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[url]https://kslsports.com/454977/report-utah-jazz-to-sign-ersan-ilyasova/[/url]
[QUOTE]“Provides some extra shooting and he’s a decent rebounder. Good depth at PF along with Bojan Bogdanovic and Georges Niang,” said KSL Sports Jazz insider Ben Anderson.
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:roll:
[url]https://www.ksl.com/article/50122324/jazz-to-sign-veteran-forward-ersan-ilyasova[/url]
[QUOTE]There were a number of other options the Jazz could have used for the 14th spot: 10-day contracts, promoting one of their two-way players, or test out the buy-out market. Utah could have also combined a couple of those choices and used 10-day contracts to buy some time to get a better idea of what the buy-out market would actually look like before making a decision.
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seems like they should have kept their options open but the sooner they get someone the sooner they can fit in hopefully. Desperately need a 4. Trade Bojan!
[QUOTE]In the Bucks' playoff run in the bubble, Ilyasova played in just three games, averaging 3.0 points in 7.8 minutes. He didn't appear in any of the contests during Milwaukee's second-round series where it fell to the Miami Heat. In the end, it was a very-limited role or a did not play.
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Bucks were deep and actually had other 4's
[url]https://www.deseret.com/sports/2021/3/9/22321786/reports-utah-jazz-to-sign-veteran-shooter-ersan-ilyasova[/url]
[QUOTE]It is not entirely clear how Ilyasova might fit into the Jazz’s plans, as they’ve got a number of perimeter-oriented forwards.
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Other than Morgan and O'Neales's best impression of one he's the only 4. Him and Morgan should get the minutes unless going small with Royce is called on. That won't happen of course! :facepalm
[url]https://saltcityhoops.com/threading-the-needle-february-uniform-review/[/url]
[QUOTE]Last month we highlighted the Statement Gold uniforms quite a bit, so I’ll refrain from re-hashing the same material again (though it does garner lots of clicks). I will mention that as it shows in the Uniform Recap above, the Jazz are a perfect[B] 6-0[/B] while wearing gold. That puts their record a solid 5 games over .500 at 28-23. Either there was no curse, or the curse has been broken by the best team in the league.
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who cares. Ugly!
[QUOTE][B]Green with Envy?[/B]
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awfu too
[url]https://www.slcdunk.com/latest-utah-jazz-news-recent/2021/3/9/22321919/utah-jazz-sign-ersan-ilyasova-bucks-free-agent[/url]
[QUOTE][I]Length, shooting, and veteran experience added to Utah’s roster for the second half of the season[/I]
[/QUOTE]
is he long?
[QUOTE]David J. Smith
@davidjsmith1232
Ersan Ilyasova is an interesting pickup for the Jazz. Another big who can shoot.
Career: 10.3 PPG, 37% 3s, 5.7 RPG, 1.1 APG. 51 career Playoff games (ECF w/ MIL in 2019)
6-9, 235 lb who will turn 34 in May.
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another? Him and Morgan :facepalm
[QUOTE]This might signal a Bogey trade, which makes me all kinds of nervous (but which could also pay off depending on who we get back)
Posted by [URL="https://www.sbnation.com/users/Korumbian"]Korumbian[/URL] on [URL="https://www.slcdunk.com/latest-utah-jazz-news-recent/2021/3/9/22321919/utah-jazz-sign-ersan-ilyasova-bucks-free-agent#537354408"]Mar 9, 2021 | 2:55 PM[/URL]
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I'd be shocked. They don't necessarily need anyone back. Addition by subtraction. Get under tax. Flexibility this year and going going forward.
[QUOTE]I can see him being insurance at Center too if Favors can’t go. A bigger, better option than Morgan.
Posted by [URL="https://www.sbnation.com/users/SKMike"]SKMike[/URL] on [URL="https://www.slcdunk.com/latest-utah-jazz-news-recent/2021/3/9/22321919/utah-jazz-sign-ersan-ilyasova-bucks-free-agent#537351512"]Mar 9, 2021 | 1:50 PM[/URL]
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:facepalm Not convinced Favors is better than Morgan
[QUOTE][h=4]Team seems pretty committed to 4 3-point shooters at all times[/h]
Think played the Rudy-Favors combo less than 15 minutes in 36 games
Posted by [URL="https://www.sbnation.com/users/SKMike"]SKMike[/URL] on [URL="https://www.slcdunk.com/latest-utah-jazz-news-recent/2021/3/9/22321919/utah-jazz-sign-ersan-ilyasova-bucks-free-agent#537352255"]Mar 9, 2021 | 2:07 PM[/URL]
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only took 6 years
[QUOTE]I just think the team is committed to playing the one style very well and making teams adjust to us than adjusting to them. Time will prove if a mistake I guess.
Posted by [URL="https://www.sbnation.com/users/SKMike"]SKMike[/URL] on [URL="https://www.slcdunk.com/latest-utah-jazz-news-recent/2021/3/9/22321919/utah-jazz-sign-ersan-ilyasova-bucks-free-agent#537353593"]Mar 9, 2021 | 2:35 PM[/URL]
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definitely a mistake. Many ways you can make teams adjust. Go big on someone instead just not Favors!
[h=4]Answered my own question....His defense could be useful.[/h]
[QUOTE]Info from the same thread…
7’1" wingspan.
In 2019-20…
Roll Gravity: A+
Interior Defense: B-
Offensive Rebounding: B+
Defensive Rebounding: A-
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Longer than Royce and about the same as Morgan I think
[QUOTE]why Milwaukee didn’t play him in the playoffs last year against the Heat. But hope that was more due to injuries and the bubble.
Posted by [URL="https://www.sbnation.com/users/SKMike"]SKMike[/URL] on [URL="https://www.slcdunk.com/latest-utah-jazz-news-recent/2021/3/9/22321919/utah-jazz-sign-ersan-ilyasova-bucks-free-agent#537353359"]Mar 9, 2021 | 2:30 PM[/URL]
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They were loaded. Jazz have no one but Morgan and COTM won't lay him
[QUOTE][h=4]I always thought he was 6'10". Wanted him 5 years ago[/h]
As a stretch 4 when we were searching.
Posted by [URL="https://www.sbnation.com/users/SKMike"]SKMike[/URL] on [URL="https://www.slcdunk.com/latest-utah-jazz-news-recent/2021/3/9/22321919/utah-jazz-sign-ersan-ilyasova-bucks-free-agent#537353776"]Mar 9, 2021 | 2:40 PM[/URL]
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they were searching? Definitely been on my radar for a while
[QUOTE][h=4]Wishful thinking for a dude that has averaged 29% from three in the playoffs for his career.[/h]
Posted by [URL="https://www.sbnation.com/users/uncle-ingles"]uncle-ingles[/URL] on [URL="https://www.slcdunk.com/latest-utah-jazz-news-recent/2021/3/9/22321919/utah-jazz-sign-ersan-ilyasova-bucks-free-agent#537370124"]Mar 10, 2021 | 2:08 AM[/URL]
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what was he on wide open 3's? That's what he'd get
[QUOTE][h=4]Favs defense has been disappointing & he's definitely lost some bounce...[/h]
But, he’s still a super efficient offensive player & excellent rebounder.
I don’t see Ersan being anything other than insurance, to be honest.
