2021 training camp/pre-season!

[Xiao Yao You]

https://kslsports.com/470074/rudy-go...shot-vs-bucks/

After Gobert sunk the deep jump shot, his Jazz teammates jumped up to celebrate his newfound range.

newfound? We've seen it before

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Jordan Clarkson – $12.4 million = $30.1 million in savings

that's the one they need to send out. Maybe Whiteside if Udoka comes around. Get a starting 4 if you can!

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https://www.deseret.com/2021/10/14/2...itts-utah-jazz

The team re-signed Trent Forrest to a two-way deal earlier in the summer and then gave their second two-way deal to Justin James as training camp was beginning. But shortly after, the Jazz released James and he went on to join the Cleveland Cavaliers.

didn't see that. Maybe he wanted out to go to the Cavs?

[Xiao Yao You]

https://www.deseret.com/2021/10/13/2...eseason-finale

Jordan Clarkson was working insanely hard on the defensive side of the ball. No one is going to say that Clarkson is a great defender, but what can no longer be said about him is that he doesn’t try. That’s half the battle sometimes and an active defender is better than someone that can be hunted.

maybe having Butler breathing down his neck

There was something wrong with the in-arena sound system through the first three minutes of the game and so the sound that the crowd heard was the squeaking of sneakers on the hardwood and the ball going through the net and the players jawing at one another. That was great. It’s pure basketball without all the music and pumped in noise. But someone fixed the problem. I wish we could have more musicless basketball and just enjoy the game in its most pure form.

nice dream

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https://saltcityhoops.com/storylines...f-frustration/

At this point I’m sure we’re all tired of this talking point: the Jazz are a great regular season team, but how far can they make it in the playoffs? It feels like every national perspective on the Jazz hinges on this thought. And yes, it’s true that the Jazz blew a 3–1 lead against the Denver Nuggets one season, and then lost four straight to the Kawhi-less Clippers the next season. And then Jazz fans counter with “yeah, but the injuries,” which also has merit. It’s an endless what-if game, that won’t find resolution until the Jazz finally make it over the playoff hump or break up the team.

also true that the same coach that wouldn't make any adjustments in those series is still here

Prediction: This storyline is too broad and volatile to make a specific call on. It seems clear the Jazz will compete for the top seed, with a good shot at at least a top-3 finish in the West. Injury timelines for stars like Klay Thompson, Kawhi Leonard, and Jamal Murray could drastically change the landscape. The optimist in me believes the Jazz can win the West if healthy, which gets to the crux of the issue: everything hinges around player health. With that asterisk in the mind, the Jazz have as good as chance as ever.

it especially hinges around Gobert's health. Probably a lottery team without him

The most interesting minutes battle will be between guards Miye Oni, Trent Forrest, and Jared Butler. Oni was the injury replacement guard for much of last season. His perimeter defense fills one of the team’s biggest needs. His corner three is valuable in the Jazz system. But his exorbitant fouling and inconsistent accuracy made him hard to keep on the floor at times. Forrest is an excellent defender with size and has a great feel for running the pick-and-roll. His shot is his glaring weakness, but he had a breakout Summer League performance. Jared Butler is a much-heralded rookie, with a solid across-the-board skillset. His off-ball shooting and solid defense makes him a great theoretical pairing with Donovan Mitchell. But history shows that it’s hard for a first-year guard to contribute in this league.

Clarkson needs to go

It’s hard to ask for more from Mitchell with the offensive load he carries, but he’s the player who can most improve the team’s perimeter defense. He’s young and has the wingspan and athleticism to make a defensive jump. We’ve seen it spurts, including his recent pre-season performance. We saw him slow down Murray in the final games of the Nuggets series after no other Jazz player could — but Mitchell ran out of gas on the offensive end. It’s a tricky balance.

tired of hearing it. Rudy goes hard at both ends as does Conley and O'Neale

Most people are more curious about Rudy Gobert. We saw him seal and post up against smaller defenders during his silver-medal-winning Olympics run. Can he emulate this in the NBA? If Rudy can consistently pack it on smaller players the Jazz become much more matchup proof. His teammates made it a point to feed him in his first playoff season. On a team that may already have a problem of not enough touches, will we see Gobert get the ball more often?

