The 2017 off-season...Hayward, Hill, Ingles...?

[url]http://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nba-offseason-grades-sportsline-2017-18-forecast-for-every-team-2-fs-and-1-a-plus/[/url]

[QUOTE] It's not their fault that they lost a star,[/QUOTE]

keep telling yourself that

[QUOTE]SportsLine 2017-18 forecast: 37.9 wins (No. 12 West seed; 22.2 pct. chance at playoffs) [/QUOTE]

38 wins would be a pretty good showing with this roster

[url]http://purpleandblues.com/2017/07/18/nobody-world-needs-much-money-utah-jazz-forward-joe-ingles-plans-give-back/[/url]

Good for him! It sounds like he would have taken almost anything the Jazz offered him

[url]http://purpleandblues.com/2017/07/19/utah-jazz-renounce-rights-jeff-withey-tyrone-wallace/[/url]

So why not just keep Wallace stashed in Europe? The Spurs have a never ending amount of guys stashed. A big part of their success. Wallace could be good in a few years

[url]http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865685014/Analysis-Heres-what-the-Utah-Jazz-lineup-looks-like-now.html[/url]

[QUOTE]Having delayed his decision four days after the beginning of free agency, Hayward inadvertently put the Jazz in a tough spot with limited replacement options available. The players Utah wanted to target came off the board before Hayward published his blog.[/QUOTE]

stop already! Almost everyone they wanted was still available. They wanted cheaper options and got them. I doubt anything would have changed if Hayward told them right off he was leaving except maybe Ingles wouldn't have been signed

[QUOTE]To avoid being last in points production, the Jazz are going to need Rubio

[QUOTE]At 6-3, Mitchell is somewhat undersized for his position, but his 6-10 wingspan will make up for it. [/QUOTE]

He's also built well

[QUOTE]He's displayed an improved ability to create shots for himself and could play some backup point guard if needed. [/QUOTE]

I'd think ideally they love him to be the 1 eventually. I can see him getting the minutes there.

[QUOTE]He's an all-around stud and a five-star prospect[/QUOTE]

Let's not get carried away by summer league

[QUOTE]Shelvin Mack agreed to a deal with the Orlando Magic, opening more minutes for Exum as the team's primary backup.[/QUOTE]

Neto should be the back-up until Mitchell or Exum prove they can hit an open shot and defend and finish in Exum's case.

[QUOTE]Exum has been mentored by Warriors great Baron Davis[/QUOTE]

Great? I hope he doesn't start taking horrible shots that he rarely makes ala Baron. Lyles love of Kobe got the best of him last year

[QUOTE]Becoming an average shooter would propel Exum as one of the more dynamic backups in the NBA.[/QUOTE]

Even if he can hit open shots he still couldn't finish or defend without his hands

[QUOTE]Johnson will spend some time at the four spot in Utah.[/QUOTE]

It's the only place he should play if they insist on keeping him. He'll be gone before the end of the year

[QUOTE]Per-36 minutes, Burks averaged 18 points in 2014.[/QUOTE]

Higher than Hood and he's got a better all-around game. Don't think they like him as much though

[QUOTE]Bradley has the size to replace Withey[/QUOTE]

Stars

[QUOTE]Anything the Jazz can get from Sefolosha offensively will be an added bonus[/QUOTE]

Needs to be able to hit open shots

[QUOTE]Jerebko could have a career resurgence with the Jazz, who will ask him to play a relatively major role next season.[/QUOTE]

I see him at the end of the bench until they move Favors and Johnson

[QUOTE]Like Favors and Gobert, Udoh can't shoot, but will protect the rim.[/QUOTE]

Sounds like he has a mid range game and a hook

[QUOTE]Neto's contract for next season is only partially guaranteed [/QUOTE]

no guarantee

[QUOTE]it remains to be seen if the Jazz will pick it up[/QUOTE]

Unless Exum or Mitchell show they can hit an open shot I don't see how they let him go

[QUOTE]Playing just 8.7 minutes last season, Neto hasn't had much of a role with the Jazz.[/QUOTE]