Posted by [URL="https://www.sbnation.com/users/uncle-ingles"]uncle-ingles[/URL] on [URL="https://www.slcdunk.com/latest-utah-jazz-news-recent/2021/3/9/22321919/utah-jazz-sign-ersan-ilyasova-bucks-free-agent#537370173"]Mar 10, 2021 | 2:19 AM[/URL]
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could have had that with Bradley and saved million and got the PF they obviously finally realize they need
[QUOTE]That’s what’s missing from his game this year. His superior athleticism for a big man. It’s why he doesn’t challenge every shot or is late challenging some shots. Its why we dont see him dunk over multiple defenders once a game like we used too. Hes still pretty young right? I wonder if it’s his back that’s bothering him. That would explain alot. Either that or he has looked heavy this season.
As far as ersan goes I dont know how much this helps. Hes been sitting all year with no team signing him. Maybe that’s for a reason like he was rehabbing something or sitting out for personal reasons. But if not for said reasons than I wonder how much value if any he can bring. I wonder if he can even crack the rotation. He could end up being another shaq.
I dont see him taking niangs minutes. He cant shoot like niang can. I dont see him taking favs minutes either. He cant defend rebound or pnr like favs can. Its good insurance though. Hopefully I’m wrong and he makes a big difference.
Posted by [URL="https://www.sbnation.com/users/JazzHands2017"]JazzHands2017[/URL] on [URL="https://www.slcdunk.com/latest-utah-jazz-news-recent/2021/3/9/22321919/utah-jazz-sign-ersan-ilyasova-bucks-free-agent#537358848"]Mar 9, 2021 | 5:00 PM[/URL]
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Favors doesn't look heavy. I'd guess part of why he was willing to come to be a backup was because he knew he wasn't up for big minutes. Ersan is one of two modern 4's on the roster. Makes all the sense in the world. Why it didn't happen instead of Shaq or Favors to begin with even is the question?
[url]https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/3/9/22321356/nba-free-agent-buyout-market-utah-jazz[/url]
[QUOTE]Otto Porter Jr.
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he's the guy. The only reason I'd say I might have waited on Ersan
[QUOTE][h=4]We still need to find a 3rd string center.[/h]
Most of those guys are more into shooting 3s than protecting the rim. Baynes could be a pretty good fit though.
Wasn’t there a rumor about Javale McGee? He’d be good too, but probably wants to play more than 3rd string. He’d allow us to rest Favs and Rudy more though.
Either guy would give us some insurance in case Favs or Rudy has to sit for a few games. Also, we will probably want the option of playing Favs at the 4 against the Lakers, Bucks and anyone else who is posting up on Bogey.
Posted by [URL="https://www.sbnation.com/users/Big_B"]Big_B[/URL] on [URL="https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/3/9/22321356/nba-free-agent-buyout-market-utah-jazz#537342408"]Mar 9, 2021 | 10:04 AM[/URL]
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Morgan. They are fine there
[QUOTE]Even though Porter would fit in beautifully on the Jazz no one is picking them over a LA team that’s contending. It sucks but we are probably looking at second and third tier options who wouldn’t make an impact for us anyways. Maybe George hill. He played really well for us and would be great off the bench to be another ball handler and 3pt shooter. Especially if someone went down (knock on wood, literally knocked on wood)
Its always nice considering the possibilities but as always Jazz fans have to face reality that these top buyout market players just arent ending up in Utah. Hopefully some of this changes with our new owner but probably not.
Posted by [URL="https://www.sbnation.com/users/JazzHands2017"]JazzHands2017[/URL] on [URL="https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/3/9/22321356/nba-free-agent-buyout-market-utah-jazz#537342969"]Mar 9, 2021 | 10:20 AM[/URL]
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Those teams can't get everyone and don't necessarily need Porter. GS and someone else I've seen mentioned for Porter. Why go to GS over Utah? He liked the Jazz before so they would be in the mix if they wanted to be I'm sure
[QUOTE]The Jazz need a third Center, they need a 3/4 who is capable of defending, and a backup PG wouldn’t hurt either.
With zero cap-space, and almost no desirable trade pieces, the buyout market will be key to adding reinforcements. .
Posted by [URL="https://www.sbnation.com/users/Bobby%20Hill%231"]Bobby Hill#1[/URL] on [URL="https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/3/9/22321356/nba-free-agent-buyout-market-utah-jazz#537343770"]Mar 9, 2021 | 10:42 AM[/URL]
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starting 4
[QUOTE][h=4]Not sure a few inches from Ersan Ilysova[/h]
Is gonna make much difference in the situations you’re talking about.
But like I said, I’m not mad about it.
Depth never hurts.
Posted by [URL="https://www.sbnation.com/users/uncle-ingles"]uncle-ingles[/URL] on [URL="https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/3/9/22321356/nba-free-agent-buyout-market-utah-jazz#537347722"]Mar 9, 2021 | 12:24 PM[/URL]
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letting Royce play his natural position and keeping Favors and Bojan off the floor adds plenty
[url]https://thejnotes.com/2021/03/09/utah-jazz-4-stats-explain-greatness/[/url]
[QUOTE][h=2]Stats that sum up Utah Jazz eminence: Rebounding[/h]
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it's been a problem against teams that have beat them. Enter Ersan
Basketball-Reference: Toughest remaining schedule: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]1. Rockets, 2. Magic, 3. Blazers, 4. Knicks, 5. Spurs. Easiest: 1. Jazz, 2. Celtics, 3. Pistons, 4. Mavs, 5. Heat[/URL]
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/bball_ref"]Twitter bball_ref[/URL]
[url]https://www.marketwatch.com/story/plenty-have-tried-to-create-a-new-silicon-valley-but-this-new-nba-owner-and-tech-founder-may-be-succeeding-11615396810?siteid=yhoof2[/url]
[URL="https://www.nba.com/jazz/news/utah-jazz-sign-ersan-ilyasova"]The Utah Jazz announced today that the team has signed forward Ersan Ilyasova[/URL].
– via [URL="https://www.nba.com/jazz/news/utah-jazz-sign-ersan-ilyasova"]NBA.com[/URL]
Mike Finger: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Gregg Popovich says Spurs have “mutually agreed” to work with LaMarcus Aldridge on opportunities to play elsewhere.[/URL] Not with the team, apparently won’t be again.
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/mikefinger"]Twitter mikefinger
[/URL]
Adrian Wojnarowski: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Spurs are working on trade scenarios with LaMarcus Aldridge and have been engaged on several fronts,[/URL] sources tell ESPN.
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/wojespn"]Twitter wojespn[/URL]
[URL]http://www.espn.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=yd22nvfu[/URL]
Might need another team or two. Doubt they want Bojan
Adam Wexler: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Christian Wood says he wants to be out there, it’s very hard to be patient, but hopes to be back after the back-to-back.[/URL] #Rockets at Sac (Thu) & at Utah (Fri). Then host Celtics on Sun. Silas said Wood went thru entire practice & he could be back in a week, maybe less.
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/AdamJWexler"]Twitter AdamJWexler[/URL]
It was the sort of unforgettably seismic event that forced Gobert, during a virtual interview session just hours before he played in Sunday’s 70th N.B.A. All-Star Game, to field multiple questions asking him to look back. [URL="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/10/sports/basketball/rudy-gobert-anniversary.html"]“Those few weeks, those few months, were really tough,” Gobert said softly. “I’m just blessed to be able to be here today to enjoy this All-Star Game — and to be healthy.”[/URL]
– via [URL="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/10/sports/basketball/rudy-gobert-anniversary.html"]Marc Stein @ New York Times[/URL]
[URL="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/10/sports/basketball/rudy-gobert-anniversary.html"]“It was definitely a tough year, not just for me, but for everyone,” Gobert said.[/URL] “A lot of things happened. A lot of unexpected things happened. But I believe that every tough moment is a learning experience. I think the most important thing is to try to make positive out of the negative, and hopefully that’s what I’ve been able to do.”
