"You Gotta Love It Baby" Official Jazz thread

[MarkGrace]

So his standing reach is 1.5" higher than Boozer's. Maybe that matters a little. Much more telling is the fact that he actually blocks some shots, which Boozer never did. This probably means he plays more help defense. Hell, if he plays just a little help defense, it will be a tremendous improvement.

If you put him back to the 4, he gives you good size/length for the position. At the 5 spot a little less so, but I'm hoping he's our PF and we keep pursuing a big C.

[MarkGrace]

Al Jefferson's career path had been nothing short of stellar until the knee injury. He came directly out of high school, but it isn't as if he came from Oak Hill. He played for a public high school in Prentiss, MS. The competition he played against was less than stellar. He was viewed as a huge project because of that.

And becaue of his Oliver Miller potential. I know a lot of people blast the Jazz for not taking him at the time, but a lot of teams questioned his conditioning/body and desire to improve them. Clearly he proved them wrong.

[MarkGrace]

btw, Al Harrington was on his twitter yesterday saying he's talking to the Jazz and excited about the possibility of playing with DWill. Not sure how the Jefferson thing impacts the potential of him coming to Utah, but he's a decent shooter and would be a nice scoring punch off the bench (averaged 18ppg last year and was largely responsible for pushing is out of the top 5!). Problem is, he's a hybrid 3/4 and that makes the frontcourt very crowded if you add him plus Jefferson

5: Memo, Jefferson
4: Jefferson, Sap, Harrington
3: AK, Harrington
2: Miles, Hayward
1: Deron, Price

It would be hard to get Harrington many minutes.

[MarkGrace]

When are we going to hear the announcement Miller was talking about? Until this thing is official, I'm still slightly worried that we've just re-signed Ronnie Brewer and that's it.

[MartyFunkhouser]

btw, Al Harrington was on his twitter yesterday saying he's talking to the Jazz and excited about the possibility of playing with DWill. Not sure how the Jefferson thing impacts the potential of him coming to Utah, but he's a decent shooter and would be a nice scoring punch off the bench (averaged 18ppg last year and was largely responsible for pushing is out of the top 5!). Problem is, he's a hybrid 3/4 and that makes the frontcourt very crowded if you add him plus Jefferson

5: Memo, Jefferson
4: Jefferson, Sap, Harrington
3: AK, Harrington
2: Miles, Hayward
1: Deron, Price

It would be hard to get Harrington many minutes.

If you are signing Harrington, you are signing him to be AKs replacement after this season. It would be tough to get him minutes right now.

[Sizzle]

When are we going to hear the announcement Miller was talking about? Until this thing is official, I'm still slightly worried that we've just re-signed Ronnie Brewer and that's it.

Yahoo reporting it is a done deal.

Crossing fingers...

[MarkGrace]

If you are signing Harrington, you are signing him to be AKs replacement after this season. It would be tough to get him minutes right now.

Or this season. AK's deal is our best shot at adding a real C at some point during the season.

Hadn't thought about that. Good point.

[MartyFunkhouser]

Or this season. AK's deal is our best shot at adding a real C at some point during the season.

Hadn't thought about that. Good point.

I'm with BGRTHUMEGO and am skeptical that the Jazz move AK's expiring contract if they use the trade exception. They are going to have to take bad longer term deals to make it happen and I'm not sure the Jazz will make that financial commitment.

[LiveCoug]

I'm with BGRTHUMEGO and am skeptical that the Jazz move AK's expiring contract if they use the trade exception. They are going to have to take bad longer term deals to make it happen and I'm not sure the Jazz will make that financial commitment.

why not pay the luxury, keep AK, re-sign him at the end of the season at a reasonable rate. That should save some money for next season...

[LiveCoug]

ESPN just announced that it was a done deal. 2 future picks for Al Jefferson.

Love it!

[Blueintheface]

I'm with BGRTHUMEGO and am skeptical that the Jazz move AK's expiring contract if they use the trade exception. They are going to have to take bad longer term deals to make it happen and I'm not sure the Jazz will make that financial commitment.

Money aside, a healthy AK makes this team better. Maybe it's the imminent Jefferson signing but I'm hopeful he can stay healthy and contribute despite his ridiculous contract. And while his roll as a 4 might be diminished he is still a great ball handler and the second best passer on the team and can just flat out do strange things that other players can't.

On a side note, I'm hoping against hope that very shortly Gordon surpasses him as second best passer on the team, or at least the alternate guy other than Deron, to bring the ball up court. Of course we all know Sloan's theory on rookies so...

[scottie]

I'm hoping and praying that AK will give Utah a SERIOUS hometown discount next summer due to the huge contract LHM gave him last time around. It's very unlikely, I know, but I don't think it's impossible.

[Sizzle]

Miller just tweeter that they are hoping to announce at 6pm, barring any last minute snags.

[Blueintheface]

I'm hoping and praying that AK will give Utah a SERIOUS hometown discount next summer due to the huge contract LHM gave him last time around. It's very unlikely, I know, but I don't think it's impossible.

$8MM AK



$18MM AK

[New Mexican Disaster]

Good move by the Jazz to get Jefferson. When healthy he is a pretty damn good post player.