You mean other than starting most of his rookie year and being a back-up the rest of it as well at the end of last year before he got hurt? He's proven he can defend and hit open shots. He's the back-up as far as I'm concerned until someone proves otherwise

[QUOTE]Griffin is a high-energy, shot-blocking big man who could actually earn minutes with the Jazz, although he'll spend most of his time with the Jazz's developmental team[/QUOTE]

Hard to earn minutes when you can only be with the team for 45 days. He may be able to get in the line-up after the trade deadline when the roster will likely look much different

[QUOTE]He can do a little bit of everything and his game resembles former Jazzman Trevor Booker.[/QUOTE]

Actually thinking they should pick-up Chris Johnson. He's another long defender that can't shoot and plays with a ton of energy. Great guy to have at the end of the bench

[QUOTE]Utah has a crowded frontcourt and Bolomboy will have to have an outstanding training camp to play real minutes next season.[/QUOTE]

Stars at least until they move some guys

[url]https://thejnotes.com/2017/07/19/utah-jazz-will-gold-alternate-jersey-next-season/[/url]

[QUOTE]Through the years, the Jazz have most commonly dawned blue, green, purple and of course the traditional home white uniforms, so gold will certainly be a change of pace. [/QUOTE]

Green used to be worn only on St. Patricks day because Layden is Irish. Unfortunately that is no longer the case. Gold sounds like it may even be worse than green though!

[url]https://thejnotes.com/2017/07/19/jonas-jerebko-and-thabo-sefolosha-should-fit-seamlessly-with-utah-jazz/[/url]

[QUOTE]If the team chemistry and defense are anywhere close to as good as they have the potential to be, the Jazz are going to remain an excellent team next year. Add in some internal improvement, some semblance of an offense coming together and of course a little luck, and this team could be primed and ready to surprise some people.[/QUOTE]

Unless they can run I can't see them scoring much

[url]https://sports.vice.com/en_us/article/wj8k8w/despite-losing-gordon-hayward-the-utah-jazz-will-still-be-very-good[/url]

[QUOTE]No Hawks player on that team averaged more than 17 points per game. But three averaged more than 15 points per game, and six players averaged in double figures. By comparison, last year two Jazz players averaged more than 15 points per game but only four averaged in double figures. That ratio figures to change after Hayward's departure.[/QUOTE]

Wouldn't count on it. Hood and Burks can put up 15-20 a game if healthy and getting the minutes to do so. Favors and Gobert might be able to but I see the going tough for them without shooters. Who else is going to score?

[QUOTE]Even if Utah's ultimate potential without Hayward is now lower, there's a benefit to unleashing lineups with no obvious weaknesses.[/QUOTE]

Isn't offense half the game? I'd call that a weakness

[QUOTE]Rubio was also a train wreck in transition, but that shouldn't be as problematic with the slow-poke Jazz.[/QUOTE]

Transition was the one hope the offense had. Figured Rubio may help with that but apparently not! :rant

[QUOTE]Hood, who will be 25 in October, is injury prone and less consistent than his ex-All-Star teammate, but he owns similar traits and a nearly identical physical profile. [/QUOTE]

Height and length wise. Muscle wise? :lol

[QUOTE]Utah will politely ask him to increase his usage and efficiency this year, and it's very possible he obliges.[/QUOTE]

Usage sure. Efficiency?

[QUOTE]a thicker free-throw rate from him would do wonders for this team.[/QUOTE]

It would but he doesn't like contact with his build.

[QUOTE]Can a bulky forward share the floor with Gobert for extended stretches, or is Favors—when healthy—simply the best backup center in basketball?[/QUOTE]

He'll be starting and playing 15 or so minutes a game with Rudy until he is dealt

[QUOTE]a trade deadline deal is conceivable given the increasingly uncomfortable offensive fit[/QUOTE]

it's a given!

[QUOTE] There were rumblings in Las Vegas that Exum, who's already extension eligible, played in those exhibitions primarily so the Jazz could showcase his rapidly decreasing physical limitations to the rest of the league after having had left ACL surgery in early 2016. He just turned 22, and once more appears to have that special line-drive quickness in his back pocket.[/QUOTE]

He could definitely be gone by the trade deadline if he doesn't step up

The Hawks had shooters. Bad comparison. The Bad Boy Pistons would be a better comparison. How would they do in today's game?

