2019-20 season - Been waiting two decades for this one!

[QUOTE][B]No secret that I'm not a Rudy fan[/B]


I think that Rudy is not a great piece for the Jazz.
If the Jazz want to be better, they need a better foundational guy.
As it is the Jazz try to force the team to play around him, he’s not skilled enough in ALL areas to do that.
So the Jazz will keep doing the same thing in the same ways, and get confused when they get the same mediocre results

Posted by [URL="https://www.sbnation.com/users/AdMan59"]AdMan59[/URL] on [URL="https://www.slcdunk.com/2020/3/9/21172716/utah-jazz-lose-to-toronto-raptors-march-9-2020-game-recap#525281344"]Mar 10, 2020 | 5:14 AM[/URL]

[/QUOTE]

what piece are they getting? He's the only reason they aren't one of the worst teams in the league! :roll:

[QUOTE]The Jazz would be better without Rudy, addition by subtraction.

Posted by [URL="https://www.sbnation.com/users/AdMan59"]AdMan59[/URL] on [URL="https://www.slcdunk.com/2020/3/9/21172716/utah-jazz-lose-to-toronto-raptors-march-9-2020-game-recap#525282161"]Mar 10, 2020 | 6:17 AM[/URL]
[/QUOTE]

all the evidence points to them being horrible without for 5 plus years
[QUOTE]Also Quinn Snyder needs to take some blame here. If Mitchell is not playing defense and not playing well overall, its okay to sit him at the end. Sloan would have. We have a lot of weapons and a lot of shooters and sometimes if someone if playing like this, just sit him down. IT builds a lot more "team respect and unity". The thing I loved about Sloan (and my coach in Israel – Rami Hadar) was that if your were not playing defense, you were sitting quickly. The other thing I dont like about Mitchell is at the beginning of games it looks like he is just half assing it or trying to save energy. Man these possessions are important. Start hard, Start intense, or else come off the bench.

Posted by [URL="https://www.sbnation.com/users/Erin%20Green"]Erin Green[/URL] on [URL="https://www.slcdunk.com/2020/3/9/21172716/utah-jazz-lose-to-toronto-raptors-march-9-2020-game-recap#525279787"]Mar 10, 2020 | 12:11 AM[/URL]
[/QUOTE]

but get rid of Rudy and let Mitchell carry them! :lol

[QUOTE]The defense was really good tonight against the five-out lineup. What really hurt the Jazz defensively was Rudy being pulled away from the rim all night long. I don’t understand why we run some zone with Tony Bradley against some no-name five who probably can’t shoot from three, but we don’t do it with Gobert against a legit stretch five so we can keep him close to the paint. For real, I’m baffled.
[/QUOTE]

nothing baffling just Quin

[URL]https://www.slcdunk.com/2020/3/9/21172716/utah-jazz-lose-to-toronto-raptors-march-9-2020-game-recap[/URL]

[QUOTE][URL="https://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/285728/tony-bradley"]Tony Bradley[/URL] has really come into his own the past few games. His timing and defensive reads have been improving dramatically. And yet he still gets one of the worst whistles I’ve ever seen. Apparently someone had to pick up that slack with [URL="https://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/246134/dante-exum"]Dante Exum[/URL] now in Cleveland. Utah getting positive bench minutes has been a huge difference maker. I think Quin finally found a bench rotation that works. If only the starters wouldn’t come back and let the lead slip away.
[/QUOTE][INDENT][/INDENT]




Bojan shouldn't have been in the game at the end. He had a bad night and brings little if he's not scoring. They have too many other options for him to be playing on an off night.

[QUOTE]There are only 2 players in the entire NBA that have at least as high a USG% as [URL="https://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/298013/donovan-mitchell"]Donovan Mitchell[/URL] and at least as low an AST%: [URL="https://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/296707/dion-waiters"]Dion Waiters[/URL] and Joel Embiid. Donovan Mitchell is a special offensive talent. He can take over games and score in bunches. I love when he gets in that mode because he’s unstoppable. But I’d also love him to realize that sometimes the best shot is the one that your teammate took because your drive into the lane got them open. Facilitate the ball a little more rather than taking really difficult floaters and contested runners. This team is lethal from 3. Use that.


[/QUOTE]

Put the ball in Conley or Ingles hands and it won't be a problem :rant

[QUOTE]I think the Jazz have 7-8 really good players, lack size and athleticism.
The team as a whole lack mental toughness and focus.
Also their style/identity doesn’t mach their talent level.
Your also correct that the Jazz don’t have a top 10 player. Neither do the Raptors but they have the other things needed to contend.
Jazz are and will be mediocre as they keep doing the same things, in the same ways.

