2014-2015 regular season!

[QUOTE]We certainly didn’t want it to be a deal where he loses an entire offseason to rehab. We’d like to rehab this and get him back to playing basketball, particularly within a very new system to Alec.[/QUOTE]

Yeah losing almost an entire season is better than an off-season. :rolleyes:

[QUOTE]Is there a timeline?

We’re just going to give a very conservative estimate: That he’ll be able to return to full contact by the time training camp hits, and if it’s before that then that’s good. But we want to certainly protect him timeline wise.[/QUOTE]

Which is why the surgery is now I assume.

[QUOTE]After waiting for the Gordon Hayward extension, is there disappointment in not waiting for Alec Burks?

I don’t think so. Every contract signing, our medical staff does a thorough review – so X-Rays, MRI’s, physical exams, and Alec at that point in time passed. So no disappointment, because we don’t think this is going to impact the long term playing career, either from a length standpoint or a quality standpoint, so we’re very comfortable with the decision we made and the knowledge that we had at that particular time.[/QUOTE]

What else would he say? :confusedshrug: He would have came a lot cheaper after this I'm sure. He might have had to sign for the qualifying offer. Could be big with Enes now up.

[QUOTE]Will you look to sign someone to give guard help?

Well, we have 15 now – some partial and some non-guaranteed, so we do have some flexibility. But we’re comfortable with where we’re at. Misfortune is another person’s opportunity – certainly Rodney will get some of those minutes, we wanted to see Rodney as a 2-guard so here’s a little bit of his opportunity. Last night Dante played a lot with Trey, and Dante’s certainly big enough to handle the position as well. And then there’s some guys that haven’t received as much opportunity – Ian Clark, Toure’ Murry, Patrick Christopher – who we’ll be able to kick the tires with a little bit and take a look at, and as you would imagine we’ll be evaluating what’s available to us. Frankly, Quin’s very comfortable where we’re at, and we’ll see how the young guys do.[/QUOTE]

Still be stupid not to apply for another roster spot and use it. You're like 4 million or something under the cap.

[QUOTE]Did you see any impact on Alec’s game before now because of the injury?

Not really. I think more of an impact is getting used to a new system. He was actually in very good rhythm the last few games, helped us close out the Memphis game. Look, [there are] more pullups vs drives, [there’s] a little less finishing, better shooting, all that. But I don’t think there were enough games to document that as a trend. That’s just where we were at as a team – if Alec were playing the same minutes but with a second unit, his usage was probably a bit higher, so adjusting to playing with the starters was a new thing as well, so there are several factors in there and how to parse that out [along with] him protecting his shoulder, I don’t know.[/QUOTE]

That's not good. I was hoping that was at least an excuse for his inconsistent play. For a guy they just signed to that much money that is concerning.

[QUOTE]Were you pleased as an organization to see Alec stay aggressive?

Thank you for the question. I’ve said this several times, but we’re young, rebuilding, things happen to players. I’ve seen situations where guys have limped away, conveniently so. The public needs to know Alec’s heart was really in the right place all through this period. This is killing him. But there are times when organizations and agents and doctors need to say ‘Hey, you’re not superman, this is the reality of the situation.’ I think as that running conversation took place, and Alec in particular when he takes blows from behind where he can’t see things, I think was impacting a little bit of his mindset and psychology of continuing to go. But frankly, I was ecstatic with not only his level of play but his toughness: still going to the basket, his willingness to get hit, chasing defenders on pindowns and pick and roll. I didn’t get the sense that he ever let go of the rope. He dealt with the situation all the way through.

Are you impressed with Rudy Gobert’s development and the defense he gives to this team?

Yeah. Rudy was able to use last year, even though he didn’t get the minutes, he was able to get a lot of time with Mark McKown to improve his body, then there were some skillset things that we wanted him to address. Him and Alex Jensen changed his free throw, we changed his shooting slot, and then I think the summer league was the start of him hitting a different level. Then it certainly continued with the FIBA World Championships and we’re very pleased with his development.[/QUOTE]

I bet. So much so that you aren't going to play him for fear of another failed tanking effort.

