2015 training camp!

[url]http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3034844-155/utah-jazz-rookie-trey-lyles-learning[/url]

[QUOTE]Lyles looked comfortable enough doing a little bit of everything in his first NBA preseason game this week, finishing with four points, a rebound, an assist, a steal and a blocked shot in 13 minutes of action against the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday. He showed off some of his best offensive weapons, when he created space for himself with one dribble and pulled up for a jump shot and then, later, put the ball on the floor and drove from the wing to the hoop for an attempt at a dunk that got contested, but still managed to drop through the net.[/QUOTE]


I didn't think he looked very good but there's no hurry if he's playing the 4. Send him to Idaho and maybe he can help later in the year like Hood last year.


[QUOTE]In Tuesday's rematch with L.A., Lyles figured to have a bigger role as starting power forward Derrick Favors sat out with a groin injury. Lyles' minutes could be limited this season in a crowded rotation of Jazz big men, so these exhibition contests will be important for development.
And Lyles knows he has work to do.


"I'm not perfect in any area, so that just shows I can improve in every aspect of my game," he said this week.


The Jazz like Lyles' shooting stroke and believe he'll eventually be able to be a reasonable 3-point threat, though he's not there yet. Meanwhile, the teenager still has to add strength as he transitions from college to the NBA where "now you're playing against 32-year-old grown men."


This week in Hawaii, Lyles was able to catch up with Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, whom had met at a basketball camp. Bryant gave him some words of encouragement and a standing invitation to seek him out for advice. For Lyles, it was a moment that put his new reality in perspective.


"I grew up watching these guys play when I was younger and now I'm out there with them," he said. "At times, I'm still a fan. Then again, I'm trying to be in the same position, so I can't really idolize them like I used to."


Lyles may be young, but he wants to show early he belongs here.


"For me, it's just going out there and competing and show the guys I'm capable of playing at the same level they are," he said.


He'll get some help in that regard along the way. In practice, he's been locked in tough, physical battles with Favors and forward Trevor Booker, and the veterans have used those matchups more than once as teaching moments.


"We compete," Lyles said, "then when they know I can do something better, they show me a couple tricks on the side."


Lyles is smart enough, too, to know there will be the growing pains every rookie must face. For a Jazz rookie, for instance, that means the embarrassment that comes with the team's hazing tradition of making the new guys carry around a pink bag for their first season in the NBA.


Jazz center Rudy Gobert sent Lyles a picture of a pink backpack as soon as the Jazz drafted him with the 12th pick last June. So this week, Lyles played off his fate with the coolness of a seasoned veteran.


"It's all right," he said at the team's media day last. "I don't have a backpack with me right now, so I could use it."


The vets responded with unexpected counter.


"I got a [pink] purse," Lyles said this week. "Mine had a [plush] dog in it."
So, yeah, the rookie still has some things to learn.


[EMAIL="afalk@sltrib.com"]afalk@sltrib.com[/EMAIL]
[EMAIL="afalk@sltrib.com"]
[/EMAIL]
Twitter: [URL="http://twitter.com/tribjazz"]@tribjazz[/URL]
[/QUOTE]

[url]http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3034889-155/snyder-trying-to-avoid-fatigue[/url]

[QUOTE]The two coaches have had somewhat contrasting theories on how to handle preseason in paradise.

Lakers coach Byron Scott's approach in Hawaii has been heavy on two-a-day practices and running, hoping to push his team into peak physical shape.


"I don't necessarily care about tired legs in preseason," he told reporters this week. "I think everything we've done thus far will be pay off at the end of the day. You have some guys who might have tired legs and are a little worn out, but all the running, as far as getting in that physical condition we need to get into, I think in December and January it will pay off."






A year ago, Jazz coach Quin Snyder embraced longer, more grueling practices for his young team, too, before easing up around the All-Star break.


"Our game days were close to practices," he said. "That's a hard thing for a team to embrace. Our guys did, and it's incumbent upon me to recognize when that's happening, the progress that's being made, and adjusting to it."


This time around, Snyder and the Jazz are taking a somewhat different approach to the preseason. They're still running and practices aren't cakewalks. But a combination of circumstances, including some extensive national team play for some players and an early return to Salt Lake City for others, have helped make things easier.


"We've had guys that had long summers and we had a good group come back to Utah early," Snyder said. "I think our guys were in pretty good shape when the [preseason] started.

The pg position will be their downfall for the 3rd straight year. All I can hope is they're showcasing Burke to trade him but the fact that Cotton hasn't played that doesn't look likely. Hard for to get behind the Lindsey and Snyder hype as long as they continue down this path. How can they not see what I see when it comes to Burke?

The front court and wing is deep. Withey might be ahead at center now but the others look good. Lyles played the 5 briefly too! He looked good as did Pleiss before getting benched for showing some attitude. Might want to rotate them depending on match-ups. Play Booker at the 3 some? They played a wing and pg line-up briefly too! Booker will get suspended to start the year I imagine.

Burks looks like he's ready to breakout! Got to play him at the one. Hood played a lot better too. They were handling the ball. Why even have Trey out there? He's not a great shooter or defender. Trey had a good quarter and than sucked. Same old Trey. Not sure Neto is a starter now but he can play.

Nice Lyles highlight.

