2016 stretch run- Playoffs or bust!

Go Jazz!

[url]http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865647827/Kincade-Upstill-Jazz-need-to-bring-Hornacek-home.html?pg=2[/url]

[QUOTE]Hornacek could come back in any role he wants: a part-time special assistant or a full-time

[url]http://saltcityhoops.com/sc7-basketballs-back-deadline-and-why-exums-still-central/[/url]

[QUOTE]His defense alone has set a baseline where, at the very least, he

[URL="http://www.slcdunk.com/nba-trades-and-deadline/2016/2/18/11054088/nba-trade-deadline-2016-utah-jazz-shelvin-mack-trey-burke-roster-capspace"]http://www.slcdunk.com/nba-trades-and-deadline/2016/2/18/11054088/nba-trade-deadline-2016-utah-jazz-shelvin-mack-trey-burke-roster-capspace[/URL]

[quote]The Bigman rotation is strong, but falls off very quickly. I think an upgrade is there, perhaps even if you just wait and young guys get older. [/quote]
Hopefully they can get rid of Pleiss in the off-season. I'd guess they'll go big with their first rounder. That's the place where they can give someone rotation minutes and they don't like the D-league.

[quote]The Wing rotation is good when healthy, but there is a distinct lack of specialists. The only one who is is Burks, as a slasher. Hayward and Hood and Ingles are Alll-Arounders.[/quote]
Burks is a specialist? He's more of an all-arounder than Ingles in my mind. Johnson is a specialist.

[quote] As for the point guards, well, we are now at a robust 4 guys. Dante is hurt and will not play. [/quote]
No one from the Jazz has said that.

[quote]There are 48 minutes to go to these three remaining guys, and I get the feeling the Mack will be Quin Snyder's next "Booker", in terms of irrationally loved guys.[/quote]
This guy doesn't like Booker but I get the impression he's all about the analytics and has never watched a game. Don't know how you could watch the Jazz and not love Booker. He's been the difference in at least several games this year with his incredible energy.

the break didn't do them any favors

[QUOTE=Xiao Yao You]the break didn't do them any favors[/QUOTE]
Evidently not. The Jazz will have a semi-tough schedule coming up, with about half of their games being home and half of them being against +.500 teams. The biggest game coming up will be against Portland which I believe is next week, because each team has split the season series so far, so that game could determine who goes to the playoffs considering they both have the same record at the end of the year.
Personally, I think he Rockets will make it, too much talent not too (although they just got their butts whooped by Portland 2x) and it'll come down to the Blazers and Jazz, I like our chances though.

They should make it. I'm thinking 5th seed still. Memphis could be in trouble. Not sure Lance Stephenson is the answer.

[url]http://www.slcdunk.com/nba-trades-and-deadline/2016/2/19/11060952/nba-trade-deadline-2016-utah-jazz-chicago-bulls-atlanta-hawks-shelvin-mack-kirk-hinrich-grade[/url]

[QUOTE]Is Shelvin Mack really an upgrade over either Trey Burke or [B][URL="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/n/netora01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com"]Raul Neto[/URL][/B]?[/QUOTE]

Is he an upgrade over Erick Green?

[QUOTE]I want more of [B][URL="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/lylestr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com"]Trey Lyles[/URL][/B] on the court, because he's going to be a better player than Trevor Booker. I felt like Book's $4.7 million expiring contract would be easy to move -- especially since some teams were interested in him. If Booker is a long term fixture for this team, it better be as the 4th big, and not the 3rd. [U][B][URL="http://www.slcdunk.com/nba-trades-and-deadline/2016/2/15/11003064/nba-trade-deadline-2016-utah-jazz-trevor-booker-trey-burke-alec-burks-joe-ingles"]I went over this over here[/URL][/B][/U]. So I would have tried to move Booker.[/QUOTE]

He's not better than Booker or Withey now so he should be getting his minutes in the D-league and the Jazz should be trying to win games. Ideally Booker is your 5th or 6th big. I'd love for him to sign a multi year front loaded deal in the summer to be in that role.