[url]https://www.slcdunk.com/2017/7/19/16001814/nba-nike-uniforms-yellow-uniform-no-purple-utah-jazz-jersey-next-year[/url]

[url]https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/j5ad-RVVq3s0D6xK_WrjuI5KlDA=/0x0:1200x675/920x613/filters:focal(504x242:696x434):format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/55796393/DFIVUmSUMAAznzu.0.jpg[/url]

Maybe won't be as bad as I envisioned. Better than green anyway?

[url]https://thejnotes.com/2017/07/19/should-kuzma-have-been-a-jazzman/[/url]

He is older! Bradley was a bigger need and has more upside. They said they wanted Mitchell and Bradley and got them.

[url]http://hoopshabit.com/2017/07/19/utah-jazz-nba-free-agency-filled-gaps/[/url]

[QUOTE]Along with each contract being very reasonable as far as cost goes (making them more tradeable), every deal is only two years, with possible team options being reported for the 2018-19 season.[/QUOTE]

Trade chips! nice job wizard

[QUOTE]The only recent import with stats similar to Doncic is Dario Saric, and he was 21 in his final season overseas. Doncic is 18, and he still has one more year in Spain before he

[url]http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865685162/BYUs-Davies-Plaisted-headline-players-with-Utah-ties-signing-to-play-basketball-abroad.html[/url]

[QUOTE]Michael Stockton, Goettingen (Germany-BBL)

Stockton is as well-traveled as anyone on the list. After spending the 2016-17 season split between Russia and Greece, he is on the move to Germany, where he signed a deal to play with BG Goettingen.[/QUOTE]

He could have actually made sense for the current team. He defends

[url]http://saltcityhoops.com/favorable-returns-jazz-can-benefit-from-a-big-man-resurgence/[/url]

[QUOTE]In the summer of 2013, franchise brass essentially turned the team over to Hayward and fellow 2010 lottery selection Derrick Favors. The pair

[url]https://www.slcdunk.com/2017/7/20/16001022/2017-nba-offseason-utah-jazz-joe-ingles-new-contract-your-raul-neto-rudy-gobert-brazil[/url]

[QUOTE]A video surfaced of Jazz franchise man Rudy Gobert working on mid-range j

[url]https://thejnotes.com/2017/07/20/utah-jazz-purple-blues-rebranded-re-energized-j-notes/[/url]

[QUOTE]There are other Jazz blogs out there and we dig what they do. That said, The J-Notes and all of the people who contribute to what we do here have a unique voice. [/QUOTE]

Yep no one else called the Jazz's big 3 Hayward, Hood and Favors in November over Hill and Gobert! :wtf:

[url]https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/gordon-hayward-may-be-gone-but-another-sensible-summer-has-jazz-in-good-position/[/url]

[QUOTE]3-and-D guy Thabo Sefolosha[/QUOTE]

3 and D without the 3! :rolleyes:

[QUOTE]Utah will be OK precisely because it will not need to change the way it plays. It already passed like crazy, had multiple playmakers and stifled opposing offenses. [/QUOTE]

Actually they will have to change. They went from a team that tried to spread the floor and use different ball handlers and playmakers who now lack shooting and will have the ball in an old school pg's hands

[QUOTE]Jerebko gives Snyder yet another option at power forward when he doesn't want two traditional big men on the court.[/QUOTE]

Which should be anytime Favors and Gobert aren't in the game together but who knows with this roster

[QUOTE] the Jazz could conceivably be even better on defense than they were last season[/QUOTE]

They better be because they will have a hard time scoring points

[QUOTE]Is Hood ready for a featured role? [/QUOTE]

if it's as a 6th man than yes

[QUOTE]Is the organization committed to the Favors-Gobert pairing?[/QUOTE]

can't see it

[url]https://www.si.com/nba/2017/07/18/nba-rookies-summer-league-hype-lonzo-ball-jayson-tatum-josh-jackson?utm_campaign=sportsillustrated&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&xid=socialflow_facebook_si[/url]