– via [URL="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/10/sports/basketball/rudy-gobert-anniversary.html"]Marc Stein @ New York Times[/URL]
“Signing the contract doesn’t put more pressure on me,” Gobert said in a telephone interview on a recent drive home from practice. “In people’s minds, maybe it changed their perception about me, but no amount of money is going to add pressure to what I put on myself. [URL="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/10/sports/basketball/rudy-gobert-anniversary.html"]“I’ve had a target on my back for many, many years now — for multiple reasons. When you win multiple defensive player of the years, people just try to come at you. So I’ve had that mind-set already.”[/URL]
– via [URL="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/10/sports/basketball/rudy-gobert-anniversary.html"]Marc Stein @ New York Times[/URL]
[URL="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/10/sports/basketball/rudy-gobert-anniversary.html"]“You watch those two guys play now and that’s a long time ago, literally and figuratively,” Utah Coach Quin Snyder said of past tensions[/URL].
– via [URL="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/10/sports/basketball/rudy-gobert-anniversary.html"]Marc Stein @ New York Times[/URL]
Gobert, who stands 7 feet 1 inch and has a 7-foot-9 wingspan, also has a kindred spirit nearby when he needs counsel. [URL="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/10/sports/basketball/rudy-gobert-anniversary.html"]Mark Eaton, the 7-4 center who played for the Jazz for his entire 11-season career, remains a fixture in the community and has become a sounding board for Utah’s modern-day defensive anchor[/URL].
– via [URL="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/10/sports/basketball/rudy-gobert-anniversary.html"]Marc Stein @ New York Times[/URL]
When given the chance, he also refused to fire back at the Hall of Fame center Shaquille O’Neal, who has been repeatedly dismissive of Mitchell and Gobert on TNT — especially regarding Gobert’s contract. [URL="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/10/sports/basketball/rudy-gobert-anniversary.html"]“I have a lot of respect for his career,” Gobert said of O’Neal. “He’s one of the guys that, growing up watching basketball, we all looked up to. But now he’s an entertainer in a way, so he’s doing things, saying things.[/URL] If I start taking personal everything that’s been said about me, it’s going to be a long year.”
– via [URL="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/10/sports/basketball/rudy-gobert-anniversary.html"]Marc Stein @ New York Times[/URL]
[url]https://kslsports.com/455066/what-ersan-ilyasova-offers-jazz/[/url]
[QUOTE]The forward was a mainstay through the first half of the 2019-20 season with Milwaukee but saw his role reduced dramatically after the Bucks signed veteran forward Marvin Williams midway through the year.
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best team in the league so that says something
[QUOTE]Ilyasova’s 21.2 defensive rebounding rate would currently rank third on the Jazz behind only Rudy Gobert and Derrick Favors, and far surpassing Royce O’Neale’s 15.5 percentage rate.
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an actual PF getting more than a 6'4 version. Who would have thunk?
[QUOTE]The forward had the second-worst defensive rating for the Bucks last season and has never been particularly agile laterally defending other big men.
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can't be any worse than Bojan and Mitchell
[QUOTE]Furthermore, Ilyasova is a bit of a ball-stopper whose 6.5 percent assist percentage would rank [URL="https://www.nba.com/stats/players/advanced/?sort=AST_PCT&dir=-1&Season=2020-21&SeasonType=Regular%20Season&TeamID=1610612762"]second-worst[/URL] on the Jazz ahead of only Gobert at 6.2 percent. Though he trails Georges Niang by just three-tenths of a percent in assist rate, Ilyasova’s lower three-point shooting percentage will make it difficult for him to overtake the fifth-year veteran in the Jazz rotation.
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again the fact that he's actually PF should have him and Morgan taking the minutes at least until they get Porter. Won't happen of course
[QUOTE]However, at this point in his career, and as a result of his mostly redundant skillset, it’s unlikely that he’ll overtake anyone in the Jazz rotation unless there is an injury, or further roster moves are made.
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trade Bojan!
[url]https://www.deseret.com/sports/2021/3/9/22321786/reports-utah-jazz-to-sign-veteran-shooter-ersan-ilyasova[/url]
[QUOTE]It is not entirely clear how Ilyasova might fit into the Jazz’s plans, as they’ve got a number of perimeter-oriented forwards.
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and Morgan is the only 4 :facepalm
[url]https://www.deseret.com/sports/2021/3/10/22323548/utah-jazz-unveil-new-green-earned-edition-jerseys[/url]
Godawful
[url]https://saltcityhoops.com/falling-stars-checking-in-with-the-g-league/[/url]
[QUOTE]The 2019-20 Stars were a joy to watch and one of the best teams in the G League. They won the G League Showcase and had the second best record in the league when everything shut down. Head coach Martin Schiller won Coach of the Year honors and was able to get a job in the EuroLeague as a result. Jarrell Brantley received MVP votes and was first-team All-G League. Players like Trevon Bluiett and Mike Scott were complementary to the Utah Jazz’s two-way players Brantley and Wright-Foreman as well as the regular players who were frequently on assignment from the Jazz like Juwan Morgan, Nigel Williams-Goss, Miye Oni and Rayjon Tucker. Not only were the Stars good and fun but watching the team provided a lot of insight into the 2019-20 Jazz rookie class.
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Tucker should have been frequent but wasn't. Only the last couple games unfortunately but why would you know that! :facepalm
[QUOTE]The Stars began their season with a blowout loss to the Erie Bayhawks. The only players on assignment from the NBA were Jazz rookie Udoka Azubuike and Bucks rookie Jordan Nwora. Azubuike looked like a rookie with solid potential, especially on defense. It seemed clear that this year’s Stars team was designed to echo the Jazz with a strong rim-protecting/rim-running center surrounded by capable shooters and the team played best when Azubuike was on the floor. Azubuike was a -1 in a 19-point loss, best on the team. Regrettably, that would be the only game we got to see Azubuike as he suffered a severe ankle sprain late in the 4th quarter and remains out indefinitely. Watching the injury, it is fortunate that it was only a sprain. Former BYU standout Jake Toolson was also with the Stars in the season debut, but also suffered a season-ending injury and was later waived.
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Nwora also sprained his ankle
[QUOTE]Without Azubuike, the Stars were forced to adapt. Romaro Gill was the only other rim-protecting big on the team, so the Stars played more small-ball than originally intended, and it didn’t work out well. Gill just doesn’t have the same upside as Azubuike and when the team attempted to play with him in the rim-protecting and rim-running role it didn’t work out great.
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Actually they didn't until the other guy got hurt. Again why would you know that! :lol
[QUOTE]With Azubuike out and Nwora recalled to the Bucks, the Stars were fortunate to have Dallas Mavericks rookie Tyler Bey assigned to the team for the remainder of the season. Bey was a standout performer for the Stars through the season and the 2019-20 MWC Defensive Player of the Year showed a lot of offensive promise in his role with the Stars. In my opinion, he and Ferrell were the two best players for the team this season. Although his 3-point shot still needs work (.325 3P%) I think the Mavericks got a keeper. He played lockdown defense and was aggressive driving to the basket. Bey averaged 15.1 points, 9.2 rebounds and 0.2 assists in 27 minutes per game.
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as your 2nd rounders and former NBA rotation players should be. Hughes...