[QUOTE]You mentioned the opportunity for the other guys on the team. What are some specifics that you’re looking for out of these guys?

Sure. With Rodney, Rodney was dealing with a foot injury as well, and with this period back, he was dealing with almost a training camp period for a rookie. Things were coming at him really fast. I think now that he’s not backing up Alec and Gordon he’ll get steady minutes and we’ll see more consistent contributions. We were really pleased last night with his all-around play, he did several things well.[/QUOTE]

and than last night you saw why he should be in the D-league not starting in the NBA. Is their a worse starting backcourt in the league now?

[QUOTE]With Dante, it’s been documented, he’s going to have the ball and create situations for us going forward. There’s a little bit of debate, is that best as a PG, is that best as a 2? Funny thing is, he can use his size as a point guard and he can use his speed as a 2-guard. So where his creative abilities best manifest themselves, we can take a look at that a little bit now. Albeit at 19, we might not find out for a while what the best position for him and what the best position is for us. But it certainly allows us to experiment a little bit more with those minutes, with Alec’s absence.[/QUOTE]

Might find out more if he was in the D-league as the man not being overwhelmed as a role player in the NBA.

[QUOTE]And then at the end of the roster, we’ll continue to look at guys and try to develop some guys that are at the end of the roster who could be available going forward, and it certainly affords an opportunity going forward. So while we’re disappointed in Alec [‘s injury], we’re going to use it as an opportunity to learn more about the players we have.[/QUOTE]

Which I'm sure is why they've looked at Christopher. They have decisions to make in the next week and half.

[QUOTE]With under 2 months to go until the trade deadline, what’s your mindset going into that period?

We’re going to address moves that have the long-term interests of the Utah Jazz in mind. I think Quin, I really appreciate his mindset: he’s been as mindful in what we’re going to look like 2 years from now as what we’ll look like 2 weeks from now. So Rudy or Dante could have some rough stretches, as you can see, and they’re still out there. So I think, not that we wouldn’t address a particular need on the short-term, I think we’ll weight 12 months, 24 months heavier than we would addressing a need 2 weeks out.[/QUOTE]

i.e. tank as much as possible

[QUOTE]How do you feel about the timeline of this team’s development and growth overall?

I think we’re seeing signs, as you guys can see. It was a tough loss last night. I felt like we played well enough to win and we weren’t able to convert some shots and free throws, and those things happen. I do think some of the foundational pieces are proving their worth, and what we need to do is continue to connect those pieces. Those returns right now, I think we’ve seen some real progress. Our habits, our communication, our activity on defense has been significantly better over the last 6 or 7 games. I would hope that the players, with all of their hard work, see that it’s starting to bear fruit and they’re getting excited about that.

Then offensively, again, there have been signs, and we’ve trended better than most young teams offensively, but losing Alec, we’ll have to adjust to that. That’s a very significant offensive contributor, and we’ll have to find the best ways to do that; whether that’s Trey with the ball more, Gordon with the ball even more than he already has it, Dante, we’ll learn more about Rodney, the flow offense, there’s a lot to it.

Quin is not dumbing it down because we have a young group. There’s a lot of expectations. Some of the subtleties of what we want to do will get lost because there’s so much coming at them. For example, Dante’s cut out of flow where you see Joe pass by the ear of guys is one of the things, one of the situations we got in San Antonio with Manu and Tony. Some of those subtleties we hope to capitalize on, but frankly we’re years away from mastering what we want to do.

Andy Larsen[/QUOTE]

All I can say is they better not be pulling this shit again next year.:no:

[QUOTE] Shabazz Muhammad made yet another 3-pointer and turned to the Utah bench, flashing a '3 goggles' gesture.

The Jazz got mad and then they got even.

"I don't think any of us were happy about that. But we should be able to get mad without people doing stuff like that," said Gordon Hayward, who added that their late-game play did all the talking.

Hayward scored 11 of his 26 points in the final four minutes to help the Utah Jazz rally to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 100-94 on Tuesday night.

Muhammad scored a career-best 30 points, including a jumper to lift the Timberwolves to a 92-84 lead with 4:22 to play. But it was his 3-pointer and taunt a few possessions earlier that irked the Jazz.