[url]https://streamable.com/k8mw[/url]

[B]Trevor Booker ejected from preseason game for fight with Roy Hibbert[/B]

The Jazz forward was ejected from Tuesday night's preseason game against Los Angeles for taking a swipe at Lakers center Roy Hibbert and, depending on how the league office rules, could be facing fines or even a suspension.

-- Salt Lake Tribune Blog

Lyles is good. He doesn't want to take the 3 though and the Lakers were giving it to him by the end knowing that.

[url]http://saltcityhoops.com/aloha-hawaii-utah-jazz-preseason-observations/[/url]


[QUOTE][B]Backup centers can play: [/B]The reality: this is Rudy Gobert

[url]http://www.slcdunk.com/2015/10/7/9464433/jumus-jazzmen-previews-4-alec-burks[/url]

[QUOTE]Favors and Gobert already made it clear by all-star break last year that they were the best 2 bigs on this team.[/QUOTE]

Looked better with Booker yet again last night though. :wtf:


[QUOTE]We thank you, Kanter, for netting us a few solid assets in Tibor Plei

[url]http://weareutahjazz.com/lockedonjazz/2015/10/07/emptying-the-noggin-fiesty-overtime-night-in-hawaii/[/url]

[QUOTE]The play of the night was Elijah Millsap bounce pass to Jeff Withey for the game-tying basket.[/QUOTE]

hardly

[QUOTE] Millsap

[url]http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3040162-155/utah-jazz-center-jeff-withey-making[/url]

[QUOTE]Now, the 25-year-old 7-footer is making a solid case for a spot on the Jazz's 15-man roster.[/QUOTE]

Hard to imagine he's getting cut.
[QUOTE]"Yeah it was really frustrating. You can't really control what's going on, but it was a little confusing early on with New Orleans making the offer and then taking it back," Withey said. "Then there were talks with a bunch of different teams. It was a long process and that can be frustrating, but at the end of the day, I'm really happy where I ended up. "Through two preseason games with Utah,






Jazz coach Quin Snyder has been happy


about it, too. Withey played just five minutes in Sunday's opener, but managed to grab three rebounds and go 7-for-8 from the free throw line in that time. Tuesday night, Withey grabbed five rebounds and blocked four shots. He also scored 11 points, including finishing a dunk late in the fourth quarter to force overtime.


Snyder praised the center's poise and attributed some of his early success to his willingness to come to Salt Lake about three weeks before the official start of training camp to work out with his new teammates.


"Being a new guy on the team, learning the language, learning the plays, getting to know everybody, that makes a huge difference," Withey said.
With a contract that is only partially guaranteed, Withey is still facing a battle just to make the Jazz's regular season roster.
[/QUOTE]
as long as he keeps doing what he's doing and doesn't get hurt he's made it. Should be the back-up at the moment.

[QUOTE]There are 12 Jazzmen safe to call untouchable, barring some sort of trade or something unforeseen, leaving three spots up for grabs. Given Dant

[url]http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3039944-155/utah-jazz-notes-trevor-booker-keeps?fullpage=1[/url]

[QUOTE]could be facing fines or even a suspension.[/QUOTE]

he hit him. That's at least a game no? :confusedshrug:
[QUOTE]The fracas broke out in the third quarter of Utah's 117-114 overtime win over L.A., after Booker and Lakers forward Julius Randle got tangled up on the court. Booker picked up a technical foul and Hibbert raced over to defend his teammate, bouncing Booker with his chest in the process. Booker swung at Hibbert's head. The feud between Booker and Hibbert


seemed to start earlier in the week, with the two exchanging words in Sunday's preseason opener. After that game, Booker declined to elaborate on the issue by saying, "I don't even want to talk about him. No words for him."


After Tuesday's game, Booker had even less to say. The veteran forward declined to speak with reporters at all.


Hibbert didn't have much to add, either.


"We play together. I'm not going to speak too much about that play," Hibbert told reporters in the locker room after the game. "Like I said, [Randle is] the face of this team for the future and, one through 15, I'd step up for anybody, anybody in the starting five to the guys at the end of the bench. We play as a team and I have everybody's back."


Immediately after the game, Jazz coach Quin Snyder said he had yet to talk with his forward about the scuffle.


"We'll look at the tape and everything," Snyder said. "Obviously, we want him in the game and we've got to try to control our emotions, and Trevor's an emotional guy."



Loud and proud


Most of the 10,300 fans who filled the Stan Sheriff Center on the University of Hawaii campus for Utah's first two preseason games were there to cheer on Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers.


Not that the Jazz minded at all.


"It was unbelievable," Snyder said. "It was great. It was a road game, it felt like, for us. It wasn't a typical preseason game, that's for sure. I think both teams got a lot out of it."


New Jazz center Tibor Pleiss had been told to expect a more subdued start to his NBA career. Instead, he got just the opposite.


"Everybody's saying the preseason is not so much defense," he said. "But it was so intense. Everybody was hustling. Everybody was hacking each other. People were fighting. It was unbelievable."



Feeling fresh


Snyder wanted to get shooting guard Alec Burks a few extra minutes on the floor Tuesday as he continues to work himself back from last season's shoulder surgery, and an overtime game certainly helped the coach in that cause.


