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Jim Owczarski: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]The #Bucks will try to get rookies Jordan Nwora (Salt Lake City Stars) and Sam Merrill (Memphis Hustle) some playing time in the bubbled G League. Mamadi Diakite is also going down there (Lakeland Magic)[/URL].
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/JimOwczarski"]Twitter JimOwczarski[/URL]
[QUOTE][h=1]The All-Star Case For Donovan Mitchell[/h]
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there isn't one especially ahead of Conley and Rudy who didn't even get an article!
[QUOTE]Though Mitchell has seen a slight dip in his scoring and rebounding averages, his efficiency numbers have never been better, and it’s one of the primary reasons the Jazz own the best record in the NBA nearly a month and a half into the season.
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it's not one of the primary reasons
[QUOTE]Perhaps most importantly for Mitchell’s case, the guard owns the reputation as the best player on the league’s best team, which should not only secure him an All-Star bid but should earn him MVP buzz should the Jazz continue their high level of play.
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a rep he hasn't earned
[QUOTE]The advanced metrics may not agree that Mitchell is the team’s most impactful player, but the fourth-year star continues to elevate his game and his team on a nightly basis.
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far from it. Far down that list
[QUOTE]The guard’s biggest competitors will be San Antonio Spurs guard DeMar DeRozan, Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant for the final wildcard spot.
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Conley?[CENTER][/CENTER]
[url]https://kslsports.com/452514/the-all-star-case-for-mike-conley/[/url]
[QUOTE]Though this isn’t Conley’s most prolific statistical season during his 14 year NBA career, it’s likely his best overall season as a pro, and he’s one of the primary reasons the Jazz are 11 games above .500 less than two months into the season.
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his D is the biggest difference this year
[QUOTE]Considering their high-profile status and history as All-Stars, Mitchell, Lillard, and George should be considered near locks for the game.
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the fact that Mitchell is considered a lock is a joke
Be sad when Mike doesn't make it
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[url]https://www.deseret.com/sports/2021/2/3/22256497/utah-jazz-quest-for-home-court-advantage-for-nba-playoffs[/url]
[QUOTE]“Obviously we want to be in a position where we’re one of the top two teams in the West so we can, at the end of the season, be in a great position to have home-court advantage,” Rudy Gobert said.
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top seed ideally. Avoid LAL and LAC until the final and hopefully Clippers knock off Lakers so Jazz have a chance
[QUOTE]The Jazz want to be known as a good team both at home and on the road. After a recent six-game homestand in which the Jazz won every game as part of an 11-game win streak, they made some headway in establishing themselves as one of the better teams in the league at their home arena.
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would be a first under Snyder
[url]https://saltcityhoops.com/after-20-games-the-hot-shooting-jazz-appear-ready-to-contend/[/url]
[QUOTE]The Jazz are also ranked first in offensive rebounding rate, and as [URL="ttps://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/30816424/two-stunning-stats-driving-nba-surprise-contenders"]Zach Lowe observed[/URL], it’s fairly uncommon for teams to be elite in 3-point shooting and offensive rebound rate. The Jazz’s effective pick-and-roll play is putting them in a position to rebound well; Rudy Gobert and Derrick Favors often wind up with a size advantage on rebound opportunities, and this year the Jazz are allowing perimeter players like Royce O’Neale, Mike Conley, and Miye Oni to opportunistically chase rebounds from the corners.
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Oni?
[QUOTE]When the Jazz signed Favors, it felt like the Jazz might switch lineups on a matchup basis, sometimes pairing Favors and Gobert against bigger teams. This has rarely been used. Snyder was okay with Bojan Bogdanovic guarding Zion Williamson, for example. Instead of adapting to other teams, the Jazz are forcing other teams to adapt to them. Basketball executive Dennis Lindsey could have targeted a non-shooting perimeter defender in free agency, but instead built the team in a way that a rim-rolling center surrounded by four shooters are on the floor at all times.
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could have targeted a starting 4 which they need desperately
[QUOTE][B]Favors[/B] is averaging a ho-hum 6/6/1, but he’s only playing 16 mpg. Adjust for per 36, and most his numbers are on par from his last few seasons. Of note, his block rate is second best in career and and turnover rate is a career best. Favors’ impact goes beyond the numbers. His knowledge of Snyder’s system and play style allow the Jazz to play the same for 48 minutes. He’s also a fantastic locker room presence and beloved by the organization from top to bottom.
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for 30 million he better be!
[QUOTE]Regardless, even two All-Stars is a great reward for a Jazz team that has finally started a season hot.
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a joke if Mitchell is there over Conley or Rudy
[QUOTE]It’s still early to evaluate this award, but it’s especially relevant to Mitchell, who stands to earn an extra $6 million a year if he makes the team this year. This will have domino effects on the chances of re-signing Conley or adding other pieces in coming years. Right now, the first four guard spots are likely to be some combination of Damian Lillard, Steph Curry, James Harden and Luka Doncic (assuming LeBron James stays in the forward spot and isn’t considered a guard). Mitchell’s competition includes Bradley Beal (keep on eye on a trade, because it’s hard to make All-NBA with the worst record, even while averaging close to 35 points per game), Jaylen Brown, Kyrie Irving, Trae Young, and the Suns’ guards. It may come down to seeding, and right now Mitchell has a decent shot.
