2020-21 Regular season- The tax team [Archive] - Page 5 - Message Board Basketball Forum

Xiao Yao You

04-20-2021, 12:39 PM

https://www.deseret.com/2021/4/19/22391938/instant-analysis-utah-jazz-beat-lakers-in-wire-to-wire-blowout-victory-rudy-gobert-mike-conley-nba

The difference that Gobert makes on the defensive end is insane. In the Jazz’s overtime loss to the Lakers on Saturday, Andre Drummond had 27 points and Montrezl Harrell had 12, shooting 71.4% from the field. On Monday, Drummond had just 8 points and Harrell had just 2. Gobert was incredible on the defensive end and that’s almost something that is taken for granted at this point, but when he’s out for a game and then comes back, his influence on both ends is so obvious.

taken for granted for more than 6 years. People want Hayward or Mitchell or anyone to be the face not the guys that dominates

“I know last game Ersan (Ilyasova) did a great job of spacing the floor and also defending the paint and defending the rim, too, but he’s not a rim protector, so when me and Rudy come back, we just try to play good defense, keep the guards out as much as we can.” — Derrick Favors

You're not a rm protector either

If this is how Drummond and Harrell are going to play against the Jazz’s defense, then if these teams meet in the playoffs, the Lakers might be forced to play Anthony Davis at the five, which takes away some of their leverage offensively.

It's their best team. I'd play him and Lebron at the 5. Maybe some Gasol. The other 2 look unplayable against Rudy

Xiao Yao You

04-20-2021, 12:50 PM

Last March, with the COVID-19 pandemic shuttering the NBA and Rudy Gobert publicly targeted as the reason why, Mark Eaton fired off a few text messages to his seven-foot friend (https://www.si.com/nba/2021/04/20/rudy-gobert-mark-eaton-jazz-centers-relationship). “I just told him to hang in there and that it would pass,” Eaton, the ex-Jazz center, said in a telephone interview. “I think looking back if it wasn’t him, it was going to be somebody else within the next day or two that was going to kick it off. I just kind of touched base with him and said, ‘Hang in there. It’ll be O.K. Just keep your head up.’ ”
– via Chris Mannix @ Sports Illustrated (https://www.si.com/nba/2021/04/20/rudy-gobert-mark-eaton-jazz-centers-relationship)

The bond between Eaton and Gobert was forged in 2013, when the 7′ 1″ Gobert was little more than a supersized rookie. Eaton, who co-owns a restaurant in Salt Lake City, popped into the Jazz locker room a few times that year. (https://www.si.com/nba/2021/04/20/rudy-gobert-mark-eaton-jazz-centers-relationship) “Us seven-footers,” says the 7′ 4″ Eaton, “we stick together.” As the friendship grew, Gobert would drop into Eaton’s restaurant, even visit him at his home. “I love his insight,” Gobert told Sports Illustrated. Defense was a frequent topic of conversation: Eaton swatted more than 3,000 shots and picked up two Defensive Player of the Year awards in 11 seasons with the Jazz; Gobert has already been named the NBA’s top defender twice—and has more than 1,100 blocks of his own.
– via Chris Mannix @ Sports Illustrated (https://www.si.com/nba/2021/04/20/rudy-gobert-mark-eaton-jazz-centers-relationship)

Xiao Yao You

04-20-2021, 02:07 PM

Joe Ingles: We are SO grateful for the generosity of Gail Miller and the entire Miller family. Because of a matching contribution from the Millers of up to $25,000, any of you who donate now, your contribution amount is DOUBLED! Any bit helps!! Thankyou to Gail and the Miller Family! @LHM (https://*********.com/social/tweets/)
– via Twitter Joeingles7 (https://twitter.com/Joeingles7)

Xiao Yao You

04-20-2021, 07:08 PM

Andy Larsen: Ersan Ilyasova is questionable to play tomorrow due to hamstring tightness. (Donovan Mitchell and Udoka Azubuike remain out.) (https://*********.com/social/)
– via Twitter andyblarsen (https://twitter.com/andyblarsen)

Xiao Yao You

04-21-2021, 12:20 PM

https://www.slcdunk.com/the-downbeat-latest-jazz-news/2021/4/20/22394144/utah-jazz-bojan-bogdanovic-looking-better-off-injury

Jazz need him at his best to reach their playoff ceiling

no they need a coach that will put someone else in the game without hesitation

It’s that last statistic that matters most for the Jazz. When Bogdanovic is that shooting sniper they signed in free agency, the Jazz are at their best. When you have to stay attached to him on the wing, it opens up the lane for Mitchell and Mike Conley. And when that happens? The blender commences.

Almost everyone on the team can shoot and the others can rim run so you have to guard everyone. Comes down to who can defend and pass the ball. Neither of which Bojan is good at

I think the numbers help contextualize the big picture bc it definitely challenges my perception of how often he’s turning it over. And I think that it’s worth acknowledging that he’s typically not making plays for others in these scenarios and doesn’t see the help coming from obvious places. He could potentially be a pretty good weapon for attracting help.

Posted by Karl Stalone 32 (https://www.sbnation.com/users/Karl%20Stalone%2032) on Apr 21, 2021 | 6:42 AM (https://www.slcdunk.com/the-downbeat-latest-jazz-news/2021/4/20/22394144/utah-jazz-bojan-bogdanovic-looking-better-off-injury#539140326)

it's usually not pretty if he tries to make a play for others. He needs to catch and shoot period. Actually he needs to sit

His defense will be important in the playoffs.
I’m not saying he needs to be a lock down defender (ala Rolls Royce) but I could see him guarding Lebron for a few minutes, maybe even AD. Against the Clippers, he might have to guard Kawhi or PG. Against the Nugs he will get his turn on MPJ or Gordon. As long as he is not atrocious and scores more or spaces the floor for our guards, he will be a huge wild card for the Jazz. If we get the current Boogie, Jingles and JC the Jazz are going to be tough to beat. We have so much firepower on offense.

Posted by JMBDog (https://www.sbnation.com/users/JMBDog) on Apr 20, 2021 | 1:33 PM (https://www.slcdunk.com/the-downbeat-latest-jazz-news/2021/4/20/22394144/utah-jazz-bojan-bogdanovic-looking-better-off-injury#539108443)

again it's more if COTY sticks with him or goes to Morgan/Ersan/Brantley/Oni than Bojan actually playing D

Xiao Yao You

04-21-2021, 03:02 PM

Jonathan Feigen: Rockets guard John Wall added to the injury report with a migraine, but he is listed as probable to play against the Jazz tonight (https://*********.com/social/).
– via Twitter Jonathan_Feigen (https://twitter.com/Jonathan_Feigen)

Xiao Yao You

04-21-2021, 07:22 PM

Eric Walden: Ersan Ilyasova remains QUESTIONABLE for the Jazz’s game in Houston tonight (https://*********.com/social/).
– via Twitter tribjazz (https://twitter.com/tribjazz)

Xiao Yao You

04-21-2021, 07:24 PM

Eric Walden: Quin Snyder on Jordan Clarkson and Joe Ingles being the two betting favorites for Sixth an of the Year: “I hope they both compete with each other for Defensive Player of the Year, although I don’t know if Rudy would accept that.” (https://*********.com/social/)
– via Twitter tribjazz (https://twitter.com/tribjazz)

Rudy would welcome the help/ COTY with the funny! :lol

Xiao Yao You

04-21-2021, 07:25 PM

Sarah Todd: Quin Snyder said that the team was in the air when the Chauvin verdict came in and when the team landed they watched Two Distant Strangers, the movie that Mike Conley was involved with producing and said that it was impactful and timely (https://*********.com/social/)
– via Twitter NBASarah (https://twitter.com/NBASarah)

Xiao Yao You

04-21-2021, 07:25 PM

Alykhan Bijani: Kevin Porter Jr. is “out till Sunday” while in NBA Health & Safety protocols (https://*********.com/social/).
– via Twitter Rockets_Insider (https://twitter.com/Rockets_Insider)

Cayleigh Griffin: Coach Silas says Sterling Brown is in Houston and recovering (https://*********.com/social/).
– via Twitter cayleighgriffin (https://twitter.com/cayleighgriffin)

Xiao Yao You

04-21-2021, 07:33 PM

https://kslsports.com/457970/should-the-jazz-want-the-best-record-in-the-nba/

But what seed would benefit the Jazz the most?

really?

If the Jazz were to survive the hot-shooting Curry, they’d earn the right to host either the Denver Nuggets or the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round. The Lakers have dropped down in the standings without either LeBron James or Anthony Davis who have been out of the rotation with injuries for the last several weeks.

if they can't beat GS they don't deserve anything. Lakers are certainly the team to avoid but probably have to face them eventually anyway

If the Suns were to advance past Portland, they would host the winner of the Clippers and Mavericks in round two.

LAC are the best team right now. So Lakers or Clippers? Prefer the Clippers but right now they are the best team

Xiao Yao You

04-21-2021, 10:12 PM

dominating performance at both ends despite Clarkson and Bojan sucking as usual

Xiao Yao You

04-22-2021, 03:02 AM

Jeremy Lin talked with Emmet Ryan of BallinEurope about Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, and more, at the Collision conference, organized by Web Summit, which is being held virtually and staged out of Toronto, Canada. “What he’s doing is ridiculous. The end of the season will be interesting. He’s definitely a front runner right now and Denver is playing really well,” he told BallinEurope regarding Jokic’s position in the race for the NBA season’s MVP award, “The only other person I’d put into consideration is Steph Curry, what he’s doing is historic. There are good candidates on the Sixers and the Jazz but, to me, it’s still Jokic.” (https://www.eurohoops.net/en/nba-news/1197540/jeremy-lin-picks-nikola-jokic-as-nba-mvp/)
– via EuroHoops.net (https://www.eurohoops.net/en/nba-news/1197540/jeremy-lin-picks-nikola-jokic-as-nba-mvp/)

Xiao Yao You

04-22-2021, 03:04 AM

It’s been a busy awards season for Utah Jazz guard Mike Conley. After being named to the 2021 NBA All-Star Game, the guard’s short film “Two Distant Strangers” earned an Oscar nomination for the Live Action Short Film category (https://kslsports.com/455367/mike-conley-produced-two-distant-strangers-earns-oscar-nom/). Conley served as an executive producer of the film that was released in November of 2020. The film is about a Black man stuck in a loop, repeatedly killed by the same police officer and trying to figure out how to break the cycle.
– via KSL Sports (https://kslsports.com/455367/mike-conley-produced-two-distant-strangers-earns-oscar-nom/)

El Kabong

04-22-2021, 09:19 AM

dominating performance at both ends despite Clarkson and Bojan sucking as usual

Both are big problems. Clarkson has fallen back a step and Bojan seemingly hasn't been in rhythm all year. Luckily Joe has managed to take his game up a notch offensively lately, which is not something I thought he'd be capable of.

Xiao Yao You

04-22-2021, 10:57 AM

Both are big problems. Clarkson has fallen back a step and Bojan seemingly hasn't been in rhythm all year. Luckily Joe has managed to take his game up a notch offensively lately, which is not something I thought he'd be capable of.

Long time no see! Hope all is ok?

Yeah after Joe looked to be on the decline the past couple years he's better than ever and actually became an aggressive scorer. Apparently staying in Utah and working in the off season is the difference. Something good came out of the Trump virus afterall!

Xiao Yao You

04-22-2021, 11:05 AM

https://kslsports.com/458032/balanced-attack-leads-jazz-over-rockets/

Jazz Balanced Scoring Without Mitchell

Imagine that. Ball movement makes a big difference

“We take pride when someone’s out,” Ingles said. “When someone’s out we have to all step up and play better.”

Don't think that's really the case though. The defense improves and the ball movement improves. Would get even better if Bojan and Clarkson were out too. Snyder proof the team

Surprisingly, Conley’s scoring average has dipped from 16.3 points per game to just 12.5 points per game in Mitchell’s absence, but his ability to initiate the offense has increased.

Amazing what having the ball in your hands does instead of spotting up and watching Mitchell shoot does. Conley or Ingles should run the offense always

Xiao Yao You

04-22-2021, 11:16 AM

https://www.ksl.com/article/50151595/the---kings-mike-conley-and-rudy-gobert-lord-over-rockets

"I think they play harder when I'm out," Ingles said. "They told me that they try and get their plus/minus up when I'm out so I look bad, which is incredibly selfish of our guys."

two of the best players in the league come in and out of the game together and play less with Mitchell, Bojan and Clarkson. Not hard to figure out

Conley and Gobert figured out how to play with each other. They spent time in the offseason training as a duo to get each other's movements and timing locked in.

so why hasn't Mitchell been able to do this over several years?

Conley and Gobert pushed the Jazz out to a 9-point lead in the first six minutes before both heading to the bench. When they came back, the lead was down to 2. By their next break, five minutes later, Utah's lead had grown to 12 again.

that was the only bad stretch of the game

"It obviously shows the impact those guys have on the game," said Ingles, who had 21 points, six rebounds and four assists — but only a frail plus-15. "I don't know if it's a pointless stat or not — that's for the Twitter world to have a conversation about. But, I mean, if you told me something like that and the number that is, that's a pretty ridiculously high number, so it shows the impact those guys have for sure."

game to game it's pretty useless. Over the course of a season of seasons it has more meaning. They aren't 1,2 for no reason

"With me getting a little bit more comfortable in the offense, and defensively, quite frankly, me being able to give a little bit more on that end, I think (Rudy) really enjoys that and it kind of gets him going on the offensive end and it gets him running harder," Conley said "Gets him setting harder screens and rolling, knowing that I'm looking to make a play, I'm looking for him every time I come down and looking to throw a lob. … He just really feeds well off of just the unselfish nature that we have together."

I'm sure it's a lot different for Gobert knowing Conley and Ingles are looking to get him the ball instead of shooting it like Mitchell or Clarkson

Xiao Yao You

04-22-2021, 11:21 AM

https://www.deseret.com/2021/4/21/22395644/instant-analysis-no-1-utah-jazz-beat-basement-dwelling-houston-rockets-rudy-gobert-jordan-clarkson

All the usual suspects from the Jazz had a good night. Joe Ingles was firing without hesitation as was Jordan Clarkson, and the pair led the team with 43 points. Rudy Gobert and Mike Conley were a plus-44 and plus-46 respectively — which says a lot about them and a lot about the Rockets — while pitching in a combined 30 points.

JC firing without hesitation. Imagine that! :facepalm

I saw a lot of criticism on social media about the Rockets broadcast crew, and I get it, they aren’t great (a lot of really cringe-worthy stuff). But I do applaud them for trying to keep things light during a season when there is barely anything to be happy about.

Better than Bolerjack and whoever but who isn't

Xiao Yao You

04-22-2021, 11:30 AM

https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/4/21/22396914/utah-jazz-beat-houston-rockets-nba-rudy-gobert-donovan-mitchell-john-wall-quin-snyder-basketball

For one, I think tonight was a perfect example of how Bojan Bogdanovic needs to try and gather himself if he misses a couple shots early in a game. He ended the night with an unremarkable 14 points on 4-13 shooting and very clearly had a couple stretches where he was forcing the issue in an unproductive way. In a recent Downbeat (https://www.slcdunk.com/the-downbeat-latest-jazz-news/2021/4/20/22394144/utah-jazz-bojan-bogdanovic-looking-better-off-injury) Tavan wrote, he mentioned that part of Bogdanovic’s recent success has come from an uptick in his confidence with the ball. For Bogdanovic, a major marker in whether or not he is playing with confidence is if he attacks the basket looking to score rather than looking to draw a foul. Tonight, it was evident that the latter was happening.

he shouldn't be attacking at all. It doesn't usually end well. Catch and shoot period

i feel like Boler has no interest in any player outside of Jazz
the only time he refers to an opposing player is with "Oh my …. "

Posted by statpower (https://www.sbnation.com/users/statpower) on Apr 22, 2021 | 9:10 AM (https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/4/21/22396914/utah-jazz-beat-houston-rockets-nba-rudy-gobert-donovan-mitchell-john-wall-quin-snyder-basketball#539193874)

doesn't care much about anyone but Mitchell like most people I guess :facepalm

Xiao Yao You

04-22-2021, 11:34 AM

https://sircharlesincharge.com/2021/04/22/nba-team-playoffs-win-west-jazz/

The Utah Jazz appear to be in the driver seat to get the 1-seed and clinch homecourt throughout the playoffs. The Jazz have the best halfcourt defense, an elite halfcourt offense, elite best defensive rebounding and the best 3-point shooting offense in the league. But one hole that teams could expose with Utah is their transition defense.

that should be less of a factor in the playoffs.

“2020” version of Bojan Bogdanovic must return

no. Even at his best I'm not sure he's a positive. The coach needs to be able to sit him and others if they aren't getting it done which I'm not sure he's capable of. Would have beat Denver last year if he was

When the playoffs start, defenses will undoubtedly try to shut down the Mitchell/Conley/Ingles + Gobert pick-and-roll by hedging picks and getting weakside paint help from defenders. If they do, Bojan will need to be ready to knock down open 3’s or attack the rim.

More concerning will be teams attacking him and Mitchell at the other end

Xiao Yao You

04-22-2021, 11:41 AM

https://hoopshabit.com/2021/04/21/utah-jazz-nba-playoff-matchups/

It won’t be an ideal matchup for the Blazers by any means since the Jazz simply have an incredible amount of firepower, but for Jazz fans and neutral observers, this could be one of the more scintillating first-round matchups we’ve seen in recent history.

Portland sucks defensively. Should be a sweep

The Mavs are probably too good to be a bottom seed, which means that the Jazz could find themselves very unfortunate to have to meet them in the first round.

I love the way Gobert shut down Donic last time. Bring it on

While the Warriors are the inferior team to the Blazers and Mavs, simply seeing the world’s best 3-point shooter face off against the NBA’s best 3-point shooting team is enough to make this our top choice as a first-round matchup for the Utah Jazz.

They have champions so they could make it interesting but they just don't have enough

El Kabong

04-22-2021, 12:27 PM

Long time no see! Hope all is ok?

Yeah after Joe looked to be on the decline the past couple years he's better than ever and actually became an aggressive scorer. Apparently staying in Utah and working in the off season is the difference. Something good came out of the Trump virus afterall!
All is well with me, just cut back a lot on my computer time! Randomly came back while I had a spare hour at work tonight. Everything good with you?

Xiao Yao You

04-23-2021, 02:39 PM

All is well with me, just cut back a lot on my computer time! Randomly came back while I had a spare hour at work tonight. Everything good with you?

Yeah despite Trump's best efforts I'm alright. Things starting to get back to normal finally.

Xiao Yao You

04-23-2021, 02:45 PM

https://kslsports.com/458118/charles-barkley-i-think-the-utah-jazz-can-win-the-championship/

“Kenny, they’ve got the coach of the year, they’ve got two All-Stars, they’ve got the Sixth Man of the Year, I’m telling you,” Barkley protested. ” Remember last year they got jobbed because [Bojan] Bogdanovic didn’t play playoffs, they would have beat Denver last year if Bogdanovic had have played.”

They got jobbed because your COTY didn't make the necessary adjustments

Despite his arguments, (albeit flawed as the Jazz had three All-Stars) neither Smith nor O’Neal were ready join Barkley aboard the Jazz hype train.

really only 2 all stars and Mitchell

“I guarantee that won’t happen this year,” Barkley argued back.

How can you even say that? They could play the Lakers in the 2nd round

Xiao Yao You

04-23-2021, 02:53 PM

https://www.ksl.com/article/50152298/not-that-they-care-but-jordan-clarkson-and-joe-ingles-are-the-2-favorites-for-6th-man-of-the-year

"He's a hell of a teammate," Ingles said of his bench partner. "You guys should try and spend a weekend with him, he's a hell of a dude."

get more than enough watching the games but thanks

Xiao Yao You

04-23-2021, 03:02 PM

https://thejnotes.com/2021/04/22/utah-jazz-minivan-playoff-road-trips/

Of course, Utah is likely to earn homecourt advantage for most of the playoffs. Yet seeing that the squad’s 18-12 road record is a far cry from its 26-3 mark at home, the Jazz sure could use any help they can get from Niang when it comes time for postseason trips.

He'll probably be out of the rotation come playoff time. More Mitchell, Bojan and Clarkson!

Xiao Yao You

04-24-2021, 11:52 AM

Shams Charania: Kings guard De’Aaron Fox is expected to miss at least 10-to-14 days due to health and safety protocols, (https://*********.com/social/) sources tell me and @Sam Amick. Sacramento is currently three games out of play-in 10th seed.
– via Twitter ShamsCharania (https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania)

believe they are coming up

Xiao Yao You

04-24-2021, 12:02 PM

https://kslsports.com/458142/jazz-mailbag-will-dwyane-wade-help-recruit-to-the-jazz/

Opportunity will depend on what happens with Mike Conley this offseason and if the Jazz find a way to clear some cap space over the next several seasons. Otherwise, the only recruiting Wade could potentially help with is minimum-salary veterans.

you really thin they are going to try to clear Bojan, Clarkson and Favors? Sure would be nice. mitchell too

Anderson: This question comes from Mr.Monsta13 on Twitter about the Jazz supporting cast. As we saw last year, Donovan Mitchell is nearly good enough to carry the Jazz to a first-round series win by himself. With the excellence of Rudy Gobert and Mike Conley, especially against a lesser team in the opening round, the Jazz should expect to play in the second round.

He wasn't doing it by himself as much as he might try. They lost because of defense and we know he doesn't play any

Clarkson was almost exactly the same player in last year’s playoffs that he’s been for the Jazz this year. He averaged 16.7 points, shot 46 percent from the floor and 35 percent from three while playing nearly 29 minutes per game.

and he was awful

The question with Niang has always been how he matches up defensively, but he’s been significantly better on that end this season and is unlikely to have to play more than 10-15 minutes a night assuming the Jazz enter the playoffs healthy.

sadly he probably won't play and Clarkson, Bojan and Mitchell will play more

However, regardless of his status, it’s extremely unlikely we see him play again this season. He had already been jumped in the rotation by second-year big man Juwan Morgan, and that was before the Jazz signed Ersan Ilyasova.

how did Morgan jump him when he was already here?

Xiao Yao You

04-24-2021, 12:09 PM

https://www.ksl.com/article/50152876/can-the-utah-jazz-win-a-title-charles-barkley-sure-thinks-so

Donovan Mitchell led Utah out of the first round as a rookie, missed a game-tying 3 in the closing moments of a pivotal Game 3 in 2019, and scored the most points anyone ever has in a first-round series last summer. He's a playoff veteran now.

their leader :facepalm

Xiao Yao You

04-24-2021, 12:31 PM

https://www.deseret.com/2021/4/23/22397885/dont-expect-the-utah-jazz-change-donovan-mitchell-out-sprained-ankle-injury-nba

Don’t expect the Jazz to change things up while Donovan Mitchell is sidelined

well damn it they have. The ball is moving and the defense is improved. Maybe Snyder and Mitchell are noticing? :facepalm

Donovan Mitchell (https://www.deseret.com/sports/2020/12/10/22166539/utah-jazz-news-donovan-mitchell-nba) is the Utah Jazz’s leading scorer, averaging 26.4 points per game over the season. He’s more often than not the player that is initiating the offense and has the ball in his hands more than any other guy on the team.

the ball should be in Conley and Ingles hands. That is obvious

“I thought it was going to be different, but we are really playing great basketball,” Bojan Bogdanovic said after Wednesday’s win over Houston. “We’re moving the ball, every other day we are ending up with like with five or six players with the same number of shots, so we are team playing like we are No. 1. ... I think that’s why we are playing good basketball and we are successful even without our best player and our leader.”

Gobert covers your ass all night and you really think he's not your best player and leader?

Xiao Yao You

04-24-2021, 12:35 PM

https://www.deseret.com/sports/2021/4/23/22398037/jazz-insiders-path-to-top-of-nba-standings-udoka-azubuike-update

Through the last five games, Mike Conley leads the league in assists per game with 11.8. In that same stretch of games, Joe Ingles is shooting 54.1% from 3-point range on 9.0 attempts per game.

miss you Mitchell! :facepalm

Xiao Yao You

04-24-2021, 12:45 PM

https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/4/23/22400687/can-the-utah-jazz-win-an-nba-title-slc-punks-slc-dunk-podcast

Can the Utah Jazz win an NBA title?

yep if the coach could do what he needs to do and he can't as we saw last year against the Nuggets

The NBA isn’t focusing on the Jazz, are they right to ignore them?

ignore no? Dismiss sure

Then we talk about the state of the Utah Jazz. Just how good are they? Are they getting disrespected by the NBA not focusing on them, or is that disrespect warranted. What are the players that will make a difference for the Jazz? Is Bojan Bogdanovic the key to everything? Does seeding matter? If the Jazz get the 1 seed and face the Lakers in the second round, is that what you want?

