The 2017 off-season...Hayward, Hill, Ingles...?

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/5480252-155/monson-jazzs-secret-for-future-success


The counter is this: Build an outfit that's great enough, attractive enough to keep its players, come whatever suitors may, even if the home base isn't a huge metropolis.

Yep. The Jazz brought this on. Once Rudy emerged they should have been all in. Still aren't.


They have fantastic, committed ownership, an enlightened front office

debatable

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/blogs/jazznotes/5480832-155/utah-jazz-notes-dennis-lindsey-sees


Lindsey said he could see Rubio leading the league in assists as a Jazzman, although he admitted "we may have to find him some more shooters" to field around him. Rubio himself is a below-average shooter in the NBA (40.2 percent from the field last season), but Lindsey said the Jazz may have an opportunity to develop that once Rubio starts working with Utah coaches.

worst shooter since 1980!


Rubio has spent at least part of his first days in Utah attending Summer League games, sitting alongside Rudy Gobert. Once they hit the court, that’s part of the Jazz vision as well: unleashing the duo in pick-and-roll. While Hayward is gone and there’s little Utah can do about replacing his production, with Rubio and Gobert, the organization sees the potential for a fearsome offensive duo. "At the point of attack, you’re gonna see two large individuals in Ricky Rubio and Rudy Gobert making sure we get that pick-and-roll channelled in," Lindsey said. "We’re really excited about that. We think the integrity of that will be there."

The only logic I can see but who's going to guard either on the perimeter so they can even run the pick and roll?


The season before last, Favors averaged 16.4 ppg and 8.1 rpg, while also contributing 1.5 blocks per game. Healthy, Utah sees him as a good defender at the 4 and 5 spots, with wingspan that can help deny at the rim alongside Gobert.

Utah needs some things to go right this offseason, and so far, there’s encouraging signs that Favors could be one of those things. Favors’ own enthusiasm to be healthy might outpace that of his coaches.

"Derrick wants to play every day," Lindsey said. "We’re not sure that’s the wisest thing, but we’re really excited to get him back to previous levels."

The season before last, Favors averaged 16.4 ppg and 8.1 rpg, while also contributing 1.5 blocks per game. Healthy, Utah sees him as a good defender at the 4 and 5 spots, with wingspan that can help deny at the rim alongside Gobert. Utah needs some things to go right this offseason, and so far, there’s encouraging signs that Favors could be one of those things. Favors’ own enthusiasm to be healthy might outpace that of his coaches. "Derrick wants to play every day," Lindsey said. "We’re not sure that’s the wisest thing, but we’re really excited to get him back to previous levels."

Still worried about him playing every day. Not a good sign. Explain how he can play with Rudy, Rubio and possibly Exum at the same time

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865684278/Plan-D-Who-the-Utah-Jazz-can-target-following-Gordon-Haywards-departure.html


Jeff Green didn't fit but maybe now that shooting doesn't matter he does?

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865684366/Brad-Rock-Rudy-Gobert-was-Jazz-leader-all-along.html

well duh

[Xiao Yao You]

https://www.slcdunk.com/2017/7/5/15922890/2017-free-agency-gordon-hayward-traitor-deron-williams-quin-snyder-jerry-sloan-boston-celtics


those Tyrone Corbin years were terrible

1 playoff and one just missed playoff and a tank, leave Ty alone!:wtf:

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]Jonathan Feigen: The Rockets waived forward Ryan Kelly today, making the move at the deadline before his contract would become guaranteed.

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]Andy Larsen: Travis Leslie replaces Dante Exum on the Jazz

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]Brad Turner: Clippers definitely have interest in backup Utah free agent center Jeff Withey, per source. Two sides meeting today.

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]Shams Charania: Muscala

[Xiao Yao You]

Jody Genessy: Classy move by Jazz with full-page ads in the Deseret News and SL Tribune. Not sure if they prepared multiple versions. (h/t @JazzDoingGood)
Classy move by Jazz with full-page ads in the Deseret News and SL Tribune. Not sure if they prepared multiple versions. (h/t @JazzDoingGood) pic.twitter.com/l8HFS6jryv

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]A. Sherrod Blakely: This is why @Celtics resisted S+T w/Utah for Crowder. Bos always felt they could swing another deal and get cap relief+rotation player.

[Xiao Yao You]

https://www.slcdunk.com/2017/7/6/15932594/2017-utah-summer-league-recap-utah-jazz-boston-celtics-donovan-mitchell-gordon-hayward-jayson-tatum


it was the Donovan Mitchell show. During the halftime break, Donovan Mitchell made sure it was. He asked to guard Jayson Tatum. He took the assignment and put on a show

hard not to love this kid!


Once again, Eric Griffin was a pleasant surprise posting 8 points and 6 rebounds. I would wager the Utah Jazz are going to keep an eye on him and work to get him onto the training camp roster. He seems like a great fit for the new two way G-League contracts.

I'd see him on a regular contract. He's a professional vet not a young kid. Wallace and Goss for the 2 ways

[QUOTE]One might wonder whether Donovan Mitchell and his impressive play might have earned his way out of summer league play as well. If not, we

[Xiao Yao You]

https://www.slcdunk.com/2017/7/5/15926950/recap-utah-jazz-philadelphia-76ers-utah-summer-league-donovan-mitchell-dante-exum-eric-griffin

[QUOTE]Dante Exum is certainly proving to Utah that he deserves big minutes next year. With the wing rotation far from being set in stone, Dante Exum is showing out at just the right time. It appears that the work he

[Xiao Yao You]

http://purpleandblues.com/2017/07/05/utah-jazz-rodney-hood-must-step-up-offensively-without-hayward/


With Gordon Hayward headed to Boston, Rodney Hood will have a chance to become the go-to guy on offense for the Utah Jazz.

He's a 6th man. Rudy should be their leading scorer. He was putting up over 17 a game at the end of the year. They will be revolving the offense around Rubio/Gobert pick and rolls if they can. Burks and Hood sniping off the bench with Favors since him and Rudy will certainly have to be staggered.


As a rookie, Hood only played 50 games. He stayed relatively healthy in his sophomore season, appearing in 79 games. He was fantastic that year and looked ready to build off an impressive second season.

He was streaky. Played his best ball last year before the flu.


Without Hayward, we could see him shift over to the small forward spot more often this season.

A 3/4 off the bench ideally.


He could get a contract extension before next season, and he now appears to be a critical piece to the Utah Jazz moving forward.

I'd hardly call him critical. I could see trying to sign him and Exum to team friendly extensions before the season starts. Could also see them among many dealt by the trade deadline. It's all about Gobert/Mitchell now. Who fits with them going forward

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.ksl.com/?sid=44924923&nid=304&title=the-triple-team-donovan-mitchells-back-to-back-highlight-plays-lead-jazz-to-win-over-celtics


Williams-Goss wasn't very concerned when I spoke to him about it after the game, saying that he's excited for the opportunity to get more playing time in Vegas and show what he can do then.

By the way, I also asked him about his plans for the season, whether he plans to go overseas or play with the Stars, or go into training camp. He confirmed that that has yet to be determined by the Jazz, given the tumultuous nature of their offseason. They probably want to see what he can do in these summer league games, too.

2 way

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]Adrian Wojnarowski: Free agent guard Shelvin Mack is finalizing a two-year, $12M deal with the Orlando Magic, league sources tell ESPN.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.ksl.com/?sid=44937102&nid=304&title=jazz-notes-shelvin-mack-signs-with-orlando-crowder-sign-and-trade-unlikely


The 27-year-old point guard averaged 22 minutes per game in 55 contests last year for the Jazz, alternating time with Dante Exum as the lead option behind George Hill.

Neto?


the Jazz will be happy to allocate the time Mack used to Exum and Donovan Mitchell

Wouldn't count out Neto. Unlike those two he has shown he can play at the NBA level not the Summer League


Ricky Rubio also figures to be healthier than Hill thanks to his age, so Rubio should use some of Mack's minutes as well.

Wouldn't count on Hill not being healthy. He's been healthier than Rubio in his career and he's in his prime


That means that the Celtics won't be trading Jae Crowder or any other players to the Jazz for the rights to sign Gordon Hayward. What may still happen is a sign-and-trade, though. Such a deal would open up a Traded Player Exception for the Jazz, which they could use to acquire another player at Hayward's salary or less in the next 12 months.

The Jazz have done this before: they completed a sign-and-trade with the Chicago Bulls when Carlos Boozer signed with the Bulls. Doing so allowed them the exception that they later used to acquire Al Jefferson from Minnesota.

If it means not giving up 3 firsts for a black hole again I'm in!

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/5485980-155/utah-jazz-notes-coaches-satisfied-with


it's a step for Exum as he attempts to assert himself as a viable backup point guard behind Ricky Rubio

Don't think it matters what position at this point. He just needs to show he can hit open shots and defend first

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865684431/After-going-3-0-in-SLC-Utah-Jazz-head-for-NBA-Summer-League-in-Las-Vegas.html


The 16-member Jazz contingent, which features recent draft picks Donovan Mitchell, Tony Bradley and Nigel Williams-Goss along with second-year Jazzman Joel Bolomboy

Tyrone Wallace! :facepalm

[Xiao Yao You]

https://www.slcdunk.com/2017/7/7/15940878/2017-nba-free-agency-after-gordon-hayward-boston-celtics-utah-jazz-rudy-gobert-heroes-villains

[QUOTE]After all, this has been done before: when Deron Williams was traded out of town like a scapegoat with the sins of Jerry Sloan

[Xiao Yao You]

https://www.slcdunk.com/2017/7/7/15940268/2017-utah-summer-league-utah-jazz-dante-exum-donovan-mitchell-eric-griffin-tony-bradley


Dante Exum took the challenge and looked every bit like a player who deserves to be a significant contributor next year.

deserves a chance in Fall camp


When he wanted to get to the rim he was able to get to the rim without much resistance.

showed that last year. finishing and making plays was a different story


With the Utah Jazz treading water after Hayward’s departure there’s a real possibility Dante Exum could be seeing some minutes at Small Forward because of his large frame.

in small line--ups. I'd see him as more of a 2. Maybe some 1 and 3


Donovan Mitchell and Dante Exum already are showing chemistry and could be a duo to be reckoned with off the bench.

ideally one can start as the roster stands now


The Utah Jazz would be wise to target Griffin for one of the new 2 way G-League contracts.

end of the bench energy guy. Wallace and Goss for the two ways


Nigel is probably playing for the European scouts who are looking for a point guard next year. He might be a candidate for a G-League contract, but don’t count on the Utah Jazz signing him to a contract.

they'd rather stash him in the D-league I imagine

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/5487380-155/kragthorpe-gordon-haywards-timing-really-leaves


Nothing guarantees the Jazz would have landed another top-tier player after losing him, but they undoubtedly wish they had a better shot at somebody. Jazz general manager Dennis Lindsey's four-word veiled criticism of Hayward's process said a lot: "Timing has been problematic."

doubt it would have mattered. The Jazz are obviously looking for bargains as usual


Four teams would have to leapfrog the Jazz to keep them out of the postseason. Denver, Minnesota, Oklahoma City and Portland appear capable of doing so.

at least


The Jazz couldn't find anything resembling a replacement for Hayward.

Ingles. Young guards get to show that they are as great as they think they are


Lindsey believes Rubio is coming to town from Minnesota with "something to prove," and that description should apply to the entire roster.

should always be that way. They need to stop giving players minutes and roles they haven't earned. Rudy earned his way.

[Xiao Yao You]

https://www.slcdunk.com/2017/7/8/15940898/2017-nba-free-agency-shelvin-mack-with-orlando-magic-gordon-hayward-boston-celtics


we may see the return of Jeff Withey if the price is right

For Jeff's sake I hope he finds a better opportunity

[Xiao Yao You]

https://www.slcdunk.com/2017/7/8/15941622/las-vegas-summer-league-utah-jazz-portland-trail-blazers-dante-exum-caleb-swanigan-mitchell-donovan

[QUOTE]Then there

[Xiao Yao You]

Jazz should try to get a young 3 maybe 3/4 to develop. They have young guys developing everywhere else

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]Spencer Checketts: BREAKING: According to multiple sources, Gordon Hayward is expected to sign with Boston outright, and the Jazz will receive no compensation.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://local.sltrib.com/sports/jazz/chasing-gordon-hayward


Lindsey pulled the trigger on the deal. With Rubio having two years remaining on his contract and at 26 years old, the Jazz envisioned him joining a core of Rudy Gobert, Rodney Hood and Hayward that would be entering the primes of their careers together.

Their love of Hood and now Rubio is worrisome. I see a 6th man in Hood. A liability on offense with Rubio


One of the reasons Ingles finished the season as a starter was he and Hayward played so well together.

I'd think the reason was because he made the most sense. Why it took them all year to make the move is the question.


The Jazz knew this, and they also knew they didn't want to head into their Monday meeting with Hayward with any roster questions.

plenty of them


The Jazz had made two big moves to give Hayward seemingly just about everything he could ask for from a roster.

Everything but an improved roster. A roster that got thumped on by GS because only Hayward and Gobert were up to their level.

[QUOTE]And with a team that faces several salary cap decisions in the coming years, they made it clear the organization would be willing to bump past the NBA salary cap and pay the luxury tax

[El Kabong]

"The Toronto Raptors have traded forward DeMarre Carroll, a future first-round and second-round pick to the Brooklyn Nets for centre Justin Hamilton, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski‏ is reporting. According to Wojnarowski, the move was made by the Raptors to shed themselves of Carroll’s contract."

Could have gotten in on that? Caroll obviously can't replace Hayward, but could start and the extra picks could be helpful to help rebuild a bit.

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE=El Kabong]"The Toronto Raptors have traded forward DeMarre Carroll, a future first-round and second-round pick to the Brooklyn Nets for centre Justin Hamilton, ESPN

[Xiao Yao You]

http://purpleandblues.com/2017/07/08/utah-jazz-fans-mad-gordon-hayward-shouldnt-give-team/

Get over it! I doubt the Jazz would have done anything different other than maybe letting Ingles go like they should have anyway. Almost all of the so called options that they lost out out on because of Hayward keeping them waiting they could have signed anyway. This is on the Jazz. They downgraded a team that needs major upgrades and expected him to come back?:facepalm

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.ksl.com/?sid=44953189&nid=304&title=the-triple-team-3-thoughts-on-jazz-vs-blazers


Because of his rebounding skillset, he probably actually makes the most sense in the modern NBA as a center, believe it or not. Right now, that spot for playing time behind Gobert is open between Bolomboy and Tony Bradley, so he has an opportunity.

too small for the 4 let alone the 5. Favors is Rudy's back-up unfortunately

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]Brian Windhorst: The Raptors plan to waive and stretch C Justin Hamilton after acquiring him from Nets, league sources say.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865684487/All-over-but-the-smack-talk.html


Hayward left a team where he was the undisputed top player to go to a team where he’ll be in a supporting role.

