with GS. The team was instantly better without playing Al ball anymore. Still hard to say letting 3 time all-star Millsap was a good move let alone Demarre though. :wtf:



"We don't have that one dominant player," Utah coach Quin Snyder told ESPN.com.


Defensively you do.



"You can see some similarities in the way Trey and Draymond Green (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/6589/draymond-green) play," Hayward told ESPN.com.


Snyder has privately suggested Lyles might model Green's drive-and-kick game, Lyles said

Will he be able to defend like Green though.


Lyles might one day be Utah's Boris Diaw (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2167/boris-diaw), just as some small-ball team loaded with 3-point shooters might turn Gobert into a matchup-specific bench player like Andrew Bogut (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2747/andrew-bogut).

I don't see that. Rudy can guard anyone on the floor. Their versatility all starts with him.


Favors and Hood are further from free agency, but the Jazz have to project mammoth raises for both -- and possibly a third max deal for Favors

Possibly a 4th for Hood if he can do what he's doing right now consistently which is why you might have to 2nd think paying Hayward and Favors.


Hayward is really good. He and Hood do the same stuff on offense, but in the 2016 NBA, I want as many wings as I can get who run the pick-and-roll, shoot 3s and defend multiple positions


and could play the 4



Utah doesn't need to solve these money problems today.


After next year they'll have to start thinking about it.



Hell, if they can coax a quality player into their boatload of cap space this summer, they should do it, and figure out the rest later.
That's what I think for the right players at the right price. Can always deal guys as long as you don't overpay. Next year like this one they could front load deals with all the money they will have.




these Jazz have the vague scent of a team that could transform many years down the line into something like the 2004 Pistons: a mishmash that rises to contention without an alleged superstar, precisely because it has so many damn good players.


More like the Spurs of a couple years ago.



The Jazz will need someone to hold the fort until Exum is ready, and that player has to be better than Trey Burke (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2579260/trey-burke) and Raul Neto (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2968361/raul-neto).

I don't necessarily see that. You need role players somewhere in the line-up. If the wings are running pick and rolls with the bigs you need guys spotting up for 3.


A Burke and Burks package for Teague and filler might work for both teams. Utah snares a clear upgrade in the right age range, and it sacrifices a backup and a No. 3 wing behind Hood and Hayward.

Not sure Burks is their #3 wing. Can play all 3 together. He's one of their top 5 players certainly.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.slcdunk.com/2016/1/26/10834636/utah-jazz-point-guards-dante-exum-trey-burke-raul-neto-erick-green


"Everyone hates on Trey Burke, but if we're being objective and quantitative about it, shouldn't we hate the other point guards more?"
Trey is a bench scorer and still not great from 3. He doesn't do much else. Neto has a better all-around game. Exum is much younger though before he got hurt really only did one thing well. The two shots Green made the other night were Burke type shots but he's bigger so who knows.


We love Dante's athleticism and defense.


He wasn't especially athletic was he?



We love Raul's tenacity and pass first instincts.


His 3 point shooting, his pick and roll and his daily improvement.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/blogs/jazznotes/3472719-155/a-miserable-shooting-night-in-minnesota

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3471801-155/monson-utah-jazz-still-far-from


the Jazz too often struggle to get into their offense without a dominant/proper/adequate quarterback initiating their flow.

Neto has looked good in that role when they put it in his hands.


nor is he a great shooter

But leads the league in mid range %. :rolleyes:

[Xiao Yao You]

Aaron Falk: Alec Burks is out of his boot. (http://*********.com/social/) vine.co/v/i5iEbAPYBKm

[Xiao Yao You]

Marc Stein: Those All-Stars: Keith Appling, Rakeem Christmas, Sean Kilpatrick, Jordan McRae, Jordan Mickey, Jarnell Stokes, Jeff Ayres and Erick Green. (http://*********.com/social/) The @nbadleague All-Stars are picked by the coaches and will square off, East vs. West, on Feb. 13 at 2 PM ET in Toronto during AS Weekend

[Xiao Yao You]

[URL="http://sports.yahoo.com/news/inside-the-sneaker-industry--how-nba-shoe-deals-work-032155839.html"]Among the cash deal ranks, a rotation player with little true marketing potential who plays in a

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/blogs/jazznotes/3476679-155/jazz-shootaround-utah-seeks-consistency-favors

[WayOfWade]

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3477554-155/favors-gobert-seek-return-to-defensive


Utah Jazz: Favors, Gobert seek return to defensive glory
This makes me wonder, while Lyles looks like he's going to be great offensively in the coming years, I feel like Favors is and will be more important defensively for the Jazz. Perhaps I am deceived but Lyles doesn't seem like as much of a rim-protector as Favors at least from what I've seen. It depends on how the Jazz want to structure themselves, defensively or offensively with either Favor or Lyles in the future. Favors personally seems more like a "Win-Now" option than Lyles is

[Xiao Yao You]

They are hoping Lyles will be able to guard the perimeter sufficiently. Offensively they want to stretch the floor and he'll be able to do that better. Hopefully Rudy will be able to improve his offensive moves as well.

[Xiao Yao You]

Around that same time, Mehmet Okur was also playing for Utah, right? Enes Kanter: Yes. He gave me lots of help. He would take me in his Ferrari to get food. I spent some time with him. I guess I could say he acted like a big brother to me. Anyway, later, he left the team. But he did some great stuff on that team, and left some great impressions of Turkey behind when he left. Anyway, with 11 matches remaining in the 2012 season, I dislocated my shoulder and had to have an operation. How did that make you feel? [URL="http://www.todayszaman.com/interviews_nbas-kanter-i-hope-to-don-turkish-national-jersey-again_410909.html"]Enes Kanter: I was really down. I started to pray more actually. I considered quitting basketball altogether around that time. Anyway, one day Mevl

[Xiao Yao You]

Andy Larsen: To my knowledge, the [URL="http://*********.com/social/"]Jazz haven

[El Kabong]

Bit rough on Horny. Went from people calling him COTY to fired pretty darn quickly. Wonder if the Jazz would look at bringing him back. He seems to be a great development guy, could be just the thing guys like Lyes, Exum and Burks need.

[Xiao Yao You]

I doubt he'd come back unless he was 2nd in line to Quin and that's probably not happening.

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]It

[Xiao Yao You]

http://saltcityhoops.com/can-the-jazz-snag-a-superstar-evaluating-trades-for-love-and-griffin/


the Jazz continue to have what is quite possibly the best collection of young talent in the game. (The Timberwolves have a strong case as well.)

I'd take Towns and whoever over what the Jazz have any day sorry.


Hood has emerged as a genuine force

Has he or is he just streaky like Hayward?


Lyles has surprised most of us with a rapid rise to competence.
Why is this a surprise? Exum and Hood both started playing better as last year went on.

[QUOTE]It

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3483398-155/jazz-notes-utah-looking-for-first


The floater has become a great weapon for smaller guards trying to find points among the NBA's trees.


The Jazz think it's a good shot for a big guy, too.


Recently, Gobert has seemed more comfortable unleashing the shot in game situations. Twice against the Pistons last week, he saw floaters fall.
"It's a good shot in that medium range where you don't really have a jump shot and you're not close enough to dunk," Snyder said. "He's able to go up quickly and not have to gather."


Gobert said he's worked enough to finally feel OK about using it in games.
"Just confidence," he said. "I've been working on it since the end of last season, so I feel good."


Just like with his D once it starts clicking and he becomes more confident I think we'll see more from him. What happened to the hook shot and mid range shot from last year?

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3483313-155/utah-jazz-gordon-hayward-turning-in


Is he living up to the big-money contract he signed with the Jazz last year?

Does it matter with the Jazz well below the cap level? Would they have spent the money on something better? Would they be better? Doubt it. Next year his contract will be a bargain.

[WayOfWade]

Bit rough on Horny. Went from people calling him COTY to fired pretty darn quickly. Wonder if the Jazz would look at bringing him back. He seems to be a great development guy, could be just the thing guys like Lyes, Exum and Burks need.
I feel like he was more a victim of circumstance and it really wasn't his fault. I mean, the Suns were working hard and in the mix for a playoff spot early in the year, and then Bledsoe got hurt and the season derailed itself for them. I'd love it if the Jazz brought him back though, just a sprinkle of the golden years I was too young to enjoy

[WayOfWade]

How real is it if they haven't even talked?
I honestly don't think the Jazz are going to pull the trigger. Like you've stated before, they're a little too concerned with money than anything else plus I think they're just content to stand pat and see how their young talent develops.