Burks played a game-high 38 minutes and scored a game-high 27 points (on 9-of-14 shooting).


"At the end of the game, he looked fresh," Snyder said after the Jazz's 117-114 win over the Lakers. "I think he was excited to be out there. He's got another gear. It's just good to see him playing with such

[url]http://www.sltrib.com/blogs/jazznotes/3039607-155/are-burkshood-closers-analysis-of-win[/url]

[QUOTE]There was Trey Burke with a 12 point first quarter. [/QUOTE]

and his usual crap the other 3

[QUOTE]There was Kobe Bryant looking like Kobe Bryant for the first time. If you stayed up late to watch the finale from Hawaii, you were treated to fun, entertaining basketball, even if this was a preseason affair, even if the Jazz went without Derrick Favors on Tuesday night and played Gordon Hayward and Rudy Gobert 12 minutes each.





What went right: Burks went 0-5 in the preseason opener. Hood wasn't much better, shooting 1-9 from the field. Each experienced a turnaround in a major way. Burks was dominant, finishing with 27 points, six assists and four rebounds. Hood scored 17 of his 21 points after halftime. In a game without Hayward, they proved for one night that they have the ability to close a basketball game. And they did it in different ways. Burks was fantastic in almost every facet. He was able to get to the rim with ease. He splashed midrange jumpers and he made threes. Hood showed off his cerebral ability to run the pick and roll. He got going from the perimeter and also scored in the paint. Quin Snyder went without a point guard down the stretch and it's easy to see why he wants to experiment with such a lineup. Hood, Burks and Hayward could be almost overbearing for opponents to deal with during the regular season. It's all about getting your five best players on the floor.
[/QUOTE]
Than why does trey start?



[QUOTE]What went wrong: For a second straight night, the Jazz turned the ball over at a high rate, something that's going to have to get better as time rolls on. Burke was very good last night scoring the ball with 15 points. But he struggled in other aspects, with five turnovers to go with five assists. A good night for a point guard is a 2-1 assist to turnover ratio, so Burke has work to do there.[/QUOTE]


same old Trey


[QUOTE]The Jazz also struggled in stretches rebounding the ball and protecting the rim. But a lot of that can be attributed to Favors not playing and Gobert's spare minutes.[/QUOTE]


mostly Gobert. The wings and guards have been hitting the boards




[QUOTE]Fight, fight: You can argue back and forth all day on whether Trevor Booker was in the right for taking a swing at Hibbert. Here's what we do know. The two got into it on Sunday night, and Hibbert approached Tibor Pleiss in the first half of Tuesday's game. So, there was precedence of Hibbert being an irritant. At the same time, Booker's now on the hook for a suspension and a fine, which hurts his pockets. 20 years ago, this would be a non-issue.



Now, the NBA simply doesn't tolerate physical altercations. So expect Booker to get at least a game, and if that happens, he will miss the regular season opener.




A child shall lead: Trey Lyles played a wonderful game, scoring 13 points and grabbing eight rebounds. He's impressive for a rookie in that he doesn't force action and plays within himself. And his game is advanced for such a young player. He can truly play inside and out, and his ability to handle the ball and pass the ball for a 6-foot-10 power forward isn't something you see every day. With Booker's status in the air for the regular season opener, there's a chance Lyles sees important minutes off the bat.
[/QUOTE]
Maybe could play Hayward, Hood and Ingles there too. Withey/Gobert might be nice or Pleiss/Gobert.


[QUOTE]The back-up center: You have to love what Jeff Withey provided last night, protecting the rim, finishing at the hoop and providing a rebounding presence. He had 11 points, five rebounds and four blocked shots and played better than Pleiss, who didn't play all that badly himself. Withey's turned heads with his play thus far. [/QUOTE]


He played more the Pleiss. I liked Pleiss' game too.




[QUOTE]Standout stat: The Jazz played their starters for 88 total minutes last night. The Lakers played their starters for 111. The Jazz still winning makes a statement concerning the quality of their depth.
[/QUOTE]


please! they're are certainly big questions considering their depth. pretty good up front but the wings and pg situation are a big concern still/


[QUOTE]What's next: Utah takes Wednesday off, travels to Phoenix on Thursday and will face the Suns on Friday night.



Tony Jones
[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE]Marc J. Spears: Pelicans say center [URL="http://*********.com/social/"]Omer Asik is expected to miss the next 3 weeks with a right calf strain. Center Alexis Ajinca (hamstring) is also out[/URL].
– via [URL="http://twitter.com/SpearsNBAYahoo"]Twitter SpearsNBAYahoo[/URL]
[/QUOTE]


Cooley could make sense for them.

[url]http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3043491-155/utah-jazz-point-guards-provide-flashes[/url]

[QUOTE]It will be a point of interest all season, but can it also be a point of pride? [/QUOTE]

Neto, Burks, Hood maybe Cotton. Burke now way! :no:

[QUOTE]Heading into this season, no position elicited more question marks for the Utah Jazz than the point guard - and that was before starter Dant

[url]http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3043488-155/utah-jazz-notes-gordon-hayward-always[/url]

[QUOTE]When the Utah Jazz take on the Phoenix Suns on Friday night, there will be a familiar face on the opposing bench.


He'll be the guy sitting next to longtime Jazzman Jeff Hornacek.