Great win! Maybe they can get on national tv more next year? :confusedshrug:

[QUOTE=Xiao Yao You]Great win! Maybe they can get on national tv more next year? :confusedshrug:[/QUOTE]
I bet they will, not much more but at least have a few more solid appearances. The key to that though is making the playoffs, if they can do that then they will get more attention. If I'm not mistaken our game against the Cavs and the final one against the Lakers will be on ESPN, so that's good.
As for the game, it was super good, and I was fascinated by the fact he ESPN announcers said that the Jazz are 2nd to last in the league in APG, yet are in the top 10 in passes per possession. The Jazz are a very interesting team. Also, teams like the Celtics who just try to run every possession just tick me off, no clue why

People expected them to be in the position they are in now. Do people really want to watch the Lakers get blown out on national tv more than a team that usually competes?

The thing I got from watching it is Alec might not be back for another month which is 2 to 4 weeks longer than they said originally surgery or not.

[url]http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3557717-155/utah-jazz-notes-coach-quin-snyder[/url]

The NBA has announced the Jazz's home game March 14 against LeBron James and the Cavaliers has been changed. Utah and Cleveland will tip off at 8:30 p.m. The game will be televised on ESPN.

[url]http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865648159/Utah-Jazz-roll-to-111-93-win-over-the-Boston-Celtics.html[/url]

[QUOTE]On staying big when Boston went small: "We didn

Another big one. Been one of their toughest match-ups this year. Go Jazz!

Mack!!! :cheers:

Tough loss. Might have to think of starting Mack. He ran the pick and roll better than anyone has for them maybe since Deron. Not sure why he is playing over younger guys and Withey isn't though? :confusedshrug:

[url]https://jazzfanatical.wordpress.com/2016/02/21/and-heres-your-weekly-utah-jazz-wrapup-17/[/url]

[QUOTE]So, you see a guy like Trey Lyles, has [I]literally[/I] gotten in every game with a very significant front line in front of him. And so, you know, I

[QUOTE][URL="http://twitter.com/rudygobert27/statuses/701643861022494721"]Rudy Gobert: One day i

[url]http://saltcityhoops.com/portlands-shooting-and-rebounding-overshadows-shelvin-macks-utah-debut/[/url]

[QUOTE]On Sunday, there were times when Mack was the Jazz

[url]http://basketball.realgm.com/analysis/240936/How-Rodney-Hood-Could-Go-From-Utilitarian-Cog-To-Budding-All-Star[/url]

[QUOTE]Is Rodney Hood the next James Harden? [/QUOTE]

Is he the next Hayward? Might not be able to keep them both. He'll be cheaper.

Calvin Watkins: [URL="http://*********.com/social/"]It hasn

[QUOTE]Might not be able to keep them both. He'll be cheaper.[/QUOTE]
You're in the right mindset

[QUOTE]On Sunday, there were times when Mack was the Jazz

His D looked good. He had a great feel for the game at both ends. The way he ran the pick and roll with guys he'd never played with before was especially impressive.

[url]http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865648376/Point-guard-rotation-up-in-air-after-Shelvin-Macks-arrival-and-dazzling-debut.html[/url]

[QUOTE]In a very small sample size, Mack looked like he

Brian Mahoney: [URL="http://*********.com/social/"]Grizzlies make it official that Marc Gasol is out for the season[/URL] after surgery on his broken right foot Saturday.

need to take care of the home court

Mack is starting? Why is Lyles playing over Withey than? I'd think Neto is part of their core. :confusedshrug:

I guess they might be thinking Neto will come off the bench behind Exum eventually. :confusedshrug:

Hard to figure out what they are doing. It's been all about development and now they finally play a vet but Withey isn't playing?

I'm guessing Burke will be benched once Alec is back

Aaron Burke: Jazz TV

[QUOTE] Grizzlies make it official that Marc Gasol is out for the season[/QUOTE]
You never really want to see anyone go down with an injury like that, but you can't help but think that this is huge for not just the Jazz, but Mavs, Blazers, and Rockets as well.