"Yeah, we took that personally. When he did that, each of our guys started taking their own matchups personally and we all came out and played harder," said Derrick Favors, who had 15 points.[/QUOTE]

So what's it going to take for you to play harder regardless?

[QUOTE]Trey Burke set a career-high with 26 points to overcome the loss of starting guard Alec Burks. Before the game it was announced that Burks would have shoulder surgery and miss the rest of the season.

In the final three minutes, the Timberwolves scored just once -- a Gorgui Deng layup -- while committing three turnovers, missing two free throws and allowing the Jazz to score at will.

"We were kind of panicking on offense," said Muhammad. "We are a young team and we need to learn how to slow down in the last three minutes."

STATS MIN UTA
Points 94 100
Field Goals 38-82 (46%) 38-79 (48%)
Three Pointers 8-17 (47%) 7-19 (37%)
Free Throws 10-14 (71%) 17-22 (77%)
Rebounds (Offensive) 34 (8) 43 (11)
Assists 26 16
Turnovers 11 14
Steals 7 5
Blocks 4 3
Fouls 23 19
Technicals 0 1
Full Box Score/Player Stats
Andrew Wiggins scored 21 points but the Timberwolves have lost nine in a row -- their worst skid since losing 11 consecutive games from March 30-April 17, 2012.

Meanwhile the Jazz have won six of eight games, extending their best stretch of the season. Utah's defense, which is near the bottom of league, has made big strides.

"It was really just defense," Utah coach Quin Snyder said. "It seems everybody made a play on the defensive end whether they were the actual player that deflected the ball and stole it, someone who pressured the pass or someone who denied the pass. The defense created a couple easy baskets and gave us a boost."

Reserve point guard Mo Williams sparked a Timberwolves rally in the third quarter with three straight jumpers and then had a couple assists to start the fourth. Minnesota's blazing 10-0 start in the final period gave the Wolves an 82-72 lead on Muhammad's back-to-back 3-pointers.

But the Timberwolves, who have the worst record in the Western Conference, came up empty again when the Jazz increased the pressure and got the crowd into the game.

"They got aggressive and we didn't match their intensity. We played more not to lose than to win," Minnesota coach Flip Saunders said.

___

TIP-INS

Timberwolves: The Wolves played without injured starters Ricky Rubio (ankle), Nikola Pekovic (foot and wrist) and Kevin Martin (wrist). . Minnesota has dropped nine straight on the road for the first time since Feb. 22-March 21, 2013. . The Timberwolves had 26 assists on 38 baskets and outscored the Jazz in the paint, 42-36.

Jazz: Enes Kanter grabbed 10 rebounds in his first 12 minutes of play and finished with 14 points and 12 rebounds. ... As Utah held onto a 95-94 lead, Burke was called for a charge but the call was changed to a blocking foul on Thaddeus Young after officials reviewed the play on video. ... Utah's largest lead of the game was the final score.

CAN'T STAY AWAY

Even though Burks faced surgery the next morning, he was out on the court with his teammates hoisting one-handed shots before the game and smiling. He had many opportunities to sit out games when the shoulder was painful but chose to play through unless the training staff held him out, Snyder said.

THE SILENT TIME OUT

Snyder called a fourth-quarter timeout when the Jazz were trailing by 10 and said nothing. "We knew what he was saying without him saying anything. He was encouraging us all game . but he wanted us to figure it out on our own at that point. He was tired of talking. We understood the message," Burke said.

UP NEXT

Timberwolves: Host Sacramento on Thursday.

Jazz: Host Atlanta on Friday.

Copyright

[QUOTE]Utah being dominated by the lowly Minnesota Timberwolves.[/QUOTE]

They were never dominated.

[QUOTE]A half-hour later, Snyder smiled wryly at the moment. But that

[QUOTE]The Utah Jazz announced today that the team has assigned guard Toure

Happy New Year!

[QUOTE=Xiao Yao You]Happy New Year![/QUOTE]
Happy New Year! :banana:

Not sure what I think of Patrick Christopher yet. In the Wolves game I thought there were times he was too quick to shoot, but I suppose they can't rely soley on Hayward and Burkes has been a poor shooter so far this year, despite his recent hot streak. Exum and Hood looked like they couldn't buy a basket even if they had a stack of $100 bills in their hands as well.

