"You Gotta Love It Baby" Official Jazz thread

[cougjunkie]

I was thinking like a fan who actually wants to see the Jazz win.

You're right, it doesn't make any sense to bring in a high character guy who can hit spot-up 3's on the cheap when you have Raja.

My bad.

That is the problem he can't hit spot up threes anymore.

Career 3pt percentages:

Michael Redd: .385 (has been over 40% one time in his career and that was his second season)

Raja Bell: .404 (last 5 years: .352, .444, .468, .400, .421)

Sadly, Raja is a better perimeter player and a better defender. On top of that he can probably walk from his car to the arena without help.

[cougjunkie]

Best case scenario if Redd works out...maybe he's good for 2-3 wins? So instead of 28-38, they go 30-36 and lose a spot or two in the lottery.

If Redd is such a hot commodity he wouldn't still be sitting out there.

[Jacob]

I was a proponent of trying to go after Salmons in the offseason. He's not great and is a bit of a ball hog but he can often create his own low percentage shot.

That made me laugh. But your analysis is spot on. In fact, I'm surprised the Jazz never picked him up after he abused Matt Harpring so many times to light up the Jazz. That's their M.O. I've never seen a guy's eyes light up so much as when Salmons saw that Harp was assigned to guard him. But not thanks.

You are right about no 3 point threat though. Neither our 1st or 2nd PG can shoot the 3 well. And Hayward may be the only player currently able to make much above the league average 34%. He's the only guy last year that did (AK shot 37% and Bell shot 35%).

[smokymountainrain]

If Redd is such a hot commodity he wouldn't still be sitting out there.

Yeah, I'm not sure what SH is thinking here.

[SloanHater]

Best case scenario if Redd works out...maybe he's good for 2-3 wins? So instead of 28-38, they go 30-36 and lose a spot or two in the lottery. And I'm being very kind.

Worst case, he mentors Burks and CJ while sitting the bench. What am I missing?

I'm not saying he's anything more than a one year deal, but at least it gives the Jazz a guy they can put in to make some clutch free throws.

[cougjunkie]

Worst case, he mentors Burks and CJ while sitting the bench. What am I missing?

I'm not saying he's anything more than a one year deal, but at least it gives the Jazz a guy they can put in to make some clutch free throws.

So he went from deep threat, to decent spot up shooter, to bench warming mentor, to free throw guy.

Maybe they should hire him as a shooting coach like they did Horny.

[SloanHater]

If Redd is such a hot commodity he wouldn't still be sitting out there.

I'm not saying he's a hot commodity. I'm saying the Jazz need outside shooting and the pickings are slim. Rather than join you in throwing in the towel, I'm throwing out solutions.

Your defeatist cougar mentality of playing for next year isn't appreciated here.

[Blueintheface]

That made me laugh. But your analysis is spot on. In fact, I'm surprised the Jazz never picked him up after he abused Matt Harpring so many times to light up the Jazz. That's their M.O. I've never seen a guy's eyes light up so much as when Salmons saw that Harp was assigned to guard him. But not thanks.

You are right about no 3 point threat though. Neither our 1st or 2nd PG can shoot the 3 well. And Hayward may be the only player currently able to make much above the league average 34%. He's the only guy last year that did (AK shot 37% and Bell shot 35%).

His shooting (Hayward) the last 20 games or so of last season was off the charts. I hope he can get into a quick rhythm again this year. His ability to put it on the floor will open up his outside game tremendously.

MG had to hit me in the head, but I've become a big fan of his.

[cougjunkie]

I'm not saying he's a hot commodity. I'm saying the Jazz need outside shooting and the pickings are slim. Rather than join you in throwing in the towel, I'm throwing out solutions.

Your defeatist cougar mentality of playing for next year isn't appreciated here.

Jazz suck they are going to win 25 games tops this year. Develop the young guys and watch the Mavs, Spurs and Lakers continue to age. Then when the GMs of those teams start to blow them up you have an experienced young core ready to step in and compete.

Jazz have tried to compete with the top teams in the West by spending money with Booz, Deron and co. and it didn't work. So now you have to try a different strategy you are not landing any big name free agents, time to develop your own players and pick and choose your spots.

[Blueintheface]

Jazz suck they are going to win 25 games tops this year. Develop the young guys and watch the Mavs, Spurs and Lakers continue to age. Then when the GMs of those teams start to blow them up you have an experienced young core ready to step in and compete.

Jazz have tried to compete with the top teams in the West by spending money with Booz, Deron and co. and it didn't work. So now you have to try a different strategy you are not landing any big name free agents, time to develop your own players and pick and choose your spots.

