2021-22 regular season Utah Jazz news, notes and game coverage

Jay King: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Ime Udoka said the Celtics believe Joe Johnson can still play, but also value the experience he can bring[/URL].
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/ByJayKing"]Twitter ByJayKing[/URL]




Jay King: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Ime Udoka said Jayson Tatum smiled when he heard Joe Johnson was signing with the Celtics[/URL] and said that was one of his favorite players.
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/ByJayKing"]Twitter ByJayKing[/URL]

[URL="http://twitter.com/celtics/status/1473776696952250380"]Boston Celtics: We have signed seven-time NBA All-Star and 17-year veteran Joe Johnson to a 10-day contract[/URL].
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/celtics"]Twitter celtics[/URL]

[URL="https://www.sltrib.com/sports/jazz/2021/12/24/omicron-wreaks-havoc/"]“It almost feels like we’re getting back to two years ago when it first started, just with the amount of players that are in the protocol at the moment,” forward Joe Ingles said[/URL] after Thursday morning’s shootaround.
– via [URL="https://www.sltrib.com/sports/jazz/2021/12/24/omicron-wreaks-havoc/"]Salt Lake Tribune[/URL]

A 2020 Jeep Wrangler Sahara modded into a truck with six massive wheels, Big Shirley is a passion project for the Jazz’s new backup center. Whiteside bought the car in 2019 when he first joined the Portland Trail Blazers and finally finished work on the behemoth just a couple of months ago. It has 9,000 miles on it now. [URL="https://www.sltrib.com/sports/jazz/2021/12/23/hassan-whitesides-truck/"]“I’m like a big Jeep enthusiast,” Whiteside says. “I’ve got two more Jeeps, but they’re not like this.”[/URL]
– via [URL="https://www.sltrib.com/sports/jazz/2021/12/23/hassan-whitesides-truck/"]Salt Lake Tribune[/URL]




It was created by, in Whiteside’s words, “a mixture of a bunch of crazy people that did a great job.” Whiteside said four car modding shops worked on different aspects of the project, among them SoFloJeeps and Apocalypse Manufacturing in Florida. America’s Most Wanted put a Hellcat engine into the 6×6. In the end, [URL="https://www.sltrib.com/sports/jazz/2021/12/23/hassan-whitesides-truck/"]Whiteside estimated that the crews spent 1,800 hours of labor working on his creation[/URL].
– via [URL="https://www.sltrib.com/sports/jazz/2021/12/23/hassan-whitesides-truck/"]Salt Lake Tribune[/URL]







Hassan Whiteside: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]I actually paid for Big Shirley from Crypto profit my profile pic actually worth more ….Wow I love this #NFT and #CRYPTO Space[/URL] ??????
[HR][/HR] [INDENT] NEW STORY: Hassan Whiteside is turning heads wherever he goes around town with a custom $330K six-wheel Jeep/truck mashup.
Meet Big Shirley.
Why is she called Big Shirley? You’ll have to read the story:[URL]https://t.co/21MsznAd2n[/URL]
— Andy Larsen (@andyblarsen) [URL="https://twitter.com/andyblarsen/status/1474016402705039360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"]December 23, 2021[/URL][/INDENT]

– via [URL="https://twitter.com/andyblarsen"]Twitter andyblarsen[/URL]

[url]https://www.ksl.com/article/50317584/that-was-a-dope-finish-jazz-react-to-jordan-clarksons-startling-dunk[/url]

[QUOTE]Ingles annoyed someone who's played in just 12 games before Thursday and had never seen significant playing time seemed strange — if not a little on brand. It was a sideshow, pure and simple; but it shouldn't be the most memorable part of a game.

[/QUOTE]

he had with Portland. I like him. Jazz should try to get him. Maybe they'd take Hughes

[QUOTE]Thankfully, Jordan Clarkson saved us all.

[/QUOTE]

:facepalm

[QUOTE]Heck, even Clarkson seemed surprised at what he had just done. He ended up in the corner surrounded by teammates and got lucky when Minnesota coach Chris Finch called timeout. There was no way he was getting back down the court to play defense.

[/QUOTE]

like he ever does

[QUOTE]It was a startling play and a spectacular dunk. Funny enough, though, it came on an off-shooting night. He was just 2 of 9 from the field Thursday but provided positives elsewhere. Clarkson continued his string of solid playmaking by finishing with seven assists.