Bojan is certainly a key. If Snyder sticks with him instead of going to better defensive players who actually play big than it will be hard to win. They don't want the Lakers for this very reason

We then discuss the playoffs. What do that Jazz need to do in the next month to prepare for the playoffs and what do we need to see from them to see them become a real contender? Who is the Jazz’s biggest road block in the Western Conference?

COTY, Mitchell, Bojan, Clarkson and Favors are their biggest roadblocks

Last season, AD was one of only two players in the league who ranked top-5 in both OWS and DWS (Rudy Gobert was the other). And LeBron is still a legit MVP candidate even with the injuries, which is absolutely remarkable considering he’s in his 45th season.
I wouldn’t put them top-5 this regular season, but they both easily were last season and it isn’t crazy to think that they will both be top-5 in the playoffs.

Posted by Kira Argonova (https://www.sbnation.com/users/Kira%20Argonova) on Apr 24, 2021 | 8:14 AM (https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/4/23/22400687/can-the-utah-jazz-win-an-nba-title-slc-punks-slc-dunk-podcast#539274536)

and Gobert isn't even the best player on his team! :lol

He played on some atrocious teams in NO, and he has thrived in LA.

Posted by cardsinindy2010 (https://www.sbnation.com/users/cardsinindy2010) on Apr 24, 2021 | 10:34 AM (https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/4/23/22400687/can-the-utah-jazz-win-an-nba-title-slc-punks-slc-dunk-podcast#539277798)

and if he was as great as he's supposed to be they would have been better anyway

I think if your goal Is simply to get to the WCF or Finals over everything else, you want to play whichever LA team is more banged up. If Lebron isn’t healthy then Lakers. If Clippers ibaka and their PG are still injured then I’ll take the clippers. Otherwise to be it doesn’t matter and I think I want them to beat both LA teams to get to the finals. Might as well prove them all wrong. I think the Jazz can do it. They just need Bogey and Clarkson playing well and Oneale to make 1-2 3’s per game on average. Clippers to me are now easier to guard with Rondo instead of Lou for the Jazz. And Lakers weakness on D is the 3 point shot if they have one. So there is a chance we g get hot and beat them too and they don’t have a lot of depth. Their center spot is either AD which makes matchups easier and gives them less versatility OR Drummond which is a win for Gobert

Posted by brianH85 (https://www.sbnation.com/users/brianH85) on Apr 24, 2021 | 8:05 AM (https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/4/23/22400687/can-the-utah-jazz-win-an-nba-title-slc-punks-slc-dunk-podcast#539274343)

don't want the Lakers if Lebron and Davis are healthy

I don’t want to have anything to do with Steph Curry.

Posted by JMBDog (https://www.sbnation.com/users/JMBDog) on Apr 24, 2021 | 8:37 AM (https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/4/23/22400687/can-the-utah-jazz-win-an-nba-title-slc-punks-slc-dunk-podcast#539275049)

first round shouldn't be close regardless

Quin has done so many things to get this team to the TOP of the NBA. He’ll finish 3rd behind Thibodeau and Monty Williams from what I can tell. What ******* garbage once again from the NBA hive mind. I’m pissed.

Posted by Alex Dye (https://www.sbnation.com/users/Alex%20Dye) on Apr 24, 2021 | 9:23 AM (https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/4/23/22400687/can-the-utah-jazz-win-an-nba-title-slc-punks-slc-dunk-podcast#539276098)

done so much to hold them back from their true potential

Xiao Yao You

04-24-2021, 12:55 PM

Boomers star Joe Ingles has confirmed he will compete at the Tokyo Olympics no matter how far his Utah Jazz side progresses in the NBA playoffs. (https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/basketball/tokyo-2021-boomers-star-joe-ingles-commits-to-olympics-despite-potential-clash-with-nba-season/news-story/df6521e8040be767aa9d07ea9db51cde) In a major boost for the Boomers, Ingles declared he will be a certain starter for Australia even if the Jazz reach Game 7 of the NBA Finals, which would finish a day before the Olympic Opening Ceremony on July 22.
– via Matt Logue @ Daily Telegraph
(https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/basketball/tokyo-2021-boomers-star-joe-ingles-commits-to-olympics-despite-potential-clash-with-nba-season/news-story/df6521e8040be767aa9d07ea9db51cde)

“There is no chance that I’m missing the Olympics,” Ingles told Shane Heal’s Basketball Show, with the full interview to be released this Tuesday via dailytelegraph.com.au. “I’d have a few beers on the plane heading over there (to Tokyo), and then obviously I’d get right into Boomers mode. (https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/basketball/tokyo-2021-boomers-star-joe-ingles-commits-to-olympics-despite-potential-clash-with-nba-season/news-story/df6521e8040be767aa9d07ea9db51cde) It is what it is. When you get into that lockeroom and you see your Boomers jersey hanging up, there is no better feeling. So, I could go off no sleep and seven games in a row and I’d find the energy to throw it on and play.”
– via Matt Logue @ Daily Telegraph (https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/basketball/tokyo-2021-boomers-star-joe-ingles-commits-to-olympics-despite-potential-clash-with-nba-season/news-story/df6521e8040be767aa9d07ea9db51cde)

“I think this year (with COVID) we’ve got to adjust and be adaptable to different situations and I think it is going to be the same with the Olympics,” he said. “I’m assuming it will almost be like a bubble scenario like we just had in the NBA, (https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/basketball/tokyo-2021-boomers-star-joe-ingles-commits-to-olympics-despite-potential-clash-with-nba-season/news-story/df6521e8040be767aa9d07ea9db51cde) where we will get tested, but we’ll just have to adjust. So, if that is what it is, me getting on a plane then and as soon as I do, I’ll get locked into that mode and get ready.”
– via Matt Logue @ Daily Telegraph (https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/basketball/tokyo-2021-boomers-star-joe-ingles-commits-to-olympics-despite-potential-clash-with-nba-season/news-story/df6521e8040be767aa9d07ea9db51cde)

doubt you'll have to worry about a finals game 7

Xiao Yao You

04-24-2021, 02:19 PM

A few weeks ago, Finch stressed to his players that he wanted them to “play through” Karl-Anthony Towns, the team’s starting center and another former No. 1 overall pick. Edwards took the message to heart. (https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/24/sports/basketball/anthony-edwards-timberwolves.html) “He kind of went through this period where he wasn’t aggressive at all because he was just trying to get the ball to KAT all the time,” Finch said, referring to Towns by his nickname.
– via Scott Cacciola @ New York Times (https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/24/sports/basketball/anthony-edwards-timberwolves.html)

After Finch got the job, he talked to Edwards about eliminating some of the low-percentage shots cluttering his games — the midrange pull-ups and the 3-pointers that he was launching off the dribble. Finch wanted him to get to the rim, seek contact and attempt more catch-and-shoot 3-pointers, because he was already making a solid percentage of those. “We wanted him to be more efficient,” Finch said. “So much about being a good shooter is getting rid of the bad shots.” (https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/24/sports/basketball/anthony-edwards-timberwolves.html)
– via Scott Cacciola @ New York Times (https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/24/sports/basketball/anthony-edwards-timberwolves.html)

There was an interaction with an Irish reporter that went viral after his accent drew admiration from Edwards — “I want to learn how to talk like that,” he said — and, more recently, the rookie’s introduction to Alex Rodriguez, who is nearing a deal to become one of the Timberwolves’ new owners. “I don’t know who that is,” Edwards said in a call with reporters this month. Edwards has since familiarized himself with Rodriguez’s body of work (he used to play baseball), and they even had an exchange on social media. “He was like: ‘What’s up, Anthony? I’m Alex,’” Edwards said. “And I was like, ‘What’s good?’” (https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/24/sports/basketball/anthony-edwards-timberwolves.html)
– via Scott Cacciola @ New York Times (https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/24/sports/basketball/anthony-edwards-timberwolves.html)

Dane Moore: Jaylen Nowell has been upgraded to questionable for tonight’s game (https://*********.com/social/) in Utah. Nowell has missed the last four games with a lingering tibia issue.
– via Twitter DaneMooreNBA (https://twitter.com/DaneMooreNBA)

Xiao Yao You

04-24-2021, 08:50 PM

https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/4/24/22401076/utah-jazz-vs-minnesota-timberwolves-can-the-jazz-overcome-the-pesky-wolves

The Wolves are a tough matchup for the Jazz because of Karl Anthony Towns. The all-NBA and two time all star is tough for Gobert to guard because he can take his game outside and knock down three just about as well as any center in the league. He is also a good passer, even though his assist numbers aren’t off the charts. As great as Gobert is, it is hard to defend someone that is a threat from anywhere on the offensive side of the ball. The Wolves also pose a problem for the Jazz with difficult to defend guards such as DeAngelo Russell and Malik Beasley, although Beasley will miss this game with a hamstring injury. The Wolves come into this game on the tail end of a frustrating season having lost 4 of their last 6 games and a loss in their last game against Sacramento after leading by double digits in the 4th quarter, “[it’s]..very deflating” said Wolves guard Naz Reid after the loss. We’ll see if the Wolves can find another gutsy performance in Salt Lake City tonight.

Towns has to defend too :roll:

El Kabong

04-25-2021, 03:41 AM

That game showed where we'll struggle, even if we do have Mitchell in the playoffs. Ball screens may work, but you can't keep doing it to generate scores when the opposition switches to cut that off.

Conley said they should have been more aggressive in driving to the basket once they started that, but basically we're relying on Mitchell and Clarkson going hot for at least 4 games in every playoff series at this point while being able to stop the opposition the other way, which we showed against the Nuggets last year we couldn't do.

Xiao Yao You

04-25-2021, 06:50 AM

Xiao Yao You

04-25-2021, 11:48 AM

https://kslsports.com/458226/timberwolves-sweep-jazz-in-utah-with-strong-defensive-effort/

With 13 games left to play in the regular season and a chance to clinch a spot in the playoffs, the Jazz coming up short against the second-worst team in the NBA is undeniably a concern.

Snyder not doing anything is the concern.

Additionally, when the Jazz have struggled this season, it’s often been a result of opposing teams beating them on the offensive glass and forcing them into turnovers as they did far too often against Minnesota.

too bad there isn't a PF on the team they could throw in there :facepalm

While Towns steps out to the three-point line to draw Gobert away from the rim, Edwards and Russell were able to repeatedly able to attack the Jazz perimeter defenders getting all the way to the rim for easy lay-ins. Whoever their first-round opponent ends up being, the Jazz are likely going to find a better defensive matchup than they do with Minnesota.

are they? Other teams will try to get Rudy away from the rim if they are smart.

Second, and most importantly, the Jazz should likely have Donovan Mitchell (https://kslsports.com/458189/donovan-mitchell-will-miss-at-least-another-week-with-ankle-injury/) back in the lineup come playoff time. The guard missed his fourth consecutive game for the Jazz and his absence was glaring.

oh joy!

Xiao Yao You

04-25-2021, 12:05 PM

https://www.deseret.com/2021/4/24/22392121/instant-analysis-utah-jazz-blow-17-point-lead-lose-minnesota-timberwolves-bojan-bogdanovic-nba

Nearly everything that the Jazz did well, they did in the first quarter when they scored 40 points. Royce O’Neale opened the game with a steal and a 3-pointer, Bojan Bogdanovic, Joe Ingles, Mike Conley and Jordan Clarkson were all moving, cutting, driving, shooting and it all looked great. Then the Jazz kind of stopped.

the defense was good 2 of the 3 remaining quarters

Niang was one of the few Jazz players that seemed like he had good shot selection and wasn’t hesitant when he got the ball. While a small high note, it’s probably not the one you want to see here and he only took six shots.

so why doesn't the coach play him more and sit Clarkson?

Donovan Mitchell’s floral sideline apparel was probably the highlight of this game. That’s not great.

oh yeah that was great :facepalm

Minnesota was running so much on the baseline and didn’t seem to get any kind of resistance from the Jazz. Credit to the Wolves for going with a ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ approach. Zero credit to the Jazz for not fixing what was broken.

that's on COTY

For the second time this season, official Bill Kennedy suffered an injury during a Jazz game at Vivint. Obviously hope that Kennedy is ok, especially considering that it’s his second injury here in Salt Lake City. Also, the lack of a third official makes the game harder to call for the two officials left on the court. Not great from any angle.

that's what I thought

Xiao Yao You

04-25-2021, 12:24 PM

https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/4/24/22401827/utah-jazz-lose-a-bad-one-against-the-minnesota-timberwolves

Donovan Mitchell is the epicenter of this offense. He’s the thing that stirs this pot and without him at the end of games it’s clear that the Jazz don’t quite know what to do. Utah needs to fix the effort issue with rebounding and turnovers (although with Bogdanovic at the 4 I don’t know how much better their rebounding can get) but there is some solace in knowing that when their best player gets back, they’ll have things locked in again like it should be.

they're in trouble. Maybe they should let Ingles and Conley play with the ball when Mitchell comes back so they do know what to do. Bojan isn't the 4. Ersan, Morgan and Bratley were available though!

It’s hard to give out an MVP in a bad loss like this one, so this is more of a silver lining but Bojan Bogdanovic took 13 3-pointers. That’s a big deal because he’s been very hesitant this season to shoo the 3. If Bogdanovic can shoot like this when Mitchell comes back, the Jazz offense has incredible potential for the playoffs (with whatever seed the Jazz end up with.)

they're D will be in trouble though

At #27 the Jazz selected Azubuike, a powerful and long defensive center, who most draft prognosticators projected to be selected in the late 30s/early 40s of the draft—in part due to his upper-classman status.
It appeared like the Jazz could have selected McDaniels, a player who plays a position of need for the Jazz, and then selected Azubuike in the second round of the draft—especially since the Jazz traded back in the first round of the draft and could have used that trade to get a higher 2nd round pick to get Azubuike.
McDaniels has been playing like a lottery pick for Minnesota while Azubuike has been injured most of the season for the Jazz with a high ankle sprain—including a week or so ago when the Jazz had to start Ersan Ilyasova at center and had a bad loss to the Lakers solely due to a lack of size (with both Rudy and Derrick out with injuries), and no player to counter the size of Andre Drummond.
Hopefully the 2020 draft for the Jazz—with the Jazz selecting Azubuike one pick before McDanieks—won’t turn out like the 2015 draft in which the Jazz selected Trey Lyles (a big lottery bust) one pick before Devin Booker (who has developed into an all-star).

Posted by Fesenko for President (https://www.sbnation.com/users/Fesenko%20for%20President) on Apr 25, 2021 | 8:29 AM (https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/4/24/22401827/utah-jazz-lose-a-bad-one-against-the-minnesota-timberwolves#539313593)

Center was what they needed. Already had Morgan and Brantley. McDaniels wouldn't be playing either. Lyles made sense as well

I really wish that when we paid $10m a year for a backup center, Nerlens Noel or somebody with a less calcified body got a phone call. Love me some Favs, but dude has looked a little washed for stretches of the year. Makes me sad.
-I really thought the loss of Bill Kennedy hurt us. The game became way more physical and mostly from the Timberwolves. We just don’t have a physical player on the team other than maybe Donovan, whose only able to be that way with the ball. They pushed us off our spots, dudes got hesitant, and it became a slogfest.
-The turnovers are the biggest issue this team has heading into the playoffs.
Ugly.

Posted by Karl Stalone 32 (https://www.sbnation.com/users/Karl%20Stalone%2032) on Apr 25, 2021 | 3:42 AM (https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/4/24/22401827/utah-jazz-lose-a-bad-one-against-the-minnesota-timberwolves#539309937)

I really wish they would have spent the 10 million on a starting 4. Mitchell is hardly physical. O'Neale is it as far as guys Snyder will play anyway. Clarkson, Bojan, Mitchell and Snyder are their biggest problems

I am partly chalking this one up as a scheduling loss. We left town last Friday evening, played 3 games and would have got home late Wednesday.
Leave again tomorrow, play 3 games, get home late Friday night after Phoenix and play Saturday against Toronto. That game could be ugly too.
My theory is the guys returning home for those 2 days probably jam-packed full with wife and kid activities was more of a distraction than being helpful. But the guys being vets I also think they will come out on Monday with a much more focused effort and we win easily.

Posted by SKMike (https://www.sbnation.com/users/SKMike) on Apr 25, 2021 | 5:08 AM (https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/4/24/22401827/utah-jazz-lose-a-bad-one-against-the-minnesota-timberwolves#539310620)

had 2 full days off!

Xiao Yao You

04-25-2021, 04:50 PM

JD Shaw: The Jazz could clinch a playoff spot if the Blazers lose to the Grizzlies today (https://*********.com/social/).
– via Twitter JShawNBA (https://twitter.com/JShawNBA)

Xiao Yao You

04-25-2021, 07:19 PM

Josh Robbins: Acting head coach Tyrone Corbin said Wendell Carter Jr. will start tonight but will have a minutes restriction after missing one game due to a sore ankle (https://*********.com/social/).
– via Twitter JoshuaBRobbins (https://twitter.com/JoshuaBRobbins)

you go Ty

Xiao Yao You

04-25-2021, 07:47 PM

Ben Anderson: The @Utah Jazz have clinched a playoff spot for the fifth consecutive season under Quin Snyder (https://*********.com/social/).
– via Twitter BensHoops (https://twitter.com/BensHoops)

Xiao Yao You

04-26-2021, 01:51 PM

Overall, Gobert is playing the best basketball of his career, and that also hasn’t been particularly close. And it shows up in the impact. With Gobert on the floor, the Jazz are almost 16 points per 100 possessions better than the collective opposition. (https://theathletic.com/2541627/2021/04/26/the-mvp-cases-for-and-against-donovan-mitchell-and-rudy-gobert/?source=rss) Without him on the floor, they are two points worse than the opposition. Defensively, he’s turned in signature performances that have been astounding. When the Jazz needed to rally from a 17 point deficit to the Indiana Pacers, Gobert’s defense in that second half was so good that the Pacers collectively couldn’t generate good shots. When Los Angeles Lakers center Andre Drummond dominated the Jazz recently with a 27-point effort in a game Gobert didn’t play, Gobert came back into the lineup a few nights later and held Drummond to eight points.
– via Tony Jones, Seth Partnow, Tony Jones and Seth Partnow @ The Athletic (https://theathletic.com/2541627/2021/04/26/the-mvp-cases-for-and-against-donovan-mitchell-and-rudy-gobert/?source=rss)

Xiao Yao You

04-26-2021, 02:01 PM

https://kslsports.com/458187/clarkson-ingles-sixth-man/

Where's JC in WARP? :facepalm

“I think those two guys complement each other really well in that sense that,” Snyder said. “JC has been able to see some of the playmaking stuff that Joe does and Joe has been able to see Jordan’s aggressiveness. And hopefully, they both encourage each other to play defense.”

Joe's definitely been more aggressive. Not seeing the rest COTY

Xiao Yao You

04-26-2021, 02:03 PM

https://kslsports.com/458263/mike-conley-produced-two-distant-strangers-wins-oscar/

congrats

Xiao Yao You

04-26-2021, 02:11 PM

https://www.deseret.com/2021/4/25/22398333/jordan-clarkson-and-joe-ingles-are-both-in-the-running-for-sixth-man-honors-utah-jazz-nba-6moy

“I used to actually think it was hilarious to watch him when I played against him with just how aggressive he is,” Ingles said. “He just always, regardless of who’s out there, or how you shoot, if you’re shooting really well, if he’s 0-for-10, he plays the same way. It’s an honor to be teammates with him. He’s a hell of a teammate.”

not so hilarious when he's on your team and you're standing around watching him

Clarkson leads bench players in field goals made and field goals attempted and has missed just four games this season.

leads in FGA? Amazing!

Clarkson has been consistent, dependable, is playing his best basketball and the Jazz are reaping the rewards.

consistent? He's been pretty bad for a while now

Xiao Yao You

04-26-2021, 02:28 PM

https://saltcityhoops.com/sc7-lineup-magic-6moy/

It’s that middle unit that hasn’t quite held up the same way without Mitchell’s dynamic scoring. This certainly isn’t Ingles’ fault; the lineup just doesn’t have a ton of creation options. Jordan Clarkson has been in a protracted funk (.525 true shooting for the last three months), and even at his best he is more bucket-getter than pure facilitator. Bojan Bogdanovic is mostly an endpoint in the offense, although he can hunt mismatches and occasionally be a second-side creator. Royce O’Neale doesn’t create, and Derrick Favors isn’t the same roll threat that Gobert is. That group’s best offensive staple is the Ingles-Favors pick-and-roll, but the 95.4 ORtg belies the fact that it’s just a more schemable group than the same quintet with Mitchell.

I thought they didn't lose anything with Favors? This is on COTY. Bench Clarkson and Bojan and play Ersan/Morgan/Brantley. Fixed. Tells you Mitchell is more of a 6th man than superstar too

In the past 10 seasons, only one Jazz player has had a 4-game stretch with 47 assists or more. That was Conley’s 4-game stretch that extended into this past week. He has just been superb lately, reading defenses and slicing up opponent game plans with smart passes.

too bad he'll be standing and watching Mitchell again before long

The Jazz’s pre-garbage time defensive rating against Houston was in the top 1% of all NBA games this season. When Gobert was on the court, they held the Rockets to 63.0 points per 100, and with Conley it was 55.8. Those numbers are borderline unfair. Houston shot just 3-for-15 (20%) on all shots where Gobert was the closest defender, and 2-for-9 (22%) when it was Conley.

if they only had their best player!

Ingles’ case is more about efficiency and impact. He now has the second-best odds to win at most sportsbooks that offer that bet, largely because he’s been ridiculously efficient. He doesn’t match Clarkson’s volume, but the he leads the NBA in 3-point percentage and eFG% among qualified players. He has the best RAPTOR WAR and VORP WAR of any reserve in the league (and 25th highest overall in both categories). He has started 18 games — and will certainly start more — but he will still comfortably qualify for 6MOY based on the league’s criteria.

should be him obviously but I'd be shcoked if it was

Jazz 111, Lakers 97: Joe Ingles. This could easily go to Gobert (it could almost always go to Gobert), but Ingles had a tremendous impact on this game. He had 21 points (on just 11 shots), including a 13-point, 5-for-6 third quarter that Utah used to pull away. He also had four rebounds and five assists, which means he edged Clarkson’s 22-3-1 and Bogdanovic’s 19-3-4. O’Neale had a tremendous game, making all five shots and narrowly missing a double-double. We’ll give this one to Ingles because he took over offensively in a way we don’t always see, and for his team-best +23.

could almost always but rarely does! :facepalm

Saturday 5/1, Jazz vs. Raptors: The Raps bottomed out at 18-30, but have since turned things around with a 7-5 April. That has prompted them to take Kyle Lowry out of mothballs, but the real story has been Pascal Siakam’s resurgence: 26-7-5 (rounded) so far this month. They still aren’t great defensively, largely because they give up the third most 3-point shots. They are employing some pretty complex schemes, their own players report (https://www.si.com/nba/raptors/news/toronto-raptors-freddie-gillespie-wont-reveal-secrets), but it hasn’t really worked, largely because they lost a lot of defensive talent in 2020 free agency. Fringe MIP candidate Chris Boucher is out indefinitely (MCL), and a few deep reserves are currently day-to-day, including 2014 Jazz draftee Rodney Hood.

Hood out!

Xiao Yao You

04-26-2021, 02:31 PM

https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/4/26/22403699/revisiting-the-historic-shooting-advantage-the-utah-jazz-boast-this-season

Full-year we have a +0.5 OReb advantage per game but I’m fairly sure that has also been negative over the past two months (anyone know where to find partial season stats on this?)
Even averaging a -3 possessions net per game costs us almost 3.5 points in expected margin of victory. That’s a lot to make up for purely through eFG efficiency. Would love for Utah to clean these areas up heading into the playoffs.

