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[url]https://www.deseret.com/2021/5/3/22417192/utah-jazz-good-news-bad-news-down-stretch-to-nba-playoffs-los-angeles-lakers-lebron-james[/url]
[QUOTE]James thought they were too boring to choose for his All-Star team, but he might be stuck with them as a strong early-round opponent in the playoffs.
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jazz better hope not. Last team they want to play
[url]https://www.deseret.com/2021/5/3/22417136/instant-analysis-utah-jazz-regain-top-spot-in-west-for-now-with-win-over-san-antonio-spurs-nba[/url]
[QUOTE]Trent Forrest was again afforded quite a bit of run with Conley and Mitchell out, and he again made the most of his time. Like a lot of players who are trying to break into regular NBA rotations, he’s a hungry player and makes a lot of hustle plays. What’s even better is that a lot of the hustle plays he makes are on the defensive end and hitting the glass. That’s the type of thing that if done consistently, is really noticed by NBA coaches. That’s why O’Neale has a starting role on the Jazz. Forrest played 21 minutes, and had nine points, four rebounds and a steal but for a second straight game his impact was greater than what the box score showed.
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Royce improved his 3 point shot quickly. wouldn't be starting otherwise
[QUOTE]Jordan Clarkson was shooting 37% from 3-point range before the All-Star break. Since then he’s shooting 30% from 3, including a 2-of-10 outing against the Spurs. In particular I think that his shot selection is getting a little iffy. I know that making quick decisions is something the Jazz want but it seems like sometimes he either takes too long or acts too quickly and there’s not a middle ground.
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looks like the same shot selection to me he just isn't making everything like earlier in the year. Didn't like it then and don't like it now
[QUOTE]Kind of on the other end of the spectrum, Joe Ingles has been the Jazz’s best 3-point shooter since the All-Star break, shooting 48.1% heading into Monday night’s game. But he struggled from deep, hitting just 2-of-7. That’s not what was bad, though. He and head coach Quin Snyder have talked recently about his ability to move past makes, but on Monday he did not seem like he could move past them and threw his arms into the air when he finally hit one. Then later he took a really weird early shot clock 3 from way too deep that he was very short on. He just seemed out of sorts.
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The difference is guys like Ingles, O'Neale and Conley can miss shots and they aren't killing you like Clarkson, Bojan and Mitchell
[url]https://saltcityhoops.com/sc7-war-attrition-continuity/[/url]
[QUOTE]Interestingly, the Jazz are nearly unbeatable in games where Niang makes three or more from downtown, with 12 wins in those 13 games. (Two such games occurred this last week, including the loss.) That’s especially surprising since games where Niang plays a bigger role as a possession user are by definition almost always games where Utah is missing a key player. He’s really helped them keep the rotation afloat with his shot-making and improved defense.
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certainly better than Clarkson and Bojan
[QUOTE]That’s the difference between Utah’s first-half defensive rating against Toronto on Saturday (121.7) and their second-half defense (78.4). It’s equal parts impressive that they were able to clamp down like that when they wanted to AND frustrating just how easy the Raptors had it for 24 minutes. Rudy Gobert obviously locked the paint down in the second half, but it was actually lineups featuring Derrick Favors (61.5 2nd half DRtg) and Ersan Ilyasova (50.0) that were the stingiest.
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Ersan needs to play
[QUOTE][B]Jazz 106, Raptors 102: Bojan Bogdanovic.[/B] Here’s a crazy stat: in the 31 Jazz possessions that ended with Bogey shooting, going to the line, turning the ball over or assisting a teammate, the Jazz’s ORtg was 141.9. On the other 65 possessions, it was 95.4. The forward absolutely carried the Jazz offense with his aggressiveness and ability to bend the defense. He had a season high in points as part of a nice 34-4-4 line. Also deserving mention: Gobert keyed a great defensive turnaround and also tipped in what felt like the clinching points. Trent Forrest had a nice stretch in the second half, and Joe Ingles directed things with nine assists to go with 15 timely points.
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Rudy won that won. Amazing how you do your best to give it to anyone but Rudy
[url]https://www.slcdunk.com/the-downbeat-latest-jazz-news/2021/5/4/22419189/western-conference-playoff-race-utah-jazz-phoenix-suns-los-angeles-lakers-la-clippers-denver-nuggets[/url]
[QUOTE]Their end-of-season schedule has some tough matchups, so watching the race between the Suns and Jazz will be fun! I don’t think we’ll see the usual finish where the top teams start resting their guys for the playoffs. I think both of these teams [I]really[/I] want to have that 1st seed. And with the way the Suns have been playing, they have what it takes to get there for sure. However, 528’s model for one reason or another isn’t loving what the Suns are doing. Their full-strength rating puts the Suns at a surprising 8th in the league. Let’s just say, I won’t complain if they are able to knock out either of the LA teams in the playoffs. Yet I also wouldn’t be too keen on a matchup against them either... (mostly because I just don’t want another Chris Paul series. We’ve had our fair share of those.)
