2016-17 regular season!

[Xiao Yao You]

http://weareutahjazz.com/lockedonjazz/2016/12/21/emptying-the-noggin-this-one-stings/


The Jazz were crippled by injuries without the entire projected first- and second-team backcourt (Hill, Exum, Hood and Burks)

More excuses. They still should beat that team at home

[QUOTE]Those last two are guys that you don

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865669811/It7s-gift-giving-time-2-what-gift-would-you-give-the-Jazz-for-Christmas.html


Hayward is a (the) piece the Jazz need on their current roster to keep the playoff doors wide open and to keep the fan base at ease.

Hill and Rudy. I'd certainly entertain offers for Hayward.


Knowing his status could help the Jazz prepare for his departure by signing Hill to a deal ASAP and getting pieces moving to keep the team's momentum headed in the right direction. On the flip side knowing he will stay could get the front office focused on constructing a contending team with locked in pieces. Knowing, whether good or bad, is better than taking wild shots in the dark.

Hill should be top priority regardless unless the doctors think he's not going to stay healthy. His played most of his games except for 2 before this season.


I don't remember where I saw it, if it was a clip or a story on Twitter about Hayward finally coming to the realization that he belonged alongside the current greats in the Association.

The rest of the team needs that.

Hayward needs it. If Hill was there it would have been different I'm pretty confident.

[Xiao Yao You]

Andy Larsen: Gordon Hayward won

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]The Utah Jazz announced today that the team has assigned forward Joel Bolomboy to the Salt Lake City Stars, the Jazz

[Xiao Yao You]

http://purpleandblues.com/2016/12/22/utah-jazz-joel-bolomboys-epic-d-league-journey-continues/


he needs to dominate down there every night. Than let's see if Dante and Lyles are capable of the same.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://purpleandblues.com/2016/12/22/utah-jazz-dante-exum-knee-reevaluated-one-week/

[QUOTE]Exum, who is still adjusting after missing last season due to a torn ACL, hasn

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/blogs/jazznotes/4747852-155/utah-jazz-shootaround-dant%C3%A9-exum-out


"At some point we've got to defend our players for what they're doing," Snyder said. "For this team to be 18-12 right now is remarkable.

Would be better if the coach played the best guys.

[QUOTE]"We're talking about Gordon Hayward as an All-Star because he's played like an All-Star," Snyder said, adding that the Jazz's leading scorer has had to shoulder an extra burden without much offensive help. "

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865669831/Guest-commentary-Jazz-defense-is-now-a-trendsetter-in-the-NBA.html


Rudy Gobert, the league's Defensive Player of the Year so far this season, is averaging a league-leading 2.7 blocks, and who knows how many more shots he's altered. Gobert's defensive rating is 97 (which is the average number of points scored on him per 100 possessions). To put that in perspective, the two-time defending DPOY, Kawhi Leonard, has a defensive rating of 102. Other front-runners for DPOY, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Draymond Green, have defensive ratings of 99 and 97 respectively.

So Draymond might be the defensive player of the year? :confusedshrug:

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.ksl.com/?sid=42672866&nid=304&title=quin-snyders-christmas-state-of-the-team-address


e need Dante if we don't have George Hill so we can defend in certain situations.

When you need a foul? I'll take Neto and Mack any day despite their lack of length.


And then we need some other guys to play better. You know, we need Boris. Boris is playing a lot of minutes.

You have this guy named Withey who always plays well despite his lack of floor spacing.


Joe Ingles really hasn't played at the end the game before.

Maybe he should. That was a bad pass but he's pretty reliable

Just more excuses. Gets old! :rant

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.slcdunk.com/nba-free-agency/2016/12/23/13917622/nba-free-agency-2016-salaries-utah-jazz-joe-johnson-gordon-hayward-rodney-hood


What this all boils down to, though, is this: Is Joe Johnson a good value at 2 years, $11 million? The data says that he is.

I don't think he is and they can't extend both Hill and Favors because of it and who knows what they'll do next year? Lose Ingles because of Johnson? :banghead:

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.slcdunk.com/the-downbeat/2016/12/23/14070076/utah-jazz-toronto-raptors-joel-bolomboy-dante-exums-rudy-gobert-javale-mcgee-john-stockton-downbeat

[QUOTE]Out of all of the NBA Rookies in the 2014-2015 season Dante

[Xiao Yao You]

http://purpleandblues.com/2016/12/23/utah-jazz-notes-demarre-carroll-shows-slc-love/


Carroll is a player who is almost universally held in high esteem by Jazz Nation.

Too bad the front office didn't like him. :banghead:

[Xiao Yao You]

Wallace did alright last night ot looks like. Haven't watched it yet.

Going to tonite's game! :cheers:

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/4748602-155/utah-jazz-trey-lyles-scores-19


"We're at a point now, if you don't play the right way, you're not going to play as much," Snyder said. "That's the way it is. And that's a good thing because, for the most part, our guys play the right way."

I'll believe it when Lyles is benched when he doesn't play well which is more often than when he does.


"I think we're going to be [more] aggressive," he said. "We're going to come out with a different attitude and I think it's going to show in the games."

Hill will be playing?

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765691626/Lowry-scores-a-season-high-36-to-lead-Toronto-over-Utah.html


a Utah defense that sorely missed the 6-3 Hill, who guarded Lowry well for the Pacers in the playoffs last spring, and 6-6 backup guard Dante Exum.

please stop with the Exum praise already! :wtf:

[QUOTE]

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865669875/Utah-Jazz-would-be-a-beast-in-the-Eastern-Conference.html


Who wants to see the Jazz play Philadelphia more than twice a year?

sounds good to me at least until Simmons and Embiid start to dominate

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.ksl.com/?sid=42677622&nid=304&title=the-triple-team-3-thoughts-on-jazz-loss-to-raptors


And even if excellent defender George Hill is healthy, I suspect Lowry would have ended up with 32 points.

Maybe but the Jazz win the game


Boris Diaw and Raul Neto didn't score any, but who could expect them to?

me

[Xiao Yao You]

http://purpleandblues.com/2016/12/24/utah-jazz-2017-christmas-wish-list/4/
[QUOTE]
Shelvin Mack is so inconsistent it

[Xiao Yao You]

Merry Xmas!

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/4753245-155/kragthorpe-is-gordon-hayward-happy-with


Ah, Butler. Brad Stevens, their college coach, now leads the Boston Celtics, making that team a logical landing spot for Hayward. The Celtics also stand 18-13, but they've played only 12 home games and have the advantage of living in the East, the NBA's weaker conference. As Hayward watches from afar, Boston's prosperity has to affect the Hayward Happiness Index in Utah.

My threshold is low for judging this Jazz season. Considering the franchise's last victory in the playoffs came in 2010, I will declare the year a success if Jazz win a postseason game. Not a series, just a game.

Hayward's standards, undoubtedly, are higher.

NJ's pick and some other pieces could be tempting. To me Hayward is at best the 3rd most important piece on the team. Do you to give him 30 million a year? :confusedshrug:

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/4746153-155/jazz-notes-team-will-rest-heal


Starting point guard George Hill is making significant progress in recovering from the sprained toe that's sidelined him for a month. The organization is hoping he can return in the coming week.

:applause:

[Xiao Yao You]

http://purpleandblues.com/2016/12/24/rodney-hood-utah-jazz/


Clearly, as Hood goes, so too do the Jazz and the numbers bring it to bear.

Jazz have a better record without Hill but Hood is not more important sorry! 1 of their 5 most important anyway.

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]DeMarcus Cousins:

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865669939/Jazz-wary-of-Lakers-now-that-theyre-healthier.html

[QUOTE]Both George Hill and Alec Burks participated in Monday

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865669947/Morning-links-Morales-named-best-RSL-player-ever-Slam-features-BYU-trio-NBA-power-rankings.html


After talking about Utah's recent struggles, Stein talks about coach Quin Snyder, saying, "we still feel compelled to mention that Quin Snyder, at the very least, deserved an honorable mention in our recent Coach of the First Trimester dispatch. Considering he has had his first-choice starting five for all of 12 minutes this season, Snyder and the Jazz had every reason to savor this Christmas,even after those disappointing narrow defeats to Sacramento and Toronto."

He's cost them several games

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.slcdunk.com/2016/12/24/14077524/christmas-gifts-2016-utah-jazz-gordon-hayward-rudy-gobert-george-hill-derrick-favors-dante-exum

[QUOTE]A trip to the

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.ridiculousupside.com/2016/12/23/14067748/jazz-prospect-joel-bolomboy-slc-stars


needs to get bigger. Same with Wallace.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://purpleandblues.com/2016/12/26/three-utah-jazz-christmas-day-match-ups-wed-like-to-see/3/

[QUOTE] Minnesota was still a couple years behind the Jazz in terms of development and progression, I

[Xiao Yao You]

http://purpleandblues.com/2016/12/26/utah-jazz-shelvin-mack-deserves-props/



Exum is very much in the fold and every minute Mack gets is one that would be better served by the former No. 5 overall pick.

if losing is your thing anyway

[Xiao Yao You]

The Sixers don

[El Kabong]

Nice work by Ingles at the end of the Lakers game. Nice D on Williams, then hits a nice corner 3 with JJ setting him a screen.

Also lucky that Russell absolutely sucked. Like Randles game though.

[Xiao Yao You]

Yeah Randle and Ingram will be good. Ingles did a great job on D. Who would have guessed he'd become the defensive stopper on the team?

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.ksl.com/?sid=42703442&nid=304&title=the-triple-team-3-thoughts-on-jazz-vs-lakers


Right now, they're being bogged down a little, and will be until either Hood solves his 3-point woes or George Hill returns to action.

don't forget Alec! :cheers:

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.slcdunk.com/utah-jazz-game-coverage/2016/12/28/14097626/utah-jazz-102-los-angeles-lakers-100-game-recap-gordon-hayward-joe-ingles-dangelo-russell-randle


I say that Joe should start.

For Hood yes.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.ksl.com/?sid=42703442&nid=304&title=the-triple-team-3-thoughts-on-jazz-vs-lakers


Right now, they're being bogged down a little, and will be until either Hood solves his 3-point woes or George Hill returns to action.

don't forget Alec! :cheers:

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/4758503-155/utah-jazz-derrick-favors-return-to

[QUOTE]Thursday

[Xiao Yao You]

http://purpleandblues.com/2016/12/28/joel-embiid-rest-out-vs-utah-on-thursday-night-hill-questionable/


good news though I'd like to see Rudy and Embiid go at it again

[Xiao Yao You]

Gerald Henderson will miss the 76ers

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]The Utah Jazz announced today that the team has assigned forward Joel Bolomboy to the Salt Lake City Stars, the Jazz

[Xiao Yao You]

Andy Larsen: Dante Exum was reevaluated yesterday, and found to be not ready to return. He

[WayOfWad3]

[QUOTE=Xiao Yao You]Andy Larsen: Dante Exum was reevaluated yesterday, and found to be not ready to return. He

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865670100/George-Hill-could-play-for-Jazz-Thursday-night-against-Philadelphia.html


Malone was built like a tank and constantly had the benefit of taking advantage of smaller, weaker defenders like Kevin McHale, Cliff Robinson, Otis Thorpe, Chris Webber, Dennis Rodman and A.C. Green. Even Charles Barkley was shorter and smaller than the Mailman.