Posted by [URL="https://www.sbnation.com/users/AdMan59"]AdMan59[/URL] on [URL="https://www.slcdunk.com/2020/3/9/21172716/utah-jazz-lose-to-toronto-raptors-march-9-2020-game-recap#525281279"]Mar 10, 2020 | 5:07 AM[/URL]
[/QUOTE]

Might be as athletic of a Jazz team as they've ever had. They have a top player. Get him the ball! Snyder will keep doing the same things. He isn't going anywhere either! :cry:

[QUOTE]Andy Larsen: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Rudy Gobert and Emmanuel Mudiay are questionable for tonight’s Jazz game against OKC due to illness[/URL].
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/andyblarsen"]Twitter andyblarsen[/URL]



[/QUOTE]

Maybe Rudy has been sick lately? This could give Tony a chance to show he can be the man like many seem to think now :roll:

Conley struggled out of the gate. He shot 28.6% from three in October. He shot 37.4% from the floor in November. He missed floaters, a bread-and-butter shot. He wasn’t efficient in pick-and-rolls. His assist-to-turnover ratio stunk. His defense wasn’t very good. In early December, he strained a hamstring. Without him, the Jazz improved. [URL="https://www.si.com/nba/2020/03/11/mike-conley-utah-jazz-resurgence-western-conference"]Conley doesn’t hide from questions about his problems. He’ll just tell you he doesn’t have all the answers. Sitting at his locker in Boston last week, Conley admitted the early adjustments were rough. He played 12 seasons in Memphis. He played mostly one style. Like everyone else, he heard how he was supposed to be the player to push Utah further into the postseason. Like everyone else, he believed it[/URL].
– via [URL="https://www.si.com/nba/2020/03/11/mike-conley-utah-jazz-resurgence-western-conference"]Sports Illustrated[/URL]


“When I came into this thing, I was like, ‘man, we’ve got a lot talent.’” Conley told SI.com. “I got a lot of players here. I don’t know if I’m going to do the same things I’m going to be able to do. We have five, six guys that can start, three or four of them that can average 20 points a game. I don’t even know when I’m going to have the ball. [URL="https://www.si.com/nba/2020/03/11/mike-conley-utah-jazz-resurgence-western-conference"]In Memphis I always had the ball. So it’s just a change of my role and, and I’m okay with that but it was hard. The public could look at it and say, ‘Oh, he’s not doing the same things he’s normally doing. He can’t do it anymore.’ But it’s like, man, I’m just trying to play the role I can play for this team that best helps us win with the talent that we have.”[/URL]
– via [URL="https://www.si.com/nba/2020/03/11/mike-conley-utah-jazz-resurgence-western-conference"]Sports Illustrated[/URL]



[URL="https://*********.com/rumors/#"]Is Conley’s recent upswing sustainable? “I guess I would ask the question differently,” said Jazz coach Quin Snyder. “Is there something that would make someone think that it’s not sustainable? [URL="https://www.si.com/nba/2020/03/11/mike-conley-utah-jazz-resurgence-western-conference"]Because I think this is who he is … early on, there were so many things that were new to him and then as he’s beginning to kind of get comfortable, he gets hurt … him finding a rhythm with Donovan [Mitchell] and then with Joe [Ingles] and then with Bojan [Bogdanovic]. Rudy [Gobert] is probably as different a player that he’s played with as anybody. There was just a confluence of things.”[/URL]
– via [URL="https://www.si.com/nba/2020/03/11/mike-conley-utah-jazz-resurgence-western-conference"]Sports Illustrated[/URL]
[/URL]

[URL]https://www.slcdunk.com/the-downbeat-latest-jazz-news/2020/3/14/21178853/why-didnt-anyone-from-the-utah-jazz-stand-up-for-rudy-gobert-coronavirus-covid-19[/URL]

Thanks for everything Rudy. Sure beats tanking! :bowdown:

[URL]https://thejnotes.com/2020/03/16/utah-jazz-tony-bradley-ed-davis-opportunities/[/URL]

May have been Morgan not Davis and Rudy wanted to play before they found out what he had

[URL]https://thejnotes.com/2020/03/18/utah-jazz-rudy-gobert-appreciation/[/URL]

[QUOTE]If you drop him on any team in the league, even [I]the New York freakin Knicks[/I], I guarantee you that team can make the playoffs. That’s the kind of overall impact Rudy brings to an NBA team, and that’s something we should never take for granted as Jazz fans.


[/QUOTE]

We've already seen that they are one of the worst teams in the league without him

[URL]https://thejnotes.com/2020/03/20/utah-jazz-history-top-5-players-whose-numbers-arent-retired/[/URL]

Deron and Rudy

According to NBA sources, [URL="https://nypost.com/2020/03/26/why-damyean-dotsons-future-with-knicks-is-uncertain/"]three prominent organizations — the Jazz, Bucks and Warriors — are expected to show some interest in Dotson,[/URL] who made $1.6 million this season as a “3-and-D’’ prototype. “He’s got a great work ethic, leadership qualities and toughness,’’ former Knicks coach David Fizdale told The Post this week. “He’s extremely coachable and dedicated teammate. Totally committed to the culture with a consistently good attitude regardless of his minutes.’’
– via [URL="https://nypost.com/2020/03/26/why-damyean-dotsons-future-with-knicks-is-uncertain/"]Marc Berman @ New York Post[/URL]