[/QUOTE]

if only that was an off night and not typical

[QUOTE]"There's a number of times that both he and Donovan made kind of a hockey assist," Snyder said. "And obviously, the fact that they both got seven assists says a lot about who they are — that you can score and then when the defense starts playing you a certain way tonight (they adjust)."

[/QUOTE]

it says he's been so bad he's even passing occasionally

[url]https://www.ksl.com/article/50317542/its-everywhere-jazz-prepare-for-inevitable-after-taking-care-of-covid-ridden-wolves[/url]

[QUOTE]That's especially true when that defense went through long portions of the game — mostly with Jordan Clarkson and Hassan Whiteside — looking downright uninterested. There are obvious reasons for that. It's human nature for a dip to occur when you're up against the likes of Nathan Knight and Jake Layman opposed to Towns and Edwards. And there was never a time the Wolves looked capable of stopping Utah.

[/QUOTE]

obvious reasons would be it's Clarkson and Whiteside

[url]https://www.deseret.com/2021/12/23/22846469/instant-analysis-utah-jazz-talent-overwhelms-shorthanded-timberwolves-nba[/url]

[QUOTE][I]“He was incredibly efficient. It just shows you that he’s talented. When he comes in the game, he provides us such a lift with his ability to score, and oftentimes he can go on a run on his own. But in games like tonight, when they’re aggressive in the pick-and-roll the way they were for him to get off the ball ... says a lot.” —Jazz head coach Quin Snyder[/I] [/QUOTE]

2-9 is efficient? new coach please! :facepalm

[QUOTE] [URL="https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/insider/story/_/id/32930435/lowe-10-things-melo-hilarious-yells-baffling-celtics-glorious-return-warriors"]Ingles is a name to watch up to the trade deadline; in spitballing sessions, a lot of rival executives have wondered what the Jazz might be able to get in exchange for Ingles and a first-round pick.[/URL] Ingles is on an expiring contract, and has lost maybe an eighth of a step.

– via [URL="https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/insider/story/_/id/32930435/lowe-10-things-melo-hilarious-yells-baffling-celtics-glorious-return-warriors"]Zach Lowe @ ESPN[/URL]


[/QUOTE]

Clarkson is the guy to go if you can find a taker. Throw in Hughes ideally and whatever other assets if you have to. Need a starting 4 ideally or someone else that can give you 20 or so minutes so Royce can play mostly on the wing again

Marc Stein: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Luka Dončić will remain in the league’s health and safety protocols and is not traveling with Dallas today for its Christmas Day game in Salt Lake City against the Jazz,[/URL] league sources say. More NBA from me: marcstein.substack.com
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/TheSteinLine"]Twitter TheSteinLine[/URL]

[url]https://www.deseret.com/2021/12/24/22851997/utah-jazz-insiders-jazz-ready-to-put-on-a-christmas-day-show[/url]

[QUOTE]Seven years ago,[B] in Quin Snyder’s first season as head coach of the Utah Jazz (2014-15), the team went into Christmas Day with a 9-20 record[/B]. The Jazz were not on the Dec. 25 playing schedule, they weren’t bound for the playoffs and were struggling to find an identity. Now, the Jazz are one of the must-see games of the NBA’s Christmas Day slate, and head into that game with a record that’s the complete opposite at 22-9.

[/QUOTE]

that was the month Gobert emerged and turned the franchise's fortunes around :cheers:

[url]https://saltcityhoops.com/whos-been-naughty-or-nice-ahead-of-utahs-christmas-day-game/[/url]

[QUOTE]Each offseason, Mitchell has talked about improving his defense. We’re seeing fruits of that this season. His steal rate is up. His deflections are up. He’s defending three point shots better. While his numbers have tapered a bit recently, the body of work this season is encouraging.

[/QUOTE]

been nice just to see some effort at that end finally

[url]https://www.slcdunk.com/the-downbeat-latest-jazz-news/2021/12/24/22852666/the-key-to-jordan-clarkson-having-an-impact-for-the-utah-jazz-nba-donovan-mitchell-rudy-gobert-2021[/url]

[QUOTE]But with that said, I want to make one final note: Jordan Clarkson’s primary form of impact (for better or for worse) will always be through putting the ball in the basket. If he’s not scoring the ball effectively, he’s by and large an ineffective player. I don’t believe that betting on Clarkson making an impact through his defense will ever be a great idea. So, if he’s not scoring the ball, what exactly is he doing? Currently, his inability to reach league averages in shooting efficiency thirty games in the season is terrifying. Even last night, a game where displayed his ability as a playmaker, he ended with a minus-2 in the box score. Simply put, while Utah’s success doesn’t totally rest on Clarkson’s play, he [I]needs [/I]to turn his season around before the playoffs if a title run is in the plans.