In today's NBA, Malone and his 6-foot-9, 250-pound athletic frame would be kind of normal. LeBron James is listed at 6-foot-8 and 250 pounds. Roughly Malone's size, James is leading fast breaks, jumping over people and shooting threes. Anthony Davis is 6-foot-10 and 253 pounds and has a similar ability to run and jump and shoot.

I've heard people refer to LaMarcus Aldridge as "slight" despite his 6-foot-11, 260-pound frame. Even former Jazzman Paul Millsap, at 6-foot-8 and 246 pounds, was considered "undersized" coming out of college. These guys are All-Stars. In Malone's days the "big guys" like Charles Oakley, Anthony Mason, Brian Grant, Anthony Davis and Antoine Carr were more enforcers than stars. Malone's secret of weight training is out, and players today all lift weights as part of a comprehensive offseason and in-season training regimen.

Karl would not be normal and Webber and Barkley were not small! :rolleyes:


One difference is that teams are more cautious in protecting their multimillion-dollar investments than they were in the 1990s. I could see Malone playing through a bone bruise or Stockton playing through a sprained toe. But players today are held out of games regardless of their desire to play. I have to believe that Hayward and Favors and Hood would play through some of these injuries if team management would let them.

This is the big thing. Hayward would definitely play through more injuries.


With a little luck, our horses will soon all be back in the lineup and we'll be marching to a long-awaited division title

Who cares about the division title. 3rd place or bust!

[Xiao Yao You]

http://purpleandblues.com/2016/12/29/utah-jazz-nba-all-star-voting-has-begun/

[QUOTE]If I can get all of Oceania and every Jazz fan in existence to retweet this, we might get Joe Ingles into the All-Star game. https://twitter.com/andrewdbailey/status/814132463924576256

[Xiao Yao You]

http://purpleandblues.com/2016/12/29/utah-jazz-vs-philadelphia-76ers-keys-to-the-game/

[QUOTE]Ilyasova is a savvy vet who will likely look to pick up a lot of the slack left by Joel Embiid

[Xiao Yao You]

http://purpleandblues.com/2016/12/29/utah-jazz-george-hill-expects-to-play-joel-bolomboy-update/


Despite missing shootaround, Hill has returned to practice and worked out with the team as recently as Wednesday. Jazz coach Quin Snyder is calling him a game-time decision. “We’ll see how he’s feeling,” said Snyder. “We wanted to give him extra time and assess where his toe is pregame. So we’ll see.”

According to ESPN’s Tim McMahon, Hill plans to play in the game.

looking forward to it!


Bolomboy should be in uniform against the 76ers.

Just went down for practice. Maybe get called back to play tomorrow?

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]Tim MacMahon: Jazz wing Alec Burks is nearing his season debut after recovering from ankle surgery, as he returned to practice this week. The return of the explosive Burks, 25, who has been sidetracked by several injuries since averaging 14 points per game in 2013-14, will present a welcome challenge for coach Quin Snyder. He must figure out how to split playing time between Burks and Joe Ingles, who leads the league in 3-point percentage (.478) and has been a key reserve all season.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://saltcityhoops.com/sc7122916/

[QUOTE]So all things told, the Jazz are in OK shape, and with Hill coming back into the fold, it

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/4762830-155/utah-jazz-snyder-ingles-throw-support

[QUOTE]After a monthlong absence, starting point guard George Hill finally made his return to the court Thursday night against the 76ers.

He had not played since Nov. 29 because of a sprained toe on his left foot.

"I think his conditioning will be an issue, it really always is [for a player returning from injury]," Snyder said. "I think it will be less of an issue with him.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.ksl.com/?sid=42723825&nid=304&title=the-triple-team-3-thoughts-on-jazz-vs-sixers


The Jazz, and all of their fans, envisioned the team with the following lineup: Hill, Hood, Gordon Hayward, Favors, and Gobert.

Not all. I saw Hood on the bench and it makes even more sense now with Rudy's increased offensive role and Ingles play. Though if Favors doesn't return to form I could see him on the bench.


But what about lineups with Alec Burks as the bench point guard? What about Joe Johnson playing as a four? What about Derrick Favors as a five against iffy-athleticism backup centers?

Joe is certainly not someone I see playing ideally.


their performance against above .500 teams is a little bit of a worry: maybe they don't have what it takes against top competition.

I like their chances if Hill and Rudy are playing :applause:

[Xiao Yao You]

http://saltcityhoops.com/jazz-win-in-come-back-fashion-versus-the-76ers-100-83/


It is still evident that Hayward is the focal point of opposing defenses efforts, but he is still having success on a nightly basis.

Hopefully it continues and Hill is overlooked somehow! :roll:


It also seems that Hood thrives playing with Hayward and Hill as he gets open shots and more space to work with the ball.

Not sure about that. Earlier in the year he was doing most of his damage with the 2nd unit where he had the ball in hands more.


The last game for the Jazz before All-Star weekend is February 15th, from there the Jazz will get eight full days of rest. If they can stay healthy and win a nice chunk of games before All-Star weekend, they could use the rest to propel them to even more success after the break.

That's a month and a half away. Let's stick to the current road swing for now eh? :wtf:


Seeing this effort on defense was a positive sign as no one questions his talent offensively.

His defense and rebounding have arguably been the best part of his game this year. The selfish and not very efficient or consistent offense has left a lot to be desired


Dennis Lindsey really deserves a standing ovation for getting Hill in a trade this offseason, especially when you look at how poorly this rookie class has been so far.

Hard for to get too excited over Lindsey when I still can't get the feeling that the Jazz are all in as far as trying to win games 2 years after Rudy emerged and the tanking should have ended.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.slcdunk.com/utah-jazz-game-coverage/2016/12/29/14122322/utah-jazz-100-philadelphia-76ers-83-game-recap-george-hill-gordon-hayward-rudy-gobert

[QUOTE]Is Jeff Withey a better backup C than Favors? I know I should be patient and let Favs get back to 100% before questioning too much but didn

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.slcdunk.com/utah-jazz-game-coverage/2016/12/29/14114358/jazz-vs-76ers-overtone-is-the-process-a-rebuild-necessity-joel-embiid-ben-simmons-nba-draft

[QUOTE]at the Jazz

[Xiao Yao You]

The Utah Jazz announced today that the team has assigned forward Joel Bolomboy to the Salt Lake City Stars, the Jazz

[Xiao Yao You]

Not the best games for Bolomboy and Wallace tonite

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865670165/Morning-links-LaVell-Edwards-impact-on-football-remembered-Gordon-Hayward-a-possible-first-time.html

Dont care what numbers he puts up. It will be a joke if he makes it over Rudy. The more I watch the more I think he is just a well rounded player and not really a star no matter what numbers he puts up. Hill is more deserving too despite the amount of games he's missed.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/4765338-155/utah-jazz-george-hills-return-makes


"I think in George's case, the shooting really helps," Jazz coach Quin Snyder said. "He's such a consistent 3-point shooter that he impacts the game without doing anything.

The shooting is nice but it's the leadership that is special. I felt like he wouldn't let them lose that last game. Would have been surprised if he had and than he just took over. Doing everything he could. That's a star as far as I'm concerned


For a month, the weight of the offense has been on forward Gordon Hayward, who has played at an All-Star level this season. In that month, if Hayward didn't play well, the team's results suffered. Snyder even compared his situation recently to a guy lifting a car on one end, with nobody to help him on the other.


My guess is that if Rudy hadn't played they wouldn't have won many at all though.


It was the ripple effect of Hill, the significance of having a second player on the roster capable of carrying an offense and being a hub on the floor.

It's having a leader not a so-called allstar. I'd feel pretty good about my chances as long as Hill and Rudy were on the floor.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.ksl.com/?sid=42718876&nid=304&title=the-top-5-utah-jazz-stories-of-2016


Quin Snyder, now at the helm of Utah in his third season, earned a long-term contract extension through the 2020-21 season in May after his work in turning around the franchise after the Ty Corbin era.

Going from a playoff team to a lottery team is turning a team around? :wtf:


Yes, the talent is drastically better, but keeping Snyder around was a priority accomplished for the Jazz organization in 2016.

They could have built something around Millsap and Demarre if they'd have had the foresight. I'd still take Millsap over Favors sorry.


After years of a rebuilding approach, the team made several "win-now" moves in the 2016 offseason.

And yet for some reason Exum and Lyles continue to help them lose games? :confusedshrug:

When do they go all in?

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.ksl.com/?sid=42729511&nid=304&title=gordon-hayward-has-a-lot-of-options-for-his-next-big-contract


In other words, he's definitely going to demand a maximum contract. As of now, 14 teams could open space to offer Hayward's maximum in this offseason, and a few more could open up that space with only a little bit of imagination. Hayward's ranked as the fifth best player likely to be available on the market.

How many of them give him a better chance of winning which according to him is all that matters. All I can say is Hill should be the top priority. Not sure I really like the idea of giving the 3rd fiddle 30 million a year. I'd certainly be listening to offers. The Brooklyn pick and some other pieces may be tempting.


In reality, Hayward's probably not going to be the league's MVP or defensive player of the year, but he has a real shot at making one of the All-NBA teams. How?

3rd best player on his team :rolleyes:


Option 1: Opt in to the last year of his current contract, then sign a 5-year Designated Player Extension with Utah
Hayward would do this if:


He makes any of the All-NBA teams in 2016-17
He wants to make the most amount of guaranteed money possible
He's okay with making a non-maximum contract amount in 2017-18
He trusts the Jazz and wants to stay in Utah for as long as possible

Very interesting new wrinkle. Sounds like he might not opt out after all. Based on what he's said it should come down to what he thinks about the Jazz. Not sure I want to pay him 50 million a year either but they'd at least have another year to evaluate rather he is really the leader and star he keeps getting portrayed as.


It's hard to turn down that level of generational wealth: not only is it enough to secure his future, but his children's future, grandchildren's future, great-grandchildren's future, etc.

Yeah their security may be in jeopardy at 16 million a year. :rolleyes:


Wrapping this up, you can see Hayward has lot of choices available to him. Much of it boils down to a couple of big questions. Does Hayward want to leave a lot of money on the table in order to leave Utah? How good does he think he'll be in the future? He's got about six months to think about it.

From what he has said it's all about winning. I kind of like option one. Don't have to pay him this summer and get another year to evaluate. Could make him more tradable too. Boston could give up a lot for him and not blink at 30-50 million a year. Not sure I like paying him that though.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://purpleandblues.com/2016/12/30/utah-jazz-triple-h-hill-hayward-hood-back-on-point/


if Utah can consistently get 60+ points out of those three starters, they are going to be extremely tough to beat

and what are the chances of that especially if you start getting the expected 15 a game from Favors and Burks?

This guys love of Hood is almost comicial!