[QUOTE]Mack is starting? Why is Lyles playing over Withey than? I'd think Neto is part of their core.[/QUOTE]
He's starting because he did such a great job in Portland; yeah it's a small sample size but he did great yesterday as well. Obviously he can do better (7 turnovers vs. the Rockets), but that's what's so great, he's done good but can easily do better. While Neto is the better 3-point shooter, Mack is the better overall scorer. I didn't pay enough attention to Mack's D however to really make a fair judgement on it.

[QUOTE]I'm guessing Burke will be benched once Alec is back[/QUOTE]
Not for a little bit, I think Coach is going to ease Alec into the rotation once again, thus providing Burke with one last chance at actual playing time. Right now either him, Mack, or Neto is due for a major drop in minutes once Alec gets back, I think it just depends on who is playing best while he's working his way back.

[quote=WayOfWade]You never really want to see anyone go down with an injury like that, but you can't help but think that this is huge for not just the Jazz, but Mavs, Blazers, and Rockets as well.[/quote]

Yeah and I like Gasol.

[QUOTE]He's starting because he did such a great job in Portland[/QUOTE]

But than why isn't Withey playing? He was putting up a double double and a couple blocks. Just don't get it. They kind of act like they are trying to win but not really. :confusedshrug:

[QUOTE]yeah it's a small sample size but he did great yesterday as well.[/QUOTE]

I wasn't as impressed last night. He played about a perfect game in the first one. Surprised he's starting already.

[QUOTE] While Neto is the better 3-point shooter, Mack is the better overall scorer.[/QUOTE]

Debatable. Burke is the better scorer of the 3. Mack is starting for other reasons. They want guys that can hit 3's. I guess now that Hood is hitting them they think they have enough spacing in the starting unit?

[QUOTE] Right now either him, Mack, or Neto is due for a major drop in minutes once Alec gets back, I think it just depends on who is playing best while he's working his way back.[/quote]

I would think Burke. He's a scorer and not a much else. They won't need him as much once Alec is giving them 15 a game off the bench again.

[QUOTE=Xiao Yao You]But than why isn't Withey playing? He was putting up a double double and a couple blocks. Just don't get it. They kind of act like they are trying to win but not really. :confusedshrug:[/QUOTE]
It's because Gobert is his competition whereas Mack has to compete with Burke and Neto :facepalm:

[QUOTE]I wasn't as impressed last night. He played about a perfect game in the first one. Surprised he's starting already.
[/QUOTE]
Snyder just likes to switch things up I guess, maybe Hayward has something to do with it, advertently or inadvertently

[QUOTE]Debatable. Burke is the better scorer of the 3. Mack is starting for other reasons. They want guys that can hit 3's. I guess now that Hood is hitting them they think they have enough spacing in the starting unit?
[/QUOTE]
I was talking strictly between Neto and Mack, seeing as coach specifically wants Burke coming off the bench. But I do feel they're content with Hood and Hayward, even though Hayward either goes 1/6 or 3/4 from 3 it seems like. If Exum can come back and get his defense back as well as have a good 3-point shot, he'll get the nod over everyone.

[QUOTE]I would think Burke. He's a scorer and not a much else. They won't need him as much once Alec is giving them 15 a game off the bench again.[/QUOTE]
I agree, for this season at least

[quote=WayOfWade]It's because Gobert is his competition whereas Mack has to compete with Burke and Neto :facepalm:[/quote]

I see Lyles and Booker as his competition. Lyles shouldn't be playing ahead of him if winning is the objective. I thought it was just because they didn't care about winning and were developing Lyles. But now Mack is playing and Neto is not. Have never had the impression they like Withey for some reason. They only played him when desperate. Even when Rudy went down he wasn't playing. Favors had to go down too for him to show his stuff.

[QUOTE]If Exum can come back and get his defense back as well as have a good 3-point shot, he'll get the nod over everyone.[/QUOTE]

He probably will regardless. That's kind of why I thought maybe they benched Neto. They see him there once Exum is back.

The Utah [URL="http://www.nba.com/jazz/news/jazz-assign-tibor-pleiss-idaho-stampede-3"]Jazz announced today that the team has assigned center Tibor Pleiss to the Idaho Stampede,[/URL] the Jazz

[URL="http://saltcityhoops.com/the-jazzs-forgotten-man-jeff-withey/"]http://saltcityhoops.com/the-jazzs-forgotten-man-jeff-withey/[/URL]

[quote]Withey has not played much recently. And yes, it is a bit sad. At the same time, it is understandable.[/quote]
Not quite as bad as Sloan playing Fessenko over Koufos but it's not easy to understand.