[/QUOTE]

trade him please!

[url]https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/12/26/22853972/utah-jazz-pull-out-tough-win-against-depleted-dallas-mavericks-on-christmas[/url]

[QUOTE]A lot of credit needs to go to the Mavericks who were missing their best player as well as other key rotation guys. Right before the game started, Kristaps Porzingis was given the go-ahead to start in this one and he was a huge asset for the Mavericks. He looked like his old [URL="https://www.postingandtoasting.com"]Knicks[/URL] self out there hitting mid-rangers and taking advantage of mismatches on the offensive end. He finished the game with 27 points and went 11/13 from the free-throw line. Utah had Royce O’Neale guarding him for multiple stretches of the game and he struggled to contain Porzingis. It’s hard to knock O’Neale for that as Porzingis is like 7’2”. Some Jazz fans would ask why O’Neale was on him and the answer is, do you think he’d do better guarding the rolling center, Dwight Powell? It was clearly a tough matchup defensively for Utah. The adjustment that helped was Rudy Gay at the 4. Gay had the size to at least be more physically dominant with Porzingis and it slowed him down. That’s the type of versatility the Jazz likely hoped for when they signed Gay. It gives Quin Snyder options when he needs them.

[/QUOTE]

now if they only had another guy like Gay so Royce could play on the wing where he belongs

[QUOTE]For Utah, they came out and played one of the worst first quarters they’ve played in a long time. At one point they were down 16. Yes, this Mavericks roster was just put together and there isn’t a clear game plan on how to guard and attack them, but that’s when talent and precision should shine through and it was just not there. It’s clear the Jazz have some serious defensive flaws and it may not be an effort thing. In fact, I’m pretty sure at this point it’s a roster flaw. You can’t teach players to be younger. Utah’s offense also struggled for major parts of this game. Some of that can be attributed to a desperate Mavericks team and some of that is a Jazz team that hits rough stretches that give other teams chances to go on runs. It makes sense that this Jazz team that scores so well in the advanced stats still finds itself in games like this. Yes, they’ll go on major scoring stretches but when they struggle, their perimeter defense fails them every night and it’s what gives other teams opportunities to get back in games. Utah has to find a player that can improve the athleticism of this team as well as the perimeter defense. Justin Zanik and Danny Ainge have their work cut out for them.

[/QUOTE]

while getting a starting 4 and getting rid of Clarkson and Hughes

[QUOTE]Having said all that, the Jazz won the game! It was a fantastic crowd and it was a close game that I’m sure ESPN appreciated. Donovan Mitchell played fantastically. Tonight he scored 33 points on 42% from the field with just 1/7 from three. His three hasn’t been falling of late but his incredible shooting from 2-pt range continued. He also had 3 assists and 3 steals. Richard Jefferson talked about him not being All-NBA last year as a travesty and it’s absolutely true. The NBA continues to allow lazy analysis from national people to affect those spots on the All-NBA roster and it wouldn't matter too much if it didn’t relate completely to Mitchell’s ability to get a supermax extension. You can bet that Mitchell knows this and it’s part of the reason why his play has gone up another level this year. The other reason is he’s just really damn good.

[/QUOTE]

He missed the end of the year. He didn't play D. He isn't consistent. Didn't deserve it. Didn't deserve his all star berths either when you don't show up until January

[QUOTE]I would just be super cautious trading him for a "better defender" type. He is so versatile going from PG to PF. Great locker room presence. Accepts any role. Still an amazing shooter. I don't want to see us win a championship without him. [/QUOTE]

PF :roll:

[QUOTE]That said I could see him having a lesser role come playoff time. I hope we acquire another proven NBA rotational player to add depth unless Butler can prove himself. Which doesn't look like will happen. There should be a ton of guys available at the trade deadline or buyout market. [/QUOTE]

too early to write Butler off. We've seen Jazz rookies get it by the end of the year

[QUOTE]I think it’s got to be Clarkson. In the playoffs, we’ll need that perimeter defense more than (inconsistent) bench production. Trading Ingles makes sense, but would curse us - seems like he’s the heart of the team. Bogie is consistent, balanced.[/QUOTE]

yep. Get better by simple subtraction. If they get anything in turn besides a roster spot great.