[QUOTE]The Stars lost 7 of their first 8, often in blowouts, with the lone win coming against the lowly Iowa Wolves, the only team to finish with a worse record. Finally in game 9, Jazz rookie Elijah Hughes and Mavericks rookie Josh Green were assigned to the team and the Stars were able to defeat the Austin Spurs. Hughes, coming off a lengthy injury absence, looked rusty but solid. Watching him shoot in college and in his NBA minutes, I don’t think there is reason to be concerned but he shot an abysmal 20.5% from outside in his five games played with the Stars this season. The biggest question mark for Hughes coming out of college was how his defense would translate after playing in Jim Boeheim’s zone defense for four years. I’m happy to say that his defensive instincts looked solid and I’m optimistic that he’ll be a plus defender in the NBA. Hughes averaged 14.2 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 26 minutes per game.
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He wasn't a good long range shooter in college so it is a concern. Pretty optimistic to think someone without great length or athleticism will be a plus defender. I'm just wondering if he'll even be as good as Wright Forman who could shoot and was athletic and almost as long
[QUOTE]The Stars would go on to win only two more games and were mostly unremarkable. Bluiett, a 6’5″ guard out of Xavier, had been key to the Stars success in 2018-19 and 2019-20 as an outside shooter. After shooting 37.5% from deep in 2018-19 and 42.5% in 2019-20, Bluiett’s shot seemed to have abandoned him this season as he shot 28.9% on six attempts per game. It’s probably no coincidence that Bluiett’s best game of the season came in their biggest win of the season when they blew out the G League Ignite team[URL="https://saltcityhoops.com/falling-stars-checking-in-with-the-g-league/#note-1"]1[/URL] by 20 points. Bluiett hit 4 of 6 from 3 and scored 16 points in that outing.
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He's a role player on a team without out good players ahead of him this year
[QUOTE]Ultimately, I was disappointed in this year’s Stars season and not because of the win-loss record. The reason to watch the G League is to see prospects develop and to get a longer look at young players getting minutes they just can’t get in the NBA right now. Azubuike’s injury and Hughes’ late assignment to the team meant that there was very little opportunity to see that this year. More importantly, the Stars were designed to run like the Jazz, with the goal of giving guys a relevant development atmosphere in the same offensive and defensive systems as the parent club uses. Azubuike’s injury meant that the Stars were suddenly missing the essential piece for doing that.
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and Forrest. They might end up with some guys for summer league and next year out of it. The Scott's and Graves especially who you didn't mention
[QUOTE]When the 2021-2022 G League season begins, take the time to catch a game or two.
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especially if you're going to write articles about them
Georges Niang: [URL="https://*********.com/social/tweets/"]A year ago today crazy to think it’s been a year! March 11th! Stuck in the locker room, the beginning of wearing masks, and covid testing! What a year!![/URL]
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/GeorgesNiang20"]Twitter GeorgesNiang20[/URL]
Where Nemanja Bjelica could land by thetrade deadline [URL="https://*********.com/2021/03/11/potential-sacramento-kings-trades/"]Scotto: My sense would be if they can get some type of draft compensation like a second-round pick and no long-term salary past this year, that would be ideal[/URL].
– via [URL="https://*********.com/2021/03/11/potential-sacramento-kings-trades/"]Michael Scotto @ *********[/URL]
Multiple teammates of Mitchell tell The Athletic [URL="https://theathletic.com/2423303/2021/03/11/one-on-one-with-donovan-mitchell-on-saving-the-unsalvageable-shrugging-off-shaq-and-the-fight-for-social-justice/?source=rss"]he and Rudy Gobert are more than co-workers. They are friends and have forged a close relationship with each other off the floor[/URL].
– via [URL="https://theathletic.com/2423303/2021/03/11/one-on-one-with-donovan-mitchell-on-saving-the-unsalvageable-shrugging-off-shaq-and-the-fight-for-social-justice/?source=rss"]Tony Jones @ The Athletic[/URL]
When many media outlets, The Athletic included, wrote on the state of their union, Mitchell and Gobert read those stories. They noticed when this outlet reported that a source with knowledge of the situation said that their relationship appeared to be unsalvageable. Then, they pushed back on the idea that they could no longer play together or no longer desired to. [URL="https://theathletic.com/2423303/2021/03/11/one-on-one-with-donovan-mitchell-on-saving-the-unsalvageable-shrugging-off-shaq-and-the-fight-for-social-justice/?source=rss"]“In a strange way, I think that article helped,” Mitchell said. “It brought out a level of determination in both of us that we never had. I never had a controversy like that.[/URL] Here we were, the two pillars of the team, and we had to go to the playoffs in two months. It brought out a different level of tenacity in both of us.
– via [URL="https://theathletic.com/2423303/2021/03/11/one-on-one-with-donovan-mitchell-on-saving-the-unsalvageable-shrugging-off-shaq-and-the-fight-for-social-justice/?source=rss"]Tony Jones @ The Athletic[/URL]
[URL="https://theathletic.com/2423303/2021/03/11/one-on-one-with-donovan-mitchell-on-saving-the-unsalvageable-shrugging-off-shaq-and-the-fight-for-social-justice/?source=rss"]“I think the conversation we had before camp was very important,” Gobert told The Athletic.[/URL] “We decided that we were going to grow up and do what’s best for the team. At the end of the day, we all wanted to win. That’s all we wanted, was to win. It was a test for us.”
– via [URL="https://theathletic.com/2423303/2021/03/11/one-on-one-with-donovan-mitchell-on-saving-the-unsalvageable-shrugging-off-shaq-and-the-fight-for-social-justice/?source=rss"]Tony Jones @ The Athletic[/URL]
“It didn’t really bother me,” Mitchell said. “I thought it was blown out of proportion, but that’s just the media in general. When I said ‘Aight,’ for me it meant that’s cool, and that’s your opinion and it’s OK to have an opinion. I play to make sure that I’m the best player I can be for myself and my teammates. [URL="https://theathletic.com/2423303/2021/03/11/one-on-one-with-donovan-mitchell-on-saving-the-unsalvageable-shrugging-off-shaq-and-the-fight-for-social-justice/?source=rss"]“Shaq isn’t my coach. If he doesn’t agree that I’m a superstar, that’s cool. I just have to go out and make sure that I play for my teammates.”[/URL]
– via [URL="https://theathletic.com/2423303/2021/03/11/one-on-one-with-donovan-mitchell-on-saving-the-unsalvageable-shrugging-off-shaq-and-the-fight-for-social-justice/?source=rss"]Tony Jones @ The Athletic[/URL]
The Utah Jazz center’s positive test for the coronavirus began a cascading shutdown of American sports. [URL="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/10/sports/basketball/rudy-gobert-anniversary.html?smid=tw-nytsports&smtyp=cur"]But with a huge new contract and a dominant team, he has moved on. It was not a time in his life, understandably, that Rudy Gobert is eager to revisit.[/URL] No one wants to be connected so closely to the day that the N.B.A., suddenly infiltrated by the coronavirus, suspended its season.
– via [URL="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/10/sports/basketball/rudy-gobert-anniversary.html?smid=tw-nytsports&smtyp=cur"]Marc Stein @ New York Times[/URL]
[URL="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/10/sports/basketball/rudy-gobert-anniversary.html?smid=tw-nytsports&smtyp=cur"]Gobert, though, is realistic. He constantly sizes up situations in his rim-protecting role for the Utah Jazz. He understands better than most that there are some things even a supreme shot-blocker can’t swat away[/URL]. So he has known for some time what was coming this month. Copious coverage of the unhappy anniversary was inevitable, ready or not, one year removed from Gobert’s positive test for the coronavirus on March 11, 2020. It was the thunderbolt that led to the postponement of Utah’s game in Oklahoma City that night and, some 90 minutes later, an abrupt announcement that the 2019-20 season was being placed on hiatus “until further notice.” The novel coronavirus had been thrust to the forefront of major team sports in North America.
