"You Gotta Love It Baby" Official Jazz thread

[Donuthole]

He was moving up to try to get Hayward? I thought he was trying to get up to get Cousins or Monroe.

OkC ≠ KOC

[BGRTHNUMEGO]

OkC ≠ KOC

Ain't that the truth.

If it makes anyone feel any better, when Hayward's stats are pace adjusted to the NCAA average they go up to about 16.5 ppg and 8.7 rpg. And I'm going to pretend that if Hayward had played at a faster pace that his 3-point shooting would have gone back up to 40%.

[MarkGrace]

I thought it was established that KOC preferred Chris Paul, but Sloan (and LHM) overruled him.

That seemed to be the rumor at the time, though in recent years KOC has claimed they were all on the same page.

[MarkGrace]

Jazz better be in hot pursuit of this guy: http://realgm.com/src_wiretap_archiv...son_over_love/

[Sizzle]

Jazz summer league roster includes the following:

PG: Tyrese Rice
SG:
SF: Gordon Hayward, Dmitrious Nichols
PF: Jeremy Evans, Tadija Dragevic
C: Rod Benson

Not sure why Gaines, Jeffers and Kouf aren't on the list. Not a good collection of talent there. At all.

[Sizzle]

Jazz better be in hot pursuit of this guy: http://realgm.com/src_wiretap_archiv...son_over_love/

I'd be down with that. I think Jefferson would be an upgrade to Booze because he is a better defender and has more length. He seems to be more aggressive too, though not as good of a rebounder or passer.

[Mormon Red Death]

Chad Ford said in the bill simmons broadcast that Utah had tried like crazy to move from 9 to 3 to get cousins but could never get it done.

[MarkGrace]

Jazz summer league roster includes the following:

PG: Tyrese Rice
SG:
SF: Gordon Hayward, Dmitrious Nichols
PF: Jeremy Evans, Tadija Dragevic
C: Rod Benson

Not sure why Gaines, Jeffers and Kouf aren't on the list. Not a good collection of talent there. At all.

The kid that played at Syracuse? I liked him coming out. Thought he'd stick as a defender/shooter type.

[BGRTHNUMEGO]

The kid that played at Syracuse? I liked him coming out. Thought he'd stick as a defender/shooter type.

Nichols may have been Wes Matthews if he and his agent had accept the summer league invite and then been in place to reap the benefits of filling in for injured players throughout the summer and into training camp.

There was an item out of Syracuse, N.Y., last week that the Jazz had expressed interest in Demetris Nichols, a 6-foot-8 forward who has appeared in 18 games the last two seasons with Cleveland, Chicago and New York.

Nichols spent time with the NBA Development League's Iowa Energy this season, where he averaged 21.7 points and 5.3 rebounds in 18 games while going 40-for-88 (45.5 percent) from three-point range.

Those numbers make Nichols an intriguing prospect for teams as a shooting guard. The Jazz were interested in having him play with them in the Orlando summer league, but Nichols' agent, Bill Neff, was planning to call back today to decline the invitation.

There's too much uncertainty with the Jazz's roster, Neff said, and possibly better situations for Nichols with Indiana or Toronto. While there might be a roster spot in Utah, Neff is looking for somewhere Nichols has a chance to stick after so much bouncing around.

Nichols signed two 10-day contracts with the Knicks in March, but otherwise has had limited opportunities in his NBA career, having played no more than nine minutes in any game.

--Ross Siler

http://blogs.sltrib.com/jazz/2009/05/nichols-update.htm

[Sizzle]

Chad Ford said in the bill simmons broadcast that Utah had tried like crazy to move from 9 to 3 to get cousins but could never get it done.

Heard that as well. Not sure why they felt they had to move to three and not two or four, but who knows. If you feel Cousins is an All Star IMO it would have been worth Brands contract for a few years. But that's why I'm not an NBA GM.

[Sizzle]

The kid that played at Syracuse? I liked him coming out. Thought he'd stick as a defender/shooter type.

Yes, that kid.

There may still be a spot depending on what happens with AK/Matthews/Korver. I fully expect Wes back, Ak could be moved, and who knows with Korver. I'd like all three back at the right price.