Earl Watson, who spent three of his 13 NBA seasons in Utah, is back in the league as one of the Suns' new assistant coaches. It's a job those who know Watson always expected he would get.


"There was no doubt in my mind he was going to become a coach," Jazz forward Gordon Hayward said. "He was coaching us when he was on the team." Watson's first season in Utah was also






Hayward's rookie year, and the veteran helped shape the Jazz's future.


"He taught me about being a professional and going to work every day," Hayward said.


On the court, Watson was always quick to provide tips, too.


"Playing your own pace, controlling the tempo. He really taught me that when you have the ball in your hands, you go however fast you want," said Hayward, who has turned into one the league's best playmaking forwards.
Jazz point guard Bryce Cotton, who spent his first three months as a pro learning under Watson in the D-League, expects big things for his former coach.


"Just being in the league for so long and knowing he had an underdog mentality, it gives him the ability to relate to any type of player," Cotton said. "I still talk to him from time to time, if I need advice or I need suggestions on whatever it is I'm going through. He's always there. He's going to be a tremendous coach."
[/QUOTE]
How does Cotton know him? D-league?
[QUOTE]Watson's playing career was guided by some of the game's most legendary coaches: John Wooden, Hubie Brown and Jerry Sloan. And Cotton, who saw Watson land his first coaching job last year with the Austin Spurs, saw those things come out.


"He loves talking about his past experiences," Cotton said. "He was due for at least one five-minute motivational conversation every day in practice. At least."



Aloha means goodbye


The Jazz skipped practice Wednesday in Honolulu, opting instead to close out their preseason trip to Hawaii with a tour of the Pearl Harbor memorial. Players and coaches came away extremely pleased with the trip to the Pacific, which saw them play two games in front of passionate, sellout crowds of 10,000-plus each.


But would they do it again?


"It's a good trip," coach Quin Snyder said. "

[QUOTE]Utah Jazz forward [URL="http://sports.yahoo.com/news/sources--jazz-forward-trevor-booker-184443286.html?soc_src=mail&soc_trk=ma"]Trevor Booker has been suspended one game for taking a swing at Los Angeles Lakers center Roy Hibbert in a preseason game,[/URL] league sources told Yahoo Sports.

[url]http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865638630/Hawaii-trip-had-benefits-for-Utah-Jazz-aside-from-the-tropical-location.html[/url]

[QUOTE]Snyder certainly believes his team is in a better spot now than before the Jazz said their first

[QUOTE]Jody Genessy: The [URL="http://*********.com/social/"]Jazz will host their NBA-mandated open practice on Friday, Oct. 16, at 6:30 p.m. The free event will be at the arena[/URL].

[url]http://saltcityhoops.com/positional-power-rankings-after-two-preseason-games/[/url]

[quote]For starters, it

[url]http://www.sltrib.com/blogs/jazznotes/3047792-155/utah-jazz-neto-to-make-first[/url]
[QUOTE]Now, we get to see what Raul Neto can do with some extended minutes.
When the Utah Jazz take on the Phoenix Suns tonight, the rookie point guard from Brazil will be in the starting lineup for the first time.
[/QUOTE]
Not sure he'll play any more. Get to see him with the first unit and against the Suns first unit.


The move, Jazz coach Quin Snyder said, was made strictly to get a longer look at some guys. So Trey Burke and Joe Ingles will be held out of tonight's game. And with Neto in the lineup, that means Bryce Cotton will make his preseason debut, as the second year point guard out of Providence was a DNP in the first two games against the Los Angeles Lakers.







[QUOTE]So what do the Jazz want to see out of
Neto? He's proven he can make an impact in short spurts, like he did against the Lakers. But it's harder to be effective with more minutes. And also, Neto won't be playing against Jabari Brown or Lou Williams - aka bench guys. He'll be playing against Brandon Knight and Eric Bledsoe - aka top end starting guards in the NBA. So the Jazz are interested to see what kind of adjustment Neto can make against a jump in competition.



Also, Neto will be playing with starters tonight, which is also an adjustment. Either way, Neto was impressive in spurts against the Lakers. He'll have a much bigger role and more scrutiny tonight.
[/QUOTE]
Needs to show he can knock down open jumpers because they're going to double down on Favors, Hayward and Burks until he does.



[QUOTE]Can he take advantage? [/QUOTE]


The bigger question is Cotton going to get a chance? Hard to believe Trey is head and shoulders above him. :confusedshrug:

[QUOTE]

[QUOTE]Jody Genessy: Trevor [URL="http://*********.com/social/"]Booker on slapping Roy Hibbert:

[URL="http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2015/10/trail_blazers_moe_harkless_remains_sidelined_as_he.html"]Stotts said Harkless would

[url]http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3048219-155/jazz-nba-suspends-trevor-booker-for[/url]

[QUOTE]Snyder continues to tinker with his rotation as the preseason progresses. He gave point guard Raul Neto his first start on Friday night against the Phoenix Suns, and he gave Bryce Cotton his first preseason minutes as well. Snyder said he wants to see how things work and how different players mesh with each other.[/QUOTE]


looks like he went with a lot of different combinations. None of them worked too well in the 3rd. Cotton did some things and Trey didn't play so there's still hope there. Hope they go head to head next Friday.