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they've beat Paul in the playoffs
[url]https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/5/3/22418675/utah-jazz-energy-and-focus-proves-too-much-for-worn-out-san-antonio-spurs[/url]
[QUOTE]Despite the highlights, Jordan Clarkson finished with 16 points on 20 FGAs while recording 5 turnovers. He was the lone cloud in an otherwise clear, blue sky (so to speak).
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par for the course
[QUOTE][h=4]I said this in the game thread but I wonder if the Jazz see Forrest as our 3rd string guard.[/h]
When we had to drop Neto a couple years ago we haven’t really had a steady 3rd guard and wondering if the Jazz might see Forrest as that cheap, steady if unspectacular third option. Hope they keep him around.
Posted by [URL="https://www.sbnation.com/users/TheNextGM"]TheNextGM[/URL] on [URL="https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/5/3/22418675/utah-jazz-energy-and-focus-proves-too-much-for-worn-out-san-antonio-spurs#539676090"]May 4, 2021 | 12:21 AM[/URL]
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He is right now which is a joke. The fact that a two way guy is the answer means there's something wrong with the roster. Hughes would be the first guy I'd look at (besides Bojan, Clarkson and Favors) and he's got another guaranteed year :facepalm
[QUOTE]Definitely earning himself a guaranteed contract with somebody next year. Hopefully us.
Posted by [URL="https://www.sbnation.com/users/SKMike"]SKMike[/URL] on [URL="https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/5/3/22418675/utah-jazz-energy-and-focus-proves-too-much-for-worn-out-san-antonio-spurs#539677182"]May 4, 2021 | 3:30 AM[/URL]
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there's no definite especially after Brantley made all Gleague and was forced to come back on another 2 way
[QUOTE]Rubio was significantly better than Conley at every major part of basketball except for outside shooting, so the only reasonable reason to give up so much for the switch is because of Conley’s outside shooting. The flip side of that is that Rubio was [I]chased out of town because of his poor outside shooting.[/I]
[I]Then, Conley came on over and shot the ball just as poorly as Rubio, or very close to it.[/I]
[I]My argument was that it was a bad decision to "upgrade" from Rubio to Conley because Conley was a significantly worse player for twice the price. I felt the need to argue that point because many dunkers were claiming that Conley was playing better than Rubio had even though nearly every traditional and advanced stat said otherwise.[/I]
[I]But claiming (and supporting) that Rubio was playing better than Conley two seasons ago is very different than saying that I wanted them to bring back Rubio. In fact, I very explicitly stated on more than one occasion that it was probably a good decision to move on from Rubio, but a poor decision to trade for Conley.[/I]
[I]And its_computers’ snarky claim that I currently want the Jazz to bring back Rubio is wholly unsupported and was clearly just an attempt to start an argument. It seems that he succeeded.[/I]
[I]Posted by [URL="https://www.sbnation.com/users/Kira%20Argonova"]Kira Argonova[/URL] on [URL="https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/5/3/22418675/utah-jazz-energy-and-focus-proves-too-much-for-worn-out-san-antonio-spurs#539692008"]May 4, 2021 | 12:13 PM[/URL][/I]
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Rubio isn't better at anything except maybe rebounding. The guys sucks!
[QUOTE]What I’m not sure about is that they need to have a traditional point guard. The team’s offense is run in a way that four players on the court can initiate the offense.
As good as Conley has been this season, the Jazz probably don’t need a player like him. Certainly not three of them. I like Neto, but the Jazz would never need him. I would rather have a player who is longer, bigger, and younger.
If Conley is gone next season, they can give DM the title of "PG" and have Jingles be the "PG" off the bench, if that title is even necessary.