There's a reason why many basketball experts consider the Jazz a sleeping giant in the future. They aren't through with their picks and if they draft wisely in 3 years, and develop existing talent, this team could be back in the middle of the playoff picture.

Teams like LAC, Portland, even Minnesota have gotten better so it's not good enough to stay a decent team. They need to improve a lot and they are doing just that through the draft.

I'm telling ya, a decent still-living SG (maybe that's Burks in 2 years?) and this team is pretty set.

[smokymountainrain]

Is there any possibility the Jazz could use Sap to get Ty Lawson?

[cougjunkie]

There's a reason why many basketball experts consider the Jazz a sleeping giant in the future. They aren't through with their picks and if they draft wisely in 3 years, and develop existing talent, this team could be back in the middle of the playoff picture.

Teams like LAC, Portland, even Minnesota have gotten better so it's not good enough to stay a decent team. They need to improve a lot and they are doing just that through the draft.

I'm telling ya, a decent still-living SG (maybe that's Burks in 2 years?) and this team is pretty set.

I agree. KOC has done a nice job of setting up the Jazz to be very good and sooner rather than later. A lot can go wrong but as of right now they are in good shape.

Sloanhater is that guy who would be content with the Jazz fighting for the 6th-8th seed in the West year in and year out but never really threatening for the title. KOC saw it differently and decided the Jazz needed to take a step back in order to try and take 2 forward. It was a smart decision and time will tell whether or not it works.

[SloanHater]

Jazz suck they are going to win 25 games tops this year. Develop the young guys and watch the Mavs, Spurs and Lakers continue to age. Then when the GMs of those teams start to blow them up you have an experienced young core ready to step in and compete.

Jazz have tried to compete with the top teams in the West by spending money with Booz, Deron and co. and it didn't work. So now you have to try a different strategy you are not landing any big name free agents, time to develop your own players and pick and choose your spots.

This is where we disagree.

I think the Jazz are in no man's land. They have too much raw talent to suck, but without a decent coach they aren't going to contend.

If the Jazz were in the Eastern Conference I'd agree with losing every game in an attempt to draft position, but the Western Conference is too mediocre.
The Jazz will end up winning at least 35+ games due to the fact that they play in an aging, crappy conference.

Why not try and get some playoff experience while hoping for the Warrior's 8th pick? That's my thinking for bringing in a high-upside, low-downside guy like Redd. I wouldn't suggest it if the Jazz hadn't already done the same thing with Howard.

Sloanhater is that guy who would be content with the Jazz fighting for the 6th-8th seed in the West year in and year out but never really threatening for the title.

That's why I was calling for Sloan's head after the '98 debacle.

[cougjunkie]

Is there any possibility the Jazz could use Sap to get Ty Lawson?

I think Sap is a very tradeable asset, especially with the majority of his contract being front loaded and already paid. (Thanks to Portland).

Denver might take him if they didn't have a younger more athletic version in Faried.

[BGRTHNUMEGO]

Jazz suck they are going to win 25 games tops this year. Develop the young guys and watch the Mavs, Spurs and Lakers continue to age. Then when the GMs of those teams start to blow them up you have an experienced young core ready to step in and compete.

Jazz have tried to compete with the top teams in the West by spending money with Booz, Deron and co. and it didn't work. So now you have to try a different strategy you are not landing any big name free agents, time to develop your own players and pick and choose your spots.

Speaking of this, I wanted to punch KOC in the face when I heard him use Aaron Rodgers as proof that waiting on the bench is good for young players. He played up how great Rodgers is after he sat on the bench for a few years, and of course threw out Stockton's name like Sloan used to do for proof that it is better to sit on the bench early and watch. Because there aren't any examples of guys who played right away and did fine. Mostly it pisses me off because it was the same crap that was used to justify Deron playing behind Cap'n and McBrick.

Stockton was better than Green at everything by his 2nd year. I know Green played in the all-star game the year before Stock joined the team, but by Stock's 2nd year Green was behind him in eFG%, TS%, reb%, ast%, stl%, WS/48...Stockton was easily the more productive and efficient player. And yet Green didn't just continue to start ahead of John in his 2nd season, but also for John's entire 3rd season. Coaching incompetence was the reason Stockton didn't start sooner, not because it was the right move, and it definitely wasn't the reason Stockton became a great player.

It is really going to suck if Millsap, Miles, and Bell take significant minutes from Favors, Hayward, Kanter, and Burks this year. The Memo trade certain opened things up for Kanter and Favors more. I don't expect Burks to get trotted out there for 30 mpg, but he should get in each night and a solid few minutes each half.