Also, i'm getting a slight feeling of schadenfreude now that Ty has been named coach for the rest of the year for the Kings and their season appears to be going down the shitter and DMC is starting to act out again. Cannot understand why D'Alessandro says he wants the Kings to play a more free wheeling style on offence and then puts Corbin in charge. They were better off letting Malone coach out the year then getting a suitable replacement, but it's looking like a tank job since the Bulls get their #1 pick this year if it's 11+.

Yeah Ty might not have the best coach if they want to run. Cousins isn't the best player for that either I wouldn't think for that matter.

2-19 including 0-11 from 3 point land. There's the real Trey Burke we're been loving this year. At least Exum had a decent shooting night, hope he can keep it up and hopefully start taking a few minutes (and shots) away from Burke. Jazz were +17 when he was on the floor last night.

Exum wil be playing. Hood is out and Christopher and Burks are done. Murray might even play tonight.

Harping thinks Trey's starting to get it together. 5-18 2 games before that one.

[QUOTE]Chris Herring: Utah plans to waive ex-Knick guard Toure Murry, according to a league source. Murry's status in Utah led handful of teams to inquire abt his status for potential trade, but no deal was reached. Will be waived tomorrow. Twitter @HerringWSJ [/QUOTE]

Thought the recent injuries may have saved him.

As an intriguing prospect in Europe, the Boston Celtics, Sacramento Kings and Utah Jazz are keeping tabs on undrafted Iowa State guard DeAndre Kane, league sources told RealGM.

Kane, a rookie, has averaged 14 points, 5.7 rebounds and five assists in the EuroChallenge for Antwerp in Belgium. Although his deal with the club is expected to run through the remainder of the NBA

[QUOTE]The Utah Jazz have waived guard Toure

[QUOTE]Do you start with Trey Burke

[QUOTE]The chart shows that Hayward allows the player he defends to shoot above his season average from every distance on the floor, with the increase in FG% given in positive numbers. Even so, the color coding shows that relative to the rest of the Western Conference at his position, his opponent

[QUOTE]With Enes Kanter out because of an ankle injury, center Rudy Gobert stepped in and had his best game as a pro[/QUOTE]

Debatable. He's done it against good teams too.

[QUOTE], scoring a career-high 13 points with 11 rebounds and six blocks. In the third quarter alone

[QUOTE]Forced into scramble mode by a raft of injuries that left depth at shooting guard almost nonexistent and kept center Enes Kanter out of action, all the Jazz did was knock the stuffing out of the Timberwolves, 101-89 at Target Center.[/QUOTE]

Outside Alec we are talking D-league talent here so I don't think there's a big difference when you come down to it.

[QUOTE]This after getting into the Twin Cities at 2 a.m. after a home loss.

Playing on the back end of back-to-back games, it was the Jazz that had the energy, not the hapless Timberwolves, whose losing streak stretched to 11. It was the Jazz proving that injuries don

[QUOTE]The Utah Jazz on Sunday waived the second-year combo guard, clearing a roster spot that sources say will be used to bring guard Elijah Millsap up from the D-League.[/QUOTE]

:cheers: I'm surprised. I believe this is his first call up and he's been one of the best D-leaguers for a few years now. Looking forward to seeing another Millsap on the team. Maybe he'll stick and they can get Paul back next year!

[QUOTE]With injuries to Alec Burks, Rodney Hood and Patrick Christopher, the Jazz have been in search of help at the wing and Murry apparently was not in the team

[QUOTE]"You know, Elton Brand is diving on the floor for loose balls. He

[QUOTE] before Quin Snyder and Trey Burke could get some sleep on the overnight plane ride to Minnesota on Friday night, the coach offered sound advice: Never stop believing in your shot. Never stop believing in your game. One night will never define you as an NBA player.[/QUOTE]

It hasn't been one night though. It's one and a half seasons.

[QUOTE]Against the Atlanta Hawks, Burke shot 2-19 from the field, 0-11 from 3-point range, and agonized over every miss because the loss to the Hawks was a close one.