The Jazz continue to have what is quite possibly the best collection of young talent in the game
While Towns is (or at least will be) the superior player to anyone on either squad, I think currently the Jazz sport a better young squad and potential. In the article you posted the Jazz have Hayward, Favors, Hood, Burks, Gobert, Lyles, and *Exum whereas the Wolves have Townes and Wiggins. Outside of those two (which will undoubtedly be great) only Lavine sticks out to me as being a great young talent. I'm not convinced by Rubio (now like 4 or 5 years in) or Dieng.
Also, I have a running bet with my cousin that the Jazz will have the better record between the 2 teams for the next 2 years or I have to buy him basketball shoes.


Lyles has surprised most of us with a rapid rise to competence.

He surprised me, I thought he was going to suck. I was just a prisoner of the moment though, something I'm ashamed of


Has he or is he just streaky like Hayward?
I think he has personally. I've said before where you can get the ball into Hood's hands and he'll just have the guts and skill to go get a bucket all by himself; Hayward seems to be lacking that instinct this year. You are right though that he needs to do it consistently as the year(s) go on to prove himself.

[El Kabong]

How real is it if they haven't even talked? :rolleyes:
The Hawks sent the Jazz a crudely folded piece of paper that said

Do you heart Jeff Teague?
Yes
No
Maybe

And then the Jazz tick the box and pass it back.

[Xiao Yao You]

While Towns is (or at least will be) the superior player to anyone on either squad, I think currently the Jazz sport a better young squad and potential. In the article you posted the Jazz have Hayward, Favors, Hood, Burks, Gobert, Lyles, and *Exum whereas the Wolves have Townes and Wiggins. Outside of those two (which will undoubtedly be great) only Lavine sticks out to me as being a great young talent. I'm not convinced by Rubio (now like 4 or 5 years in) or Dieng. -

Dieng and Towns gave Gobert and Favors everything they could handle. Jazz are furthur along in their development but the Wolves have a lot better potential. They could be scary real soon.


Also, I have a running bet with my cousin that the Jazz will have the better record between the 2 teams for the next 2 years or I have to buy him basketball shoes.

Good luck. I think someone posted a rumor about Van Gundy becoming their coach. They would start playing D and be much improved right away. They were close to the Jazz early in the year too.


I think he has personally. I've said before where you can get the ball into Hood's hands and he'll just have the guts and skill to go get a bucket all by himself; Hayward seems to be lacking that instinct this year. You are right though that he needs to do it consistently as the year(s) go on to prove himself.

He's shown he likes to shoot the basketball.


The Hawks sent the Jazz a crudely folded piece of paper that said

Do you heart Jeff Teague?
Yes
No
Maybe

And then the Jazz tick the box and pass it back.

:roll:

Not sure if they heart him but he's a lot better than Burke if they can get him without giving up any big pieces I'd do it.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://saltcityhoops.com/february-schedule-look-ahead/

Burks could make a difference. They should win tonite.

[Xiao Yao You]

https://jazzfanatical.wordpress.com/2016/02/01/and-heres-your-weekly-utah-jazz-wrapup-15/

[QUOTE]even if we, you know, if we

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/blogs/jazznotes/3486246-155/jazz-shootaround-favors-says-sleeping-on

[QUOTE]"Try not to sleep on my stomach basically," he said. "I think that

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865646643/Upstill-Should-the-Utah-Jazz-consider-gambling-on-high-risk-high-reward-player-at-trade-deadline.html

[QUOTE]The Jazz could throw in Tibor Pliess or Chris Johnson to help the trade go through but they aren

[El Kabong]

Would have been so much easier if they could hit free throws at the end there. Gotta give it up to Hayward for getting the steal at the end and preventing the Bulls from getting a final shot.

Good stuff in overtime though. That pass from Ingles to Hayward was just a thing of beauty.

[Xiao Yao You]

Great game. One of their better wins.

[WayOfWade]

Would have been so much easier if they could hit free throws at the end there. Gotta give it up to Hayward for getting the steal at the end and preventing the Bulls from getting a final shot.

Good stuff in overtime though. That pass from Ingles to Hayward was just a thing of beauty.
Yeah, definitely great job for Hayward. I personally was excited when Hood fouled out because it forced Hayward to take control of the offense instead of just giving the ball to Rodney and watching, and he delivered. I was super-proud of Neto though, you could tell he was getting under Rose's skin and completely outplayed him. However he must improve his FT's, we almost blew the game because we just couldn't connect to finish the game off.
Also, huge shout outs to Gobert and Favors, Favors had like 4 blocks and Rudy did good even guarding the perimeter. One of the better wins of the season like Xiao said

[Xiao Yao You]

Yeah, definitely great job for Hayward. I personally was excited when Hood fouled out because it forced Hayward to take control of the offense instead of just giving the ball to Rodney and watching, and he delivered. I was super-proud of Neto though, you could tell he was getting under Rose's skin and completely outplayed him. However he must improve his FT's, we almost blew the game because we just couldn't connect to finish the game off.
Also, huge shout outs to Gobert and Favors, Favors had like 4 blocks and Rudy did good even guarding the perimeter. One of the better wins of the season like Xiao said

Rudy can guard the perimeter it just takes him away from the basket which is good for the other team. Too bad Withey can't play.

[Xiao Yao You]

Jody Genessy: [URL="http://*********.com/social/"]Gordon Hayward didn

[Xiao Yao You]

eto, like Rose, finished with 14 points, a career-high, only he accomplished that total on 6-of-8 shooting from the field. Whenever a play broke down, Neto was able to use his dribble creatively, and wreak havoc on Chicago

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE][URL="http://www.si.com/nba/2016/02/02/rodney-hood-utah-jazz-james-harden-quin-snyder-rudy-gobert"]

[Xiao Yao You]

Hood, 23, not only leads his class with 5.4 Win Shares, topping Marcus Smart at 4.6 and Wiggins at 4.1, but he also ranks among the class

[Xiao Yao You]

[URL="http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=14697555"]Chris Broussard on Jeff Teague:

[Xiao Yao You]

Erick Green Named D-League Player Of The Month For January (http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/240648/Erick-Green-Named-D-League-Player-Of-The-Month-For-January) http://basketball.realgm.com/images/basketball/5.0/team_logos/nba/29-utah-jazz.png Erick Green 27.6 points, 4.7 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists in January for Reno.

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]

[Xiao Yao You]

http://saltcityhoops.com/who-drives-the-train-for-the-utah-jazz/


Are there players that pull the train for the Jazz?

Rudy
[QUOTE]Are there players on the Jazz who look better than they are because they often play with really good players? In the modern age of basketball analysis I think basketball fans and experts have become smarter about who really impacts winning and who does not. But with this current Jazz team, it

[Xiao Yao You]

Doug Smith: [URL="http://*********.com/social/"]CanCon at NBA all-star weekend up as league adds Trey Lyles of Utah to the Kid

[Xiao Yao You]

http://weareutahjazz.com/lockedonjazz/2016/02/01/emptying-the-noggin-so-much-so-much-to-empty-after-huge-win/


Quin says the defense is much better than before Rudy got hurt.

Really? :wtf:


This home stand is huge. 4-2 or 5-1 puts you in position to make a playoff run.

Think they've been in position all year no? :rolleyes:

[WayOfWade]

Quin says the defense is much better than before Rudy got hurt.
lol, water is wet

[QUOTE]Doug Smith: CanCon at NBA all-star weekend up as league adds Trey Lyles of Utah to the Kid

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865646799/Gordon-Haywards-made-a-believer-out-of-Jazz-coach-Quin-Snyder.html

[QUOTE]Before Monday

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3490925-155/utah-jazz-favors-gobert-are-back


Since Gobert returned to the starting lineup 12 games ago, the Jazz have been the third-best defense in the NBA. With Favors' return four games ago, Utah has been even stingier, ranking second in overall defense in that admittedly brief stretch by allowing just 93.4 points per 100 possessions.

I thought Hayward and Favors were their all-stars? :confusedshrug:


But Favors isn't telling his teammate on the perimeter they can ease up.


"I tell them to keep their man in front of them. Don't let them just blow by because then me and Rudy get in foul trouble and they get mad," Favors said. But "they know me and Rudy will be back there to clean up, either block it, get the rebound or contest it."