[QUOTE]"For us, that big lineup is one that

[QUOTE]The New Orleans [URL="http://www.nola.com/pelicans/index.ssf/2015/10/forward_greg_smith_fails_physi.html"]Pelicans were set to sign power forward Greg Smith, but sources said Friday night that he failed his physical examination and will not be joining the team[/URL].

[QUOTE]Jody Genessy: [URL="http://*********.com/social/"]Kobe to Hood:

[URL="http://weareutahjazz.com/lockedonjazz/2015/10/10/emptying-the-noggin-jazz-fall-in-turnover-laden-performance-in-phoenix/"]http://weareutahjazz.com/lockedonjazz/2015/10/10/emptying-the-noggin-jazz-fall-in-turnover-laden-performance-in-phoenix/[/URL]

[quote]It caused a 10 turnover third quarter and the Jazz never recovered.[/quote]
same ol Jazz
[quote]• The Jazz opened the night terrifically. They hit 9 straight shots at one point. Scored on 14 of their first 18 possessions and were rolling. The execution was great. We saw numerous things that they have worked on in practice come to fruition.



• However, the Jazz lost their offensive flow and never re-gained it.


• Neto got the start and played well in the first quarter and defended Brandon Knight really well throughout the night. Too bad he didn’t get to match up on the physical presence of Eric Bledsoe, who didn’t play tonight for the Suns.


• Bryce Cotton got his first action of the year and it was not a great night for Bryce. Tough circumstance, back home, trying to make an impression. He didn’t shoot it great and he didn’t make plays with passing. He can score and he can shoot. That will happen the more he plays.
[/quote] So maybe he just played because he was home? His stat line looked pretty good until the garbage time at the end. I don't think they necessarily need him to make plays for others. If he can hit open shots he could be fit.


[quote]• Trey Burke and Joe Ingles got the night off. [/quote]

:banana:

[quote]• Chris Johnson got his first action of the year and hit a nice corner 3.


• Jazz understandably were fatigued. 4 am wake up in Hawaii on Thursday and then got to Phoenix around 9 last night. A little funky trying to get sleep with a 3 hour time change. It showed as the game wore on.
[/quote] That's where their severe lack of depth will kill them. What is the front office thinking again?


[quote]• Rudy Gobert has not been impactful yet in the pre-season. He had an exhausting off-season with Eurobasket. He just needs to be ready in late October.[/quote]

He won the first game for them. I'm not worried about their big 3, Alec, Hood and Booker. the rest of the team worries me very much.



[quote]• Jazz played Derrick at the 5 when Rudy was off the floor. This lineup is going to be a significant part of the Jazz this season. It is going to be vital for the Jazz to be able to defend when the Favors/Booker or Favors/Lyles line-up is on the floor. This gets a little tricky. If Gobert plays 34 minutes a night then how do you cover the other 14. If Favors plays those 14 then he only has another 18 on the floor to be with Rudy and the Jazz have 12 of Rudy’s minutes without Favors. The Jazz are going to have to steal some minutes from Withey or Pleiss at the center and Booker or Lyles at the 4 in order to maximize the minutes of Rudy and Derrick together [/quote]

Looks like their deepest area and a huge upgrade on last year post Enes. Also can go small at the 4.



[quote]• Jazz continue to try small line-ups. Tonight Hayward played some 4. The Jazz have yet to have any success with the small line-up[/quote]

They will. Rudy and anyone can succeed.



[quote]• The Triple Wing of Hayward, Burks, Hood with Favors and Gobert closed the first half on a 11-4 run.


• Three sections of the game had the Jazz normal line-ups. The start of the 1st and 3rd quarters and the close to the first half. The Jazz played well in 2 of the 3.


• Jazz point guards played 40 minutes and had 2 assists and were 6 of 18 shooting.
[/quote] Way to go front office! :wtf:


[quote]• Jazz played the triple wing for 8 minutes tonight. Wonder how many minutes that becomes? Could it be as many as 12 minutes a night. Then the Jazz are only playing 36 minutes a night of true point guard play.[/quote] Should be a lot. Those are your best players. they need to be on the floor. PG is your weakest position.



[quote]• Tibor Pleiss struggled with Alex Len, who might be very good and is the former 5th pick of the draft. Phoenix may have made a mistake blocking Len’s development with Chandler. Len was really really good tonight. [/quote]

They should be able to play together.



[quote]• Favors was +10 tonight and Jazz were also positive with Gobert and Burks on the floor.



• Markieff Morris was a beast tonight as a 4 who was hitting threes and driving to the basket and Alex Len looked great. If Morris plays this well with Bledsoe and Knight the Suns could have a good year.
[/quote] Suns having a good year could be bad for the Jazz

[url]http://www.sltrib.com/blogs/jazznotes/3048924-155/jazz-analysis-of-utahs-loss-to[/url]


[QUOTE]Well needed: The Jazz plan on taking Saturday off. It's much needed, because for the first time this season, this is a tired team.[/QUOTE]
They just took a day off in Hawaii. Sounds like they need to get into shape to me.


[QUOTE]"We still have to come in and lift a little bit and get our bodies right," Hayward said. "That's what I've learned in this league, you still have to keep your body right."