Certainly is disputed. In Boston he will be the man rather he leads in scoring or not


Ever since drafting him as a rookie in 2010 and paying him $2.5 million to sign, the Jazz have nurtured Hayward, making him the focal point of the team, steering the offense to him, giving him everything he ever asked for.

They didn't give him max a couple years ago. They didn't try to win games until last year and they weren't all in. Didn't sign Hill...


“That year he got the offer from Charlotte, I was screaming to my wife or anyone who would listen, ‘Let him go,’” says Sudbury. “I didn’t feel he showed any loyalty to the Jazz at that time. The handwriting was on the wall.

Loyalty is taking less money? Just because Stockton took a lot less money to stay here while the Millers rolled in money you can't expect others to


“As much as he’s done to improve himself over the years, I’ve never had confidence in him making big shots,” he says. “That’s why I was excited when we got Joe Johnson, because that’s Big Shot Joe.”

different player in the playoffs. Where was Big shot against the Warriors? Could have used him

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865684488/Its-time-for-Jazz-fans-to-move-forward-from-Gordon-Hayward.html


And if Ingles is allotted increased playing time, it's reasonable to think that his scoring average should jump up well into double digits.

if he's called on to score they are in big trouble


If Ingles doesn't take Hayward's spot in the starting lineup, then how about 16-year NBA veteran Joe Johnson, who spent most of last season playing power forward but, at 6-7, has the savvy experience, versatility and shooting ability to slide over to the small forward spot.

Played best at the 4. He needs to be traded

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]On Sunday afternoon, Trey Burke responded to a Jazz fan

[Xiao Yao You]

http://purpleandblues.com/2017/07/09/utah-jazz-shelvin-mack-officially-inks-deal-magic/


This past season, he averaged 22 minutes per game playing behind George Hill. The popular opinion in Jazzland is that a lot of those minutes would have been better served in the hands of former No. 5 overall pick Dante Exum.

despite Dante mostly sucking bad! :wtf:


With Mack on the outs, Exum is in line for a larger role with the Jazz next season.

Hayward being gone could factor in his minutes more.


he was arguably the best player at the Utah Jazz Summer League in Salt Lake City last week, averaging 20 points, six assists and four rebounds over a three-game stretch.

you would hope

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/5493009-155/kragthorpe-jazz-rookie-donovan-mitchell-has

[QUOTE]Everyone is telling me to keep summer league basketball in perspective and not get too excited about Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell, but that's not easy.

The unavoidable first impression of this guy is to say he's the best rookie in 10 years. I mean, the Jazz haven't brought in anyone like him since Kyrylo Fesenko in 2007.

You remember Fes. The center from Ukraine was always entertaining in interviews and intermittently productive on the court. He played a key, fill-in role in the Jazz's playoff series win over Denver in 2010

[Xiao Yao You]

http://purpleandblues.com/2017/07/10/utah-jazz-now-stand-western-conference/

[QUOTE]6. Utah Jazz

This is probably higher than a lot of you were expecting, but nevertheless I have faith in Quin Snyder and the rest of the Jazz

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865684499/Morning-links-Breaking-down-film-of-Jamaal-Williams-Jazz-win-total-projected.html

This is more like it. 38 wins in their conference would be successful considering how the wizard has let the team become what it is

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]David

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865684546/Donovan-Mitchell-gives-Utah-hope-after-Gordon-Haywards-departure.html

[QUOTE]

[Xiao Yao You]

https://realsport101.com/news/sports/nba/utah-jazz-gordon-hayward-exit-gives-young-guards-their-chance/


Exum will still be behind Ricky Rubio in the depth chart next season

He's got a chance to start opposite him and not even play the 1

[QUOTE] the Jazz

[Xiao Yao You]

https://www.slcdunk.com/2017/7/11/15949300/2017-nba-summer-league-utah-jazz-nba-rudy-gobert-donovan-mitchell-ricky-rubio-the-downbeat

[QUOTE]He

[Xiao Yao You]

http://purpleandblues.com/2017/07/11/utah-jazz-open-letter-rudy-gobert/

[QUOTE]In four years when your unrestricted free agency comes and you

[Xiao Yao You]

https://hoopshabit.com/2017/07/10/utah-jazz-for-joe-ingles-the-pressure-is-on/

[QUOTE]Conversely, and perhaps unsurprisingly, Ingles also benefited from Hayward

[Xiao Yao You]

Andy Larsen: Joel Bolomboy is up and walking around postgame, no ice, no brace. Right knee sprain is the word.

[Xiao Yao You]

Tony Jones: Have been told that Utah indeed has interest in possibly signing Eric Griffin.

[Xiao Yao You]

Jody Genessy: Rudy Gobert on Donovan Mitchell (37 points), who had another strong summer showing:

[Xiao Yao You]

Hayward Sr. said that if the Celtics had defeated the Cavaliers in the conference finals, his son would have been less interested. But it was clear watching them get pummeled by LeBron James that they needed help, and perhaps he could provide it.

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]Andy Larsen: Rudy Gobert told us that he felt it was likely that Gordon Hayward was leaving after their meeting July 3.

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]Spencer Checketts: Jazz have until July 15th to waive Diaw, who is set to make $7.5 mill. If Jazz waive him, they will have just over $16 mill in cap space.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.ksl.com/?sid=44979356&nid=294&title=ben-anderson-hayward-departure-reveals-jazzs-greatest-strength-biggest-enemy


Burks and Exum have yet to live up to their enormous potential

Burks was top 6th man. Not sure you can ask for much more for a late lottery pick. The broken leg was unfortunate


Only Hood and Gobert have significantly outperformed their draft positions in the Jazz rebuild.

Has Hood? A lot of the guys he was better than a couple years ago are passing him by

[QUOTE]Lindsey said at the end of the 2015-16 NBA season that the team was close to acquiring two proven veterans at that season

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.ksl.com/?sid=44987749&nid=304&title=the-triple-team-3-thoughts-on-donovan-mitchells-record-setting-game


I'm not really convinced those opportunities will be there against NBA starting talent. Probably against bench players, who Mitchell will be against first, but not against the elite. In general, the best guards in the league are just better at preventing turnovers than this.

I think he has a chance to start. To me it's him or Exum ideally. The way the team talks it will be Hood though. He should come off the bench


Another way he gets steals is by gambling on the perimeter, figuring out what the other team will do and just getting there first. Coaches don't generally love this kind of gambling, but Mitchell's been so effective at it that it pays off overall. It even fits a team need.

Can get away with it a lot more with Gobert at the rim. Stockton and Malone both went after the ball aggressively because of Eaton

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/5493590-155/pierce-espn-analyst-sets-up-to


On ESPN's NBA show "The Jump," Elhassan broke down Hayward's move to the Boston Celtics by pointing out that teams essentially have a "minimum of seven years of guaranteed time to show your star player that you are an organization that is both serious about and capable of winning a championship."

With the implication that Utah did not. And Elhassan argued that Hayward did "what's best for [his] career."

A clear statement that playing for the Celtics is a step up from playing for the Jazz. And it certainly sounded like a slap at the team in Salt Lake City.

It's right on

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/5497543-155/monson-jazz-use-a-machine-to

[QUOTE]Hood is even more important than Exum. Hood's shooting needs to be a significant part of the Jazz's attack with Hayward's departure. Snyder will go on stressing defense

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/5498752-155/utah-jazz-rudy-gobert-vows-to


the Jazz are are actively looking to get Gobert some help. The Tribune has learned that Utah is in the market for a small forward who can play some power forward in small ball lineups.

I think they need to look for a young guy to develop there. Already have Ingles and Johnson.


they have limited assets to offer, other than Boris Diaw's non-guaranteed contract of $7.5 million.

Cap space and young players and picks. There's been plenty of deals made around the league that the Jazz could have cashed in on if they chose to

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nba-offseason-winners-losers-thunder-celts-smiling-cavs-knicks-not-so-much/


Hayward was the player who took Utah from being a nice team to a potential contender down the road.

Gobert

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865684619/Donovan-Mitchell-stands-out-defensively-in-loss-to-Grizzlies.html

[QUOTE]Last season, the Jazz lacked a player with Mitchell

[Xiao Yao You]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2721124-rudy-gobert-says-he-didnt-like-how-gordon-hayward-handled-exit-from-jazz


It won't be easy, but with Gobert, Ricky Rubio, Joe Ingles, Rodney Hood and promising rookie Donovan Mitchell in tow, the Jazz have the personnel necessary to remain competitive and jockey for a playoff spot a year after they reached 50 wins for the first time since the 2009-10 season.

not seeing it

[Xiao Yao You]

Celtics Playing In East Was Key Part Of Pitch To Gordon Hayward

Gordon Hayward is also more likely to make All-Star teams in the Eastern Conference and possibly even start.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://purpleandblues.com/2017/07/11/utah-jazz-become-championship-contender-isiah-thomas-way/


Rudy is as dominant as many of the past greats named Ewing, Mourning, Robinson, Eaton and Olajuwon.

one name out of place there :wtf:

[Xiao Yao You]

http://purpleandblues.com/2017/07/11/utah-jazz-summer-league-eric-griffin-interest/

[QUOTE]you

[Xiao Yao You]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2710487-thabo-sefolosha-jazz-reportedly-agree-to-2-year-105-million-contract

So Ingles will be the only starter that can shoot now?

[Xiao Yao You]

http://purpleandblues.com/2017/07/12/utah-jazz-trade-target-t-j-warren/

I do think they need a young 3 to develop but another guy that can't shoot? :confusedshrug:

[Xiao Yao You]

http://purpleandblues.com/2017/07/12/utah-jazz-summer-league-roster-may-produce-two-rotation-players/

Griffin will be an end of the bench energy guy if he's around I'd think

[Xiao Yao You]

http://purpleandblues.com/2017/07/12/utah-jazz-ink-thabo-sefolosha-two-year-deal/


With the Sefolosha signing, Utah’s roster currently stands at 13. Barring some kind of trade, the acquisition all but confirms that Ingles will start at the three spot for the Jazz next season.

Got to think they aren't done. You have Rubio, Ingles, Favors and Gobert starting you'd think as ugly as that looks. I'd hope Exum or Mitchell could start at the 2 as a 3 and D at least. One of them or Neto behind Rubio. Hood and Burks leading the offense off the bench on the wing though Burks could play the 1 too though I doubt it. And now Thabo in the mix. Seems like they need help up front still especially since Favors, Johnson and Diaw make little sense long term which means Favors will probably be signed to an extensionand Diaw's option picked up as well the way things are going. Have no idea what they are doing anymore.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=304&sid=44995542&title=jazz-sign-sf-thabo-sefolosha-to-2-year-contract


Like teammate Joe Johnson, he's also capable of playing power forward in small-ball lineups.

Now he actually might make sense there. He shoots decently enough for a 4. Trade Johnson and let him back-up Favors especially since Bolomboy doesn't look ready for primetime after all?

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.ksl.com/?sid=44993749&nid=294&title=patrick-kinahan-hayward-takes-heat-for-his-choice

[QUOTE]

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/5502025-155/utah-jazz-strike-deal-with-small


The Jazz aren't finished trying to add to their team, either.The Salt Lake Tribune has learned that Utah is in the market for another forward and another big man to back up Gobert.

Favors is the back-up I imagine. Have to stagger him and Gobert to stretch the floor at all. Hopefully get someone that can replace Favors as the back-up and maybe play alongside Rudy once Favors is traded later in the year


Among the names who hold Jazz interest are Dante Cunningham, who played last season with the New Orleans Pelicans. Atlanta Hawks forward Ersan Illyasova and Miami Heat big man Willie Reed are also players the Jazz are looking at.

One is a center. Dante is an undersized 4 though he can shoot now I guess. He's be a good back-up to Favors maybe even starting later on


To create salary cap space to bring in another player, league sources have told The Tribune that the Jazz are looking to trade Boris Diaw's contract, and they could waive the power forward if no suitor is found. Diaw's contract becomes guaranteed on Saturday, so a move is expected before then.

Maybe some good news if Diaw is gone. Believe it when I see it


The Tribune has learned that Sefolosha, an unrestricted free agent, was drawn to the Jazz because of their pass-heavy, international style of offense. Having thrived in a similar system in Atlanta, Sefolosha was sold on Utah's pitch.

Probably offered him the most money too

[Xiao Yao You]

https://www.slcdunk.com/2017/7/12/15960680/2017-nba-free-agency-utah-jazz-sign-thabo-sefolosha-atlanta-hawks-quin-snyder


The worry here is if Thabo Sefolosha becomes another Shelvin Mack situation where the coaching staff values an known commodity over an unknown commodity. With what happened with Dante Exum last year, Jazz fans would be justified in wondering if a repeat could occur with Mitchell, Hood, or Exum.

Mitchell can go to the Stars. Hood and Exum are playing for their Jazz lives. Competition is good. Be nice if they could spread the floor so Rudy could do his thing though

[El Kabong]

Busy day I guess

Jonas Jerebko, 2 years for $8.2 million
Ekpe Udoh, 2 years for $6.5 million
Thabo Sefolosha, 2 years $10.5 million

Fills out the bench a bit, guess we're aiming to keep the D strong no matter who is on the court. Surprised they didn't go for Luc Mbah a Moute instead of Jerebko.

[Xiao Yao You]

Jonas is a guy that I had on their list before the madness began. He could be a good back-up for Rudy once Favors is gone. Might start next to him once Favors is gone though.

Udoh replaces Withey as a shot blocker at the end of the bench I guess


Yeah Moute woud have made sense pre-Rubio anyway. Now I guess it's all D. Offense be damned!

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]Tim MacMahon: Utah is expected to waive Boris Diaw, a source said. He will not return to the Jazz next season.

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]Shams Charania: Free agent Ersan Ilyasova has agreed to a one-year, $6M deal with the Atlanta Hawks, league sources tell The Vertical.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.ksl.com/?sid=45002429&nid=304&title=jazz-sign-swedish-big-man-jonas-jerebko-to-2-year-deal


That was because his 3-point stroke slipped last season, from a fairly consistent 40 percent shooter in previous seasons to 34.6 percent in 2016-17.

stlll decent for a big especially at the 5


Jerebko figures to play some backup power forward and even backup center for the Jazz.