[Xiao Yao You]

http://purpleandblues.com/2016/12/30/utah-jazz-examining-the-growth-of-rudy-gobert/

[QUOTE] with

[Xiao Yao You]

http://purpleandblues.com/2016/12/30/icymi-quin-snyder-has-high-praise-for-utah-jazz-over-holidays/


their current record is nothing short of amazing.

should be a lot better as far as I'm concerned. Supposed to be the deepest team in the league.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://purpleandblues.com/2016/12/30/utah-jazz-are-becoming-healthy-where-do-the-minutes-go/


the Jazz will be fully healthy for the first time in years.

Favors starting isn't the same as him being healthy


With the addition of Burks and Exum, you can probably take away three players who only ever play in the absence of injured starters. Those players are Raul Neto, Jeff Withey and Joel Bolomboy; even now the trio has a difficult time getting on the court.

Withey should be playing and probably Neto too sadly

[QUOTE]In any event, you are then left with 12 players that are simply too good to be getting DNP

[Xiao Yao You]

http://purpleandblues.com/2016/12/31/utah-jazz-where-do-they-stand-2016/


Entering this year, the Utah Jazz were experiencing their highest level of preseason expectations since 2010 when Jerry Sloan manned the sidelines.

I had them last year. Too bad the front office and coach didn't and I'm still wondering if they do yet?


Recent years have been less successful, but Utah fans have understood the position the front office has been in during the rebuild.

Understood it until 2 years ago when Rudy emerged and they became a top team. When does the team go all in? I can tell you Lyles and Exum would not play for any of the top teams. They would be in the D-league learning how to become championship layers.


This has precluded the team from the 50-win campaigns and playoffs berths that had been the expectation.

I thought the tanking precluded that? They were close to that level when they let Millsap and Demarre go. Imagine where the team would be with an actual all-star and not just a local made up one. :banghead:


The success rate Utah has enjoyed with their draft picks is better than almost everyone else in the league.

Their late picks maybe. Exum and Burke? :rant

[QUOTE]The Jazz also got Trey Lyles at No. 12; he

[Xiao Yao You]

The Utah Jazz announced today that the team has recalled forward Joel Bolomboy from the Salt Lake City Stars, the Jazz

[Xiao Yao You]

http://purpleandblues.com/2016/12/31/utah-jazz-vs-phoenix-suns-keys-game-2/

[QUOTE]He continues to be one of the Jazz

[Xiao Yao You]

Hopefully Hill doesn't miss more than one but who knows. Horford was out for weeks with a concussion

[Xiao Yao You]

Utah Jazz point guard George Hill went to the locker room with 0.6 seconds left in the first quarter Saturday night after being elbowed in the face by Phoenix Suns center Alex Len. Hill received stitches for a lower lip laceration and underwent concussion testing. He did not return for the second half of the Jazz

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/4766263-155/utah-jazz-hold-on-for-91-86


"I think the back end of a homestand or a road trip is always a little different from a psychological standpoint," the coach had said before tipoff. "Particularly given the fact that this home stand culminates on New Year's Eve and there is some finality to it in many ways."

Don't gorget the first game back from a road trip. Always excuses. Amazing really! :facepalm


With Hill out for the game's final three quarters, backup point guard Raul Neto ended his year on a high note, scoring eight points in 14 minutes off the bench.

Neto and the Jazz also found a way to slow the Suns' top option as the game went on. Booker, who wouldn't be able to legally sip champagne until next New Year's Eve, cooked the Jazz in the first quarter. The 20-year-old Suns guard went off for 18 points, connecting on 8-of-10 from the field. But the Jazz managed to limit the guard to two points on 1-of-9 shooting the rest of the way.

Back to the bench for you young man! He should have been in the game at the end. He outplayed Shelvin. Dante should be back any day too! :rant

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865670261/Jazz-notebook-Joel-Bolomboy-adjusting-to-bouncing-between-Stars-Jazz.html

[QUOTE]The D-League and the NBA, while both professional basketball leagues, are wildly different. Bolomboy commented that the biggest difference between the two leagues is the size of the players.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.ksl.com/?sid=42741277&nid=304&title=the-triple-team-3-thoughts-on-jazz-vs-suns


In the end, it's not too much to say that Gobert's defensive impact won the game for the Jazz.

You sure it wasn't their superstar?


With George Hill not on the injury report coming into tonight, Raul Neto probably didn't think he was going to play much, if at all. Instead, he played 14 minutes, and was very solid during that time, scoring eight points and not turning the ball over during his time on the floor. He also played pretty excellent defense, and his +/- of +7 was second on the team.

what's new? It's too bad that his lack of length and size keeps him at the end of the bench. He has a ton of heart. :applause:


The Jazz have been reluctant to play Neto major minutes because the offense tends to stall somewhat when he's on the floor: he's not usually capable of breaking the paint and finishing plays, meaning that the Jazz don't get the easy layups or the catch-and-shoot threes that they want.


From what I've seen he can get in to the paint and run the pick and roll and make plays. Hard to do that when they usually have you spotting up in the corner. :wtf:


In the end, the Mack vs. Neto decision probably comes down to the opposition's personnel, but Neto at least started that conversation in a real way tonight.

Doesn't really matter because they aren't young with length and potential. :confusedshrug:

I think Neto could be a better fit if they ever get healthy especially. Burks will have the ball in his hands a lot and Neto can spot up and hit shots and get after people defensively. He plays with a lot of energy which they've missed without Booker and CJ this year as expected.


We'll keep a close eye on Hill's progress, because he's really critical to the Jazz's success. The Jazz are 11-10 without him and now 10-3 with him available, and six points better per 100 possessions on both offense and defense.

But they have a superstar! :coleman:

[Xiao Yao You]

http://weareutahjazz.com/lockedonjazz/2016/12/31/emptying-the-noggin-jazz-get-another-wow-night-from-rudy-gobert/

[QUOTE]Quin Snyder subbed Rodney Hood out of the game with 5:00 to put Joe Ingles on Booker

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.slcdunk.com/utah-jazz-game-coverage/2016/12/31/14132984/utah-jazz-vs-phoenix-suns-overtone-our-organization-is-better-than-yours-nba-dennis-lindsey


The answer to why the Jazz are a better franchise is patience. Sometimes, almost to a fault

Sometimes? Rudy emerged two years ago and the Jazz were a top 6 team. But the tanking continues. :rant


When he allowed Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap to leave without having gotten anything for them in a trade there were a lot of angry Jazz fans.

Could we stop with that already. They got cap space. I didn't have to watch Al ball anymore. The problem with that is that Millsap would be one of their top 3 players right now. And you forgot Demarre! :banghead:


Lindsey has also been a great drafter. Picking up Rudy Gobert, Rodney Hood and Dante Exum (yes, Exum).

You forgot Burke. :facepalm


the Suns have had to hit the reset button. They have a lot of young, promising talent but it will take years to get the experience and development needed to become competitive

Who knows. They Jazz were in the same place in December of 2014 when Rudy unexpectedly emerged from the ashes of the tank. Suns have a lot of young talent. Bledsoe and Booker are guys to build around. Just a matter of time.

[QUOTE]The Suns have Bledsoe still, who is probably their best tradable asset, and could definitely garner them a nice pick in the upcoming draft. After all that, will they have have the patience needed to grow their young players into a winning team? There

[Xiao Yao You]

Happy New Year! :cheers:

[Xiao Yao You]

http://purpleandblues.com/2017/01/01/utah-jazz-anyone-calling-george-hill-soft-needs-to-stop-it/

[QUOTE]Unfortunately, it

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]Marc Stein: The Pelicans are in the process of finalizing a one-year deal with Donatas Motiejunas at the veteran minimum, according to league sources.

[Xiao Yao You]

Starting to think they will end up regretting the Diaw trade.

[Xiao Yao You]

and Johnson signing

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]Marc Stein: Story posting soon with @Brian Windhorst: ESPN sources say the Hawks have begun listening to trade offers for free agent-to-be Paul Millsap

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]Tim MacMahon: Jazz PG George Hill is out Monday vs. Nets due to concussion-like symptoms and a lip laceration. SG Alec Burks is questionable to make his season debut coming off ankle surgery.

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]The Atlanta Hawks have begun listening to trade pitches for All-Star forward Paul Millsap in recent days, according to league sources. S‎ources told ESPN.com that the Hawks, fearful of losing Millsap in free agency without compensation in the summer, are not openly shopping him but are taking calls on the 31-year-old and other pending free agents, notably sharpshooter Kyle Korver and swingman Thabo Sefolosha.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865670277/Utah-Jazz-guard-George-Hill-out-for-Mondays-game-after-suffering-concussion.html


Rudy Gobert, who bounced back from a couple of sub-par performances

:wtf:


Alec Burks has been upgraded to questionable for Monday's game at Brooklyn. George Hill (concussion protocol) and Dante Exum (knee) are out.

No Dante and maybe Alec plus Booker! :applause:

[Xiao Yao You]

http://purpleandblues.com/2017/01/01/utah-jazz-top-4-west-following-win-suns/

[QUOTE]It

[Xiao Yao You]

http://purpleandblues.com/2017/01/01/utah-jazz-new-years-resolutions-2017/

[QUOTE] it

[Xiao Yao You]

http://purpleandblues.com/2017/01/01/utah-jazz-week-eleven-outlook-predictions/4/

[QUOTE]they

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]Tony Jones: Alec Burks is expected to make his season-debut on Monday night league sources tell the SL Tribune. He will be under a minutes restriction.

[WayOfWad3]

Just got the word that Burke is back! With Hill being hurt this is good timing

[Xiao Yao You]

don't jump on the bandwagon now :roll:

[Xiao Yao You]

http://saltcityhoops.com/schedule-spotlight-january-will-test-the-surging-jazz/


His suitability as a primary offensive option for a good NBA team has long been questioned. If he maintains his current play, that debate should quiet a great deal.

Unless you've watched the team struggle to put bad teams away with the ball in Hayward's hands late in games. He's a good all around player. Not a leader. Do you really want to pay him 30-50 million a year?

[QUOTE]But the league

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.slcdunk.com/utah-jazz-game-coverage/2017/1/2/14143246/brooklyn-nets-utah-jazz-deron-williams-derrick-favors-gordon-hayward


Yes, they still had capable players such as Jefferson and Paul Milsap. But Utah had acquired two top-ten picks from the 2010 draft: Favors, and Gordon Hayward. These were to be the future stars of the franchise, not Jefferson and Milsap.


And yet Millsap is the only all-star of the 4 :rant

[QUOTE]We

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.slcdunk.com/schedules/2017/1/2/14145942/utah-jazz-boston-celtics-toronto-raptors-brooklyn-nets-memphis-grizzlies-timberwolves-preview-trip


Utah Jazz head East once more, look to continue making biased national media take note

Got to say I'm with the biased national media where you have to prove yourself first vs the local media where Favors and Hayward have been stars for years. :facepalm


The team is on track to make the NBA Playoffs for the first time since Josh Howard was starting over Gordon Hayward

Make that the last time the team was all in

[QUOTE]The other thing that it means is that people who would rather focus on teams led by bigger stars or in bigger cities are unfortunately going to be forced to watch our slow paced, grind it out defense team

[Xiao Yao You]

http://purpleandblues.com/2017/01/02/utah-jazz-at-brooklyn-nets-keys-to-the-game/


His rebounding numbers are down quite a bit this year,

they've always been down


Good luck slowing Rudy down Lopez! :lol

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]The Utah Jazz announced today that the team has assigned forward Joel Bolomboy to the Salt Lake City Stars, the Jazz

[Xiao Yao You]

Aaron Falk: The Jazz confirm my report from last night: Alec Burks is available and will play tonight vs. The brooklyn Nets

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]Joe Ingles: Excited for my guy @Alec Burks!