– via [URL="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/10/sports/basketball/rudy-gobert-anniversary.html?smid=tw-nytsports&smtyp=cur"]Marc Stein @ New York Times[/URL]
[URL="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/10/sports/basketball/rudy-gobert-anniversary.html?smid=tw-nytsports&smtyp=cur"]“Those few weeks, those few months, were really tough,” Gobert said softly. “I’m just blessed to be able to be here today to enjoy this All-Star Game — and to be healthy.”[/URL] The focus should be back on basketball soon enough and Gobert, this March, is clearly in a good place. Despite his modest 14.2 points per game, and winding up as the last of 24 players selected when LeBron James and Kevin Durant chose the All-Star squads, Gobert can stride into Utah’s one-year-later practice session on Thursday knowing he has never been a more effective two-way player.
– via [URL="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/10/sports/basketball/rudy-gobert-anniversary.html?smid=tw-nytsports&smtyp=cur"]Marc Stein @ New York Times[/URL]
Ben Anderson: From the @Utah Jazz. [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]“With no change in health and safety protocols, Vivint Arena will start the second half of the season with a socially distanced seating capacity of 5,600 fans throughout the lower bowl, upper bowl and suite level for Jazz games.”[/URL]
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/BensHoops"]Twitter BensHoops[/URL]
The doctors called and told Donovan Mitchell Sr. to unlock his hotel room door, slide the bolt so it stayed open and then stay back in the room. [URL="https://nypost.com/2021/03/11/hazmat-suit-hell-had-donovan-mitchell-sr-worried-he-infected-entire-mets-roster/?fbclid=IwAR0iVbNmxNvf1vxJ-a2gIi-PYgLDkHT3zWRdQbaQHgw_fYenP6PQ0_JG0KM"]That was unnerving. But then the doctors walked in wearing full hazmat suits and what started going through Mitchell’s mind that day — March 12, 2020 — was how sick might he be. And if he was indeed sick with COVID-19, had he gotten the entire Mets team ill as well?[/URL]
– via [URL="https://nypost.com/2021/03/11/hazmat-suit-hell-had-donovan-mitchell-sr-worried-he-infected-entire-mets-roster/?fbclid=IwAR0iVbNmxNvf1vxJ-a2gIi-PYgLDkHT3zWRdQbaQHgw_fYenP6PQ0_JG0KM"]Joel Sherman @ New York Post[/URL]
[URL="https://nypost.com/2021/03/11/hazmat-suit-hell-had-donovan-mitchell-sr-worried-he-infected-entire-mets-roster/?fbclid=IwAR0iVbNmxNvf1vxJ-a2gIi-PYgLDkHT3zWRdQbaQHgw_fYenP6PQ0_JG0KM"]“They were in there for two minutes to test me, then they left,” Mitchell said, remembering the unsettling times from a year ago.[/URL] “I was left there for the next few days wondering if I had it or not and who else I might have given it to.”
– via [URL="https://nypost.com/2021/03/11/hazmat-suit-hell-had-donovan-mitchell-sr-worried-he-infected-entire-mets-roster/?fbclid=IwAR0iVbNmxNvf1vxJ-a2gIi-PYgLDkHT3zWRdQbaQHgw_fYenP6PQ0_JG0KM"]Joel Sherman @ New York Post[/URL]
[URL="https://nypost.com/2021/03/11/hazmat-suit-hell-had-donovan-mitchell-sr-worried-he-infected-entire-mets-roster/?fbclid=IwAR0iVbNmxNvf1vxJ-a2gIi-PYgLDkHT3zWRdQbaQHgw_fYenP6PQ0_JG0KM"]This was part of a “scary, scary time” in the words of Mitchell, who was then the Mets’ longtime director of public relations and community engagement.[/URL] On March 4, he had gone to see his son, the Utah Jazz star, Donovan Mitchell Jr., play the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
– via [URL="https://nypost.com/2021/03/11/hazmat-suit-hell-had-donovan-mitchell-sr-worried-he-infected-entire-mets-roster/?fbclid=IwAR0iVbNmxNvf1vxJ-a2gIi-PYgLDkHT3zWRdQbaQHgw_fYenP6PQ0_JG0KM"]Joel Sherman @ New York Post[/URL]
Now, after learning his son’s diagnosis, Mitchell mentally ran through pretty much every player on the Mets roster and, yep, he had contact with all of them. [URL="https://nypost.com/2021/03/11/hazmat-suit-hell-had-donovan-mitchell-sr-worried-he-infected-entire-mets-roster/?fbclid=IwAR0iVbNmxNvf1vxJ-a2gIi-PYgLDkHT3zWRdQbaQHgw_fYenP6PQ0_JG0KM"]“We had done an autograph signing, productions, appearances, I was hands-on with every player in that locker room,” Mitchell said. “If I had it, pretty much it was a done deal that I would pass it on to somebody. … Now, I am starting to panic. If I have it, I don’t want to be the reason why they can’t practice or they can’t play or I infected someone on the team.”[/URL]
– via [URL="https://nypost.com/2021/03/11/hazmat-suit-hell-had-donovan-mitchell-sr-worried-he-infected-entire-mets-roster/?fbclid=IwAR0iVbNmxNvf1vxJ-a2gIi-PYgLDkHT3zWRdQbaQHgw_fYenP6PQ0_JG0KM"]Joel Sherman @ New York Post[/URL]
Adrian Wojnarowski: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]NBA Board of Governors approved changes to two-way contracts that will allow, among other modifications, for those players to be added onto postseason rosters,[/URL] sources tell ESPN.
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/wojespn"]Twitter wojespn[/URL]
Shams Charania: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Two-way players who exceed 50 games active will now have their compensation increased to their league minimum salary based on years of service,[/URL] sources said.
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania"]Twitter ShamsCharania[/URL]
[QUOTE]Eric Walden: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Ersan Ilyasova said that in watching the Jazz this season, what’s stood out to him is the ball movement: “This is the way to win a championship.”[/URL] Said the team concept is simple: “Move the ball, and if you’re open, shoot it.”
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/tribjazz"]Twitter tribjazz[/URL]
Ben Anderson: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Justin Zanik used to be Ersan Ilyasova’s agent before Zanik left that lifestyle to join the @UtahJazz front office[/URL]. Ilyasova said he knows the rest of the players on the team through years of competing.
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/BensHoops"]Twitter BensHoops[/URL]
[/QUOTE]
so what took so long. Been obvious since you signed Ed Davis instead of a 4 that you were in desperate need of one :facepalm
Ben Anderson: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Quin Snyder on finding a player in Ersan Ilyasova who brings similar traits to Bogdanovic and Niang: “Dennis and Justin and our group wouldn’t have looked at someone you couldn’t plug and play.[/URL] I think the one thing we’ve been really conscious of is the chemistry of the team.”
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/BensHoops"]Twitter BensHoops[/URL]
Eric Walden: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Quin Snyder, on adding Ersan Ilyasova: “He’s got to assimilate and learn a little bit, but being a smart, intelligent player, he’ll fit in[/URL] well.”
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/tribjazz"]Twitter tribjazz[/URL]
Eric Walden: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Quin Snyder opens his post-practice remarks with a tribute to late Jazz employee Doug Birrell, a part of the health/performance staff, who died on Sunday:[/URL] “He’s one of the best people I’ve ever known.”