[QUOTE]This game shows why O'neal is the weakest link on the starters, unless u can trade Bogey to a better SF.[/QUOTE]

:roll:

[QUOTE]Seeing him play well with energy is awesome. He has a bounce to his game that is unique on the team. I do worry that he might have some bad games at the wrong time and shoot us out of a series though. His 38% and 30% from 3 shooting is by far the lowest on our team. Hopefully he can up those and be more consistent as the year goes on.

[/QUOTE]

good luck with that

[QUOTE]"Fantasy" championship maybe the key part of your comment. Those guys come from consistently losing franchises. Nance would be the weakest starter in the lineup. Someone has to be. They might put us over the top but I wouldn't chance it.


[/QUOTE]

but he'd be an actual 4!

Andy Larsen: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]FYI: the Jazz broadcast crew didn’t travel with the team on this road trip, citing coronavirus concerns.[/URL] Team says they’ll broadcast from home “for the next several road trips.”
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/andyblarsen"]Twitter andyblarsen[/URL]

[url]https://www.deseret.com/2021/12/27/22821191/top-10-utah-jazz-stories-in-2021-quin-snyder-donovan-mitchell-rudy-gobert-jordan-clarkson-mark-eaton[/url]

[QUOTE]Mitchell came back too soon from his injury and was hampered through that series against L.A. And although [URL="https://www.deseret.com/2021/6/16/22530306/utah-jazz-guard-donovan-mitchell-playing-through-injury-nba-playoffs-clippers"]he reached impressive heights through the postseason[/URL], it was clear that he was hurting.

[/QUOTE]

way to listen to the doctors! :facepalm

[QUOTE]In the end, Jazz fans would be left [URL="https://www.deseret.com/2021/6/22/22543568/utah-jazz-never-got-chance-to-give-it-their-best-shot-in-the-playoffs"]wondering what might have been[/URL] if their [URL="https://www.deseret.com/2021/5/18/22428792/utah-jazz-injuries-donovan-mitchell-and-mike-conley-turned-into-jazz-assistant-coaches"]All-Star backcourt[/URL] had been healthy for the playoffs.

[/QUOTE]

still would have had bad D by Mitchell and COTY refusing to make any moves

[url]https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/12/27/22856130/utah-jazz-look-to-beat-the-san-andotnospurs-without-donovan-mitchell[/url]

[QUOTE]Like every game this season, the goal is to avoid injury and rest the starters as much as possible. Utah has done a pretty good job of keeping minutes low for their starters but it would be nice to get a big lead and allow some of their end of the bench players can get some run. At some point I would like to see Jared Butler get some minutes, for example. One, because it would mean the Jazz have a nice lead. And two, I would like to see Jared Butler play and develop.

[/QUOTE]

that's what the Stars are for. I want to see him play because he's not Clarkson!

[QUOTE]Knowing Quin Snyder, it’s probably a lock that Joe Ingles will start in this game. But with his level of defense lately, it might be time to start thinking of other options. Can the Jazz play someone like Eric Paschall to start and have a more defensive focused lineup? That type of move would bring more size and mobility on the defensive end. At some point Snyder is going to have to think about his lineups and what the overall goal is. Is it just to overwhelm teams with offensive output? Or is it for a more well-rounded team that actually considers defense to be important? Over the coarse of the year, we’ll see.

[/QUOTE]

don't get your hopes up about COTY making changes

[url]https://www.nba.com/jazz/news/christmas-day-ends-utah-opening-one-more-present[/url]

[QUOTE]"He's locked in, and I think he has the ability when he's in the lane to score or draw people and make plays," head coach Quin Snyder said of Clarkson. "We're not going to judge him on whether the ball goes in or not. … He's trying to take good shots, involve people, and play defense. I'll take that any day of the week."

[/QUOTE]

sadly we know you will

[url]https://www.ksl.com/article/50318811/some-luck-defense-and-versatility-leads-jazz-to-win-over-spurs[/url]

[QUOTE]The good news for the Jazz: Most of their best 3-point shooters can attack in other ways. Mike Conley, Joe Ingles and Jordan Clarkson have been superb this season finding space in the paint. If that's the shot the Spurs were willing to give up, the Jazz were happy to take them.

[/QUOTE]

yeah Clarkson has been superb!

[url]https://kslsports.com/475627/clarkson-forrest-help-carry-jazz-past-spurs/[/url]

[QUOTE][h=2]Clarkson Continues Excellent Play[/h][/QUOTE]

continues?