That made Saturday night

[QUOTE]"He

Shams Charania: D-League's Elijah Millsap has passed his physical with Utah and his return to NBA will be on a 10-day contract, league source tells RealGM. Twitter @ShamsCharania

[QUOTE]Toure' Murry, who was a minor hit with the Knicks last season, ends his stint in Utah having played more for the team's D-League affiliate than with the Jazz, where he logged just one minute. Agent Bernie Lee, who represents Murry, doesn't think his client was given a fair shake in Salt Lake City. "Utah just didn't see value in giving (Toure') a real opportunity to prove himself, which is their right," Lee told *********. "I had a sense things were working against him early when during the Jazz's first open scrimmage in the preseason the team-employed radio voice used the forum to crush his future NBA prospects. Just an odd situation through and through. [/QUOTE]

I was there. Not sure what Locke said that was so horrible though?

[QUOTE]He went to Utah as a young developing point guard who played 51 games for an extremely visible team and today leaves Utah having played his last game as an assigned player in the NBADL having been asked to play the four. Perspective and opportunity are a funny thing in basketball." *********

Lee said Murry will explore free agent opportunities if he clears waivers: "If there isn't a spot for him immediately, he will enter the NBADL and go on to continue to develop and prove himself as an NBA-caliber PG." *********
[/QUOTE]
They had him playing the 4? Again why do they even have a D-league franchise? :wtf:

As an intriguing prospect in Europe, the Boston Celtics, Sacramento Kings and Utah Jazz are keeping tabs on undrafted Iowa State guard DeAndre Kane, league sources told RealGM. RealGM

We asked Gino Pilato of the fantastic website D-League Digest for the scouting report on Millsap and this is what he had to say: "He will look to attack the basket often. Despite his knack for finding alleys in the lane, Millsap will step back or take the pull-up jumper without hesitation. He turns the ball over too much, but can really impact a game on the defensive end. When matched up against Reno, Millsap caused fits for Brady Heslip, he was in his pocket every chance he had. The following contest against L.A., Millsap took on another tough offensive assignment in Manny Harris and was once again successful. Position-wise, Millsap is in a grey area in the NBA, but can serve as a forward or guard in the D-League." *********

[QUOTE]if you take a look at the draft from a scouting perspective, the biggest market inefficiency was Exum falling to No. 5. In last year

[QUOTE]When it comes to long-term potential, it doesn

[QUOTE]Before the game, coach Quin Snyder said of Millsap,

[QUOTE]One of my biggest pet peeves is coaches not shooing the 3 when they are supposed to late in games. Too many coaches take the easy 2 because it feels good but it has no positive impact on your win probability. Quin Snyder does it correctly. It is so refreshing. There are going to be games when we shoot a 3 with :40 seconds left and the game is over because we missed but it is a better play than shooting the 2 and still being out 2 possessions. The chances of winning these games is almost nill but Quin is increasing them by playing the final seconds correctly.[/QUOTE]

Except for the fact that the Jazz don't have great shooters and Indiana wasn't giving them the 3 ball and time was a wasting.

[QUOTE]Dante Exum looked a bit overwhelmed to start. He was 1 for 6 in the first quarter and 0 for 4 from 3. He got it going a bit in the third but neither he or nor Ian Clark had an assist tonight. The Jazz missed Trey Burke just as much in this one as they did when he was hurt last year.[/QUOTE]

Not sure they missed Trey at all but Exum is overwhelmed. He should be in the D-league. Probably Clark too.

[QUOTE]Impressed by the 5 rebounds and 4 assists by Elijah Millsap. If you are a 5 year D-League player you are not going to come into the NBA and score 20. You have to find a niche where you can contribute and he did that tonight.

Joe Ingles became the play maker with Clark and Exum not being able to create. He finished with 8 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists. Super all around game in 37 minutes[/QUOTE]

Yes it was but you're going to have a difficult time if he's playing big minutes. Ideally he's probably on the end of the bench on a good team.

[QUOTE]Huge burden on Favors (43 mins) and Hayward (41 mins) tonight. Both answered the bell. [/QUOTE]

They did?