“He plays with a high motor,’’ another NBA talent evaluator said. [URL="https://nypost.com/2020/03/26/why-damyean-dotsons-future-with-knicks-is-uncertain/"]“He lacks athleticism but he’s improved as a 3-point shooter since his rookie year. He probably has more shot-creating ability than he’s shown.’’[/URL]
– via [URL="https://nypost.com/2020/03/26/why-damyean-dotsons-future-with-knicks-is-uncertain/"]Marc Berman @ New York Post[/URL]

[URL]https://thejnotes.com/2020/03/26/utah-jazz-tony-bradley-playoffs/[/URL]

[QUOTE]Do I dare dream that he could handle the physicality of [URL="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/howardw01.html"]Dwight Howard[/URL] and [URL="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mcgeeja01.html"]JaVale Mcgee[/URL] in a playoff setting? Howard definitely has the edge with athleticism, and McGee has the height and weight advantage.


[/QUOTE]

who cares about height. Bradley's length is over 7'5 and he's not an idiot like McGee

[QUOTE]All of this is assuming that the Jazz would have made it past the Oklahoma City Thunder or the Houston Rockets in the first round of the playoffs. In that case, TB would have had to match-up against either Nerlens Noel (underrated in my opinion) or Jeff Green (small ball 5 for Houston), his former teammate.


[/QUOTE]
or they go small with Morgan who's looked good when he's played

[URL]https://thejnotes.com/2020/03/28/5-players-may-played-final-game-utah-jazz/2/[/URL]

[QUOTE]Clarkson will be an unrestricted free agent, giving him the chance to sign anywhere. The Jazz own his bird rights, and can offer him the most money, so it feels likely that he will re-sign, especially given his role and friendship with the other players.
[/QUOTE]

Depends on the price and the amount of years. They are already paying Bojan, Ingles and O'Neale a lot of money past next year with Mitchell and Gobert max deals still to come. They need a starting PF more than anything, Clarkson is a gunner. I wouldn't be bringing him back unless it's the right deal. Mudiay might make more sense on a much cheaper deal\

[QUOTE]Davis signed a two-year, $10 million contract with the Jazz. It shouldn’t be difficult to trade, but the Jazz likely won’t get a great return for him. Still, Davis deserves a chance elsewhere, and you’ll take what you can get. He’s been nothing but professional and classy during his time in Salt Lake City.


[/QUOTE]
won't be difficult if they throw in assets or take another contract on that the other team doesn't want like the Devin Harris expiring for 2 years of Marvin Williams. :cry:

Might have to cut him and spread his contract out. Either way he has to go!

[QUOTE]It really hurts me in many ways having to write this. Rudy Gobert, my favorite player, the best player on the Utah Jazz and someone who I thought could be a Jazz lifer, has a gloomy future after his novel coronavirus diagnosis sparked a tension between he and the locker room.


[/QUOTE]

The future is gloomy in Utah without him. Hello tanking! :facepalm

[QUOTE]All us Utah Jazz fans can do is hope that this time off gives the team so time to heal and regather themselves. Trading Gobert is not something that the franchise wants to do, so as you can imagine, they will do everything in their power to keep their star duo happy.


[/QUOTE]
Might be just the excuse they need not to pay him the supermax. They always wanted to tank anyway and he ruined their grand plans


[QUOTE]I’d love to see the Jazz retain Mudiay, but he’s not going to be the top priority. He could likely find more minutes elsewhere, which could influence his free agency decision. He does love though, and has been very vocal about it. We’ll see how it plays out.


[/QUOTE]


I think they are limited to what they can pay him because of the 1 year minimum deal too. Him or Clarkson will be gone if not both

[QUOTE]Prior to the NBA suspending the 2019-20 season, Williams-Goss was dealing with a shin injury. He should be healthy and ready to go if the season picks back up, but if it doesn’t, I’d say we may have seen the last of him in Utah.


[/QUOTE]

Believe he has at least a partial guarantee next year. He's the best pg they have after Mudiay, Conley and Mitchell and the first two could be gone.

[QUOTE]Harkless’ hefty four-year, $40 million contract is about finished. [URL="https://nypost.com/2020/03/29/knicks-interest-in-keeping-maurice-harkless-is-growing/"]NBA sources believe Harkless will get more than the minimum because of his versatile defense. In a 115-106 Knicks loss in Philadelphia on Feb. 27, Harkless buried five straight 3-pointers in the third quarter[/URL].
– via [URL="https://nypost.com/2020/03/29/knicks-interest-in-keeping-maurice-harkless-is-growing/"]Marc Berman @ New York Post[/URL]






[/QUOTE]
think the Jazz had him on their radar last time he was free.