Posted by Korumbian (https://www.sbnation.com/users/Korumbian) on Apr 26, 2021 | 12:25 PM (https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/4/26/22403699/revisiting-the-historic-shooting-advantage-the-utah-jazz-boast-this-season#539358582)

Play Ersan/Morgan/Brantley and the offensive boards are taken care of. Mitchell and Clarkson gunning won't improve the ball movement though

Xiao Yao You

04-26-2021, 02:35 PM

https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/4/25/22397723/utah-jazz-fans-are-more-confident-in-the-team-this-week-even-with-donovan-mitchell-out-bojan

The best sign in recent games has been the offense of Bojan Bogdanovic emerging. In the last 7 games, Bogdanovic has shot 44% from three on 7.7 attempts per game. Considering that coincides with Mitchell going down with injury, and Bogdanovic getting more focus from opposing defenses, you can assume that production will continue when Mitchell returns. Of all the variables this season, Bogdanovic’s production has been the most inconsistent. But if that consistency is back, something Jazz fans grew accustomed to last season, there’s reason to get very excited.

best sign is ball movement and improved D. Hello Mitchell. Goodbye ball movement and D

Xiao Yao You

04-26-2021, 02:40 PM

https://thejnotes.com/2021/04/25/utah-jazz-dwyane-wade-fare-jazzman/

If a young Wade was on this Jazz team, he would be a bonafide star with the Jazz having one of the most talented guard duos in the NBA.

Conley and Wade would be awesome despite Wade not being a 3 pt shooter!

While the games of Wade and Mitchell are similar, the wing defense of Wade would help on the other end. While he isn’t the long 6-foot-7 wing defender that is perhaps the only request on the Utah Jazz wishlist, he is no slouch at 6-foot-4 and has a knack for stealing the basketball. The current Jazz would need this as they don’t get many points off transition.

he has like a 7' wingspan I think

Xiao Yao You

04-26-2021, 02:48 PM

Chris Haynes: The Los Angeles Clippers will sign DeMarcus Cousins for the remainder of the season, (https://*********.com/social/) league sources tell @YahooSports.
– via Twitter ChrisBHaynes (https://twitter.com/ChrisBHaynes)

sweet! Hopefully he plays a lot :roll:

Xiao Yao You

04-26-2021, 07:39 PM

https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/4/26/22404672/jazz-look-to-avoid-season-sweep-from-timberwolves

The Jazz will be without All-Star Donovan Mitchell for at least another week, and they haven’t looked very good without him in the lineup. Since Mitchell got injured, the Jazz are 2-2 against a skeleton squad Lakers team, and bottom-feeder Rockets and Wolves teams. Not great Bob. Who steps up to win these games without Donovan? Bojan Bogdanovic has been playing better, fresh off a 30-piece in the loss Saturday night. Conley’s been okay, but hasn’t elevated his play as much as the Jazz have needed without Donovan on the floor. Before Saturday night’s game Joe Ingles had been brilliant in the month of April. If the Jazz are going to avoid a season sweep to the Wolves, someone is going to need to step up in Donovan’s absence and get some buckets, especially in the closing moments of the game if needed.

except for the last 3 quarters they've looked great. Should have beat the Lakers even with the end of their bench

Xiao Yao You

04-27-2021, 06:16 AM

Rudy Gobert blamed himself for the Utah Jazz’s loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday evening. (https://www.eurohoops.net/en/nba-news/1199285/rudy-gobert-mistake-sends-utah-jazz-to-loss-nba/) He indeed left D’Angelo Russell with no opponent only inches away from the game-winning bucket. “If I don’t f… up the last play defensively, we end with a win,” he admitted after the 2020-21 NBA Regular Season game, “It’s totally on me. (Conley) was already out there. We switched. I should have recognized that. He did what he was supposed to do and I didn’t. So, 200% on me. It’s one of those plays, when you watch a replay, you just feel dumb.”
– via EuroHoops.net (https://www.eurohoops.net/en/nba-news/1199285/rudy-gobert-mistake-sends-utah-jazz-to-loss-nba/)

Eric Walden: Rudy Gobert, on his level of concern after B2B losses to the Wolves: “None. I would be concerned if we were giving up 140 points. … Every team has some nights like this. (https://*********.com/social/) Tonight, if I don’t **** up defensively, we win.”
– via Twitter tribjazz (https://twitter.com/tribjazz)

Xiao Yao You

04-27-2021, 02:15 PM

He just needs to see those few words when he unlocks his phone. That’s all he ever needs, really. “Kids are good. They’re asleep. We’re all good. Go focus. I love you.” Those texts from Renae, his wife, are the last line before Ingles goes out on the floor and does what Jazz fans adore: **** back his left wrist near his left shoulder and let the 3’s fly, pick-and-roll big men into oblivion with big man Derrick Favors, do that slow, old-school ball-fake near the rim that is more commonly used in rec-league games. And then, of course, jawing away. Joe runs to the locker room six minutes before tip every night. It’s his routine. The only obligation. Check the phone, hope to see everything went well, and then go piss. “I just need to know that for peace of mind,” Ingles told The Athletic. “If I know they’re good, I get to go into a game and play free and do what I need to do.” (https://theathletic.com/2544879/2021/04/27/joe-ingles-breakout-season-with-the-jazz-is-because-now-as-a-father-first-its-just-f-ing-basketball/?source=rss)
– via Christopher Kamrani @ The Athletic (https://theathletic.com/2544879/2021/04/27/joe-ingles-breakout-season-with-the-jazz-is-because-now-as-a-father-first-its-just-f-ing-basketball/?source=rss)

The Ingles have a system worked out in case of an emergency. If Jacob is having an episode or if any of the kids are sick enough to the point where Renae has to feel like she might make a doctor’s run, she will text Jazz head trainer Mike Elliott just to let Joe know what’s going on (https://theathletic.com/2544879/2021/04/27/joe-ingles-breakout-season-with-the-jazz-is-because-now-as-a-father-first-its-just-f-ing-basketball/?source=rss). The last thing she wants is for Joe to go back to his phone and see news that would make his heart drop into his stomach. Recently, Joe said Jack had a rash and Renae took the baby to the pediatrician. It was all good. But she still let him know through Elliott. Part of playing free this year is understanding and embracing the anxieties of being a parent, Renae said. Transparency destigmatizes what most parents encounter on a daily basis. Just because the Ingles’ are celebrities here in Utah and back home in Australia doesn’t make them exempt from the potential harsh realities of life.
– via Christopher Kamrani @ The Athletic (https://theathletic.com/2544879/2021/04/27/joe-ingles-breakout-season-with-the-jazz-is-because-now-as-a-father-first-its-just-f-ing-basketball/?source=rss)

“I still love it. I still love competing. I still want to win,” Ingles said. “I want to win a championship. I want to help Utah win its first championship. I think that would be the best feeling in the world. But don’t get it twisted. If we were in Game 5 of the Finals, my family is still my No. 1 priority.” (https://theathletic.com/2544879/2021/04/27/joe-ingles-breakout-season-with-the-jazz-is-because-now-as-a-father-first-its-just-f-ing-basketball/?source=rss)
– via Christopher Kamrani @ The Athletic (https://theathletic.com/2544879/2021/04/27/joe-ingles-breakout-season-with-the-jazz-is-because-now-as-a-father-first-its-just-f-ing-basketball/?source=rss)

Xiao Yao You

04-27-2021, 02:28 PM

https://kslsports.com/458312/deja-vu-as-jazz-are-swept-by-timberwolves/

Like Saturday’s loss, this shouldn’t be a major concern for Jazz fans (regardless of what the Twitter timeline says) as they have once again proven to struggle specifically with Minnesota’s big guards, Karl-Anthony Towns’ ability to spread the floor, and the absence of Donovan Mitchell.

the problem isn't Mitchell. It's the coach thinking Clarkson and Bojan are going to shoot you to glory. Ersan gave them some good minutes. Why does Forrest keep seeing the floor? Play Morgan and Brantley. Try something different! :facepalm

“We were supposed to just clear the court open and create a one-on-one situation,” Conley said. “It got crowded there, Rudy came up and tried to make a play and there was nowhere to go.”

Conley went the wrong way on the screen.

Gobert is the league’s best defender and screen setter, so for the All-NBA center to make two costly mistakes late in the game is right to hurt, it shouldn’t stand as the strong indicator of what is yet to come for the Jazz.

not even in the game without Rudy shutting down the Twolves. The fact that it came down to the end is on the coach and his guys Clarkson and Bojan

Xiao Yao You

04-27-2021, 02:30 PM

https://kslsports.com/458306/late-layup-by-timberwolves-hands-jazz-second-straight-loss/

The Timberwolves put the clamps down on defense in the second quarter by outscoring the Jazz 32-14 and took a 49-47 lead. D’Angelo Russell went off in the second quarter, scoring 15 of his 18 first half points. Ersan Ilyasova had five points in the second for the Jazz and he led the team. They shot just 19 percent from the floor on 5-of-26 shooting.

and why didn't you stick with Ersan? He plays tough physical ball.

Xiao Yao You

04-27-2021, 02:31 PM

https://kslsports.com/458308/niang-clarkson-start-fourth-quarter-with-four-threes-against-timberwolves/

The Jazz (https://kslsports.com/category/jazz/) were trailing the Minnesota Timberwolves 83-70 to start the fourth quarter before Niang and Clarkson gave a little spark. Niang hit the first three-pointer of the fourth quarter to trim the deficit to 83-73. Minnesota made a bucket before Jordan Clarkson hit his first three-pointer of the game after going 0-for-8 from deep. Clarkson has now made a three-pointer in 83 straight games.

Way to go JC! :roll:

Xiao Yao You

04-27-2021, 02:34 PM

https://kslsports.com/458298/azubuike-back-with-jazz-working-really-hard/

“He’s working really hard,” Snyder said. “You think about what he’s been through in his rookie year from the time that the college season was canceled last year, and waiting through the entire process of the draft, then joining a team where he’s playing behind Rudy Gobert and Derrick Favors.”

and Morgan and now Ersan and maybe Brantley as well!

Xiao Yao You

04-27-2021, 02:54 PM

https://www.ksl.com/article/50154617/you-just-feel-dumb-gobert-takes-full-blame-for-defensive-miscue-in-loss-to-minnesota

Just look at the 3-point stats from Monday:
Jordan Clarkson was 1 of 10.
Joe Ingles was 3 of 13 — and missed his last nine attempts.
Bojan Bogdanovic was 1 of 11.
Conley was 3 of 9.
Utah was 16 for 57 from distance for 28% as a team.

we've seen that way too much from Clarkson and Bojan. They give you nothing else like Ingles and Conley do

Those shots eventually did get Utah back in the game, though. Georges Niang hit four 3s in the fourth quarter to help lead the comeback and it was a 3-point bomb by Conley that gave the Jazz a very short-lived lead at the end. Then the inexplicable miscue happened, leading to another inexplicable loss.

they got back in the game once he finally benched Clarkson at the end. That was no coincedence

Xiao Yao You

04-27-2021, 03:05 PM

https://www.ksl.com/article/50154685/jazz-say-its-not-time-to-worry-after-dropping-2-straight-to-lowly-wolves

"I would be concerned if we'd given up 140 points or something like that," he said. "Every team got some tough games. Tonight if I don't (mess) up the last play defensively, we end up winning the game. It's never going to be all good and all bad. We've just got to find ways to put ourselves in a position to win every night. I thought we did that tonight. I thought we did that last game."

The problem is the defense will get worse once the savior is back in the lineup

Jazz coach Quin Snyder has always paid more attention to the process than the results. For example, on Saturday, if his team would have found a way to win at the end, his response to the game would have been the same. He would have looked at the turnovers, the lack of rebounds and the passed up shots, and still been disappointed in the effort.

Clarkson with some tremendous effort launching brick after brick

Xiao Yao You

04-27-2021, 03:14 PM

https://www.deseret.com/2021/4/26/22403719/instant-analysis-utah-jazz-blow-early-lead-minnesota-timberwolves-for-second-straight-game-nba

Georges Niang really played a pretty excellent game. Early on he was strong and feisty on the offensive glass, getting rebounds and tapping out the ones that he couldn’t get two hands on. He defended well and he was largely responsible for getting the Jazz back into the game, scoring 12 of his 14 points in the fourth quarter.

and instead of playing him more it was just more Clarkson bricks. Nice coaching!

Quin Snyder made some out of character rotation changes and brought in Ersan Ilyasova to play with Niang, Mike Conley, Rudy Gobert and Jordan Clarkson. I liked that big lineup, which gave the Jazz some length on the perimeter and a different look inside on the defensive end. And, Ilyasova hit some 3s while he was in which was great.

A big lineup! Too bad he went back to his usual crap including Forrest

I said this last time and I’ll say it again, the Timberwolves are an ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ team and they deserve a lot of credit for continuing to feed the hot hand of D’Angelo Russell. He hit big, timely buckets and finished with 27 points.

Imagine COTY going with the guys playing well or trying someone else if a guy is sucking

Midway through the first quarter Royce O’Neale landed awkwardly on his left arm and was rubbing his shoulder quite a bit after. Hopefully that’s not something that lingers.

He's always banged up. Too bad they don't have PF's on the team they could play so he could play his position instead :facepalm

“To have a situation where we weren’t making [shots] but we continued to shoot, and we also found other ways to get to the rim, I thought was an important thing for our team to understand. And then to be able to hang into the game.” —Quin Snyder

Clarkson being allowed to continue to shoot lost you the game

The Jazz usually open up a lot of their 3-point shots with drive-and-kicks and it works...usually. But, when Bogdanovic or Clarkson are driving the ball really slowly in mostly isolation, with the defense not coming over to help, and make sloppy passes out to guys who don’t have a ton of room to actually get a shot off — then to complicate things there’s no off-ball movement — it just makes for horrible possession.

those two names again...hmmm

When the Jazz are getting open shots, they have to shoot them. This feels like beating a dead horse. I don’t know how many times I can say that O’Neale or Bogdanovic or anyone else are passing up wide open looks before it feels like I’m just a broken record. Maybe I’m already there.

Bojan shouldn't even be in the game if he's not taking and hitting open shots and even then he probably shouldn't be

Xiao Yao You

04-27-2021, 03:19 PM

https://sircharlesincharge.com/2021/04/27/brooklyn-nets-biggest-threats-west/

The Jazz is a lot bigger team than the Nets and will be able to bully the team on the inside, while also having great ball movement to keep them on their toes. While Brooklyn clearly has more star power and look better on paper, the Jazz is definitely a team on the same level.

They aren't bigger. Harden and Durant? :facepalm

Xiao Yao You

04-28-2021, 01:07 PM

According to Vegas, the frontrunners for this season’s Coach Of The Year award are Quin Snyder in Utah, Monty Williams in Phoenix, and Tom Thibodeau in New York. (https://thef5.substack.com/p/all-injuries-everything?token=eyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoxNjkxNTY4LCJwb3N0X 2lkIjozNTI3MDc5OCwiXyI6IjgyM2NBIiwiaWF0IjoxNjE5NjI wNzU0LCJleHAiOjE2MTk2MjQzNTQsImlzcyI6InB1Yi00NzQzM CIsInN1YiI6InBvc3QtcmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.hpH7iojFRMQxROzR YiXQd3OIRjHdTvp_UYJAjdgHb28) The one thing all three coaches have in common is that each of their teams have exceeded expectations. Usually, when we can’t explain why a team is better than we thought they’d be, we assume it must have something to do with the coaching.
– via Owen Phillips @ Substack (https://thef5.substack.com/p/all-injuries-everything?token=eyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoxNjkxNTY4LCJwb3N0X 2lkIjozNTI3MDc5OCwiXyI6IjgyM2NBIiwiaWF0IjoxNjE5NjI wNzU0LCJleHAiOjE2MTk2MjQzNTQsImlzcyI6InB1Yi00NzQzM CIsInN1YiI6InBvc3QtcmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.hpH7iojFRMQxROzR YiXQd3OIRjHdTvp_UYJAjdgHb28)

Conley's D is the big difference in Utah not Snyder. Snyder is keeping the Jazz from their potential if anything

Xiao Yao You

04-28-2021, 01:41 PM

https://kslsports.com/458353/jazz-look-to-snap-two-game-slide-against-kings/

The Jazz were swept in their home-and-home series with the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday and Monday, trimming their lead atop the Western Conference to just one game. Adding insult to injury, the team will be without both Donovan Mitchell and Mike Conley against the Kings due to injury.

Yay more Forrest! :facepalm

After a brutal start to April, the Kings will look to build their first two-game win streak in nearly a month.

2 isn't a streak :lol

Xiao Yao You

04-28-2021, 01:48 PM

https://www.ksl.com/article/50155330/jazz-are-losing-grip-on-no-1-seed-but-does-that-even-matter

Even as the No. 1 seed, the Jazz could be looking at facing Steph Curry, Luka Doncic or Damian Lillard in the first round. Then it'll just get tougher from there. Which begs the question: Does the seed even matter?

If they avoid LA's and the Suns in round 2 yeah it does

Xiao Yao You

04-28-2021, 02:23 PM

https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/4/28/22405001/donovan-mitchell-2020-21-all-nba-team-utah-jazz

Why Donovan Mitchell deserves to be selected for the 2020-21 All-NBA team

:facepalm

If you’ve watched the Utah Jazz the last 5 games since Donovan Mitchell went down with an ankle injury against the Indiana Pacers, you’ll notice a totally different team. As I write this the Jazz have now lost 2 games in a row to the lowly Minnesota Timberwolves and have dropped 3 of their last 5. That in and of itself shows you just how essential Mitchell has been to the success of this team. But when you dig into the numbers you’ll realize that Mitchell is more than deserving of All-NBA honors, and should get some MVP consideration too.

It doesn't show you anything. He's at best a distant 3rd as players rank on the Jazz

For the longest time the national narrative for Donovan Mitchell was that he was a “chucker,” that he put up numbers by just getting up shots. But when you look at the simple percentages it shows a player that is anything but inefficient.

it's not just about being efficient. It's about playing selfishly

Mitchell is 9th in the league in scoring at 26.4 PPG. That number is more impressive when you consider that includes a 3-point percentage of 38.6%. That’s a better 3-point percentage than top ten scorers Damian Lillard and Bradley Beal. The only players with a better percentage in the top ten are Steph Curry and Zach Lavine. He’s also doing this on high volume. Mitchell is 6th in the league in 3PA per game at 8.7.

without Conley and Gobert he is basically Lavine.

He’s the most important part of an elite offense

He and COTY believe this anyway. More to the game than shooting

According to Cleaning the Glass’s measurement of usage rate, (how much of the team’s offense did the player use by shooting, including free throws, turning the ball over, or assisting), Mitchell is at 35.0%. That is 5th in the league behind Luka Doncic, Trae Young, Russell Westbrook, John Wall and Joel Embiid. That’s higher than James Harden, LeBron James and Damian Lillard. Of those players mentioned, Doncic, Westbrook, James and Harden were All-NBA last season.

therein lies the problem

There are some that might mention Mitchell’s assist rate isn’t at the level of some of these players, (according to Cleaning the Glass he’s in the 26th percentile in assist rate), but that’s not necessarily his fault. Utah plays a shared offense that relies on ball movement to create an advantage and Mitchell’s primary role within that offense is to score. Mitchell also plays with multiple ball handlers like Mike Conley who leads the Jazz in assists with 6 per game.

It's not his fault that he comes down and shoots regardless?

It’s interesting to look at what happens when Mike Conley sits. In games that Mike Conley doesn’t play, Mitchell’s assists per game rise from 5.2 to 6.45 per game in 11 games. Utah was also fantastic in those games going 9-2 with Mitchell putting up games with 11, 9 and 8 assists. Mitchell also sat in some of those games in the 4th quarter because of blowout victories. Basically, when you put the ball in Mitchell’s hands great things happen.

the ball is always in his hands. That's a problem

It’s safe to assume that if Mitchell had an entire offense designed around him like in Dallas with Luka Doncic or Trae Young in Atlanta, his numbers would get even more staggering.

be even less efficient and he'd be collecting ping pong balls

But the same has to be said for Gobert. Don’t get me wrong, Rudy Gobert is an underrated offensive player. As a pick and roll rim runner, no one in the league is better. Gobert is a workhorse creating easy offense with a multitude of screens that crush opponents leaving space for everyone lucky enough to have him as the screener. But Gobert’s offensive production is dependent on the ball handler. And if we’ve learned anything in these last 5 games, you can’t just put any ball handler on the floor with Gobert and win. Donovan Mitchell takes the Jazz offense to another level.

The ball handler needs Gobert. They've looked good without Mitchell. Missed some shots

The time has come for Donovan Mitchell to be considered as one of the elite players in the NBA, a legitimate top-15 player. That’s not just an opinion, the stats reveal Mitchell as the most important player on the team with the best record in the league. This isn’t a hard choice.

usage and shot attempts don't make you top 15 sorry

Mitchell getting All-NBA might be the difference between re-signing Conley and not re-signing Conley.
Or, further out, whether or not we can keep Jingles and/or O’Neale. Niang’s contract is up this year and he will get more expensive—probably about $6m/year more expensive.

Posted by Kira Argonova (https://www.sbnation.com/users/Kira%20Argonova) on Apr 28, 2021 | 11:44 AM (https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/4/28/22405001/donovan-mitchell-2020-21-all-nba-team-utah-jazz#539447874)

none of it should have anything to do with Conley. You trade everyone but Gobert to bring Conley back if you have to including their "best" player

Xiao Yao You

04-28-2021, 02:25 PM

https://www.slcdunk.com/the-downbeat-latest-jazz-news/2021/4/27/22405913/nba-western-conference-standings-utah-jazz-phoenix-suns-la-clippers

Now, is the sky falling? Of course not. Does 1st vs 2nd truly matter in the end? Probably not, because you can’t control what’s happening below you anyways. And this poor stretch of 6-6 in their last 12 is certainly due to an exhausting schedule and then losing Donovan Mitchell. They are still one of the best teams in the league and a legitimate contender when healthy.

matchups and home court matter especially when you're a lot better at hime and don't match up well with at least one team

Xiao Yao You

04-28-2021, 02:27 PM

https://sircharlesincharge.com/2021/04/27/utah-jazz-concern-recent-regression/

Utah Jazz: Should there be concern with their recent regression?

unless they get a new coach yes

El Kabong

04-29-2021, 08:49 AM

Xiao Yao You

04-29-2021, 01:56 PM

Nice to see some guys like Trent Forrest and Brantley get some minutes. Thomas a scoring machine with 17 in 9 minutes. Kings are such a bi-polar team at times pushed the Warriors, Suns, Bucks to the limit this month and then totally got curb stomped by a team missing guys. Don't think they put much into this one.

Yeah wish Quin would play the end of the bench when Clarkson, Bojan, Favors etc. are sucking. Could certainly use the size of Ersan, Morgan and Brantley

Xiao Yao You

04-29-2021, 01:59 PM

https://kslsports.com/458380/upside-for-jazz-after-mike-conley-re-aggravates-hamstring-injury/

Though it may be less than ideal as the Jazz try to fend off the Phoenix Suns, it could provide Conley will added rest before playoffs begin.

Played in one back to back. He should be plenty rested

Xiao Yao You

04-29-2021, 02:07 PM

https://kslsports.com/458430/jazz-decimate-kings-in-battle-of-shorthanded-teams/

“I’m probably in the minority, but I actually thought we played well [Monday] night,” Quin Snyder said about the Jazz loss to Minnesota. “We didn’t shoot well.”

Defense was good in both games. Missed shots. Too many turnovers in the first one

The Jazz are playing a similar game to the Rockets and are hoping to avoid stepping on a landmine of missed threes as the worst possible time.

better shooters

Like the team’s three-point shooting, the Jazz won’t reach their ultimate goal without big performances from both Bogdanovic and Clarkson. They don’t need to be spectacular every night, but Mitchell and Conley will need high-scoring nights from the supporting scorers in the postseason if the Jazz want to play into June and July.

What they need is a coach that will bench guys that are hurting them and try someone else

The Iowa State product scored 17 points in nine minutes on a perfect 7-7 shooting including 3-3 from deep. The Jazz shouldn’t plan on seeing much of either Thomas or Ersan Ilyasova (six points, 2-2 FG in 24 minutes) in the postseason, but both players have now proven that in a pinch they could add value to a cold shooting team in a playoff game if need be.

Ersan adds a lot more than shooting as do Morgan and Brantley

The Jazz managed to go 3-2 in the stretch which isn’t bad considering they didn’t have Mitchell for any of the five games, but it wasn’t enough to extend their lead over the red hot Suns.

it was bad regardless

Now, the two teams will faceoff in Phoenix on Friday with a chance for the Suns to pass the Jazz for the best record in the NBA via a tie-breaker. Since they are likely to be shorthanded once again, it seems like the Jazz will return to Utah without the best record in the NBA for the first time since February 1.