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can't see it. They are obviously a lot better at picking than the all star voters are
[QUOTE]Conley is a fringe candidate who may benefit from the voters being a mix of sportswriters and broadcasters.
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right now he deserves 1st team
[QUOTE]The Jazz have also struggled to contain elite guards, like Damian Lillard, Steph Curry, and James Harden. But who doesn’t? The West is loaded with elite guards. The larger issue is when players like Austin Rivers or last year’s Derrick Rose cook the Jazz. This offseason Utah could’ve chased a guard stopper like Kris Dunn, but instead elected to bring back Favors. So far it’s paid off, but the Jazz are still susceptible to quick guards that O’Neale isn’t best equipped to handle. Luckily Conley has proven to be a solid defender at the point of attack this season. Shaq Harrison has the tools to be a defensive specialist, but Snyder has been hesitant to use him outside of garbage time. Ideally Mitchell is able to make a defensive jump.
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they could have went after the starting 4 they need so O'Neale could concentrate on defending the perimeter. Mitchell! :roll:
[QUOTE]Okay, I’m not sure any team or player can stop Jokic at this point. The Jazz are very familiar with him after last year’s playoff series. But Jokic didn’t have his usual All-NBA game against Utah over the weekend — he had an eviscerating, MVP-statement game. It’s something they may need to figure out, because even if the Jazz’s best case scenario lands them the one seed to avoid playing both LA teams in the first two rounds, they would likely matchup with Denver in the second round as a fourth or fifth seed. Denver has assumed the position as Utah’s primary rival, and they are likely to lock horns over the next few seasons.
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I'd be more about the Lakers
[QUOTE]Then we have the Lakers. No game is more anticipated, not just because of LA’s star power, but because the champions are [I]the[/I] measuring stick for the Jazz right now. Last season the Lakers swept the Jazz, winning 95–86, 121–96, and 116–108. Lindsey has since spoken about how the Jazz added Favors specifically to give them options to match up against the Lakers.
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Yeah easier for the best D to defend!
[url]https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/02/ranking-top-5-big-3s-nba/2/[/url]
[QUOTE]The guy who leads this team though is a two-time defensive player of the year Rudy Gobert. He’s a double-double every night and is currently averaging 2.8 blocks per game, Gobert helps the Jazz on both ends of the court in ways that very few players can.
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someone gets it
[url]https://fansided.com/2021/02/02/mike-conley-resurgent-season-utah-jazz-contender/[/url]
[QUOTE][h=2]What’s been different for Mike Conley this season?[/h]
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D!
[QUOTE]When three relevant data points align — the tape, impact metrics and box-score production — it’s the mark of a firm conclusion holding merit: Mike Conley is playing his way to his first All-Star appearance and captaining a Jazz team riding continuity up the Western Conference hierarchy.
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Be shocked if he made it but he's all NBA in my mind!
[url]https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/02/nba-early-star-selections/3/[/url]
[QUOTE][h=2]Western Conference Starters[/h][I]Donovan Mitchell – Utah Jazz/BC[/I]
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now he's starting?
[QUOTE]Rudy Gobert is arguably as important as Donovan Mitchell for the Utah Jazz since-snapped 11 game winning streak and is the anchor of a defense that is back to being elite. Paul George has cooled off slightly from his scorching start but is still having one of the best seasons of his career and quiet is fine for the Clippers for a change. Anthony Davis is still Anthony Davis. He has missed some games but is still a clear top-10 player. None of these players should be debated.
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There's no argument. Mitchell isn't as valuable as O'Neale or Clarkson and maybe not Ingles either
[QUOTE][I]Honorable Mentions: Mike Conley, Ja Morant, Devin Booker, Chris Paul, CJ McCollum, DeMar DeRozan, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, De’Aaron Fox, Brandon Ingram[/I]
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:facepalm
Rod Boone: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Terry Rozier (right ankle sprain) is probable and PJ Washington (right foot sprain) is doubtful for tomorrow’s game vs. Utah, James Borrego said[/URL].
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/rodboone"]Twitter rodboone[/URL]
Rick Bonnell: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Hornets coach James Borrego wouldn’t speculate whether Terry Rozier goes back into the starting lineup if he’s available vs. Jazz. LaMelo Ball has started the last two games in Rozier’s absence[/URL].
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/rick_bonnell"]Twitter rick_bonnell[/URL]
Rod Boone: James Borrego was non-committal about the starting lineup for tomorrow vs. Utah. Wouldn’t say whether he would keep LaMelo there or put Terry back in. [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]“I’m going to work through that,” he said. “I’m going to get clarity on Terry and I don’t want to speculate right now.”[/URL]
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/rodboone"]Twitter rodboone[/URL]
[url]https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/2/4/22267612/jazz-defense-paves-path-to-17th-win-of-the-season-over-hawks[/url]
[QUOTE][h=4]Bogey MVP[/h]
Clarkson a very close 2nd. Gobert, Mitchell and Conley were meh or average or below average.