[QUOTE]In total, Clarkson’s 23 points, eight rebounds, and five assists in 32 minutes allowed the Jazz to survive in San Antonio without their best player.

[/QUOTE]

best? :roll:

[url]https://kslsports.com/475659/jazz-center-rudy-gobert-moves-into-top-50-on-nbas-all-time-blocks-list/[/url]

:bowdown:

[url]https://www.deseret.com/2021/12/27/22855492/instant-analysis-playing-without-donovan-mitchell-utah-jazz-win-with-defense-against-spurs-nba[/url]

[QUOTE]The Jazz knew that they were going to need a collective effort to make up for the fact that Donovan Mitchell was not going to be in the game. Mike Conley said as much Monday morning and pointed out that there is always a little more responsibility placed on their shoulders when a player of Mitchell’s caliber is not on the floor. So to see the way that the Jazz moved the ball and tried out a bunch of different looks against the Spurs was a great sign. The Jazz still managed to have six players score in double figures even without Mitchell on the floor, led by 23 points from Jordan Clarkson off the bench.

[/QUOTE]

ball always moves better without him. Watch out if they get rid of Clarkson too

[QUOTE]The plucky Spurs made a late push against the Jazz’s deep bench lineup to try to come back, but it was not really a comeback that had the Jazz in real peril. That said, Quin Snyder had to bring back in his starters to close the game because his bench unit was giving up the lead. That means less rest for a group that is playing shorthanded on the road which means that the deep bench guys need to step it up. That shouldn’t happen.

[/QUOTE]

deepest team in the league!

[QUOTE]While Utah hasn't been nearly as dominant at home this season, already with six losses, they've been warriors on the road. They're currently 11-3 on the season away from the snowy mountains, including road victories over Milwaukee, Atlanta, Cleveland, and Philadelphia — all teams currently in the top-6 of the Eastern Conference standings.

[/QUOTE]

more like the rest of coty's reign

[QUOTE] Michael Scotto: [URL="https://*********.com/lists/podcast-danny-ainges-impact-on-jazz-trade-talks-joe-ingles-future/"]Joe Ingles’ name has come up since the draft in trade talks,[/URL] according to rival executives I’ve spoken to. It’s unclear who’s initiating that, but his name has been brought up.

– via [URL="https://*********.com/lists/podcast-danny-ainges-impact-on-jazz-trade-talks-joe-ingles-future/"]Michael Scotto @ *********[/URL]




Tony [URL="https://*********.com/lists/podcast-danny-ainges-impact-on-jazz-trade-talks-joe-ingles-future/"]Jones: I think the Jazz are going to be really aggressive in terms of making calls and scanning the trade market[/URL] to see if there’s anything available versus looking at their roster and seeing if there’s an upgrade.
– via [URL="https://*********.com/lists/podcast-danny-ainges-impact-on-jazz-trade-talks-joe-ingles-future/"]Michael Scotto @ *********[/URL]







Tony Jones on the relationship between Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert: I think they have a good professional relationship. Obviously, they’re never going to be best friends. That’s okay. [URL="https://*********.com/lists/podcast-danny-ainges-impact-on-jazz-trade-talks-joe-ingles-future/"]You don’t have to be best friends with your co-worker. I think what’s important is that both of those guys know how important they are to each other.[/URL] I don’t think you can name me a star duo that is as important to each other and the careers of each other than they are.
– via [URL="https://*********.com/lists/podcast-danny-ainges-impact-on-jazz-trade-talks-joe-ingles-future/"]Michael Scotto @ *********[/URL]


[/QUOTE]

anyone want Clarkson should be the question

[url]https://www.deseret.com/2021/12/28/22856904/the-next-step-for-utah-jazz-guard-trent-forrest-is-learning-to-trust-himself-as-scorer[/url]

[QUOTE]The next evolution for Forrest, as he continues on as the Jazz’s de facto “your number could be called at any time” player, is becoming more confident in himself as a scorer. It’s not that Forrest is afraid or doesn’t think that he’s able, it’s that he’s surrounded by so many other players that are built to score and he wants to do what’s best for the team. And he’s right to think that sometimes the best thing is to swing the ball to Bojan Bogdanovic for an open 3-pointer, or to hit Rudy Gobert or Hassan Whiteside on a lob, or pass it to Jordan Clarkson and let him do what he does best. But sometimes the right thing for Forrest to do is to take the rock all the way to the rim.