No reason they can't win. They have their best player, Ingles, O'Neale, Niang. The key is the coaching

If the Jazz can surprise the Suns and win in Phoenix it would go a long way towards clinching the top spot in the West, otherwise, they’re in for a dog fight over the final nine games of the season.

still have the easier schedule

Xiao Yao You

04-29-2021, 02:15 PM

https://www.ksl.com/article/50156259/i-was-also-surprised-jazz-score-most-points-in-team-history-in-49-point-win-over-kings

The rout started in the second quarter when the Jazz opened up the period with a 13-0 run behind a super-sized lineup of Joe Ingles, Niang, Bogdanovic, Ersan Ilyasova and Rudy Gobert. Every member of that lineup was at least 6-foot-7 and four of them can shoot — it proved to be a lethal combination.

Be nice to see a lineup like that at times minus Bojan

"I know that we are always talking about offense, especially when we play without Donovan and Mike," Bogdanovic said. "But I think our defense, when we play defense like we played tonight, especially in the second quarter, it's easy for us to play when we don't have those two guys. We run in transition and scoring easy buckets or trying to find the easy 3's. That's how we have to play when we have Donovan and Mike out."

play D and move the ball. Not complicated

Jazz coach Quin Snyder wouldn't mind if they played that way even when Conley and Mitchell return, and it remains uncertain when that'll actually happen. Conley re-aggravated his hamstring strain on Monday in the loss to Minnesota and Snyder didn't provide much detail about when he is expected Conley to return. Hamstrings can be hard to put timelines on, and the original injury kept Conley out for six games in February.

yep hopefully Mitchell has paid attention to how much better the D is without him and how the ball moves. I doubt it though

Xiao Yao You

04-29-2021, 02:21 PM

https://www.deseret.com/2021/4/28/22406547/utah-jazz-set-franchise-record-in-49-point-thrashing-of-sacramento-kings

Since coming over from Toronto in late March, Matt Thomas has had a difficult time getting minutes on the floor, and when he has, his shots haven’t been dropping. For a player who’s known as a shooter, that’s a problem. On Wednesday, he again didn’t see the floor until the fourth quarter, but this time his shots were falling and it could be a sign that he’s finally feeling more comfortable in the Jazz offense. Thomas only played nine minutes, but he made all seven of his shots against the Kings, including going 3 for 3 from 3-point range. His last 3 was particularly notable as it set a new Utah Jazz scoring record as the 152nd point. Jarrell Brantley wrapped up the scoring with 52 seconds on a layup for point No. 154, which broke the franchise record for points. The New Orleans Jazz scored 153 points in a game back in 1978.

The only problem was COTY playing him over Ersan, Morgan, Brantley and Oni

Xiao Yao You

04-29-2021, 02:49 PM

https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/4/28/22409119/utah-jazz-pick-themselves-up-for-a-dramatic-win-in-sacramento

They only allowed 3 offensive boards to the Kings. Big kudos goes out to Bojan Bogdanovic and Derrick Favors for their extra effort on that end.

Bojan had 3 boards :facepalm

“Never too high, never too low” - Ricky Rubio

never very good but usually really bad

24 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block, 1 steal and only 1 turnover is the kind of night that Bojan is capable of when he needs to step up. Most impressive were the 10 free throw trips he made to turn his night into a very efficient one despite going 1-5 from deep.

didn't end up shooting well so no

Niang as a starter seems to fit in great – definitely deserving of more minutes even when everyone is back
Rudy quiet to start but had a great 2nd quarter and 5 blocks
Joe almost invisible but 13 points, 7 assist, 3/6 from 3
Ersan 2/2 from 3 and continues to show he could be huge asset if we need a bigger lineup
Brantley 13 points in 12 minutes, 3/3 from 3, played with energy
Favors had maybe his best stretch of the year in the 3rd on both ends of the court, 11 boards in 13 minutes
JC seemed to play within the offense all game but still got his shots and had great results inside and outside
Thomas 17 points in 9 minutes, wow, was against the Kings, but there are just not many guys who can score in bunches like that
Forrest 6 assists, had some nice drives, and hit a 3
Bring on the Suns

Posted by SKMike (https://www.sbnation.com/users/SKMike) on Apr 29, 2021 | 12:25 AM (https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/4/28/22409119/utah-jazz-pick-themselves-up-for-a-dramatic-win-in-sacramento#539479056)

Would be nice if they had a coach that would play Niang when others are sucking at least. Rudy never quiet. Look how many the other team scored. Don't think it's a question if they need a bigger lineup. The question is will Snyder play a bigger lineup by choice?

What I learned from this game is
that scoring is the most easily replaced aspect of basketball.

Posted by pkt423 (https://www.sbnation.com/users/pkt423) on Apr 29, 2021 | 6:35 AM (https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/4/28/22409119/utah-jazz-pick-themselves-up-for-a-dramatic-win-in-sacramento#539481330)

Rubio and Favors in the corner dispelled that notion. Having shooters around your best player, defending and moving the ball is tough to beat though

Mitchell/Conley
Young/Bogdanovic
Curry/Wiggins
Beal/Westbrook

Posted by jmnunes5 (https://www.sbnation.com/users/jmnunes5) on Apr 29, 2021 | 11:18 AM (https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/4/28/22409119/utah-jazz-pick-themselves-up-for-a-dramatic-win-in-sacramento#539491319)

not Mitcehll/Conley. Gobert/Conley might be the best duo in the league this year though despite not being their teams "best" player :lol

Xiao Yao You

04-29-2021, 02:55 PM

https://thejnotes.com/2021/04/28/utah-jazz-4-duke-basketball-matthew-hurt/

Utah Jazz: 4 reasons to eye Duke basketball draft prospect Matthew Hurt

you already answered the question as to why not to draft him. Duke. No thanks!

It’s safe to say no Blue Devil faces have been duds in Salt Lake City. Carlos Boozer (https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/boozeca01.html). Rodney Hood (https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/hoodro01.html). Grayson Allen (https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/allengr01.html). Quin Snyder (https://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/snydequ01c.html).

Maybe not duds but certainly not favorites of anyone but Snyder and that's where the problem lies

Regardless of the Duke problem they should be looking at pg first then probably a wing or maybe a forward

Xiao Yao You

04-29-2021, 02:58 PM

https://fansided.com/2021/04/29/utah-jazz-historic-3-point-shooters/

And, somewhat amazingly, the Jazz 3-point percentage may even be dragged down below their true average by some unlikely cold shooting lately. Jordan Clarkson is second on the team in 3-point attempts at 8.7 per game but he’s made just 34.7 percent on the season. Through the end of February, Clarkson was hitting 37.1 percent of his 3s. Since then, he’s made just 31.4 percent.

but keep shooting! :facepalm

You need good shooters to be a good shooting team but the Jazz roster is among the league-leader in roster continuity (https://www.basketball-reference.com/friv/continuity.html) — the percent of minutes played by players who were also on the team last season. However, the Jazz have dramatically reworked their offensive style this season, changing more (https://fansided.com/2021/04/14/nylon-calculus-nba-offenses-style-change-2020-21/) than all but a handful of other teams. The biggest changes have been with a lot more movement of players and the ball, pushing the pace, making quicker decisions and taking open shots when they present themselves.

it's not a lot different really. The big difference is defensively especially Conley

Xiao Yao You

04-29-2021, 03:14 PM

Justin Kubatko: Counting last night’s 49-point win by the Jazz and 44-point win by the Sixers, there have been six games decided by 40 or more points this month. That’s the most such games in a calendar month in NBA history, (https://*********.com/social/) surpassing the five 40-point blowouts in April 1994 and Nov. 2019.
– via Twitter jkubatko (https://twitter.com/jkubatko)

Xiao Yao You

04-29-2021, 06:56 PM

The Jump: Importance of top seed in the West? “It’s tough not to look at the standings at this point of the year. We want to be healthy going into our playoff appearance” – @Mike Conley (https://*********.com/social/) #NBA #NBATwitter #TheJump #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/FD8bMhc4yo
– via Twitter NBATheJump (https://twitter.com/NBATheJump)

The Jump: On his health: “I feel very confident. With my hamstring injury at the beginning of the year, it was more precautionary. It’s not as bad as people think it is” – @Mike Conley (https://*********.com/social/) #NBA #NBATwitter #TheJump #TakeNote
– via Twitter NBATheJump (https://twitter.com/NBATheJump)

Xiao Yao You

04-29-2021, 09:10 PM

Sarah Todd: Mike Conley and Donovan Mitchell are out tomorrow and Royce O’Neale questionable with right wrist soreness. – via Twitter NBASarah

Xiao Yao You

04-29-2021, 09:11 PM

Gerald Bourguet: Jae Crowder (right ankle sprain) is still questionable for tomorrow against the Jazz. Dario Saric (left ankle) has been upgraded to probable (https://*********.com/social/)
– via Twitter GeraldBourguet (https://twitter.com/GeraldBourguet)

Xiao Yao You

04-30-2021, 12:10 PM

https://kslsports.com/458448/ranking-every-jazz-player-by-their-draft-position/

Brantley has been with the Jazz for the last two seasons on a two-way contract but has shown enough in glimpses to likely earn a full-time NBA contract next season.

the fact that he didn't after being all gleague is amazing while Hughes got 2 years guaranteed. Still don't get that one? I'm guessing if not for the Trump virus with a Summer League he would have been somewhere else. Had to settle on another two way here

To this point in his career, it’s safe to say Niang is one of the 15 best players ever drafted with the 50th overall pick. The Iowa State product ranks 12th in games played, 13th in win shares, 14th in points per game, and second in three-point shooting percentage.
Surprisingly, of the 34 players drafted with the 50th pick who have appeared in the NBA, five are still active, though only James Ennis has appeared in more career games. On his current trajectory, Niang will easily become one of the 10 best players ever drafted with the 50th overall pick and could rise even higher depending on his development.
For now, Niang ranks among the top 22 percent of players drafted with the 50th overall pick.

:bowdown:

Former Jazzman Jeff Hornacek is the best player ever drafted with the 46th pick, but Clarkson could see his name vaulted into the top 2-3 depending on the next five years of his career.

wish Clarkson was anything like Horny :cry:

Bogdanovic hasn’t had the overall impact of a handful of other 31st overall picks including former BYU standout Danny Ainge, current Philadelphia 76ers head coach Doc Rivers, or Gilbert Arenas, all of whom made at least one All-Star appearance in their careers, but he isn’t far off.

yes he is! Arenas was a superstar. Ainge was a champion :facepalm

He won’t ever catch the career accomplishments of Kobe Bryant or Karl Malone, the two best players to ever be drafted 13th, and Hal Greer is a Hall of Famer, but outside of the top three, all bets are off.

Mitchell is a superstar! Why can't he be up with those guys? :roll:

Historically, there’s only one player selected with the 27th pick that has had a better career than Gobert, and that’s Hall of Famers Dennis Rodman. But, outside of Rodman’s five championships and seven rebounding titles, Gobert is likely to meet or surpass most of Rodman’s major accomplishments.

Rodman was a role player. Gobert has carried a franchise

Xiao Yao You

04-30-2021, 12:18 PM

https://www.ksl.com/article/50157030/georges-niang-showing-he-could-play-a-big-role-in-the-playoffs-for-the-jazz

"It's been consistent for us: guys that defend find their way onto the floor and guys that don't defend, find their way off the floor," Jazz head coach Quin Snyder said.

If only that was the case. Plenty of guys don't defend and they stay on the floor regardless. It's a big problem

Niang is self-aware. In college, he went through a body transformation because he realized that "they don't pay fat people to play professional sports." He went from 260 pounds to 225 and became an All-American. In his first season with the Jazz, he jokingly referred to himself as the minivan because "he needed a few laps to warm up" after nearly missing a dunk.

I'd like to see him in better shape. I think that's where he can improve most

He knew to be truly an effective defender with the Jazz he needed to be able to stay in front of guys. While Utah isn't going to ask him to defend elite wing scorers regularly, he needed to be a solid enough team defender and keep players like Moe Harkless — as seen in Wednesday's game against the Kings — from blowing by him. So, Niang started a new program with the Jazz training staff to improve his lateral quickness.

When do Clarkson, Mitchell and Bojan join the program?

"He's not playing defense because he's making shots. He's making shots because he's playing defense."

pretty sure he'd make shots regardless

Xiao Yao You

04-30-2021, 12:29 PM

https://www.deseret.com/2021/4/30/22410612/how-strong-is-quin-snyder-case-for-nba-coach-of-the-year-utah-jazz-monty-williams-phoenix-suns

Earlier this season, Snyder was widely seen as the heavy favorite to win it. Utah was largely expected to be a mid-tier playoff team or worse in the preseason, so the fact it had vaulted to the top of the ridiculously strong Western Conference made Snyder’s case.

He's not the one playing D. Conley and Niang are. That's the difference

Entering this season, the prevailing national narrative surrounding the Jazz was that they were a good team but probably not a great one. When they did become great, however, Snyder became a CoY candidate. As Pelton alluded to, however, the fact Utah maybe hasn’t done anything too outrageously good since the early part of the season might hurt Snyder at this point.

still hard to think of them as great

But over the last 35 games of the season, Utah went a blistering 29-6, and Snyder got second in Coach of the Year voting.

thanks yet again Rudy

(Warning: This one might hurt, Jazz fans) In 2004, Utah was supposed to be awful, but it finished 42-40 and just missed the playoffs. Many thought Jerry Sloan should have won CoY, but the Memphis Grizzlies were also supposed to be bad yet finished sixth in the West and made the playoffs, and thus Hubie Brown won CoY (Sloan was probably victim of being too consistently good over his 23 seasons with the Jazz to ever win the award).

Hubie did a great job. Sloan probably underachieved every year but that one. He had two of the greatest layers ever

It’s still very possible that Snyder wins the award. He’s actually still considered the favorite by oddsmakers. That said, the likes of Williams, Thibodeau and Rivers (in his first season with the Philadelphia 76ers) are right in the mix. As with a lot of things, the only way to try to take care of business is to win games.

Rivers? :facepalm

Xiao Yao You

04-30-2021, 12:54 PM

I would start Joe and play him 25 to 28 minutes a game

What are we, 12-2 without Mike? Use Donny more at PG and play Royce more at SG, and play Niang and Ersan more. More Brantley, Hughes, and Oni.
Also definitely sign a vet PG. TJ McConnell is an intriguing option. Neto has had a great year, just think would be a lot of capable guys who would come here for vet minimum.
Again, only if it’s apparent that we are not sure Mike will be the answer for next few years. Hamstring issues in games 6 and 7 for example. Undersized backcourt issues. Too many floaters.
Mike has been awesome all year but has had some crappy games against better competition. 5/16 against Phx, 3/12 against Portland, 2/10 against Denver, etc. What if lays an egg in some big playoff games?
I’m pretty confident he won’t. But I’m sure the team will be considering all our options.

Posted by SKMike (https://www.sbnation.com/users/SKMike) on Apr 30, 2021 | 3:04 AM (https://www.slcdunk.com/the-downbeat-latest-jazz-news/2021/4/29/22410115/georges-niang-utah-jazz-secret-weapon-threes-minivan#539524012)

start Joe and who comes off the bench? Mitchell at pg sucks. More Hughes based on what? Snyder doesn't like Neto. Why would he want to come back? McConell I like but he can't shoot. Conley's floarer is great especially when it could be a lob to Rudy. Thing with Conley, Ingles, O'Neale is that even on a bad shooting night they bring a lot to the table. Mitchell, Clarkson and Bojan don't. Even hurt you when their shot is falling

As good as Conley has been this season, this team does not need a player like Mike Conley. He is a traditional point guard, and the current iteration of the Jazz just doesn’t use players that way. We could put a taller, stronger, younger player in that role (for probably a lot less money) and be just as good or better. DM can get the label of "PG" if we think it is important that someone have that designation. We just need somebody who can shoot threes, and they are becoming more and more common.

Posted by Kira Argonova (https://www.sbnation.com/users/Kira%20Argonova) on Apr 30, 2021 | 6:18 AM (https://www.slcdunk.com/the-downbeat-latest-jazz-news/2021/4/29/22410115/georges-niang-utah-jazz-secret-weapon-threes-minivan#539525400)

hard to imagine getting better. He's been one of the best players in the league. How do you replace that unless Mitchell suddenly becomes the player he's hyped to be which I don't see

Finally, the Jazz could decide to draft a PG or pick someone up from the G-League to develop the next PG. But experience with O’Neale, Niang, and others show that takes time. Meanwhile, Gobert continues to age and Mitchell is playing through his contract and may look elsewhere if the Jazz are not competing at a high level. Any development plan needs to be time sensitive. Even the GOAT (John Stockton) played sparingly off the bench for a couple of years before he was ready to take over for Ricky Green. Plus the fact that the Jazz are not likely to get someone like that drafting #30 in this year’s draft. So they are at least a year away from figuring out who that developing superstar is going to be.
Personally, I expect the Jazz like the "bird in the hand" choice and will try to re-sign Conley. This is Conley’s last chance at a payday. He knows that. The Jazz know that. Every GM in the league knows that. All it takes is one GM to make a ridiculous offer and Conley would have a very difficult decision to make.

Posted by jmnunes5 (https://www.sbnation.com/users/jmnunes5) on Apr 30, 2021 | 8:03 AM (https://www.slcdunk.com/the-downbeat-latest-jazz-news/2021/4/29/22410115/georges-niang-utah-jazz-secret-weapon-threes-minivan#539528189)

O'Neale didn't take long. Stockton was great immediately. The Jazz just weren't smart enough to realize it. Should have traded Green and started John

The ultra big lineup looked really good.

Jingles at PG.

Posted by Kira Argonova (https://www.sbnation.com/users/Kira%20Argonova) on Apr 30, 2021 | 9:48 AM (https://www.slcdunk.com/the-downbeat-latest-jazz-news/2021/4/29/22410115/georges-niang-utah-jazz-secret-weapon-threes-minivan#539531784)

yeah who would thought that having a PF could make a difference? :facepalm

Not that the Jazz tall squad is full of people with guard-like skills but, relying primarily on passing and shooting combined with active defense and rebounding, they sure put SAC at a disadvantage on both ends of the court the other night. However, a depleted SAC squad may not have provided a valid assessment.

Posted by jmnunes5 (https://www.sbnation.com/users/jmnunes5) on Apr 30, 2021 | 10:14 AM (https://www.slcdunk.com/the-downbeat-latest-jazz-news/2021/4/29/22410115/georges-niang-utah-jazz-secret-weapon-threes-minivan#539532782)

Ersan, Morgan and Brantley should be in the mix. They won't be. COTY

Xiao Yao You

04-30-2021, 12:54 PM

https://www.slcdunk.com/the-downbeat-latest-jazz-news/2021/4/29/22410115/georges-niang-utah-jazz-secret-weapon-threes-minivan

It’s time that everyone start to recognize the weapon that George Niang really is, and the impact that he can have on any given night. Come playoff time, if he can keep up this defensive intensity, he’s going to come in and make some big plays for the Jazz, I can feel it. And when he does, it’s gonna be awesome.

doubt he sees the floor much. More Mitchell, Carkson and Bojan! :cry:

When the opposing defenses leave Royce open to double team on Mitchell he has to make them pay. If he doesn’t Niang is certainly a go-to option for Quin that will not hesitate to take those shots.
Also, as many have already mentioned, his on-ball defense has been very good this year!
So Niang could definitely find himself in the rotation in the playoffs (remember his our 9th player) and maybe even spell in for Clarkson when his shot is not falling.

Posted by global_jazz_warming (https://www.sbnation.com/users/global_jazz_warming) on Apr 29, 2021 | 3:53 PM (https://www.slcdunk.com/the-downbeat-latest-jazz-news/2021/4/29/22410115/georges-niang-utah-jazz-secret-weapon-threes-minivan#539506246)

He won't be getting minutes over either. Wish he'd play over the guys I first mentioned though and he'd be on the team next year instead of them

I don’t think this will happen but it would not surprise me UTA trades Bojan and signs Niang to take his place. Bojan is probably still a better player but I suspect Niang’s salary next season will be at most half of Bojan’s. Even if Niang can only replace 90% of Bojan, the lower salary gives the team flexibility to bring back Conley or sign another MLE-level player. I know UTA could bring everyone back and just pay a huge tax bill but I don’t see that happening (even if UTA ends the playoffs with a W).

Posted by Palmetto Bug (https://www.sbnation.com/users/Palmetto%20Bug) on Apr 29, 2021 | 5:12 PM (https://www.slcdunk.com/the-downbeat-latest-jazz-news/2021/4/29/22410115/georges-niang-utah-jazz-secret-weapon-threes-minivan#539508647)

I'd look to move Bojan, Clarkson, Hughes and Favors(Mitchell too if it was me). Bring back Conley, Niang, Brantley, Ersan, Oni, Morgan, Thomas depending on what they have to take back for those other guys of course. Ideally you shed some money, get bigger and better, Quin proof the roster and gain some fleibility

When we win it all or if he plays well and we go the WCF finals and almost win, I can see them bringing everyone back, no matter the cost.
If we flame out in the 2nd round and don’t look that competitive, then I can see them moving on from Conley. If Niang plays well though then I can see them giving him a 3 year $27 mill type of deal, or something close to Royce money, and giving him more of a role next year.

Posted by SKMike (https://www.sbnation.com/users/SKMike) on Apr 29, 2021 | 9:22 PM (https://www.slcdunk.com/the-downbeat-latest-jazz-news/2021/4/29/22410115/georges-niang-utah-jazz-secret-weapon-threes-minivan#539521343)

I can see them bringing everyone back if they get swept in the first round. This is the Jazz! Conley should be back over anyone not named Rudy regardless. Niang won't get Royce money or shouldn't. A few million a year over multiple years and a bigger role elsewhere likely

Having Conley means a super small backcourt. We could potentially be better with a worse overall player, if that player was 3 and D and bigger. It would really hurt if Donovan missed time though. I doubt if anyone on the roster is a good enough 3 and D to take some of his minutes but I won’t be too concerned if Conley goes somewhere else.

Posted by oregonjazzfan (https://www.sbnation.com/users/oregonjazzfan) on Apr 29, 2021 | 9:57 PM (https://www.slcdunk.com/the-downbeat-latest-jazz-news/2021/4/29/22410115/georges-niang-utah-jazz-secret-weapon-threes-minivan#539522107)

I would have agreed with you a year ago. But Conley has played big this year at both ends. He's by far one of their top two players sorry to fans of their superstar. More size in the backcourt and up front would be nice. Royce going back to the 2 and 3 would give them that.

Donovan plays bigger than he actually is on offense but not defense. I guess it’s great to be so good & still have room for improvement.