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.slcdunk.com/nba-trades-and-deadline/2017/1/2/14146838/nba-trade-deadline-2017-atlanta-hawks-paul-millsap-utah-jazz-denver-nuggets-suns-derrick-favors

[QUOTE]It appears that the Hawks brain trust aren

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]Specifically, one reporter mentioned forward Gordon Hayward, whose Utah Jazz are scheduled to visit Boston on Monday night. The Celtics have expressed interest in Hayward before and should have ways to clear enough cap space for a maximum contract this summer. Assuming Hayward explores the market (his decision could be complicated), he will be one of the top players available.

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]David Aldridge: I saw where you tweeted that you liked the change to the rules this year where players will now get a vote for All-Star. What do you like about that? Isaiah Thomas: I like it because the players know who the real All-Stars are. The players know who the most valuable player on each team is, because we go up against each other each and every night. I always thought the players should get some type of vote, because they

[Xiao Yao You]

http://purpleandblues.com/2017/01/02/utah-jazzs-alec-burks-made-sure-im-ready/

[QUOTE]He

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]David Locke: Quin Snyder asked should Rudy be an all-star

[Xiao Yao You]

Marc Gasol is day-to-day after injuring his ankle in Saturday's win over the Sacramento Kings.

Gasol rolled his ankle while going for a loose ball and quickly departed for the locker room. It was diagnosed as a sprained ankle, and X-rays were negative.

"It hurts, but it's not broken,'' Gasol said. "It's tender right now, so we will take it day-to-day, just like always."

Gasol missed a significant number of games last season after he broke his right foot in February.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/4773275-155/utah-jazz-hayward-scores-30-points


The victory was the fourth straight for the Jazz. Utah is now by itself as the fourth-place team in the West, and the Jazz are becoming particularly adept at putting teams away down the stretch.

I wouldn't get too excited with the teams they have coming up. Could be in 7th again real fast. If Hill was there they probably rest their starters in the 4th for tonights game

[QUOTE]Brooklyn tried to go to its best player

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/4774244-155/utah-jazz-notes-former-jazzman-booker


The Jazz chose to let him go because they had Trey Lyles and wanted him to develop further.

We know. They could have lost another last night because of his development. I'd say the money Booker got paid played a part too. Might have brought him back at the right price. They could certainly use him with the inconsistent play from all their bigs not named Rudy.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865670327/Ex-Jazzman-Trevor-Booker-comes-up-big-for-Nets-in-loss-to-Jazz.html


Booker came out with a vengeance against the Jazz, getting nine points and seven rebounds in the first quarter and thoroughly outplaying Derrick Favors

Loved that he benched Favors to start the 2nd half! Should have started Ingles though. Favors had looked pretty good the game before so hopefully it's just a matter of time before he gets it going again. :banghead:

[Xiao Yao You]

Booker came out with a vengeance against the Jazz, getting nine points and seven rebounds in the first quarter and thoroughly outplaying Derrick Favors


The Jazz trailed the majority of the game before making a fourth-quarter push with Hayward on the bench, much like they did last week against the 76ers at Vivint Arena.

a theme is developing?

[QUOTE] the defense is something you can count on.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://weareutahjazz.com/lockedonjazz/2017/01/02/emptying-the-noggin-jazz-get-their-4th-win-in-a-row/

[QUOTE] Quin Snyder won his 100th game of his NBA career tonight, and his moves were a large part of it. Snyder decided to open the second half with Boris Diaw instead of Derrick Favors. That didn

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.ksl.com/?sid=42758442&nid=304&title=the-triple-team-3-thoughts-on-jazz-vs-nets


The Jazz are now the fourth-best team in the league in the fourth quarter, after struggling so much there last season. And it's in large part thanks to their stars, Hayward and Gobert.

surprising considering all the leads they've blown. They've been better at putting teams a way and if Hill ever stays healthy it should get a lot better


Lopez's 3-point shooting also brings Gobert out of the paint, which isn't what the Jazz prefer.

Still waiting to see Withey guarding the paint and Rudy on the perimeter.


All of Golden State, San Antonio, and Houston have convincing small-ball, five-out lineups that they'll likely switch to, and the Jazz will need to be able to excel against those. Tonight, they showed that they could at least hang with that style of play.

hanging with the Nets is different than the best teams :facepalm


Burks was actually inserted into the game at the point guard position

That's something to think about. He has similar length as Hill and Exum but can hit a shot, make a lay-up and possibly defend without fouling


A healthy Burks is a clear upgrade over Shelvin Mack and Raul Neto

Not sure he is though. As we've seen since getting Mack they are generally better with a pg in the game instead of all wings. Take any of them over Exum though


The biggest question long-term with Burks is with his defensive integration into Snyder's system. We honestly haven't seen the Jazz be good defensively for long stretches with Burks playing minutes. In Burks' defense, that's mostly because we haven't seen him healthy for long stretches, and certainly not while Gobert was on the court. That's the biggest thing to watch for, perhaps after this month or so where Burks works himself back into his usual self.

With the inconsistency of most of the team his offense will be hard to keep off the floor regardless I'm thinking.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://saltcityhoops.com/jazz-break-away-from-nets-late-101-89/


against the Nets little Neto continued a recent trend of putting in quality play.

Recent as in the past year and a half. Mack and Neto are two of their best players even if they are not Hill. Don't get why they get disparaged because they are taking minutes from the Golden Child? :wtf:

[QUOTE]12 and 2 (86 percent)

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.slcdunk.com/utah-jazz-game-coverage/2017/1/2/14147874/utah-jazz-101-brooklyn-nets-89-trevor-booker-gordon-hayward-rudy-gobert-brook-lopez

[QUOTE]The man is going to get paid next season, and I hope it

[Xiao Yao You]

Cameron Payne is nearing his return to the Thunder, but first he

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]Aaron Falk: Being told that barring a significant change in the coming hours, George Hill will NOT be available tonight in Boston

[Xiao Yao You]

Chris Vivlamore: Millsap on trade talk:

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865670329/Morning-links-Gobert-on-pace-for-Defensive-Player-of-the-Year-three-Utes-and-a-Cougar-ranked-on.html

:bowdown:

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/blogs/jazznotes/4776260-155/jazz-point-guard-george-hill-to

Hopefully Exum is out to anyway

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.slcdunk.com/2017/1/3/14158876/nba-history-boston-celtics-utah-jazz-karl-malone-john-stockton-andrei-kirilenko-gordon-hayward-sloan


This was prime Celtics, still a Championship contender handling things at home.

Believe they were on the decline.

[QUOTE]There was only one Jazz win in Boston before Karl Malone broke through in

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.slcdunk.com/utah-jazz-game-coverage/2017/1/3/14152334/utah-jazz-vs-boston-celtics-joe-ingles-rudy-gobert-al-horford-derrick-favors-five-things-to-watch

[QUOTE]Not to mention if Dante Exum plays (I

[Xiao Yao You]

As I feared the healthier the Jazz et the more room for eror with Snyder's rotations :rant

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]Celtics forward Jae Crowder doesn

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/4777468-155/utah-jazz-notes-with-jazz-in


More importantly, he's taken on the mantle of team leader

That's supposedly been the case for a few years now but one look at Hill showed what a leader is.


"I think he's been an elite player this season," Jazz coach Quin Snyder said. "The game has really slowed down for him."

A really nice all-around player. Elite hardly! :facepalm


Point guard Dante Exum, who has been out with tendinitis, will be evaluated on Wednesday. He could potentially play on Thursday night against the Toronto Raptors, if all goes well.

I'll miss you Shelvin and Raul. :rant



At an elite level

Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas averaged 30.3 points per game over December as Boston went 9-3 over the course of the month when Thomas played. Thomas is averaging 27.7 points per game this season.

See this is elite. Taking over games as we saw last night is elite. Hayward had a nice game. I'd love to know what Boston is willing to give up for Hayward because I liked what I saw from Jaylen Brown. Him, Crowder and the Brooklyn pick in a great draft is something to take a serious look at as far as I'm concerned.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/4777163-155/utah-jazz-isaiah-thomas-burns-jazz


"I think from the beginning there were a lot of defensive breakdowns.

Doesn't help when the coach leaves the best defender in the league on the bench most of the 4th quarter. :wtf:


Utah tried its best to make things competitive as Joe Johnson caught fire in the fourth quarter

and than they stopped going to him. :banghead:

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865670381/Boston-coach-has-great-things-to-say-about-Utahs-former-skinny-tennis-player.html

[QUOTE]

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865670374/Utah-Jazz-fall-to-Boston-Celtics-on-the-road-115-104.html


A couple of Jazz players hit milestones in the loss. Derrick Favors, who has 12 points and six rebounds, handed out a career-high seven assists.

That could be big if he ever gets the rest of his game together again. With only so many balls to go around another guy facilitating would be huge.


Rudy Gobert failed to add to his double-double total for the season with just eight points, he grabbed 13 rebounds to set the Jazz record for most consecutive double-figure rebound games in Jazz history with 21,

Impressive considering the numbers Truck put up :bowdown:

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.ksl.com/?sid=42768367&nid=304&title=the-triple-team-3-thoughts-on-jazz-vs-celtics


And Hill's a world-class communicator, too, it's clear his on-court leadership matters.

but I thought Hayward was their leader? :confusedshrug:


He'll won't be able to play until at least 24 hours after he is symptom-free.


So let's hope he is symptom free sometime in the next few hours. :cheers:


Derrick Favors isn't healthy

and Withey has not played since Favors returned even though Diaw, Lyles and Joe Johnson have mostly sucked besides Favors issues. Looks like instead of an extension they may be looking buyout with the guy


Jump ball fun


The refs are horrible at throwing it. Possession like college makes sense. Just imagine when the NBA used to do it after every basket in the early days! :roll:

[Xiao Yao You]

http://saltcityhoops.com/prospect-watch-stars-win-double-ot-thriller-against-skyforce/

[QUOTE]The former Weber State Wildcat is also currently adjusting to learning how to defend both the center and power forward positions. There is a great deal of difference in the way these two positions defend in the Jazz/Stars system and he

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.slcdunk.com/utah-jazz-game-coverage/2017/1/3/14162268/boston-celtics-115-utah-jazz-104-game-recap-isaiah-thomas-gordon-hayward-rudy-gobert-jae-crowder

[QUOTE]And that

[Xiao Yao You]

http://purpleandblues.com/2017/01/04/utah-jazz-northwest-division-comparison-january/


The Utah Jazz currently sit atop the Northwest Division and, considering the play so far of their divisional foes, have a great chance of staying put.

Who cares? Means absolutely nothing!

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]CH: At the All-Star Game a couple of years ago, you said we, the media, don

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]Four of the top six rotation players in Atlanta are in their 30s, and the team is looking to get younger. But considering Millsap

[Xiao Yao You]

How a bout a rehab assignment for Alec with the Stars if he's not going to play?