Posted by [URL="https://www.sbnation.com/users/Kira%20Argonova"]Kira Argonova[/URL] on [URL="https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/5/3/22418675/utah-jazz-energy-and-focus-proves-too-much-for-worn-out-san-antonio-spurs#539685629"]May 4, 2021 | 9:40 AM[/URL]
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yep which is why it makes little sense for Forrest to be playing over Oni, Brantley, Morgan, Ersan and probably Thomas(he's new so that one might be argued). Conley is their 2nd best player so he is needed more than anyone but Gobert. If he's gone next year they won't be as good
[QUOTE][h=4]There's no reason Rudy shouldn't be averaging 12+ FGA/game.[/h]
Posted by [URL="https://www.sbnation.com/users/Kira%20Argonova"]Kira Argonova[/URL] on [URL="https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/5/3/22418675/utah-jazz-energy-and-focus-proves-too-much-for-worn-out-san-antonio-spurs#539678683"]May 4, 2021 | 6:30 AM[/URL]
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there's plenty of reasons namely Mitchell, Clarkson and Bojan
[QUOTE]they are agreeing with you that the front office blew it by only trading for thomas
Posted by [URL="https://www.sbnation.com/users/letter%20to%20the%20Corinthians"]letter to the Corinthians[/URL] on [URL="https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/5/3/22418675/utah-jazz-energy-and-focus-proves-too-much-for-worn-out-san-antonio-spurs#539681810"]May 4, 2021 | 8:10 AM[/URL]
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Thomas no. Mitchell's super max, Favorsm Clarkson, Bojan and Hughes sure
[QUOTE]The Jazz could have traded a quality player (i.e. Bogey/Clarkson/Royce) and young potential (i.e. Oni) and lots of draft picks (two 1sts and four 2nds) for an even better player.
This was the season to trade future assets for current assets. There were teams doing the opposite (Magic were unloading like crazy), and the Jazz should have gotten in on that. All of our main competitors did.
Posted by [URL="https://www.sbnation.com/users/Kira%20Argonova"]Kira Argonova[/URL] on [URL="https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/5/3/22418675/utah-jazz-energy-and-focus-proves-too-much-for-worn-out-san-antonio-spurs#539683376"]May 4, 2021 | 8:48 AM[/URL]
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Teams aren't lining up for Bojan, Clarkson or Favors. How much do you have to give up for someone to take them or what bad contracts do you have to take in return?
[QUOTE]It was a bad decision to stand pat (with apologies to Matt Friggin’ Thomas).
Posted by [URL="https://www.sbnation.com/users/Kira%20Argonova"]Kira Argonova[/URL] on [URL="https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/5/3/22418675/utah-jazz-energy-and-focus-proves-too-much-for-worn-out-san-antonio-spurs#539685769"]May 4, 2021 | 9:42 AM[/URL]
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agreed but they didn't. They got Ersan and he can certainly help. Again the coach has to play the guys
[QUOTE][INDENT]The Jazz sustain themselves through the patience of their ball movement, but in moments of desperation, they simplify their attack to beat the clock or minimize risk. It’s Mitchell who allows them to change gears as needed, merging the ideals of Utah’s system with the practicalities of an NBA game through the pressure he applies with a live dribble.[/INDENT]I’m looking forward to seeing the team round into playoff form as Don and Mike make their way back.
Posted by [URL="https://www.sbnation.com/users/ConflictProfessor"]ConflictProfessor[/URL] on [URL="https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/5/3/22418675/utah-jazz-energy-and-focus-proves-too-much-for-worn-out-san-antonio-spurs#539683686"]May 4, 2021 | 8:55 AM[/URL]
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I wish this was the case but it's not. Mitchell iso's first passes 2nd
[url]https://thejnotes.com/2021/05/04/utah-jazz-donovan-mitchell-douses-rookie/[/url]
[QUOTE]What? Why? How?
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because after center pg was their biggest need in the draft and he was the best guy they could get after wasting their 2nd pick on Hughes?
[QUOTE]Utah brass must have forecasted at the time the need for a bit more depth at the one-spot.
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1 pg? Yeah might need another! :facepalm
[QUOTE]Yes, the water-bottle shower was clearly a show of appreciation from Donovan Mitchell & Co., recognizing that Trent Forrest is a quick learner who could one day go down as a monumental steal by the Utah Jazz.
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but more likely to be out of the league quickly
What baffles Ingles is true shooting percentage, a measure of shooting efficiency that takes into account 2-point field goals, 3-point field goals and free throws. “Screw it,” Ingles says. “Let me just keep shooting and see if it keeps going in.” It has. In fact, Ingles is in extraordinarily rare air. [URL="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/31389506/utah-jazz-wing-joe-ingles-no-business-leading-nba-one-stat"]Ingles’ NBA-best .692 true shooting percentage this season — a blend of shooting 50.3% from the floor, 46.9% from 3-point range and 84.0% from the free throw line — would rank ninth in league history[/URL].