Usually Favors and Hood are in foul trouble not Rudy.

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]Andy Larsen: Jazz recall Tibor Pleiss from Idaho Stampede. (http://*********.com/social/) Interesting, given that all of the Jazz

[pastis]

how is tibor pleiss doing? already a bust who will never get a chance becoming a rotation player with like 6-8min a game?

ive watched some d-league games of pleiss...and i was shocked how bad the d-league in general was, but shocked as well regarding the lack of skillset pleiss has. he is WAY to slow and to skinny, cant really hustle, the pace is just to heavy for him.

and he is already like 26....if he was 19...ok, but 26?

[Xiao Yao You]

I wasn't that impressed with him in the D-league either but he looked good for the Jazz when he got to play. I think he could help someone in the league. He's behind 5 guys in Utah though.

[Xiao Yao You]

The Utah Jazz announced today that the team has assigned center Tibor Pleiss to the Idaho Stampede, (http://www.nba.com/jazz/news/jazz-assign-tibor-pleiss-idaho-stampede-1) the Jazz

[El Kabong]

I wasn't that impressed with him in the D-league either but he looked good for the Jazz when he got to play. I think he could help someone in the league. He's behind 5 guys in Utah though.
Might be an effort thing? Not the first time a guy would respond negatively to being sent down.

[El Kabong]

Bucks willing to trade Monroe. Reckon he'd be OK paired up with a rim protector like Gobert?

[pastis]

[QUOTE=Xiao Yao You]The Utah Jazz announced today that the team has assigned center Tibor Pleiss to the Idaho Stampede, (http://www.nba.com/jazz/news/jazz-assign-tibor-pleiss-idaho-stampede-1) the Jazz

[Xiao Yao You]

Might be an effort thing? Not the first time a guy would respond negatively to being sent down.

He asked to go down so he could play. I'd guess it was probably more that he plays a big role down there and with the Jazz he was just playing a role: setting screens, rebounding, defending and taking an occasional open shot.


i hope pleiss plays like 30 plus minutes

Probably will if he can stay out of foul trouble. That and turnovers have been a problem for him down there.


Bucks willing to trade Monroe. Reckon he'd be OK paired up with a rim protector like Gobert?

Not sure he's an upgrade on Favors. Doesn't stretch it to 3 and doesn't defend as much. Also would cost more though in a couple more years his contract might be looking really good compared to what Favors will be demanding.

[Xiao Yao You]

Steve Kyler: One of the reasons the Hawks have listened on Teague, might get a ton for him because of how weak PG class is in 16 (http://*********.com/social/) twitter.com/DyIanHughes/st

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]Michael Scotto: The Denver Nuggets are seeking a late first-round draft pick in exchange for center Joffrey Lauvergne, (http://*********.com/social/) league sources tell Sheridan Hoops.

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE] David Locke: Utah Jazz have signed Erick Green to a 2nd 10 day contract (http://*********.com/social/).

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]John Schuhmann: UTA-WAS (from 1/23) is rescheduled for Thu. 2/18, the first day after the break & a day before the Jazz play Boston at home (http://*********.com/social/).

[El Kabong]

Too many turnovers that quarter. Very sloppy, especially on the fast break when they had the man advantage.

[Xiao Yao You]

nice to see the running hook from Rudy finally

[El Kabong]

I will say I'm loving Hood more and more every game I watch him. Just the fact that he played for Duke makes me think he'll be a Loul Deng type for the team.

[El Kabong]

Plumlee ejected for a shot on Ingles. But tough, but it's head contact, so I guess they don't mess around with that.

[Xiao Yao You]

I will say I'm loving Hood more and more every game I watch him. Just the fact that he played for Duke makes me think he'll be a Loul Deng type for the team.

I'm just hoping he can keep it up. I thought he'd be doing this all year. Not sure why he started slow after his strong finish.

[El Kabong]

Favors with the block party again, although he missed most everything he took.

I like Neto, but his lack of ability/willingness to finish at the hoop hurts a bit at times. Had a few tight shot clocks at the end there because he'd drive, opponents wouldn't bite, so he couldn't kick it out to an open man, would dish it back out and there'd only be 3-5 seconds left.

[pastis]

i watched pleiss and it was horrible.
seriously. his foul trouble is due to his slowness. same goes for his TO. he is slow, too skinny (tough is weight is OK) is shot release is too slow as well.

[Giaodollo]

17-12 with Gobert vs 7-13 without him. As long as he is healthy playoff is a definitive.

[Xiao Yao You]

i watched pleiss and it was horrible.
seriously. his foul trouble is due to his slowness. same goes for his TO. he is slow, too skinny (tough is weight is OK) is shot release is too slow as well.

That's what I thought when I watched a D-league game but he looked like a legit NBA role player in the couple games he got quality minutes for the Jazz. I also think Withey is better than Lyles and arguably Booker though so what do I know.

[Xiao Yao You]

17-12 with Gobert vs 7-13 without him. As long as he is healthy playoff is a definitive.

you'd never think he was that valuable if you paid attention to the media and announcers

[WayOfWade]

you'd never think he was that valuable if you paid attention to the media and announcers
This guy at Sports Illustrated does...
http://www.si.com/nba/2016/02/03/rudy-gobert-utah-jazz-france-stifle-tower
Great read if you haven't seen it yet.

As for the Jazz, I am so stoked they are only 1 game below .500, I'm going to the Suns game tonight to watch them finally hit it.
As the standings are now, the Jazz, Rockets, and Mavs all have 25 losses, do any of you think the Jazz will pass either the Rockets or Mavs as the year goes on?

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.si.com/nba/2016/02/03/rudy-gobert-utah-jazz-france-stifle-tower

[QUOTE]The NBA

[WayOfWade]

Favors with the block party again, although he missed most everything he took.

I like Neto, but his lack of ability/willingness to finish at the hoop hurts a bit at times. Had a few tight shot clocks at the end there because he'd drive, opponents wouldn't bite, so he couldn't kick it out to an open man, would dish it back out and there'd only be 3-5 seconds left.
Yeah, Neto's lack of aggression in the paint is disconcerting, but he seems happy firing away from 3 which is pretty good for me. That's the next step though, driving and finishing more consistently

[WayOfWade]

http://www.si.com/nba/2016/02/03/rudy-gobert-utah-jazz-france-stifle-tower



I wasn't that impressed with Whiteside in the game against the Jazz though he was supposedly playing hurt.
Yeah, I read that while he blocks a lot, he allows 47% shooting at the rim whereas Gobert only allows 40%

[Xiao Yao You]

This guy at Sports Illustrated does...
http://www.si.com/nba/2016/02/03/rudy-gobert-utah-jazz-france-stifle-tower
Great read if you haven't seen it yet.

As for the Jazz, I am so stoked they are only 1 game below .500, I'm going to the Suns game tonight to watch them finally hit it.
As the standings are now, the Jazz, Rockets, and Mavs all have 25 losses, do any of you think the Jazz will pass either the Rockets or Mavs as the year goes on?

I doubt the national media are calling Hayward and Favors all-stars either.

If they can stay relatively healthy they can certainly move into the 6th spot. Dallas next week! :applause:

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.slcdunk.com/2016/2/4/10916234/the-downbeat


How many times has the debate about the Jazz's lack of a star been raised? It's come up as an excuse and a critique. But the larger question that must be answered is a philosophical one -- What makes a "star"? Who determines? How much of it is a case of self-fulfilling prophecy? Is it only the ability to score at high numbers and with high efficiency?

The question is: Can Rudy Gobert be that star? So much is given to the offensive powerhouse in the NBA. Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook are amazing on one end of the court, and acceptable to good on defense. But can it go the opposite direction? Can a player be so utterly game changing on defense, but be just acceptable on offense and still be considered a star?


One of the favorite new ways to describe a player, outside of traditional stats, is the "gravity" score. Kevin Pelton and Zach Lowe are acolytes of it. Can a player be such a deterrent to high percentage shots as to be given an "antigravity" score? Rudy would certainly be that player.


Can Rudy be the type of player that forces the development of new analytics?