[/QUOTE]

unless he can hit an open shot it won't matter much

[QUOTE]Forrest has become the go-to man to fill in the gaps when either Mitchell or Conley are not playing. This season, opportunities have been limited, with Forrest mostly playing in garbage time or on one side of a back-to-back set when Conley sits out to rest. But it was only a matter of time before one thing or another would lead to Forrest having to step up again, and that thing happened when [URL="https://www.deseret.com/2021/12/26/22847093/donovan-mitchell-to-miss-two-game-road-trip-with-back-strain-utah-jazz"]Mitchell tweaked his back against the Dallas Mavericks on Christmas Day[/URL].

[/QUOTE]

he plays almost every game

[QUOTE]Snyder is pleased with how Forrest is coming along defensively and is impressed with his natural instincts as well as how he’s developed in such a short time and with limited playing opportunities. It’s no secret that Forrest needs to work on his jump shot and develop some range, but in his role with the Jazz, because he is surrounded by capable shooters, it might be more important for him to refine his interior game.

[/QUOTE]

don't need another Ricky

Big game for Gay against the Blazers, really kept everything moving in that 2nd quarter.

[QUOTE=El Kabong;14505258]Big game for Gay against the Blazers, really kept everything moving in that 2nd quarter.[/QUOTE]

good to see. He'd been looking old

Jon Krawczynski: Anthony Edwards is ready to roll tomorrow vs. Utah: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]“I probably won’t sleep tonight. It’s probably going to feel like I got drafted again. It’s going to be fun.”[/URL]
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/JonKrawczynski"]Twitter JonKrawczynski[/URL]

[url]https://www.ksl.com/article/50319840/are-the-jazz-a-better-team-away-from-salt-lake-city-[/url]

[QUOTE]So what gives?

[/QUOTE]

except for last year they've been better on the road under Snyder than at home

[url]https://www.slcdunk.com/the-downbeat-latest-jazz-news/2021/12/30/22860036/utah-jazz-road-wins-nba-record-away-rudy-gobert-donovan-mitchell[/url]

[QUOTE]If you’ve been Jazz fan for a while, and watched them over the years, you know how uncommon it is for the Jazz to really thrive on the road. I’m old enough to remember the D-Will/Boozer team that was literally a completely different squad on the road vs at home. In 2007 they went 37-4 at home, and 17-24 on the road. Even in past years when the Jazz have had great teams, they were never elite road teams like they are this season. The best season the Jazz have ever had on the road was in 1994-95 when they finished 27-14 on the road. As it stands right now, the Jazz are on pace for a 33-8 road record, which would put them just one game behind the 2015-16 Warriors for the best road record of all-time. Pretty crazy to think.

[/QUOTE]

if you've followed them under COTY you'd know they've been a good road team and not a dominant home team except last year

Mike Singer: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Nuggets are signing Rayjon Tucker to a 10-day hardship exception,[/URL] league source tells @denverpost.
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/msinger"]Twitter msinger[/URL]

Andy Larsen: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Donovan Mitchell says his back is feeling better after the last couple of games off,[/URL] and he’ll play tonight with no restrictions.
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/andyblarsen"]Twitter andyblarsen[/URL]

Mark Medina: Minnesota Timberwolves say that [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Anthony Edwards will be available for tonight’s game[/URL] vs the Utah Jazz
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/MarkG_Medina"]Twitter MarkG_Medina[/URL]

Anthony Slater: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Draymond Green isn’t expected to return for the Warriors tomorrow in Utah against the Jazz, but Steve Kerr said there’s hope of possible return when Warriors get back home.[/URL] Still hasn’t cleared protocols.
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/anthonyVslater"]Twitter anthonyVslater[/URL]

[url]https://www.slcdunk.com/the-downbeat-latest-jazz-news/2021/12/31/22860749/why-the-utah-jazz-should-give-jared-butler-minutes-nba-2021-22-quin-snyder-donovan-mitchell-draft[/url]

[QUOTE]In all fairness, it isn’t without reason. In the minutes Butler [I]has [/I]played, his performances haven’t dropped any jaws. Against NBA level rotation players, Butler seemed out of place on defense and couldn’t get a bucket to drop on offense; he was a little shell-shocked. This, eventually, led to his assignment to the Salt Lake City Stars. There, in thirty minutes a night, Butler has averaged 21.4 points, 6.8 assists, and 4.8 rebounds. While he hasn’t shot the ball particularly well, the five games he’s played for the Stars have been valuable; he’s experienced real playing time against fringe-NBA players. The competition in the G-League isn’t soft by any measure and I think sending him there was the right idea. Still, in taking a look at the last few games where Donovan Mitchell has sat out due to injury and Trent Forrest has received extended minutes, I think it’s time to give Butler some playing time in the big league.