[BGRTHNUMEGO]

12. Gordon Hayward, Jazz
I love him in Utah's system. Hayward, the No. 9 pick, is a college 4 in the body of a 3 and eventually will be a 2 -- absolutely perfect in an offense that moves players to the point, wings and post spots smoothly. And with two solid, but by no means secure, players in front of him (C.J. Miles and Wesley Matthews), Hayward will be a threat to crack the starting lineup from the get-go. His contributions will also be more meaningful than the rookies above him on this list because he'll be playing for a playoff contender.

From Thorpe's rookie rankings.

Why couldn't Hayward be a 2, and right from the start? Especially in Utah I don't think there is much of a distinction between the 2 and 3, so if he proves capable of being an effective 3 I believe he should be able to swap over and play 2. He's going to handle the ball better than many guys that have played SG since Hornacek, we'll pray he'll regain his shooting touch, and he tested out comparable to several other players that have found success as 2's in the league.

Hayward - 6'8", 211 lbs, 6'7.75" span, 34.5" max vert, 11.73 agility, 3.22 sprint, 10 bench reps

Joe Johnson - 6'8.25", 226 lbs, 6'9" span, 36" max vert, 12.05 agility, 3.40 sprint, 12 bench reps

John Salmons - 6'7", 207 lbs, 6'10" span, 34.5" vert, 11.43 agility, 3.25 sprint, 12 reps

Martell Webster - 6'7.5", 220 lbs, 6'11" span, 30.5" vert, 11.39 agility, 3.39 sprint, 7 reps

We'll see how Hayward's athleticism translates on the court against next level competition. But I'm not sure Hayward would necessarily be any better suited at 3 for Utah than he would be at 2. I just don't see much difference between what Sloan asks the 2 and 3 to do on offense, and on defense they can cross-guard if necessary depending who is on the court and who they are matched up against. But it was evident heading into the draft that the Jazz needed to get bigger and longer across the board...Hayward at 2 possibly paired with AK at 3 would help Utah achieve that a little.

[Jacob]

There is virtually no difference between the 2 and 3 in the Jazz offense. So why does Thorpe repeatedly admit this and then argue for why he could be a 2? I don't get the point. The important factors will be 1) who is the other wing player on the court, and 2) who will he guard?

I seriously doubt the transition from guarding 4s in college to 2s in the NBA will be an easy one. We'll see. That's the main reason we will call him a 3.

As for who he will play alongside. Well, the Jazz wing players are pretty bad. Maybe Hayward can be a nice compliment to a star 2 or 3. But the Jazz haven't had one of those...ever. And don't have anything even close right now.

[smokymountainrain]

Love it when the general manager tries to make the fans feel good about a 2nd round pick by saying, "Look at his field goal percentage." Great, this big guy with limited ability only shot it when he could dunk or lay the ball in...that's going to work out well for a 6'10", 195 lb guy in the NBA.

Hey, about Evans. I mentioned it somewhere before, but I'll say it again - Evans will be better than Hayward. Beginning with summer league.

Am I pissed they took him over N'Diaye? Heck yeah, but I've got to hang my hat on something and it sure as hell isn't going to be the next Pete Chilcutt.

[Sizzle]

There is virtually no difference between the 2 and 3 in the Jazz offense. So why does Thorpe repeatedly admit this and then argue for why he could be a 2? I don't get the point. The important factors will be 1) who is the other wing player on the court, and 2) who will he guard?

I seriously doubt the transition from guarding 4s in college to 2s in the NBA will be an easy one. We'll see. That's the main reason we will call him a 3.

As for who he will play alongside. Well, the Jazz wing players are pretty bad. Maybe Hayward can be a nice compliment to a star 2 or 3. But the Jazz haven't had one of those...ever. And don't have anything even close right now.

I was down on the pick, but I've really warmed to it. Having watched some highlights, I think the kid can play. He's not afraid to take the big shot. He has a good handle. His stroke is good. Looking at his 29% it looks like it should be better. It's not like watching Brewers shot and cringing.

The more I've though about the pick, what is to get upset with taking a kid who is 20, a hard worker, great BBIQ, better than anticipated athleticism, and has good size for his position (especially as a 2). I'm sorry but if the kid were black and didn't look like a boy scout, we'd be okay with the pick. I'm willing to give the benefit of the doubt, especially considering his performance in the tourney and in his workout against other top wings.