You can argue about who the best players are and rather they are all-stars but it's hard to argue with Rudy being the most valuable Jazz player and the guy you got to be building around.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://saltcityhoops.com/party-like-its-1978-jazz-beat-bucks/

[QUOTE]Trey Burke is in trouble. He only played three minutes tonight. Three. Part of that is certainly the Bucks

[Xiao Yao You]

http://weareutahjazz.com/lockedonjazz/2016/02/05/emptying-the-noggin-insane-defense-does-it-again/


Jazz played 8 minutes without a point guard

Hayward, Hood and Ingles are all pg's more than Trey.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.slcdunk.com/2016/2/6/10926512/utah-jazz-phoenix-suns-trey-burke-raul-neto-dante-exum-erick-green-joe-ingles

Green has gotten after people when he's been in. I'd guess that is one reason he was out of the league. He's certainly shown he can score at other levels.

[WayOfWade]

http://www.slcdunk.com/2016/2/4/10916234/the-downbeat



You can argue about who the best players are and rather they are all-stars but it's hard to argue with Rudy being the most valuable Jazz player and the guy you got to be building around.
Building around Rudy would be interesting, because usually when you build around a player, said player is typically an offensive juggernaut. Gobert however is a defensive juggernaut, so it seems like you'd get maybe good shooters and great defenders to build around him

[WayOfWade]

Well, with the Rockets getting destroyed, a win tonight will push the Jazz into the 7 seed :applause:

[El Kabong]

Yeah, Neto's lack of aggression in the paint is disconcerting, but he seems happy firing away from 3 which is pretty good for me. That's the next step though, driving and finishing more consistently
I suppose when Burks comes back that problem may be solved. Get him driving instead of Neto and I imagine you'll get a better result, either in him finishing, or the D collapsing to stop him.

PHX got hot from the perimeter at the end there. Lucky Gobert was hitting his free throws in the last 5 minutes unlike a few of the last games.

[WayOfWade]

I suppose when Burks comes back that problem may be solved. Get him driving instead of Neto and I imagine you'll get a better result, either in him finishing, or the D collapsing to stop him.

PHX got hot from the perimeter at the end there. Lucky Gobert was hitting his free throws in the last 5 minutes unlike a few of the last games.
Yeah, Burks should solve that problem. And as for Gobert, there was nothing better than gloating in front of all the Suns fans (I was at the game) as Gobert sunk free throw after free throw. He did much better today than he usually does, just goes to show how much a difference there is between him and guys like Whiteside/Jordan, Gobert beat the system

[Xiao Yao You]

Andy Larsen: [URL="http://*********.com/social/"]Trey Burke is OUT for tomorrow

[Xiao Yao You]

http://weareutahjazz.com/lockedonjazz/2016/02/06/emptying-the-noggin-solid-win-in-mucked-up-game/


Jazz are really riding the starters right now with Hayward at 38, Favors at 30, Gobert at 34, Hood at 35 and Neto at 37 minutes of play. The Jazz need to find a way to get some solid bench minutes. That maybe what the trade deadline for.

Alec! :applause:

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.slcdunk.com/2016/2/8/10936938/utah-jazz-player-of-the-week-15-starters-lead-the-way


Offensive the team is getting things done, even if the slow pace hides the talent a bit. Gordon Hayward (http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/111897/gordon-hayward) and Rodney Hood (http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/246135/rodney-hood) have been really of late -- but Raul Neto (http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/198045/raul-neto) is the X-Factor right now. All three of them had solid weeks. And that may just be the formula for the team going forward.

Should be able to put a team out there that has Hood or Hayward, Gobert or Favors, and Neto or Burks at all times.


Raul Neto (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/n/netora01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com) (4 Starts, 32.3 MPG): Neto is getting better as the season progresses, not unlike the evolution of Dante Exum (http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/246134/dante-exum) last season.

Except Exum never was very good on offense.


He didn't really have the all-around game we are accustomed to, but still pulled down 3.3 rpg, and dished out 1.5 apg.

Pretty typical no? He's shown he's a scorer not much else yet anyway.


Gordon Hayward (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/haywago01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com) (4 Starts, 39.6 MPG): G-Time almost played 40 mpg, and he averaged 20.8 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 4.3 apg, and played like an All-Star even if he doesn't get the respect other stars do.

Maybe because he's not a star or the most valuable guy on his team?


He was big, even if he didn't shoot anywhere near what his capable of -- sadly only 35.9 FG%. His impact is huge even if he's missing. Hasn't hit the mid range since he came back.


Rudy Gobert (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/goberru01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com) (4 Starts, 36.4 MPG): The Stifle Tower almost had a double double as well, with 14.0 ppg, and 9.5 rpg. He only averaged 2.0 spg and 2.0 bpg while shooting 59.4 FG% and getting to the line 7.0 times a game. Oh, he also had a 6 to 1 assist to turn over ratio. Amazing play. Amazing but just an afterthought?



At some point you want more from your bench than that. Dante Exum (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/e/exumda01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com) and Alec Burks (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/burksal01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com) missed all the games because they are still rehabbing. Tibor Pleiss (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/pleisti01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com) missed all the games because he was either down in the NBADL or sitting on the bench. And Jeff Withey (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/witheje01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com) got four straight DNP-CDs. So..... yeah? What's goin' on? (/ Marvin Gaye William voice)

Withey should be playing. He's a better option than Lyles now if winning is the goal which obviously it isn't. The D-league is there for Lyles to get minutes.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.slcdunk.com/utah-jazz-articles/2016/2/9/10948772/utah-jazz-guard-rodney-hood-is-mercury


So why then do we hold fast onto the concept of Rodney being a 'shooter'?

I'd call him a scorer not a shooter and a streaky one at that.


Hood is shooting so many threes as a portion of all of his FGA that he's already 8th ALL-TIME on the Jazz list for career 3PTA.
Amazing! Big difference between Jerry ball.


In total history, the only guys who shot a higher proportion of their shots from distance are Randy Foye (58.81%), Chris Johnson (http://www.basketball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?search=Chris+Johnson&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com) (53.98%), Elliot Williams (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/williel01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com) (53.85%), Brandon Rush (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/rushbr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com) (52.22%), Ian Clark (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/clarkia01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com) (50.45%), and Kyle Korver (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/k/korveky01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com) (47.66%).
Korver is the only one worth noting.


Hood is more outside oriented than the old guard, literally.
Snyder is anyway. Hood would have thrived with his great mid range game under Sloan.

[Xiao Yao You]

From the Deseret News:

Point guard Trey Burke continues to suffer from the flu, so he remained home and will rejoin the Jazz after the All-Star break.

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]Medical tests revealed a mid-foot fracture and the 7-footer could miss the remainder of this season. (http://www.commercialappeal.com/breaking-news/Grizzlies-center-Marc-Gasol-out-indefinitely-with-broken--foot-368230721.html) He has been ruled out indefinitely. It is unclear exactly when Gasol suffered the injury. Last Saturday, Gasol and Griz coach Dave Joerger acknowledged that Gasol was playing with an injury. Gasol started Monday night but departed late in the first quarter of the Grizzlies

[El Kabong]

Windhorst says Atlanta willing to move Horford, Teague and Korver. Interesting.

[Xiao Yao You]

Korver could be someone to look at. Be a good fit. Quin knows him. Likes Utah.

[QUOTE]Frank Isola: A league source claims that the Magic and Hawks have discussed a deal involving Victor Oladipo and Jeff Teague (http://*********.com/social/).

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE] Ronald Tillery: Griz GM Chris Wallace in wake of Marc Gasol injury: [URL="http://*********.com/social/"]

[El Kabong]

Won a close one there! Hood and Hayward continue to carry the team offensively (though they were like 2-14 combined from 3 point land) and it was good to see Lyles contribute offensively in limited minutes.

Won a few close ones now. I think the team was like 0-10 in games decided by 5 or fewer points up until a few weeks ago. If they could have taken those games 50/50 than the team would have been up there with Memphis and Dallas for the 5th seed.

Beating Dallas and Memphis losing Gasol might still make that possible from here.

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]Jody Genessy: Jazz guard Erick Green said he will not participate in the D-League All-Star Game, (http://*********.com/social/) which takes place Saturday in Toronto.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=hh45gl5

I'd say Korver is too old for the Jazz to have interest.

[WayOfWade]

Windhorst says Atlanta willing to move Horford, Teague and Korver. Interesting.
I'd be down, miss him. Not sure how down he would be though


Won a close one there! Hood and Hayward continue to carry the team offensively (though they were like 2-14 combined from 3 point land) and it was good to see Lyles contribute offensively in limited minutes.