Looks like the 4th big at the moment with Bolomboy's struggles

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.ksl.com/?sid=45004764&nid=304&title=euroleague-mvp-ekpe-udoh-signs-with-utah-jazz-on-2-year-contract


He'll likely back up Rudy Gobert at the center position, while providing decent rim protection and ball skills at the NBA level in Quin Snyder's offense, which involves big men frequently touching the ball at the perimeter.

From bust to Euroleague MVP. Be interesting to see what he brings. If he was younger I could see him being a different NBA player than he was but he's not

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.ksl.com/?sid=45002856&nid=304&title=the-triple-team-talented-suns-squad-dismantles-shorthanded-jazz


Donovan Mitchell sat out on the day after his 37-point, 8-steal performance Tuesday, once again putting the Jazz's backcourt in the hands of Nigel Williams-Goss and Tyrone Wallace.

And once again, both struggled.

Be interesting to see what happens with them. I had them pegged for the two ways which still makes sense if you think they have any kind of future.


And Griffin only ended up with one foul, a big improvement over the eight fouls he has picked up in two summer league games so far. I asked Griffin what he needs to do about that, and he put it very simply, "Stop with the cheap fouls. I get a lot of really cheap fouls."

Fouls wouldn't concern me too much. He'll be an end of the bench energy guy if he's on the team

[Xiao Yao You]

So the Jazz are at 16. Just the two ways to go? I'd think Joe Johnson gets moved. Diaw and Johnson for assets? Don't make any sense with the team now. So Johnson probably starts at the 3. :lol

Their depth looks decent. Should be a competitive camp. A bunch of guys that could be going into their last season with the Jazz depending on how things shake out. Go into next season with a lottery pick and some flexibility

[Xiao Yao You]

Gobert/Favors/Ingles/Rubio to start. Probably Hood the way the team talks and their love of him but he needs to come off the bench. I'd hope Exum or Mitchell can shoot enough to start at the 2.

Jerebko/Udoh/Burks/Hood or Seolosha with Neto/Exum or Mitchell for the 2nd unit?

Mitchell can start the year with the Stars with Bolomboy and Bradley if he's not quite ready. Goss, Wallace or Griffin for the two ways?

The team will probably look a lot different by the end of the season. Gobert and Mitchell and whomever else survives

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/blogs/jazznotes/5504376-155/report-utah-jazz-acquire-former-lottery


It might indicate the Jazz will part ways with Jeff Withey, who is a free agent.

You think? Hard to believe they brought him back last year. He can play. Might be able to start in the East! :roll:

[QUOTE]It

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/summer-league-intel-report-notes-buzz-from-nba-execs-on-stars-in-the-making/


Mitchell looking so good reflects worse on Denver, who traded down from the spot where he was available, to take Tyler Lydon at No. 24. Lydon has looked tentative and lost most of the time. Keep an eye out for this situation, it could become a thorn in Denver's side.

They got Lyles too. He's still young and talented. Needs to get his head on straight though

[Xiao Yao You]

https://www.slcdunk.com/2017/7/12/15957634/2017-nba-summer-league-donovan-mitchell-37-point-8-steals-joe-ingles-gordon-hayward-rudy-gobert

[QUOTE]How poetic would it be if Mitchell rises from the crater left by Gordon Hayward

[Xiao Yao You]

https://www.slcdunk.com/2017/7/13/15945758/2017-nba-free-agency-downbeat-utah-jazz-thabo-sefolosha-jonas-jerebko

[QUOTE]JaMychal Green (S&T): Memphis doesn

[Xiao Yao You]

http://purpleandblues.com/2017/07/13/report-utah-jazz-primed-make-significant-move-near-future/

I certainly see the team looking a lot different by the end of the year. Who makes sense with Gobert and Mitchell is the question now

[Xiao Yao You]

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/246874/Rockets-Knicks-Discussing-Four-Team-Carmelo-Anthony-Trade-Scenarios

Maybe the Jazz are part of this? Seems like they aren't done yet

[Xiao Yao You]

Tony Jones: The Toronto Raptors have reached out to the Jazz concerning Boris Diaw, sources tell The Salt Lake Tribune

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]Shams Charania: Utah has waived forward Boris Diaw ahead of guarantee date, league sources tell The Vertical.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.ksl.com/?sid=45011051&nid=304&title=boris-diaw-waived-by-jazz-before-contract-guarantee-date

[QUOTE]The Jazz now have 15 players on the roster who have signed contracts, the maximum the team can have to start the regular season. The Jazz can have 20 players on the roster ahead of training camp, however. Raul Neto

[Xiao Yao You]

Eric Griffin for Johnson's spot. Goss and Wallace on 2 ways

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865684724/Utah-Jazz-reportedly-agree-to-third-deal-of-day-with-former-lottery-pick-EuroLeague-star-Ekpe-Udoh.html


Utah now has 14 guaranteed contracts for the 2017-2018 season, with approximately $106.7 million committed in salary. Raul Neto has a nonguaranteed deal in place for approximately $1.5 million. Teams can have a maximum of 15 players on their roster.

So they are well below the tax lines. I think they used their exceptions for these signings so all they could do are minimum deals I think unless there is a trade. Johnson! Bolomboy is a partial guarantee too. Got to think Neto is around. I think he could be in the rotation still. One of the few guys that can shoot and defend


During the Final Four, Mike Schmitz of DraftExpress wrote about Udoh, noting how his game is more suited for the NBA now than it was even just a few years ago.

"More than anything, Udoh's Euroleague Final Four dominance emphasized the importance of having a big who can switch ball screens when involved in pick and roll, and put a lid on the rim when he's in help position," Schmitz wrote.

sounds like Rudy's back-up I guess

[QUOTE]

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/top/3917/0/Ranking-the-best-free-agent-signings-the-Utah-Jazz-have-ever-made.html

I wasn't a big Chambers fan but thought he was good for the Jazz


Carr was a key acquisition for the Jazz even though he came to Utah late in his career. He spent four seasons in a Jazz uniform and was a huge part of both runs to the NBA Finals.

should have been gone after 2


Eisley signed with the Jazz on multiple occasions

Sucked

[Xiao Yao You]

http://saltcityhoops.com/jazz-add-three-plus-trade-rumors/

[QUOTE]The Jazz can

[Xiao Yao You]

http://purpleandblues.com/2017/07/14/sportsline-predicts-utah-jazz-to-win-38-3-games-next-season/

[QUOTE] SportsLine had the Jazz finishing the 2017-18 season with a measly 38.3 wins. That

[Xiao Yao You]

http://purpleandblues.com/2017/07/14/calling-2015-derrick-favors-utah-jazz-need/


Offensively and defensively, the Utah Jazz are going to need Derrick Favors to reach his full potential. If he can, the Jazz will have a chance to continue to compete in a loaded Western Conference.

if he does maybe they can get something for him in a trade

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865684817/Moving-on-Utah-Jazz-ready-to-surprise-in-post-Hayward-era.html

[QUOTE]Lindsey pointed out that Hood

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]Tony Jones: SL over, the Jazz are hoping to sign Eric Griffin to a two-way contract, sources tell The Tribune. Griffin has other NBA interest as well

[Xiao Yao You]

http://purpleandblues.com/2017/07/15/this-utah-jazz-team-mirrors-the-replacements-which-isnt-a-bad-thing/
[QUOTE]
First, we signed Thabo Sefolosha formerly of the Atlanta Hawks. Then, came Jonas Jerebko, whose last team was the Boston Celtics. Lastly, we plucked Ekpe Udoh from the Euroleague. All three of these men are from different countries, but all have one thing in common

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/5511103-155/utah-jazz-refuse-to-back-down


"We feel like we can build defensively around Rudy Gobert," Lindsey told The Tribune. "We look at him, and he's a top 10 player and unique defender. So we wanted to build a team around his talents."

Was also a top 5 offensive player especially when they surrounded him with 4 shooters. Why not get guys that can defend and spread the floor?


We feel like we have a great player in Rudy, and we want to showcase his ability."

By making life more difficult for him? I don't see him being as effective rolling to the rim if they don't have shooters to spread the floor. Same with Favors.


Will the Jazz be able to stay healthy after a year where they were one of the most injured teams in the league?

It's the last two years!


Will Rodney Hood and Dante Exum be able to take the leap the franchise thinks possible?

They are expecting way too much from Hood. I can see him being a bit better than the beginning of last year. Make him a 6th man and watch him flourish in that role instead of trying to make him Hayward which he'll never be.

Summer League was encouraging for Exum but he looked good years ago in Summer league so he has a lot to prove still


On the surface, the Jazz still have a playoff team.

In the east or maybe even in a west that didn't get a lot better. Right now they should be able to compete but certainly look like a lottery team. Maybe they'll get lucky in the lottery finally


They won't be projected in the top four in the Western Conference like they would have if Hayward re-signed.

Not sure they would have been anyway. They downgraded the team while everyone else loaded up. No wonder Hayward left


Hood and Exum will be key. Hood will be a No. 1 perimeter option for the first time in his career, something he's been craving. He'll get all the touches he needs to increase his production. Utah's offense will run through him in important situations, and he'll be counted on to provide scoring.

This is shortsighted. Hood is basically what he is. Exum is a great athlete that has yet to show he can play basketball. If they are the keys they are in bigger trouble than I thought


He'll also be a marked man defensively. Hayward always drew the opposition's best defender, which allowed Hood and Joe Ingles to feast on lesser perimeter defenders. Hood won't have that luxury.

Which is a big reason he is a 6th man. He also needs the ball in his hands which would have worked better with Hill but Rubio will dominate the rock now. Off the bench he can dominate the ball like he wants


"We think Rodney has the potential to be in that 18 points per game range," Lindsey said.

Certainly but it would make more sense off the bench


We didn't want to bring in anyone who could get in the way of Donovan, Dante and Rodney. We want them to develop.

I think there are plenty of guys that could if they aren't ready. I have no problem with Mitchell starting the year with the Stars if he doesn't earn minutes


To replace Hayward's fourth-quarter scoring, the Jazz will turn to Hood and Joe Johnson, who was fantastic in the role last season. The Jazz have hopes for Favors' return to health and previous form.

Joe needs to go. Favors will have a hard time just like Rudy with out players to spread the floor


Assuming good health, it's a team that still should be playing once the postseason rolls around.

You're dreaming!

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/5512376-155/kragthorpe-who-cares-if-the-jazz


And as Miami proved last season, it is possible to be a top-five defensive team and miss the playoffs.

And that was in the east with shooters


admiring how the Jazz have become a defensive force in Snyder's three seasons after being worst in the NBA.

Gobert not Snyder. They have sucked without Rudy until the playoffs


Rodney Hood must become a more consistent shooter as a primary option

He's not really a shooter. He's a scorer


Gobert has to keep developing offensively and Snyder needs to maximize Ricky Rubio's passing skills, while somehow making him a better shooter.

good luck! Rudy just became less effective without shooters around him. Rubio will suddenly become a shooter?




After trading Rubio and acquiring point guard Jeff Teague, Minnesota coach Tom Thibodeau said opponents no longer would be able to go under screens on the pick-and-roll. That's how they've played Rubio, clogging the lane.

Which is why they got rid of him and they had a center that shot 3's!

[Xiao Yao You]

https://www.slcdunk.com/2017/7/15/15961736/2017-summer-league-donovan-mitchell-comparison-utah-jazz-rookies-takeaways-historical

[QUOTE]Also, looking at Trey Burke

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.ksl.com/?sid=45041618&nid=304&title=video-where-have-all-the-jazzmen-gone


With the roster at 15 players, the Jazz are done for the summer.

Still have 5 roster spots to fill for fall camp and 2 two ways. With Neto and Bolomboy not being guaranteed there should be plenty of competition in camp. Still got to think Joe Johnson goes though. Makes little sense now but than neither does most of the roster.

[Xiao Yao You]

https://jazzfanatical.wordpress.com/2017/07/15/bits-on-gordon-hayward-from-rudy-gobert-dennis-lindsey-and-gordon-hayward-interviews/

[QUOTE]Lindsey

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]Free-agent combo forward Luc Mbah a Moute has agreed to sign with the Houston Rockets, league sources tell ESPN. It is believed to be a one-year, veteran minimum arrangement.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/5515662-155/nba-rating-the-winners-and-losers

[QUOTE]The Northwest Division

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]David Pick: Source: Royce O

[Xiao Yao You]

https://www.slcdunk.com/2017/7/17/15980020/2017-nba-offseason-free-agency-utah-jazz-international-ricky-rubio-rudy-gobert-ekpe-udoh


On draft night, he aggressively traded up for Donovan Mitchell, who has freakishly long arms and a good nose for steals. He traded for Ricky Rubio, who has freakishly long arms and a good nose for steals. He signed Thabo Sefolosha, who has freakishly long arms and a good nose for steals (noticing a pattern yet?).

Yep no proven shooters


Utah has three players on their roster that were in the top 20 in STL% in 2016-17. No other team has more than two.

Hopefully it will lead to more easy fast break points. Don't see how they can score much in the half court


The Jazz were already top 5 in total rebounding percentage and top 3 in defensive rebounding percentage, and they added more rebounding to the team.

Did they? Hayward and Hill rebounded. Who did they get that will more? Udoh is a shot blocker not a rebounder

[Xiao Yao You]

http://purpleandblues.com/2017/07/17/a-far-too-early-look-at-potential-utah-jazz-free-agent-targets-in-2018/2/

[QUOTE]Kilpatrick showed the ability to score in bunches on several occasions this past year.

His shooting needs some work and the Jazz may not be in need of a shooting guard next season depending on what comes of Rodney Hood and how well Donovan Mitchell advances, but he could also very well be a steal in next year

[Xiao Yao You]

Fred Katz: Ekpe Udoh hasn

[Xiao Yao You]

Jody Genessy: Can confirm that the Jazz will sign Royce O’Neale to a three-year deal (one fully guaranteed) and Eric Griffin to a two-way contract. – via Twitter DJJazzyJody

Seems like O'Neale would have made more sense on the two way at 24 years old. Didn't have big numbers in Europe but is long of course! I think Griffin would be a perfect end of the bench energy guy like Booker and Johnson were.


Jody Genessy: These recent moves — Thabo, Jerebko, Udoh, O’Neale — by the Jazz are not setting up a potential trade, according to sources. – via Twitter DJJazzyJody

So 14 guaranteed contracts plus Bolomboy's partial. Neto could be out or they will eat some money? Johnson needs to go. He makes no sense anymore at his age for this team. His value will probably only go down. Might have to buy him out after the trade deadline so he can go play for a good team. 1 more two way contract and two more camp bodies which could be good players with Bolomboy only partially guaranted.