His first start: Neto was in the lineup for the first time. He played exceptionally well in the first quarter. Then he struggled against Price. It was a learning experience for the rookie from Brazil. Still he had some highlights, mainly a behind-the-back pass to Derrick Favors on the break for a dunk.




What's next: The Jazz face the Portland Trailblazers on Monday night at EnergySolutions Arena



Tony Jones
[/QUOTE]
Get to beat up on another crappy team. Lilliard against the Jazz pgs could get ugly though.

[url]http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3048792-155/utah-jazz-rodney-hoods-adjustment-to[/url]

[QUOTE]Rodney Hood finished last season as arguably one of the best three scorers on the Utah Jazz. [/QUOTE]

There's no argument on this one. Trey? :facepalm

[QUOTE]Most within the organization agree he's improved his game significantly over the offseason, and he certainly proved that with a dominant performance in summer league.[/QUOTE]

He was actually disappointing after what he did last year but than Cotton and Johnson were great in Summer League too. :wtf:
[QUOTE]Yet, Hood's adjustment to the NBA continues.


On many levels, this is completely understandable. The 6-foot-8 shooting guard is still only 23 years old. He's only entering his second year. And as a recent verbal jostling from none other than Kobe Bryant proves, he's still gaining experience nightly.


Through three preseason games, Hood's been solid for the most part. He's missed shots, but has still shown explosive scoring ability. He's been a floating piece in Quin Snyder's rotation, playing differing positions. In Utah's 101-85 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Friday night, Hood scored eight points and grabbed four rebounds in 24 minutes. For Hood, as well as his teammates, the new season is still an adjustment.






"I know with the second unit, I have to be aggressive," Hood said. "I have to get used to that."


And there lies the key to Rodney Hood's season: Expectations. The former Duke University star was a pleasant surprise at the end of last year.
[/QUOTE]

Not sure how much of a surprise it was. Could see he could play in Summer League. Was just a matter of time. If he'd been down in the D-league it might have happened sooner.

[QUOTE] He was a regular double-digit scorer, once he found his health. He was consistent with his shooting, and he took pressure off Gordon Hayward down the stretch.

But now, he's going to be counted on to do this every night. He knows it, his teammates know it, his coaches know it.


And his opponents know it as well.


"I think he's thrived in any situation over the course of the last six months," Snyder said. "I didn't think he played badly in the first game, he just missed some shots. He and Alec (Burks) are going to handle the ball a lot. I think we're still getting to know each other on the wings."


Snyder's made a concerted effort to put Hood in different situations over the last week. He's been the leader of the second unit. He's played all three perimeter positions on both ends.


Hood

[url]http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865638753/Weary-Utah-Jazz-fall-to-the-Suns-101-85.html[/url]

[QUOTE]On the other hand, it might be easy for some to bite off their fingernails worrying about a performance like Friday

[url]https://jazzfanatical.wordpress.com/2015/10/11/bits-from-dennis-lindsey-interview-109/[/url]


[QUOTE]And I do think being away from the game [when he was injured], being with the coaches, sitting with the coaches during practice, behind the bench, it allows you to have a perspective that you wouldn

[url]http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3048207-155/utah-jazz-favors-gobert-looking-to[/url]

[QUOTE]"If there were one of them on the floor and we were playing with four smalls, the precision is less impactful.[/QUOTE]

Something we need to see

[QUOTE] So timing, spacing, passing, in addition to shooting, those are the things that will impact their effectiveness as much as anything. And it's subtle."

"The biggest thing," he added, "is the two of them are embracing it."
Favors started last year paired with forward Enes Kanter, whose mid-range game left the paint relatively open for Favors to roam. Kanter's trade ushered in a new defensive era under Gobert, but also new problems in the post: those same big bodies that are so good at clogging up the paint on defense can do the same thing on offense.


So Favors has spent the past two seasons working on adding to his offensive arsenal.


"I'm just trying to expand my game," Favors said. "I know Rudy's going to be down low a lot. The way the NBA's going, everybody wants that stretch-four type of guy."


Whether Favors develops a consistent 3-point shot or not may not matter much to Snyder.


Favors shot 35 percent from beyond 8 feet last season. So far this preseason, Favors has taken half of his attempts from inside of 8 feet, going 8 for 16 in the process. He's a respectable 5 of 11 (45 percent) from beyond that.


"I like the idea of him being able to be a better playmaking-four, where his ball skills are better, his passing, his handling," the coach said. "That means he's going to be more aggressive out there on the floor."


Snyder pointed to forwards David West and LaMarcus Aldridge, both free agent signings by the San Antonio Spurs over the summer, as examples of forwards who don't need to hit the long ball to create space.
[/QUOTE]

always comes back to the Spurs
[QUOTE]"I'm not concerned about Fav being a three-point guy, a stretch-four," he said. "I want him to be consistent and aggressive when he's in his range."
That should help open up room for Gobert inside. The French 7-footer wowed as a defender last season, but still left something to be desired as a legitimate post presence.


Gobert had planned to spend part of the summer working in Germany with Dirk Nowitzki's shooting coach, until scheduling conflicts got in the way. Nevertheless, Gobert said he feels confident in the progress he's made and how that can translate to a better pairing with Favors going forward.