The team really has improved in close games. I just remember being accustomed to them coming back and coming up short every time. Now Hood and Hayward have gotten their act together; that with health actually being a thing in Utah has helped a lot.


Medical tests revealed a mid-foot fracture and the 7-footer could miss the remainder of this season.
This definitely makes the 5 seed a possibility. And personally, I like the Jazz's chances with the Clippers in the playoffs.


Hood is shooting so many threes as a portion of all of his FGA that he's already 8th ALL-TIME on the Jazz list for career 3PTA.
I had to read this twice, was totally like :wtf:
Then my roommate and I analyzed it, and we could only think of Stockton, Hornacek, D-Will, Okur, Korver, Hayward, maybe Adrian Dantley and/or Kirilenko, and it all made sense. Great job by Quin implementing this shot more on the offense

[WayOfWade]

https://www.mavs.com/game-55-mavs-vs-jazz-2/

This is what I thought was an interesting article about the game from the Mavs' perspective. I thought I was reading a novel the writing was so cool, a good read for anyone. You also get to see how the Mavs respond after the game, I recommend it

[Xiao Yao You]

This definitely makes the 5 seed a possibility. And personally, I like the Jazz's chances with the Clippers in the playoffs.

Definitely! That's the team they want to play even of it means GS in round 2.


we could only think of Stockton, Hornacek, D-Will, Okur, Korver, Hayward, maybe Adrian Dantley and/or Kirilenko, and it all made sense. Great job by Quin implementing this shot more on the offense
Dantley didn't shoot 3's. Russell and Griffith I imagine. Maybe Foye in his 1 year?

[Giaodollo]

7 straight, damn it is so exciting right now. Only GSW with a longer W streak.

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]Atlanta reportedly has had trade discussions with Teague

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]Nash

[WayOfWade]

Stockton certainly had a big influence on his game.
At least on offense

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]The Wizards are looking for help at the power forward spot and a stretch-four type player is very appealing. [URL="http://www.basketballinsiders.com/nba-am-blowing-up-the-magic/"]Keep an eye on New Orleans Pelicans forward Ryan Anderson, Phoenix Suns forward P.J. Tucker and Utah Jazz forward Trevor Booker

[El Kabong]

I don't see them giving up Hood for anyone on the Hawks.
Certainly not now.

Favors doing well so far today. Good to see him get his groove back on offense.

[WayOfWade]

Well that sucked, Anthony davis decided to turn it on in the fourth quarter. Still though, going 7-1 to end before the break isn't bad at all

[Xiao Yao You]

Hopefully Alec back soon and they can get rolling again next week.

[DMV2]

Wassup?

[Xiao Yao You]

A win is what's up! :cheers:

They tried hard to blow it again though

[Xiao Yao You]

http://weareutahjazz.com/lockedonjazz/2016/03/13/emptying-the-noggin-jazz-cruise-over-dysfunction/


Derrick Favors was a beast. Every time he plays a guy that is on USA Basketball he annihilates them. His biggest nights have been against Drummond, Davis and now Cousins.

Tired of hearing how he has dominated Davis. The first game they played this year it was Davis that had a huge game carrying them to victory mostly by himself. In the last one it was Rudy shutting him down in the first half.

[QUOTE]

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865650004/Jazz-notes-Dont-be-deceived-by-Rudy-Goberts-unimpressive-stats.html

[QUOTE]Snyder said Gobert needs to react better when he gets incidental contact.

[Xiao Yao You]

Scorekeeper bias and generosity not only skew NBA players

[WayOfWade]

Most guys are going to be better than him. There's a reason he has been a 3rd pg.
While that may be true, you have to give him credit for playing well since getting the most minutes and starts he's ever gotten, he's averaging 12.3/3.6/4.9 on 44% shooting and 45% from downtown, he's certainly showing us that he's a capable point guard, as seen by the recent step-up in his game the past week.

Also, you've noticed that the media here glorifies Derrick Favors, probably because he scores more points so that's always the more glamorous of the two. Gobert is fantastic though, no matter how many minutes he gets, he almost always gets a very good +/- for the game

[WayOfWade]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865650004/Jazz-notes-Dont-be-deceived-by-Rudy-Goberts-unimpressive-stats.html



It hasn't been a huge problem has it? A couple times recently but certainly no where near as much as Favors or Hood.
I wouldn't say it's that big a problem; nonetheless, it would be good to improve in that area so as to avoid foul trouble in key games

[Xiao Yao You]

While that may be true, you have to give him credit for playing well since getting the most minutes and starts he's ever gotten, he's averaging 12.3/3.6/4.9 on 44% shooting and 45% from downtown, he's certainly showing us that he's a capable point guard, as seen by the recent step-up in his game the past week.

He's good no doubt. Their starting line-up was doing fine though. He could have been great off the bench at least until Alec is back.


Also, you've noticed that the media here glorifies Derrick Favors, probably because he scores more points so that's always the more glamorous of the two. Gobert is fantastic though, no matter how many minutes he gets, he almost always gets a very good +/- for the game

Scores more and has been hyped since they got him for Deron. Seems obvious to me who's their most valuable player. You think they beat the Cavs if it's Rudy out and not Hayward or Favors? I'm sure Hayward's supporters don't know what to think. Can Hood be more consistent if he's got the ball more?

[Xiao Yao You]

I wouldn't say it's that big a problem; nonetheless, it would be good to improve in that area so as to avoid foul trouble in key games

He's got other things he needs to work on a lot more. Anyone can get in foul trouble occasionally. I remember the first game he started last year he got a couple early fouls and they acted like it was going to be a problem when it hadn't been all year despite the fact that it's always been a problem with Favors and early this year with Hood too. He seems to have gotten better. So has Favors but it's still an issue.

[WayOfWade]

He's good no doubt. Their starting line-up was doing fine though. He could have been great off the bench at least until Alec is back.



Scores more and has been hyped since they got him for Deron. Seems obvious to me who's their most valuable player. You think they beat the Cavs if it's Rudy out and not Hayward or Favors? I'm sure Hayward's supporters don't know what to think. Can Hood be more consistent if he's got the ball more?
To be honest, I really thought Hayward was the most valuable before posting here more. But since Rudy went down and the team started free falling I've been paying more attention to him and his impact is undeniable, his spacing on both sides of the ball is very impressive, few players do as well. And as for Mack, that certainly seems like it would've been a better option; still confused though as to why he started so soon in spite of his recent good play. I think Snyder said it was for the good of the team, but that's horribly unspecific. All he did was probably hurt Burke's confidence and take away Neto's minutes. Do you think Mack will be here a while?

[Xiao Yao You]

They have to pick up Mack's option I'm sure. Burke will be gone. Mack can score like Trey but has a better all around game. Be interesting to see how he does it next year with Exum back. I'm thinking Mack and Exum starting together might make sense if Dante can guard and hit open 3's but I'm sure they want Dante at the 1.

Hood, Burks, Neto, Lyles and their first rounder off the bench.

[WayOfWade]

They have to pick up Mack's option I'm sure. Burke will be gone. Mack can score like Trey but has a better all around game. Be interesting to see how he does it next year with Exum back. I'm thinking Mack and Exum starting together might make sense if Dante can guard and hit open 3's but I'm sure they want Dante at the 1.

Hood, Burks, Neto, Lyles and their first rounder off the bench.
I don't know, I just can't see Snyder not starting Hood. Perhaps having Mack and Alec be the first off the bench to keep the pressure on the defense might be what he'll do. I'm pretty sure they'll have Dante start again though next year, Snyder just loves to start PG's that have a lot to prove starting with Exum last year, then Neto, now Mack and next Exum again. Hood will start this because he needs better outside shooting in his starting lineup. I know Mack is shooting 45% from 3 this year with the Jazz, but that's pretty small sample size and he had a stretch with the Jazz already where he shot horribly from out there

[Xiao Yao You]

Hood hasn't looked anymore a starter than Alec except he's 6'9 and even than he doesn't have great length for his height. I'd guess Alec and Exum might both be longer than Hayward and Hood. His d hasn't been good which is probably a big part of their inconsistency this year at that end. He hasn't been consistent offensively either. Looks like a bench scorer. Might be able to afford everyone if that ends up being his role too!