Posted by [URL="https://www.sbnation.com/users/rubar4"]rubar4[/URL] on [URL="https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/2/4/22267612/jazz-defense-paves-path-to-17th-win-of-the-season-over-hawks#536207647"]Feb 4, 2021 | 9:16 PM[/URL]
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Rudy shut them down. One of his best performances. :roll:
[url]https://kslsports.com/452693/jazz-prepare-for-healthy-hayward-hornets/[/url]
[QUOTE]O’Neale is averaging career-highs in points (7.9), rebounds (7.0), and three-point shooting percentage (45 percent). The forward has been tasked with defending the opposing team’s best wing player, and will likely draw the matchup against Hayward for long stretches in Charlotte.
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best player usually as long as it's not the center
[url]https://kslsports.com/452717/jazz-at-hornets-game-night/[/url]
[QUOTE]This is the entire crux of the Jazz season. They will win the majority of their games throughout the year because teams have to pick one or the other. What happens in the playoffs when they run into a team (The Lakers) that theoretically can do both?
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the bigger problem against the Lakers will be how do you match up. Gobert on Davis. O'Neale on Lebron. Conley on Schroeder. Good luck hiding the others?
[url]https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/2/5/22264870/5-things-we-learned-about-the-utah-jazz-this-week-donovan-mitchell-rudy-gobert-royce-oneale-nba[/url]
[QUOTE]Some will say that it’s continuity of the roster that has created more chemistry between the players on the floor, and there is some truth to that, but it is more their style of play that is creating huge advantages on the floor. Utah is the #3 team in 3-point attempts at 42.4 per game. They’re also #3 in the league at 3-point percentage at 39.8%. Those two things combined have the Jazz as the #1 team in the league at 3-pointers made at 16.9 per game.
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defense especially from Conley
[QUOTE][h=1]Donovan Mitchell is key to taking this team over the top in the playoffs[/h]
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they're in trouble than
[QUOTE]Royce O’Neale is doing things we’ve never seen him do before. He’s showing up in a big way in multiple categories this year. He’s posting career highs in points (8.8), rebounds (6.9) and 3-point percentage (45%). He’s been the answer Utah has been looking for at the 4 for so many years.
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Conley is. O'Neale is certainly key
[QUOTE]This is the version of Bogdanovic that the Jazz were missing in the playoffs and if he continues to put up these numbers, the Jazz offense will continue to be one of the tops in the league.
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but the D?
[url]https://kslsports.com/452699/which-jazz-players-will-make-the-all-star-team-and-more-mailbag-answers/[/url]
[QUOTE]Second, I think Mitchell is probably more deserving of the All-Star game this year, though again, with the West’s loaded guard rotation, Gobert probably has an easier pathway.
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Mitchell is better than last year but again not a star
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Ball shot 14-of-27 from the field with four 3-pointers, one block and zero turnovers. His 34 points are the most by a Hornets rookie since Alonzo Mourning in 1993. Ball remained a starter in Friday’s game despite the return of Terry Rozier, whom the 19-year-old had replaced in the starting lineup the past two games. Ball began the season off the bench but has now started in Charlotte’s past three games. [URL="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/30843819/charlotte-hornets-rookie-lemelo-ball-career-high-34-points-loss-utah-jazz"]Jazz star Donovan Mitchell called Ball “the real deal” after the game. “I’m not going to lie, I’m very impressed,” said Mitchell,[/URL] who helped lead the Jazz to their 14th victory in 15 games. “Not just his playmaking ability and his competitiveness, but his joy. I don’t think I have ever not seen him smile throughout the game.”
– via [URL="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/30843819/charlotte-hornets-rookie-lemelo-ball-career-high-34-points-loss-utah-jazz"]ESPN News Services @ ESPN[/URL]
[IMG]https://*********.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/92/2021/02/i_67_86_0a_bojan-bogdanovic.png?w=190[/IMG][URL="https://www.nba.com/jazz/news/utah-jazz-break-another-franchise-record-win-over-charlotte-hornets"]The Jazz did it in a familiar fashion: pushing the pace, pressuring the rim, and then burying the Hornets under the weight of a franchise-record 26 3-pointers.[/URL] The Jazz shot 52 percent from deep, and eight different players knocked down at least one shot from downtown. Bojan Bogdanovic scored a game-high 31 points (7-of-10 from beyond the arc) and Donovan Mitchell scored 30 (5-of-9 from deep). “We are playing great team basketball,” Bogdanovic said after. “Let’s keep going.”
– via [URL="https://www.nba.com/jazz/news/utah-jazz-break-another-franchise-record-win-over-charlotte-hornets"]NBA.com[/URL]