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]If O

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.ksl.com/?sid=45062873&nid=304&title=jazz-sign-royce-oneale-eric-griffin-to-contracts


O'Neale is a 3-and-D prospect

except for the 3 part! :rolleyes:


they liked his play in the ACB and with the New Orleans Pelicans summer-league team enough to give him guaranteed money

Looks like he rebounded, passed the ball and ot some steals.

http://basketball.realgm.com/player/Royce-ONeale/Summary/31723

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/5518411-155/utah-jazz-sign-royce-oneale-to


O'Neale, 24, played in a Jazz free agent mini-camp last year, and Utah came to admire his game but was unable to add him for the 2016-17 season. O'Neale has not played an NBA game, but played for the Golden State Warriors in Summer League last year.

So he's been on their radar since at least last year

Should be an interesting fall camp anyway

[Xiao Yao You]

The Jazz have liked him for two years. They look at him as a tough and hard nosed wing who they can develop https://t.co/huaNPi52ht

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865684992/Utah-Jazz-sign-Jonas-Jerebko.html

[QUOTE]I grew up a fan of the @utahjazz and now its official! Cant wait to join this amazing organization. Time to go to work #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/xQJKHnahP5

[Xiao Yao You]

http://purpleandblues.com/2017/07/17/utah-jazz-ink-royce-oneale-summer-league-eric-griffin/


In the meantime, minutes behind Rodney Hood, Ingles and Sefolosha may be hard to come by next season.

Exum, Burks... He'll be with the Stars. I wonder if they had to give him guaranteed contract because others wanted him while Griffin no one else wanted to give more than a two way too?


This could mean that a trade is in the works or the Jazz could part ways with either Joel Bolomboy or Raul Neto, neither of whom have full guarantees for the 2017-18 season.

Neither do. I'd think they need Neto with Mitchell and Exum still unproven though.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://hoopshabit.com/2017/07/16/utah-jazz-5-takeaways-from-2017-summer-league/

[QUOTE]The signing of Epke Udoh said a lot about Tony Bradley

[Xiao Yao You]

http://hoopshabit.com/2017/07/15/2017-nba-free-agency-grades-utah-jazz-will-add-jonas-jerebko/


But how many minutes will head coach Quin Snyder allot to Jerebko? The Celtics played him for 15.8 minutes per game in 2016-17 and 15.1 the season before. He could see additional time simply due to being the next true power forward up. However, other teammates could eat into his playing time for various reasons.

Looks like he's at the end of the bench to start the year. Rudy, Favors, Johnson and Udoh. Jonas could be in the mix later in the year when Favors and Johnson are gone I imagine


Snyder will also look to play small-ball, utilizing Joe Ingles, Joe Johnson, and even new arrival Thabo Sefolosha.

Hopefully Hood. He could really be something special at the 4. He's supposedly putting on weight. We'll see


Snyder leans towards a nine-man rotation for most games. Therefore, Jerebko will have to earn his time off of the bench.

Does he? He actually goes deeper than 10 a lot. Looks like he could have a roster of 13 guys that can play at the NBA level assuming they are healthy of course.


Grade: C+

I think he's a solid pick-up for the end of the bench. He's one of the guys I thought they should target. He is the one signing that actually makes sense

[Xiao Yao You]

https://jazzfanatical.wordpress.com/2017/07/11/bits-from-dennis-lindsey-sam-amick-rodney-hood-and-gordie-chiesa-interviews/


And so, our talk to Rodney is, is reliability [and] availability will be the two best abilities regarding Rodney Hood. It’s not basketball skills. It’s not character. It’s not intelligence. It’s not knowing how to play. It’s just now he’s moving into a primary role, and we think he’ll be able to handle it. But he’s gotta be able to prove that.

Now or never for him and a few others


You know, you — beyond that, I don’t know. I think, the other stuff I’d hear that I don’t have total clarity on is the George Hill factor, and the fact that they — there was a lot of noise that once George was clearly not coming back [to Utah], that Gordon was out of there.

I'd say Hill and not upgrading the roster. It was obvious they needed to add to the roster and thye downgraded. Can't blame him for leaving. They talked about spending money and they went the cheap route as usual!

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]Summer League buzz (Part 1): Donovan Mitchell already getting tagged as the steal of the draft. Dennis Lindsey, Jazz may have done it again.

[Xiao Yao You]

https://sports.yahoo.com/dont-sleep-retooled-gordon-hayward-less-utah-jazz-134102007.html


Rubio has been relatively healthy the past two years, and however you feel about adding the poor-shooting Spaniard at the point, another 75-plus games from him would be better than the hobbled half-season the Jazz got from Hill in 2016-17.

Rather have an injured Hill

[QUOTE]Utah should also expect more from Dante Exum in his second season back from ACL surgery. So, even after Shelvin Mack left for the Orlando Magic, there

[Xiao Yao You]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2721432-surprise-summer-league-revealing-3-low-key-rookie-of-the-year-candidates?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=programming-national


Coach Quin Snyder will want to use Mitchell right away.

Probably won't play enough for rookie of the year. The rookie/sophomore game and all-rookie team would be nice but wouldn't mean much considering Exum and Lyles made it last year to the game. :wtf:

[Xiao Yao You]

http://purpleandblues.com/2017/07/18/utah-jazz-editorial-gordon-hayward-will-regret-exchanging-rudy-gobert-for-brad-stevens/

[QUOTE]it

[Xiao Yao You]

http://purpleandblues.com/2017/07/17/utah-jazz-thabo-sefolosha-captain-nba-africa-2017/

[QUOTE]Last week, defensive specialist Thabo Sefolosha agreed in principle to a deal with the Utah Jazz. He

[Xiao Yao You]

http://purpleandblues.com/2017/07/17/jonas-jerebko-cant-wait-join-amazing-utah-jazz-organization/


Rudy Gobert, Joe Ingles, rookie Donovan Mitchell and now Jonas Jerebko have all made their excitement about playing for the Jazz very publicly known

and Goss

[Xiao Yao You]

http://hoopshabit.com/2017/07/17/utah-jazz-building-powerhouse-around-rudy-gobert/

[QUOTE]The Utah Jazz are in an NBA limbo. Do they blow it up after Gordon Hayward

[Xiao Yao You]

Scott Howard-Cooper: My favorite update: Jerry Sloan having a lot of good days and still around the Jazz. Glad I got the chance to say a quick hello in SLC.

[Xiao Yao You]

Jody Genessy: Jonas Jerebko said he was a Utah Jazz fan as a kid in Sweden. He bought a purple Karl Malone jersey and played as the Jazz in video games.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.ksl.com/?sid=45076787&nid=304&title=nike-to-release-gold-alternate-jazz-jersey-in-2017-18-season

That might be even worse than the green

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.ksl.com/?sid=45071009&nid=294&title=ben-anderson-with-nothing-to-prove-jazz-are-free-to-play


The Utah Jazz have spent the past two seasons auditioning for Gordon Hayward to stay with the team that drafted him.

Their audition 2 seasons ago may have been their mistake


After a brilliant close to the 2014-15 season, spurred by trading away locker room misfit Enes Kanter and replacing the lesser-talented Trey Burke with Dante Exum in the starting, the Jazz appeared to be on the rise in the Western Conference.

But a disappointing 2015-16 season, one that saw the Jazz fall short of the playoffs, meant the team failed to live up to the promise of the previous season.

But Lindsey is a wizard!


Other than perhaps showing a little more urgency, spending more money to woo Hayward earlier in his stead in Utah, the Jazz did everything they reasonably could to keep him around.

Everything but spend money and improve the team like they said they'd do


the Jazz should be fun to watch

I doubt they will be fun to watch with that offense

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/5522786-155/monson-the-jazzs-mysterious-new-puzzle


In his rookie year, before his first NBA regular-season game, which is to say during the preseason, this player punched Jamaal Magloire straight in the mug, drawing a one-game suspension.

:bowdown:

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nba-offseason-grades-sportsline-2017-18-forecast-for-every-team-2-fs-and-1-a-plus/


It's not their fault that they lost a star,

keep telling yourself that


SportsLine 2017-18 forecast: 37.9 wins (No. 12 West seed; 22.2 pct. chance at playoffs)

38 wins would be a pretty good showing with this roster

[Xiao Yao You]

http://purpleandblues.com/2017/07/18/nobody-world-needs-much-money-utah-jazz-forward-joe-ingles-plans-give-back/

Good for him! It sounds like he would have taken almost anything the Jazz offered him

[Xiao Yao You]

http://purpleandblues.com/2017/07/19/utah-jazz-renounce-rights-jeff-withey-tyrone-wallace/

So why not just keep Wallace stashed in Europe? The Spurs have a never ending amount of guys stashed. A big part of their success. Wallace could be good in a few years

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865685014/Analysis-Heres-what-the-Utah-Jazz-lineup-looks-like-now.html


Having delayed his decision four days after the beginning of free agency, Hayward inadvertently put the Jazz in a tough spot with limited replacement options available. The players Utah wanted to target came off the board before Hayward published his blog.

stop already! Almost everyone they wanted was still available. They wanted cheaper options and got them. I doubt anything would have changed if Hayward told them right off he was leaving except maybe Ingles wouldn't have been signed

[QUOTE]To avoid being last in points production, the Jazz are going to need Rubio

[Xiao Yao You]

At 6-3, Mitchell is somewhat undersized for his position, but his 6-10 wingspan will make up for it.

He's also built well


He's displayed an improved ability to create shots for himself and could play some backup point guard if needed.

I'd think ideally they love him to be the 1 eventually. I can see him getting the minutes there.


He's an all-around stud and a five-star prospect

Let's not get carried away by summer league


Shelvin Mack agreed to a deal with the Orlando Magic, opening more minutes for Exum as the team's primary backup.

Neto should be the back-up until Mitchell or Exum prove they can hit an open shot and defend and finish in Exum's case.


Exum has been mentored by Warriors great Baron Davis

Great? I hope he doesn't start taking horrible shots that he rarely makes ala Baron. Lyles love of Kobe got the best of him last year


Becoming an average shooter would propel Exum as one of the more dynamic backups in the NBA.

Even if he can hit open shots he still couldn't finish or defend without his hands


Johnson will spend some time at the four spot in Utah.

It's the only place he should play if they insist on keeping him. He'll be gone before the end of the year


Per-36 minutes, Burks averaged 18 points in 2014.

Higher than Hood and he's got a better all-around game. Don't think they like him as much though


Bradley has the size to replace Withey

Stars


Anything the Jazz can get from Sefolosha offensively will be an added bonus

Needs to be able to hit open shots


Jerebko could have a career resurgence with the Jazz, who will ask him to play a relatively major role next season.

I see him at the end of the bench until they move Favors and Johnson


Like Favors and Gobert, Udoh can't shoot, but will protect the rim.

Sounds like he has a mid range game and a hook


Neto's contract for next season is only partially guaranteed

no guarantee


it remains to be seen if the Jazz will pick it up

Unless Exum or Mitchell show they can hit an open shot I don't see how they let him go


Playing just 8.7 minutes last season, Neto hasn't had much of a role with the Jazz.

You mean other than starting most of his rookie year and being a back-up the rest of it as well at the end of last year before he got hurt? He's proven he can defend and hit open shots. He's the back-up as far as I'm concerned until someone proves otherwise


Griffin is a high-energy, shot-blocking big man who could actually earn minutes with the Jazz, although he'll spend most of his time with the Jazz's developmental team

Hard to earn minutes when you can only be with the team for 45 days. He may be able to get in the line-up after the trade deadline when the roster will likely look much different


He can do a little bit of everything and his game resembles former Jazzman Trevor Booker.

Actually thinking they should pick-up Chris Johnson. He's another long defender that can't shoot and plays with a ton of energy. Great guy to have at the end of the bench


Utah has a crowded frontcourt and Bolomboy will have to have an outstanding training camp to play real minutes next season.

Stars at least until they move some guys

[Xiao Yao You]

https://thejnotes.com/2017/07/19/utah-jazz-will-gold-alternate-jersey-next-season/


Through the years, the Jazz have most commonly dawned blue, green, purple and of course the traditional home white uniforms, so gold will certainly be a change of pace.

Green used to be worn only on St. Patricks day because Layden is Irish. Unfortunately that is no longer the case. Gold sounds like it may even be worse than green though!

[Xiao Yao You]

https://thejnotes.com/2017/07/19/jonas-jerebko-and-thabo-sefolosha-should-fit-seamlessly-with-utah-jazz/


If the team chemistry and defense are anywhere close to as good as they have the potential to be, the Jazz are going to remain an excellent team next year. Add in some internal improvement, some semblance of an offense coming together and of course a little luck, and this team could be primed and ready to surprise some people.

Unless they can run I can't see them scoring much

[Xiao Yao You]

https://sports.vice.com/en_us/article/wj8k8w/despite-losing-gordon-hayward-the-utah-jazz-will-still-be-very-good


No Hawks player on that team averaged more than 17 points per game. But three averaged more than 15 points per game, and six players averaged in double figures. By comparison, last year two Jazz players averaged more than 15 points per game but only four averaged in double figures. That ratio figures to change after Hayward's departure.

Wouldn't count on it. Hood and Burks can put up 15-20 a game if healthy and getting the minutes to do so. Favors and Gobert might be able to but I see the going tough for them without shooters. Who else is going to score?


Even if Utah's ultimate potential without Hayward is now lower, there's a benefit to unleashing lineups with no obvious weaknesses.

Isn't offense half the game? I'd call that a weakness


Rubio was also a train wreck in transition, but that shouldn't be as problematic with the slow-poke Jazz.

Transition was the one hope the offense had. Figured Rubio may help with that but apparently not! :rant


Hood, who will be 25 in October, is injury prone and less consistent than his ex-All-Star teammate, but he owns similar traits and a nearly identical physical profile.

Height and length wise. Muscle wise? :lol


Utah will politely ask him to increase his usage and efficiency this year, and it's very possible he obliges.

Usage sure. Efficiency?


a thicker free-throw rate from him would do wonders for this team.

It would but he doesn't like contact with his build.


Can a bulky forward share the floor with Gobert for extended stretches, or is Favors—when healthy—simply the best backup center in basketball?

He'll be starting and playing 15 or so minutes a game with Rudy until he is dealt


a trade deadline deal is conceivable given the increasingly uncomfortable offensive fit

it's a given!