Posted by PlayfasterJazz (https://www.sbnation.com/users/PlayfasterJazz) on Apr 29, 2021 | 10:37 PM (https://www.slcdunk.com/the-downbeat-latest-jazz-news/2021/4/29/22410115/georges-niang-utah-jazz-secret-weapon-threes-minivan#539522643)

Mitchell plays small. He hates contact. He does get ome rebounds and is starting to get to the line more

Xiao Yao You

04-30-2021, 01:01 PM

https://saltcityhoops.com/dwyane-wade-ryan-smith-and-the-perception-of-the-utah-jazz/

For a better picture, the following players are under contract after this year:
Mitchell and Gobert: 4–5 seasons
Jordan Clarkson, Royce O’Neale, and Udoka Azuibuke: 3 seasons
Bogdanovic and Derrick Favors: 2 seasons
Joe Ingles and Elijah Hughes: 1 season

Gobert, O'Neale, Udoka and Ingles are good contracts. The rest? :cry:

Xiao Yao You

04-30-2021, 01:05 PM

https://thejnotes.com/2021/04/30/utah-jazz-players-nationally-underrated/

The former Iowa State Cyclone has found a home in Utah, where he has proven to be a reliable spark plug off the bench. Having played in all 62 games for the Jazz this year, they will depend on his consistent shooting to help make a deep run in the postseason.

doubt he plays much

Underrated Utah Jazz player: Ersan Ilyasova

underrated by the Jazz too. I thought he should have been an option for many years now and he should be starting based on what we've seen. Sorry Bojan

Xiao Yao You

04-30-2021, 05:22 PM

Sarah Todd: From the Jazz: number of fans at Vivint will increase to 6700 and a limited number of Courtside seats will be available for those who are fully vaccinated and pass a rapid COVID 19 test. (https://*********.com/social/) Masks and distancing are still required at all games
– via Twitter NBASarah (https://twitter.com/NBASarah)

Xiao Yao You

04-30-2021, 08:11 PM

Josh Lewenberg: The Raptors are resting Kyle Lowry vs Utah tomorrow. (https://*********.com/social/) Boucher (knee sprain), Trent (leg contusion) and Watson (knee tendinitis) remain out as well.
– via Twitter JLew1050 (https://twitter.com/JLew1050)

Xiao Yao You

04-30-2021, 08:13 PM

Bill Oram: The league just announced that the Lakers game next Friday at Portland will now be televised by ESPN, (https://*********.com/social/) bumping Denver at Utah.
– via Twitter billoram (https://twitter.com/billoram)

shit there was a Laker gam not on already! :facepalm

Xiao Yao You

04-30-2021, 08:52 PM

Duane Rankin: Jae Crowder (ankle) OUT. Dario Saric (ankle) will likely give it a go, (https://*********.com/social/) Monty Williams said for tonight’s game vs. Jazz. #Suns
– via Twitter DuaneRankin (https://twitter.com/DuaneRankin)

Xiao Yao You

04-30-2021, 08:52 PM

Eric Walden: Royce O’Neale is AVAILABLE tonight despite right wrist soreness (https://*********.com/social/)
– via Twitter tribjazz (https://twitter.com/tribjazz)

Xiao Yao You

04-30-2021, 09:21 PM

Ben Anderson: Quin Snyder said he didn’t have an update on Donovan Mitchell who was due to get re-evaluated tonight (https://*********.com/social/). But, he said he doesn’t have an update because he’s not an expert on injuries so he doesn’t offer updates.
– via Twitter BensHoops (https://twitter.com/BensHoops)

Xiao Yao You

04-30-2021, 09:35 PM

https://www.deseret.com/2021/4/30/22407925/nba-power-rankings-roundup-utah-jazz-espn-sports-illustrated-cbs-sports-nbc-sports-april-29

The Jazz’s success is less star-driven than that of the league’s other top teams and if there was a “Best Ensemble Cast” award in the NBA, this team would win it. But the Jazz still need Rudy Gobert to anchor the defense that has climbed to second in the league for the first time in two months. And they still need Donovan Mitchell to carry some of the load for the league’s fifth-ranked offense.

defense climbing without Mitchell. Big surprise

The Jazz are in the midst of a minor slump with three losses in their last five games, including a pair of defeats against the Timberwolves? Should this be reason for concern? Not exactly. Monday’s loss was the product of a defensive lapse by Rudy Gobert on Minnesota’s final possession, and regardless, this simply isn’t the same potent offense with Donovan Mitchell out of the lineup. As long as Utah is healthy come playoff time, this could very well be your Western Conference champion.” — Michael Shapiro

the loss was a result of COTY allowing Clarkson and Bojan to shoot them out of the game

Xiao Yao You

04-30-2021, 09:37 PM

https://www.deseret.com/sports/2021/4/30/22398174/jazz-insiders-suns-friday-nba-playoff-dont-put-too-much-weight-on-what-happens

On May 3, 1974, “Pistol” Pete Maravich was obtained by the expansion New Orleans Jazz from Atlanta in exchange for first-round draft picks in 1974 and 1975, second-round picks in 1975 and 1976, and the Jazz’s second and third selections in the expansion draft.

hurt the franchise for years to come

El Kabong

05-01-2021, 05:34 AM

The longer the season goes on, the longer I get the feeling we could finish as the #1 or #2 seed and still lose in the 1st round.

Xiao Yao You

05-01-2021, 01:59 PM

The longer the season goes on, the longer I get the feeling we could finish as the #1 or #2 seed and still lose in the 1st round.

They should win easily in the first round. Don't see anyone there that should take them more than 5 games. After that it will get tough

Xiao Yao You

05-01-2021, 02:00 PM

Eric Walden: Rudy Gobert: “I wouldn’t say concerned — obviously we could have played much better. … We got outplayed, they were more physical than us from the get-go, they put a lot of pressure on us and we turned it over. (https://*********.com/social/) … They know how to make us pay.”
– via Twitter tribjazz (https://twitter.com/tribjazz)

Eric Walden: Bojan Bogdanovic disagrees with Rudy Gobert’s assessment: “Every game means a lot. I think every player took it serious, but we didn’t execute.” (https://*********.com/social/) Said the Jazz simply didn’t execute well on either end — too many turnovers committed, too much transition allowed.
– via Twitter tribjazz (https://twitter.com/tribjazz)

Eric Walden: Quin Snyder, on the Utah Jazz’s play tonight: “We didn’t execute the way we wanted to. In a game like this when certain players are not able to play, your margin for error is really small.” (https://*********.com/social/) Added that early turnovers led to Phoenix transition and easy shots.
– via Twitter tribjazz (https://twitter.com/tribjazz)

the margin gets even smaller when the coach thinks Clarkson, Bojan and Forrest are the answer

Xiao Yao You

05-01-2021, 02:08 PM

https://kslsports.com/458605/jazz-drop-to-second-seed-after-loss-to-suns/

How the Jazz finish the season will be largely dependent on how quickly they got Conley and Mitchell back in the lineup, and how Quin Snyder chooses to rest his players down the stretch.

more dependent on if he still thinks Clarkson, Bojan and Forrest are his answer

Xiao Yao You

05-01-2021, 02:14 PM

https://www.ksl.com/article/50157899/i-dont-think-we-took-it-seriously-wounded-jazz-fall-to-suns-as-phoenix-takes-over-no-1-seed

"I think that every single player played pretty serious tonight, but it's how it is. I think that we didn't execute both offensively, defensively," Bogdanovic said.
"I mean it's just another loss," Clarkson said. "We didn't defend well tonight. They scored anytime they wanted. They just played well. I mean, you can't look at this like it's the end of the world or nothing. They still got games to play; we still got games to play."

you two are the main reason they had no chance. COTY

Xiao Yao You

05-01-2021, 02:21 PM

https://www.deseret.com/2021/4/30/22410077/instant-analysis-phoenix-suns-beat-shorthanded-utah-jazz-nba-donovan-mitchell-mike-conley

There were a few times I found myself a little surprised by Jordan Clarkson’s on-ball defense. When he wants to be, he can be a pretty pesky defender.

who cares when he's shooting them out of every game

Royce O’Neale passes up open shots still. Nothing new there.

so Clarkson can gun most of the time it seems

Xiao Yao You

05-01-2021, 02:31 PM

https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/4/30/22413647/the-utah-jazz-played-against-the-phoenix-suns-and-lost

If there’s one thing that is disappointing it’s that Jordan Clarkson continues to struggle to score efficiently. Tonight he was 2/8 from three and 3/15 from the field. Clarkson likely has a better game if he’s playing off of Donovan Mitchell drawing better defenders, but it would be nice to see him string together a few big games. Although, perhaps that’s why he is the only true candidate on the Jazz for Sixth Man of the Year, because he is likely the most definitive sixth man on the team. He’s at his best against second units and playing off of the starters. Otherwise, he loses some of his effectiveness. Joe Ingles has over 20 starts now and that probably should disqualify him from the running for 6MOY anyways.

Mitchell doesn't make a difference when you're playing 1 on 5

Who would have guessed how greatly health affects team success in this league…
I don’t think anyone can really feel confident about the playoffs’ outcome this year.

Posted by global_jazz_warming (https://www.sbnation.com/users/global_jazz_warming) on May 1, 2021 | 1:44 AM (https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/4/30/22413647/the-utah-jazz-played-against-the-phoenix-suns-and-lost#539565434)

same as its ever been

Clarkson
Has been disappointing lately, no two ways about it

Posted by bbabbabba (https://www.sbnation.com/users/bbabbabba) on May 1, 2021 | 4:46 AM (https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/4/30/22413647/the-utah-jazz-played-against-the-phoenix-suns-and-lost#539566059)

as in the past two season yes

Based on his prior injury history in college and based on him being injured for 3/4 of his first NBA season—and based on Jaden McDaniel (who was chosen with pick #28–one pick after Azubuike) playing like a high lottery pick for Minnesota—it looks like the Jazz may have gotten another late draft pick totally wrong again last off season. Other than Rudy Gobert, Rodney Hood and Donovan Mitchell—and granted, Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell were big home run picks (even grand slam picks)—the Dennis Lindsey regime has not been very good on drafting, especially with later draft picks.

Posted by Fesenko for President (https://www.sbnation.com/users/Fesenko%20for%20President) on May 1, 2021 | 8:56 AM (https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/4/30/22413647/the-utah-jazz-played-against-the-phoenix-suns-and-lost#539569177)

they needed a center. Udoka sounds like he could be another Gobert type player. McDaniel would be playing behind Forrest like Morgan and Brantley. Hood :roll:

Turns out Donovan may be the team's MVP, even if he doesn't have the best advanced stats.
That said, both Rudy and Donovan are essential to the Jazz winning as their roster/scheme is constructed. Lose either guy, and the Jazz are looking like a lottery team.

Posted by cardsinindy2010 (https://www.sbnation.com/users/cardsinindy2010) on May 1, 2021 | 9:40 AM (https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/4/30/22413647/the-utah-jazz-played-against-the-phoenix-suns-and-lost#539570062)

nah. All about Gobert and Conley

Xiao Yao You

05-01-2021, 02:33 PM

https://fansided.com/2021/04/30/whiteboard-8-best-first-round-matchups-2021-nba-playoffs/

Okay, so maybe the Dubs are still thoroughly outmatched here; Curry, this version of Draymond Green, Andrew Wiggins, Kelly Oubre Jr. and a bunch of G Leaguers won’t instill much fear in one of the most complete teams in basketball. But we’d rather see the Warriors — the ideal play-in team (https://fansided.com/2021/04/28/whiteboard-golden-state-warriors-nba-perfect-play-in-team/) — earn the honor of getting diced up by Utah than more feckless playoff threats like the Spurs, Grizzlies or Pelicans.

rather see the Grizzlies. They are the future

Xiao Yao You

05-01-2021, 02:39 PM

Josh Lewenberg: Khem Birch, asked about facing Gobert tonight: “I do believe I’m kinda underrated so obviously I’ve gotta prove myself… but I’m not really worried about other big guys. The other day I had to guard Jokic… I don’t really get scared when I go up against those types of guys” (https://*********.com/social/)
– via Twitter JLew1050 (https://twitter.com/JLew1050)

Xiao Yao You

05-01-2021, 03:34 PM

Tony Jones: Donovan Mitchell and Mike Conley continue to be OUT with a sprained ankle and hamstring tightness, respectively (https://*********.com/social/)
– via Twitter Tjonesonthenba (https://twitter.com/Tjonesonthenba)

Xiao Yao You

05-01-2021, 03:35 PM

Eric Walden: Donovan Mitchell was re-evaluated today for his sprained ankle and will be out at least another week (https://*********.com/social/).
– via Twitter tribjazz (https://twitter.com/tribjazz)

Xiao Yao You

05-01-2021, 09:38 PM

https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/5/1/22414336/the-utah-jazz-look-to-get-back-on-rhythm-against-the-toronto-raptors

The Jazz are missing two All-Star guards, and it shows. While the bench was able to show up in a big way against the Sacramento Kings (https://www.sactownroyalty.com/), it was completely unable to do so against the Phoenix Suns (https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/). With Mitchell and Conley out, a lot of responsibility falls on Joe Ingles and Jordan Clarkson. Both are leading candidates for the Sixth Man of the Year award, and we’ve seen both take over games. They have that ability, but the role of lead ball handler is not what either of them are used to. They have to step outside of their comfort zones a little bit. The Jazz will need Ingles to be aggressive with his shot. They’ll need Clarkson to be smart with his decisions. If they can do that, the losses of Conley and Mitchell can be hidden.

when is Clarkson anything but the lead ball handler? Smart with his decisions? :roll:

Xiao Yao You

05-02-2021, 07:42 AM

https://kslsports.com/458681/jazz-forrest-outlast-shorthanded-raptors/

A single win in the NBA costs roughly $2.6 (https://medium.com/@matthartzell/how-much-does-a-win-on-the-nba-free-agent-market-cost-f4fb32d33e1)–2.9 (https://thedatajocks.com/nba-economics-and-cost-per-win/#:~:text=The%20First%20NBA%20Cost%20per%20Win%20Mo del&text=A%20win%20in%20terms%20of,contract%20of%20abo ut%2014.5%20million.) million based on the league’s total salary divided by the total number of wins. And frankly, the Jazz probably wouldn’t have beaten the Raptors if it wasn’t for Forrest.

I'd still take Brantley, Morgan and Oni over him. He's played well but without a shot there's no one he should be playing over anyone except Hughes. The fact that the roster is the way it is and a 2 way rookie with no shot is playing is inexcusable

After the team waived guard Shaq Harrison earlier in the season, Forrest became the defacto sixth guard but seems to have leaped Miye Oni to become the team’s go-to fifth option.

Oni still appears to be 10th man unless they are missing multiple guys than he becomes the last man. Makes lots of sense COTY! :lol

Forrest’s game still needs work to become a full-blown NBA player. He’s connected on just 20 percent of his three-point attempts this season, a number that must improve if he wants to find himself in a rotation permanently.

rotation? He won't be long for the league. At least he is shooting if open now

Most teams are still going to prefer to avoid James and Davis as long as they can in the playoffs but for now, no team in the West looks like an easy out.

the last team or two should be an easy out. Jazz certainly don't want Lakers

Xiao Yao You

05-02-2021, 07:51 AM

https://www.ksl.com/article/50158250/an-unexpected-hero-jazz-get-by-raptors-behind-play-of-trent-forrest

He studies how Mike Conley masterfully paces a pick and roll; how Donovan Mitchell makes reads in the paint; and how Royce O'Neale handles guarding a team's best player.

Maybe watch how Niang shoots

On the ensuing offensive possession, Joe Ingles found Forrest open for a corner 3. But there was a reason he was open. Forrest had already badly missed two other open 3s in the game and had made just one long distance shot all season — albeit on very few opportunities.

and he'll continue to be open and the paint will be packed unless he learns to shoot. Been there done that with Ricky. At least he can defend and make a layup

"You guys know how I feel about that, if you're out there and you're open, you got to shoot it," coach Quin Snyder said. "And sometimes that's not easy, especially if you're a young guy and you missed the first one."

They've obviously drilled it into him because he didn't want to shoot before the past couple of games

Xiao Yao You

05-02-2021, 07:55 AM

https://www.deseret.com/2021/5/1/22404210/instant-analysis-utah-jazz-up-defensive-intensity-in-second-half-to-rally-past-toronto-raptors

Utah’s defense allowed 62 points at the half, which is usually difficult to overcome. Two of those points were the result of a simple lack of defensive awareness at the end of the first quarter as the Jazz were caught up in the excitement from Clarkson’s highlight-reel dunk. After the dunk with 1.4 seconds left, the Jazz allowed DeAndre’ Bembry to get behind everyone as he caught the inbounds pass, and in scramble mode, Gobert fouled him on a 3-point attempt. Bembry made 2 of 3 free throws, but they were two points there was no reason to concede.

Was a great block. **** Clarkson!

Xiao Yao You

05-02-2021, 07:43 PM

Eric Walden: Mike Conley and Donovan Mitchell are both OUT tomorrow vs. San Antonio (https://*********.com/social/).
– via Twitter tribjazz (https://twitter.com/tribjazz)

Xiao Yao You

05-03-2021, 01:54 PM

https://www.deseret.com/2021/5/2/22412433/utah-jazz-mailbag-rudy-gobert-derrick-favors-georges-niang-playoffs-ersan-ilyasova-nba-trent-forrest

I think that just about everyone can predict what lineups are going to be used during the playoffs. If everyone is healthy, there’s no reason to believe that the Jazz will stray away from what they normally use with the main, nine-man rotation. That doesn’t mean that there won’t be small tweaks and clever changes based on matchups.

yep. we're talking COTY here unfortunately

There is a world in which the Jazz would have to match up against a very tall and lengthy lineup and they’d need to go with an ultra big lineup. That being said, it’s hard for me to imagine a scenario in which Quin Snyder would use a lineup of Rudy Gobert, Derrick Favors, Georges Niang and Ersan Ilyasova unless the circumstances were dire or he did it just for a couple minutes to shake things up.

Ersan/Morgan/Brantley should be getting the minutes at the 4. Clarkson and Bojan shouldn't play!

And, I know that there might be hopes that Ilyasova gets some more playing time but I don’t think that the Jazz are going to rely on him much, if at all, during the playoffs. That’s not a knock against Ilyasova. I covered him when he played with the Philadelphia 76ers and saw him do some great things during the playoffs. But, it was clear when Philly signed him that they would be using him. So far with the Jazz, that’s just not been the case. I’d think of him as insurance more than anything else at this point.

and to anyone paying attention he offers something the Jazz don't have. Sadly you are right

I think that it would be pretty safe to assume those players will be here through those contracts. Of course, trades and other deals are always a possibility, but the Jazz have been successful with this group, so right now there’s no reason to think that they’ll be wheeling and dealing that much.

again I'm sure you're right but with a new owner we can hope that things change in Utah. Bojan, Clarkson, Favors and Hughes should all be gone. Ideally Mitchell too!

Mike Conley will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason and it seems like the Jazz will want to re-sign him, but the length and size of that contract still has to be negotiated. Joe Ingles has one more season on his contract after this year, how he plays next season will play a huge part in whether he sticks around. Both Conley and Ingles will turn 34 in October, so age is certainly something to think about. They’ve both had excellent seasons, maybe the best of their careers, but father time is undefeated.

Conley is their 2nd best player by far and Ingles is arguably their 3rd

The Jazz could keep this core together for a very long time if they want to, and I’d expect that to be the case over the next couple of years at least. But it’ll all depend on how well they perform.

if it has anything to do with how they perform than they will follow what I said

There are going to be a lot of moving parts for the Jazz this offseason and we’ll cover that all in depth at a later date, but the simplest answer is yes, the Jazz can re-sign Niang.

He's gone. Another reason to get rid of the big contracts I said

As for Trent Forrest, I don’t have a ton of thoughts because we haven’t seen him play a ton of minutes with the regular rotation guys. He had a good game on Saturday against the Toronto Raptors (https://www.deseret.com/2021/5/2/22410567/reserve-guard-trent-forrest-logs-key-minutes-in-helping-utah-jazz-rally-past-toronto-raptors-for-win), but he only was able to log minutes with the regular players because of injuries to Mitchell (right ankle sprain) and Conley (right hamstring tightness).

another 2 way if they think he can develop a shot. Otherwise let him go

Outside of getting ready for the postseason, Bogdanovic has been playing great, Clarkson has been playing better defense and Niang has stepped up his game. Once Mitchell and Conley are back, there’s no doubts about what they’re able to do and the same goes for Gobert. Seeing that the role players are doing more and being aggressive is a good sign right now. Go forth with that good thought in mind!

Bojan has hardly been great. As I've said since the bubble last year I'm not sure even at his best that they Jazz aren't better without him. Rather have a PF, Niang, Oni...

Xiao Yao You

05-03-2021, 02:01 PM

https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/5/3/22417549/utah-jazz-san-antonio-spurs-game-preview-thread-may-3-2021

As I covered in a recent downbeat, Bojan Bogdanovic is BACK! And it is an absolute joy to watch again. He finally has that swagger and confidence that was missing all season. Over his last 11 games he’s scoring over 22.5 points per game and shooting 41% from 3. With Donovan Mitchell and Mike Conley out again tonight, Bojan may have to score 30+ again for the Jazz to keep their winning ways going.

counting on Bojan and Clarkson is trouble

The Lakers could slide solidly into 7th with a loss and a Blazers win. Putting them in jeopardy of finding themselves in the play in tournament. Something that LeBron James thought was a great idea last year, but has suddenly had a change of heart after a loss yesterday.

poor Lebron! Hopefully they end up in the playin. Couldn't happen to a nicer franchise and their fanbase!!! :roll:

Xiao Yao You

05-03-2021, 02:04 PM

https://thejnotes.com/2021/05/02/utah-jazz-3-jordan-clarkson-sixth-man/

OK, so Clarkson also is a bit of a wild man at times, forcing shots from all over the floor with little regard for traffic standing in his way. Yes, he’s hitting only 41.5 percent of his field-goal attempts and only 34.4 percent from downtown.

hat a gift he is :facepalm

In other words, just judging from the brief evidence below, bad-man Clarkson is clearly underrated both as a razzle-dazzle leader and tone-fixing leaper:

:roll:

And even though Clarkson’s shooting percentages aren’t exactly off the charts, there is something to be said for his consistency when it comes to knocking down at least one 3-pointer per game. After all, his 86 consecutive outings with at least one 3-point make represent the longest such active streak in the league, ranking No. 7 in NBA history.

there's nothing to be said by it other than bench his ass

Xiao Yao You

05-03-2021, 06:16 PM

Basketball-Reference: Toughest remaining schedule 1. Rockets 2. Spurs 3. Knicks (https://*********.com/social/) 4. Bulls 5. Cavs Easiest: 1. Sixers 2. Celtics 3. Kings 4. Jazz 5. Bucks
– via Twitter bball_ref (https://twitter.com/bball_ref)

Xiao Yao You

05-03-2021, 06:18 PM

Senegalese Basketball Federation announced a 16-players preliminary list for next month’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament the NT will play in Belgrade. The list includes NBA Players Tacko Fall, Gorgui Dieng and Georges Niang, alongside Baskonia star Pierría Henry, who received his passport a few months ago (https://sportando.basketball/en/senegal-include-tacko-fall-dieng-niang-and-pierria-henry-in-preliminary-oqt-list/).
– via Sportando (https://sportando.basketball/en/senegal-include-tacko-fall-dieng-niang-and-pierria-henry-in-preliminary-oqt-list/)

Xiao Yao You

05-03-2021, 06:19 PM

Eric Walden: Asked about the Jazz’s focus for the remainder of the season, Derrick Favors said, “We’ll take these last remaining [eight] games very seriously.” He paused, seemed to recall the recent Rudy Gobert controversy, laughed, and added, “I’m not trying to be funny saying that, either!” (https://*********.com/social/)
– via Twitter tribjazz (https://twitter.com/tribjazz)

Xiao Yao You

05-04-2021, 02:49 PM

https://kslsports.com/458765/well-rounded-effort-carries-jazz-over-spurs/

Jordan Clarkson: Jordan Clarkson was arguably the Jazz’s least effective player and still added 16 points. He shot just 7-20 from the floor but added six rebounds and five assists while playing a team-high 34 minutes.

there's no argument. team high in minutes. COTY!

Trent Forrest: Trent Forrest continues to establish himself as a legitimate NBA player in his rookie season. The guard is already an adequate defender in his first season, a skill that will undoubtedly grow with his size and athleticism. More impressively his poise under pressure continues to improve on the offensive end where he’s comfortable probing the defense and taking open shots.

I'd say he's far from legitimate. If he's able to hit down open shots consistently he probably is. can't see playing him over anyone but Hughes and maybe Thomas right now though. Not sure he's comfortable taking open shots. Before the last 3 games or so he didn't want to shoot. They've obviously told him he has to if open

Miye Oni: After losing his role as the Jazz 10th man in recent weeks to either Forrest or Ersan Ilyasova, Miye Oni brought excellent hustle in 14 total minutes. The guard only recorded one rebound and one steal during his time on the floor, but his energy allowed Quin Snyder to rest Joe Ingles and Royce O’Neale for extra minutes in the first half.

He didn't lose his 10th man spot when only 1 guy is hurt though. It's only if more than 1 guy is out. Makes perfect sense! :facepalm

Over the last four games without either All-Star guard, Bogdanovic and Clarkson are the only players to average more than 30 minutes per game. Bogdanovic has averaged just 32.1 minutes in Conley and Mitchell’s absence while Clarkson is at 30.2.

I think that is because COTY is convinced he needs their scoring not because he wants to rest others

While the Jazz are 4-2 against the Lakers and Mavericks this year, both teams are likely to offer a greater challenge in the playoffs. On the other hand, the Jazz are 8-1 this season against the four teams currently slotted to wind up in the play-in tournament, with games left to play against San Antonio, Golden State, and Portland.

Mavs don't scare me

Xiao Yao You

05-04-2021, 03:13 PM

https://www.ksl.com/article/50159310/from-cursed-to-blessed-the-jazzs-yellow-uniforms-have-made-quite-the-turnaround

From cursed to blessed: The Jazz's yellow uniforms have made quite the turnaround

ugly anyway you look at it

Xiao Yao You

05-04-2021, 03:23 PM

https://www.deseret.com/2021/5/3/22417192/utah-jazz-good-news-bad-news-down-stretch-to-nba-playoffs-los-angeles-lakers-lebron-james

James thought they were too boring to choose for his All-Star team, but he might be stuck with them as a strong early-round opponent in the playoffs.

jazz better hope not. Last team they want to play

Xiao Yao You

05-04-2021, 03:30 PM

https://www.deseret.com/2021/5/3/22417136/instant-analysis-utah-jazz-regain-top-spot-in-west-for-now-with-win-over-san-antonio-spurs-nba

Trent Forrest was again afforded quite a bit of run with Conley and Mitchell out, and he again made the most of his time. Like a lot of players who are trying to break into regular NBA rotations, he’s a hungry player and makes a lot of hustle plays. What’s even better is that a lot of the hustle plays he makes are on the defensive end and hitting the glass. That’s the type of thing that if done consistently, is really noticed by NBA coaches. That’s why O’Neale has a starting role on the Jazz. Forrest played 21 minutes, and had nine points, four rebounds and a steal but for a second straight game his impact was greater than what the box score showed.