Could start Neto and Exum if you want 3 point shooting. Neto is best on the team no? Alec can hit the 3 too but unlike Hood he doesn't continue to force them if they're not falling. Hood needs to stop settling for 3's. He's tough inside the arc. Very streaky outside of it.

Mack looks pretty good from the side and corner 3. Best floater on the team easily.

My line-up is better defensively assuming Exum can still play D which is what Snyder wants. If the match-ups aren't good early in the game you got a hell of a bench to go to with Hood, Alec, Neto, and hopefully Lyles will be ready. Wouldn't have to stagger the rotations as much.

Part of the problem since Mack joined has been that Hood hasn't had the ball as much in his hands. The starting line-up would have Mack, Hayward and Favors with the ball and Exum and Gobert playing their roles.

You saw what he did last game with the ball again. Moving him to the bench it will be him and Alec with the ball and with Neto and Lyles playing their roles with their next first rounder.

[Xiao Yao You]

It all could be out the window next year anyway. I think they have to try to win as many games as possible next year because Hayward could leave after the year. They might spend money on players next year. Play Withey. Re sign Booker. Send their pick to the D-league. Etc. :confusedshrug:

[Xiao Yao You]

http://weareutahjazz.com/lockedonjazz/2016/03/15/emptying-the-noggin-best-48-minute-effort-of-the-season/


The Jazz forced the Cavs into 42 three point attempts during the game. 42 of the 88 shots.

I'd imagine that is what they want. They just weren't hitting them.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://saltcityhoops.com/random-jazz-thoughts/

[QUOTE]The issue with this team has never been the starters, but the bench. Adding a third string point guard to the fold was not going to fix that. So while Mack may not be the solution for Utah, he isn

[Xiao Yao You]

Three teams in the thick of the NBA playoff race

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.slcdunk.com/2016/3/17/11243658/utah-jazz-alec-burks-rodney-hood-gordon-hayward-quin-snyder-shelvin-mack


(Other teams don't usually draft a guy in the lotto, only to decide to play one trick ponies, guys trying to stay in the league long after their productive careers have ended, and NBA D League guys ahead of him.

A guy should play because he deserves it not because of where he was drafted. The D league is there for a reason. If a team is tanking it's one thing but a team that's trying to win should play lesser guys? I certainly don't see Lyles playing over Withey as a team trying to win.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.slcdunk.com/research-statistics-analytics/2016/3/17/11252804/utah-jazz-rodney-hood-jeff-hornacek-deron-williams-gordon-hayward-mehmet-okur-randy-foye-records


Rodney is doing something no one in Jazz history has ever done, and this could be just scratching the surface of his genius. He is shooting more threes per game this season than every other player in franchise history.

I don't think that is genius. He needs to quit settling for it when they aren't falling. He can get whatever he wants it seems inside the arc.

[Xiao Yao You]

Gordon is questionable. I doubt he plays. They should win this .

[Xiao Yao You]

Aaron Falk: Gordon Hayward has been ruled out for tonight, (http://*********.com/social/) team says.

[WayOfWade]

How about that? Back to back dynamite wins without Hayward! The Jazz commentators say that the Jazz are peaking at the right time, and they might be right. I need to see if they can keep this up against Chicago.
As for the game though, holy crap Joe Ingles, Trey Lyles, and Shelvin Mack delivered big time. Granted it was the Suns, but these guys balling hard is a great sign down the road. Any clue as to whether Alec will return next week or the week after?

[Xiao Yao You]

That's what you're supposed to do to the Suns and at home. Chicago is struggling so hopefully they can get one there. Ingles looks like last year again. I guess he needs more minutes to play well?

[Xiao Yao You]

Nick Friedell: Bulls say Pau Gasol is out Saturday (http://espn.go.com/espn/now?nowId=21-0502597415606427207-4) vs. Utah Jazz because of right knee swelling. E

[Xiao Yao You]

https://jazzfanatical.wordpress.com/2016/03/19/and-heres-your-weekly-utah-jazz-wrapup-21/

[QUOTE][B]Quin Snyder, asked if it

[Xiao Yao You]

David Locke: Gordon Hayward participated in portions of shoot around and wil be re-evaluated at the arena before the game (http://*********.com/social/)

[Xiao Yao You]

http://weareutahjazz.com/lockedonjazz/2016/03/19/emptying-the-noggin-slow-start-ends-night-early/


Taj Gibson mobility made the night tough on Rudy Gobert
I'd say Rudy is more mobile than him. Looks like Rudy did his thing. Only 27 minutes though. :confusedshrug:


Jazz aren’t going to win a lot of game when Hood and Hayward combine to go 9 of 30 from the field.

Yet they won two in a row without Hayward and one of those Hood sucked.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.slcdunk.com/2016/3/18/11266676/ncaa-march-madness-2016-butler-utah-jazz-shelvin-mack-gordon-hayward-running-things


Dante Exum (http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/246134/dante-exum?_ga=1.6298930.1636096846.1453995768) is behind and needs as much playing time as possible. Mack is playing well right now. But Mack is supposed to be a back-up.

All that said, Mack is leading this team to the playoffs while Gordon heals from his plantar fasciitis.
I think they will have to go all out next year and guys will have to actually earn playing time even if it means "skipping steps" because Hayward can become an unrestricted free agent after next season. They have to do good. If it means Exum and Lyles ride the pine or go to the D-league than so be it. Mack might be their best player! Hard for me to see him being benched. Exum could win the starting 2 guard if anything.:confusedshrug:

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865650502/Gordon-Hayward-not-100-percent-but-returns-anyway.html


"There’s a tipping point where playing out one of your better players is hard," Jazz coach Quin Snyder said. "Whether it’s Gordon, (Derrick) Favors or Rudy (Gobert), those things take their toll."
Was beginning to wonder if Rudy is appreciated at all. :applause:

[WayOfWade]

http://www.slcdunk.com/2016/3/18/11266676/ncaa-march-madness-2016-butler-utah-jazz-shelvin-mack-gordon-hayward-running-things

I think they will have to go all out next year and guys will have to actually earn playing time even if it means "skipping steps" because Hayward can become an unrestricted free agent after next season. They have to do good. If it means Exum and Lyles ride the pine or go to the D-league than so be it. Mack might be their best player! Hard for me to see him being benched. Exum could win the starting 2 guard if anything.:confusedshrug:
Next year is going to be very stressful, but I'm pretty sure it will be better than this one. I would not however go as far as to say that Mack is their best player. My prediction will be a lineup of Gobert and Favors up front, Hayward at the three, and then Hood starting with Exum in the backcourt with Neto, Mack, and Burks coming off the bench with Lyles and and Booker as well. I'd love to have Withey in there, but Snyder doesn't like him at all.
Jazz need a win tonight, this is a more winnable game in spite of the fact that the Bucks are playing pretty good as of late.

[Giaodollo]

Missed a handful of games, see that HGayward is back. I thought it was talks he was missing the rest of the season?

[Xiao Yao You]

Next year is going to be very stressful, but I'm pretty sure it will be better than this one. I would not however go as far as to say that Mack is their best player. My prediction will be a lineup of Gobert and Favors up front, Hayward at the three, and then Hood starting with Exum in the backcourt with Neto, Mack, and Burks coming off the bench with Lyles and and Booker as well. I'd love to have Withey in there, but Snyder doesn't like him at all.
Jazz need a win tonight, this is a more winnable game in spite of the fact that the Bucks are playing pretty good as of late.

We don't know what kind of player Exum will be but based on what he was a year ago he can't lead the offense like Mack and neither can Hayward or Hood. The difference between them leading the offense and Mack is night and day. Unless Exum really emerges like Mack has I don't see how you can't start Mack. He's the best we've seen since Deron easily. He is adding a whole new dynamic to the offense. He looks like a legitimate starter while Exum was nothing but a defensive specialist and he may not even be that anymore. I think if Exum can still defend and hit an open corner 3 he could start alongside Mack.

Booker is likely gone. Withey should be if they don't want to play him.

I doubt they'd play Neto and Mack together off the bench.

Be interesting to see what they do because other than the fact Hayward could leave I'd see them starting Exum and drafting a big guy to be their 4th big.

[Xiao Yao You]

Missed a handful of games, see that HGayward is back. I thought it was talks he was missing the rest of the season?

With his injury it certainly seemed like a possibility. I'd guess if they are eliminated he will be done early like last year.