There were rumblings in Las Vegas that Exum, who's already extension eligible, played in those exhibitions primarily so the Jazz could showcase his rapidly decreasing physical limitations to the rest of the league after having had left ACL surgery in early 2016. He just turned 22, and once more appears to have that special line-drive quickness in his back pocket.

He could definitely be gone by the trade deadline if he doesn't step up

The Hawks had shooters. Bad comparison. The Bad Boy Pistons would be a better comparison. How would they do in today's game?

[Xiao Yao You]

https://www.slcdunk.com/2017/7/19/16001814/nba-nike-uniforms-yellow-uniform-no-purple-utah-jazz-jersey-next-year

https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/j5ad-RVVq3s0D6xK_WrjuI5KlDA=/0x0:1200x675/920x613/filters:focal(504x242:696x434):format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/55796393/DFIVUmSUMAAznzu.0.jpg

Maybe won't be as bad as I envisioned. Better than green anyway?

[Xiao Yao You]

https://thejnotes.com/2017/07/19/should-kuzma-have-been-a-jazzman/

He is older! Bradley was a bigger need and has more upside. They said they wanted Mitchell and Bradley and got them.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://hoopshabit.com/2017/07/19/utah-jazz-nba-free-agency-filled-gaps/


Along with each contract being very reasonable as far as cost goes (making them more tradeable), every deal is only two years, with possible team options being reported for the 2018-19 season.

Trade chips! nice job wizard

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]The only recent import with stats similar to Doncic is Dario Saric, and he was 21 in his final season overseas. Doncic is 18, and he still has one more year in Spain before he

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865685162/BYUs-Davies-Plaisted-headline-players-with-Utah-ties-signing-to-play-basketball-abroad.html


Michael Stockton, Goettingen (Germany-BBL)

Stockton is as well-traveled as anyone on the list. After spending the 2016-17 season split between Russia and Greece, he is on the move to Germany, where he signed a deal to play with BG Goettingen.

He could have actually made sense for the current team. He defends

[Xiao Yao You]

http://saltcityhoops.com/favorable-returns-jazz-can-benefit-from-a-big-man-resurgence/

[QUOTE]In the summer of 2013, franchise brass essentially turned the team over to Hayward and fellow 2010 lottery selection Derrick Favors. The pair

[Xiao Yao You]

https://www.slcdunk.com/2017/7/20/16001022/2017-nba-offseason-utah-jazz-joe-ingles-new-contract-your-raul-neto-rudy-gobert-brazil

[QUOTE]A video surfaced of Jazz franchise man Rudy Gobert working on mid-range j

[Xiao Yao You]

https://thejnotes.com/2017/07/20/utah-jazz-purple-blues-rebranded-re-energized-j-notes/


There are other Jazz blogs out there and we dig what they do. That said, The J-Notes and all of the people who contribute to what we do here have a unique voice.

Yep no one else called the Jazz's big 3 Hayward, Hood and Favors in November over Hill and Gobert! :wtf:

[Xiao Yao You]

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/gordon-hayward-may-be-gone-but-another-sensible-summer-has-jazz-in-good-position/


3-and-D guy Thabo Sefolosha

3 and D without the 3! :rolleyes:


Utah will be OK precisely because it will not need to change the way it plays. It already passed like crazy, had multiple playmakers and stifled opposing offenses.

Actually they will have to change. They went from a team that tried to spread the floor and use different ball handlers and playmakers who now lack shooting and will have the ball in an old school pg's hands


Jerebko gives Snyder yet another option at power forward when he doesn't want two traditional big men on the court.

Which should be anytime Favors and Gobert aren't in the game together but who knows with this roster


the Jazz could conceivably be even better on defense than they were last season

They better be because they will have a hard time scoring points


Is Hood ready for a featured role?

if it's as a 6th man than yes


Is the organization committed to the Favors-Gobert pairing?

can't see it

[Xiao Yao You]

https://www.si.com/nba/2017/07/18/nba-rookies-summer-league-hype-lonzo-ball-jayson-tatum-josh-jackson?utm_campaign=sportsillustrated&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&xid=socialflow_facebook_si

[QUOTE]Mitchell coming in on a young team that won

[Xiao Yao You]

Guess Kyrie isn't a fit? He can shoot

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865685286/Utah-Jazz-officially-sign-Ekpe-Udoh-multi-year-contract.html

So only Ingles isn't signed now I believe. Can go over the cap to sign him. Still have a two way and two fall camp spots open though

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]The Knicks, obviously, have strong interest in Kyrie Irving (just like 29 other teams) but I

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.espn.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=y93x6hry

plus picks and cash

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]Adrian Wojnarowski: Justin Zanik and David Morway are joining the Utah Jazz as top front office executives under GM Dennis Lindsey, league sources tell ESPN.

[Xiao Yao You]

https://thejnotes.com/2017/07/21/utah-jazz-kyrie-irving-pipe-dream-facilitate-trade/

[QUOTE]the Jazz don

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]Tony Jones: The Jazz have a verbal agreement to re-hire Justin Zanik in a front office role and to hire David Morway, sources tell The Salt Lake Tribune

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865685345/Utah-Jazz-reportedly-to-bolster-front-office-with-hires-of-Justin-Zanik-David-Morway.html


Already known for having one of the stronger front offices in the NBA

known in Utah?

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/5538036-155/utah-jazz-hire-executives-justin-zanik


Zanik has been around the Jazz for the past few months, while general manager Dennis Lindsey has been waiting for a position to come open.

What position came open? I imagine they are giving them new titles. I believe they have a new assistant GM

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]Ricky Rubio: In the end, I think this trade (to Utah) is good for both sides because I had been there for six years and think never seemed to fully work.

[Xiao Yao You]

https://www.slcdunk.com/2017/7/21/16013372/2017-nba-trade-rumors-kyrie-irving-utah-jazz-ricky-rubio-cleveland-cavaliers-kevin-love


The Utah Jazz and Cleveland Cavaliers had been in trade discussions that involved sign and trading George Hill + picks/players to Cleveland in exchange for Kyrie Irving.

they had or were rumored to have had?


One would wonder if Ricky Rubio and his affordable contract would be enticing for Cleveland.

how does he make any more sense there than he does in Utah. Might be able to play Irving with Rubo though?


Ricky Rubio + Dante Exum for Kyrie Irving

Ricky Rubio + Derrick Favors for Kyrie Irving + Channing Frye

Ricky Rubio + Alec Burks for Kyrie Irving + Channing Frye

Ricky Rubio + Dante Exum for Kyrie Irving

Derrick Favors + Dante Exum for Kyrie Irving

Ricky Rubio + Joe Johnson for Kyrie Irving + Channing Frye

None of those are realistic unless Favors returns to form and Exum finally shows he belongs in the league with at least capable 3 and D abilities

[Xiao Yao You]

https://www.slcdunk.com/2017/7/21/16011212/2017-utah-jazz-rudy-gobert-abs-lifting-derrick-favors-downbeat-spacing

[QUOTE]they still managed to pump in 107.4 points per 100 possessions, giving them the league

[Xiao Yao You]

http://nbamath.com/ricky-rubio-is-here-to-sort-of-save-the-utah-jazzThe Jazz



traded a lottery-protected first-round pick to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Rubio on July 1, just as free agency was getting underway and in part because they thought it would help entice Hayward to stay.

they did it to save money. Signing Hill and upgrading the roster would have made it hard for him to leave. They made it easy


Sure, the Jazz lost 307.74 of NBA Math’s total points added (TPA) between Hill and Hayward. But they still have All-NBA center Rudy Gobert (308.95 TPA), swingman Joe Ingles (97.84 TPA), as well as newcomers Thabo Sefolosha (38.87 TPA) and rookie Donovan Mitchell (218.44 NCAA TPA) to pair with Rubio (82.72 offensive points added [OPA] in 2017).

All of them will have a more difficult time because of the lack of spacing


It’s unlikely head coach Quin Snyder changes his entire offensive philosophy, but with Rubio in the mix, the Jazz will probably at least try to get more shots up earlier in the possession.

Except Rubio isn't good in transition. The only hope is they can get something off the secondary break and won't be taking as many desperation shots as time runs out


Since he can find open players anywhere on the floor, his mediocre shooting percentages almost don’t matter.

We'll see. Towns is a special offensive talent. Favors and Rudy can't compare. Wiggins and Levine were also putting up bigger scoring numbers than anyone currently on the Jazz. Maybe Hood, Burks and the two bigs can benefit but it looks doubtful to me


the Jazz do not have a pick-and-roll mismatch monster like the Timberwolves do with Towns. But they still boast Gobert, who was just as effective. He notched 1.38 PPP as the roll man last season (95th percentile)—slightly higher than the aforementioned Towns (88th percentile). So while Utah may not have as many offensive options compared to last season after Hayward’s exit, this pairing should be able to generate points when sharing the floor.

Rudy was effective because they spread the floor around him. That won't be the case this year. He was best with 4 shooters last year. This year they look to start one! With 2 or 3 off the bench if they're lucky


But if they do find a way to compete, look no further than their new point guard to understand why.

Rudy and the D allows them to compete. They need to dominate against the east again. Wins will be far and few between in the west with little offense

[Xiao Yao You]

https://thejnotes.com/2017/07/22/utah-jazz-bring-justin-zanik-back-fold-add-david-morway/


he assisted the Jazz GM in the areas of salary management, contract negotiation and player scouting

He'll help them be even more frugal. Great!

[Xiao Yao You]

https://www.slcdunk.com/2017/7/23/16012862/2017-offseason-report-card-gordon-hayward-rudy-gobert-utah-jazz-boston-celtics


it is likely that the Jazz will be heading into the season with what they currently have

Still another two way as well as two more fall camp spots who could be good players with Bolomboy and Neto not fully guaranteed. JoeJohnson needs to go. Can't see him being on the team past buyout season


the Utah Jazz are still an exciting team to watch this upcoming season

not sure about that


Will Rodney Hood be capable of carrying such a load?

No and it's stupid to think he will. He's shown that he could be a great 6th man. Put him in the role he belongs and let him flourish instead of trying to make something out of him that he's not.


Will other players have Joe Ingles-like offseasons and change from 15th-man-caliber to starting-caliber?

talking to you Dante


Landing Kyrie Irving—as unlikely as that is—would definitely be a step forward.

He did play for Duke I guess. :roll:


There may be other moves available, but I do not see much more movement until we near the trade deadline.

I think things could happen in December once the guys signed this off-season can be dealt. Favors and Burks come out of the gates strong they could be gone quickly. The Jazz suck like I think they will will give them even more reasons to tank the best they can with Rudy around


losing Hayward hurts, and the way Utah lost him hurts even more.

It hurts that the front office basically begged him to go with their downgrade of the roster instead of what seemed like a team that definitely needed major upgrades especially after Lindsey said they would spend. Same old cheap ass Jazz. Same old local media praising them. :wtf:


I can’t help but think Gordon was overrated, and that the Jazz making him the #1 option would always leave us a Hair short competing with the upper echelon teams.
Hayward is not a #1 option, never has been. Never will be. He never exploded for big scoring games, and could have the quietest 25 point game youve even seen.
We’re a defensive team, and while not a horrible defender, I find what he does on that end average at best, and fully capable of being replaced.
We also have an offensive system that catered to his every need. Hood/Burks/Mitchell/Rubio/Favors/Jingles/Exum all will have more chances to score and facilitate. And not take up a crazy percentage of the cap. Great value.
The off-season signings will have the same impact Joe/Hill/diaw had, hopefully. I think they will. With Lion_Ekpe being a major surprise.
I know I sound like a hater for Gordon leaving. But I genuinely feel we are better without him.

I might have agreed before the playoffs. You must have missed that?


With Hill deciding to leave mid season and Hayward leaving, this became less of a problem for the Jazz. Don’t know what the problem was with Hill, but he never became the facilitator necessary to make the bigs on the Jazz a serious danger to the opposing team. Same for Hayward. Too many opportunities for Rudy and Derrick were missed. This will now I hope change.

Hill decided to leave? Favors needed the ball with his one leg? Gobert wasn't huge on the rolls?


A consistent point guard on the floor will win games. A back up point guard that distributes will do the same. A few more fast breaks could help with the win total as well.

Rubio and Exum are the answer?


Hill could not guard many games that he was able to play and Shelvin was as bad.

Hill was hurt. Mack defended better than Hands Exum


You might have a return to three/four years ago where five players are all average between 10-20 points a game.

I see maybe 4 guys.


Just being healthy makes up for the loss of Gordon Hayward

No it doesn't


Ricky Rubio – Does his elite passing and command of an offense, make enough of a difference? Last season every single teammate was better with him on the floor than they were without him. He got them easy looks. George Hill didn’t do that.

Wasn't Hill's job to do that. He was one of several guys that could do a variety of things which they now lack


4) Defense – Last year the Jazz were 3rd in Defense. Can we get better on that end? Can our good Defense turn into good Offense i.e. quickly turn blocks, steals and defensive rebounds into transition points?

The defense should be better but a bad offense will put even more pressure on the defense so we'll see how that goes. Rubio sucks in transition!

[Xiao Yao You]

http://hoopshabit.com/2017/07/22/should-the-utah-jazz-trade-for-kyrie-irving/

[QUOTE]In Pat Riley

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]On the afternoon of June 30, the sides thought they had a deal. On a conference call between the teams, everyone tentatively agreed. George to the Cavs, Love to the Nuggets, Harris and other pieces to the Pacers, sources said. Plans were put in place for a call to be arranged between George and Gilbert, an important step before the trade would become final, sources said. The front office began making other plans to complement George as free agency was about to begin.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/5536721-155/utah-jazz-say-small-market-teams-can


"The game is healthy and market size is becoming less relevant. Having said that, we don't have the margin for error that other big markets may have," Starks said. "We have to be better at managing our business. If we do that, we'll compete with anybody."

Yep. This one's on the Jazz. They decided to be cheap and downgrade the roster so he left. They keep Hill and upgrade the roster and he has a hard time leaving.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://saltcityhoops.com/why-this-seasons-jazz-will-be-more-fun-to-watch/


Jazz fans should be giddy at the prospect of the upcoming NBA season, which may well provide the most pure fun the fanbase has had in a long, long time.

seriously? The franchise going the cheap route yet again and we are supposed to eat it up? Last year was fun being one of the league's top teams

[QUOTE]expect a respectable win total and a return to the playoffs

[Xiao Yao You]

https://www.slcdunk.com/2017/7/23/16015048/utah-jazz-nba-rudy-gobert-best-center-defense-offense-statistics-mvp-dpoy


How does a top 10 player get forgotten as much as Rudy Gobert?