[quote]Well, in training camp and the pre-season, Withey not only solidified his roster spot, but passed up Pleiss in the center pecking order.[/quote]
Actually despite looking like the better player Pleiss and Lyles were ahead of him when the season started. Withey wasn't even dressing!

[quote]Outside of Gordon Hayward, it could be argued that no one was more consistent or important to the Jazz than Withey. He brought 9.1 PPG, 7.3 RPG and 2.33 BPG to the table — very respectable numbers. Withey was a viable difference maker on both ends of the court. He was surprisingly good offensively, showing a great ability to finish when his teammates set him up. He also cleaned the glass and managed to get some points off offensive rebounds. During those nine games, Withey managed double-figure scoring five times, while adding a pair of double-doubles.

Defensively, while not having the full effect Gobert would have, Withey was imposing and impactful. He also recorded a blocked shot in every single game and had seven performances of two or more (and two games with four swats).

For the season, Withey has been an advanced statistics darling. His 18.0 PER is fourth on the squad and his .163 win shares/48 minutes is third. He boasts a total rebound percentage of 15.5[URL="http://saltcityhoops.com/the-jazzs-forgotten-man-jeff-withey/#note-4"]4[/URL] If he qualified, Withey’s 7.3 block percentage would be the second best in the NBA behind Hassan Whiteside — and ahead of Gobert’s 6.4. You cannot ask much more from your back-up center. For a veteran’s minimum, [URL="http://saltcityhoops.com/18313-2/"]Withey was a downright heist[/URL]. Having a team option for him next season only enhances that.
[/quote]
I'd think he'd be traded. Don't get the impression despite the previous numbers that they think much of him for some reason. :confusedshrug:

[quote]There were also a number of times where match-ups have helped dictate rotations. When facing teams that employ small ball, Trevor Booker and Trey Lyles have gotten the nod.[/quote]
Those two have played no matter what the match-ups were. The last game and the Dallas game I thought Lyles created some match-up problems. Otherwise he should be in the D-league proving himself.

[quote]He may be needed more next year, as it remains to be seen if Booker will return in free agency. [/quote]
You would think they'd let Booker go and Withey would step in but I'd guess they'll draft another big and like Lyles he will play even if he shouldn't.

[quote] Jeff Withey has been a great find for Utah and if he stays patient, he will be needed sometime during this stretch run.[/quote]

He's been needed all year. They are probably in 5th place at least if he'd been playing all year. Lyles minutes have cost them games. Think about all the close games and how many Withey would have made the difference in with even a few minutes that were going to Lyles and in some cases Booker. Reading the comments it's hard to believe Booker isn't appreciated more either.

[url]http://www.slcdunk.com/research-statistics-analytics/2016/2/25/11111966/utah-jazz-general-manager-dennis-lindsey-gordon-hayward-derrick-favors-rudy-gobert-dante-exum[/url]

[QUOTE][U][B][URL="http://www.slcdunk.com/research-statistics-analytics/2016/2/24/11111900/nba-playoff-history-utah-jazz-john-stockton-karl-malone-unsettling-theory"]I made the assertion that Utah didn't really strike the metal when it was hot after drafting John and Karl[/URL][/B][/U]. Frankly, they did end up surrounding them with contender-level talent, but the first decade of their careers were spent listing in the doldrums. In effect, the front office enjoyed their good fortune and didn't work as hard as GMs for other teams did for ten straight years, and tried to see how far two guys could get you.


Bold words. I know. And I don't mind people telling my I'm crazy.
[/QUOTE]
I agree with you for a change. They always acted like there would be another year but eventually another year didn't come. Had more to do with them being cheap than how hard the GM's worked though.