[QUOTE]Mitchell coming in on a young team that won

Guess Kyrie isn't a fit? He can shoot

[url]http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865685286/Utah-Jazz-officially-sign-Ekpe-Udoh-multi-year-contract.html[/url]

So only Ingles isn't signed now I believe. Can go over the cap to sign him. Still have a two way and two fall camp spots open though

[QUOTE]The Knicks, obviously, have strong interest in Kyrie Irving (just like 29 other teams) but I

[url]http://www.espn.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=y93x6hry[/url]

plus picks and cash

[QUOTE]Adrian Wojnarowski: Justin Zanik and David Morway are joining the Utah Jazz as top front office executives under GM Dennis Lindsey, league sources tell ESPN.

[url]https://thejnotes.com/2017/07/21/utah-jazz-kyrie-irving-pipe-dream-facilitate-trade/[/url]

[QUOTE]the Jazz don

[QUOTE]Tony Jones: The Jazz have a verbal agreement to re-hire Justin Zanik in a front office role and to hire David Morway, sources tell The Salt Lake Tribune

[url]http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865685345/Utah-Jazz-reportedly-to-bolster-front-office-with-hires-of-Justin-Zanik-David-Morway.html[/url]

[QUOTE]Already known for having one of the stronger front offices in the NBA[/QUOTE]

known in Utah?

[url]http://www.sltrib.com/sports/5538036-155/utah-jazz-hire-executives-justin-zanik[/url]

[QUOTE]Zanik has been around the Jazz for the past few months, while general manager Dennis Lindsey has been waiting for a position to come open.[/QUOTE]

What position came open? I imagine they are giving them new titles. I believe they have a new assistant GM

[QUOTE]Ricky Rubio: In the end, I think this trade (to Utah) is good for both sides because I had been there for six years and think never seemed to fully work.

[url]https://www.slcdunk.com/2017/7/21/16013372/2017-nba-trade-rumors-kyrie-irving-utah-jazz-ricky-rubio-cleveland-cavaliers-kevin-love[/url]

[QUOTE]The Utah Jazz and Cleveland Cavaliers had been in trade discussions that involved sign and trading George Hill + picks/players to Cleveland in exchange for Kyrie Irving. [/QUOTE]

they had or were rumored to have had?

[QUOTE]One would wonder if Ricky Rubio and his affordable contract would be enticing for Cleveland.[/QUOTE]

how does he make any more sense there than he does in Utah. Might be able to play Irving with Rubo though?

[QUOTE]Ricky Rubio + Dante Exum for Kyrie Irving

Ricky Rubio + Derrick Favors for Kyrie Irving + Channing Frye

Ricky Rubio + Alec Burks for Kyrie Irving + Channing Frye

Ricky Rubio + Dante Exum for Kyrie Irving

Derrick Favors + Dante Exum for Kyrie Irving

Ricky Rubio + Joe Johnson for Kyrie Irving + Channing Frye[/QUOTE]

None of those are realistic unless Favors returns to form and Exum finally shows he belongs in the league with at least capable 3 and D abilities

[url]https://www.slcdunk.com/2017/7/21/16011212/2017-utah-jazz-rudy-gobert-abs-lifting-derrick-favors-downbeat-spacing[/url]

[QUOTE]they still managed to pump in 107.4 points per 100 possessions, giving them the league

[url]http://nbamath.com/ricky-rubio-is-here-to-sort-of-save-the-utah-jazzThe[/url] Jazz


[QUOTE]traded a lottery-protected first-round pick to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Rubio on July 1, just as free agency was getting underway and in part because they thought it would help entice Hayward to stay.[/QUOTE]

they did it to save money. Signing Hill and upgrading the roster would have made it hard for him to leave. They made it easy

[QUOTE]Sure, the Jazz lost 307.74 of NBA Math’s total points added (TPA) between Hill and Hayward. But they still have All-NBA center Rudy Gobert (308.95 TPA), swingman Joe Ingles (97.84 TPA), as well as newcomers Thabo Sefolosha (38.87 TPA) and rookie Donovan Mitchell (218.44 NCAA TPA) to pair with Rubio (82.72 offensive points added [OPA] in 2017).[/QUOTE]