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/4780653-155/utah-jazz-alec-burks-taking-it

[QUOTE]It's also how he's gotten injured

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.slcdunk.com/research-statistics-analytics/2017/1/4/14157808/nba-power-rankings-cleveland-cavaliers-golden-state-warriors-new-york-knicks-utah-jazz-la-lakers


Gordon Hayward is without argument playing like an all-star.

3rd best player on the team so yes their is an argument. It was Johnson that looked like the all-star in the 5th last night.


we are very close to seeing the true potential of the team this year.

believe i when I see it


Underrated coaching

how is he underrated?


strong home court history in playoffs

long time ago They aren't dominating on home floor now


Are the injuries finally over?

the big question

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.slcdunk.com/schedules/2017/1/4/14160386/utah-jazz-record-gordon-hayward-rudy-gobert-december


Dante Exum missed several games.

The Jazz were starting their third-string point guard for much of the time, and still won 10 games.

3rd and 4th string are better though

[Xiao Yao You]

http://purpleandblues.com/2017/01/04/utah-jazz-at-toronto-raptors-keys-to-the-game/

[QUOTE]When he

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865670430/Snyder-Being-No-5-in-West-doesnt-matter-right-now-as-Jazz-have-tough-road-ahead.html


The Jazz have not had a fully healthy team all season with every key player except Rudy Gobert missing at least five games.

Depends on what you consider key. Mack is one of their best players. Hard to argue with it. Neto and Withey have looked key to me when they've played. Ingles? Lyles was supposed to be and they keep playing him so they must think so.


Then there are top reserves, Dante Exum (six games), Boris Diaw (eight)

Exum is the worst player on the team except maybe Bolomboy by any measure. Could we let him actually prove himself first? Diaw hasn't looked like a top reserve lately besides last game.

[QUOTE]Our weakness of being injured

[Xiao Yao You]

http://purpleandblues.com/2017/01/04/do-the-utah-jazz-have-a-power-forward-problem/

[QUOTE]While there isn

[Xiao Yao You]

http://purpleandblues.com/2017/01/04/utah-jazz-george-hill-dante-exum-questionable-raptors-game/


Even if he is able to go against the Raptors, minutes could be scarce as he works his way back into game shape.

shouldn't they be scarce because he has sucked and Neto and Mack haven't?

[Xiao Yao You]

a couple other choices would be to give Bolomboy a chance. He has been a beast with the Stars. I'm not sure he's ready physically but maybe he could give them some energy like Booker used to do at least? Couldn't hurt to try him.

Also Withey's contract becomes guaranteed in the next couple of days. Maybe someone would trade for him and you could get someone you like in exchange or open up a roster spot. Don't think you could just cut him because some of your competition need rim protectors and you'd have for him to go to one of them.

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]Hayward is now in his seventh (and best) NBA season, all spent with the Jazz. When he did hit restricted free agency in 2014, it was Charlotte

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865670466/Utah-Jazz-matchup-watch-Torontos-Kyle-Lowry-vs-Shelvin-Mack.html


Trying to slow Lowry down without the services of George Hill and Dante Exum will be the hard part for the Jazz. That leaves the responsibility on the shoulders of Shelvin Mack as well as Raul Neto and Joe Ingles.

sadly Exum is playing :banghead:

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865670468/Breaking-down-the-Western-Conference-All-Star-team-Which-Jazz-players-are-in.html


Locks in the West backcourt include Steph Curry, Russell Westbrook, James Harden and Chris Paul, arguably the four best guards in the NBA. Locks in the front court include Kawhi Leonard, Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins.

the fact that a piece of shit like Cousins is a lock is the reason I could care less. We've seen who is better between him and Cousins no matter what stats you want to look at.


Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies

Rudy shut him down! :bowdown:


The Jazz will get one for sure

Don't think so but it better be Rudy. Hard for me to think of Hayward as one being their 3rd best player.


The truth is, both are All-Star worthy, but when I watch the Jazz, Gobert is the Jazz's best player.

another convert! :applause:


Let's hope someone ahead of Hayward can't play in the game.

when is that not the case?

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865670481/Dante-Exum-will-be-back-for-Jazz-against-Raptors-but-George-Hill-is-still-out.html

[QUOTE]The Utah Jazz have been getting burned by opponents

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.slcdunk.com/2017/1/5/14173944/the-downbeat-2028-alec-burks-return2017nbaallstargamerudygobert


Favors looks better every game

does he?


now finally has the coach he needs

Really? I don't see him as a great fit as much as they need him

[QUOTE]Those are all attributes the Jazz can use

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.slcdunk.com/schedules/2017/1/5/14178264/nba-playoffs-2017-golden-state-warriors-cleveland-cavaliers-utah-jazz-50-wins-gordon-hayward-quinter

[QUOTE] I still came out with a 50 win season for the Utah Jazz. And that

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.slcdunk.com/utah-jazz-game-coverage/2017/1/5/14179274/utah-jazz-vs-toronto-raptors-game-preview-kyle-lowry-demar-derozan-gordon-hayward-derrick-favors

[QUOTE]Without Hill, and with Burks presumably playing at least some minutes tonight, I

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.slcdunk.com/utah-jazz-game-coverage/2017/1/5/14174070/utah-jazz-vs-toronto-raptors-overtone-gordon-hayward-george-hill-kyle-lowry-demar-derozan-all-stars


The Raptors duo might also be proof that both Hill and Hayward could raise their games to another level.

I'd be happy if Hayward was the all-star leader I keep hearing he is.

[QUOTE]Is it unreasonable to think Hayward could make another jump like Derozan has this season? It

[Xiao Yao You]

http://basketball.realgm.com/analysis/244480/The-Maximum-Available-2017-Cap-Space-For-All-30-NBA-Teams-Version-30

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]Atlanta (19-16) is engaged in discussions with several teams on forward Paul Millsap, and the organization is motivated to move him sooner rather than later, sources said. Toronto, Denver, Sacramento and Philadelphia have expressed an interest in Millsap, who can become a free agent in July.

[Xiao Yao You]

Sounds like Hill will be back next game. Mack better be backing him up. Appeared to be fighting for his job tonight

[Xiao Yao You]

Aaron Falk: Rudy Gobert on the officiating: they were allowed to do things we weren

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/4786386-155/jazz-notes-dante-exum-returns-after


"A lot of guys that have [an ACL tear], it takes until All-Star break, and then a lot of times it's not until the next year when you see the same athleticism, the same pop," the coach said.

He's looked good athleticly he just needs more experience and the NBA isn;t the place for that the D-League is. Doesn't necessarily have to be for a long time. Go down there and dominate and get some confidence running a team and come back and help win games. He's not ready for that now.

[QUOTE]Sitting at his locker before tipoff Thursday, George Hill carefully ate a few pieces of fruit

[Xiao Yao You]

http://saltcityhoops.com/sc7010517/

[QUOTE]ESPN

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.slcdunk.com/2017/1/6/14182520/utah-jazz-magnificent-seven-gordon-hayward-george-hill-rudy-gobert-rodney-hood-derrick-favors

[QUOTE]I like to think that Gordon is as good as re-signed, but with all these injuries, and if we make a bad showing in the playoffs, maybe he

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.slcdunk.com/2017/1/6/14180642/nba-standings-2017-utah-jazz-okalhoma-city-thunder-minnesota-timberwolves-trail-blazers-nuggets

Why does anyone care about a banner? It means nothing come playoff time.


Gordon Hayward and Rodney Hood provide All-Star talent

Hood? :wtf:


The Utah roster is very deep compared to the OKC

not sure about that. Still not impressed with the bench.


bench scoring and vision in found in Dante Exum

I'll give you vision but scoring? :rolleyes:


rim protection in Derrick Favors

even at his best he's not a great rim protector

The starting 5 if they get healthy and playing to the top of their abilities, Burks, Mack and Ingles are the guys that are consistent. I think Neto and Withey would be my next guys but they are last for Snyder and it's a crap shoot after that. Johnson has looked better the past couple of games. Maybe he will get it going finally? Would be nice to see what they got before the trade deadline so they know what they have and what they need

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.slcdunk.com/2017/1/6/14185282/utah-jazz-graphs-hayward-decision-unusual-defense


The last time Hayward hit the open market, as a restricted free agent in the summer of 2014, talks with the Jazz broke down to point where he was forced to pursue other options. Utah could have kept him off the market had they negotiated a contract extension the prior October, but Hayward was reportedly seeking a four-year deal valued at $50 million while the Jazz reportedly held firm at $48 million. The hard line ultimately proved costly.

Would have been worth 2 million if they could have gotten it without opt outs.

[QUOTE]But the Jazz simply can

[Xiao Yao You]

http://purpleandblues.com/2017/01/06/utah-jazz-five-potential-sf-replacements-if-hayward-leaves-in-free-agency/

[QUOTE]It

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]StatMuse: Rudy Gobert has the highest offensive rating AND the lowest defensive rating of any player this season (min 15 gms & 20 MPG, h/t @Jorge Sierra)

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]Marc Stein: Tomorrow is the last day NBA teams can waive players whose contracts aren

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/4789662-155/monson-all-stars-the-jazz-have-a


Anybody who's consistently watched the Jazz play this season knows the team has a couple of All-Stars on it. And that's more than surprising, given that before the season started, nobody thought the team had any.

Favors and Hayward have been touted as such for years. I thought Rudy was in he converstation before his emergence on the offensive end


The Jazz and their stars still struggle at times. We all saw what happened in Boston and Toronto, where an All-Star from each team did them in

It's why Hayward isn't an allstar. His all star performance came against the Sixers not other all-stars

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865670622/With-team-almost-back-to-full-health-Jazz-will-have-to-figure-who-gets-the-minutes.html


Every player on the roster except rookie Joel Bolomboy has played significant minutes at some time this season.

He deserves a shot. Unlike Lyles and Exum he has shown he can play at the D-league level and the guys ahead of him aren't getting it done.


With Burks finally getting healthy, he must take time away from the others, which is a challenge for Snyder since Ingles has been playing well and the veteran Johnson is valuable off the bench.

When Iso puts up 15 a game get back to me.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.ksl.com/?sid=42790287&nid=304&title=new-years-resolutions-for-the-utah-jazz


You can also make a case that the Jazz should just play small when Favors is in the game, and play Joe Johnson at the four, cutting out both Diaw and Lyles.

Withey, Ingles and Hayward should get the minutes


He's going to be looking to sign a very big deal; think about the $20 million per year level as a floor.

Be a bargain for that. Can't see how he doesn't get the max. Jzz need to give him whatever he wants. If Hayward fits in after that than fine. If not see you!


I don't think an annual 8-figure salary is crazy talk, and with how much money the Jazz will have to pay Hayward and Hill, it's hard to see how they can keep all three.

Which is why you have to think rather you want to pay your 3rd best player 30 million

[Xiao Yao You]

http://saltcityhoops.com/prospect-watch-stars-win-at-home-vs-energy-94-87/


24 Points, 8 Rebound, 4 Assists, 2 Steals, 0 Blocks, 8-17 FG, 1-3 3p, 8 +/-

Wallace's best game? Also shut down Baldwin

[Xiao Yao You]

http://purpleandblues.com/2017/01/07/utah-jazz-at-minnesota-timberwolves-keys-to-the-game/


As our very own Ryan Aston recently pointed out, although the two most recent losses were frustrating, Hayward was at least a bright point in both games as he shot a highly efficient 50 percent from the field in both contests and averaged 19.5 points, just shy of his season average, over the course of the two-game slide.

