Bring on the Favorites! Round 2...

[Xiao Yao You]

http://purpleandblues.com/2017/05/05...s-games-3-4/4/

[QUOTE]On several occasions, it has appeared as if the Jazz are overlooking their formidable Frenchman as he hasn

[Xiao Yao You]

http://purpleandblues.com/2017/05/05...pecial-season/

The slow and steady, the player development as first priority, the willingness to lose games along the way, all of that went out the window this year in favor of winning.

It didn't really though. Lyles and Exum were still given minutes that weren't based on merit. They didn't use their cap space to put the best team out there

[QUOTE]Say what you will about what

[Xiao Yao You]

http://purpleandblues.com/2017/05/05...2-performance/

Hayward was one of the healthiest players on a team decimated by injuries throughout the season. He carried this team on his back

[QUOTE]The fact of the matter is that Gordon Hayward is going to be a max player next year and he

[WayOfWad3]

http://weareutahjazz.com/lockedonjaz...-the-jazz-pay/



Not sure I agree when he's been hitting them in the playoffs



2nd time I've read how good Dante was with no mention of how bad he was as well!

Most Jazz fans are just enamored with him some reason even though he's done more bad than good this season. He definitely has potential, but he just doesn't cut it right now.
And as for Green, sadly it's as simple as we'd rather have him shoot the 3 as opposed to anyone else, but he's hitting it too which just sucks

[WayOfWad3]

http://purpleandblues.com/2017/05/05...2-performance/








He hasn't actually. If he sucks the rest of the series do you pay him?

I wouldn't say he carried the team on his back, but he certainly did a fantastic job.
And yeah you pay him if you're the Jazz. It's either that, or you start the whole rebuilding phase ove, practically from scratch. So far he's shown us that he can indeed perform in the playoffs, and a lot of that has to do with his game to game prep which is second to none amongst NBA players.
Is it Ideal? No; but it's the best/only option the Jazz have if they want to stay where they are/get better

[Xiao Yao You]

Most Jazz fans are just enamored with him some reason even though he's done more bad than good this season. He definitely has potential, but he just doesn't cut it right now.
And as for Green, sadly it's as simple as we'd rather have him shoot the 3 as opposed to anyone else, but he's hitting it too which just sucks

I think they want Dante to be good because they drafted him so high and they have this belief that you have to play young guys for them to improve. As far as I'm concerned once Gobert made them good that should have ended. The D-league is there for a reason. Sad part is the guy that could have maybe helped them the most they left in the D-league all year despite the fact that he proved himself there unlike their two former lottery picks.

Dante shows flashes and he might be good eventually but he's running out of time to prove it. Eligible for an extension this summer and a free agent next summer. It's time to show you can hit an open shot consistently, finish at the rim consistently and defend without fouling. Huge off-season for him coming up!

They were guarding Iggy too much at the line. He's yet to hit one. You have to guard Green when he's hitting them.

[Xiao Yao You]

I wouldn't say he carried the team on his back, but he certainly did a fantastic job.
And yeah you pay him if you're the Jazz. It's either that, or you start the whole rebuilding phase ove, practically from scratch. So far he's shown us that he can indeed perform in the playoffs, and a lot of that has to do with his game to game prep which is second to none amongst NBA players.
Is it Ideal? No; but it's the best/only option the Jazz have if they want to stay where they are/get better

We'll see what he does the rest of the series. He's had one big game against the best team. If he sucks in the next two you have to think about it still. He had some bad games against the Clippers too. You hope he will take less than the full max. He says he wants to win more than get paid. Gobert took less for that reason.

I don't agree that they are starting over if he leaves though. They sucked before Rudy emerged. You can build around him. Obviously Hayward would be tough to replace but they can be good still. They've tried to keep tanking with Rudy and it hasn't worked. He makes them competitive all by himself.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.ksl.com/?sid=44127092&nid...to-bigger-ones

Even if the Jazz played their very best ball, there's a talent gap that might mean the Warriors would win anyway.

