"You Gotta Love It Baby" Official Jazz thread

[MarkGrace]

Trey Burke | PG | Utah Jazz

Despite almost a full season of running point exclusively, Burke has struggled in Vegas. He's been atrocious shooting the ball this summer, barely connecting on 30 percent of his field goal attempts, and has not really exhibited the type of playmaking that gives you confidence in his ability to hold on to his starting role. With rookie Dante Exum flashing glimpses of bona fide brilliance on the court, Burke's only chance at keeping his starting job is by proving that he and Exum can play alongside one another. That means Burke has to become a more dependable perimeter shooter, especially given that he's not a good finisher around the rim to begin with. Although Exum's electric play also comes with the inconsistent shooting expected of rookie, if I'm going to bet on a point guard who can't shoot, I'll put my money on the Australian. Burke's small stature and lack of quickness dictate that he must win the skill war. Otherwise, he's little more than Wally Pipp to Exum's Lou Gehrig.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/story...a?refresh=true

Dante Exum, Utah Jazz | Grade: B-minus
Here’s Exum’s night in a nutshell. On a late fourth-quarter possession, he attempted to turn the corner going left and was turned away easily at the rim by the big man in waiting. The very next possession, in nearly the exact same situation, Exum effectively froze the help defense with a side-step dribble before tossing up a soft floater over the top. It’s always nice to see a young guard decide not to keep banging his head against the wall. --Foster

Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz | Grade: B-plus
A lot of Gobert’s shot-blocking ability has to do with his length, naturally, but he also could be the next big benefactor of the “verticality” rule that has allowed Roy Hibbert to anchor one of the league’s best defenses over the last few years. Defending without fouling is always a challenge for young shot-blockers, but Gobert displayed some good lateral mobility along with the patience to stay down and keep himself in rebounding position. --Foster

http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/pos...e-day-8-grades

[Blueintheface]

Until last night I'd only watched about a half of 1 summer league game but I finally was able to watch the 3 games I recorded. Here's my take on Exum: who the hell knows. He's 19 though so I'm going to patiently wait it out. Burke looked completely uninterested but did seem to be the guy in charge on the court which is good I guess. He really needs to improve his shooting if he expects to be the #1 in years to come. Go-Bear has me excited for his 15 min/per (I hope). Moving up and down the court well and keeping a lid on the rim in the paint. HooD is sort of an enigma thoUgh. Great looKing shot, snEaky athletic, and long. But there's something there that bothers me.

That is my report.

[MarkGrace]

Until last night I'd only watched about a half of 1 summer league game but I finally was able to watch the 3 games I recorded. Here's my take on Exum: who the hell knows. He's 19 though so I'm going to patiently wait it out. Burke looked completely uninterested but did seem to be the guy in charge on the court which is good I guess. He really needs to improve his shooting if he expects to be the #1 in years to come. Go-Bear has me excited for his 15 min/per (I hope). Moving up and down the court well and keeping a lid on the rim in the paint. HooD is sort of an enigma thoUgh. Great looKing shot, snEaky athletic, and long. But there's something there that bothers me.

That is my report.

I'm wondering where Go Bear's minutes are going to come from. He's probably third in line for big rotation minutes among the young guys, and you know Novak is getting minutes. Doesn't leave a lot.

Exum is interesting. I'm pretty much on the "he's 19" bandwagon, but at the same time I look at Lavine and wonder what's the difference? Lavine is also 19, can actually shoot it some, handles well, and in addition to being quick, can absolutely jump out of the gym. Makes me wonder why scouts/analysts have been so much higher on Exum (and they undoubtedly have been).

[Jacob]

I'm wondering where Go Bear's minutes are going to come from. He's probably third in line for big rotation minutes among the young guys, and you know Novak is getting minutes. Doesn't leave a lot.

I'm going to give Snyder the benefit of the doubt until he proves me wrong. Gobert is going to get minutes. Novak may not. You do have to worry about Booker now, though. That one still doesn't make sense.

[MarkGrace]

I'm going to give Snyder the benefit of the doubt until he proves me wrong. Gobert is going to get minutes. Novak may not. You do have to worry about Booker now, though. That one still doesn't make sense.

If Snyder wants to run SnR's all day, he's going to need floor-spacers. We have all of one guy right now that's a proven shooter, and that's Novak. I feel pretty certain they traded for him because they have the intention of playing him.

[Sizzle]

If Snyder wants to run SnR's all day, he's going to need floor-spacers. We have all of one guy right now that's a proven shooter, and that's Novak. I feel pretty certain they traded for him because they have the intention of playing him.

Locke was on the radio in SLC this afternoon and basically positioned the front court as follows:

1) Favors is the likely starter at the 5 and will see the bulk of the minutes (say, 35). Gobert will be the backup and will see 10-15 minutes a night
2) Kanter is the likely starter at the 4 and will see the larger share of the minutes (say 25 to 30). Depending on match ups, flow of the game, what is needed, etc, Novak or Booker will likely play the remaining minutes.

We'll see if that's how Quinn views it as well. It's a bit of a disconnect for me to say that you're paying Booker $5M per year to be a guy who only plays spot minutes some nights. But Locke basically said that was how it was sold too Booker on his visit. Maybe they had to pay more to have him take that role.

Also, am I the only one who still has a negative reaction when I see Snyder tied to the Jazz because I still think of Kirk?