[/QUOTE]

make him earn it. They lost a couple games earlier in the year by giving him minutes instead of Forrest or Oni

[QUOTE]Over the last two games, Forrest played 37 minutes. He totaled 4 points, 4 assists, 5 rebounds, and a Plus-Minus of minus-2. He averaged a game score of 1.4, shot 33% from the field, and wasn’t able to space the floor. In looking at his season as a whole, Forrest has averaged a Box Plus/Minus of -3.0, a Defensive Box Plus/Minus of 0.7, and nearly as many turnovers (13) as assists (20). The purpose for showing these statistics isn’t to knock Forrest as an NBA player; I actually believe that he could play real minutes in this league, given the right opportunity. Instead, it’s to show that the “win now” argument for why Butler shouldn’t play doesn’t hold water. Both from a system and individual perspective, it makes sense for the Jazz to play Butler. He better fits Quin Snyder’s offensive scheme, can handle the ball just as well as Forrest, and will certainly take something away from each stint he plays in the NBA.

[/QUOTE]

Butler played good D when he played. Offensively he's not ready. Forrest looks a lot better

[QUOTE]Given that Butler has only played five games for Stars, I don’t see why, on nights where one of Utah’s guards are resting or out, Butler shouldn’t have the opportunity to both [I]see [/I]and [I]feel[/I] NBA level play. I’m afraid that, in the G-League, Butler will develop as a primary ball handler with high usage and high shooting volume. The Jazz need Butler to turn into a secondary ball handler who spaces the floor and can create for himself when needed. While Trent Forrest is a serviceable backup guard in the NBA, the minutes he plays don’t typically have a significant impact, positive or negative, on the outcome of a game. Since those minutes are low-risk and low-impact, they’d be better served if given to Jared Butler. Although he’ll surly experience growing pains, Butler is one of the only young players on Utah’s roster with real promise and I believe that he should be given the opportunity to learn, even in a season where the end goal is a Larry O’Brian Trophy.

[/QUOTE]

rather have a guy not hurting you than hurting you

[QUOTE]On the other hand, Butler makes a hash of things whenever he is on the court. He is ball-dominant and is often forcing up poor shots after dribbling the clock down. In the last game against San Antonio, both teams acknowledged the game was over by putting in the deep bench. But after a run that dropped the lead to single digits, in part to a TO and air ball in three possessions by Butler, the Jazz had to come back with starters to wrap up the game. Unlike Forrest, Butler CAN lose games for the Jazz.[/QUOTE]

yep and he already has. Make guys earn their way

[QUOTE]It's super frustrating at times but Q going to Q. Either he knows these guys are bums or he should try to get them some minutes. But it seems in an actual game he just can't do it. I would really like to see Hughes get some minutes. He looked like he had really improved.

[/QUOTE]

he has improved. Too bad he still sucks

[QUOTE]He definitely hasn't shown a Grayson Allen or even a Dante Exum level of potential.[/QUOTE]

he's better than Exum any day. Grayson didn't show anything until about January if I remember. He shouldn't have been playing either. If Butler went to Duke he'd be playing for sure

[url]https://thejnotes.com/2021/12/31/utah-jazz-rudy-gobert-time-blocks-leader/[/url]

not even close :roll:

[url]https://www.deseret.com/2021/12/31/22857412/instant-analysis-donovan-mitchell-scored-a-season-high-39-in-utah-jazz-win-over-timberwolves[/url]

[QUOTE]The Timberwolves were missing a few players in the health and safety protocol but the Jazz were also shorthanded without Mike Conley (resting first night of a back-to-back) and Joe Ingles (lower back strain). That being said, Mitchell returned after taking the last two games off with a lower back injury and wasted absolutely no time. From early in the game he looked comfortable, healthy and clearly had his legs under him. A few days rest did Mitchell well and it was him who sparked a 22-0 run in the fourth quarter that put the Wolves away. Mitchell finished with a season-high 39 points, six rebounds and five assists. Mitchell was a little disappointed that he didn’t get 40 points when he checked out of the game, but after going 9-of-10 from the free throw line, he blamed himself for not reaching it.[/QUOTE]

the other team doesn't score I'd say someone else is sparking the run

[QUOTE]The Jazz’s rebounding was really valuable against Minnesota. They outrebounded the Wolves 61-47 and a huge shoutout is deserved for Bojan Bogdanovic who had 12 rebounds to go with his 24 points for his second career double-double.[/QUOTE]

figured it had to be one of his best nights on the boards ever

[url]https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/12/31/22862203/rudy-gobert-and-the-utah-jazz-easily-dismiss-patrick-beverley-anthony-edwards-and-the-lowly-wolves[/url]