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/tribjazz"]Twitter tribjazz[/URL]
To be sure, he was and is proud of his race, his heritage, who he is as a person. But, his younger years were difficult at times. Kids can say and do cruel things to other children. And that was the case for Mitchell at times in his childhood, as he grew up in New York and Connecticut. Those words, those instances, they never left him. They resonate with him to this day. [URL="https://theathletic.com/2423303/2021/03/11/one-on-one-with-donovan-mitchell-on-saving-the-unsalvageable-shrugging-off-shaq-and-the-fight-for-social-justice/?source=user-shared-article"]“We would be in class and read books about slavery, and everyone wants to say the N-word,” Mitchell said. “It became uncomfortable and that should have never been the case. I’ve been exposed to both sides.[/URL] I played in New York City every weekend in high school and I saw what my teammates had to do and where they lived. That had an impact for me. I knew when I made it to the league that I wanted to speak for the people who didn’t have a voice to be heard.”
– via [URL="https://theathletic.com/2423303/2021/03/11/one-on-one-with-donovan-mitchell-on-saving-the-unsalvageable-shrugging-off-shaq-and-the-fight-for-social-justice/?source=user-shared-article"]Tony Jones @ The Athletic[/URL]
[url]https://kslsports.com/455138/jazz-introduce-ilyasova-enjoy-needed-all-star-break/[/url]
[QUOTE]Ilyasova was signed for the remainder of the season on Wednesday and is expected to add extra depth to the frontcourt behind starter Bojan Bogdanovic and backup forward Georges Niang.
[/QUOTE]
Who watches the Jazz and thinks Bojan is the pF and not Royce?
[url]https://kslsports.com/455121/jazz-increasing-capacity-of-fans-at-vivint-arena-to-5600/[/url]
[url]https://kslsports.com/455102/mitchell-conley-named-finalist-for-usa-olympic-team/[/url]
[QUOTE]Former Weber State guard Damian Lillard is a finalist for the 12-man roster, as is former University of Utah forward Kyle Kuzma.
[/QUOTE]
as is almost everyone that wants to be
[QUOTE]Bojan Bogdanovic’s Croatian team can still qualify for the Olympics during a tournament being held in his home country beginning June 29. The forward could still be playing with the Jazz if the team makes a deep run into the NBA playoffs.
[/QUOTE]
Turkey?
[url]https://www.deseret.com/sports/2021/3/11/22326100/utah-jazz-ersan-ilyasova-newest-player-nba-team-chemistry-quin-snyder[/url]
[QUOTE]With the Jazz needing to fill the empty roster spot by March 10 to have the league minimum 14-players, Ilyasova was a no-brainer. He has plenty of playoff experience, he’s a versatile defender who can switch and shoot the ball and the fact that Zanik was once Ilyasova’s agent didn’t hurt.
[/QUOTE]
and most obvious is he's an actual PF! Again the question is why it's taken almost two years to get to this point? And actually 6 to build around your best player
[QUOTE]Snyder knows that Ilyasova will be kind of chomping at the bit to make a place for himself in the rotation and there’s certainly going to be an opportunity for that down the line, but there won’t be any rush.
[/QUOTE]
certainly? Shaq didn't. Maybe if he went to Duke it would be a certainty
[QUOTE]There’s certainly some competition at his position with Georges Niang already having worked for a long time to earn his minutes, but there will be times when situationally it might make more sense to have someone more experienced on the floor. And, with the tightened schedule through the second half of the season, depth is not something to be disregarded.
[/QUOTE]
Might be times when they need to play bigger and keep Bojan from getting attacked or killing the spacing with Favors. We know Morgan is a last resort.
[url]https://www.deseret.com/sports/2021/3/11/22323179/nba-midseason-awards-how-many-do-the-utah-jazz-deserve-rudy-gobert-jordan-clarkson-quin-snyder[/url]
[QUOTE]The Athletic also voted on Executive of the Year, and Utah’s [URL="https://www.deseret.com/2019/4/26/20671915/dennis-lindsey-indicates-changes-to-jazz-may-be-coming-ricky-rubio-s-status-appears-up-in-the-air#utah-jazz-general-manager-dennis-lindsey-talks-to-the-media-at-zions-bank-basketball-center-in-salt-lake-city-on-thursday-april-25-2019-utahs-season-ended-with-wednesdays-loss-to-houston-in-the-nba-playoffs"]Dennis Lindsey[/URL] received one vote. The Brooklyn Nets’ Sean Marks was the runaway winner, garnering 15 of 28 votes. The Suns’ James Jones, Lakers’ Rob Pelinka, 76ers’ Daryl Morey, Bucks’ Jon Horst and Oklahoma City Thunder’s Sam Presti all received at least one vote.
[/QUOTE]
why the Wizard and not Zanik? I'd think Zanik has a lot to do with the current team. The Wizard thought Exum and Ricky and Favors starting were good ideas
[url]https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/3/11/22319644/utah-jazz-quarterly-update-quarter-two[/url]
[QUOTE]The [URL="https://www.slcdunk.com/"]Utah Jazz[/URL] are 9.4 points per 100 possessions better when Rudy Gobert than when he sits. Gobert leads the team in win shares, while only being third on the team in minutes. In short, Gobert remains the most important player on the Jazz.
[/QUOTE]
someone gets it
[QUOTE]Clarkson still wins this, but it’s closer than many may realize. On just about any other team, Joe Ingles would be the best bench player by a mile. The Jazz having two elite bench players is a luxury, and has been a huge reason for this team’s improvement from last season.
[/QUOTE]
what about the 30 million dollar man? :lol
[QUOTE]Last quarterly update, I decided not to give this award to Mike Conley because his improvement was more of a return to form than a straight upgrade. At this point, however, it would just be silly to not give Conley the award.
[/QUOTE]
Niang? Most of the team is improved
[QUOTE]Of course, [URL="https://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/111859/quin-snyder"]Quin Snyder[/URL] wins this by default, but he also wins it by merit. The Utah Jazz roster didn’t change a whole lot from last year to this year, but the team’s performance took a massive leap. Some of that credit belongs to players simply playing better, but I think most of it needs to go to the mastermind behind the on-court performance. Coach Snyder is beloved by his players, and respected throughout the league.
[/QUOTE]
most of it goes to the layers who are mostly better than last year especially defensively
[QUOTE]Mitchell has been up and down. He’s always had hot and cold streaks, so this is not surprising, but it would be nice to see him grow into a more consistent player. Mitchell is a star player. He has been very good this year. But he hasn’t been as good as many of us had hoped. Overall, he gets a positive grade, but it would be great to see that rise up to an A.
[/QUOTE]
be great if he played D and showed up in the first 3 quarters
[QUOTE]Bogdanovic has had a rough season. The good news is that it has been trending up overall. The bad news is that it has been a slow rise. He is such a great shooter, that even with his struggles, he’s shooting over 40% from three. But everything else on the court has been difficult. We’ve seen multiple teams attack him as the weak point in the defense. Hopefully the All-Star break has been good for his injury recovery and he can continue his upward trend.
[/QUOTE]
again the problem is even at his best he might be a net negative
[QUOTE]Derrick Favors is a consistently solid backup center. He’s not going to blow you away with his stats, but he’ll do his job. So far he’s done his job adequately, though I would like to see him get back to the level he’s been at defensively over the last couple of years.
[/QUOTE]
could have had Bradley for adequate at a lot less money
[QUOTE]In fact, we could probably say the same for Royce O’Neale. Career highs in almost every statistical category just a few months after fans were calling for his head.