Royce improved his 3 point shot quickly. wouldn't be starting otherwise

Jordan Clarkson was shooting 37% from 3-point range before the All-Star break. Since then he’s shooting 30% from 3, including a 2-of-10 outing against the Spurs. In particular I think that his shot selection is getting a little iffy. I know that making quick decisions is something the Jazz want but it seems like sometimes he either takes too long or acts too quickly and there’s not a middle ground.

looks like the same shot selection to me he just isn't making everything like earlier in the year. Didn't like it then and don't like it now

Kind of on the other end of the spectrum, Joe Ingles has been the Jazz’s best 3-point shooter since the All-Star break, shooting 48.1% heading into Monday night’s game. But he struggled from deep, hitting just 2-of-7. That’s not what was bad, though. He and head coach Quin Snyder have talked recently about his ability to move past makes, but on Monday he did not seem like he could move past them and threw his arms into the air when he finally hit one. Then later he took a really weird early shot clock 3 from way too deep that he was very short on. He just seemed out of sorts.

The difference is guys like Ingles, O'Neale and Conley can miss shots and they aren't killing you like Clarkson, Bojan and Mitchell

Xiao Yao You

05-04-2021, 03:41 PM

https://saltcityhoops.com/sc7-war-attrition-continuity/

Interestingly, the Jazz are nearly unbeatable in games where Niang makes three or more from downtown, with 12 wins in those 13 games. (Two such games occurred this last week, including the loss.) That’s especially surprising since games where Niang plays a bigger role as a possession user are by definition almost always games where Utah is missing a key player. He’s really helped them keep the rotation afloat with his shot-making and improved defense.

certainly better than Clarkson and Bojan

That’s the difference between Utah’s first-half defensive rating against Toronto on Saturday (121.7) and their second-half defense (78.4). It’s equal parts impressive that they were able to clamp down like that when they wanted to AND frustrating just how easy the Raptors had it for 24 minutes. Rudy Gobert obviously locked the paint down in the second half, but it was actually lineups featuring Derrick Favors (61.5 2nd half DRtg) and Ersan Ilyasova (50.0) that were the stingiest.

Ersan needs to play

Jazz 106, Raptors 102: Bojan Bogdanovic. Here’s a crazy stat: in the 31 Jazz possessions that ended with Bogey shooting, going to the line, turning the ball over or assisting a teammate, the Jazz’s ORtg was 141.9. On the other 65 possessions, it was 95.4. The forward absolutely carried the Jazz offense with his aggressiveness and ability to bend the defense. He had a season high in points as part of a nice 34-4-4 line. Also deserving mention: Gobert keyed a great defensive turnaround and also tipped in what felt like the clinching points. Trent Forrest had a nice stretch in the second half, and Joe Ingles directed things with nine assists to go with 15 timely points.

Rudy won that won. Amazing how you do your best to give it to anyone but Rudy

Xiao Yao You

05-04-2021, 03:45 PM

https://www.slcdunk.com/the-downbeat-latest-jazz-news/2021/5/4/22419189/western-conference-playoff-race-utah-jazz-phoenix-suns-los-angeles-lakers-la-clippers-denver-nuggets

Their end-of-season schedule has some tough matchups, so watching the race between the Suns and Jazz will be fun! I don’t think we’ll see the usual finish where the top teams start resting their guys for the playoffs. I think both of these teams really want to have that 1st seed. And with the way the Suns have been playing, they have what it takes to get there for sure. However, 528’s model for one reason or another isn’t loving what the Suns are doing. Their full-strength rating puts the Suns at a surprising 8th in the league. Let’s just say, I won’t complain if they are able to knock out either of the LA teams in the playoffs. Yet I also wouldn’t be too keen on a matchup against them either... (mostly because I just don’t want another Chris Paul series. We’ve had our fair share of those.)

they've beat Paul in the playoffs

Xiao Yao You

05-04-2021, 04:05 PM

https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/5/3/22418675/utah-jazz-energy-and-focus-proves-too-much-for-worn-out-san-antonio-spurs

Despite the highlights, Jordan Clarkson finished with 16 points on 20 FGAs while recording 5 turnovers. He was the lone cloud in an otherwise clear, blue sky (so to speak).

par for the course

I said this in the game thread but I wonder if the Jazz see Forrest as our 3rd string guard.
When we had to drop Neto a couple years ago we haven’t really had a steady 3rd guard and wondering if the Jazz might see Forrest as that cheap, steady if unspectacular third option. Hope they keep him around.

Posted by TheNextGM (https://www.sbnation.com/users/TheNextGM) on May 4, 2021 | 12:21 AM (https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/5/3/22418675/utah-jazz-energy-and-focus-proves-too-much-for-worn-out-san-antonio-spurs#539676090)

He is right now which is a joke. The fact that a two way guy is the answer means there's something wrong with the roster. Hughes would be the first guy I'd look at (besides Bojan, Clarkson and Favors) and he's got another guaranteed year :facepalm

Definitely earning himself a guaranteed contract with somebody next year. Hopefully us.

Posted by SKMike (https://www.sbnation.com/users/SKMike) on May 4, 2021 | 3:30 AM (https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/5/3/22418675/utah-jazz-energy-and-focus-proves-too-much-for-worn-out-san-antonio-spurs#539677182)

there's no definite especially after Brantley made all Gleague and was forced to come back on another 2 way

Rubio was significantly better than Conley at every major part of basketball except for outside shooting, so the only reasonable reason to give up so much for the switch is because of Conley’s outside shooting. The flip side of that is that Rubio was chased out of town because of his poor outside shooting.
Then, Conley came on over and shot the ball just as poorly as Rubio, or very close to it.
My argument was that it was a bad decision to "upgrade" from Rubio to Conley because Conley was a significantly worse player for twice the price. I felt the need to argue that point because many dunkers were claiming that Conley was playing better than Rubio had even though nearly every traditional and advanced stat said otherwise.
But claiming (and supporting) that Rubio was playing better than Conley two seasons ago is very different than saying that I wanted them to bring back Rubio. In fact, I very explicitly stated on more than one occasion that it was probably a good decision to move on from Rubio, but a poor decision to trade for Conley.
And its_computers’ snarky claim that I currently want the Jazz to bring back Rubio is wholly unsupported and was clearly just an attempt to start an argument. It seems that he succeeded.

Posted by Kira Argonova (https://www.sbnation.com/users/Kira%20Argonova) on May 4, 2021 | 12:13 PM (https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/5/3/22418675/utah-jazz-energy-and-focus-proves-too-much-for-worn-out-san-antonio-spurs#539692008)

Rubio isn't better at anything except maybe rebounding. The guys sucks!

What I’m not sure about is that they need to have a traditional point guard. The team’s offense is run in a way that four players on the court can initiate the offense.
As good as Conley has been this season, the Jazz probably don’t need a player like him. Certainly not three of them. I like Neto, but the Jazz would never need him. I would rather have a player who is longer, bigger, and younger.
If Conley is gone next season, they can give DM the title of "PG" and have Jingles be the "PG" off the bench, if that title is even necessary.

Posted by Kira Argonova (https://www.sbnation.com/users/Kira%20Argonova) on May 4, 2021 | 9:40 AM (https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/5/3/22418675/utah-jazz-energy-and-focus-proves-too-much-for-worn-out-san-antonio-spurs#539685629)

yep which is why it makes little sense for Forrest to be playing over Oni, Brantley, Morgan, Ersan and probably Thomas(he's new so that one might be argued). Conley is their 2nd best player so he is needed more than anyone but Gobert. If he's gone next year they won't be as good

There's no reason Rudy shouldn't be averaging 12+ FGA/game.

Posted by Kira Argonova (https://www.sbnation.com/users/Kira%20Argonova) on May 4, 2021 | 6:30 AM (https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/5/3/22418675/utah-jazz-energy-and-focus-proves-too-much-for-worn-out-san-antonio-spurs#539678683)

there's plenty of reasons namely Mitchell, Clarkson and Bojan

they are agreeing with you that the front office blew it by only trading for thomas

Posted by letter to the Corinthians (https://www.sbnation.com/users/letter%20to%20the%20Corinthians) on May 4, 2021 | 8:10 AM (https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/5/3/22418675/utah-jazz-energy-and-focus-proves-too-much-for-worn-out-san-antonio-spurs#539681810)

Thomas no. Mitchell's super max, Favorsm Clarkson, Bojan and Hughes sure

The Jazz could have traded a quality player (i.e. Bogey/Clarkson/Royce) and young potential (i.e. Oni) and lots of draft picks (two 1sts and four 2nds) for an even better player.
This was the season to trade future assets for current assets. There were teams doing the opposite (Magic were unloading like crazy), and the Jazz should have gotten in on that. All of our main competitors did.

Posted by Kira Argonova (https://www.sbnation.com/users/Kira%20Argonova) on May 4, 2021 | 8:48 AM (https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/5/3/22418675/utah-jazz-energy-and-focus-proves-too-much-for-worn-out-san-antonio-spurs#539683376)

Teams aren't lining up for Bojan, Clarkson or Favors. How much do you have to give up for someone to take them or what bad contracts do you have to take in return?

It was a bad decision to stand pat (with apologies to Matt Friggin’ Thomas).

Posted by Kira Argonova (https://www.sbnation.com/users/Kira%20Argonova) on May 4, 2021 | 9:42 AM (https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/5/3/22418675/utah-jazz-energy-and-focus-proves-too-much-for-worn-out-san-antonio-spurs#539685769)

agreed but they didn't. They got Ersan and he can certainly help. Again the coach has to play the guys

The Jazz sustain themselves through the patience of their ball movement, but in moments of desperation, they simplify their attack to beat the clock or minimize risk. It’s Mitchell who allows them to change gears as needed, merging the ideals of Utah’s system with the practicalities of an NBA game through the pressure he applies with a live dribble.I’m looking forward to seeing the team round into playoff form as Don and Mike make their way back.

Posted by ConflictProfessor (https://www.sbnation.com/users/ConflictProfessor) on May 4, 2021 | 8:55 AM (https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/5/3/22418675/utah-jazz-energy-and-focus-proves-too-much-for-worn-out-san-antonio-spurs#539683686)

I wish this was the case but it's not. Mitchell iso's first passes 2nd

Xiao Yao You

05-04-2021, 04:25 PM

https://thejnotes.com/2021/05/04/utah-jazz-donovan-mitchell-douses-rookie/

What? Why? How?

because after center pg was their biggest need in the draft and he was the best guy they could get after wasting their 2nd pick on Hughes?

Utah brass must have forecasted at the time the need for a bit more depth at the one-spot.

1 pg? Yeah might need another! :facepalm

Yes, the water-bottle shower was clearly a show of appreciation from Donovan Mitchell & Co., recognizing that Trent Forrest is a quick learner who could one day go down as a monumental steal by the Utah Jazz.

but more likely to be out of the league quickly

Xiao Yao You

05-05-2021, 01:04 PM

What baffles Ingles is true shooting percentage, a measure of shooting efficiency that takes into account 2-point field goals, 3-point field goals and free throws. “Screw it,” Ingles says. “Let me just keep shooting and see if it keeps going in.” It has. In fact, Ingles is in extraordinarily rare air. Ingles’ NBA-best .692 true shooting percentage this season — a blend of shooting 50.3% from the floor, 46.9% from 3-point range and 84.0% from the free throw line — would rank ninth in league history (https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/31389506/utah-jazz-wing-joe-ingles-no-business-leading-nba-one-stat).
– via Tim MacMahon @ ESPN (https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/31389506/utah-jazz-wing-joe-ingles-no-business-leading-nba-one-stat)

Ingles, who is averaging 12.3 points per game for the league-leading Jazz, sheepishly called it “kinda cool, I guess” that he could end up having a statistical claim to the most efficient shooting campaign in NBA history. (https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/31389506/utah-jazz-wing-joe-ingles-no-business-leading-nba-one-stat) Kyle Korver, who had a .699 true shooting percentage for the 2014-15 Atlanta Hawks, is the only non-center in the top 10. Like Korver with that 60-win team, Ingles is both a beneficiary of a ball-moving system and a critical cog who helps keep it humming. Utah’s 33-year-old non-dunking wing sits atop a statistical category normally reserved for rim-running big men, the result of a steady development of counters to opponents’ scouting reports and constant tinkering of an expanding tool set.
– via Tim MacMahon @ ESPN (https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/31389506/utah-jazz-wing-joe-ingles-no-business-leading-nba-one-stat)

Xiao Yao You

05-05-2021, 01:29 PM

https://saltcityhoops.com/fluid-seeding-race-has-the-west-up-for-grabs/

Seeding won’t matter for the Jazz as much as getting healthy. If their main guys are ready to go on May 22, with a top-2 record and homecourt for the entire post-season unless they run into the Suns in the WCF, they have a good as shot as any at winning the West.

the Lakers are the team they need to avoid if possible

Xiao Yao You

05-05-2021, 08:47 PM

https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/5/5/22421168/utah-jazz-vs-san-antonio-spurs-round-two-game-preview-jordan-clarkson-bojan-bogdanovic

The Jazz have to pick up the win tonight if they want to keep hope alive for securing the number one seed. I am sure that is not the first thing the team cares about, with Donovan Mitchell likely nearing a return it is important that they win games like this so that they can regain the identity that they had earlier this season and start gelling just in time for the playoffs.

why likely?

Xiao Yao You

05-05-2021, 08:51 PM

https://thejnotes.com/2021/05/05/utah-jazz-newfound-jersey-magic-playoffs/

The Utah Jazz’s gold “Statement” jerseys look sharper than their other four choices. How so? Well, for one, they are absolutely golden when it comes to making the navy lettering and green numbers pop.

ugly!

Xiao Yao You

05-06-2021, 02:15 PM

https://kslsports.com/458874/jazz-sweep-spurs-reclaim-top-seed/

While the Lakers have been struggling of late, it’s difficult to imagine them not being able to win a play-in matchup against any opponent with Anthony Davis and LeBron James in the lineup.

anything can happen in one game

With Mike Conley and Donovan Mitchell still working their way back from injury, a quick first-round series with rest before the second round. No playoff series is easy, but the physical toll of having to battle James in a best of seven-game series is a daunting task, even when compared to Stephen Curry and the Warriors.

anyone but the lakers in round 1 should be easy but clarkson, bojan, mitchell and coty might have something to say about it

Though the team’s metrics are still strong on the road, they’re nowhere near as impressive as when the Jazz are playing in Salt Lake City. While fans may want to focus on who they could face as the postseason rolls on, beginning each series in Utah with a potential Game Seven at Vivint Arena may be more important to the team’s championship hopes than their opponent.

Won't matter if they face the lakers

Xiao Yao You

05-06-2021, 02:19 PM

https://kslsports.com/458846/snyder-on-jazz-mitchell-he-wants-to-be-out-there/

“As far as the team’s focus and preparation for what you want to do, I think we can still do some things that will help us,” Snyder said. “And then getting those guys back, hopefully be even better.”

hopefully mitchell is paying attention and the ball will continue to move and he'll try to defend. i doubt it though

Xiao Yao You

05-06-2021, 02:47 PM

https://www.deseret.com/2021/5/5/22417142/instant-analysis-jazz-blow-out-spurs-behind-30-point-performance-from-jordan-clarkson

Well, well, well. Jordan Clarkson must have heard the recent discourse about his efficiency and production slipping. He finished with 30 points on 12 of 16 shooting, going 2 of 4 from 3-point range to go with six rebounds and four assists. He was doing it from every spot, through contact, in traffic, on pull-ups, off the dribble and in people’s faces. It was an excellent performance and one for the Sixth Man of the Year voters to look at (https://www.deseret.com/2021/4/25/22398333/jordan-clarkson-and-joe-ingles-are-both-in-the-running-for-sixth-man-honors-utah-jazz-nba-6moy).

Doubt he heard anything. He's going to keep gunning . COTY is going to let him. Once in a while he might not suck

The Spurs are one of the teams in a position to fight for a play-in spot, but as it stands right now they’d be the 10th seed, needing to win two games to earn a playoff berth. Well, they’ve lost five in a row and it’s been pretty difficult for them to string together wins all season. If you’re the Jazz, after beating them twice in a row on Monday and Wednesday, you’ve got to be hoping that they somehow pull it out and end up with the eighth seed and that’s who you face in the first round of the playoffs.

should feel good about anyone not the Lakers

Xiao Yao You

05-06-2021, 02:48 PM

https://www.deseret.com/2021/5/6/22421449/utah-jazz-playing-the-right-way-at-the-right-time-nba-playoffs-donovan-mitchell-mike-conley

Overall, through the last handful of games, the Jazz have been working like a well-oiled machine, which is exactly what they want. Even down a couple of players, the transition will likely be smoother when Conley and Mitchell come back if the Jazz are playing the right way.

If Mitchell decides to pass and defend sure. Clarkson will play less anyway

Xiao Yao You

05-06-2021, 03:02 PM

https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/5/5/22422333/utah-jazz-take-back-the-1-spot-in-the-west-with-win-over-the-san-antonio-spurs

Jordan Clarkson was also huge. Clarkson’s hot shooting was back as he shot 12/16 from the field and 2/4 from three. The combined numbers of Jordan Clarkson and Bojan Bogdanovic are pretty ridiculous. Clarkson looked more comfortable going to the hoop again but also shared the ball very effectively. The pass is becoming a big part of Clarkson’s game, enough that he’s now able to use Ingles-like ball fakes to get some space. If Clarkson can continue this play, as well as Bogdanovic, the Jazz are going to be a well-oiled machine come playoff time.

a passing machine :roll:

It’s also time to start the Trent Forrest fan club. I wasn’t completely sure about Forrest when he started, and he still isn’t a 3-point threat, but he has a real control of the ball and can hit shots going to the rim. He’s also shown a very nice ability to run the pick and roll and hit open shooters and big men. The other thing that is very nice is his ability to defend. He’s now had multiple nights where his defense has been a game changer. We may be looking at another undrafted player that will look like a Jazz steal as time goes on.

unless he develops a shot he'll be out of the league. Oni, Brantley can do the things he can and are better shooters. Morgan and Ersan should play over him as well especially

Playing Royce and Jingles as "guards" works out well for our system.
We really don’t need a traditional PG. Four forwards who can shoot and Rudy is a great lineup.

Posted by Kira Argonova (https://www.sbnation.com/users/Kira%20Argonova) on May 6, 2021 | 6:25 AM (https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/5/5/22422333/utah-jazz-take-back-the-1-spot-in-the-west-with-win-over-the-san-antonio-spurs#539779396)

Be even better if at least one of them was Ersan, Morgan or Brantley

I’m thinking about next season when we likely don’t have Conley back. Maybe instead of trying to replace him with another traditional PG, we look at replacing him with a wing who can pass and initiate a pick n roll.

Posted by Kira Argonova (https://www.sbnation.com/users/Kira%20Argonova) on May 6, 2021 | 8:00 AM (https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/5/5/22422333/utah-jazz-take-back-the-1-spot-in-the-west-with-win-over-the-san-antonio-spurs#539782322)

**** them if Conley is gone

I DO think it’s good that Quin is opening up his rotations — esp since having different looks in the playoffs will be helpful.
BUT, and to be fair to Quin, when he was using his TIGHT 9-man rotation, we were far-and-away the best team in the league, and based on advanced numbers we were one of the best teams in the past 10 years. So…if it ain’t broke…

Posted by l3uddyh011y (https://www.sbnation.com/users/l3uddyh011y) on May 6, 2021 | 8:21 AM (https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/5/5/22422333/utah-jazz-take-back-the-1-spot-in-the-west-with-win-over-the-san-antonio-spurs#539783126)

we saw that in the bubble and than he refused to change it up against Denver and it cost them the series

Interesting. In both those scenarios, we'd likely end up with the Nuggets in the second round.
I can live with that. Sounds better than the Clippers.

Posted by Big_B (https://www.sbnation.com/users/Big_B) on May 6, 2021 | 9:41 AM (https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/5/5/22422333/utah-jazz-take-back-the-1-spot-in-the-west-with-win-over-the-san-antonio-spurs#539786691)

not sure about that. Certainly don't want the Lakers

Xiao Yao You

05-06-2021, 03:09 PM

https://www.sltrib.com/sports/jazz/2021/05/05/triple-team-jazz-out/

First, the offense. The Jazz did a really nice job tonight in creating shots for one another, running the offense with precision and without hiccups. This isn’t quite a 3-man weave play, but it’s almost the same idea: a lot of passes in short succession, distracting the defense from the quick pick-and-roll, with seamless continuity between every part of the action.

No Clarkson, Bojan or Mitchell. Surprising! :lol

• I think the Jazz shouldn’t really be considered favorites against the Nuggets on Friday. The Nuggets are playing their best basketball right now, and the Jazz will still be missing Donovan Mitchell and almost certainly Mike Conley. It will be very hard for them to score against the Nuggets, in my opinion.

Gordon and Mcgee have made Denver a good defensive team? The ball will certainly move more without Mitchell and the D will be better

• Both teams have a game in Golden State — it will be very interesting to see how the Jazz guard Steph Curry without their guards.

Mitchell not on Curry is a positive. O'Neal probably takes him

Xiao Yao You

05-06-2021, 03:13 PM

https://www.nba.com/jazz/news/jordan-clarkson-scores-30-lead-utah-jazz-past-spurs

“It’s been a little different with [Donovan Mitchell] and [Mike Conley] out,” he said. “I’m having to make plays. Defenses are doing different things. But, nah, I don’t really look at numbers like that. I just try to impact the game and do what I can.”

nothing has changed but you are playing more

Xiao Yao You

05-07-2021, 07:11 AM

https://www.reddit.com/r/nba/comments/mwcbde/oc_rudy_gobert_rim_deterrence_and_roll_gravity/

Rudy Gobert is perhaps the most underrated player today. In a hyperscoring NBA world where there have never been so many players with 20 or more points per game, Gobert with his 2.16 meters (7ft 1) and Pterodactyl-like wing-span of 2.36 meters (7ft 9) has only 14.4 points per game. But does that even matter at all? Because Gobert's influence on the Jazz' defense and offense can be seen in some "unconventional" statistics that are simply impressive.

someone gets it

The last column is the most interesting, when Gobert is off the floor opponents shoot 6% more often from Restricted Area! This is by far the largest number of all these players. In addition to affecting the number of shots from RA, he is one of the best in terms of reducing the effectiveness of opponents' shots.

but they don't lose anything with favors. why would teams go after him more?

Xiao Yao You

05-07-2021, 07:34 AM

https://kslsports.com/458907/jazz-can-clinch-division-title-against-nuggets/

who cares! meaningless

Xiao Yao You

05-07-2021, 07:43 AM

https://www.deseret.com/2021/5/6/22417181/nba-year-end-honors-utah-jazz-donovan-mitchell-rudy-gobert-joe-ingles-jordan-clarkson-quin-snyder

In 25 games following the All-Star break, Clarkson has averaged 16.5 points per game and his shooting efficiency has dropped significantly to 37% overall, 30% from beyond the arc and 87.3% from the line.

he sucks

The New York Knicks were a team without any expectations before the 2020-21 season started. They’ve been that team for a long time. In fact, they haven’t been in the playoffs since the 2012-13 season. This season, head coach Tom Thibodeau took what was a 21-win team last year and made it a playoff contender with a winning record despite not having any real star power.

Randle is a star and they are in the east. All you need

It also seems likely that Mitchell will make his first All-NBA team, but it will probably be close. Six guards will be selected to All-NBA teams, two on each of the three teams, and that’s a very small field. Golden State’s Stephen Curry, Dallas’ Luka Doncic, Portland’s Damian Lillard, Phoenix’s Chris Paul, Phoenix’s Devin Booker and Mitchell seem to be largely the consensus for guards to make the All-NBA teams.

horrible

Outside of Gobert there are going to be some people that will argue that the Jazz’s Conley and Royce O’Neale deserve some recognition by making an All-Defensive team, but seeing as there are only two All-Defense teams (compared to the three All-NBA teams), it will be a bit of a long shot to expect three players from a single team taking three of the 10 spots.

