2019-20 season - Been waiting two decades for this one!

[Xiao Yao You]

https://www.sltrib.com/sports/jazz/2...zz-washington/

It probably surprised people, but Bradley takes and makes those in his G-League games, so of course he’s capable of making the wide open ones in this level. Once, I saw him make 13 threes in a row in practice. That’s just practice, but it’s still pretty impressive!

Better shooter than Favors. Time to let it fly!

I didn’t know who Aaron James was, so I Googled him. He played five seasons for the New Orleans Jazz. There are two good Aaron James stories in this article. First, Hod Rod Hundley, who even was the team’s radio voice way back then, had a catchphrase for him which was apparently “A.J. from the parking lot!” It wass to the point where it’s still James’ nickname.

He used from the parking lot later. Probably another one he took from Chick?

Donovan Mitchell has played 2.6 seasons and is already even with Memo Okur — actually legitimately a notorious 3-point shooter for seven seasons — in 3-point shots. The game has changed. Mitchell has a couple of other milestones coming up: on Monday, he’ll tie Jarron Collins for games started for the Jazz with 203 — a good reminder of just how many games Collins somehow started during his Jazz career. Next week, he should also surpass Bryon Russell for 20th on the Jazz’s All-Time assists list.

Collins was another Jazz joke. Thanks Jerry!

[Xiao Yao You]

https://www.slcdunk.com/the-downbeat...-goberts-value

The truth is all these problems don’t originate from any singular player. It’s not Mike Conley, it’s not Rudy Gobert or anyone else. The root of it all comes from the miscalculations of the front office and an inability of the coaching staff to make this work this far into the season. The front office put the team into this position. They’re the ones who gave up the assets they did to trade for Mike Conley. They’re the ones who have put Rudy Gobert in this position. And if they knew there were chemistry issues at the trade deadline, they’re the ones who did nothing about it.

They're the ones that thought a backup center was more important than a starting PF. They're the ones carrying 6 rookies instead of vets and only two have had any quality minutes.

[Xiao Yao You]

https://www.deseret.com/sports/2020/...ordan-clarkson

But...and I want to really draw out the pause here...the Jazz would have to get rid of someone on the roster to make room for any kind of buyout market signing, and while there are young guys and non-rotational players who could be waived to make room, I’m not sure that the Jazz are looking too far beyond what they already have.

I'm sure they aren't thought they will say otherwise and have

Depends on what direction you’re looking at things from. From where I’m sitting right now, a Western Conference Finals appearance would be an improbable success, so no, I don’t think that a second round exit would be a failure.

going into the season it wasn't considered improbable though

[Xiao Yao You]

https://thejnotes.com/2020/03/01/uta...hout-identity/

You know, back when the franchise (thanks, Tyrone Corbin) amassed a grand total of 25 wins.

the front office was tanking but let's blame Corbin!

[Xiao Yao You]

https://thejnotes.com/2020/03/01/uta...ng-importance/

At the end of the day, Bradley is only 22 years old and he’s a guy the Jazz are going to want to hang onto. Whether he’s starting one day, while Gobert is elsewhere, or playing behind Gobert for many years. The Jazz won’t have to worry about Gobert going anywhere until 2021.

doubt he's ever a starter.

[Xiao Yao You]

https://saltcityhoops.com/four-seaso...ointed-season/

Gobert has been the steadiest Jazzman by a mile. As of this writing, he still ranks as a top-five player in 538’s RAPTOR WAR, and his efficiency has never significantly waivered. Any attempt by (a tiny few) Jazz fans to lay the team’s current malaise at his feet is sorely misguided. Bogdanovic and O’Neale have both also been really consistent over the course of the season.

[Xiao Yao You]

Finally had Tucker play with the Stars. Surprisingly Morgan too. I wonder if Brantley outplayed him in a recent practice or something? Morgan has certainly looked like he belonged in the minutes he's gotten with the Jazz. I thought he should have came in during the first half against Thomas Bryant

[Xiao Yao You]

https://www.deseret.com/sports/2020/...ready-to-fight

Taking advantage of what the Rockets are lacking — size in the frontcourt — the Knicks pulled out a 125-123 win, a game that multiple Jazz players were watching the final minutes of on their phones as they readied to leave the locker room in Cleveland.

like I keep saying matchups go both ways.

While the tactic of attacking the glass and dominating offensively in the paint worked for the Knicks against the undersized Rockets, conventional wisdom would say that the Jazz have the weapons to counter such an attack. But, conventional wisdom can often come back to bite you in the NBA.

a big part of the Jazz problem is they are too small outside their two centers. They changed their team to matchup with the Rockets and the Rockets changed theirs as well

This isn’t just a matter to take into consideration on Wednesday against the Knicks or even through the rest of this road trip that includes the Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons. The Jazz don’t have time to take any opponent lightly from now through the end of the season.

should always apply

[Xiao Yao You]

https://saltcityhoops.com/regaining-...6-113-victory/

The Frenchman has not eclipsed 10 rebounds the past five outings, though he has had nine the past three. While it is a bit of a concern, cleaning the glass is never a one-man task. While Gobert may not be snagging the caroms himself, he is still working hard and boxing out, thus allowing teammates to come collect them. The Jazz dominated the Cavs, outrebounding them 54-41. Donovan Mitchell grabbed nine from the back court, while Bogdanovic and Royce O’Neale had seven apiece. Tony Bradley chipped in six in just 14 minutes. It was a team effort. And versus the Wizards, Utah enjoyed a 47-36 advantage.