[QUOTE]Bojan Bogdanovic had a strong shooting night for the Jazz. He was 6/14 from the field for 42% and 3/6 from 3. He also had a really nice rebounding night with 12 rebounds. The thing that always seems to pop up with Bogdanovic is the turnovers. For the game, Bogdanovic had 5 turnovers with 2 assists. A 2/5 turnover ratio is really tough and makes you wonder why he’s ever put into a single isolation situation.

[/QUOTE]

COTY

[QUOTE]There were some interesting wrinkles to this game that deserve some attention. With Mike Conley and Joe Ingles out, Quin Snyder decided to start Trent Forrest. It’s clear that Snyder has an unwavering belief that Forrest is the best option at that third guard spot. Forrest is a solid defender, a good ball handler and he’s a forceful athlete. He also can’t shoot the ball and it allows the opposing team to sag off on defense. It also makes Jazz players second guess whether to pass him the ball. Multiple times Jazz players looked him off for other shots and it was part of the reason the Jazz offense struggled with him on the floor. For the game, he was a team-low -15. Because both Conley and Ingles were out, Snyder begrudgingly had to play Jared Butler and had him in the patented “sit in the corner and don’t get in the way” role. Butler did the best with what he was given and was 1/1 from 3 and 1/2 from the field with a steal. A nice showing for the rookie getting his first real minutes since early in the year. Quin’s rigidness to make adjustments to the lineup might be tested in the future, but for now, it’s clear Forrest has that #3 guard spot locked up. But as time goes on, and if the trade deadline gets interesting, we’ll see if that changes. Danny Ainge may be the one that makes that decision.

[/QUOTE]

See ya Clarkson and Hughes! :cheers:

[QUOTE]The Jazz coaching staff is getting a lot of credit for the current success, but I would suggest that it's the players, not the coaching. Maybe a different coach would draw even more from this team. Maybe. Cheers.[/QUOTE]

coty certainly has done nothing without Gobert

[QUOTE]i am not sure if this team need a point guard, too many ball handlers in my opinion. the greater need is a bigger body than royce a 3 and D but bigger, royce won't last the whole season and playoffs being a power forward with his height and body[/QUOTE]

a starting 4 has been needed the past 3 years or at least someone that can give you 20 minutes there so Royce can play mostly where he belongs on the wing

[QUOTE]Portland's problems aren't a Dame/CJ problem, although height can matter. It's that, in your analogy, CJ isn't nearly as good as Mitchell or Conley and the bigger problem is that they've pretty much nibbled on all the wrong edges to put their team together to be good: Hood, 'Melo, Whiteside, Nurkic, Covington, Kanter, Derrick Jones Jr., Rondae Hollis Jefferson, Ariza, Bazemore, Zach Collins, Hezonja, Aminu, Harkless, Evan Turner, Alan Crabbe, etc.[/QUOTE]

McCollom has similar numbers as Mitchell. His problem is he hasn't had Rudy

[QUOTE]I really think Q should start limiting his minutes a bit and stop using him to fill Conleys or Mitchells minutes. At this point in his career he's better off playing a consistent 16-20 min/game primarily as SF and not as a guard.[/QUOTE]

good luck with that

Eric Walden: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Hassan Whiteside is OUT tonight (concussion protocols).[/URL] Eric Paschall remains OUT for personal reasons.
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/tribjazz"]Twitter tribjazz[/URL]

Mark Haynes: Utah Jazz coach [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Quin Snyder on Draymond Green: “I think If you want to put someone in the MVP conversation, he’s someone to me…[/URL] Maybe the numbers don’t match up to some of the numbers that some other guys put up…He just does it his way.”
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/markhaynesnba"]Twitter markhaynesnba[/URL]

Andy Larsen: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Hassan Whiteside and Eric Paschall are both listed as questionable for tomorrow’s game[/URL] vs. NOP.
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/andyblarsen"]Twitter andyblarsen[/URL]