All of them will have a more difficult time because of the lack of spacing

[QUOTE]It’s unlikely head coach Quin Snyder changes his entire offensive philosophy, but with Rubio in the mix, the Jazz will probably at least try to get more shots up earlier in the possession.[/QUOTE]

Except Rubio isn't good in transition. The only hope is they can get something off the secondary break and won't be taking as many desperation shots as time runs out

[QUOTE]Since he can find open players anywhere on the floor, his mediocre shooting percentages almost don’t matter. [/QUOTE]

We'll see. Towns is a special offensive talent. Favors and Rudy can't compare. Wiggins and Levine were also putting up bigger scoring numbers than anyone currently on the Jazz. Maybe Hood, Burks and the two bigs can benefit but it looks doubtful to me

[QUOTE] the Jazz do not have a pick-and-roll mismatch monster like the Timberwolves do with Towns. But they still boast Gobert, who was just as effective. He notched 1.38 PPP as the roll man last season (95th percentile)—slightly higher than the aforementioned Towns (88th percentile). So while Utah may not have as many offensive options compared to last season after Hayward’s exit, this pairing should be able to generate points when sharing the floor.[/QUOTE]

Rudy was effective because they spread the floor around him. That won't be the case this year. He was best with 4 shooters last year. This year they look to start one! With 2 or 3 off the bench if they're lucky

[QUOTE]But if they do find a way to compete, look no further than their new point guard to understand why.[/QUOTE]

Rudy and the D allows them to compete. They need to dominate against the east again. Wins will be far and few between in the west with little offense

[url]https://thejnotes.com/2017/07/22/utah-jazz-bring-justin-zanik-back-fold-add-david-morway/[/url]

[QUOTE]he assisted the Jazz GM in the areas of salary management, contract negotiation and player scouting[/QUOTE]

He'll help them be even more frugal. Great!

[url]https://www.slcdunk.com/2017/7/23/16012862/2017-offseason-report-card-gordon-hayward-rudy-gobert-utah-jazz-boston-celtics[/url]

[QUOTE] it is likely that the Jazz will be heading into the season with what they currently have[/QUOTE]

Still another two way as well as two more fall camp spots who could be good players with Bolomboy and Neto not fully guaranteed. JoeJohnson needs to go. Can't see him being on the team past buyout season

[QUOTE] the Utah Jazz are still an exciting team to watch this upcoming season[/QUOTE]

not sure about that

[QUOTE]Will Rodney Hood be capable of carrying such a load? [/QUOTE]

No and it's stupid to think he will. He's shown that he could be a great 6th man. Put him in the role he belongs and let him flourish instead of trying to make something out of him that he's not.

[QUOTE]Will other players have Joe Ingles-like offseasons and change from 15th-man-caliber to starting-caliber?[/QUOTE]

talking to you Dante

[QUOTE]Landing Kyrie Irving—as unlikely as that is—would definitely be a step forward. [/QUOTE]

He did play for Duke I guess. :roll:

[QUOTE]There may be other moves available, but I do not see much more movement until we near the trade deadline.[/QUOTE]

I think things could happen in December once the guys signed this off-season can be dealt. Favors and Burks come out of the gates strong they could be gone quickly. The Jazz suck like I think they will will give them even more reasons to tank the best they can with Rudy around

[QUOTE]losing Hayward hurts, and the way Utah lost him hurts even more. [/QUOTE]

It hurts that the front office basically begged him to go with their downgrade of the roster instead of what seemed like a team that definitely needed major upgrades especially after Lindsey said they would spend. Same old cheap ass Jazz. Same old local media praising them. :wtf:

[QUOTE]I can’t help but think Gordon was overrated, and that the Jazz making him the #1 option would always leave us a Hair short competing with the upper echelon teams.
Hayward is not a #1 option, never has been. Never will be. He never exploded for big scoring games, and could have the quietest 25 point game youve even seen.
We’re a defensive team, and while not a horrible defender, I find what he does on that end average at best, and fully capable of being replaced.
We also have an offensive system that catered to his every need. Hood/Burks/Mitchell/Rubio/Favors/Jingles/Exum all will have more chances to score and facilitate. And not take up a crazy percentage of the cap. Great value.
The off-season signings will have the same impact Joe/Hill/diaw had, hopefully. I think they will. With Lion_Ekpe being a major surprise.
I know I sound like a hater for Gordon leaving. But I genuinely feel we are better without him.[/QUOTE]

I might have agreed before the playoffs. You must have missed that?