[URL]https://thejnotes.com/2020/03/29/utah-jazz-retire-deron-williams-jersey/[/URL]

[QUOTE]Drafted by the Utah Jazz with the third overall pick in 2005 out of Arizona, it was Williams’ job to bridge the gap between the Stockton- and Malone-led years and [URL="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/sloanje01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-"]Jerry Sloan[/URL]’s next push for an NBA championship. Thanks to Williams, [URL="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/k/kirilan01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-"]Andrei Kirilenko[/URL] and [URL="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/o/okurme01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-"]Mehmet Okur[/URL], as a small-market franchise in a big-city league, the Jazz weren’t only relevant — they were title contenders again.
[/QUOTE][INDENT][/INDENT]




They were title contenders? :facepalm

After John, Karl, Rudy, AD and Pistol no one else deserves it except Deron

[URL]https://thejnotes.com/2020/03/30/utah-jazz-grading-justin-wright-foremans-g-league-season/2/[/URL]

[QUOTE]Wright-Foreman has a bunch of different moves in his bag, and now must show that he can still score at will against NBA players. I see him staying in the league for a while thanks to his electric scoring. That’s what he’ll be known for.


[/QUOTE]

We'll see. Been a lot of guys like him. China is a more likely landing spot but he has a chance

[QUOTE]The glaring weakness with Justin Wright-Foreman is his playmaking. His point guard skills still need work. He’s never been a pass-first kind of guy, and that’s fine, but averaging more turnovers (2.6) than assists (2.5) as a point guard is a killer. As is finishing with more turnovers (92) than assists (91).


[/QUOTE]

he's a 2 not a 1

[URL]https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/257734/Mid-Level-Exception-Will-Be-Thought-Of-As-Priority-Exception-In-2020-Offseason[/URL]

Get a starting 4!

[QUOTE]Full disclosure: I was close to leaving him off this list. He really almost didn’t make it. But given his role on the best Jazz teams in franchise history, I had to make room for him. I actually think Russell’s career might have been more interesting outside of Utah. As the 4th best player on a contending team, his opportunity was relatively limited. His peak might have been a better player than his numbers show. Also, Jordan pushed off!!!
[/QUOTE]

not sure he would have done better elsewhere. He was a 3 and D.

[QUOTE]This is the spot I had the hardest time with. I couldn’t decide between just giving it to the best player and figuring it out from there, or picking the best fit for a potentially better overall team. I’d love to hear people’s ideas here. Ultimately, I settled on [URL="https://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/296765/marvin-williams"]Marvin Williams[/URL] as the best way to complement this team. He may have never lived up to a true number 2 overall pick, but he certainly wasn’t a bust either. Carving out a career this long and this successful is something to respect. He’s another one that would actually fit well on the current Jazz squad, especially with a coaching staff that would use him appropriately.


[/QUOTE]

God he was awful! The only good thing about him is that he wasn't Devin Harris. :roll:

[QUOTE][B]Some others[/B]


Worthy of consideration:
Antoine Carr
Matt Harpring
Howard Eisley
Donyell Marshall
Bobby Hanson
Mike Brown
Big Al Jefferson
Ben Handlogten

Posted by [URL="https://www.sbnation.com/users/kaemong"]kaemong[/URL] on [URL="https://www.slcdunk.com/2020/3/31/21200399/creating-the-best-non-all-star-team-in-utah-jazz-history#526072809"]Apr 1, 2020 | 12:30 AM[/URL]
[/QUOTE]

pathetic! almost no one in the article should even be considered. Thurl, Griff, Bojan and Hill who didn't even make it!

[URL]https://www.slcdunk.com/2020/3/31/21200399/creating-the-best-non-all-star-team-in-utah-jazz-history[/URL]

[QUOTE]Another easy decision. While in the 1984 and 1985 dunk contests, Dr. Dunkenstein was never named to an NBA All Star Team. I don’t think I ever realized that until I started doing the research. I guess I always assumed he made at least one All Star game given his popularity within the franchise and even around the NBA to an extent. He had an impressive career with the entirety spent in Utah. He was an important player for the franchise for many, many years. He gets the starting SG spot on this All Snub Team.


[/QUOTE]

would have if not for getting benched for holding out :facepalm

[QUOTE]I don’t think this list would have been legitimate without including [URL="https://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/297094/derrick-favors"]Derrick Favors[/URL] on it somewhere. His raw career numbers will never look amazing, but that’s not because the talent wasn’t there. He made a lot of personal sacrifices for the Jazz once [URL="https://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/297108/rudy-gobert"]Rudy Gobert[/URL] took over. But earlier on you could make the case that he was Utah’s best player. I’ll always have a soft spot for the big man. Take your well-deserved starting spot!


[/QUOTE]

you could but they were tanking so who cares?

[QUOTE]There were a lot of great options here. I almost went with [URL="https://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/296669/george-hill"]George Hill[/URL] because I think he was the best fit for the Jazz roster and had a career year even if the ending wasn’t what one would hope for. But I ended up going with [URL="https://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/297193/wesley-matthews"]Wesley Matthews[/URL]. I’m still upset that we lost him after just his rookie season. He was a fantastic find as an undrafted rookie and has had a great NBA career. He’s the prototypical 3 and D guy and honestly I wouldn’t mind bringing him back next season, even if he’ll be 34. I loved his game and his hustle. If prime [URL="https://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/299429/wesley-matthews"]Wesley Matthews[/URL] is coming off your bench, you know you have a great team on the floor.