But did he lead them to wins? :rolleyes:

[Xiao Yao You]

The injury report still lists him as being out, but there is a chance Jazz point guard George Hill could suit up tonight against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]Tim MacMahon: Jazz PG George Hill has passed each step of the NBA

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.slcdunk.com/2017/1/7/14201630/utah-jazz-george-hill-dante-exum-rodney-hood-alec-burks-joe-ingles-shelvin-mack-point-guard-shooting

[QUOTE]I

[Xiao Yao You]

Snyder putting the right players in the game will be the next hurdle. At least Exum didn't play! :applause:

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]Would the Celtics be interested in Millsap? Some things would likely need to happen: Millsap would have to agree to honor the final year of his contract and the Celtics would have to offer the Hawks a chip for the long-term future

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865670681/Derrick-Favors-rare-3-pointer-helps-catapult-Jazz-to-come-from-behind-win-over-Minnesota.html

[QUOTE] With George Hill back, Dante Exum didn

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865670676/Utah-Jazz-rally-from-13-down-to-edge-Minnesota-94-92-in-George-Hills-return.html

[QUOTE]Before the game, Snyder said he was only going to play Hill in four- or five-minute stretches, but Hill ended up playing the entire fourth quarter. Snyder said Hill wouldn

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/4791054-155/jazz-notes-george-hill-is-healthy


"When we get back to Utah, I've got to get fitted for a mouthpiece and things like that," he said.

Looks like the players use the same ones I used in football that you just boil in hot water and bite into them and cool them with cold water and they fit. Hope his teeth don't get knocked out before they find some boiling water. :wtf:

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/4791054-155/jazz-notes-george-hill-is-healthy


The reality is virtually no one in Utah will be able to see it, as the League Pass game will be blacked out in the market.

Lame. I can see them blocking out a regular game but this is special with the VR hookup

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.ksl.com/?sid=42807680&nid=304&title=the-triple-team-3-thoughts-on-jazz-vs-timberwolves


Hayward missed a couple of shots he usually makes

what's new? That's why they need Hill so badly


Joe Ingles ended the game, and it was probably the right decision.

You think? He should start and play a bigger role. He's one of the few guys you can count on


Joe Johnson was pretty unimpactful.

Could describe his year. 22 million! :rant


He's been too up-and-down, and if he plays this poorly, he's going to lose his backup PG spot.

Lose it to who? Someone that has played consistently poorly or someone who only played because the coach had no other choice? Who hasn't been up and down besides Rudy, Hill and Hayward? Mack is actually one of their more consistent players. This is a game where you give Exum or Neto a shot though Neto was not available because of all their other non consistent guys.


Trey Lyles was really good offensively, but was backpedalling a lot on defense, ceding the paint to Minnesota drives.

That meant Boris Diaw played in the fourth quarter, which was weird because he couldn't stay with the Wolves' bigs defensively, or make a shot on offense.

Speaking of non consistent! Funny that they have Withey who actually is consistent. :banghead:


"I feel fortunate that we won the game," Snyder said, "because I feel like we have to figure some stuff out."

You and the front office do. No more excuses now.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.slcdunk.com/utah-jazz-game-coverage/2017/1/7/14202750/utah-jazz-94-minnesota-timberwolves-92-game-recap-rudy-gobert-derrick-favors-george-hill-zach-lavine


The closing #SQUAD of George Hill, Joe Ingles, Gordon Hayward, Derrick Favors, and Rudy Gobert dug in deep and gutted out this victory.

Probably their best overall line-up and they should start and finish most games. At times you're going to go smaller or replace someone having an off night with someone that's hot.


With how Gobert and Favors took care of KAT (blocked him quite a bit, but got in foul trouble) it should be interesting to see what happens against Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph!

Especially after Rudy owned Gasol and Randolph owned Favors last time

[Xiao Yao You]

Bolomboy only played 8 minutes last night. Guessing he's hurt now?

[Xiao Yao You]

Korver must still pass a physical, but one source said the Cavs are hopeful he can join them in time for practice Monday in Phoenix. That would allow for his debut to be Tuesday at the Utah Jazz. But the timetables are fluid and nothing is yet definitive. He is not expected to be ready for Sunday

[Xiao Yao You]

Tim MacMahon: Grizzlies SF Chandler Parsons will play vs. the Jazz despite missing shootaround due to an illness.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.slcdunk.com/nba-draft/2017/1/7/14201856/utah-jazz-minnesota-timberwolves-trey-burke-gorgui-dieng-shabazz-muhammad-dante-exum-andrew-wiggins

[QUOTE] Shabazz Muhammad, Tyrone Corbin

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.slcdunk.com/utah-jazz-game-coverage/2017/1/8/14207594/utah-jazz-vs-memphis-grizzlies-marc-gasol-rudy-gobert-mike-conley-dante-exum-rebounding

[QUOTE]It

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.slcdunk.com/2017/1/8/14204950/utah-jazz-line-ups-george-hill-rodney-hood-gordon-hayward-derrick-favors-rudy-gobert-alec-burks


The four out aspect of this line-up with everyone being able to handle the ball or spot-up makes this fun.

Be funner if Exum could hit a shot.

[QUOTE]At times we

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865670715/Finding-minutes-for-everyone-is-new-challenge-for-Snyder-Jazz.html

[QUOTE]

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865670710/Utah-Jazz-conclude-road-trip-with-88-79-loss-to-Memphis-Grizzlies.html


But other players struggled as Rudy Gobert tied his season-low with just five points (although he grabbed 13 rebounds),

Rudy was great. The fact that almost everyone sucked and yet you stuck with the guys that sucked was the biggest problem

[QUOTE]Both Snyder and Hayward shrugged off Gasol

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865670716/Morning-links-Rudy-Gobert-is-a-star-Tony-Beltran-the-best-draft-pick-in-RSL-history.html


the Jazz's greatest strength, when healthy, is their versatility.

In the hands of someone like Carlisle it probably would be a great thing. Not convinced Snyder knows what to do with it.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/with-george-hill-back-the-jazz-are-finally-whole-and-a-potential-west-powerhouse/


"Our weakness -- being injured and thin

But I thought you were deep? The fact that Neto and Withey have hardly played even with the injuries makes the whining not mean much to me. Even Bolomboy should get a shot with the way he's played with the Stars. He might give them some Booker like energy at least which they have missed.


He's a leader. I think you can tell that by the way that he plays and the way we respond and react when he's out there playing with us."

and their all-star? not so much

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2017/1/8/14203902/rudy-gobert-jazz-ceiling-sunday-shootaround


That move against Toronto would have seemed impossible two years ago when Gobert burst on the scene.

Actually it didn't. I expected this from him last year.


He always had decent hands

actually he didn't

nice article! Well deserved big guy! :applause:

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/4793397-155/jazz-notes-minutes-tighten-with-team


Favors has been working to expand his range.

"I've got to," he said with a smile. "Got to find other ways to score. You can't dunk everything."


Especially when you can't dunk anymore! It's nice you're hitting shots but the dives to the basket and post game are missed. If you could do that Rudy could work on his face up game and you'd really be hard to defend.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://weareutahjazz.com/lockedonjazz/2017/01/08/emptying-the-noggin-jazz-suffer-their-1st-loss-with-hayward-and-hill-starting/

[QUOTE] In the half court, the Jazz don

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.ksl.com/?sid=42816003&nid=304&title=the-triple-team-3-thoughts-on-jazz-vs-grizzlies


it was the Jazz's fifth game in seven nights, a back-to-back after a thousand-mile flight to Memphis last night, and against the most physical team in the league. In short, the resulting lack of sleep, as well as travel fatigue, makes players' reaction times slower, reduces their speed, and makes them more susceptible to mistakes on the court.

What's their excise for the mistakes when rested? :confusedshrug:

Could have played Neto and Withey who were well rested and better than many of they guys that played.


The problem is that scoring is Hood's game, and if he's not scoring, he's not contributing much in other areas.

than why play him at all?

[Xiao Yao You]

http://saltcityhoops.com/gassed-jazz-gusty/

[QUOTE] If Mack doesn

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.slcdunk.com/utah-jazz-game-coverage/2017/1/8/14209090/memphis-grizzlies-88-utah-jazz-79-game-recap-gordon-hayward-george-hill-marc-gasol-mike-conley


seriously, no one wants to play potential MVP guard James Harden in the first round

Probably the team you would want to play actually. D'antoni ball in the playoffs? Bring it on!


no one could stop Zach Randolph off the bench

Withey? :rolleyes:

[Xiao Yao You]

http://purpleandblues.com/2017/01/08/utah-jazz-lose-to-memphis-grizzlies-79-88-to-end-a-long-road-trip/


Quin has a vision, but so did Corbin. And we all know how well that worked out.


Ended in the playoffs and a near playoff. Time to leave the guy alone. He never had a chance and still did quite well under the circumstances.

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]The Utah Jazz announced today that the team has assigned guards Alec Burks, Dant

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865670738/3-Utah-Jazzs-Burks-Neto-and-Exum-assigned-to-D-Leagues-Stars.html


forward Joel Bolomboy, who has been playing with the Stars as of late, has been recalled by the Jazz after a three-game stint in the D-League.

I think they can only have 3 down there until next year when it will be 4 and with Bolomboy injured they brought him up. About time especially for Dante. Maybe ge can go down there and dominate and come back and actual help the team. Imagine that! :cheers:

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/4799316-155/utah-jazz-assign-alec-burks-dant%C3%A9


logjams at several positions

which positions are these? Maybe back-up pg with Mack and Neto but otherwise I don't see it. I see a lot of guys not playing consistently well. You have Rudy, Hill, Hayward and Ingles you can count on basically.


With Jazz coach Quin Snyder settling on Shelvin Mack as his backup point guard

not sure he's settled on it. I'd guess with everyone back we may see some changes as we see who they can build around the guys I mentioned earlier. Should remain wide open as far as I'm concerned and Lindsey needs to be very active at the trade deadline.


Neto hasn't played in a game since George Hill returned from injury

While Exum was out was the first time he's really played all year. Hilarious to call him the 4th pg and put him in street clothes after the way he played too. I think he might make most sense with everyone back. Don't need Mack playmaking so much and Neto defends and hits open 3's better.

[QUOTE]But the roster

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/4798225-155/utah-jazz-home-and-healthy-jazz


t has been some time since the Jazz have played up to their potential.

1998?


Forward Derrick Favors, a month after his return from a knee injury, just now has started to look like the player the Jazz relied on so heavily last season.

No he's not and it's worrisome

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=304&sid=42821140&title=jazz-assign-alec-burks-dante-exum-raul-neto-to-slc-stars-call-up-joel-bolomboy


The D-League assignment for those three is in order to get them some practice time Monday, while the remaining Jazz players rest after a grueling road trip.

If everyone was so tired why didn't you play Burks, Neto and Withey? Guys that actually might have been an upgrade and were not tired?