"I'm improving my jump shot, working on a go-to move," he said. "

Tony Jones: Also, [URL="http://*********.com/social/"]saw Dante Exum at practice. No brace, no crtuches, and can walk slowly without a limp. Took a few playful shots as well[/URL]

[url]http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865638778/Kobe-Bryant-let-Jazz-guard-Rodney-Hood-know-about-his-impressive-resume-during-preseason-game.html[/url]

[QUOTE]While not at that level, Hood looked impressive against Bryant in Tuesday

[url]http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3052461-155/utah-jazz-notes-jazz-look-to?fullpage=1[/url]

[QUOTE]Despite the NBA's attempts to limit back-to-back games for its teams, everyone is going to face fatigue at multiple points during the season.
That's just a fact. There are 82 games. There will still be games on consecutive nights and the tail ends of long road trips are bound to yield tired legs.
[/QUOTE]
Especially when you are as thin as the Jazz are. Front office? :confusedshrug:


[QUOTE]The Utah Jazz received their first taste of this in Friday night's 101-85 preseason loss to the Phoenix Suns. They looked great in the first quarter, bouncing around, getting out in transition and scoring 30 points in the period. But then they collapsed in the final three periods, struggling to score, struggling to defend or generally do much positive on either end of the floor.



"We were stuck in mud," small forward Gordon Hayward said.






So this is what the Jazz are faced with: How to play through the fatigue and still play winning basketball. The tired legs weren't alarming on Friday night. Indeed, it was bound to happen with the Jazz being away from home for a week by that point.


But the lack of good basketball had to be a little concerning. The Jazz didn't make good decisions offensively. They didn't play well defensively. The Suns beat them to loose balls, and outhustled the Jazz on both ends.
That's why coach Quin Snyder acknowledged that his team was tired

[url]https://jazzfanatical.wordpress.com/2015/10/12/and-heres-your-weekly-utah-jazz-wrapup/[/url]

[COLOR=#000099][QUOTE][COLOR=#000099]Five.[/COLOR] Trey Burke on his defensive effort in the first game: I could

[QUOTE]Gery Woelfel: You knew this was inevitable: [URL="http://*********.com/social/"]A source tells me a Western Conference team has had internal talks about possibly signing Larry Sanders[/URL].

[url]http://www.sltrib.com/blogs/jazznotes/3054907-155/jazzs-burke-ingles-bring-return-to[/url]


[QUOTE]And it should be a return to a bit of normalcy for the Jazz as well.



Trey Burke and Joe Ingles - who sat out of Friday's loss to the Phoenix Suns - will be available tonight. That means Burke will in all likelihood rejoin the starting lineup, and Ingles will be thrust back into the second unit.
[/QUOTE]
Lame! :rant


[QUOTE]For head coach Quin Snyder - and the Jazz - that's a welcome thing. This is still a young team, still a team that needs to gel together, still a starting five that needs to forge chemistry as the preseason wears on.







"We're a young team, so we need to play," Snyder said.


Snyder said he will continue to tinker with lineups and continue to experiment with his rotation. But his main core being sharp by the regular season is a must, which means the four remaining preseason games, plus a full week of practice upcoming for the Jazz is important to take advantage of.



The Jazz went through shootaround on Monday morning, and like their three and a half hour marathon practice on Sunday, Monday's session also went a little long. Snyder wants to see more energy tonight than he saw on Friday in Phoenix. He wants to see his team take better care of the basketball, and he wants to see a little more execution on both ends.



Burke's been a mixed bag of sorts so far. He's scored well in the preseason - very well at times. Still, his decision making hasn't always been the best, and that's something he needs to clean up for the Jazz as a team to reach their full ceiling. If he does that, Utah becomes much more dangerous.


Tony Jones
[/QUOTE]
What makes anyone think he will? He's had one good quarter and even in that quarter he showed signs of the player he is. Inconsistent, non-athletic, inefficient. How does he fit again? :confusedshrug:

[url]http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/239479/Stan-Van-Gundy-Balancing-Length-Quickness-On-Defense-With-Shooting-Is-Difficult[/url]

[QUOTE]"To get that combination of length and quickness defensively and keep enough shooting on the floor

[URL="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865638687/Analysis-Who-will-make-the-Utah-Jazzs-final-three-roster-spots.html"]http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865638687/Analysis-Who-will-make-the-Utah-Jazzs-final-three-roster-spots.html[/URL]

[quote]the Jazz look poised to be one of the up-and-coming teams. [/quote] Huge question marks still. Neto and the bigs look worthy but the end of the bench and another pg and depth behind them doesn't look great right now.

[quote]The roster is mostly set with 12 guaranteed contracts on the books. That leaves only three spots left for the eight training camp invitees who have only partially guaranteed contracts.[/quote]
We'll see. They have lots of flexibility still. Got to hope they're going to make some moves still.

[quote] These players mostly will not see a lot of action but add depth to the team in case of injury.[/quote]
These guys could be in the rotation or even starting.


[quote]There is debate among fans and the front office as to who will make the final three roster spots. Will the Jazz carry four point guards with Bryce Cotton making the team after the loss of Dante Exum?[/quote]

I still can't believe they'd cut Cotton but the fact that Burke is starting is scary! I'm hoping they're showcasing him for a trade.