[/QUOTE]

Hill would have been a better choice than Conley

[URL]https://thejnotes.com/2020/04/03/joe-young-love-utah-jazz-return-indiana-pacers/[/URL]

Could be a cheap option. Hits the 3 ball

[URL]https://hoopshabit.com/2020/04/01/utah-jazz-aftermath-canceled-season/[/URL]

[QUOTE]If the season ends without seeing how the Utah Jazz take shape come playoff time, some questions will be left unanswered. Was Conley truly on the uptick? Does Mitchell have what it takes to go toe-to-toe with the league’s powerhouses in the postseason? Can he and Gobert mend their temporarily damaged relationship?


[/QUOTE]

Need a starting 4. Need to figure out how to improve the D while not giving up their spacing at the offensive end

[QUOTE][URL="https://chicago.suntimes.com/bulls/2020/4/3/21207287/player-breakdowns-lauri-markkanen-front-office-dilemma"]Depending on who sits in those new GM/VP seats, Markkanen could be one such piece to be packaged, especially if they deem his unhappiness beyond repair.[/URL] That doesn’t seem to be the case, but that will still have to be explored.
– via [URL="https://chicago.suntimes.com/bulls/2020/4/3/21207287/player-breakdowns-lauri-markkanen-front-office-dilemma"]Joe Cowley @ Chicago Sun-Times[/URL]



[/QUOTE]
might be a fit but ot sure he makes the D better

KC Johnson: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Beyond Karnisovas and Webster, here are some other names on Michael Reinsdorf’s list: Pacers’ Chad Buchanan, Heat’s Adam Simon, Jazz’s Justin Zanik, Clippers’ Michael Winger[/URL].
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/KCJHoop"]Twitter KCJHoop[/URL]

Adrian Wojnarowski: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]As part of cutbacks within approximately 80 companies within the Larry H. Miller Group, there are layoffs underway with the Utah Jazz,[/URL] organizaton tells ESPN. Sources say those cutbacks are limited to non-basketball staff and some employees are taking compensation reductions.
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/wojespn"]Twitter wojespn[/URL]

[URL]https://www.deseret.com/sports/2020/4/3/21202014/utah-jazz-fans-find-passion-new-jersey-concepts[/URL]

all better than the yellow, green or gradient

[URL]https://thejnotes.com/2020/04/04/utah-jazz-rumors-damyean-dotson-free-agent-target/[/URL]

Looks like a possible fit but who are the starting PF's they will be going after? It needs to be the top thing on the list rather it means trading Conley or letting Clarkson go. The other decisions follow that

[URL]https://thejnotes.com/2020/04/03/utah-jazz-stars-along-rudy/[/URL]

[QUOTE]But what if the two can never reconcile? What options do the Utah Jazz have to remain near the top of the Western Conference?


[/QUOTE]

You really think they would trade Mitchell? Rudy would be the one to go and you can start taking about who they will get in the lottery next year

Can't say O love any of the guys listed. I'd want someone to play both ends. Mitchell's lack of D is a big problem right now

[URL]https://sircharlesincharge.com/2020/04/04/nba-question-unanswered-2019-20-lakers/29/[/URL]

[QUOTE]If the Jazz doesn’t believe that it can, perhaps they let Gobert walk in free agency after next season or try to trade him as an expiring deal in hopes of landing some sort of asset before he walks for nothing.


[/QUOTE]

tanking! :facepalm

[URL="https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/bulls/sources-bulls-track-interview-two-candidates-front-office-role"]The Bulls plan to interview Denver Nuggets general manager Arturas Karnisovas and Utah Jazz general manager Justin Zanik,[/URL] sources told NBC Sports Chicago.
– via [URL="https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/bulls/sources-bulls-track-interview-two-candidates-front-office-role"]K.C. Johnson @ NBC Sports[/URL]

[URL]https://www.slcdunk.com/nba-offseason/2020/4/6/21211588/chicago-bulls-interview-utah-jazz-general-manager-gm-justin-zanik-executive-vp-basketball-operations[/URL]

[QUOTE]Justin Zanik’s first season as General Manager was seen as gutsy, risk taking, and aggressive. He moved on from crowd favorite [URL="https://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/297093/ricky-rubio"]Ricky Rubio[/URL] and the last remaining member of the Core 4-era [URL="https://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/297091/derrick-favors"]Derrick Favors[/URL]. He traded [URL="https://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/297102/jae-crowder"]Jae Crowder[/URL], [URL="https://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/299936/grayson-allen"]Grayson Allen[/URL], and a future 1st round pick to Memphis for [URL="https://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/297138/mike-conley"]Mike Conley[/URL]. He successfully closed the biggest offseason signing since Carlos Boozer with the acquisition of Bojan Bogdanovic. He also flipped [URL="https://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/246134/dante-exum"]Dante Exum[/URL] for [URL="https://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/246165/jordan-clarkson"]Jordan Clarkson[/URL]. Some of those gambles paid big dividends like Jordan Clarkson and Bojan Bogdanovic. Others like the loss of [URL="https://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/297094/derrick-favors"]Derrick Favors[/URL] and the pairing of [URL="https://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/297144/mike-conley"]Mike Conley[/URL] and [URL="https://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/285727/donovan-mitchell"]Donovan Mitchell[/URL] did not. Justin Zanik was with Utah as an assistant GM when they targeted some lanky Frenchman who ran like a baby giraffe in a weak draft. 7 years and two Defensive Player of the Year trophies later, [URL="https://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/297107/rudy-gobert"]Rudy Gobert[/URL] has made the Jazz front office look amazing for that pick.