Bolomboy wouldn't have practiced anyway, due to a small injury he picked up on Saturday.

nice details~! :wtf:


Neto's not much use to the roster if he's just being named inactive when everyone is healthy

He should be active. If others aren't getting it done he should get a shot. Bolomboy and Exum are the 2 though Joel might actually be able to help them if he gets a shot? Burks looked the same as when he got hurt. No reason not to put him in the rotation.


Exum's development might benefit from some D-League minutes

Might? I don't see how it couldn't help him and the team. Let's see if he can actually play at the D-league level. He hasn't shown he's an NBA player. I could care less about his physical tools. Can he play in the NBA?


On the other hand, those players can be useful on the NBA roster, should foul trouble, sudden injury or a rash of Shelvin Mack turnovers hit.

So why does everyone go at Shelvin when he's been one of their best players but Exum can do nothing right and people are pissed he's not playing? :facepalm

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.slcdunk.com/research-statistics-analytics/2017/1/9/14212880/utah-jazz-statistics-quin-snyder-shelvin-mack-george-hill-gordon-hayward-dante-exum-boris-diaw

[QUOTE]When you look down the roster of this Utah Jazz squad, formed by a series of masterstrokes by Maestro Dennis Lindsey, you see a few name players. These are guys who have either the reputation or hunger to power a team to wins. Gordon Hayward is an undeniable star right now, even if only his peers know it. George Hill is having a career season and ready to QB another team to the NBA Playoffs. Rudy Gobert is having a tour-de-force season in the paint, making the claim - and backing it up, too - that perhaps, he is the best center in the game. Derrick Favors is the quiet soldier rounding back into shape. Rodney Hood is a dead-eye whose early season marksmanship kept the team above .500 back when there were numerous injuries. Seven time All-Star veteran Joe Johnson is finding his place on this team. NBA Champion dilettante Boris Diaw is here making news on and off the court with his creativity. Even Aussie journeyman Joe Ingles is making people #TakeNote of his sweet shooting and endless hustle.

One guy you didn

[Xiao Yao You]

http://purpleandblues.com/2017/01/09/utah-jazz-assign-burks-exum-neto-d-league/

[QUOTE]The Stars

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]After poring over the research

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/blogs/jazznotes/4800427-155/that-was-quick-jazz-send


The three practiced and scrimmaged with the Stars, all three on the same team.

I do hope they destroyed the other team at least and Exum actually looked like at least one of the top 3 players on the floor?


All three are expected to be in uniform Tuesday night when the Jazz host the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Burks is expected to go back down to the Stars on Wednesday night for a game to work on his conditioning.

Lame! From what I saw Burks needs to be playing for the Jazz. He can help them. Exum needs to prove he can dominate in the D-league at both ends and actually run a team and hit shots and finish. Not sure he can do any of that in the NBA despite the hype

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=304&sid=42821140&title=jazz-assign-burks-exum-neto-to-slc-stars-for-practice-call-them-up-hours-later


The Jazz have called up all three of Burks, Exum, and Neto back to the Jazz, and assigned Bolomboy down to the Stars. Everything is as it was five hours ago, except that Burks, Exum, and Neto have gone through an additional practice.

and Bolomboy apparently was not seriously hurt and will play tonight for the Stars. Only one article has even mentioned he was hurt with no further details :confusedshrug:

[Xiao Yao You]

http://purpleandblues.com/2017/01/09/utah-jazz-alec-burks-co-already-back-from-d-league/


It was especially valuable for Burks, who has missed the better part of the last three seasons with various injuries.

I'm thinking Exum could have gotten the most out of it if he actually went down and dominated D-leaguers. Give him some confidence. Burks doesn't lack any. He's shown he can still do what he did albeit in limited time.


Hopefully the Jazz look into get Neto and/or Exum into a few D-League games as well.

Or at least Exum. Not sure what a proven NBA starter can prove at the D-league level. He should be the back-up on the Jazz!

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]Gordon Hayward: Two guys I

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.ksl.com/?sid=42827405&nid=294&title=are-the-utah-jazz-too-deep


With only 240 available game minutes each night, and a roster with 14 rotation level players

I thought this might be a problem coming into the season but right now they certainly don't have 10 guys that are playing like rotation level players unless you count Bolomboy, Withey and Neto maybe. Exum certainly isn't. Johnson is paid like one but hasn't looked like one. Neither have Diaw or Lyles.


As Favors returns from injury, and ups his minutes to previous season averages, he, Hill, Hayward, Rodney Hood and Rudy Gobert will make up nearly 160 of the Jazz's 240 available minutes each night.

Favors and Hod should not be guaranteed minutes until they show they deserve it.


while the Jazz must find roles for Burks and Lyles as potentially lethal scoring threats off the bench.

Why must they? Burks obviously is a huge offensive piece but I could see him not playing if he doesn't defend and Lyles is too inconsistent and the D-league awaits his arrival


to make no mention of Jeff Withey and Neto, who could find minutes on lesser NBA rosters.

Withey is their 2nd best big right now and Neto is their 2nd best pg


no great idea on what to do now.

that's the biggest problem I see, The genius coach doesn't seem to have a clue


Exum, Burks, and Lyles need minutes to further develop their talents

D-league or trade. I can guarantee the Spurs would not be losing games to develop guys.


Diaw, Ingles, Johnson, and Mack give the Jazz a better opportunity to win now.

Diaw and Johnson have sucked and Neto has been better than Mack


the team has a mandate to win now to entice both Hayward and Hill to return as free agents this summer, and on the other, to develop the young talent the Jazz have invested heavily in.

That's the biggest problem. They still don't act like they are all in. Lyles and Exum haven't earned their time and neither have the two new vets

[QUOTE]The Jazz could clear up some of these bodies before the NBA

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]Bobby Marks: Contract of Jazz 2nd rd. pick Joel Bolomboy became guaranteed today for 2017-18. Guarantee for next season is $1.3m.

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]DeMarcus Cousins:

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.slcdunk.com/utah-jazz-game-coverage/2017/1/10/14230528/cleveland-cavaliers-lebron-james-utah-jazz-kyrie-irving-gordon-hayward-kevin-love-rudy-gobert

[QUOTE]With Rodney Hood in a slump, George Hill back from injury, Derrick Favors still finding his groove, and Rudy Gobert now a target for opposing team

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.slcdunk.com/2017/1/10/14231912/utah-jazz-cleveland-cavaliers-shelvin-mack-george-hill-dante-exum-alec-burks-quin-snyder


So there will be an article by the same guy attacking Mack daily now?



There have been only a handful of players Quin Snyder could have reliably called upon this year: Rudy Gobert, Joe Ingles, Joe Johnson, Trey Lyles, and Shelvin Mack.

reliable?


Mack, probably more of a combo guard than a pure point at this stage,

I'd call him a 1


we could watch Dante Exum miss layups as well, but have the actual defense to look forward to on the other end

except Mack has defended better and without fouling! I could see the Mack hate if it was to get Neto on the floor to help them win games but to get Dante on the floor to absolutely suck? Don't get it!

[QUOTE]There

[WayOfWad3]

Alec Burks is going to the D-League to get back into the swig of things. I like it, better playing a ton there than spending 3 minutes a game in the NBA

[Xiao Yao You]

From the little I've seen he needs to be on the court for the jazz.hell dominate tomorrow. Love to see if exam can play in the dleague

[Xiao Yao You]

Aaron Falk: As I reported last night, Jazz guard Alec Burks is expected to play for the Stars tomorrow night. I’m told Dante Exum may be joining him – via Twitter tribjazz

:cheers:

And Bolomboy? Poor Ty Wallace. Let's see what Exum has. No more hype and excuses. He needs to be able to dominate D-leaguers if you're going to talk about him playing for the Jazz. It's that simple. Bolomboy has done so and he's the last guy on the bench. Burks might go for 60!

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]And this is the kind of performance that certainly bolsters the case that Hayward, a seven-year veteran who seems to get significantly better every summer, should get his first invitation to the NBA

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865670866/Jazz-to-Hayward-Stick-around-youll-like-it.html


Hayward can become a free agent next summer. If he thinks the Jazz have maxed their potential, he could be gone like the last slice of pizza.

Hard to imagine how anyone could think that. Most of the team has been disappointing besides their new big 3 and Ingles.

[QUOTE]

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865670851/Utah-Jazz-knock-off-defending-NBA-champion-Cavaliers-behind-Haywards-big-night-stifling-defense.html


solid outings from George Hill, Derrick Favors and Trey Lyles;

Lyles sucked! You shoot enough and some are going to go in. He's a gunner! He needs to go to the D-league and learn to play with teammates. Alec was able to learn how to so there is hope that he can to at his young age.


Ingles (five points and surprisingly solid defense on James).

Why surprising? He's been doing it all year. Time to start him. 3 and D. Take a lot of pressure off Hayward and put Hood in a better position to gun as he also likes to do.

[QUOTE]

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.ksl.com/?sid=42837337&nid=304&title=the-triple-team-3-thoughts-on-jazz-vs-cavaliers


Joe Ingles came into the power forward position for Derrick Favors.

Ingles and Hayward and maybe Hood if he can handle it need to take all those minutes until someone else shows they can play. Still would love to see Withey Gobert though I know I'm dreaming that Withey will ever get off the bench again. Such a shame to watch him waste away the last two years and now Neto and Burks have joined him. :rant


n defense, the Jazz are just terrifying when they have the right personnel in. It starts with the pairing of George Hill and Rudy Gobert, which just doesn't give the offense space to attack, thanks to the length of Gobert (wingspan: 7-foot-9) and Hill: (wingspan: 6-foot-9).

Imagine throwing in Ingles and Favors at gull speed! :eek:


No one on the Jazz will publicly admit how loony this is, but Joe Ingles, an Australian man who has been nicknamed "Slow-mo Joe" by the team's broadcast crew, is stopping players of all types with his defensive prowess.


He'd shown signs of it before this year. Nice to se him do it all the time now! :bowdown:


There still may be an opportunity for Exum and Burks to get minutes, though

But the others won't? They idea that Exum should even be in the discussion is ridiculous and the fact that Withey and Neto aren't is disgusting. Bolomboy deserves a chance too. At least he has proven himself in the D-league unlike Lyles and Exum

[Xiao Yao You]

http://saltcityhoops.com/jazz-stun-the-cavaliers-in-win-100-92/


1. A Healthy Jazz Team Is A Great Jazz Team

Not convinced of that but Hill and Gobert gives you a chance every night. They need more from the rest of the team not named Hayward and Ingles on a consistent basis though.


He only played 25 minutes, due to his minute restriction

Didn't he just play 30 something? I figured the 4 fouls may have played a part or maybe with Gobert's offensive emergence he will just never play as big of a role again?


With Favors being out for so long, it is easy to forget that when he is healthy he is the second or third best player on this team.

Might be 4th if he returns to form.