Because he doesn't put up the traditional stats. Even in Utah it took Hayward leaving for him to finally start getting respected like he should have two and a half years ago

[QUOTE]His offensive prowess is less obvious. He

[Xiao Yao You]

https://thejnotes.com/2017/07/23/utah-jazz-can-rodney-hood-take-guy/


Following the departure of Gordon Hayward and the problematic timing of his decision

Tell me who they were going to get if Hayward told them from day 1? Porter was matched and the Jazz could have offered him what the Nets did. They didn't. Gay was still available if they really wanted him. Maybe Gallinari? I think he's the only one they supposedly wanted that had agreed to anything and would the Jazz have paid him more and would he have wanted to be here? My guess is Ingles possibly not being signed would have been the only difference


Utah has done an exceptional job from a defensive standpoint, filling the hole left by Hayward with defensive specialist Thabo Sefolosha, as well as bringing in Donovan Mitchell and Ekpe Udoh.

Why not guys that can defend and shoot though?


But they need a player that can take most of the load at the offensive end and make up for what Hayward left behind. Rodney Hood will be that guy.

Expecting too much from him. Put him in a role where he can be best utilized. 6th man


There have been times over the last three years when Hood looked unstoppable. His handle is now good enough to get to his desired spots on the floor and the release point on his jump shot makes it impossible to stop when he gets going. There have been times where he looked like far more of an offensive weapon than Hayward.

There have been times says it all. 6th man


In more basic, commonly known stats, Hayward averaged 17.4 points, 3.6 assists, 3.8 rebounds, 1.0 steals, 0.7 blocks and 2.1 turnovers per 36 minutes in his third season.

Hood averaged 16.9 points, 2.2 assists, 4.6 rebounds, 0.9 steals, 0.2 blocks and 1.5 turnovers per 36 minutes in his third season (last season). So after three years in the league, Hood and Hayward managed to get into a stalemate as far as stats go.

Hood was a couple years older though and obviously hasn't put in the work to get better like Hayward has. He's no where near the basketball player Hayward is. 6th man


Rodney averaged 12.7 points per game last season, so he has some ways to go in matching Hayward. However, he was injured a lot last season so he couldn’t find a rhythm, and he played just 27 minutes per game.

He's got a history of being injured and as a 6th man he shouldn't play big minutes


With most of the shots that would otherwise be going to Hayward now belonging to Hood, provided he stays healthy, it’s not much of a stretch to say Hood can get to at least 18 points per game with a similar efficiency to Hayward.

No doubt in my mind he can score. But what else does he bring you if he's not scoring? He's not as good of a shooter as Hayward so I wouldn't count on him being more efficient either


This really surprised me because Thompson, Harden, Butler and DeRozan are all great players. There’s a reason that they were All-Stars last year and Hood compares really well to each of them.

Two of those guys are known as defensive players too Harden led the league in assists as well. Hood does mainly one thing. 6th man


In three years, I’m expecting Hood to be a far better offensive player than Hayward is now, but expecting that so soon is unreasonable.

you're dreaming. Hayward is a playmaker. Better shooter. Stronger finisher. Gets to the line. Hood isn't going to get much better. 6th man


Next season, the 15.8 shot attempts Hayward will no longer be getting will be divided up among Hood, Rudy Gobert and Derrick Favors with scraps being left to the rest of the roster.

Burks should be in the mix with Hood at least to start the year before they trade him. He's got an even more diverse game. Better finisher. Better shooter. Better playmaker. Gets to the line.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865685389/Hollis-How-will-the-Utah-Jazz-fare-in-the-wildly-talented-West.html


with stellar center Rudy Gobert protecting the paint, power forward Derrick Favors back at full strength, shooting guard Rodney Hood ready for a bigger role, versatile swingmen Joe Ingles and Joe Johnson doing whatever's needed, Rubio running the show and head coach Quin Snyder calling the shots, the Jazz certainly won't be the worst team in the West.

lottery

[QUOTE]I'd peg 'em to win 45-48 games and finish 6th or 7th

[Xiao Yao You]

https://www.slcdunk.com/2017/7/24/16017372/2017-nba-playoffs-the-downbeat-the-shot-joe-johnson-buzzer-beater-ricky-rubio-minnesota-hayward-woj


It really goes to show that General Manager Dennis Lindsey knows what he is doing, creating a stable environment where we do not need to worry about a coaching change every other season.

A Gm change might be in order though. Have a couple candidates in house now
The wizard? :rolleyes:

[QUOTE]Extending Quin Snyder

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.ksl.com/?sid=45148020&nid=304&title=early-reports-always-just-rumors-hayward-says-during-lengthy-free-agent-discussion-with-espn


"(The Celtics) are special, because of how special the fans are and how invested the organization is to winning. It's a special feeling, and for me, I wanted to try to continue that greatness to win now."

There it is. You can boo him when he comes to town and try to blame him for all of Lindsey's moves or lack thereof but he said from the beginning it was all about winning. The Jazz have never been all in. They downgraded the team after getting swept by GS and expect him to stay?


"It was emotional when Greg (Miller) talked about bringing a title to Utah, bringing it for his father (Larry H. Miller), to the community."

You talk big but when it comes down to it you were cheap as always. Sign Millsap, sign Hill. Pay tax as they said they would. Hayward stays.

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]Brian Windhorst: The Cavs have had all kind of talks with the Jazz over Melo deal, over Kevin Love deal. They

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]Free-agent guard Arron Afflalo has agreed to a one-year, $2.1 million deal with the Orlando Magic, league sources told ESPN.

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]The Atlanta Hawks have re-signed power forward Mike Muscala to a two-year, $10 million deal. The 6-foot-11 Muscala, who was an unrestricted free agent, could play a bigger role as he returns for his fifth season following the departures of Paul Millsap and Dwight Howard.

[Xiao Yao You]

Andy Larsen: Ingles on Hayward:

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]The Utah Jazz announced today that the team has re-signed forward Joe Ingles to a multi-year contract. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not released. The 29-year-old Ingles (6-8, 226, Australia) is entering his fourth NBA campaign, all with the Jazz, and his game has continued to grow and develop since his arrival in Utah. He finished the 2016-17 averaging career-highs of 7.1 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists, while ranking third in the NBA in three-point field goal percentage (.441), in 24.1 minutes per game.

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]Michael Scotto: Hornets worked out Norris Cole, Donald Sloan, Isaiah Canaan, Demetrius Jackson, JJ Frazier, Marcus Paige, Jared Cunningham and Nick Johnson.

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]One league source, who has been involved in some of the due diligence on a trade for Irving, said the Cavs had heard from basically every team in the league in some capacity, with some teams being more aggressive in their pursuit of an Irving deal than others. It

[Xiao Yao You]

https://www.ksl.com/?sid=45150383&nid=294&title=ben-anderson-gordon-hayward-compliments-critiques-jazz-on-his-way-out-the-door

[QUOTE]If Jazz fans are looking for one gripe with Hayward

[Xiao Yao You]

https://www.slcdunk.com/2017/7/25/16021182/utah-jazz-nba-offseason-free-agent-signings-rudy-gobert-joe-ingles-karl-malone-downbeat


He adds that the additions of Thabo Sefolosha, Jonas Jerebko, and Ekpe Udoh (and might I add Ricky Rubio) will be similar to the additions of George Hill, Joe Johnson, and Boris Diaw last year.

except for the fact they can't shoot!


The Jazz will be one of the deepest teams in the NBA next year, and hopefully get more our of their starting lineup than the pitiful 13 games last year.

Hopefully Hood will be on the bench and Favors on another team by the end of the year

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]Bobby Marks: The Joe Ingles contract in Utah starts at $14.1M in year 1 and descends each year with a $10.8M cap hit in 20-21. Utah with $111M in salary.

[Xiao Yao You]

https://www.slcdunk.com/2017/7/26/16030936/2017-nba-offseason-joe-ingles-signs-with-utah-jazz-downbeat-kyrie-irving-lebron-james-gordon-hayward

[QUOTE]This is amazing news to hear. Not only does it show Ingles

[Xiao Yao You]

https://thejnotes.com/2017/07/26/utah-jazz-make-another-move-stand-pat/

[QUOTE]And quite frankly, I think the Jazz ought to view 2017-18 as a year in which to evaluate for the future to see which players will fit into the long term plans and which ones may need to be reevaluated. So many of them, such as Derrick Favors, Rodney Hood and Dante Exum, have a severe need to re-solidify their worth this season and given that Utah

[Xiao Yao You]

https://thejnotes.com/2017/07/25/utah-jazz-editorial-three-observations-from-the-woj-podcast-with-gordon-hayward/4/

[QUOTE]there

[Xiao Yao You]

http://hoopshabit.com/2017/07/25/utah-jazz-3-reasons-will-make-playoffs-2017-18/

[QUOTE]Jazz general manager Dennis Lindsey isn

[Xiao Yao You]

http://sircharlesincharge.com/2017/07/25/ricky-rubio-fits-utah-jazz-2017/2/


Hayward was a very good defender, but the Jazz can make up for his loss on that end. Ingles, Hood and newly acquired Thabo Sefolosha gives them enough wings to hold down the spot.

now Hood defends too?


Utah was 4th in defensive rebounding and Rubio will help them stay there if not improve it

will miss Hayward there


Rubio will become Utah’s primary ball handler in pick-and-rolls. Expect Joe Ingles to still run some of his sexy secondary pick-and-rolls.

An where does that leave Hood who needs the ball in his hands. 6th man


Rubio will form a mean pick-and-roll tandem with Gobert. The Jazz have enough shooting around them

Ingles is enough?


Gobert could have a career high in points this year. He will get so many easy looks. Rubio’s passing and ability to dictate pace are perfect for Utah.

The defense will pack it in the paint with lack of shooters. Rudy did what he did last year with the floor spread


Utah will have to make up for it by adding more shooting around him. That means Favors probably won’t start at the 4.

You'd think but they added no shooters other than their 5th big! Favors starts. Have to showcase him to trade him. Too bad he won't have shooters around him so he can do his things


Most times, the Jazz will only keep one true big on the floor.

Except for the 15 minutes or so Favors plays with Rudy. Udoh is supposed to be able to play the 4 as well. The wings can't shoot either though!


A starting five of Rubio, Hood, Ingles, Jerekbo and Gobert is solid. They are also deep with Johnson, Favors, Mitchell and Sefolosha coming off the bench.

Jonas isn't playing until they trade Favors and Johnson. Mitchel is an unproven rookie. Sefolosha should be an end of the bench defensive specialist. At least you didn't mention Exum!

[Xiao Yao You]

https://www.slcdunk.com/2017/7/27/16047904/2017-nba-offseason-nba-expansion-draft-utah-jazz-what-happens

[QUOTE]If I had to choose 8...

Rudy Gobert - no explanation needed here
Donovan Mitchell - massive wingspan, ridiculous vertical leap, great speed/quickness with high upside
Joe Ingles - solid glue guy and the best 3 and D player on the roster
Ricky Rubio - best passer and point guard on the team, can run the offense
Dante Exum - still young and athletic with a lot of potential
Rodney Hood - good catch-and-shoot threat, potential as a #2 scoring option
Derrick Favors - when healthy, he produces at an all star level
Jonas Jerebko - good versatility and all around game
Just missed the cut: Joe Johnson (I love his game, but youth is more important moving forward), Thabo Sefolosha (already had a lot of wings, needed a 3rd big), Ekpe Udoh (Jerebko offers a more versatile game than Udoh), Alec Burks (I love the guy, but he hasn

[Xiao Yao You]

https://www.slcdunk.com/2017/7/27/16035992/2017-offseason-vivint-arena-renovation-quin-snyder-message-inspiration


the Utah Jazz have proven in every capacity that they are a first-class organization

unless winning is important to you I guess


Adi Joseph of USA Today ranked all 30 NBA teams by how much Kyrie Irving could help them. He put the Jazz at number three, in “the best fits” tier.

Hard to imagine an easier move here. The Jazz would have to give up recently acquired Ricky Rubio along with likely Rodney Hood, one of Donovan Mitchell or Dante Exum and a pick. But that hefty price would probably be worth it for a team with major offensive problems. The thing about this move is that it doesn’t seem like something the Jazz would do — they’ve built their entire team identity around defense and depth and would be sacrificing both.

Not sure I'd want to give up Mitchell. Everyone else except him and Gobert


Ugghh so painful, Locke just dropped a subtle little nugget
NYK wanted to trade Porzingis for Hayward at some point…

Posted by 00ster_Lag on Jul 27, 2017 | 5:30 PM

Jazz blew that one too!

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865685568/Morning-links-BYU-Utah-a-top-10-football-rivalry-signing-Ingles-was-a-great-deal-for-the-Jazz.html


"Utah lost both Gordon Hayward and George Hill in free agency, but retained Ingles by signing him to one of the best deals of the summer," wrote Engelmann. "While he doesn't dazzle with elite athleticism, Ingles simply plays smart basketball as a quasi-point forward in the Jazz's system. He averaged 4.1 assists per 36 minutes and, on the defensive end, had a respectable steal rate of 1.8 per 36 minutes."

Can he do more at 30-34 though? They need big minutes and more from him at the price they paid and I'm not sure he has any more to give them

[Xiao Yao You]

https://thejnotes.com/2017/07/27/utah-jazz-summer-spending-future-free-agencts/

[QUOTE]I generally refrain from beating the dead horse, but here goes

[Xiao Yao You]

http://hoopshabit.com/2017/07/26/utah-jazz-can-anything-expected-alec-burks/

[QUOTE]Even when he has played, Burks has proven to be largely ineffective. Last season, he posted career-lows in minutes, points, steals and assists per game while also producing the worst three-point shooting rate (33 percent) and overall shooting percentage (40 percent) of his career.

He fell completely out of the rotation toward the end of last season, failing to appear once in Utah

[Xiao Yao You]

https://www.slcdunk.com/2017/7/28/16050868/2017-offseason-nba-utah-jazz-dante-exum-critical-season


Before going down with an ankle injury, Exum was one of the more impressive players in the Salt Lake City Summer League

For 3 quarters!


But slowly Dante Exum saw diminished minutes last season, and average 18.6 per game, down from the 22.2 per game as a rookie.