Conley should make it for sure. Royce should be in the mix. They carry some crappy defenders

Xiao Yao You

05-07-2021, 07:47 AM

https://www.slcdunk.com/the-downbeat-latest-jazz-news/2021/5/6/22423962/nba-utah-jazz-playoffs-outlook-donovan-mitchell-rudy-gobert-mike-conley

The biggest thing right now is making sure that everyone is healthy heading into the playoffs in two weeks. That’s why we’ve seen the Jazz be very cautious bringing Donovan Mitchell back into the lineup with his ankle injury, and continuing to rest Mike Conley and others in back-to-back and other scenarios. So much of success in the playoffs depends on player health, especially star player health. The Jazz need Don and Mike 100%, along with the rest of the crew if they are going to make a run at this thing.

need Conley for sure

Mitchell and Conley
I have a different perspective on when Mitchell and Conley should return. I wouldn’t mind seeing them sit out the rest of the regular season and then get in game shape against their first round opponent who the Jazz should beat even if Mitchell and Conley aren’t at the top of their game. That would give them 4-7 games to get their game legs under them and still allow them to enter the second round pretty fresh.

Posted by jmnunes5 (https://www.sbnation.com/users/jmnunes5) on May 6, 2021 | 10:31 PM (https://www.slcdunk.com/the-downbeat-latest-jazz-news/2021/5/6/22423962/nba-utah-jazz-playoffs-outlook-donovan-mitchell-rudy-gobert-mike-conley#539819907)

yeah they should win in the 1st round regardless

Xiao Yao You

05-07-2021, 07:49 AM

https://thejnotes.com/2021/05/06/utah-jazz-death-lineup-playoff-teams/

should smoke any of them

Xiao Yao You

05-07-2021, 07:51 PM

Eric Walden: Quin Snyder said that Donovan Mitchell is “coming along and working hard, doing everything he can to get back.” (https://*********.com/social/) Seemed to indicate he was not too worried about Donovan losing his timing, or the chemistry with teammates being rusty.
– via Twitter tribjazz (https://twitter.com/tribjazz)

Eric Walden: Quin added that “you try to see the positives” of the situation, noting that with the play-in tourney, that gives Donovan some wiggle room to get re-acclimated: (https://*********.com/rumors/#) “There’s a little larger window, so you can get some of that in a practice setting.”
– via Twitter tribjazz (https://twitter.com/tribjazz)

Eric Walden: Mike Conley and Juwan Morgan are OUT tonight. (https://*********.com/social/) Udoka Azubuike is AVAILABLE.
– via Twitter tribjazz (https://twitter.com/tribjazz)

Jonathan Feigen: Christian Wood, who is out in Milwaukee, will also sit out against the Jazz tomorrow. (https://*********.com/social/) Rockets have eight available tonight, including Khyri Thomas who joined the team a couple hours ago. Might not have that many tomorrow.
– via Twitter Jonathan_Feigen (https://twitter.com/Jonathan_Feigen)

Xiao Yao You

05-07-2021, 07:52 PM

Andy Larsen: From Jazz PR: Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell was re-evaluated by the team’s medical staff today for a sprained ankle he sustained vs. Indiana on April 16. He continues to make progress towards a return and will be re-evaluated in one week (https://*********.com/social/).
– via Twitter andyblarsen (https://twitter.com/andyblarsen)

Xiao Yao You

05-07-2021, 08:36 PM

https://kslsports.com/458979/donovan-mitchell-to-miss-another-week-with-ankle-injury/

If not, the Jazz could be faced with the idea of trying to re-incorporate Mitchell as the playoffs begin.

that's why you win and get a high seed. 1st round should be easy regardless

Xiao Yao You

05-07-2021, 08:42 PM

https://kslsports.com/458951/what-is-the-utah-jazz-ideal-playoff-bracket/

If for some reason James can’t return to full health before the first round of the playoffs, it’s more ideal to face them early in the postseason than it would be in the later rounds.

last team you want to face under any circumstance

Both the Warriors (1-1) and Trail Blazers (2-0) have games left against the Jazz, and the Jazz are a combined 3-1 in those matchups, but the idea of facing either Steph Curry or Damian Lillard for a seven-game series is daunting, especially if the Jazz backcourt isn’t fully healthy.

4 or 5 games at most

So, the Jazz best scenario would likely be to face the Spurs, then the Grizzlies, then the Trail Blazers, then the Warriors in that order.

i'd say Memphis. They are young

Finally, the fourth and the fifth seed matchup would put the Nuggets against the Dallas Mavericks, with the winner facing the Jazz in the second round. The idea of facing either Nikola Jokic or Luka Doncic in the playoffs should be frightening as both players proved how lethal they can be in last year’s postseason.

teams they should beat though they should have beat denver last year and coty threw it away

Who of those two the Jazz would want to face could be determined by how either team looks in the opening two rounds of the playoffs.

suns

Xiao Yao You

05-07-2021, 08:43 PM

https://kslsports.com/458915/would-you-rather-jazz-win-a-title-or-watch-lakers-suffer/

“It’s kind of enjoyable. We’re talking about the Lakers having to play a play-in game, and that’s awesome. That may be the best discussion we’ve ever had on our show ever,” Mitchell said. “I would love if the Lakers had to play in that little play-in tournament and let them fight it out. They plan and then they lose, I would give up a championship for the Utah Jazz to see that.”

:facepalm

Xiao Yao You

05-07-2021, 08:45 PM

https://kslsports.com/458927/jazz-rookie-azubuike-listed-as-probable-against-nuggets/

“He’s working really hard,” Snyder (https://kslsports.com/458298/azubuike-back-with-jazz-working-really-hard/) said. “You think about what he’s been through in his rookie year from the time that the college season was canceled last year, and waiting through the entire process of the draft, then joining a team where he’s playing behind Rudy Gobert and Derrick Favors.”

and morgan and now ersan

Xiao Yao You

05-07-2021, 08:49 PM

https://www.deseret.com/2021/5/7/22404717/utah-jazz-insiders-newsletter-doubts-look-at-nate-bjorkgren-greg-foster-indiana-pacers-nba-playoffs

Q: With Trent Forrest emerging, have we seen the last of Miye Oni? — @Clintonite33
A: The short answer is that we have not seen the last of Miye Oni despite the fact that Trent Forrest is playing well.
Want the longer answer? With Donovan Mitchell and Mike Conley sidelined recently Quin Snyder has been experimenting a little with the rotation, but if I’m being completely honest, none of it really matters that much. It’s very easy to slide Miye Oni into a nine or 10-man rotation when one player is missing but when the two lead ball handlers on the team are watching from the sideline, more Oni isn’t going to cut it. Forrest is just a little bit better of a point guard and creator than Oni is, just as Oni is a better shooter and rebounder. But once Mitchell and Conley are back, Oni and Forrest won’t be playing.
If we were talking about what’s going to happen in the offseason and which player might have a better chance of sticking around, I’d give them both about the same probability of coming back in the exact same roles they have this year. They are young developing players who are just filling in before the real players come back. That might be a little harsh, but it’s true.

oni can do everything forrest can plys shoot. no reason he should be playing ahead of oni, brantley, morgan or ersan. both should be back and clarkson, bojan, favors and hughes should be gone

Xiao Yao You

05-08-2021, 12:55 PM

https://kslsports.com/459019/jazz-win-thriller-over-nuggets-clinch-top-three-seed/

Coming off season-ending wrist surgery, Bogdanovic struggled to finish in the paint, which allowed defenders to crowd him at the three-point, hurting his shooting and playmaking abilities.

what playmaking ability? Usually bad things happen if he tries to be a playmaker

“We started the game not really physical, they were getting open shots, and they were very comfortable,” Gobert said of the Jazz first-half defense. “We raised our intensity, the communication got better, and I think we wore them down over the stretch.”

especially the 1st quarter. Great 4th won it

“I think maybe the biggest thing was we didn’t get outrebounded,” Snyder said. “Against a team that is as good as Denver is on the glass, I thought that was a big key for us and the second half.”

well you did play a PF for at least a few minutes for a change

Xiao Yao You

05-08-2021, 01:15 PM

https://www.ksl.com/article/50162231/bojan-bogdanovic-scores-career-high-48-points-in-jazz-win-over-nuggets

Bogdanovic's play has been crescendoing to a game like this. In the previous five games, Bogdanovic has averaged 25.8 points on 57% shooting. Without Mike Conley and Donovan Mitchell in the lineup, he has turned into the Jazz's No. 1 option on the offensive end, and he has more than answered the bell.

someone needs to tell Clarkson that he's not the number 1 option

Xiao Yao You

05-08-2021, 01:20 PM

https://www.sltrib.com/sports/jazz/2021/05/07/triple-team-bogdanovics/

I think the above also shows how little the Jazz were forcing things to Bogdanovic. Even on a 48-point night, how many plays were run for him? The post-up certainly counts, as do the screen plays. His pick and roll baskets do too. But most of his 48 points were actually in the flow of the offense, either from his teammates or just simply being aggressive in transition.

now if Mitchell and Clarkson could do the same

Bogdanovic’s outburst was awesome to watch. But do you know what was just as important?

more important

In the fourth quarter, this got better. Miye Oni helped for sure, and showed an ability to stay on Porter’s hip. Even when he was screened, he gets this backside contest, forcing the miss.

imagine if he'd played Oni, Brantley, Morgan or Tucker last year. They would have went to at least the 2nd round

Jordan Clarkson scored 21 points today, but it wasn’t his best shooting night: he went just 6-20 from the floor. But I liked how he turned up his defensive game late, getting two critical steals that really propelled the Jazz in the fourth quarter.

sadly it was one of his better shooting nights :facepalm

His defense late was good enough that the Jazz could afford to end the game with Clarkson out on the floor instead of O’Neale. The Jazz weren’t getting out-rebounded, and were getting stops with Clarkson on the floor, so why not keep him out there as an extra offensive threat?

because he's not a threat but a liability?

Xiao Yao You

05-08-2021, 01:27 PM

https://www.deseret.com/2021/5/7/22417150/instant-analysis-utah-jazz-beat-denver-nuggets-on-career-night-for-bojan-bogdanovic-nba-espn

You can say all you want about Jordan Clarkson having inefficient nights but when it’s a 3-point game with less than a minute to play and he hits a deep pull-up 3, you can’t tell me that’s not a guy you’d want on your team. He got hot in the first quarter and then cooled off for most of the game, missing many that he normally would make. But Clarkson is nothing if not confident and he kept shooting, scoring seven of his 21 points in the fourth quarter — and they were very timely, important buckets. He also had eight assists, five rebounds and came up with two steals.

He's not a guy I want on my team. It's not a 3 point game if he's not 6-20 :cry:

The Jazz struggled on the defensive end early on. There were just a ton of miscommunications and guys missing rotations, letting the Nuggets get an early lead that the Jazz had to fight against. The Jazz ended up turning it up and playing a lot better, doing well on switches, but as we get closer to the playoffs you have to start thinking about what would happen in a postseason game. The Jazz can’t take a whole quarter in the playoffs to figure a team out defensively or to get into their own defensive rhythm — they have to be ready out of the gate.

been rare that they've played 48 minutes of D this year which says a lot about the current NBA since they are one of the top defensive teams despite their inconsistency at that end

Clarkson and Royce O’Neale, when open, should not be passing to Trent Forrest. I’m all for getting a young guy some reps and letting him gain his confidence, but not during this game and not when two much better shooters are already open.

happened multiple times and another reason why Forrest shouldn't be in the game. Oni, Brantley, Ersan, Morgan and Thomas can hit shots

The biggest loser of this game was not the Denver Nuggets, it was ESPN. The game was originally scheduled to be played on national television, but when LeBron James came back from missing 20 consecutive games the scheduling brass decided that Portland vs. Lakers was a better game to show. Well, James is out again, didn’t play on Friday and the Nuggets-Jazz game was one of the best of the season. It was an incredible game, it had the intensity of a playoff game, it had great play from both teams and it was an excellent showing from two of the Western Conference’s playoff teams. And less people were able to see it. ESPN chose wrong.

better ratings probably so they probably chose right sadly

Xiao Yao You

05-08-2021, 01:46 PM

https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/5/7/22425898/bojan-bogdanovic-drops-48-jazz-beat-nuggets-in-thriller

Bogdanovic absolutely gets all the credit for this big win, but the Jazz had some awesome contributions from other rotation players that need to be recognized. Georges Niang, who has honestly been so solid for the Jazz pretty much all season, came through in the clutch tonight hitting some huge shots and some key moments. George’s energy is awesome.

gave up 120 points so Bojan hardly deserves all the credit

i thought kira wanted to trade bogey for gordon
and 2 first round picks

Posted by letter to the Corinthians (https://www.sbnation.com/users/letter%20to%20the%20Corinthians) on May 8, 2021 | 7:42 AM (https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/5/7/22425898/bojan-bogdanovic-drops-48-jazz-beat-nuggets-in-thriller#539867296)

he definitely needs to be traded along with Clarkson, Favors and Hughes(and Mitchell!)

We were short on ball-handlers. As we’re seeing now, it’s really just Mike, Don, and Joe. And when 2 of them are out, we are hurting! It’s not Oni’s game. Or JC. Or Royce. Or Bojan. We needed someone else. And he has REALLY stepped up!

Posted by l3uddyh011y (https://www.sbnation.com/users/l3uddyh011y) on May 8, 2021 | 9:04 AM (https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/5/7/22425898/bojan-bogdanovic-drops-48-jazz-beat-nuggets-in-thriller#539869295)

It actually is Oni's game for anyone that watched the Stars. Brantley even more so. The difference is they can also hit a shot

he had three wide-open corner threes in the first half which he missed. Those are tough minutes to recover from. Overall though, he is figuring some stuff out. Has to hit open corner threes.
-I don’t know if it’s a one-game bias or I’m leaning into what I know about Aaron Gordon from his Orlando days, but I’d rather him be on the court than Gary Harris. He’s an okay defender, but can’t shoot for shit. The difference between him and Harris which I think is big is that GH would knock down shots from time to time and was quick enough to knife the defense and get to the rim to collapse the d into the paint. Gordon does none of those things. He’s just really meh. Every single game I’ve watched of Denver’s since he got traded there, the announcers have said, "Gotta get an easy one for him to get going," and he never gets going. He’s also not as good as a defender as Gary Harris says the eye test.
-The Jokic/MPJ pairing is going to be top-3 in the league for the next 5+ years. Once MPJ knows how to not shoot bad shots or maybe learns what a bad shot is and once he isn’t a chauffeur for ball-handlers to waltz to the rim on defense, he’s might be a top-20-ish player. I love his game so much.
-Mike and Donovan’s injuries could be one of those "well-timed" ones. Bogie has found his rhythm getting to the rim and from deep. 47 is pretty good.
-Denver was absolutely obsessed with not letting Gobert dunk the ball. Led to open threes all game. If Denver and Utah meet in the playoffs and this is Malone’s strategy, we could blow the f-ing doors off of them.
-QS should be fined for double-teaming Jokic in the post. He’s such a phenomenal passer that he’s gonna find the open three-point shooter every single time. I don’t mind if dudes dig, but Austin Rivers just kinda stood there and knocked down open threes because Q sends unnecessary help. Jokic is gonna burn Gobert sometimes because he’s Jokic. But I’d rather Jokic go off than let him get his teammates going too.
Great win. Key win for the #1 seed.

Posted by Karl Stalone 32 (https://www.sbnation.com/users/Karl%20Stalone%2032) on May 8, 2021 | 3:59 AM (https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/5/7/22425898/bojan-bogdanovic-drops-48-jazz-beat-nuggets-in-thriller#539864671)

Forrest has potential but shouldn't be in there. That's on COTY. Porter's D didn't seem as bad or the Jazz didn't take advantage

It Mitchell comes back and plays within the ofense and puts some effort towards D it will be good but I doubt it

Xiao Yao You

05-08-2021, 03:44 PM

Tony Jones: Mike Conley, Donovan Mitchell and Juwan Morgan are all OUT tonight (https://*********.com/social/) against the Houston Rockets for the Utah Jazz
– via Twitter Tjonesonthenba (https://twitter.com/Tjonesonthenba)

Jonathan Feigen: Rockets forward Jae’Sean Tate and center Kelly Olynyk are questionable to play against the Jazz tonight. Danuel House Jr. and D.J. Augustin not on injury report for first time in weeks. (https://*********.com/social/) The other usual seven still out.
– via Twitter Jonathan_Feigen (https://twitter.com/Jonathan_Feigen)

Xiao Yao You

05-08-2021, 09:31 PM

Cayleigh Griffin: Kelly Olynyk is out. Jae’Sean Tate will play tonight, per Coach Silas. – via Twitter cayleighgriffin

Xiao Yao You

05-09-2021, 12:50 PM

https://kslsports.com/459096/jazz-beat-rockets-clinch-top-two-seed-in-west/

After sweeping their last homestand of the season, the Jazz now finish the year playing three of their final four games on the road. Unless the Jazz are deadset on earning the top seed in the West, Quin Snyder could use the opportunity to find significant rest for most of his starters.

going to get plenty of rest waiting for their opponent in the play in

Xiao Yao You

05-09-2021, 12:53 PM

https://kslsports.com/459084/georges-niang-ties-career-high-as-jazz-take-care-of-rockets/

Jordan Clarkson added 21 points off the bench, while Bojan Bogdanovic poured in 20 points. Rudy Gobert recorded a double-double with 13 points and 14 rebounds to go with three blocks.

Clarkson and Bojan sucked but let's mention them first!

The third quarter was solid for the Jazz as they outscored the Rockets 30-23 and took a 96-83 lead going into the fourth quarter. Utah led by as much as 21 points but Houston didn’t want to throw in the towel.

solid? Only good quarter they had

Xiao Yao You

05-09-2021, 01:02 PM

https://www.ksl.com/article/50162543/jazz-avoid-trap-and-beat-rockets-to-reach-50-wins-on-the-season

What was more of a surprise: Rudy Gobert, Bojan Bogdanovic, Joe Ingles and Royce O'Neale were all still in the game at the end.

not too familiar with COTY eh?

Xiao Yao You

05-09-2021, 01:08 PM

https://www.sltrib.com/sports/jazz/2021/05/08/triple-team-against-bad/

Even though this was just one game out of 72, and the outcome was virtually certain from the word go, Snyder wanted to get the most out of it. And I think that explains a lot about how the Jazz find themselves where they are after years of his leadership.

hardly certain. They are where they are because of Gobert. Snyder wouldn't have a job without him

But I did think that Snyder had a good point in the postgame presser, too: because of the unique play-in schedule this year, the Jazz will have their time to rest. Their last game is May 16, and they’ll play their first playoff game on either May 22 or more likely May 23, which means either five or six full days off. So their tiredness now won’t impact them in the playoffs, just so long as it doesn’t cause an injury in the next four games. So that’s good!

do you want to rest guys with that much of a break?

“I’m a a good individual. I usually hold my emotions in, and I just happened to lose my cool. That’s not who I am or I aspire to be,” Niang began. “Something happened. I thought he had brushed me in the face on purpose. So I told him that he was too late: he wasn’t going to get to my shot anyway. And (referee) Marc Davis decided that I was worthy of a technical.”

Right! More like Ingles every day

Xiao Yao You

05-09-2021, 01:12 PM

https://www.deseret.com/2021/5/8/22417158/instant-analysis-jazz-earn-50th-win-by-beating-rockets-utah-houston-nba

Jordan Clarkson’s crossover is sick.

he certainly makes me ill

Xiao Yao You

05-09-2021, 01:15 PM

https://www.deseret.com/2021/5/9/22408402/neither-rudy-gobert-nor-donovan-mitchell-will-be-named-mvp-that-would-be-historic

Donovan Mitchell is in a similar situation, albeit to a much lesser extent. He shouldn’t win the MVP award, but he should at least have his name mentioned once or twice in the discussion, simply as a courtesy.

Conley sure. Mitchell no

Xiao Yao You

05-09-2021, 09:44 PM

Eric Walden: Donovan Mitchell, Mike Conley, Juwan Morgan all OUT on Monday (https://*********.com/social/) against the Warriors.
– via Twitter tribjazz (https://twitter.com/tribjazz)

Xiao Yao You

05-10-2021, 12:37 PM

The Utah Jazz announced today a time change to their schedule and changes to the broadcast schedule. (https://www.nba.com/jazz/news/jazz-announce-time-change-schedule-2) The Jazz home game on Wednesday, May 12 against Portland at Vivint Arena has been moved from 7 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (MT) and will be broadcast by AT&T SportsNet and ESPN.
– via NBA.com (https://www.nba.com/jazz/news/jazz-announce-time-change-schedule-2)

Xiao Yao You

05-10-2021, 01:07 PM

https://sircharlesincharge.com/2021/05/09/joe-ingles-historic-season-utah-jazz/

Ingles came to the NBA trying to make the Clippers 15-man roster in 2014, but lost out on the last roster spot to Jared Cunningham (ouch, Clipper Fans). As Ingles was packing his bags and getting ready to fly back out to Europe, Utah Jazz GM Dennis Lindsey called him and signed Ingles to a 10-day contract. Ingles came to Utah, impressed with his interesting mix of skills, and eventually earned himself a permanent spot on the roster. An incredible success story – Ingles did not log his first minute in the NBA until he was 27 years old.

picked off waivers. no 10 day contracts at the beginning of year :facepalm

His first season with the Utah Jazz was a true growing period for Ingles. He earned significant playing time because of his ability to handle, pass and play defense. However, he was not seen as much of a threat from beyond the arc. That season Ingles attempted 2.5 3’s a game and only shot 35 percent.

35 % was looking pretty good on that squad

Xiao Yao You

05-10-2021, 02:42 PM

David Locke: Last 10 games the Golden State Warriors have the 2nd best defense and #1 Defensive Effective Field Goal (https://*********.com/social/)
– via Twitter DLocke09 (https://twitter.com/DLocke09)

Xiao Yao You

05-11-2021, 12:37 PM

https://kslsports.com/459188/jazz-fall-to-warriors-first-place-lead-shrinks/

Clarkson played one of his worst games of the season through the first three quarters of the game, scoring 17 points on 8-20 shooting including just 1-9 from the three-point line.

probably one of his better games sadly

Without their two lead guards, the Jazz simply struggle to create looks off the dribble. When teams slow down Rudy Gobert in the pick and roll, as the Warriors did with their switch-heavy defense, the number of ways the Jazz can generate offense dips significantly.

bojan isn't a guard he only plays small like one

Royce O’Neale, Miye Oni, and Derrick Favors don’t create shots for themselves. Trent Forrest can get to the rim, but when defenders sag off of him, he’s relegated to passing to looking to others to score.

we saw a beautiful pick and roll by o'neale last nite. let's see more of that. forrest shouldn't be in there

Gobert can score in the pick and roll but was held to just six shots in 30 minutes as the Warriors prevented him from getting the ball. While Gobert is the most efficient scorer in the NBA, he’s reliant on

more clarkson and bojan kept the ball away form him

That leaves the Jazz to be reliant on Clarkson to carry the offensive burden. Sometimes, that results in the guard scoring 17 points on 8-20 shooting over 24 minutes, and others, he scores 24 points on 13 shots in 11 minutes. Either way, he needs to continue to shoot as long as Mitchell and Conley miss games.

he's going to continue to shoot regardless.needs to be benched

With six days left in the regular season, the Jazz are in the driver’s seat to win the west, but it won’t be an easy road.

shouldn't be in this position

El Kabong

05-11-2021, 05:29 PM

So we got hosed. 4 incorrect calls in the last 2 minutes all going to Warriors.

https://official.nba.com/l2m/L2MReport.html?gameId=0022001030

Xiao Yao You

05-12-2021, 07:53 PM

https://kslsports.com/459186/jordan-clarkson-explodes-in-4q-to-bring-jazz-back-from-large-deficit/

The game was looking like it was getting out of reach before Jordan Clarkson (https://kslsports.com/459177/jazz-fourth-quarter-surge-comes-up-short-in-loss-to-warriors/) caught fire and bring the Jazz back into the game against the Warriors. Clarkson had a big fourth quarter, scoring 24 of Utah’s 41 points. He shot 8-of-13 from the field and 4-for-7 from the three-point line. His 90-game three-point streak was on the line after missing his first eight attempts from beyond the arc.

it was out of reach because of clarkson's horrible play

Xiao Yao You

05-12-2021, 07:59 PM

https://kslsports.com/459172/despite-adversity-jazz-believe-in-one-another/

When Mitchell went down with a severe ankle sprain on April 16, the Jazz held a 1.5 game lead over the surging Phoenix Suns and seemed destined to relinquish the top seed in the All-Star guard’s immediate absence.

why? easy schedule to end year as always as gobert on the floor. that usually means lots of winning and it has

Xiao Yao You

05-12-2021, 08:00 PM

https://kslsports.com/459155/bogdanovic-named-western-conference-player-of-the-week/

Though the Jazz have owned the best record in the NBA since February 2, Bogdanovic is the first player on the team to earn the honors this season, and the first since Rudy Gobert was named Player of the Week in March of 2019.

must've been a bad week if they were forced to give it to gobert

Xiao Yao You

05-12-2021, 08:05 PM

https://kslsports.com/459232/donovan-mitchell-to-miss-remainder-of-regular-season/

more importantly conley?