[/QUOTE]

Don't think it's that cut and dry. They are a much better offensive team because of the moves they made. Favors, Rubio and Exum had to go.

[URL]https://sircharlesincharge.com/2020/04/06/grading-playoff-teams-nba-western-conference/6/[/URL]

[QUOTE]The Jazz is solid and has built a nice culture in Salt Lake City. [URL="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mitchdo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-"]Donovan Mitchell[/URL] has really taken over as the team’s best player and done a nice job in his role. [URL="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bogdabo02.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-"]Bojan Bogdanovic[/URL] has been a really good pickup and is averaging 20 points per game in his first season with the team. With this being said, he doesn’t provide anything else but scoring.


[/QUOTE]

Right on Bojan anyway :facepalm

[QUOTE][URL="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/goberru01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-"]Rudy Gobert[/URL] is a two-time defensive player of the year and excels at what he does. In today’s NBA, he comes obsolete against small-ball lineups. The Clippers and Rockets run small-ball lineups, two teams they can potentially match up against in the playoffs. That is the same reason Clint Capela was let go in Houston.


[/QUOTE]


:wtf:

The coincidence in the Bulls’ search for a new head of basketball operations isn’t as much that Zanik interviewed Monday and is considered a finalist for the job. It’s that Josh [URL="https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/bulls/how-utah-jazz-provide-precedent-bulls-front-office-revamp"]Paxson and Kevin O’Connor enjoy a respectful professional relationship, and the family ownership structures and philosophies of the Jazz and Bulls are similar.[/URL] The Reinsdorfs, like the leaguewide perception of Jazz ownership, are known for running the business side and letting basketball operations do their jobs.
– via [URL="https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/bulls/how-utah-jazz-provide-precedent-bulls-front-office-revamp"]K.C. Johnson @ NBC Sports[/URL]

[URL="https://sports.yahoo.com/sources-nuggets-gm-arturas-karnisovas-leading-candidate-for-top-bulls-executive-role-001950660.html"]The Bulls also interviewed Utah Jazz executive Justin Zanik, who has Chicago ties, but the Jazz organization seem intent on keeping him[/URL].
– via [URL="https://sports.yahoo.com/sources-nuggets-gm-arturas-karnisovas-leading-candidate-for-top-bulls-executive-role-001950660.html"]Vincent Goodwill @ Yahoo! Sports[/URL]

[URL]https://www.deseret.com/sports/2020/4/7/21209599/analysis-what-would-playoff-series-between-utah-jazz-okc-thunder-look-like[/URL]

[QUOTE]If the NBA playoffs start based on the conference positioning when the league shut down in mid-March, the Utah Jazz will be facing the Oklahoma City Thunder. So, let’s keep rolling with that hypothetical scenario and take a look at what a series might entail.


[/QUOTE]

You have no idea really. Could be only 4 teams make the playoffs. Who knows at this point

[QUOTE]First and foremost that is going to be something the Jazz are just going to have to contend with by making Mitchell more of a playmaker and utilizing Gobert to create space through screens. Also, it goes without saying that no matter the situation in any playoff matchup that Mitchell and Gobert will have to be dominant at their respective positions in order for the Jazz to succeed.


[/QUOTE]

I wouldn't say that. Adams is one of Rudy's toughest matchups and Mitchell will be going against some of the Thnder's best players as well. Other people can and might need to step up offensively. Rather they can stop anyone at the other end is the question

[QUOTE]But, the Jazz have the personnel and the speed to capitalize in the open court and in a playoff series against the Thunder they’re going to have to.


[/QUOTE]

less of a factor in a playoff series

[QUOTE]As stated, this series would be one chock full of scoring power and it’s very possible that the better offense in this series will win out.


[/QUOTE]

be more about who's better defensively

[URL]https://www.slcdunk.com/nba-offseason/2020/4/7/21211613/chicago-bulls-interview-gm-zanik-somehow-chicago-signals-end-of-every-jazz-era[/URL]

[QUOTE]This economic outlook could be why Justin Zanik was so quick to click the link to the Zoom Meeting with the Chicago Bulls. The Utah Jazz have a projected cap figure of $118M in 2020-2021 with only 11 players, 8 of which are guaranteed. Next year’s luxury tax is currently set at $132M. But once the dust settles on the economic fallout from this whole shutdown, that could fall MUCH further down. Imagine if the Utah Jazz are above the luxury tax before they get to the [URL="http://www.sbnation.com/nba-draft"]NBA Draft[/URL] or enter Free Agency.