And, while we’re at it, we could say the same for Clarkson and Niang—both are having career years. Perhaps that is a testament to the Jazz’s system and organization. Almost every player on the team is having a career year.
And you know I love Gobert. He is easily the MVP of the team.
Posted by [URL="https://www.sbnation.com/users/Kira%20Argonova"]Kira Argonova[/URL] on [URL="https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/3/11/22319644/utah-jazz-quarterly-update-quarter-two#537417107"]Mar 11, 2021 | 9:41 AM[/URL]
[/QUOTE]
What idiot was calling for O'Neales head?
[QUOTE]Probably has as much / more to do with the FO of DL and JZ than Quin (although they all work together). AND 100% agreed: Both Donovan and Rudy have [I]way out-performed their draft stock![/I]
[I]Posted by [URL="https://www.sbnation.com/users/l3uddyh011y"]l3uddyh011y[/URL] on [URL="https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/3/11/22319644/utah-jazz-quarterly-update-quarter-two#537420357"]Mar 11, 2021 | 10:44 AM[/URL][/I]
[/QUOTE]
Too bad about Dante and Ricky and...
[QUOTE]
[h=4]Rubio really only had one flaw, but it was a pretty big flaw.[/h]
If he could have been just an average 3-point shooter, he would have been amazing for our system.
Posted by [URL="https://www.sbnation.com/users/Kira%20Argonova"]Kira Argonova[/URL] on [URL="https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/3/11/22319644/utah-jazz-quarterly-update-quarter-two#537420836"]Mar 11, 2021 | 10:52 AM[/URL]
[/QUOTE]
He's mostly flawed. He plays with a lot of energy and is unselfish. About the best that can be said of that mess
[QUOTE]less focus on a passing PG (which is his main skill), more emphasis on shooting (which is his main weakness). But his TS% was among the best of his career, and his TOV% was the lowest, so he was more efficient in a smaller role.
Posted by [URL="https://www.sbnation.com/users/Kira%20Argonova"]Kira Argonova[/URL] on [URL="https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/3/11/22319644/utah-jazz-quarterly-update-quarter-two#537430925"]Mar 11, 2021 | 2:08 PM[/URL]
[/QUOTE]
again he made 0 sense for the Jazz 0!
[url]https://www.nba.com/jazz/news/ersan-ilyasovas-offseason-patience-pays[/url]
sounds like he's been working
Tim MacMahon: More bad news for the Rockets: Coach Stephen Silas said [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Eric Gordon would get an MRI to determine the severity of his groin injury, but the guard has already been ruled out of Friday’s game in Utah.[/URL] Houston expects to have only the minimum eight players available vs. Jazz.
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/espn_macmahon"]Twitter espn_macmahon[/URL]
One year ago, Andy Larsen had writer’s block in the weirdest place. He was sitting on the floor of an NBA arena, his back against the scorer’s table, his Cole Haans pointed toward center court. Being present for the shutdown of the NBA season is a once-in-a-lifetime story. Larsen wanted to write something good. He just couldn’t get his vital organs on the same page. [URL="https://www.theringer.com/nba/2021/3/11/22324651/utah-jazz-beat-writers-covid-19-positive-rudy-gobert?fbclid=IwAR0m5rWF0Hxx666T5sXwxkGLStjRaU8aHl01s4hHGoMtBU6GillW1k3RKGU"]Glancing at his Fitbit, Larsen saw his heart rate climb to 100 beats per minute. But his brain was moving like Greg Ostertag. “I couldn’t get out more than a sentence at a time that made any kind of narrative sense,” he said[/URL].
– via [URL="https://www.theringer.com/nba/2021/3/11/22324651/utah-jazz-beat-writers-covid-19-positive-rudy-gobert?fbclid=IwAR0m5rWF0Hxx666T5sXwxkGLStjRaU8aHl01s4hHGoMtBU6GillW1k3RKGU"]Bryan Curtis @ The Ringer[/URL]
Larsen, who is 29, is one of two Utah Jazz beat writers at the Salt Lake Tribune. Thanks partly to his formative years as a TrueHoop Network blogger, Larsen asks tough questions without letting delicacy get in the way. Joe Ingles has blocked Larsen on Twitter. [URL="https://www.theringer.com/nba/2021/3/11/22324651/utah-jazz-beat-writers-covid-19-positive-rudy-gobert?fbclid=IwAR0m5rWF0Hxx666T5sXwxkGLStjRaU8aHl01s4hHGoMtBU6GillW1k3RKGU"]After a Jazz loss to the Pelicans this month, Larsen asked Donovan Mitchell why he missed so many dunks. “His charm is that he lacks all social tact,” said Ben Anderson, who covers the Jazz for KSLsports.com[/URL].
– via [URL="https://www.theringer.com/nba/2021/3/11/22324651/utah-jazz-beat-writers-covid-19-positive-rudy-gobert?fbclid=IwAR0m5rWF0Hxx666T5sXwxkGLStjRaU8aHl01s4hHGoMtBU6GillW1k3RKGU"]Bryan Curtis @ The Ringer[/URL]
March 11, 2020, was one of the great record scratches in sportswriting history. To find a decent comp, you’d have to go back to a spasm of terror at the Olympics or maybe a soccer riot. Three Jazz beat writers went to Oklahoma City to see whether the team could get a leg up on the 4-seed in the Western Conference. They wound up covering a league shutdown that signaled just how severe the pandemic would become in the United States. Personal fear became part of an NBA beat job in a way the writers had never experienced. [URL="https://www.theringer.com/nba/2021/3/11/22324651/utah-jazz-beat-writers-covid-19-positive-rudy-gobert?fbclid=IwAR0m5rWF0Hxx666T5sXwxkGLStjRaU8aHl01s4hHGoMtBU6GillW1k3RKGU"]“I like this [job] because I don’t have to see dead bodies,” said Anderson. “I like this because I don’t have to deal with the heavy part of it. The worst thing that is going to happen to me this year is that a bunch of 76ers fans are mad at me.”[/URL]
– via [URL="https://www.theringer.com/nba/2021/3/11/22324651/utah-jazz-beat-writers-covid-19-positive-rudy-gobert?fbclid=IwAR0m5rWF0Hxx666T5sXwxkGLStjRaU8aHl01s4hHGoMtBU6GillW1k3RKGU"]Bryan Curtis @ The Ringer
[/URL]
The first thing to understand about March 9 is that the Jazz weren’t trying to protect the beat writers from Gobert. They were trying to protect Gobert from the beat writers. “The idea was that any of us unwashed media masses could infect Rudy Gobert,” said Larsen. Don’t put our $25 million-a-year shot blocker on the DL! When Gobert touched their recorders, the beat writers saw him offering an olive branch. As Anderson told me, “I thought that was Rudy trying to say, ‘Hey, I get we’re all being cautious. We’re all being careful. I’m going to show you I’m still willing to bridge this gap.’” [URL="https://www.theringer.com/nba/2021/3/11/22324651/utah-jazz-beat-writers-covid-19-positive-rudy-gobert?fbclid=IwAR0m5rWF0Hxx666T5sXwxkGLStjRaU8aHl01s4hHGoMtBU6GillW1k3RKGU"]“He’s telling us, ‘I’m not afraid of you. Don’t worry, guys, we’re cool,’” said Todd. “It was more like a sign of solidarity than anything.”[/URL]
– via [URL="https://www.theringer.com/nba/2021/3/11/22324651/utah-jazz-beat-writers-covid-19-positive-rudy-gobert?fbclid=IwAR0m5rWF0Hxx666T5sXwxkGLStjRaU8aHl01s4hHGoMtBU6GillW1k3RKGU"]Bryan Curtis @ The Ringer[/URL]
A year ago, the Jazz beat writers were like a lot of Americans when it came to COVID-19. “Nobody was really overly alarmed,” said Jones. On the March East Coast road trip, Todd wondered whether she and Jones should buy masks. When Larsen is on the road, Walden normally watches games on TV at home. But on March 11, he asked his boss whether he could have the night off to take his son to an All Elite Wrestling event, where they were surrounded by thousands of other fans. [URL="https://www.theringer.com/nba/2021/3/11/22324651/utah-jazz-beat-writers-covid-19-positive-rudy-gobert?fbclid=IwAR0m5rWF0Hxx666T5sXwxkGLStjRaU8aHl01s4hHGoMtBU6GillW1k3RKGU"]“I knew that there were only a handful of cases in Utah,” said Larsen. “I knew that there were limited deaths in America. I was honestly frustrated by kind of the piecemeal establishment of some of these restrictions.” After Larsen landed in Oklahoma City, he and members of the Jazz’s in-house media team went to a bar to play trivia[/URL].