[Xiao Yao You]

Mack is earning himself a huge raise anyway you look at it. He, Rudy and Maxi G will all be free agents after next year.

[WayOfWade]

Mack is earning himself a huge raise anyway you look at it. He, Rudy and Maxi G will all be free agents after next year.
True, Mack is doing an exceptional job. It really will all depend on how Exum comes back. I figured the team wants a more defensive identity and so they'd want Exum more, however we have no clue about his progress. Great pickup by the Jazz though, didn't give up much to get Mack, I bet you it really helps that Gotdon is here so he has a familiar face already.
And btw, great win by the Jazz, Ingles with those 3's was huge, lov d that part of the game

[Xiao Yao You]

Snyder coached him too and the Hawks run basically the same system.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://weareutahjazz.com/lockedonjazz/2016/03/20/emptying-the-noggin-strong-win-in-milwaukee-for-jazz/

[QUOTE]Have been saying the Jazz need to win 2 or 3 games they aren

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.slcdunk.com/research-statistics-analytics/2016/3/20/11273350/utah-jazz-derrick-favors-getting-the-ball-enough


I will take his 17 ppg at above average efficiency over watching one of our guards shoot it 15-20 times a night and not break even. But that's just me. I grew up watching Frank Layden 's remix of Dick Motta's offense; only to then watch Jerry Sloan's remix of that offense with the assistance of Phil Johnson (http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/98726/phil-johnson). I am USED to the ball going into forwards for points on points on points. Perimeter guys? This is a new ballgame for me.

Biggest thing I've seen with Favors is his face up game sucks compared to last year and has been horrible since he came back from injury. I thought he'd extend his range but he's gotten worse from the same distance. Booker too. Not sure what's up with that? At least Favors has a post up game now while Booker has has had a hard time making a lay up.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865650542/Jazz-notes-Alec-Burks-return-remains-up-in-the-air.html

[QUOTE]"It

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.slcdunk.com/2016/3/21/11279116/rio-olympics-2016-team-usa-anthony-davis-derrick-favors-utah-jazz-new-orleans-pelicans


When USA Basketball announced their 30th "finalists" (http://www.usab.com/news-events/news/2016/01/us-olympic-mens-team-finalists-announced.aspx) for the 2016 Olympic team Favors was nowhere to be found. It wasn't a complete surprise, but still a bad decision. Even bigmen for international national teams were tweeting about it as an omission. The bigmen who are on that list are:

Pure Centers: DeMarcus Cousins (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/couside01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com), Dwight Howard (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/howardw01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com), Andre Drummond (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/drumman01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com), DeAndre Jordan (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jordade01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com)
PF / C: LaMarcus Aldridge (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/aldrila01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com), Anthony Davis, Draymond Green (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/greendr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com)
Pure PF: Kenneth Faried (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/f/farieke01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com), Blake Griffin (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/griffbl01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com), Kevin Love (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/loveke01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com)
INT'L SF / PF: LeBron James (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jamesle01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com), Kevin Durant (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/duranke01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com), Paul George (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/georgpa01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com), Carmelo Anthony (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/anthoca01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com), Gordon Hayward (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/haywago01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com), Harrison Barnes (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/barneha02.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com), Rudy Gay (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gayru01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com)You figure that LeBron and Kevin are locks as wings. Perhaps Carmelo as well. But on a 12 man roster with this current theory about playing wings as power forwards, at MOST you are going to see five full-time bigmen -- but more likely four. I think that Derrick Favors is better than many of the remaining players.

It's not about the best players necessarily it's about who fits the team best. For the USA they want a rim protector and rebounder which despite the hype aren't Favors strongest suits. He's started to live up to the hype a bit as a defender finally this year I think but most of his blocks seem to be when Rudy is alongside him and the other team is avoiding him. And despite Locke predicting he would be one of the top rebounders in the league last season we haven't seen him dominate there either.


He can stay in the gym and work on his shot. It needs it!

[Xiao Yao You]

Dallas Mavericks forward Chandler Parsons is likely to undergo season-ending surgery this week to address a torn meniscus in his right knee, (http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/15039953/dallas-mavericks-chandler-parsons-likely-undergo-season-ending-knee-surgery) sources told ESPN.com.

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]By all accounts, trade talks for Jeff Teague and Jrue Holiday went nowhere; the asking prices were too high, and the Jazz are confident with Dante Exum ready to resume his career next season. (http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/15037904/atlanta-hawks-searching-last-season-magic-just-playoffs) But this team is a decent point guard away from being really good. Expect Utah to sniff around again in June, perhaps dangling its draft pick as bait. Even with all three of Mack, Burke and Raul Neto under contract for next season, Utah needs a quality veteran presence to hedge against the fact Exum is 20, massively inexperienced and coming off knee surgery.

[Xiao Yao You]

Not so fast
[QUOTE] Mavericks forward Chandler Parsons is having surgery on his right knee again but might not be finished for the season. A person with knowledge of the situation said Tuesday that Parsons was having arthroscopic surgery for a meniscus tear in his right knee but could return. (http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2016/03/22/ap-source-mavs-parsons-may-return-after-right-knee-surgery/82128822/) The team said Parsons will not make the upcoming four-game road trip because of the right knee injury, and coach Rick Carlisle declined to discuss the specifics. The person spoke of Parsons

[Xiao Yao You]

Jazz Had Exploratory Talks At Deadline For Jrue Holiday, Jeff Teague (http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/241297/Jazz-Had-Exploratory-Talks-At-Deadline-For-Jrue-Holiday-Jeff-Teague) http://basketball.realgm.com/images/basketball/5.0/team_logos/nba/1-atlanta-hawks.png The Jazz remain confident in Dante Exum, who has missed the entire 15-16 season with a torn ACL.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://saltcityhoops.com/trey-lyles-appreciation-thread/


At the beginning of the season, the only highlights Lyles seemed to provide were those from the bench; his on-court play had many Jazz fans asking if Dennis Lindsey whiffed on the #12 pick, especially with Devin Booker still on the board.
Could see since the Summer League that he was a special talent. Why not have him prove himself in the D-league first though? I'd have less problem with him playing if he's dominated down there first.


But his recent play has created a first-world problem: he can’t be kept on the bench, so his epic bench celebrations have been cut down to a minimum.
He's still 5th in my mind. You have to bring it consistently.


I used to have some nerves and trepidation about Lyles earlier in the season, not seeing the kinds of glimpses you hope to see out of a rookie—the glimpses that let you know that with more playing time, some seasoning, and a couple years of NBA play under the belt, the kid’s going to be okay.
Don't know what you were watching but it was there from the beginning. But with Withey looking like Rudy-lite it's hard to understand him playing.


The fact that Lyles has developed enough range where he can shoot the three is great—he was a 13.8% shooter in college from three.
Could see he could shoot in the summer league though. Just a matter of extending his range.


This is a very skilled player whose shooting has improved in the NBA from college; that’s impressive.
His range has improved anyway.


One other interesting point to me was how Trey Lyles stood his ground in the confrontation with Channing Frye last week in the Cavs game. Lyles was trying to complete a sweep-through move, just like he had earlier in the game, but this time he hit Frye below the belt and Frye offered a seemingly exaggerated reaction before quickly recovering to give Lyles a piece of his mind. What impressed me was that Lyles stood his ground; he didn’t back away. He wasn’t escalating the situation at all—he seemed very calm and collected. But he also wasn’t backing down, and I thought that showed a strength and a maturity that was refreshing. We need some tough guys on the team that play with a little fire and stand their ground when needed.

That was good to see.



Overall, I’m thrilled with Trey’s development; his skillset might turn out to be just the offensive skillset that we need to complement our bigs in Favors and Gobert. The Warriors have their version of the skilled passing big who can do it all in Draymond Green, and Lyles might be our mini-Green that enables us to do some pretty remarkable things in a few years.
He may end up replacing one of them.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865650645/The-Jazz-find-another-D-League-diamond-in-the-rough-in-Shelvin-Mack.html

[QUOTE]If you had never heard of Mack until he joined the Jazz in mid-February, you

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]The Jazz have lost 10 of the last 13 meetings with the Rockets, including six straight in Houston . . . Utah

[WayOfWade]

They are due
Yes they are, the Law of Averages always wins out, at least that's what I tell myself whenever I can't buy a shot in pick-up ball at the Fieldhouse

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE] Jody Genessy: [URL="http://*********.com/social/"]Andrei Kirilenko will be honored by the Utah Jazz for his career and contributions at Monday

[WayOfWade]

His number certainly deserves to be up there as much as anyone not named Malone, Stockton, Maravich, Dantley and Deron Williams(who may never be up there).
I think his number should be retired, Kirilenko was such a memorable figure, but I don't think the Jazz will do it sadly.