That's actually good to see. Probably Bojan's best all around game this year. Need more on the glass and defense from others

[Xiao Yao You]

https://www.slcdunk.com/nba-power-ra...boston-celtics

Donovan Mitchell has scored at least 30 points in four consecutive games for the first time in his career and has a true shooting percentage of 60.8 during that span. But Mitchell has been a big part of the Jazz’s recent disastrous defense. Utah allowed 125.8 points per 100 possessions with Mitchell on the floor during a 1-4 homestand coming out of the All-Star break. — MacMahon

all star? That has to change if the Jazz want to ever do something

[Xiao Yao You]

He got better at distributing the ball, developed a smarter shot selection, and defending. He still kept his smooth ball handling skills and sweet jumper. Now that Clarkson’s made himself a Sixth Man of the Year candidate on a playoff team in Utah, he could be in for a huge pay day this summer.Doesn't defend or even look to pass. Might have to let him go. They need a starting PF which will improve their bench with Ingles and O'Neale on it

He’s outperformed the expectation set by that small contract, and accomplished what he came here to do. He’s developed his game and basketball I.Q under one of the best minds in basketball, and proved to be ready when his number is called.

the great mind who can't fix their D

As soon as he’s through with the Jazz’s playoff run this spring, Mudiay should look for a bigger opportunity. There’s a small chance that opportunity opens up right here in Utah if the Jazz and Mike Conley part ways.

or if they part ways with Clarkson. Cheaper option. More upside. Only problem is they are limited on what they can pay him I believe because he's on a minimum deal. Wright-Forman also has 6th man potential and could need a roster spot as well.

The Jazz can find a way to tie up loose ends on the roster through the NBA draft (they likely get their own first round pick), G-League (Jarrell Brantley has been tearing it up), and by shopping around role players like Ed Davis and Georges Niang.

Davis has to go obviously. Rather he's somehow dealt or they spread his contract out over several years which isn't ideal with Bobert and Mitchell about to be paid. Niang probably isn't going anywhere. Non guaranteed deal. They have to look center in the draft with both Gobert and Bradley going into contract years. Wouldn't count on whoever it is helping them right away though. Could be a player to stash. Have to get a vet center to go with their young bigs.

a new coach might be the first thing to do though?

[Xiao Yao You]

https://thejnotes.com/2020/03/03/uta...020-offseason/

They poached Bojan Bogdanovic from the clutches of the Indiana Pacers on a lengthy contract despite him being in his thirties. Some were worried it would be an overpaid contract, but so far Bogey’s arguably been the best bargain of the 2019 free agency class.

their D might argue otherwise

This ought to be a no-brainer for Conley, as he has struggled this season and looks like he’s fallen off a cliff. There’s no way he will make anything close to 34.5 million dollars if he signs a new deal on the 2020 market.

we've seen guys give up the one year for multi year security before but hard to imagine it here

He makes an undersized backcourt with Donovan Mitchell, and gets confused too often on defense for whom he’s supposed to guard. He over helps on the interior rather than trusting Rudy to erase mistakes, and he gets confused on switches.

I think that's overplayed. Both have length. Mitchell has size. The league plays smaller

So even when Conley’s shot has been falling this season, he’s not contributing anything more than volume scoring. Pretty redundant for a club that already has Jordan Clarkson filling the same role at less than half the cost of Conley.

Come one now! He's still a better playmaker and defender than Clarkson but who isn't?

In my opinion the Jazz should look to deal Conley as a salary dump should he opt-in to his 34.5 million. I’d love to see it, but will they be able to find a worthwhile deal for the 34 year old veteran? They may be stuck with him until 2021.

Don't think it necessarily has to be a salary dump. Another team might be in a similar situation with another player. Conley is far from their biggest problem though. I'd be looking closely at the whole roster outside of Gobert. They have to get better defensively somehow while not losing the spacing they've long needed around him.

[Xiao Yao You]

https://www.deseret.com/sports/2020/...jan-bogdanovic

There were two things that really stood out on Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden for the Jazz in their 112-104 win — their ball movement, and Mike Conley’s progress.

the best defense they've played in I don't know how long. They've been scoring plenty to win games. Got to defend better

[Xiao Yao You]

https://saltcityhoops.com/an-easy-ni...the-big-apple/

The Jazz’s 109.5 DRTG, on the other hand, shows that the defense continues to be a concern. The Knicks have the 28th ranked offense in the NBA this season and were still able to score 104 points on the Jazz last night. The good news is that the 109.5 DRTG last night is easily the best DRTG the Jazz have had post All-Star Break. At least the defense is trending in the right direction.

Exactly! They should win most games with those results. Rather they can do it against good teams remains to be seen

[Xiao Yao You]

John Karalis: Gordon Hayward and Jaylen Brown are officially out tomorrow vs. Utah
– via Twitter RedsArmy_John