– via [URL="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/31389506/utah-jazz-wing-joe-ingles-no-business-leading-nba-one-stat"]Tim MacMahon @ ESPN[/URL]
[URL="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/31389506/utah-jazz-wing-joe-ingles-no-business-leading-nba-one-stat"]Ingles, who is averaging 12.3 points per game for the league-leading Jazz, sheepishly called it “kinda cool, I guess” that he could end up having a statistical claim to the most efficient shooting campaign in NBA history.[/URL] Kyle Korver, who had a .699 true shooting percentage for the 2014-15 Atlanta Hawks, is the only non-center in the top 10. Like Korver with that 60-win team, Ingles is both a beneficiary of a ball-moving system and a critical cog who helps keep it humming. Utah’s 33-year-old non-dunking wing sits atop a statistical category normally reserved for rim-running big men, the result of a steady development of counters to opponents’ scouting reports and constant tinkering of an expanding tool set.
– via [URL="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/31389506/utah-jazz-wing-joe-ingles-no-business-leading-nba-one-stat"]Tim MacMahon @ ESPN[/URL]
[url]https://saltcityhoops.com/fluid-seeding-race-has-the-west-up-for-grabs/[/url]
[QUOTE]Seeding won’t matter for the Jazz as much as getting healthy. If their main guys are ready to go on May 22, with a top-2 record and homecourt for the entire post-season [I]unless [/I]they run into the Suns in the WCF, they have a good as shot as any at winning the West.
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the Lakers are the team they need to avoid if possible
[url]https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/5/5/22421168/utah-jazz-vs-san-antonio-spurs-round-two-game-preview-jordan-clarkson-bojan-bogdanovic[/url]
[QUOTE]The Jazz have to pick up the win tonight if they want to keep hope alive for securing the number one seed. I am sure that is not the first thing the team cares about, with Donovan Mitchell likely nearing a return it is important that they win games like this so that they can regain the identity that they had earlier this season and start gelling just in time for the playoffs.
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why likely?
[url]https://thejnotes.com/2021/05/05/utah-jazz-newfound-jersey-magic-playoffs/[/url]
[QUOTE]The Utah Jazz’s gold “Statement” jerseys look sharper than their other four choices. How so? Well, for one, they are absolutely golden when it comes to making the navy lettering and green numbers [I]pop[/I].
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ugly!
[url]https://kslsports.com/458874/jazz-sweep-spurs-reclaim-top-seed/[/url]
[QUOTE]While the Lakers have been struggling of late, it’s difficult to imagine them not being able to win a play-in matchup against any opponent with Anthony Davis and LeBron James in the lineup.
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anything can happen in one game
[QUOTE]With Mike Conley and Donovan Mitchell still working their way back from injury, a quick first-round series with rest before the second round. No playoff series is easy, but the physical toll of having to battle James in a best of seven-game series is a daunting task, even when compared to Stephen Curry and the Warriors.
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anyone but the lakers in round 1 should be easy but clarkson, bojan, mitchell and coty might have something to say about it
[QUOTE]Though the team’s metrics are still strong on the road, they’re nowhere near as impressive as when the Jazz are playing in Salt Lake City. While fans may want to focus on who they could face as the postseason rolls on, beginning each series in Utah with a potential Game Seven at Vivint Arena may be more important to the team’s championship hopes than their opponent.
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Won't matter if they face the lakers
[url]https://kslsports.com/458846/snyder-on-jazz-mitchell-he-wants-to-be-out-there/[/url]
[QUOTE]“As far as the team’s focus and preparation for what you want to do, I think we can still do some things that will help us,” Snyder said. “And then getting those guys back, hopefully be even better.”
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hopefully mitchell is paying attention and the ball will continue to move and he'll try to defend. i doubt it though
[url]https://www.deseret.com/2021/5/5/22417142/instant-analysis-jazz-blow-out-spurs-behind-30-point-performance-from-jordan-clarkson[/url]
[QUOTE]Well, well, well. Jordan Clarkson must have heard the recent discourse about his efficiency and production slipping. He finished with 30 points on 12 of 16 shooting, going 2 of 4 from 3-point range to go with six rebounds and four assists. He was doing it from every spot, through contact, in traffic, on pull-ups, off the dribble and in people’s faces. It was an excellent performance and one for [URL="https://www.deseret.com/2021/4/25/22398333/jordan-clarkson-and-joe-ingles-are-both-in-the-running-for-sixth-man-honors-utah-jazz-nba-6moy"]the Sixth Man of the Year voters to look at[/URL].