Get Rudy the ball and help him on D

We’ll also be watching the other Rudy. Gay looks to replace minutes previously taken by Georges Niang and Derrick Favors. Neither of those players have the isolation skills that Gay has. Gay could prove another tool against switching defenses. We saw Bojan Bogdanovic have success in the post when circumstances dictated it. Let’s see if Gay can follow suit.

Niang has a better post game than Bojan sadly

These look to be the biggest storylines for upcoming season. Next time we’ll explore some other storylines, including some that are maybe secondary but still fun to mull over, like: What kind of regular season awards can the team expect? Will Hassan Whiteside be closer to Bobby Portis or Jeff Green? What kind of leap will Mitchell make? Are the Jazz really more versatile? And will Gobert finally earn some respect? Stay tuned.

plenty of versatility last year. That one is on COTY

[Xiao Yao You]

https://thejnotes.com/2021/10/15/pro...eed-utah-jazz/

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers do not fare well in FiveThirtyEight’s projection model. In fact, it has them finishing 9th in the conference, with a 47% chance to make the playoffs and a 2% chance to win the NBA championship.

I don't see the Lakers as a threat

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https://thejnotes.com/2021/10/14/uta...-butler-moves/

Yes, we might be watching the eventual partner in crime to Donovan Mitchell in the Jazz’s starting backcourt once the Mike Conley era ends via retirement or begins to fizzle.

He might take the best player in Franchise history's spot. Already a better playmaker and I assume defender based on reputation but Mitchell had that too

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https://thejnotes.com/2021/10/14/uta...are-mavericks/

Dallas sucked last year besides one player and they lost their coach and replaced him with Kidd. I wouldn't expect much

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https://thejnotes.com/2021/10/14/uta...nba-champions/

After all, it does feel like he’ll be in his rotation.

and who is sitting?

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https://behindthebuckpass.com/2021/1...oss-utah-jazz/

After battling through some foot soreness over the past few weeks, Rodney Hood was officially set to make his Bucks debut against the Jazz. Hood played in Utah during the first three and a half years of his career, so this would be a homecoming for the guard, and fans were excited to see him in action for the first time against his former team. Well, things got off to a rocky start for Hood.

Hood hurt!

Considering the injuries that Hood has battled through over the past year and that this foot issue hindered his ability to practice with the Bucks, there was expected to be some rust. It was indeed there last night from start to finish, which is somewhat understandable. On his best days, Hood is a walking double-digit scorer, but last night just was not his night. He looked far from great, but it does not mean fans should give up on him entirely just yet. Despite the struggles, it was great to see the veteran back out on the floor.

always hurt

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https://thejnotes.com/2021/10/13/uta...pare-warriors/

Let's see what Klay looks like. If he returns anywhere near where he was they should be one of the best teams again

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Ben Anderson: I’m hearing that as of right now, Malik Fitts is in line for the @UtahJazz final two-way roster spot.


– via Twitter BensHoops

ya think?

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Adam Himmelsbach: Celtics are expecting Ryan Arcidiacono and Juwan Morgan will join the Maine Celtics as affiliate players, per source. They’d still be free to sign with another team.
– via Twitter AdamHimmelsbach

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Andrew Greif: Nico Batum smiled when asked what he’s noticed watching preseason games across the league: “The pace, the shooting, bigs shooting — I saw Rudy [Gobert] got a jumper. I was like no way, will he shoot threes now?”
– via Twitter AndrewGreif

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The Golden State Warriors have waived forward/center Jordan Bell, along with guards Avery Bradley, Mychal Mulder and Gary Payton II, the team announced today.

– via NBA.com

Bradley might be a good fit