[/QUOTE]

and everyone thinks they should pay big money to keep Clarkson? Need a starting 4 more than anything else
[QUOTE]The Utah Jazz’s win now bill is about to come due much sooner than previously anticipated. Justin Zanik might be interested in Chicago because Chicago has a wider array of young prospects, a 32% chance of drafting Top 4, and doesn’t have an aging roster with an expiration date that just got moved up. He has the ability to build there in the near present while in Utah he could soon be asked to completely tear it down.


[/QUOTE]

Only in Utah can you be in win now mode with 6 rookies

[QUOTE]Justin Zanik’s GM position could very well stay vacant for the next couple years as the Utah Jazz look to conserve costs. With the revenue trouble that awaits the Utah Jazz, there’s a very real scenario that we see Utah go into fire sale mode to cut the biggest costs from their business: their player payroll. Utah’s contention window may have slammed shut that night in Oklahoma City.


[/QUOTE]

they have at least a couple other former GM's on the staff already and Lindsey is still calling the shots anyway

[URL]https://thejnotes.com/2020/04/07/utah-jazz-d-o-n-issue-2-gets-official-release-date-price/[/URL]

godawful

Beginning Sunday, April 12 at 7 p.m. ET, Paul, Young, Catchings, Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine, three-time WNBA All-Star Allie Quigley of the Chicago Sky, Utah Jazz guard Mike Conley Jr. and NBA Finals MVPs Chauncey Billups and Paul Pierce will match shots against one another in a single-elimination HORSE competition from their respective, isolated home courts. ESPN NBA commentator Mark Jones will serve as the official host. – via Ben Cafardo @ ESPN Press Room

“We weren’t the chief health office that night; the state and OSDH was,” Holt said. “We were trying to figure out what to do with the 21c hotel, which is where Rudy Gobert was sitting, in his room … people were coming to the lobby asking, ‘Is Rudy Gobert at this hotel?’ [URL="https://theathletic.com/1734160/?source=twitterhq"]“I’ve got calls rolling in from the NBA, from Sam Presti. They were trying to figure out a variety of issues, including where would the Jazz sleep tonight if they couldn’t get out? Because they needed about 50 rooms, and they had checked out already … And also finding a hotel who could take in people that might have COVID-19.”[/URL]
– via [URL="https://theathletic.com/1734160/?source=twitterhq"]David Aldridge @ The Athletic[/URL]

[URL="https://*********.com/storyline/coronavirus/"]That took a while. [/URL][URL="https://theathletic.com/1734160/?source=twitterhq"]“The governor (Kevin Stitt) was calling me, because the governor of Utah was calling him,” Holt said. “And (Oklahoma Senator) Jim Inhofe’s office was calling me; (Utah Senator) Mitt Romney’s office was calling them.”[/URL]
– via [URL="https://theathletic.com/1734160/?source=twitterhq"]David Aldridge @ The Athletic[/URL]

They had about four minutes. [URL="https://theathletic.com/1734160/?source=twitterhq"]The phone call, from an official with the Oklahoma State Department of Health to a member of the Utah Jazz, was unambiguous: Rudy Gobert, the Jazz’s All-Star center, had tested positive for the coronavirus, the rapidly-spreading precursor to the condition known as COVID-19.[/URL] An extremely contagious virus for which there is no vaccine, COVID-19 had already killed thousands of people in China, and was quickly working its way through Italy, where it would kill thousands more. Yet on March 11, the United States was, relatively speaking, still open for business.
– via [URL="https://theathletic.com/1734160/?source=twitterhq"]David Aldridge @ The Athletic[/URL]

As player introductions for the home team concluded, an official of the Jazz called an official of the Thunder. The two had been in regular contact for the last 24 hours, since Gobert had started showing signs of fever that weren’t dissipating. Now, there was no doubt. [URL="https://theathletic.com/1734160/?source=twitterhq"]Even though Gobert had been kept out of Chesapeake as a precaution that night, and was still at the team’s hotel in town, he’d obviously been in close contact with several of his Jazz teammates – who were now taking the floor, along with the Thunder[/URL]. There was no more time.
– via [URL="https://theathletic.com/1734160/?source=twitterhq"]David Aldridge @ The Athletic[/URL]

[URL="https://%2A%2A%2A%2A%2A%2A%2A%2A%2A.com/rumors/#"]Fortunately, an OKC official was close enough to Donnie Strack, the Thunder’s Vice President of Human and Player Performance, to get his attention. Get the refs, Strack was told. Tell them to stop the tipoff. As Strack ran onto the court, Rob Hennigan, OKC’s VP of Insight and Foresight, started corralling the Thunder’s players and coaches. He then joined the huddle near midcourt with Strack and the referees – crew chief Pat Fraher, Mark Lindsay and Ben Taylor. The officials soon called over the respective head coaches, Quin Snyder and Billy Donovan. Seconds later, they contacted the NBA, through its Digital Operations Center, where the league monitors every game played. [/URL][URL="https://theathletic.com/1734160/?source=twitterhq"]Usually, the biggest issue on a given night at the DOC is to help referees determine whether or not to instant replay. This was different[/URL].