[QUOTE]I don't think that [B][URL="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/macksh01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com"]Shelvin Mack[/URL][/B] or [B][URL="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/burketr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com"]Trey Burke[/URL][/B] (in their 5th and 3rd years respectively) were better than John in his 2nd year. You could argue about that.
[/QUOTE]

There's no argument for it. John should have been starting from day 1 despite Green being one of the best in the league. Doubt any Jazz pg's will ever be as good as John was at the beginning or end of his career.

[QUOTE][B][URL="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/e/exumda01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com"]Dante Exum[/URL][/B] being one of our "Top Four Guys"[/QUOTE]

:facepalm

[QUOTE]you could argue that [B][URL="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/hoodro01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com"]Rodney Hood[/URL][/B] is better than Dante Exum.[/QUOTE]

Hood isn't very good defensively and Dante sucked on offense. I really don't think we should compare Dante with anyone until he shows he can play again. Who knows if he'll be able to defend like he did after an ACL.

[QUOTE][B][URL="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/t/tripuke01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com"]Kelly Tripucka[/URL][/B] wasn't that effective in a Jazz jersey, and I think Rodney Hood eats him up. [/QUOTE]

I didn't like Tripucka when they got him and it was a horrible trade but he was actually a good player when they played him.

[QUOTE]No one on this '87 team can stop Alec Burks.[/QUOTE]

Eaton? Scurry actually might have slowed him down. He was their Johnson/Booker.

[QUOTE]But ultimately this Jazz team didn't have the talent to keep up with the better team.[/QUOTE]

They did. They had them beat. Layden and Ivaroni gave it away.

[QUOTE]I don't know if the '88 Jazz have the talent to keep up with the '16 Jazz group after the Top Four players.

Thurl was great, again, but his is Rickey Green before his career is over, and everyone else is really below replacement level. Many Jazz players this year aren't implicitly great either. But in a direct comparison I think we think our current #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, and #10 guys take the day.
[/QUOTE]
But the reason they almost beat the Lakers is because they played mostly 5 guys huge minutes.

[QUOTE]I really did think that [B][URL="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/humphja01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com"]Jay Humphries[/URL][/B] and [B][URL="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/k/krystla01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com"]Larry Krystkowiak[/URL][/B] were going to be difference makers. I was wrong. [/QUOTE]

Larry was good I thought. Jay had been before he came to the Jazz.

[QUOTE]The Jazz got a lot better with [B][URL="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/hornaje01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com"]Jeff Hornacek[/URL][/B] on the team. They also added [B][URL="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/chambto01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com"]Tom Chambers[/URL][/B], and the Jazz front office finally started to act like one that was actively trying to build around two HOFers. [/QUOTE]

Outside Horny it was more of the same.

[QUOTE]Going from [B][URL="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/roberfr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com"]Fred Roberts[/URL][/B] to [B][URL="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/i/iavarma01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com"]Marc Iavaroni[/URL][/B] to [B][URL="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/brownmi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com"]Mike Brown[/URL][/B] to Larry Krystkowiak to Tom Chambers is progress though.[/QUOTE]

Not really. First off Roberts was their 3rd string 3 not a 5 despite his height. He was good too. Ivaroni sucked. I liked Brown Bear and Krystko( before he stopped the rivalry anyway.) Was never a Chambers fan but he was alright in this role.

[QUOTE]useless draft picks ([B][URL="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/lewisqu01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com"]Quincy Lewis[/URL][/B], [B][URL="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/padgesc01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com"]Scott Padgett[/URL][/B])[/QUOTE]

I liked Padgett. Too bad for him he played in the wrong era for the wrong coach. He'd be making a lot of money now as a stretch 4. He rebounded too. Could have been Ryan Anderson possibly.

[QUOTE]Dare I say it, a deeper, more talented roster than one build around Hall of Famers. The only thing we're missing now are stars. And that's really up to [B][URL="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/haywago01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com"]Gordon Hayward[/URL][/B], [B][URL="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/f/favorde01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com"]Derrick Favors[/URL][/B], [B][URL="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/goberru01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com"]Rudy Gobert[/URL][/B], and Dante Exum to figure out.[/QUOTE]

So were Corbin/O'Conner's teams. Lindsey still has a lot to prove. Can he keep Hayward/Favors/Gobert/Hood together and still put some talent around them?