[QUOTE]Would like Hayward to have more of an impact earlier in the game. Again what are we asking he had 24-7-3 but it feels like he was too absent earlier. However, what I am asking for him to put up 30-10. That is just stupid so maybe it is unfair to request that. [/QUOTE]

As a max player it's not.

[QUOTE]Maybe the other side of the story is that defenses are built entirely built to stop him with our current roster situation and Gordon is working his way thru the game and figuring out how to put up numbers and he is finding a way every night. If it is the later then this is an incredible accomplishment and a huge growth step.[/QUOTE]

He's putting up numbers by forcing shots in iso situations. Not good.

[QUOTE]Favors had 27-11-1-2 tonight. HUGE !!! And he nailed two clutch free throws. I am such a big Derrick Favors fan.[/QUOTE]

As is everyone but me apparently. I noticed he had some issues guarding the perimeter which he's going to have to be able to do with Rudy.

[QUOTE]Don

[QUOTE]Hibbert heaped praise on Gobert and his NBA potential. I could barely get a question about the similarities he sees between Gobert now and himself at a younger age before his answer was out:

[QUOTE]This game would have been different if the Jazz made their outside shots. The Pacers shot over 7-13 for 53.8% from beyond the arc tonight, but meanwhile, the Jazz shot just 4-23 for 17.4%. If Utah had shot their season average percentage from behind the arc, the Jazz would have hit 7 threes; if the Pacers shoot their average percentage, they would have made 4. Instead, those totals are reversed, and instead of winning 110-96, the Jazz lost 105-101. Such is life.

It

[QUOTE]With so many players missing from the lineup, Snyder is using the entire roster to stay fresh. Lesser-used players like Jeremy Evans and Steve Novak saw action Monday.[/QUOTE]

Only 10 active players. He's played 10 man rotation most of the year.

[QUOTE]Going forward, Burke will travel on the upcoming four-game road trip, and will be available to play as soon as he is deemed healthy by training staff. In the meantime, with a game at Chicago on Wednesday, Snyder said he will have to continue to juggle lineups.[/QUOTE]

Isn't strep contagious?

[QUOTE]

[QUOTE]With three starters out and using guys that had hardly played a lick all year, including one who had joined the team less than 12 hours earlier, the Utah Jazz had little chance of winning Monday night, even if they were playing a mediocre team from the Eastern Conference, right?[/QUOTE]

One of those starters is out all year. Another shouldn't be starting in the NBA and him being out might be a plus. They are deep up front. Evans was a rotation player a year a go and Novak has been in the past.

[QUOTE]Well, the Jazz didn

[QUOTE] the Jazz started an all-rookie backcourt for the first time since 2009.[/QUOTE]
Now that's taking tanking to the next level! I'd call Ingles the SF though and Maxi G the SG and Ingles rookie status has a big asterisk by it anyway.
This backcourt, however, has a different twist this time around.

[QUOTE]Fellow rookie and fellow Australian Joe Ingles joined Exum in the backcourt. It's Ingles' second career start. He made his first start on Saturday.

"For Australian basketball, it's great," Ingles said about the two starting Monday. "The people back home love it. Love watching us compete

[QUOTE]It's looking more and more like Monsieur Rudy Gobert, the Jazz's 22-year-old 7-foot-2 Frenchman, could be a really, really good NBA player.[/QUOTE]
He already is if you've been paying attention.

[QUOTE]Is it possible that he just might suddenly be the most important piece in the Jazz's dream for an eventual NBA title?[/QUOTE]

He's easily the most important piece right now. Someone they can build around defensively for sure. Time to begin!

[QUOTE]As unlikely as that statement seemed before the season, it is becoming more and more possible by the week.[/QUOTE]

Don't think so. He was great defensively and on the boards last year. How he could contribute offensively was the only question.

[QUOTE]During a Jazz radio broadcast last week, broadcaster David Locke said he spoke to an NBA source who said he thinks Gobert could very well finish his career in the top five all-time in career blocked shots — not in Jazz history; in NBA history.[/QUOTE]

Well obviously. Will come down to durability like anyone good.