Gordon Hayward Deserves To Be An All-Star

I guess as long as Rudy is there too.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://purpleandblues.com/2017/01/10/utah-jazz-gordon-hayward-displays-optimism-in-latest-blog/

[QUOTE]While Hayward often receives most of the credit for being Utah

[Xiao Yao You]

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/244557/Reggie-Jackson-Treated-For-Exhaustion-Following-Sacramento-Loss

[Xiao Yao You]

It

[Xiao Yao You]

Guess Neto and Burks tonite with the Stars. Baffled as to why them and not Exum the guy who obviously needs it most. :confusedshrug:

[WayOfWad3]

Why the crap would they send Neto there? Neto so far has played better than Exum, and unlike Burks he's in shape to play.

[WayOfWad3]

http://www.sltrib.com/home/4807042-155/kragthorpe-utah-jazz-targets-no-4


Fifty wins should be the minimum expectation; real prize would be No. 4 seed in West
I think they can get it. With the win against Cleveland the Jazz should start rolling, and will only get better as Hill recovers from his slew of injuries and Favors/Burks get back into basketball shape.
The Jazz would beat Houston if they end up with the 6 seed, I'm pretty confident about that. The Clippers would be a tough out, but if the Jazz play either the Thunder or Grizzlies, they should take that series.


Hayward will have a role in maintaining his teammates' level of interest.
On the court, I do see Rudy and Hill leading the team a lot more. Rudy certainly exhibits much more emotion. Hayward prefers to lead by example rather than be a vocal leader

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/home/4807042-155/kragthorpe-utah-jazz-targets-no-4


I think they can get it. With the win against Cleveland the Jazz should start rolling, and will only get better as Hill recovers from his slew of injuries and Favors/Burks get back into basketball shape.
The Jazz would beat Houston if they end up with the 6 seed, I'm pretty confident about that. The Clippers would be a tough out, but if the Jazz play either the Thunder or Grizzlies, they should take that series.


On the court, I do see Rudy and Hill leading the team a lot more. Rudy certainly exhibits much more emotion. Hayward prefers to lead by example rather than be a vocal leader

Grizzlies series would be a bloodbath! They are physical. I'd prefer Houston, or OKC

[Xiao Yao You]

Wallace had probably his best game last night with Bolomboy out. I guess they could play him with Neto and Burks with his and Alec's length but he's usually at the 1.

I'm guessing maybe they want to showcase Alec and Neto for a trade? Makes them look bad if they send their vaunted lottery pick to the D-league? His delicate psyche can't handle it?

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/4804393-155/utah-jazz-notes-kyle-korver-returns


Jazz center Jeff Withey had his contract guaranteed for the remainder of the season. Tuesday was the deadline day for the Jazz to make a decision on his future.

Withey isn't a part of Utah's playing rotation but brings value to the roster as a shot blocker, and has played well in the role as the third center.

"It's a blessing to be here," Withey told The Tribune. "It shows that the organization trusts what I bring. It feels good that I don't have to wonder if I'm going to be here."

Surprised he's happy. He's wasted away for 2 years now. Should be the 2nd center unless Gobert/Favors isn't working some nights.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/4804419-155/utah-jazz-rodney-hood-breaks-out


"The only thing that discourages me is when he doesn't shoot," Snyder said. "I'm confident he'll make them. I just don't want him to be hesitant. I don't want to see him dribble four or five times. I want to see him shoot, or dribble twice and shoot. Just be decisive."

At his best dribbling into the paint.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/4807042-155/kragthorpe-at-seasons-halfway-mark-jazz


Quin Snyder has done one of the league's five best coaching jobs in the first half of the season.

Can't agree.


By beating Detroit, the Jazz would finish the first half with a 25-16 record, conveniently projecting to 50 wins. That should be their minimum achievement, judging by everything they've overcome so far. The standards are higher now that they've played their way into this position.

Should be higher anyway. 50 should have happened last year.


"It would be unrealistic to think we could be in a lot better place," Snyder said before Tuesday's 100-92 win over Cleveland. "Hopefully, over the next month, we can start to make some real progress."


I think you could have won many more games if you put the best players on the floor and rarely have you! You are certainly my biggest worry with a healthy team. The fact that Dante is dressing over Neto says it all

[QUOTE]claiming a series would advance their rebuilding project and impress Gordon Hayward about the franchise's future

[Xiao Yao You]

http://saltcityhoops.com/alec-burks-battles-to-get-into-the-rotation/

[QUOTE]Now that the Jazz are restored to full health, Burks could get buried deep on the bench behind Rodney Hood, Gordon Hayward, Joe Johnson and Joe Ingles. Burks isn

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.slcdunk.com/utah-jazz-game-coverage/2017/1/11/14238316/utah-jazz-100-cleveland-cavaliers-92-game-recap-lebron-james-gordon-hayward-rudy-gobert-kyrie-irving

[QUOTE]But I think we homer fans believe that if Utah is at their best, there

[Xiao Yao You]

http://nbamath.com/joe-ingles-is-becoming-more-than-a-shooter-and-hidden-gem-for-utah-jazz/

[QUOTE]Ingles was a solid-enough role player during his first two seasons in the NBA, averaging 9.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.6 steals per 36 minutes while shooting 37.1 percent from three. But now, he

[Xiao Yao You]

Burks at forward. Wallace benched. no Bolomboy

[WayOfWad3]

Grizzlies series would be a bloodbath! They are physical. I'd prefer Houston, or OKC
I know! That would be very entertaining though. Two big teams who just grind it out against each other. If either faces Houston though, I feel the Rockets would go down

[Xiao Yao You]

Burks on 20 minute limit. Looks the same just rusty. Neto will play most of the game it looks like. Hit a couple of his tough shots and defending full court.

[Xiao Yao You]

foul trouble keeping Neto on bench

[Xiao Yao You]

Neto almost had a triple double! Probably would have got it if not for foul trouble. Burks didn't shoot well. He's rusty. Looked good though. Should help Jazz soon! Wallace with a nice game playing on the wing instead of the point!

[Xiao Yao You]

play again Friday. Makes sense to have someone down there if they can only dress 13 for the Jazz

[Xiao Yao You]

Neto dominated as expected? Can Exum? Will we ever see?

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865670937/Alec-Burks-Raul-Neto-make-most-of-D-League-game-experience.html


Burks looked at this D-League assignment as an opportunity to play in an actual game while he continues his rehab back from knee and ankle issues. This was only his third time playing 5-on-5 basketball in a competitive situation, including one practice with the Jazz and Monday's scrimmage against Stars players.

Unlike Favors he looks like his old self. Just rusty. Shouldn't be long :cheers:


Neto admitted it was a bit tough to be assigned to play in a non-NBA game after being a starter most of last season,

Almost as tough as sitting in street clothes behind an inferior player or not leaving the bench most of the year. This would have made more sense early in the year when he wasn't playing at all. He played a few games in a row recently and played better than Exum and Mack have.

[QUOTE]"I was happy to be on the court playing basketball. That

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.ksl.com/?sid=42847134&nid=304&title=alec-burks-and-raul-neto-play-major-minutes-for-slc-stars


he went to the line for only three free-throw attempts isn't a great sign

He was getting to the hole and initiating contact. If you watched the game you would know he's back!


Tyrone Wallace also really impressed with his ability to get inside, he finished with 16.

And will probably be on the Jazz next year so someone should mention him on occasion. He is the 16th man basically right now.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://saltcityhoops.com/burks-and-neto-aid-stars-in-129-94-win-over-drive/

[QUOTE]While he was going up against the D-League

[Xiao Yao You]

http://purpleandblues.com/2017/01/12/fourmissing-elements-utah-jazz-season-so-far/

[QUOTE]There

[Xiao Yao You]

http://purpleandblues.com/2017/01/11/utah-jazz-trey-lyles-play-with-keep-shooting-mentality/


Utah Jazz big man Trey Lyles shot just 2-of-7 in the first half against LeBron James and the Cavs, but I like that he remained confident and kept shooting.

I don't especially when he's shot so horribly all year and rarely passes it or does much else. He needs to go to the D-league and learn to play with teammates.


Cleveland was giving him wide open looks all night long

of course they were. He's shooting 30% from there. Fire away!

[QUOTE]Something else worth noting

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]Andy Larsen: On Milos Teodosic: I know that the Jazz like Teodosic, and Teodosic likes the Jazz & Quin Snyder. See for example: http://bit.ly/2jcejmA . On the other hand, Jazz have strongly denied to me that they have terms in place with a player under contract with another team.

[Xiao Yao You]

The Utah Jazz announced today that the team has recalled guards Alec Burks and Raul Neto from the Salt Lake City Stars, the Jazz

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865670936/How-do-the-Utah-Jazz-rank-against-the-rest-of-the-West.html

[QUOTE]The Jazz

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/4812956-155/utah-jazz-with-new-cba-jazz


"It helps the small market teams," Hayward said of the new labor deal. "It's going to help keep guys from going and creating super-teams, especially if a team can offer that guy way more money."

Scary! I'm seeing another AK situation in the making. Paying your 3rd best player close to 50 million a year? :eek:


Hayward will be the centerpiece of the Jazz's effort to hang on to their own.

The centerpiece is Gobert. Without him they wouldn't have a good team and Hayward is gone. I think they may regret not giving Gobert the 5 years though


The possibility of Hayward leaving Utah exists because it is expected that the forward will opt out of the final year of his contract

Not anymore! Gets more money if he opts in


The new CBA's biggest influence on Hayward's potential free agency is the 'Designated Player Provision,' for a player who qualifies for one of the following: NBA Most Valuable Player, Defensive Player of the Year, or having at least once been on an All-NBA team while heading into at least the player's eighth season.

Rudy's next deal

[QUOTE]Hayward's playing well enough this season that he has a shot at making third team all-NBA. If he did, and therefore qualified for the provision, Hayward would be eligible for a maximum salary potentially up to 35 percent of next year's salary cap total

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/4812481-155/monson-george-hills-advanced-degree-centers


On more than one occasion, Quin Snyder has reminded his players and anyone else willing to listen that the Jazz haven't accomplished anything yet,

They haven't. Lots to prove. That's why all the all-star crap gets old.

[QUOTE]Dennis Lindsey said he wants everyone who's a part of the club to earn his Ph.D

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/4813029-155/utah-jazz-notes-george-hill-feels


"I feel super rusty," he said. "I think personally, as a player, for myself I feel off."

He hasn't looked the same that's for sure.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.slcdunk.com/nba-trades-and-deadline/2017/1/12/14251726/nba-trade-deadline-2017-utah-jazz-derrick-favors-alec-burks-dante-exum-joe-ingles

[QUOTE]In conventional years having a lot of players in contract years, and having both cap space and draft picks, means almost anyone on your roster is up for grabs as well. Gordon Hayward (likely opting out of his last year at $16.7 million) and George Hill headline a cast of guys looking for a new deal after 82 games are up

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865671020/Jazz-notes-Quin-Snyder-gets-on-Rodney-Hood-for-not-shooting.html

[QUOTE]"I don

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865670988/Gordon-Hayward-an-All-Star-Jazz-certainly-believe-so.html


During the critical juncture of Tuesday night's game between the Utah Jazz and the Cleveland Cavaliers, two players dominated when their teams made massive runs.

One player was a versatile and athletic star whose leadership, talent, passing, scoring ability and all-around play are at an elite level.

The other was LeBron James.


Jesus Christ! It's been taken to a whole new level now. :facepalm

[QUOTE]I don