– via [URL="https://theathletic.com/1734160/?source=twitterhq"]David Aldridge @ The Athletic[/URL]

[URL]https://thejnotes.com/2020/04/10/utah-jazz-rudy-gobert-donovan-mitchell-saga-takes-dark-turn/[/URL]

[QUOTE]Even though I disagree with it, Mitchell is younger and plays a more important position in today’s NBA. Those are major factors in this. The odds of the Jazz trading Mitchell are very, very low.


[/QUOTE]
the odds of the Jazz being very bad is really high :cry:

[QUOTE]Defensively, Turner would anchor a solid defense. Admittedly he’s not as good as Rudy Gobert at protecting the paint, but definitely above average and still capable of shutting down playoff teams.


[/QUOTE]

The defense is barely solid now with Rudy

[QUOTE]Last week I proposed the idea of pairing Rudy Gobert with [URL="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bookede01.html"]Devin Booker[/URL], only this time it happens in Phoenix. The Jazz would get to keep Mitchell and pair him with [URL="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/aytonde01.html"]Deandre Ayton[/URL], the former number one overall pick of the 2018 NBA draft.


[/QUOTE]

Yeah Rudy and Rubio make so much sense together

[QUOTE]I love this fit the most out of any of these players, because Collins can space the floor well for a big, and also run the pick and roll quite well. Atlanta Hawks coach [URL="https://twitter.com/ChrisKirschner/status/1207075741541777408"]Lloyd Pierce went as far as to say[/URL] that Collins and Trae Young are “the best pick and roll duo in the league”.


[/QUOTE]

so long D

[QUOTE]Maybe what Donovan Mitchell needs is a big that can shoot as well as attack the rim on the pick and roll. The Jazz defense would take a hard hit but the offense would be darn near unstoppable.


[/QUOTE]

the offense is unstoppable now

[QUOTE]The Jazz could acquire Collins, [URL="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/huntede01.html"]De’Andre Hunter[/URL], and [URL="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/capelca01.html"]Clint Capela[/URL] in exchange for Gobert. It would take a little wheeling and dealing on Utah’s part to find Capela a new home, because he is just too good to play backup center to a 22 year old.


[/QUOTE]

Capela and Collins starting together?

[QUOTE]The Young/Gobert duo would be able to challenge Trae’s rival since the day he was drafted, that being [URL="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/doncilu01.html"]Luka Doncic[/URL] and his partner [URL="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/porzikr01.html"]Kristaps Porzingis[/URL]. Meanwhile the Jazz would be able to punt towards 2025, right about when Mitchell and Collins are in the peak of their careers.


[/QUOTE]

You're definitely punting giving up the one guy that has made you not suck

[URL]https://thejnotes.com/2020/04/10/utah-jazz-don-forgive-rudy/2/[/URL]

[QUOTE]The Warriors with Rudy Gobert and the Splash Brothers would be unstoppable, and maybe the Jazz would have an interest in their high draft pick this upcoming draft packaged with Paschall.


[/QUOTE]

They have some young talent and the high pick but what crappy contracts do they have to take to equal salary? Wiggins?

[QUOTE]The Hornets this season had the sixth worst defensive rating, and [URL="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/grahade01.html"]Devonte’ Graham[/URL] didn’t do much to help that. Beyond his age (25), outside shooting, and previous experience being Mitchell’s teammate, there’s not much of a case for the Jazz to chase Graham.


[/QUOTE]

Jazz won't be playing much D without Rudy anyway despite Snyder's supposed prowess in that area

[QUOTE]It’s crazy to think that back on October, the Pistons were deciding on their final roster spot to be between [URL="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/johnsjo02.html"]Joe Johnson[/URL] and [URL="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/woodch01.html"]Christian Wood[/URL]. I was rooting for Iso Joe to make a comeback to the NBA after lighting up the Big 3 league in the summer, but the basketball gods had different plans.


[/QUOTE]

Crazier to think that anyone in the league could have had the guy recently

[QUOTE]Him and Mitchell would make a good defensive backcourt, and so long as the Jazz surround those two with plenty of shooters on the perimeter, they would be a problem to contain for a long time.


[/QUOTE]

Neither is known for D. He has nice size to pair with Mitchell

[QUOTE]The problem would be convincing Sam Presti and the Thunder to take on Rudy Gobert. They already have [URL="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/adamsst01.html"]Steven Adams[/URL] in place, whose made quite the mark in his time in Oklahoma City. The team is poised for a long term rebuild with their stash of future picks.


[/QUOTE]

Adams would be a good get if Rudy goes

[QUOTE]Like I said earlier, the Thunder would have to be crazy in order to do all of that right now. Now is a bad time for a team to try to jump into win-now mode, as the stacked Western Conference is set to get stronger next year.


[/QUOTE]

It's why you save up picks. They'd certainly be a team to look at with their talent and picks