– via [URL="https://www.theringer.com/nba/2021/3/11/22324651/utah-jazz-beat-writers-covid-19-positive-rudy-gobert?fbclid=IwAR0m5rWF0Hxx666T5sXwxkGLStjRaU8aHl01s4hHGoMtBU6GillW1k3RKGU"]Bryan Curtis @ The Ringer[/URL]
In the media dining room, a source told Larsen that Gobert had been tested for COVID-19, which made the possibility that he had it slightly less remote. A few minutes later, the Jazz announced that Gobert wasn’t playing against the Thunder, after all. As tipoff approached, the writers sat in their press seats at the top of the lower bowl, watching the events that are now the subject of documentaries and oral histories. They saw the Thunder team doctor corner the refs. The PA announcer said the teams were awaiting “league confirmation” to start the game. [URL="https://www.theringer.com/nba/2021/3/11/22324651/utah-jazz-beat-writers-covid-19-positive-rudy-gobert?fbclid=IwAR0m5rWF0Hxx666T5sXwxkGLStjRaU8aHl01s4hHGoMtBU6GillW1k3RKGU"]“I’ve been covering the NBA for eight years,” said Todd. “There has never been an instance where you had to wait on league confirmation to start. That’s not a thing.”[/URL]
– via [URL="https://www.theringer.com/nba/2021/3/11/22324651/utah-jazz-beat-writers-covid-19-positive-rudy-gobert?fbclid=IwAR0m5rWF0Hxx666T5sXwxkGLStjRaU8aHl01s4hHGoMtBU6GillW1k3RKGU"]Bryan Curtis @ The Ringer[/URL]
Sarah Todd: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Quin Snyder said that without practice time available that Ersan Ilyasova is going to be “thrown into the fire.”[/URL] Kind of sounded like we might see him tonight
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/NBASarah"]Twitter NBASarah[/URL]
Eric Walden: Jazz coach [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Quin Snyder said the team will hold a moment of silence before tonight’s game against the Rockets for late health/performance staff member Doug Birrell:[/URL] “He was as special a person as I’ve ever known.”
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/tribjazz"]Twitter tribjazz[/URL]
[url]https://kslsports.com/455184/jazz-looking-to-improve-rockets-looking-for-bodies/[/url]
[QUOTE]“If teams are trying to take away our shooters or play our pick and roll game two-on-two,” Snyder said, “I think we can continue to be patient in the lane and not settle necessarily for early shots.”
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defense?
[url]https://saltcityhoops.com/staff-post-second-half-ilyasova-impact-bold-predictions/[/url]
[QUOTE][B]David[/B]: First some not as bold ones. Derrick Favors will regain some of his bounce, Bojan Bogdanovic will regain the consistency that made him so important last year. Joe Ingles’ minutes will decrease a bit to keep him fresh for the playoffs.
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don't count on Ingles minutes going down. COTM doesn't work like that
[QUOTE][B]Jake[/B]: Ilyasova provides the Jazz with everything they are missing. The typical starting lineup for the Jazz has Royce O’Neale playing the power forward position. When the second rotation comes in, typically Niang takes his position. O’Neale and Niang are 6’4” and 6’7” respectively. Gobert and Favors rarely play together which has forced the Jazz to play relatively small ball all season, with one big protecting the paint. Other than Gobert and Favors, the next tallest players (playing significant minutes) are Ingles and Bogdanovic, both around 6’8”. With Ersan in the lineup, the Jazz roster is much more fluid and flexible. Quin Snyder can play Ilyasova alongside one of Gobert/Favors without sacrificing the ability to stretch the floor. This allows for better defensive lineups when teams play big. Additionally, Ilyasova is better suited to guard some of the agile centers that have been difficult for Gobert (ex. Jokic, Vucevic, Embiid). Great pick-up by the front office.
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someone gets it
[QUOTE][B]Isaac[/B]: I don’t think the Jazz will make a move, not because they don’t want to but because the Jazz are just asset poor. Due to limitations on trading first rounders because of the protections on the pick sent in the Mike Conley trade, Utah can’t trade a first until 2026 (without some specific protection language). Also, every player who makes enough money to help match salaries in a trade is a key part of the team. So as much as I’d love it if the Jazz could find a way to get a Larry Nance Jr., John Collins, Aaron Gordon or even Harrison Barnes, the Jazz can offer as much in trade as many other teams. That leaves the buyout market, a place where the Jazz have never really been players. As the best team in the NBA so far, the Jazz might be able to be players on the buyout market this year but I don’t see any game-changing players that fit with the team actually getting bought out. I don’t know why the Bulls would buy out Otto Porter Jr.’s contract but if they do and he is at all healthy the Jazz know his agent Mark Bartelstein quite well and there seems to have been mutual interest with the Jazz and Porter in the past.
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Porter is the guy if they aren't smart enough to trade Bojan
[QUOTE][B]Mark[/B]: For better or worse, Utah’s contracts are so difficult to trade that there is just no way they are meaningful participants at the trade deadline. In a pure vacuum, Bogdanovic, O’Neale, and Ingles are all the type of player and contract that could be shifted around for better options, but for obvious reasons there is just no way Utah actually sends those guys away. Ryan Smith seems to really not care about the luxury tax for the tiniest of improvements, which is a… luxury… for Jazz fans. So I could definitely see Utah sniffing around for young wing talent, as they did with Rayjon Tucker last year. Gosh, I was so high on Tucker last year. I wish he worked out better
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Tucker worked fine. Jazz decided they needed a 10 million dollar center and no PF though
[QUOTE][B]David[/B]: In 1998, the Jazz were off the heels of their first-ever Finals appearance. And they had the league’s top record. That did not stop them from swinging the ill-fated Rony Seikaly deal that could/should have put them over the top. They knew they were close and saw a move that made a very formidable team even stronger. This 2021 version could be similar. Utah knows its rotation is one of the best in the Association. But it would not surprise me to see the front office swing a deal to become even stronger for the postseason. Chemistry is a major consideration, and you could jeopardize that with roster moves. But I also think the team’s leadership knows they are one of a handful of teams that could win it all, and chances like this do not happen every year.
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might be their only chance. If they learned nothing from Stockton and Malone they should know that there isn't always a next year
[QUOTE]At a minimum, the Jazz could be more of a buyout player than usually, as these teams tend to gravitate toward the contenders. Porter would make incredible short-term and long-term sense should the Bulls and he sever ties.
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doubt he'd be with them long term. Couldn't pay him enough