And also, HOW ABOUT THAT GAME!!! Jazz finally take back the 8 seed. I really don't know what the tie-breaker complications are between Houston and the Jazz though, but I'm sure SLC dunk will write something on it

[Xiao Yao You]

Houston has the tie breaker. Need to beat Dallas to have that tie breaker. Not sure about Portland. I'm guessing they have it.

[WayOfWade]

Portland already owns the tiebreaker, any clue as to why exactly Houston owns the tie breaker?
As for Dallas, I believe the Jazz will win the final game between the two, so by default they'd win the tiebreaker 2-1

[Xiao Yao You]

better conference schedule I think. it was in the trib or deseret news today I think

[Xiao Yao You]

A win on Wednesday would even the season series at two games apiece, though Utah's conference record (18-22) would still lag behind Houston's (24-20) giving the Rockets the edge for the coveted tiebreaker. Nevertheless, the chance to make up a full game on Houston (or conversely to lose a full game) should provide the Jazz with all the motivation they need with just three weeks left in the season.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765685097/Picked-23rd-by-Jazz-Rodney-Hood-proving-to-be-a-steal.html


Hood's numbers could be better if he was more aggressive, but that's a delicate balance and he's a naturally unselfish player.

I'd say he's more than aggressive. He thinks shoot first. He's getting better at giving up the ball. He needs to go to his strengths more inside the arc instead of settling for 3's when they aren't falling.


"The only difference between me and the other guys that were picked before me was they made a little bit more money on draft night," Hood said. "Other than that, it's about getting in the NBA and making your stamp. I think I've done that so far. The whole time, I knew I wasn't the 23rd (best player)."

Could make it up and than some with your next contract because you're on the right team

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865650731/Snyder-trying-not-to-place-too-much-importance-on-Houston-game-tonight.html

[QUOTE]

[Xiao Yao You]

And for all the people that think Booker should be benched for Lyles they don't win tonight without him...again

[Xiao Yao You]

http://saltcityhoops.com/the-benchs-role-in-the-utah-jazzs-recent-success/

[QUOTE]One note for the future: all of a sudden, the Jazz

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]Meyers Leonard

[WayOfWade]

might be last man standing
I've read a couple of articles (mainly on Bleacher Report) stating that the Blazers are the most likely to not make the playoffs, this only aids that opinion.


I can't see assuming that Mack will be moving to the bench next year the way he has played and I doubt Withey is part of it. Hard to guess what will happen because I think they have to try to win as much as possible finally next year.
I have to agree, I don't think Exum will be as good coming back (which is a shame), so Mack will probably be the way to go. And I'm still kind of ticked that the organization doesn't like Withey, the guy knows how to play basketball. And Xiao, you're with Mack being the point-guard of the future? Or would you prefer some other option? Either way, the future of that position for the team is brighter than it was when the season began

[Xiao Yao You]

Can always look to upgrade every player. I know the coach likes Conley but if what we have seen from Mack is real than I'm fine with him for now. I thought they were fine with Neto and I think he potentially can be a Mack type player. He was doing some of the same things when they ran they pick and roll through him instead of just spotting him up for 3. I liked the offense running through the wings but it certainly seems to work better through the 1.

The biggest thing now is can they pay Gobert, Hayward and Mack after next season and still have enough for Favors, Hood and maybe Exum while filling out the rest of the roster? :confusedshrug:

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865650917/In-retrospect-did-Jazz-get-the-bad-end-of-trade-with-Minnesota-for-Burke.html

[QUOTE]Burke acknowledged that he always wonders what would have happened if he

[WayOfWade]

Can always look to upgrade every player. I know the coach likes Conley but if what we have seen from Mack is real than I'm fine with him for now. I thought they were fine with Neto and I think he potentially can be a Mack type player. He was doing some of the same things when they ran they pick and roll through him instead of just spotting him up for 3. I liked the offense running through the wings but it certainly seems to work better through the 1.

The biggest thing now is can they pay Gobert, Hayward and Mack after next season and still have enough for Favors, Hood and maybe Exum while filling out the rest of the roster? :confusedshrug:
Tbh I don't think they'll have enough, that or like we've already established the Jazz won't pay up. I bet you they'll hold onto everyone but Hayward, because he'll demand too much money and the Jazz will keep Gobert. Also the offense does seem to be doing better with the PG's running the show, not seeing too many empty posessions like I used to.
And wait, McCollum was available to the Jazz in that draft?! I had no clue, just goes to show how dire the PG situation was. Jazz already had Burks so they figured they'd be fine, although that reminds me that we had no clue Alec would have these injuries consecutive years.

[Xiao Yao You]

Be tough to let Hayward go. I thought if Rodney could play like he did for a month all the time maybe but it doesn't look like he will.

Favors seems most likely to go at the moment to me. Lyles could stretch the floor more like they want. Mack if Exum/Neto step up. Might have to choose between Alec and Hood as the 6th man eventually too.

Sure send me the link. Thanks

[WayOfWade]

Sounds good, and the Jazz got a good win today! Mack struggled but did a good job overall. The next game against the Lakers is a must-win, the only games in their upcoming schedule that they should be allowed to lose are against GS and SA; the rest are very winnable and the Jazz should get it done

[WayOfWade]

It worked, now we wait and see if Jeff is alerted to it or not

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865650985/Rudy-Gobert-is-struggling-through-the-proverbial-wall.html

[QUOTE]

[WayOfWade]

I know, early in the year I would cringe a bit whenever he shot, and he kept shooting those one-footed jumpers. At least now he's established himself as a legitimate NBA player, it'll be interesting to see what happens to him once Dante comes back

[Xiao Yao You]

He's ahead of Dante in my mind until proven otherwise.

Happy Easter everyone!

[WayOfWade]

Happy Easter!
As for the day, couldn't've gone better, both the Kings and the Rockets lost winnable games. The Jazz are now the 7 seed, and it's looking a lot like the Mavericks will be the team left out of the post season. I initially thought it'd be the Blazers, but the Mavs have been free falling for some time now

[WayOfWade]

Quick little analysis on the playoffs situation that I did myself:
As it stands now, here are the rankings 6-9 in the Western Conference:
Blazers: 38-36
Jazz: 36-37
Rockets: 36-38
Mavericks: 35-38

Here is the remaining schedule for each of those teams:
Blazers: vs. Kings, vs. Celtics, vs. Heat, @ Warriors, @ Kings, vs. Thunder, vs. Wolves, vs. Nuggets 6 games in Portland, 2 on the road. 4 games against playoff teams, 4 games against non-playoff teams
Jazz: vs. Lakers, vs. Warriors, vs. Wolves, @ Suns, vs. Spurs, vs. Clippers, @ Nuggets, vs. Mavericks, @lakers. 6 games in SLC, 3 games away. 3 games against playoff teams, 6 games against non-playoff teams
Rockets: @ Cavs, vs. Bulls, vs. Thunder, @ Mavericks, vs. Suns, vs. Lakers, @ Wolves, vs. Kings. 5 games in Houston, 3 games away. 2 games against Playoff teams, 6 games against non-playoff teams
Mavericks: @ Nuggets, vs. Knicks, @ Pisons, @ Wolves, vs. Rockets, vs. Grizzlies, @ Clippers, @ Jazz, vs. Spurs. 4 games in Dallas, 5 games away. 5 games against playoff teams, 4 games against non-playoff teams

Assuming every team loses to the teams with better records and beats the teams with worse records, the standings should end up something like this:
6. Blazers 42-40
7. Rockets 42-40
8. Jazz 42-40
9. Mavericks 39-43

Now obviously anything can happen, but the Mavs have by far the toughest schedule, closing out the year against 5 playoff teams, not to mention having the most away games out of the bunch with 5. This would set up a Warriors/Jazz series, a Spurs/Rockets series, and a Thunder/Blazers series, although I really don't know how the Blazers/Rockets season series will even out seeing as they split 2-2 I believe (possibly Blazers 2-1), and I have them both finishing the year with the same conference record.