[url]http://www.slcdunk.com/research-statistics-analytics/2016/2/25/11112048/nba-playoffs-2016-utah-jazz-reserves-next-six-alec-burks-rodney-hood-trey-burke-trevor-booker[/url]

[QUOTE]I'm being bold with saying my Jazz Top Four players are [B][URL="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/haywago01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com"]Gordon Hayward[/URL][/B], [B][URL="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/f/favorde01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com"]Derrick Favors[/URL][/B], [B][URL="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/goberru01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com"]Rudy Gobert[/URL][/B], and [B][URL="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/e/exumda01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com"]Dante Exum[/URL][/B] (who is missing this entire season IRL).[/QUOTE]

Why don't guys have to prove it on the court anymore? Exum(assuming he can still defend when he returns) is a younger Chris Johnson until he proves otherwise.

[QUOTE] This means my "Next Six" is (position order): [B][URL="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/macksh01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com"]Shelvin Mack[/URL][/B], [B][URL="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/burketr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com"]Trey Burke[/URL][/B], [B][URL="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/hoodro01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com"]Rodney Hood[/URL][/B], [B][URL="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/burksal01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com"]Alec Burks[/URL][/B], [B][URL="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/booketr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com"]Trevor Booker[/URL][/B], and [B][URL="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/witheje01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com"]Jeff Withey[/URL][/B]. Yes, no [B][URL="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/n/netora01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com"]Raul Neto[/URL][/B], [B][URL="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/i/inglejo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com"]Joe Ingles[/URL][/B], [B][URL="http://www.basketball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?search=Chris+Johnson&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com"]Chris Johnson[/URL][/B], or [B][URL="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/lylestr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com"]Trey Lyles[/URL][/B]. But I don't think those guys are in the "Next Six" just yet.[/QUOTE]

Can't put Burke ahead of Neto. He's one dimensional. We'll see with Mack. Chris Johnson might compare with Booker with what he brings to the floor as well.

[QUOTE]where do you think Shelvin and Trey rank individually? They both have to be fighting for that #5 spot right?[/QUOTE]

I only like 4 guys on that list so Mack and Neto would be in my top 6 out of that. Certainly different than your list.

[QUOTE][B][URL="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/e/eisleho01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com"]Howard Eisley[/URL][/B] did everything he was asked, from hitting game winners off the bench, to coming back at the end of his career to help a team stay afloat.[/QUOTE]

Never liked his game.

[QUOTE]Shelvin Mack is Mr. Small Sample Size, but he seems to be playing very well right now -- just as long as you don't ask him to hit open threes. [/QUOTE]

But that is the team's philosophy.

[QUOTE]But if you play Rodney Hood there he's clearly better than [B][URL="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/corbity01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com"]Tyrone Corbin[/URL][/B], [B][URL="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/e/edwarbl01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com"]Blue Edwards[/URL][/B], [B][URL="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/benoida01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com"]David Benoit[/URL][/B], and everyone else including a "Next Six" level [B][URL="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/russebr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com"]Bryon Russell[/URL][/B]. That's not the same thing as a [URL="http://www.sbnation.com/nba-finals"]NBA Finals[/URL] era / starting level Russell. (Keep that in mind.) So if we move Rodney to SF, we have the best SF here. As it stands, we have the best SG here because I think he's superior to all of these players, including a "Next Six" level [B][URL="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/griffda01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com"]Darrell Griffith[/URL][/B] (not the same thing as the ROY level, or starting with [B][URL="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/dantlad01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com"]Adrian Dantley[/URL][/B] level Griffith).[/QUOTE]

For someone that loves advanced stats as much as you, you are discounting defense where Hood is weak. If Hood can't do what he's been doing the past couple months consistently he is a bench player. Those other guys played D or in Griffiths case put up big stats over whole years not just a couple of months.