As a rookie he defended and they were tanking. Last year they were sort of trying to win games and he no longer defended

[QUOTE] It was one of the few questionable coaching decisions that Quin Snyder has made. There were nine games during the season that Exum didn

[Xiao Yao You]

https://www.slcdunk.com/2017/7/28/16054330/the-downbeat-kyrie-irving-jazz

[QUOTE]If Favors ever makes

[Xiao Yao You]

https://thejnotes.com/2017/07/28/utah-jazz-nba-players-poke-fun-rudy-gobert-raul-netos-bromance/


Pretty hilarious stuff for two guys who surely have become fan favorites in Utah. Although Gobert is far and above the bigger star, hopefully Neto can have a solid summer training alongside his close friend and earn some playing time this season, because it would surely be fun to see the dynamic between these two guys continue on the court.

Neto is the most unappreciated guy on the team. Fan favorite? Would be great to see Neto on the court because he's good and has proven unlike others on the team

[Xiao Yao You]

https://thejnotes.com/2017/07/27/utah-jazz-derrick-favors-hard-work/

[QUOTE] Favors was once considered one of the NBA

[Xiao Yao You]

https://thejnotes.com/2017/07/29/utah-jazz-top-5-countdown-centers/2/


Many felt that the minutes given to Jefferson and Paul Millsap would have been better served by Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter.

And those people are idiots! Millsap is a multi-time all-star. Hayward might still be in Utah if Millsap was on the team.


2) Rudy Gobert

:roll:


A year ago, there was no way I was putting Rudy Gobert ahead of Memo. Following the events of last season, it’s pretty hard not to.

He's been the best center in Jazz history since December of 2014. It's not even close.


If you ask me (and even if you didn’t), Mark Eaton is one of the most underrated talents in the history of the game.

I take it you never saw him play. He is highly overrated. Basically he sucked. He was big. That's it. In today's game no one would get away with playing him. I'm not sure he would have played for anyone else ever really. The Jazz were better once he was gone and they could play 5 on 5 at both ends of the court


He probably deserves a statue next to John and Karl for making the team relevant in the early ’80s and helping it transform into a contender for years to come.

If the team starts giving statues out freely like it has retired numbers than what's the point? First Jerry and now the big stiff?


The fact that he changed a franchise (much like Gobert)

He changed the franchise? Not A.D., Griffith, Green, Thurl?
Rich Kelley is number 2. Tage #3. Okur # 4. I guess the black hole #5. Sad!

[Xiao Yao You]

https://thejnotes.com/2017/07/28/the-utah-jazz-are-facing-a-derrick-favors-dilemma/

[QUOTE]George Hill ended up opting to join the ranks of the Sacramento Kings this summer, which was an interesting way for Utah

[Xiao Yao You]

http://hoopshabit.com/2017/07/28/utah-jazz-chopping-block/

[QUOTE]This assumes that second round pick Nigel Williams-Goss, whose contract is non-guaranteed for next season, will either be released or possibly made the Jazz

[Xiao Yao You]

http://sircharlesincharge.com/2017/07/28/cleveland-cavaliers-uncertain-future-kyrie-irving/4/


UTA gets: Kyrie Irving, Tristan Thompson

CLE gets: Rudy Gobert, Dennis Schroder

ATL gets: Joe Johnson, Dante Exum

:roll:


While Tristan Thompson isn’t the same caliber player as Gobert, there isn’t too steep a drop-off in production statistically speaking – 9.2 TRPG last season for Thompson, 12.8 TRPG for Gobert; 3.9 ORPG for Gobert, 3.7 ORPG for Thompson. Obviously I can pick and choose stats to make my case, but check them out if you don’t believe me.

:facepalm


….. Utah will be making sweet music with Kyrie, Mitchell, Rodney Hood, Ingles, Thompson……

:rolleyes:


Why Cleveland Does It

Because they win it all. No mention of Rudy n why they do it though!

[Xiao Yao You]

https://www.slcdunk.com/2017/7/30/16065232/nike-nba-uniforms-jerseys-utah-jazz-alternate-gold-to-orange-gradient

Gold and orange? :coleman:

[Xiao Yao You]

https://thejnotes.com/2017/07/30/utah-jazz-run-deep-plays/


Is it possible that the Jazz run too deep?

I thought that might be the case last year but in the end all that were left standing were Hayward and Rudy so no espeically since few can actually shoot and score the basketball


On top of that, the Jazz are hoping to have a healthy Alec Burks and Derrick Favors for the start of the season.

Is Alec going to be healthy? Someone wrote that he'd still be rehabbing but I'm not sure if true or speculation though?


This all sounds great and the Jazz look substantially better than last season at the tail end of their roster.

highly debatable


Mitchell can also play either guard position as he showed in the summer league.

can he? In Summer league he can. He should be considered a G-leaguer until he proves otherwise. I think ideally him or Exum starts at the 2 but he needs to earn it bot be given it

[QUOTE]As of now, the Utah Jazz

[Xiao Yao You]

https://thejnotes.com/2017/07/30/utah-jazz-best-caseworst-case-scenario-series-raul-neto/


Barring an unforeseen shakeup, the Utah Jazz roster heading into 2017-18 is all but set.

3 more spots but don't let that stop you!

[QUOTE]I

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]The United-Thunder game is one of three that NBL teams will play against NBA teams this preseason in the U.S., according to The Telegraph

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]The Daily Telegraph can reveal the NBL has struck an agreement for the Sydney Kings, Melbourne United and the Brisbane Bullets to take on NBA teams in preseason clashes in the US in October. The Kings will clash with the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City on October 3, pitting Australian internationals Kevin Lisch and Brad Newley up against fellow Boomers Joe Ingles and Dante Exum.

[Xiao Yao You]

Newley is one of the better Aussie players right?

[Xiao Yao You]

https://thejnotes.com/2017/07/31/three-post-free-agency-questions-for-the-utah-jazz/


While there are still a few recognizable free agents left on the market (Deron Williams, Shabazz Muhammad, JaMychal Green (res.), Nerlens Noel (res.)), none really move the needle much.

Green should be starting for them. Why would they want a shooter like Shabzz :rolleyes:


Looking through the current Jazz roster, it is obvious there will not be a dip on the defensive end this next season.

There could be because the offense is so bad. Makes it tougher on the defense


Rubio is one of the best fast break point guards in the league

except he sucks in transition! :facepalm


The results were extremely encouraging for the Jazz next season. In the past 10 seasons, 11 teams have finished within the bottom 20 percent of pace, and also the top 20 percent in 3-point attempts.

The Jazz don't have the shooters though :wtf:


If the Jazz increase the turnovers they create on defense, continue with their slow style of play and have an uptick in 3-point attempts, their offense could remain above average enough to keep them in the fight for a playoff spot.

Who's shooting the 3's and why?

[QUOTE]It

[Xiao Yao You]

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/247074/Hawks-Waive-Diamond-Stone

He might be a good get for the other two way. He's very young and played a lot with the Stars so they are familiar with him. Big kid that even shot some 3's

[Xiao Yao You]

The National Basketball Association (NBA) and the National Basketball League (NBL) today announced that the Sydney Kings, Melbourne United and the Brisbane Bullets will take part in the 2017 NBA preseason in October, marking the first time that NBL teams will travel to the U.S. to play against NBA teams.

[Xiao Yao You]

Got to wonder if Diamond Stone had some off the court issues. He's very young and the Hawks are rebuilding.

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]Nets Daily: Keep hearing Nets interested in trading for, not signing, a big. Opens field up a bit but makes guesswork harder. 🤷🏻*♂️

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]Free agent Bogut has said around four unnamed teams have shown interest in his services but his future remains unknown ahead of the season start in late October. Jazz star Ingles has no doubt the 32-year-old Bogut would be a valuable asset after playing key roles for Milwaukee, Golden State and Dallas since joining the NBA as No.1 draft pick in 2005.

[Xiao Yao You]

https://www.slcdunk.com/2017/8/1/16072452/utah-jazz-highlights-2017-nba-offseason-joe-ingles-rudy-gobert-ricky-rubio-dennis-lindsey-downbeat


In Dennis Lindsey We Trust

speak for yourself!


This offseason cannot be graded by one singular indecision

Sure it can. The decision to be cheap and let Hill go and not upgrade the team made Hayward's decision an easy one.


This is pretty amazing work by Dennis to get team options on not 1, not 2, but all 3 contracts.

Would be amazing if they could shoot the ball but the fact that they can't except for 5th big Jonas doesn't make it anything special


The Jazz can match salary in basically any trade, have desirable contracts

Which contracts are desirable other than Rudy?

[QUOTE] Let

[Xiao Yao You]

Breaking News: President Trump has decided to remove Anthony Scaramucci from his position as communications director Steve Starks: There is nothing about Trump

[Xiao Yao You]

https://www.ksl.com/?sid=45245341&nid=294&title=ben-anderson-jazz-still-primed-for-franchise-changing-move


Paul Millsap would become a four-time All-Star, neither were difference-makers in the likeness of Gobert

Millsap would have been a difference maker especially next to Rudy and Hayward. They blew it big time all so Enes and Favors could play! :rant


Regardless of the Jazz approach to rebuilding, with the current design of the roster and structure of future contracts, the timeline for returning to contention should be significantly abbreviated compared to the most recent iteration.

don't count on it with the wizard in charge of things

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865685785/Rock-On-Gordon-Haywards-prison-break.html


If he truly was the franchise player, Hayward reasoned, why not simply lock him up?

He wasn't a franchise player until the playoffs last year. Looked like an overpay at the time

[QUOTE]Maybe because the Jazz tried to do that in 2017

[Xiao Yao You]

https://thejnotes.com/2017/08/01/utah-jazz-best-caseworst-case-scenario-series-joel-bolomboy/

[QUOTE]The simple best case scenario for Joel Bolomboy is that he remains under contract with the Jazz, but if he does so, beyond that hopefully he can fine tune his skills to the degree where the Jazz feel comfortable playing him more than just in garbage time. That still doesn

[Xiao Yao You]

https://thejnotes.com/2017/08/01/utah-jazz-history-counting-top-5-pf/

[QUOTE]he was among the league

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]Perhaps Johnson and Pelinka

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]Rick Bonnell: Source: @Charlotte Hornets signing UNC

[Xiao Yao You]

Maybe Wallace is going to get a two way deal too so the Jazz let him go? Really don't understand either move. Stash guys like the Spurs until they are too old to be an asset anymore. And then they traded Hanlan who looked good for an over the Hill Diaw and threw in another pick as well. :confusedshrug:

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]Scott Kushner: Sources said G Ian Clark has signed with the #Pelicans on a one year, minimum guaranteed contract.

[Xiao Yao You]

https://www.slcdunk.com/2017/8/2/16074198/2017-nba-offseason-rodney-hood-go-to-scorer-gordon-hayward-hot-cold-streaky-on-off-first-shot-make

[QUOTE]The key to whether Hood will have a successful year in 2017-18 will be how quickly Quin Snyder can get him involved in the flow of the game. Getting Hood involved early with easy looks (layups and catch-and-shoot threes were the best results) will make him much more likely to have

[Xiao Yao You]

https://www.slcdunk.com/2017/8/2/16081504/2017-offseason-utah-jazz-front-office-strategy-blue-ocean-g-league-joe-ingles-alec-burks-release

[QUOTE]Utah inherently has a disadvantage in the NBA market. Gordon Hayward

[Xiao Yao You]

https://thejnotes.com/2017/08/02/utah-jazz-oddsmakers-spurn-donovan-mitchell/

[QUOTE]The post-summer league ROY odds from Bovada currently have LA Lakers point-man Lonzo Ball as the odds-on favorite at 2/1. Next in line is Dennis Smith, followed by Ben Simmons and Jayson Tatum. This year

[Xiao Yao You]

https://thejnotes.com/2017/08/02/need-reassurance-utah-jazz-look-no-last-years-playoffs/

[QUOTE]While I certainly agree that losing out on a star player like Hayward is a setback, I think it shouldn

[Xiao Yao You]

https://hoopshabit.com/2017/08/01/3-australian-nbl-clubs-to-prepare-the-nba-for-2017-18-season/

[QUOTE]Former NBL MVP Joe Ingles began his professional career in the league while fellow Australian, Dante Exum, also has an affiliation with many of its players. Those two, in particular, will be certainties to take the court when the NBL side

[Xiao Yao You]

https://www.slcdunk.com/2017/8/3/16088164/2017-nba-offseason-utah-jazz-ricky-rubio-number-3-the-downbeat-vivint-arena-renovations

[QUOTE]After Hayward

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/basketball/australian-nba-star-andrew-bogut-training-in-us-as-four-teams-circle-for-his-signature/news-story/3f0d0012d7be09512f6706323f2f15bb

[QUOTE]If he doesn

[Xiao Yao You]

https://thejnotes.com/2017/08/03/utah-jazz-espn-projects-45-wins/

[QUOTE]Even with All-NBA center Rudy Gobert still on the roster, some pundits are sleeping on the Jazz.

SportsLine, for example, projected the Jazz as a 38-win team last month. And with a litany of Western Conference playoff teams making major roster improvements, it

[Xiao Yao You]

https://thejnotes.com/2017/08/03/joe-ingles-reminds-utah-jazz-fans-keep-proper-perspective/

[QUOTE]Although Hayward

[Xiao Yao You]

https://hoopshabit.com/2017/08/02/dennis-lindseys-shrewd-contracts-make-utah-jazzs-future-flexible/

[QUOTE]All the moves they had made over the past year

[Xiao Yao You]

https://hoopshabit.com/2017/08/02/utah-jazz-joe-ingles-wants-andrew-bogut-2017-18/

[QUOTE]Assuming Bogut wants to remain in the NBA, it won

[Xiao Yao You]

https://thejnotes.com/2017/08/02/utah-jazz-joe-ingles-wants-andrew-bogut/

[QUOTE]They were clearly willing to eat one contract when inking Royce O

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]Katz: Did you have that same mentality when you were in Utah and you actually got traded? Do you feel like you

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]Adrian Wojnarowski: Free agent forward Luke Babbitt has agreed to a one-year deal with the Atlanta Hawks, league source tells ESPN.

[Xiao Yao You]

https://www.ksl.com/?sid=45286878&nid=304&title=can-ricky-rubio-put-it-all-together-in-utah


People close to Rubio explained the downturn by citing what was happening off the floor. Rubio had grown close to Minnesota head coach Flip Saunders, bonding over the shared experiences of Saunders' Hodgkin lymphoma and Rubio's mother's lung cancer. Saunders died in October 2015, and the entire Minnesota organization went through the 2015-16 season in a grieving process under head coach Sam Mitchell.