[MarkGrace]

Locke was on the radio in SLC this afternoon and basically positioned the front court as follows:

1) Favors is the likely starter at the 5 and will see the bulk of the minutes (say, 35). Gobert will be the backup and will see 10-15 minutes a night
2) Kanter is the likely starter at the 4 and will see the larger share of the minutes (say 25 to 30). Depending on match ups, flow of the game, what is needed, etc, Novak or Booker will likely play the remaining minutes.

We'll see if that's how Quinn views it as well. It's a bit of a disconnect for me to say that you're paying Booker $5M per year to be a guy who only plays spot minutes some nights. But Locke basically said that was how it was sold too Booker on his visit. Maybe they had to pay more to have him take that role.

Also, am I the only one who still has a negative reaction when I see Snyder tied to the Jazz because I still think of Kirk?

If Favors plays 35, Kanter plays 30 and Gobert plays 15, that leaves 16 minutes between Novak/Booker/Evans. I don't see that happening, and wouldn't be surprised in the least if Novak plays more minutes per night than Go Bear.

[Jacob]

If Snyder wants to run SnR's all day, he's going to need floor-spacers. We have all of one guy right now that's a proven shooter, and that's Novak. I feel pretty certain they traded for him because they have the intention of playing him.

It may all depend upon how well Kanter plays. But Snyder is going to play Rudy. This guy is not Corbin. He is trying to build a team, not looking to win individual games. I'm under the impression that he has the correct perspective.

[MarkGrace]

It may all depend upon how well Kanter plays. But Snyder is going to play Rudy. This guy is not Corbin. He is trying to build a team, not looking to win individual games. I'm under the impression that he has the correct perspective.

I have the feeling that it will wind up similar to Corbin playing Marvin and Dick Jefferson and lots of Jazz fans whining. I expect to see Novak and someone like the rumored Francisco Garcia getting a decent amount of minutes. You just have to play at least a handful of guys that other teams will guard out to the perimeter to make certain things work.

[Jacob]

I have the feeling that it will wind up similar to Corbin playing Marvin and Dick Jefferson and lots of Jazz fans whining. I expect to see Novak and someone like the rumored Francisco Garcia getting a decent amount of minutes. You just have to play at least a handful of guys that other teams will guard out to the perimeter to make certain things work.

Garcia's fine since we dont' have any help on the wing. There is nobody there to develop. That's not the case at the 5. Also, Novak can't defend the 4, so that's a bit of a problem. Is Snyder so concerned about an extra 3 point shooter that he doesn't mind playing no D? We shall see.

[MarkGrace]

Garcia's fine since we dont' have any help on the wing. There is nobody there to develop. That's not the case at the 5. Also, Novak can't defend the 4, so that's a bit of a problem. Is Snyder so concerned about an extra 3 point shooter that he doesn't mind playing no D? We shall see.

Hayward, Hood and Burks?

[MarkGrace]

Garcia's fine since we dont' have any help on the wing. There is nobody there to develop. That's not the case at the 5. Also, Novak can't defend the 4, so that's a bit of a problem. Is Snyder so concerned about an extra 3 point shooter that he doesn't mind playing no D? We shall see.

This team is so light on shooting that Novak might not be an extra shooter. He might be the only shooter. It's not like we'll be able to shoot at the 1-3 spots and just have a 4 to shoot as a luxury. Right now he's the only respectable shooter on the roster, and that is going to mean something to Snyder and DL. I'm guessing they didn't trade for him just to sit. There's no way that's a straight salary dump, because they didn't get enough for it to be that.

[BGRTHNUMEGO]

If Snyder wants to run SnR's all day, he's going to need floor-spacers. We have all of one guy right now that's a proven shooter, and that's Novak. I feel pretty certain they traded for him because they have the intention of playing him.

Took on $7 M in salary...they plan on him being in the rotation for sure.

That's why I also think they're planning on using Booker. Jeremy Evans rebounds better, has a better PER, a better real +/-, has familiarity playing with the other guys on the roster, and makes less than $2 M. Yet Utah gave Booker $5 M this season (thankfully it came out today that his contract next year is nearly all a non-guaranteed deal).

[BGRTHNUMEGO]

This team is so light on shooting that Novak might not be an extra shooter. He might be the only shooter. It's not like we'll be able to shoot at the 1-3 spots and just have a 4 to shoot as a luxury. Right now he's the only respectable shooter on the roster, and that is going to mean something to Snyder and DL. I'm guessing they didn't trade for him just to sit. There's no way that's a straight salary dump, because they didn't get enough for it to be that.

When asked who was going to step up to increase the outside shooting, the first player mentioned by Lindsey in a recent interview: Kanter. Said they expect Kanter to be hitting the corner 3 this season.

Snyder has talked about his shooting. Lindsey has now mentioned it. Teammates talked about it last year. Enes is going to get his shot this season, and he's likely going to be auditioning for a new contract (I'm assuming the two sides aren't going to be anywhere close to an extension before the season). Time to step up and get it done consistently.

[wapiti]

When asked who was going to step up to increase the outside shooting, the first player mentioned by Lindsey in a recent interview: Kanter. Said they expect Kanter to be hitting the corner 3 this season.

Snyder has talked about his shooting. Lindsey has now mentioned it. Teammates talked about it last year. Enes is going to get his shot this season, and he's likely going to be auditioning for a new contract (I'm assuming the two sides aren't going to be anywhere close to an extension before the season). Time to step up and get it done consistently.

In 216 career games Enes is 1 for 3 from beyond the arc with a single attempt in each of his three seasons.