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Doubt he heard anything. He's going to keep gunning . COTY is going to let him. Once in a while he might not suck
[QUOTE]The Spurs are one of the teams in a position to fight for a play-in spot, but as it stands right now they’d be the 10th seed, needing to win two games to earn a playoff berth. Well, they’ve lost five in a row and it’s been pretty difficult for them to string together wins all season. If you’re the Jazz, after beating them twice in a row on Monday and Wednesday, you’ve got to be hoping that they somehow pull it out and end up with the eighth seed and that’s who you face in the first round of the playoffs.
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should feel good about anyone not the Lakers
[url]https://www.deseret.com/2021/5/6/22421449/utah-jazz-playing-the-right-way-at-the-right-time-nba-playoffs-donovan-mitchell-mike-conley[/url]
[QUOTE]Overall, through the last handful of games, the Jazz have been working like a well-oiled machine, which is exactly what they want. Even down a couple of players, the transition will likely be smoother when Conley and Mitchell come back if the Jazz are playing the [I]right [/I]way.
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If Mitchell decides to pass and defend sure. Clarkson will play less anyway
[url]https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/5/5/22422333/utah-jazz-take-back-the-1-spot-in-the-west-with-win-over-the-san-antonio-spurs[/url]
[QUOTE]Jordan Clarkson was also huge. Clarkson’s hot shooting was back as he shot 12/16 from the field and 2/4 from three. The combined numbers of Jordan Clarkson and Bojan Bogdanovic are pretty ridiculous. Clarkson looked more comfortable going to the hoop again but also shared the ball very effectively. The pass is becoming a big part of Clarkson’s game, enough that he’s now able to use Ingles-like ball fakes to get some space. If Clarkson can continue this play, as well as Bogdanovic, the Jazz are going to be a well-oiled machine come playoff time.
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a passing machine :roll:
[QUOTE]It’s also time to start the Trent Forrest fan club. I wasn’t completely sure about Forrest when he started, and he still isn’t a 3-point threat, but he has a real control of the ball and can hit shots going to the rim. He’s also shown a very nice ability to run the pick and roll and hit open shooters and big men. The other thing that is very nice is his ability to defend. He’s now had multiple nights where his defense has been a game changer. We may be looking at another undrafted player that will look like a Jazz steal as time goes on.
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unless he develops a shot he'll be out of the league. Oni, Brantley can do the things he can and are better shooters. Morgan and Ersan should play over him as well especially
[QUOTE][h=4]Playing Royce and Jingles as "guards" works out well for our system.[/h]
We really don’t need a traditional PG. Four forwards who can shoot and Rudy is a great lineup.
Posted by [URL="https://www.sbnation.com/users/Kira%20Argonova"]Kira Argonova[/URL] on [URL="https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/5/5/22422333/utah-jazz-take-back-the-1-spot-in-the-west-with-win-over-the-san-antonio-spurs#539779396"]May 6, 2021 | 6:25 AM[/URL]
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Be even better if at least one of them was Ersan, Morgan or Brantley
[QUOTE]I’m thinking about next season when we likely don’t have Conley back. Maybe instead of trying to replace him with another traditional PG, we look at replacing him with a wing who can pass and initiate a pick n roll.
Posted by [URL="https://www.sbnation.com/users/Kira%20Argonova"]Kira Argonova[/URL] on [URL="https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/5/5/22422333/utah-jazz-take-back-the-1-spot-in-the-west-with-win-over-the-san-antonio-spurs#539782322"]May 6, 2021 | 8:00 AM[/URL]
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**** them if Conley is gone
[QUOTE] I DO think it’s good that Quin is opening up his rotations — esp since having different looks in the playoffs will be helpful.
BUT, and to be fair to Quin, when he was using his TIGHT 9-man rotation, we were far-and-away the best team in the league, and based on advanced numbers we were one of the best teams in the past 10 years. So…if it ain’t broke…
Posted by [URL="https://www.sbnation.com/users/l3uddyh011y"]l3uddyh011y[/URL] on [URL="https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/5/5/22422333/utah-jazz-take-back-the-1-spot-in-the-west-with-win-over-the-san-antonio-spurs#539783126"]May 6, 2021 | 8:21 AM[/URL]
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we saw that in the bubble and than he refused to change it up against Denver and it cost them the series
[QUOTE][h=4]Interesting. In both those scenarios, we'd likely end up with the Nuggets in the second round.[/h]
I can live with that. Sounds better than the Clippers.
Posted by [URL="https://www.sbnation.com/users/Big_B"]Big_B[/URL] on [URL="https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/5/5/22422333/utah-jazz-take-back-the-1-spot-in-the-west-with-win-over-the-san-antonio-spurs#539786691"]May 6, 2021 | 9:41 AM[/URL]
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not sure about that. Certainly don't want the Lakers