[QUOTE]With Hill deciding to leave mid season and Hayward leaving, this became less of a problem for the Jazz. Don’t know what the problem was with Hill, but he never became the facilitator necessary to make the bigs on the Jazz a serious danger to the opposing team. Same for Hayward. Too many opportunities for Rudy and Derrick were missed. This will now I hope change.[/QUOTE]

Hill decided to leave? Favors needed the ball with his one leg? Gobert wasn't huge on the rolls?

[QUOTE]A consistent point guard on the floor will win games. A back up point guard that distributes will do the same. A few more fast breaks could help with the win total as well.[/QUOTE]

Rubio and Exum are the answer?

[QUOTE]Hill could not guard many games that he was able to play and Shelvin was as bad.[/QUOTE]

Hill was hurt. Mack defended better than Hands Exum

[QUOTE]You might have a return to three/four years ago where five players are all average between 10-20 points a game.[/QUOTE]

I see maybe 4 guys.

[QUOTE]Just being healthy makes up for the loss of Gordon Hayward[/QUOTE]

No it doesn't

[QUOTE]Ricky Rubio – Does his elite passing and command of an offense, make enough of a difference? Last season every single teammate was better with him on the floor than they were without him. He got them easy looks. George Hill didn’t do that.[/QUOTE]

Wasn't Hill's job to do that. He was one of several guys that could do a variety of things which they now lack

[QUOTE]4) Defense – Last year the Jazz were 3rd in Defense. Can we get better on that end? Can our good Defense turn into good Offense i.e. quickly turn blocks, steals and defensive rebounds into transition points?[/QUOTE]

The defense should be better but a bad offense will put even more pressure on the defense so we'll see how that goes. Rubio sucks in transition!

[url]http://hoopshabit.com/2017/07/22/should-the-utah-jazz-trade-for-kyrie-irving/[/url]

[QUOTE]In Pat Riley

[QUOTE]On the afternoon of June 30, the sides thought they had a deal. On a conference call between the teams, everyone tentatively agreed. George to the Cavs, Love to the Nuggets, Harris and other pieces to the Pacers, sources said. Plans were put in place for a call to be arranged between George and Gilbert, an important step before the trade would become final, sources said. The front office began making other plans to complement George as free agency was about to begin.

[url]http://www.sltrib.com/sports/5536721-155/utah-jazz-say-small-market-teams-can[/url]

[QUOTE]"The game is healthy and market size is becoming less relevant. Having said that, we don't have the margin for error that other big markets may have," Starks said. "We have to be better at managing our business. If we do that, we'll compete with anybody."[/QUOTE]

Yep. This one's on the Jazz. They decided to be cheap and downgrade the roster so he left. They keep Hill and upgrade the roster and he has a hard time leaving.

[url]http://saltcityhoops.com/why-this-seasons-jazz-will-be-more-fun-to-watch/[/url]

[QUOTE]Jazz fans should be giddy at the prospect of the upcoming NBA season, which may well provide the most pure fun the fanbase has had in a long, long time.[/QUOTE]

seriously? The franchise going the cheap route yet again and we are supposed to eat it up? Last year was fun being one of the league's top teams

[QUOTE]expect a respectable win total and a return to the playoffs

[url]https://www.slcdunk.com/2017/7/23/16015048/utah-jazz-nba-rudy-gobert-best-center-defense-offense-statistics-mvp-dpoy[/url]

[QUOTE]How does a top 10 player get forgotten as much as Rudy Gobert?[/QUOTE]

Because he doesn't put up the traditional stats. Even in Utah it took Hayward leaving for him to finally start getting respected like he should have two and a half years ago

[QUOTE]His offensive prowess is less obvious. He

[url]https://thejnotes.com/2017/07/23/utah-jazz-can-rodney-hood-take-guy/[/url]