The toughest part is even when they go to their bench theire are at least two of their 4 stars in the game at all times!

And if things go well for the Jazz this offseason, and their players keep working, maybe they turn a small victory of making inroads in this series into making it actually competitive, or better, next year.

Not sure how that happens once Hayward is paid and Rudy's contract kicks in. This may have been their best chance and they left over 13 million and an exception unspent! We've seen this series they just aren't that good outside Gobert and Hayward. It's too bad Burks, Favors, Hood and Hill aren't healthy so we could see what they really have but Ingles has not looked good which is very disappointing after the year he's had. Maybe getting healthy and some major growth from their young guys and things will be different but it's hard to envision now. Can't blame Hayward for leaving.

It's that kind of mindset that pushed the Jazz from wins in the 20s, to 30s, to 40s, to 50s in consecutive years.

Rudy emerged. They would be Orlando right now if he hadn't. Should have won 50 a year ago. Than maybe they would have been more prepared for this year.

[Xiao Yao You]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/8...-104-loss.html

[QUOTE] it likely wouldn

[Xiao Yao You]

David J. Smith @davidjsmith1232
I have no doubts that Gordon Hayward, if needed to next year, could be a 24-26 PPG guy for the Jazz.

And, yes. For the Jazz.

I have doubts. Not sure that's what you want from him. We saw a healthy Rudy scoring a lot more as the season went on. Healthy Hill, Hood, Burks and Favors can score more.

[Xiao Yao You]

David J. Smith @davidjsmith1232
I wonder how the Playoffs have affected Joe Ingles' $$ value. When he's been good, he's been stellar. But the shooting has been absent.

Someone will pay him after his great first round but unless it's very team friendly or Hayward insists on it I'd say good bye to Ingles based on his play in this series

[Xiao Yao You]

David J. Smith @davidjsmith1232
Indeed. Exum would do well to follow the Gordon Hayward regiment this summer. Ditto for Rodney Hood, Trey Lyles.

Lyles is supposed to be the hardest worker. You got to wonder what he's working on though. He needs a trainer to get him in better shape first off. The rest is up to him. Does he want to defend? Rebound? Pass?

Hood is fragile. Can't really expect him to bulk up too much with his frame though. Like Lyles he needs to work on other parts of his game than just shooting every time he touches it.

Exum needs to work on his shot and finish!

[Xiao Yao You]

David J. Smith @davidjsmith1232
He contributes on the boards and is a good teammate. Potential is high. Could be a major factor for UTA's next step.
23h

David J. Smith @davidjsmith1232
Needs to gain confidence in his handle. Sometimes his ball handling is erratic. That can be developed.
23h

David J. Smith @davidjsmith1232
His best position could be, as some have said, as a shooting guard with good vision and the knack of drive and dishing.
23h

David J. Smith @davidjsmith1232
I think if he puts in the work, he can make progress as a defensive stopper. Has shown that ability already.

Believe this is about Exum. He rebounds? The problem is they want him as a point guard. His length isn't as special at the wing position. He needs to learn not foul!

[Xiao Yao You]

David J. Smith @davidjsmith1232
He has the knack for getting the ball to the basket quite easily, thanks to his speed. Needs to work on the finishing part.

No team should be guarding him at all and allowing him to get to the rim until he proves he can hit open shots.

David J. Smith @davidjsmith1232
Needs to spend hours on his shot. He has made some big 3s this year, but must be more consistent.
23h

David J. Smith @davidjsmith1232
If Dante Exum puts in the work this summer, I can easily see him taking a nice jump. Perhaps a better than nice one.

Could be out of the league if he doesn't. Not a rotation player if he can't shoot, finish or defend without fouling

[Xiao Yao You]

David J. Smith @davidjsmith1232
"Anthony still seems the natural offseason difference-making upgrade."

Really? I'd rather have Redick & Rivers...

Melo?

I'd take Rivers and or Redick as bench guys not starters