Xiao Yao You

05-12-2021, 08:07 PM

https://kslsports.com/459210/how-many-jazz-players-can-take-over-games-on-offense/

Over the last eight games with both All-Stars out of the lineup, Bojan Bogdanovic (https://kslsports.com/459155/bogdanovic-named-western-conference-player-of-the-week/) and Jordan Clarkson (https://kslsports.com/459188/jazz-fall-to-warriors-first-place-lead-shrinks/) have been responsible for carrying a great share of the load.

:roll:

Additionally, while NBA teams are 76-39 this season when a player on their team scores at least 40 points, the Jazz are just 3-4, including 1-3 when Mitchell does it.

balls not moving

Xiao Yao You

05-12-2021, 08:09 PM

https://kslsports.com/459215/nba-says-refs-missed-curry-foul-and-clarkson-late-in-jazz-warriors-game/

“Curry (GSW) makes contact with Clarkson’s (UTA) arm during his jump shot attempt,” the league wrote in the last two minutes report.

horrible shot regardless

Xiao Yao You

05-12-2021, 08:25 PM

https://www.deseret.com/2021/5/12/22428909/utah-jazz-mailbag-donovan-mitchell-mike-conley-rusty-nba-playoffs-warriors-lakers-matchups

If it comes down to these two teams, which it very well could (https://www.nba.com/standings), I think there are definitely reasons to look at the Los Angeles Lakers as a favorable matchup, but I think in the end the Jazz would prefer playing Golden State.

lakers are the last team they want to play. horrible matchup for them

I think the Jazz also have the tools to beat the Lakers, but at this point there’s really no telling what version of Anthony Davis and LeBron James the Lakers are going to have in the first round, or if they’ll be able to play both of them. Injuries have plagued the defending champions’ two biggest stars and if you were going to tell me with certainty that they would be without one of those players in the first round, this would be a different conversation. But at this point, I wouldn’t want to bet against James, especially if he ends up coming into the first round healthy and well-rested.

no mention of the size disadvantage

Sure, you’d love to see the L.A. teams knocked out before you have to face them and the Mavericks or Blazers would probably be easier to beat than some of the others listed, but there are not going to be easy outs in this postseason. The best thing to do is get the No. 1 seed, keep home-court advantage, and then play the cards as they are dealt.

can beat the anyone but the lakers. could beat them too if the coach played ersan/morgan/Brantley but he won't

Miye Oni is on a nonguaranteed contract through next season, but he’s already on the books so that’s not where the Jazz would have to make any tough decisions. You could sign Trent Forrest to a second two-way deal, and you can probably get Jarrell Brantley to stay on a minimum nonguaranteed deal like Oni.

Brantley would be stupid to stay unless he has no other offer which I assume was the case this year. Forrest could get a regular contract from someone else. Ideally Bojan, Clarkson, Favors and Hughes are moved and they have some flexibilty

Conley and Georges Niang are unrestricted free agents this offseason but the Jazz do have their rights so they can go over the cap to keep them. But those are the two deals that will require some negotiating. There’s no reason right now to think Niang and Conley don’t want to be here, but in order to stay somewhat flexible, or if there is another addition the Jazz want to go after, they’re going to want to have both players back on somewhat friendly deals. If either player is offered something bigger and better by another team, that could start to make decisions a little tough.

Niang's probably gone sadly but Conley should be back if it means getting rid of everyone not named Gobert

Xiao Yao You

05-12-2021, 08:28 PM

https://www.deseret.com/2021/5/11/22425365/utah-jazz-bojan-bogdanovic-absence-of-donovan-mitchell-and-mike-conley-utah-jazz-playoffs-nba

In the 12 games following Mitchell’s injury, Bogdanovic is averaging 23.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.1 steals per game, while shooting 50.8% from the field, 43.3% from 3-point range and 90.2% from the free-throw line.

showing his rebound, assist and steals numbers don't get me excited sorry :roll:

Xiao Yao You

05-12-2021, 08:33 PM

https://www.deseret.com/2021/5/11/22430430/are-the-utah-jazz-set-up-for-future-success-donovan-mitchell-rudy-gobert-mike-conley-quin-snyder

Those who like to live in the moment might not appreciate it, but as the Utah Jazz (https://www.deseret.com/utah-jazz) enjoy the best record in the NBA (https://www.deseret.com/2021/5/10/22429307/what-do-the-utah-jazz-have-left-to-do-to-get-the-no-1-seed-in-the-western-conference-nba-playoffs), ESPN’s Kevin Pelton and Bobby Marks on Tuesday took their annual look at how well they think each team in the league is positioned for the next three years.

3 more years of Clarkson, 4 of Mitchell and 2 of Bojan, Favors and another year of Hughes isn't a great situation

On the downside, Marks noted that Mike Conley will be a free agent this summer and Utah is “right at the luxury tax threshold.”

their 2nd best player

That said, Marks concluded, “One positive is that new owner Ryan Smith (https://www.deseret.com/sports/2020/10/28/21538508/ryan-smith-utah-jazz-qualtrics-what-you-need-to-know-about-the-utah-jazz-new-owner) proved this year that the team is willing to spend and go into the tax in order to assemble a championship roster. The Jazz rank No. 1 in management and have a Coach of the Year candidate in Quin Snyder.”

nice management to be stuck with Clarkson, Bojan, Favors, Mitchell and Hughes. COTY! :facepalm

Xiao Yao You

05-12-2021, 08:41 PM

https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/5/12/22429999/utah-jazz-portland-trail-blazers-rudy-gobert-bojan-bogdanovic

UTAH: G: Mike Conley G: J (https://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/285727/donovan-mitchell)oe Ingles F: Bojan Bogdanovic (https://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/296477/bojan-bogdanovic) F: Royce O’Neale (https://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/298001/royce-o-neale) C: Rudy Gobert (https://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/297107/rudy-gobert)

Conley? :cheers:

Yahoo reported yesterday that Conley would miss tonight’s game. I can’t find anything official from today.

Posted by Palmetto Bug (https://www.sbnation.com/users/Palmetto%20Bug) on May 12, 2021 | 5:31 PM (https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/5/12/22429999/utah-jazz-portland-trail-blazers-rudy-gobert-bojan-bogdanovic#540045900)

since the Jazz only update Mitchell. Who cares about their 2nd best player Conley! :facepalm

Radio guys asking if Joe's the best backup PG in Jazz team history?
Might be, or is Stockton?

Posted by SKMike (https://www.sbnation.com/users/SKMike) on May 12, 2021 | 5:28 PM (https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/5/12/22429999/utah-jazz-portland-trail-blazers-rudy-gobert-bojan-bogdanovic#540045754)

Stockton since he should have been starting over an all star

Xiao Yao You

05-12-2021, 08:43 PM

https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/5/10/22429946/utah-jazz-drop-a-tough-one-in-golden-state-to-the-warriors-steph-curry-game-winner

Clarkson, COTY and the D were terrible. Clarkson was the reason they were out of the game. MVP :roll:

Xiao Yao You

05-12-2021, 08:46 PM

https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/5/12/22431664/utah-jazz-2020-21-nba-playoffs-bojan-bogdanovic-playoff-preview

It was the thing that every Jazz fan said in the playoffs last year. If only we had Bojan Bogdanovic. The series with the Denver Nuggets was a tough one and, even without Bojan Bogdanovic, Donovan Mitchell was almost able to take the Utah Jazz (https://www.slcdunk.com/) to the next round all by himself.

offense wasn't their downfall in that series so I don't see how Bojan makes them better

As brilliant as Mitchell was was in Game 1, it’s hard not to think about the 8-second backcourt violation that turned the ball over to the Nuggets at a crucial point in the game. Or Mike Conley missing Game 1 and 2 for the birth of his child. Those are things that could have possibly shifted things but it’s Game 7 where the Jazz truly missed their X-factor in Bojan Bogdanovic.

play D or STFU

It’s weird to think that a team that has in the #1 seed is being overlooked, but that’s definitely the case with the Utah. Like I mentioned before, the Jazz have been playing without Donovan Mitchell and Mike Conley for 7 games now. In that span they’ve gone 5-2 behind electric play by Bojan Bogdanovic and Rudy Gobert’s DPOY level defense. The Jazz have been without Donovan Mitchell for 13 games and still have a winning record in that span. Those weren’t easy wins either, that included a nice win against the Jokic-led Denver Nuggets where Bogdanovic scored a career-high 48 points.

thanks again Rudy

Xiao Yao You

05-12-2021, 08:49 PM

https://www.slcdunk.com/the-downbeat-latest-jazz-news/2021/5/11/22430597/how-utah-jazz-fans-feel-about-potential-nba-playoff-matchups-lakers-clippers-suns

So there you have it. Despite sitting at 6th (now 7th) in the West, Jazz fans are still most worried about seeing the Lakers in the playoffs. LA has not looked good lately. Even when LeBron James and Anthony Davis were both playing, they went 1-2 and looked broken. But this is LeBron James we are talking about. The defending champs. And the playoffs are coming. So I can certainly understand why they might still be considered the team to beat in a couple weeks.

more about Bojan having to cover Lebron or Davis than Lebron

Back to back for LA. The Suns went 3-0 against the Jazz this year and Utah fans are still more concerned about the Clippers. But I can understand that, especially since the most recent loss against Phoenix was a very short-handed one. That being said, the Jazz went 2-1 against the Clippers this year. I think the worry is again that now that it’s almost playoff time, Kawhi Leonard will round into his MVP-level form.

probably but the Suns have been the worse matchup this year

Xiao Yao You

05-12-2021, 08:51 PM

https://thejnotes.com/2021/05/11/utah-jazz-legend-aura-intimidation/

“So that aura that the winning teams have when they walk into the building, or when they play a game, Utah is missing that right now. And in order for them to gain that, they have to let it be known, so to speak, that they are the best team…Excuse me when I say it, that ‘badass aura’ is not there.”

hard to argue with it. Ersan would add a lot. He's smart, physical and good.

Xiao Yao You

05-12-2021, 08:51 PM

https://thejnotes.com/2021/05/10/utah-jazz-nba-champ-punk-fanbase/

who cares? another idiot that likes to hear himself

Xiao Yao You

05-12-2021, 08:53 PM

https://fansided.com/2021/05/11/jazz-warriors-bricky-spurs-go-off/

In Golden State’s 119-116 win on Tuesday night, the Warriors and Jazz combined for 86 attempts from beyond the arc and they made just 27 (31.4 percent). Curry made just 3-of-13, his second-worst percentage in the 27 games this season in which he attempted at least 13 shots from beyond the arc. On the other side, Jordan Clarkson went 5-of-16 and the Jazz made less than 30 percent of their 3s for just the seventh time in 69 games this season.

MVP Clarkson or the other one? :lol

Xiao Yao You

05-12-2021, 08:58 PM

https://fansided.com/2021/05/11/5-reasons-utah-jazz-can-win-2021-nba-championship/

Jordan Clarkson’s name has been in the running for the Sixth Man of the Year award since the first half of the regular season, and for good reason. He is a threat once he is called off the bench and onto the court. Through 65 games (with only one start), Clarkson is averaging career-highs in points (18.0 per game) and rebounds (4.1 per game), even if he’s only shooting 42 percent from the field.

too bad he sucks

2. Donovan Mitchell and Mike Conley should be healthy

will they though? Need Conley. Should win in first round regardless

Defense is the calling card for Jazz head coach Quin Snyder, and it is the main reason why the team has dominated throughout the 2020-21 season. It certainly helps when they have Rudy Gobert, the runaway favorite to win the Defensive Player of the Year award, starting at center.

Conley and Niang are the main reason for improved D though

Xiao Yao You

05-12-2021, 09:11 PM

Andy Larsen: Quin Snyder on Joe Ingles’ versatility: “I talked to him earlier in the year about being a utility infielder — but first I had to explain to him what baseball was.” (https://*********.com/social/)
– via Twitter andyblarsen (https://twitter.com/andyblarsen)

Xiao Yao You

05-12-2021, 09:12 PM

Ben Anderson: Joe Ingles said Mike Conley will be rusty when he comes back from injury “because he’s old as hell.” (https://*********.com/social/) Joe is 9 days older than Mike.
– via Twitter BensHoops (https://twitter.com/BensHoops)

Xiao Yao You

05-12-2021, 09:13 PM

Casey Holdahl: The Trail Blazers can clinch a playoff spot with a win tonight versus the Jazz and a Lakers loss to the Rockets (https://*********.com/social/).
– via Twitter CHold (https://twitter.com/CHold)

Xiao Yao You

05-12-2021, 10:55 PM

https://saltcityhoops.com/sc7-bogey-big-month-level-up/

Why have the Jazz been able to still play dominating basketball with three scorers and creators shuffling in and out of the rotation?

same as the past 6 years. Gobert. If he's on the floor you've got a good chance of winning

Another player who deserves a massive amoung of credit for stepping up in recent weeks is Georges Niang. The sharpshooting forward also sports a 100.0 DRtg for the season, just a tenth of a point off of Conley’s team-best figure. He has sustained that good defense since the injuries started, at 100.1 since April 8. Here’s a thread of nice defensive moments (https://twitter.com/danclayt0n/status/1389979423122726922) from last week.

too bad he's the 9th man

The Jazz are up to +9.0 in non-gargabe minutes with ANY lineup combination that doesn’t include Conley or Mitchell, which is amazing. That’s the efficiency differential of a 60+ win team.

better D and ball movement without Mitchell.

The wear and tear of an unusually compressed season got even tougher for Utah mid all the injuries, as the remaining rotation players have had to fill bigger roles. Clarkson is getting 5.3 more minutes a night, Ingles and extra 4.9, and Niang’s minutes are up a whopping 7.9. (Gobert’s, Favors and O’Neale’s minutes are roughly the same; Bogdanovic’s are too, but as documented above, he’s playing a much larger role as a facilitator, ball handler and scorer.)

more Clarkson is bad

Xiao Yao You

05-13-2021, 07:02 AM

Whispers in Memphis are the Grizzlies aren’t yet sold on their 2018 lottery pick, 6-foot-11 power forward/center Jaren Jackson Jr (https://nypost.com/2021/05/12/grizzlies-jaren-jackson-jr-doubts-could-pave-way-for-knicks/?utm_source=twitter_sitebuttons&utm_medium=site%20buttons&utm_campaign=site%20buttons). They’re concerned about his durability. In late April, Jackson, 21, made his return from an extended absence after he tore the meniscus in his left knee last August while playing in the NBA bubble. Jackson has started just two of the nine games he has played this season and he has taken periodic games off for “injury management.’’ Jackson is averaging 14.6 points in 23 minutes per game.
– via Marc Berman @ New York Post (https://nypost.com/2021/05/12/grizzlies-jaren-jackson-jr-doubts-could-pave-way-for-knicks/?utm_source=twitter_sitebuttons&utm_medium=site%20buttons&utm_campaign=site%20buttons)

Mitchell for Jackson?

Xiao Yao You

05-14-2021, 01:40 AM

Ben Anderson: Mike Conley is listed as questionable tomorrow for the @Utah Jazz (https://*********.com/social/) against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
– via Twitter BensHoops (https://twitter.com/BensHoops)

Xiao Yao You

05-14-2021, 01:41 AM

Tony East: “I think me and Rudy Gobert are the best two shot blockers in the league,” Myles Turner says. (https://*********.com/social/) He credited Ben Simmons defense as well, but Turner said he believes he’s more impactful.
– via Twitter TEastNBA (https://twitter.com/TEastNBA)

Xiao Yao You

05-14-2021, 01:43 AM

When you pull into this town, one of the first things you can see is Hamilton County Junior/Senior High School. It sits on Jerry Sloan Drive. And if you follow the drive around to the back of the school, you find the gymnasium named for the late Utah Jazz Coach. (https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/legacy-of-utah-jazz-coach-jerry-sloan-his-late-wife-lives-on-in-their-illinois-hometown) “I probably first met Coach Sloan in the fourth grade at his basketball camp here in town,” said Doug Miller, the boy’s basketball coach for Sloan’s old team, the Hamilton County High School Foxes.
– via Nate Carlisle @ KSTU Television FOX 13 (https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/legacy-of-utah-jazz-coach-jerry-sloan-his-late-wife-lives-on-in-their-illinois-hometown)

Back at the high school, Jerry Sloan’s trophy case sites next to that of his son, Brian, who in 1984 was Mr. Basketball in Illinois and pushed the Foxes to a state championship. Above Jerry Sloan Court hangs the namesake’s photo and a photo of the team his daughter Holly played on. The squad won third place in the state tournament in 1987. Miller said for years Hamilton County has run many of the same plays as the Utah Jazz (https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/legacy-of-utah-jazz-coach-jerry-sloan-his-late-wife-lives-on-in-their-illinois-hometown).
– via Nate Carlisle @ KSTU Television FOX 13 (https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/legacy-of-utah-jazz-coach-jerry-sloan-his-late-wife-lives-on-in-their-illinois-hometown)

Xiao Yao You

05-14-2021, 03:55 AM

https://kslsports.com/459370/jazz-release-end-of-season-award-campaign-zine/

Rudy Gobert – DPOY and All-NBA

MVP

Donovan Mitchell – All-NBA

:facepalm

Xiao Yao You

05-14-2021, 04:04 AM

https://kslsports.com/459321/thin-jazz-go-cold-against-trail-blazers-face-must-wins/

Bogdanovic shot 0-5 from deep while Royce O’Neale was 0-3 for the starters. Trent Forrest, Miye Oni, and Matt Thomas shot just 2-8 off the bench as the Jazz had their eighth-worst shooting performance of the season.

Forrest :facepalm

Otherwise, the Jazz will have to beat the Thunder who have lost 22 of their last 23 games, and the Kings who have won six out of their last seven.

watch out for the Kings

Xiao Yao You

05-14-2021, 04:25 AM

https://kslsports.com/459288/joe-ingles-is-the-jazz-utility-infielder/

“Whether he’s handling it at the point, running the wing, spacing as a four, he’s done everything,” Snyder said. He’s guarded so many different matchups.”

he's no 4

Though few saw Ingles potential to develop into such an important piece on a contending team when he entered the league as a 27-year-old rookie, perhaps it should be no surprise considering who Ingles says he partially modeled his game after — future Hall of Famer Manu Ginobili.

2 of my favorite players

Xiao Yao You

05-14-2021, 04:34 AM

https://www.ksl.com/article/50165349/jazz-finding-life-without-mitchell-conley-difficult--but-confident-theyll-be-better-for-it-as-playoffs-approach

He's finding new ways to score, even as teams are able to scout him more, defend him better, and throw an extra body (sometimes two) his way for the well-regarded Jazz player.

what new ways? By shooting even more bad shots?

"Both of those guys are missed so much," said Clarkson, who wasn't trying to make excuses for a loss as much as state a fact and share his admiration for the two All-Star guards. "You see a lot more where I'm not in catch-and-shoot situations as much. I'm on the ball a lot more as well as Joe (Ingles), as well as Bojan (Bogdanovich).

more minutes mostly

Xiao Yao You

05-14-2021, 04:46 AM

https://www.deseret.com/2021/5/12/22428876/instant-analysis-utah-jazz-lose-to-portland-trail-blazers-final-home-game-regular-season-nba

I feel like I need to drive this point home every day as the season nears an end: The Jazz are playing without two of their three All-Stars, they are playing two-way guard Trent Forrest major minutes and they are playing against teams that are fighting for playoff positioning. Considering all of that, they aren’t playing horribly. They had a bad shooting night on Wednesday and they were still within striking distance. This is a good team, and when they are at full strength they’ll be fine.

no excuse for Forrest playing

Jarrell Brantley played barely two minutes of garbage time and scored five points and had an assist.

the fact that him and Morgan are last resorts for COTY is mind boggling

Opposing teams are just flat out not guarding Forrest when he’s out on the perimeter, and they’re right to make that choice because he’s not a threat from the 3-point line. But that makes it easier for the defense to double some of the Jazz’s other players and keep them from generating as many open shots so it bogs things down.

been there done that. He's usually in there with Clarkson or Oni too. Back to Ricky and Favors in the corner. I thought they finally learned

With less than a minute left in the first quarter I learned something new. Georges Niang was called for a foul on Damian Lillard, but Niang knew that he hadn’t touched Lillard and Quin Snyder obliged by triggering a coach’s challenge. The challenge was ruled successful after the officials also saw that Niang did not make contact with Lillard. But, the officials saw during the review that Rudy Gobert had made contact with Lillard while he was in the act of shooting, so they went ahead and assessed that foul. So Niang wasn’t charged with a foul, but Gobert was. I took the time to check the NBA Rule Book, and the officials do have the ability to see if any other foul “proximate to the called foul” occurred and if it was by a different player. This feels like it completely defeats the purpose of the coach’s challenge and I don’t see the point of it being a part of the rules.

lame

Xiao Yao You

05-14-2021, 04:55 AM

https://www.slcdunk.com/the-downbeat-latest-jazz-news/2021/5/13/22434202/utah-jazz-best-three-point-shooting-team-nba-history

Who would have ever thought that the Utah Jazz would field a roster that would become the greatest three-point shooting team of all-time? Definitely not me. Even though the Jazz have been a great three-point shooting team the last few years (#1 3P% team last season, top 10 in 3PM/game last two seasons) it still just seemed to come out of nowhere with this incredible volume of threes this season. You could definitely tell that this was a point of emphasis this offseason, and Quin Snyder adjusted his scheme and strategy to unleash the beast that is the 2020-21 Utah Jazz three-point shooters.

few years? :facepalm

Donovan Mitchell will finish the season with a career-high 38 percent from three, which is amazing considering his usage and volume. Not bad for a “chucker”, eh?

he's bad

Jordan Clarkson will finish the season leading the Jazz in three-pointers made, and will most likely eclipse the 200 mark in the final two games. Clarkson is the 6MOY favorite over teammate Joe Ingles, and has been a bucket-getter all season long.

sickening with his %

Xiao Yao You

05-14-2021, 04:57 AM

https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/5/12/22433648/utah-jazz-lose-their-final-home-game-against-the-portland-trailblazers-rudy-gobert-donovan-mitchell

To make matters worse, it really, really didn’t help when Utah played 4-on-5 for twenty minutes tonight with Trent Forrest on the floor. You can’t pin a loss on a two-way player who is filling in for a couple All-NBA guys. However, you can be concerned for his viability as an NBA player in the future when an opposing defense completely ignores him as any kind of offensive threat. Forest had moments throughout he game where he played solid defense and gave great effort. While those things are great, he (1) didn’t do them consistently all game, and (2) was a -17 in plus-minus tonight because Portland didn’t care to stand in the same zip code as him on defense.

you can pin it on COTY for playing him

Xiao Yao You

05-14-2021, 05:03 AM

https://thejnotes.com/2021/05/13/utah-jazz-draft-prospects-instant-impact/

Utah Jazz: 3 draft prospects who could make instant impact as Jazzmen

no one has nor will

Looking at the Utah Jazz roster, it’s clear to see some areas for improvement. Besides Mike Conley, who is now 33 years old and will be a free agent this summer, there is no other proven pure point guard on the roster. Taking that into consideration and factoring in where Utah’s pick will be, Joel Ayayi (https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/joel-ayayi-1.html) could be one of the best options available.

pg is certainly the position to look at unless they think Forrest can develop a shot

It’s common knowledge that Salt Lake City is the home of a top-five NBA center in Rudy Gobert. (https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/goberru01.html) However, there can definitely be room for improvement in the backup position. Currently, Derrick Favors holds the backup center role, but his statistics have mostly decreased each season the past four years. And the jury is still out on Utah’s late first-round pick last year: Udoka Azubuike.

a center? :facepalm

Cooper is lightning quick, has extraordinary vision, and is a pure point guard who could complement Donovan Mitchell extremely well. In any other NBA Draft, he might be a top 10 pick, which is even more of an incentive for the Utah Jazz to do what they can to snag him.

6'1 next to Mitchell? :facepalm