[QUOTE]Following the departure of Gordon Hayward and the problematic timing of his decision[/QUOTE]

Tell me who they were going to get if Hayward told them from day 1? Porter was matched and the Jazz could have offered him what the Nets did. They didn't. Gay was still available if they really wanted him. Maybe Gallinari? I think he's the only one they supposedly wanted that had agreed to anything and would the Jazz have paid him more and would he have wanted to be here? My guess is Ingles possibly not being signed would have been the only difference

[QUOTE]Utah has done an exceptional job from a defensive standpoint, filling the hole left by Hayward with defensive specialist Thabo Sefolosha, as well as bringing in Donovan Mitchell and Ekpe Udoh.[/QUOTE]

Why not guys that can defend and shoot though?

[QUOTE]But they need a player that can take most of the load at the offensive end and make up for what Hayward left behind. Rodney Hood will be that guy.[/QUOTE]

Expecting too much from him. Put him in a role where he can be best utilized. 6th man

[QUOTE]There have been times over the last three years when Hood looked unstoppable. His handle is now good enough to get to his desired spots on the floor and the release point on his jump shot makes it impossible to stop when he gets going. There have been times where he looked like far more of an offensive weapon than Hayward. [/QUOTE]

There have been times says it all. 6th man

[QUOTE]In more basic, commonly known stats, Hayward averaged 17.4 points, 3.6 assists, 3.8 rebounds, 1.0 steals, 0.7 blocks and 2.1 turnovers per 36 minutes in his third season.

Hood averaged 16.9 points, 2.2 assists, 4.6 rebounds, 0.9 steals, 0.2 blocks and 1.5 turnovers per 36 minutes in his third season (last season). So after three years in the league, Hood and Hayward managed to get into a stalemate as far as stats go.[/QUOTE]

Hood was a couple years older though and obviously hasn't put in the work to get better like Hayward has. He's no where near the basketball player Hayward is. 6th man

[QUOTE]Rodney averaged 12.7 points per game last season, so he has some ways to go in matching Hayward. However, he was injured a lot last season so he couldn’t find a rhythm, and he played just 27 minutes per game.[/QUOTE]

He's got a history of being injured and as a 6th man he shouldn't play big minutes

[QUOTE]With most of the shots that would otherwise be going to Hayward now belonging to Hood, provided he stays healthy, it’s not much of a stretch to say Hood can get to at least 18 points per game with a similar efficiency to Hayward.[/QUOTE]

No doubt in my mind he can score. But what else does he bring you if he's not scoring? He's not as good of a shooter as Hayward so I wouldn't count on him being more efficient either

[QUOTE]This really surprised me because Thompson, Harden, Butler and DeRozan are all great players. There’s a reason that they were All-Stars last year and Hood compares really well to each of them.[/QUOTE]

Two of those guys are known as defensive players too Harden led the league in assists as well. Hood does mainly one thing. 6th man

[QUOTE]In three years, I’m expecting Hood to be a far better offensive player than Hayward is now, but expecting that so soon is unreasonable.[/QUOTE]

you're dreaming. Hayward is a playmaker. Better shooter. Stronger finisher. Gets to the line. Hood isn't going to get much better. 6th man

[QUOTE]Next season, the 15.8 shot attempts Hayward will no longer be getting will be divided up among Hood, Rudy Gobert and Derrick Favors with scraps being left to the rest of the roster. [/QUOTE]

Burks should be in the mix with Hood at least to start the year before they trade him. He's got an even more diverse game. Better finisher. Better shooter. Better playmaker. Gets to the line.

[url]http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865685389/Hollis-How-will-the-Utah-Jazz-fare-in-the-wildly-talented-West.html[/url]

[QUOTE]with stellar center Rudy Gobert protecting the paint, power forward Derrick Favors back at full strength, shooting guard Rodney Hood ready for a bigger role, versatile swingmen Joe Ingles and Joe Johnson doing whatever's needed, Rubio running the show and head coach Quin Snyder calling the shots, the Jazz certainly won't be the worst team in the West.[/QUOTE]

lottery

[QUOTE]I'd peg 'em to win 45-48 games and finish 6th or 7th