[quote]Or will they elect to play some time without a true point guard and add an extra wing and big man? Here is a breakdown of who’s hoping for a chances to be a member of the Jazz.[/quote]

Looks like they'll certainly be playing without a true pg at times. How much remains to be seen. Neto is the only guy that has looked like he belongs out there. I think Cotton maybe but we just haven't seen enough of him.


[quote]Elijah Millsap is first on the list and the most likely to make the team. He was in last season’s rotation due to players’ injuries. Millsap was the only one not asked to play in summer league and was able to spend his time working on his game as opposed to previous seasons, where he was just trying to make a team. Millsap is the only one of the non-guaranteed players who has an elite skill: his defense. He was ranked as the second best defender at his position by ESPN’s [URL="http://espn.go.com/nba/statistics/rpm/_/sort/DRPM/position/2"]DRPM[/URL], only trailing Tony Allen. If Millsap can become more efficient on offense, he will be a lock to make the team.[/quote]
2nd in the league! Got to think of starting him. He could guard at least 3 positions. Haven't seen him shoot much is the big question with him still but Allen doesn't shoot either and Memphis has been pretty good.

[quote]The next most likely player is center Jeff Withey, a third-year player who has spent the last two seasons with the New Orleans Pelicans. Withey played college ball at Kansas and is the all-time leader at Kansas and the Big 12 in blocked shots. He also was the 2013 NABC co-defensive player of the year. He brings defense to an already solid defensive team. With the Pelicans, Withey didn’t get a lot of playing time mainly because of the depth the Pelicans had at center position. Much like the Pelicans, the Jazz have a similar problem at center with Rudy Gobert, Tibor Pleiss and Derrick Favors able to play the position.[/quote]
And Lyles. They even have had Booker in there.

[quote] But with Pleiss coming over from Europe and having to adjust to the NBA game, Withey would be insurance if Pleiss struggles.[/quote]
He appears to be ahead of Pleiss. If they think he's a better fit Pleiss can be traded now I think. Withey will have trade value in December anyway if they end up going with Pleiss.

[quote]Bryce Cotton was almost at the bottom of this list with the addition of Raul Neto. But with the injury to Exum, the Jazz may want more depth at the point guard position. Trey Burke struggled in his first two seasons, and Neto has yet to play an NBA game, so keeping Cotton makes sense. Cotton closed out last season playing well for the Jazz and was one of their best players during summer league.[/quote]
As he should have been as on of their guys under contract.

[quote] The main worry about Cotton is his lack of height and wing span.[/quote]
But Trey is starting? :rolleyes:

[quote]But what he lacks in height he makes up for with his speed and athleticism. At P3, a sports science facility the Jazz sends their players to, Cotton recorded a 45-inch vertical, tying a record for P3.
[/quote] Pretty sure he didn't tie Trey.

[quote]Chris Johnson is up next. While he’s a player who is good at a lot of things, he’s not great at any one thing, the opposite of Millsap. Johnson was arguably the Jazz’s best player during summer league[/quote]

He was solid. No way he was their best!


[quote]and showed that he is an NBA player.[/quote]

Must be the same guy who wrote the other article! He's a fringe NBAer at best right now. He's got a lot to prove.


But with the depth on the roster, he faces an uphill battle. He either needs to beat out Millsap for the fifth wing or hope the Jazz only carry three point guards and play more without a traditional lineup.

[quote]Grant Jerrett worked hard during the offseason but in the first game of summer league injured his shoulder and hasn’t been able to play hoops since, bad timing for a player who needed an offseason to improve and show that he can contribute to an NBA team. The one thing Jerrett has going for him is he has the most guaranteed money coming to him whether he makes the team or not. If no one else sticks out, the Jazz could give Jerrett a chance.[/quote]
It's too bad he got hurt but I think regardless they have to let him go based on what I've seen from their other bigs. He's behind Cooley I'd think too right now though he is younger than any of them other than Lyles and can shoot.

[quote]Jack Cooley faces a tough challenge in making the Jazz. Having an already loaded frontcourt and not having great height or length puts him at a disadvantage. Cooley plays hard and gives every possession his all. While playing in the D-League, Cooley was a beast, averaging 12.4 rebounds and 16.8 points per game. While playing for the Idaho Stampede, Cooley set a D-League record for rebounds in one game with 29.[/quote]
Withey will have to get hurt or Pleiss traded for him to make it I'd think. He might be able to play for the right team.
[quote]The last two players, J.J. O’Brien (pictured) out of San Diego State and Treveon Graham from VCU, will be given a chance to make the team but are considered long shots. Both will probably play for the Jazz D-League team, the Stampede. Each season NBA teams can send five “affiliate players” to their D-League associate. Dennis Lindsey and his staff saw something they liked in both of these players to want to keep them close to home.
Trimming down a roster might be the hardest thing for a coach and general manager to do. Watching someone work so hard to make the team and then have to cut him seems cruel. No matter who makes the team, watching the players progress will make for an interesting season.
Kincade Upstill[/quote]
I could see them making it over Johnson or possibly Cotton especially Graham. Looking at other teams it looks like almost everyone has roster and rotation battles that could help the Jazz roster like Ingles did last year. Here's hoping! :cheers:

Bench looked better. Ingles and millsap.was blazers though