But new team president and head coach Tom Thibodeau wanted to move forward — understandably. But Rubio wasn't quite ready: his mother passed away in May 2016 and Rubio invested his grieving energy into Spain's Rio Olympic campaign. By the time the season came around, Rubio needed a break.

Thibodeau wasn't going to give him one. Known for his never-ending deep yelling at players throughout games, practices, shootarounds, and everything else, Thibodeau's habits grated on a tired Rubio.

The coach changed the offense, taking the ball out of Rubio's hands somewhat. In October, a report came out that Thibodeau planned to make Kris Dunn his starting point guard 20 games into the season. And two games into the season, Rubio sprained his elbow, adding injury to insult. Rubio said the injury affected him throughout the first half of the season.

At least he has lots of excuses. Should fit right in.


And after that, he was on fire.

For the rest of the season, Rubio averaged 16 points per game on 42 percent shooting.

42% is on fire? I guess if Trey Burke is the standard maybe


The difference could not be more stark: Hill's strengths are usually off the ball, where he's an excellent catch-and-shoot finisher and attacker.

His strengths were that he fit right in being able to play with and without the ball like almost all of their non bigs could.


Rubio did really benefit from the spacing that Karl-Anthony Towns' shooting ability provided in Minnesota, and their pick-and-pop play was maybe Minnesota's most reliable scoring weapon.

Exactly. Minnesota couldn't shoot either but they did have a stretch big which the Jazz only have off the bench


"I think I can really help him play at an All-Star level," Rubio said of Gobert.

Way to go! He was already all-NBA without you :facepalm


Rubio's offensive problems are real, but they're in two areas: his catch-and-shoot ability and his weirdly awful layup game. To be sure, Rubio is one of the worst players in the league in both categories. Teams help off of him when he's spotting up anywhere

And that's huge. If I'm the other team the only guy I start the game guarding on the perimeter is Ingles.


Part of Rubio's renaissance over the second part of last season was hitting catch-and-shoot jumpers at 60 percent effective field goal percentage, which was even higher than Hill's season mark of 59 percent. It is reasonable to be skeptical that that improvement can last for a whole season.

Why be skeptical when the wizard thinks he is the man?


the Jazz are impressively confident they can change Rubio's finishing around the rim in a meaningful way. Two seasons ago, Rubio shot just 33 percent on layups, which is crazy, but he's improved all the way to 50 percent over the last two campaigns. That's still bad, but better. The Jazz's coaching staff believes that with drills and technique he can improve on that to become somewhere near league average — 55 or 60 percent or so.

The same drills that have Exum and Neto so effective at the rim? :rolleyes:


Last year, the Jazz had the third-best defense in the league but were just 25th in forcing turnovers.That figures to change in 2017-18 in a big way. Rubio has led the league in three of his six seasons in steal percentage, the percentage of opponent possessions where Rubio steals the ball away. Add Donovan Mitchell's talent (he picked up a summer-league record number of steals this July), Thabo Sefolosha's game (he was fifth in the league in steal percentage last season, tied with Draymond Green), and more playing time for Ingles (led the Jazz in steals last year) to that calculus. All of a sudden, the Jazz could be one of the best teams in the league at forcing turnovers.

How much will Sefolosha play without a shot? Mitchell could be in the G-league. Can Ingles be effective in more minutes?


"As you guys know, Quin trains and builds great habits."

The Jazz feel they can get Rubio back to elite defensive status.

So what about Exum, Burke, Kanter, etc.?


Jazz fans remember the 2015-16 season when poor performances in close games cost Utah a playoff berth.

Minnesota's been doing that for six years running. They've underperformed their point-differential win-loss total by 25 games over the course of Rubio's six seasons, and there are some that believe Rubio is primarily at fault. The Minnesota Star-Tribune wrote:

"Crunch time on offense often requires a player to beat his man off the dribble to score or... make a tough shot. Those are not Rubio’s strengths, and the Wolves have often struggled to get good shots (and therefore score) in the clutch as a result."

Now, to defend Rubio, the biggest issue with the Wolves in clutch situations has been primarily defensive, something that the Jazz should be able to figure out much better than Minnesota, thanks to Gobert at the helm.

The Jazz will give Rubio chances to show that the problems were Minnesota's, not his. There's statistical evidence that shows clutch performance should revert to the mean. But if not, the Jazz could end games without Rubio on the floor.

The front office cost them the playoffs by having Burke instead of a vet on the team. They will have trouble scoring down the stretch. Will cost them many games. Should he be on the team if you can't finish games with him?


There's reason to be optimistic here: if you can meld together the best stretches of Rubio's career, he could be an All-Star caliber player. A top-five passer with the pull-up game of the last two seasons, an aggressive catch-and-shoot game like after the deadline last year, and the defense of 2015-16, well, that'd be something special.

Something like a 2017 Jason Kidd?

"Jason Kidd is a big example where he improved his shot and then he became one of the best point guards," Rubio said. "The confidence they've shown for me from the beginning is awesome, and now I have to answer with good games. I have confidence in me."

For Rubio, now is the time to put it all together.

Kidd wouldn't fit either. Let's be realistic.

[Xiao Yao You]

https://www.ksl.com/?sid=45290209&nid=304&title=jazz-announce-shorter-preseason-schedule-with-international-flavor

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/jazz/2017/08/04/in-radio-interview-utah-jazz-president-drops-hints-on-new-nike-jersey-designs-inbox/

[QUOTE]It was one of the topics the Utah Jazz president discussed on a Wednesday radio interview on 1280 The Zone

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865686093/Analysis-Jazz-will-have-issues-with-floor-spacing-shooting-and-scoring-next-season.html


Utah Jazz will have issues with floor spacing next season

Ya think?


Based purely on the losses Utah suffered this offseason (Hayward and Hill) and the signings made — Ricky Rubio, Thabo Sefolosha and Jonas Jerebko — the Jazz are expected to make slightly over 22 threes per game, which would place them among the three-worst shooting teams in the NBA. This, of course, does not include the incoming production of Donovan Mitchell, who hasn’t recorded any statistics so thus cannot be used in the projections.

Jonas is the 5th big. No guarantee Thabo plays either


With a lineup of Hill, Rodney Hood, Hayward, Derrick Favors and Gobert (the team’s starting lineup last year), the Jazz had a spacing rating of 73.5. That rating, which Nick Sciria created to measure the success of varying lineups in terms of 3-point shooting, will dip to roughly 63.3 with the lineup Snyder is expected to trot out next season, which consists of swapping Hill out for Rubio and replacing Hayward with Hood in the starting lineup. If the projection holds true, the Jazz would go from being one of the league’s most efficient shooting teams to simply mediocre.

Ingles likely starts. Hopefully Hood won't but it sounds like he's the man in their opinion. Mediocre would look good right now. I'd say they could be awful


Finding Hood, who led the Jazz in threes attempted per game last season, and Ingles will be Rubio’s offensive priority.

Hood would be better off taking less 3's and getting to the hole. Ingles is a role player!


If the targets (Hood, Ingles, Mitchell, Joe Johnson and Alec Burks) aren’t hitting the shots consistently, the offense will have to become more complicated, since defenses will be looser on the perimeter, making life more difficult for Gobert inside.

Mitchell wasn't a great shooter in college. And Favors inside as well. It's ugly!


The Jazz wanted to find a couple of players known for their ability to knock down the outside shot, but the options weren’t available.

Sure they were. Another was signed today. For some reason the Jazz think it's 1997 again.


Sefolosha, Jerebko and Rubio are all somewhat versatile and have “Jazz DNA.”

The first two might not even play. Jonas probably won't at least to start the year. Rubio has Sloan Jazz DNA anyway


However, none of them will push the Jazz enough to keep their recent trend of increased shooting going. It will be up to the players that were already on the roster, like Hood and Ingles, to make up for what the Jazz lost this summer.

No they will need more from the new guys. The idea that Hood will somehow be more efficient with more shots or that Ingles will suddenly be more than a role player is unrealistic. Ingles is the guy I'm guarding on the perimeter. He will have a tougher time. Hood(and Burks) will be able to score but how efficient will he(they) be?


Favors at full strength gives the Jazz the best inside scoring in the league with the best passing guard to find those high percentage shots.
Chasing what everyone else is doing will fail the Jazz.

The rolls to the basket won't be there without shooters

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865685897/What-the-Jazz-would-have-to-give-up-to-get-Cavs-all-star-guard-Kyrie-Irving.html

Donovan Mitchell for sure and it probably still wouldn't be enough without Gobert


To get someone like Irving, the Jazz will have to part ways with promising players, including guard Donovan Mitchell. However, since Mitchell is technically a new signing, the Jazz wouldn’t be able to complete a trade with the Cavaliers until Friday.

Can't see it being enough. Maybe in December if Favors returns to form and Exum shows he can play finally they might be able to do something


Losing Mitchell would hurt, but it’s going to take years for the 20-year-old to reach Irving’s level, if he ever does.

Plays both ends. I wouldn't give him or Rudy up. Everyone else sure!


Mitchell would be carefully brought along and would play less minutes in Cleveland than he will in Utah.

not sure about that. He might be in the G-league for both


The previous report mentioned that Cleveland is also seeking a veteran player capable of starting and future draft picks for Irving. Utah would be able to flip newly acquired point guard Ricky Rubio, whom the Jazz received in a deal from the Minnesota Timberwolves in June, to Cleveland, filling the Cavaliers’ void after Irving departs.

Cleveland wants shooters like every team without the wizard running the front office. Doubt they want Rubio nor does anyone else


In this case, the Jazz would be the clear winner if they could land Irving from Cleveland.

In the short term sure. But if he leaves in two years and Mitchell becomes a two way star then no


Rubio is the pass-first point guard that Utah has been looking for since trading Deron Williams. Especially with Quin's coaching and the Jazz system, Rubio can be better than anyone possibly thinks. But shift to Irving and we're pass in the same shoot-first PG mentality that has plagued the Jazz for years.

They've been looking for one or you have? Sloan is not the coach. Most teams have a shoot first pg. The game has changed and the Jazz are going backwards


If UT is going to pursue a CLE player, I'd much rather see them going after Love. UT already has a PG but are weak at the stretch four. I like the idea of Gobert or Udoh with some triple combination of Hood, Ingles, Johnson, Burks, Mitchell, Jerebko, Sefalosha, and Love lurking at the 3-point line waiting for pinpoint passes from Rubio or Exum. That's a strong 3-and-D combination at the team level instead of just individually. It could be fun to watch. But we just need someone at the stretch four bigger than Johnson and with a better track record than Jerebko.

Doubt they are trading Love and Irving. Jonson was fine at the 4 before the GS series and they won't have to worry about them this year! Jonas will be of too once Favors and Johnson are dealt and he moves into the rotation.

[Xiao Yao You]

https://thejnotes.com/2017/08/04/utah-jazz-sefolosha-nba-africa-hayward-

[QUOTE]2kHayward

[Xiao Yao You]

https://fansided.com/2017/08/03/5-biggest-surprises-espn-nba-win-projections/3/

[QUOTE]Now we

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE]Tom Westerholm: Interviewer:

[Xiao Yao You]

https://thejnotes.com/2017/08/05/utah-jazz-best-caseworst-case-scenario-series-royce-o/

[QUOTE]What

[Xiao Yao You]

https://hoopshabit.com/2017/08/04/utah-jazz-5-rookie-season-goals-tony-bradley/

Show he can play in the G-league first

[Xiao Yao You]

https://thejnotes.com/2017/08/05/can-ricky-rubio-take-next-step-utah-jazz/


the Utah Jazz had work to do before the opening of free agency. In a desperate attempt to satisfy Hayward by surrounding him with young talent while retaining the cap space to pay him, the Jazz would trade for Spaniard Ricky Rubio.

downgraded the roster. Way to go wizard. Where would they be without you! :rant


So, going from a team that has been sub-par for so long to a team that made the second round of the playoffs last season will be an adjustment.

not the same team. He went from a lottery team to a lottery team

[QUOTE]this year

[Xiao Yao You]

https://thejnotes.com/2017/08/06/utah-jazz-best-caseworst-case-scenario-series-donovan-mitchell/


Mitchell looked like an NBA-ready player

Defensively anyway.


Obviously his playing time will be down, particularly initially, but if Mitchell reaches his potential early, he could find himself earning a much larger role sooner rather than later.

Knowing the Jazz he might lead them in minutes. Bolomboy is the only guy they haven't played and they are back playing for lottery balls again this year. I'd say ideally him or Exum starts at the 2 but I'm fine with him starting the year in the G-league if he's not ready too though.

[QUOTE]He averaged 15.6 points per game in his final year as a Cardinal while shooting 35.4 percent from deep and 40.8 percent from the field. For Mitchell to truly reach his best case scenario, he

[Xiao Yao You]

https://thejnotes.com/2017/08/06/four-reasons-utah-jazz-will-make-playoffs-2018/

[QUOTE]Hayward

[Xiao Yao You]

https://thejnotes.com/2017/08/06/utah-jazz-3-intriguing-lineups-next-season/


They have solid backup players at every position, and even some decent options when you start getting to the third-string players at certain positions (i.e. Raul Neto, Alec Burks).

Two guys that have actually proven themselves in the NBA unlike some of the guys you have ahead of them


Projected Starters:

C: Rudy Gobert
PF: Derrick Favors
SF: Thabo Sefolosha
SG: Rodney Hood
PG: Ricky Rubio

I'd say Ingles is the projected starter at the 3 after last year and his 15 million a year contract. Hood should be on the bench but it doesn't sound like he will be


Bench (in order of projected minutes):

Joe Ingles
Joe Johnson
Dante Exum
Donovan Mitchell
Jonas Jerebko
Ekpe Udoh
Alec Burks

Jerebko is the 5th big the way I see it. Hard to see Burks not playing if he's healthy. They need his scoring and they need to show he can play so they can deal him eventually. Exum has to show he can play or he shouldn't. No reason to baby him anymore. Mitchell can go to the G-league if there's not minutes for him to start the year. The roster will change a lot by the end of the year


More specifically, players like Joel Bolomboy, Tony Bradley and Raul Neto.

Neto should be in the mix since unlike Exum and Michell he has proven he can play in the league. Bolomboy looked good the couple times he played too. I think he could be in the rotation by the end of the year possibly.

The try and stop us lineup

[QUOTE]Donovan Mitchell, Rodney Hood, Joe Ingles, Joe Johnson, Rudy Gobert

This is one of my favorite lineups when examining the Jazz next season. The reason? It may be the best shooting lineup they can throw out onto the floor, but unlike most teams top offensive lineups, they won