[QUOTE]At Minnesota on Saturday, Gobert had six blocks in 31 minutes, to go along with 11 rebounds and 13 points on just seven field-goal attempts. Also important, he had just one turnover and three fouls.

And that wasn't the only good/great showing he's had recently. He's even shooting almost 70 percent from the foul line, which any coach in the league would take from a shot-blocking big man.[/QUOTE]

for any big man

[QUOTE]Trey Burke also had a terrific game in Minnesota on Saturday. If only Burke could play the Timberwolves every game, he'd be a first-ballot hall of famer.[/QUOTE]
at least when Rubio isn't playing

[QUOTE]In two games vs. the pesky Timberwolves last week, Burke put up 54 points, going 20-for-37 from the field (7-of-12 on 3-pointers), with 12 assists, 10 rebounds and just one turnover in 76 minutes.

In his last three games not involving the T-Wolves, however, the second-year point guard is just 11-for-47 shooting (3-for-20 on 3-pointers), for 36 total points to go along with 15 assists, six rebounds and four turnovers in 108 minutes.

Consistency needed.

Ironically, perhaps, it was the T-Wolves who traded the pick that the Jazz used to draft Burke. Maybe Burke just really, really wanted to play in Minnesota so he's out for revenge.

No, that can't be it. Nobody wants to play in Minnesota.

And that's coming from Utah.

Coach Quin Snyder may have considered playing Burke a bit less, and Dante Exum a bit more, versus the Hawks in a home loss on Friday. Burke was 2-for-19 (0-for-11 on 3-pointers) with a +/- of -19 in 39 minutes. Exum was 5-for-9 (3-for-7 on 3-pointers) with a +/- of +17 in 22 minutes.

Reverse those minutes and the Jazz probably win by six instead of losing by six.

Maybe that's the beauty of wins and losses not mattering much this season. You can let guys play through things and live with the results.

Overall, the Jazz seem to have legitimately improved as of late, especially on defense. Even in losses, the Jazz are a lot more competitive as demonstrated by the close loss in LA to the Clippers last week.

If Gobert continues to progress as he has lately, this Jazz team could go from fringe playoff contender in three years to fringe Western Conference contender in three years.[/QUOTE]

They should be fringe playoff contenders this year. It's a joke that they threw the season away before it ever even started.

[QUOTE]Jazz coach Quin Snyder settled his rookie during an early timeout and, down three with a chance to tie the game late, the coach showed a vote of confidence as big as any he could offer: he drew up a play for Exum to take the 3.

"I

[QUOTE]Millsap

[QUOTE]"I thought we missed a lot of open shots that we normally make," Hayward said. "Defensively, I just think the plays Indiana was running were tough to guard. They were knocking down threes. Offensively, we executed well. We got good looks, we just weren

[QUOTE]Gino Pilato: According to one NBA scout recently, "Elliot Williams is the top guard option in the entire NBA D-League." Twitter @DLeagueDigest [/QUOTE]

Jazz still need help and should have one or two more roster spaces opening up. Former first rounder with decent size.

[QUOTE]Marc J. Spears: D-League Santa Cruz G Elliot Williams is expected to sign a 10-day contract with the Jazz soon, sources said. He is in SLC taking a physical Twitter @SpearsNBAYahoo

Jody Genessy: I was told the Jazz we're going to clear multiple roster spots, which is why I added the clarification about Patrick Christopher. It's possible something else is in the works, though. Twitter @DJJazzyJody[/QUOTE]

I called it! Multiple spots? Trade? I count Christopher, Burks spot if they apply for it and get it as two. I guess that is multiple. Doubt they'd cut Exum's guy Ingles. Could eat more contracts I guess.

[QUOTE]The Brooklyn Nets have requested waivers on forward Brandon Davies, General Manager Billy King announced today. NBA.com

Nets Daily: Brandon Davis, waived today, had no guarantee. Neither does @Darius Morris $75K guaranteed to @CoryJay34 $100K for @jerome_jordan They stay Twitter @NetsDaily[/QUOTE]

Could be a nice local guy to take a look at.

Williams played quite a bit with Philly last year. Didn't hit the 3. Maybe he's defending? He's been getting a lot of assists which could it nicely. They need some shooters and defenders though.