[QUOTE]Alec Burks? He's probably also a better SF than a lot of the guys on that list, and surely better than a lot of the SGs. Again we see this year's "Next Six" to be filled with two of the best ever (from the data set and time frame) at the same position. I think Burks right now is playing better than everyone not named [B][URL="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/hansebo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com"]Bob Hansen[/URL][/B] or [B][URL="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/andersh01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com"]Shandon Anderson[/URL][/B]. (Only because they both were better defenders.) And I think Hood is better than Burks right now.[/QUOTE]

Alec plays a lot like a sf but I don't think they use him there much. I'd take him over Hansen any day. Shandon was a scorer for them like Alec.

[QUOTE]Trevor Booker isn't better than [B][URL="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/baileth01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com"]Thurl Bailey[/URL][/B], [B][URL="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mannida01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com"]Danny Manning[/URL][/B], [B][URL="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/chambto01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com"]Tom Chambers[/URL][/B], or possibly even [B][URL="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/carran01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com"]Antoine Carr[/URL][/B] at their peak levels. But only Bailey was at his peak with the Jazz, and he's the only guy who was at his peak while being in that "Next Six" roster role with the Jazz. I think Booker is better than [B][URL="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/brownmi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com"]Mike Brown[/URL][/B], and the rest of that PF lot.[/QUOTE]

Thurl played sf at 6'11". He really hates Booker!

[QUOTE]He doesn't have the face up game of [B][URL="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gilliar01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com"]Armen Gilliam[/URL][/B], or the unlimited yet unearned playing time of [B][URL="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/collija03.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com"]Jarron Collins[/URL][/B]. But I think he's at least better than some of the guys at the bottom of the list.[/QUOTE]

His face up game is pretty good. I'd probably take him over anyone on that list personally. He's good.

[url]http://www.slcdunk.com/research-statistics-analytics/2016/2/24/11111900/nba-playoff-history-utah-jazz-john-stockton-karl-malone-unsettling-theory[/url]

[QUOTE]Even Karl Malone was very public with pointing out that talk was, indeed, cheap because while his front office just made excuses, other teams were leapfrogging the Jazz. And I can understand his frustration -- you're a young guy. You're and All-Star. You want to win as much as possible, because in that era the players wanted to win. It wasn't about playing in a big market, or playing with your best friends, or making a lot of money. Back in the 80s when the salary cap was so small the "thing" about the NBA was about winning.

And if Karl Malone loudly suggests that the Jazz weren't always about winning then it's something to investigate.
[/QUOTE]
Karl was about money more than anything. He signed many contracts and soon after was crying about being underpaid. He got paid and they saved money on everyone else including Stockton who was all about winning.

[QUOTE][URL="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/98728/scott-layden"]Scott Layden[/URL] was an amazing evaluator of talent and got John at #16 in 1984, and then Karl at #13 in 1985. Very rarely do you find two Hall of Famers in the middle of the 1st round, in back-to-back drafts for your dad, the GM of the team and head coach, Frank Layden. It's not just pure luck, but it's something that changed the Jazz franchise forever. [/QUOTE]
They lucked out to get them. If they knew how good they were they would have traded up to get them.

[QUOTE]And Utah did stagnate. John and Karl had four first round exits in their first five seasons in the league. And they advanced only six individual rounds in a decade. That's really not good enough if you were gifted two HOFers in the middle of the draft. Or, more practically, that's as good as just two HOFers can take you if you aren't serious about getting good guys to balance the roster.[/QUOTE]

Or making a coaching change when you go from 1st to 3rd.

[QUOTE]He was already a one way player[/QUOTE]

He was always a one way player. He sucked!

[QUOTE]And I don't think that you're trying to surround your budding All-Stars and future HOFers with the best talent possible when guys like [B][URL="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/scurrca01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com"]Carey Scurry[/URL][/B] and [B][URL="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/k/kofoeba01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com"]Bart Kofoed[/URL][/B] are coming off the bench to play big playoff minutes.[/QUOTE]

Loved Scurry! Energy guy. Blocked shots and crashed the offensive glass. He was a bit of a headcase I guess though?

[url]http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3573304-155/utah-jazz-shelvin-mack-quickly-making?page=2[/url]

[QUOTE]"I thought he had a number of really good passes early in the game that we didn't handle that would have been buckets.[/QUOTE]

He made several passed that were too low for the bigs.

Why 830 tonite if it's on ROOT?