"You Gotta Love It Baby" Official Jazz thread

[Blueintheface]

But that's not what he's saying, nor is that what I'm ranting about. I already said I can see some of those things mentioned being limiting factors, but SMR invoked the name Hoffa, clearly implying bust. And I've seen similar worries elsewhere, in addition to comparisons to other players that were major flops (like Kwame). That's what I don't understand. Given that he's already had one productive season in the NBA despite some peculiar circumstances, this whole bust talk seems kind of silly to me. Maybe his rookie year will be his best year and it will be a straight downward trajectory from there (it's happened to other players), but given his background and age I'm not terribly concerned about that.

Fair enough, which is why I said 'to a degree' and limited my own concerns to his offensive game. He's a bit of a bull in a china shop right now but I too am not concerned about his rookie year being his best. Given the minutes and an improved 8-12 ft jump shot, he'll be around a while.

[MarkGrace]

Some highlights from today.

http://www.nba.com/summer-league/games/20120712/INDUTA/gameinfo.html

[BGRTHNUMEGO]

Trade for Iggy now.

[MarkGrace]

An interview with Marvin Gaye Williams

http://www.nba.com/jazz/video/2012/07/12/williamsmarvinmp4-2154585/index.html

He said he's from the "Seattle area" and not Seattle itself. I like this guy already.

[MarkGrace]

In the second interview he's rockin' an M's hat. Nice.

[BGRTHNUMEGO]

Jazz game already over for the day. I bet they loved waking up and having an 8 am game.

Rough one for Burks, 32 minutes, 3-13 and only 8 points. 15 and 8 for Kanter with no TOs. 10 for Murphy and 11/6 for Evans.

[MarkGrace]

Why isn't Perry Jones playing?

Mo Almond sighting.

[BGRTHNUMEGO]

Why isn't Perry Jones playing?

Mo Almond sighting.

Sprained ankle.

[MarkGrace]

highlights

http://www.nba.com/summer-league/games/20120713/UTAOKC/gameinfo.html

Reggie Jackson with a huge dunk on Evans.

[smokymountainrain]

Good to see Kanter got off 15 shots.

[MarkGrace]

UTAH JAZZ
Key additions: Mo Williams (trade), Marvin Williams (trade), Jeremy Evans (re-sign), Kevin Murphy (draft)

Key subtractions: Devin Harris

The Jazz continue to quietly rebuild. They shocked just about everyone when they made the playoffs this past season and did a few things this summer to make sure they stayed in contention for a seventh or eighth seed in the West.

Once again, GM Kevin O'Connor deftly used his assets to add depth to his roster. He turned Mehmet Okur's trade exception into a starting point guard and turned Harris' expiring deal into Marvin Williams.

Williams should be a significant upgrade over Harris. He's a better shooter, he plays the pick-and-roll much better than Harris and his shooting stroke and defensive abilities give Utah some much-needed depth at small forward.

I also really liked their second-round draft choice. Murphy was one of the best scorers in college basketball last season and he has deep range on his jumper. He's not the strongest or most athletic guy, but he could give the Jazz a nice scoring bump off the bench.

Utah also has significant assets going forward, with two interesting expiring contracts in Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson and, most likely, the Warriors' 2013 first-round pick. If the Jazz want to make another big deal, they have the tools to get it done.

But Utah's real progress will be determined by the growth of its young players. Derrick Favors and Gordon Hayward both have a chance to be special. Enes Kanter and Alec Burks both could end up being solid as well. If they continue to improve, the Jazz are going to be very tough to beat in a few years.

GRADE: B+

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/story?id=8158678&_slug_=nba-2012-offseason-grades-every-team&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fnba%2fstory%3fid%3d8158678%26_slug_%3dnba-2012-offseason-grades-every-team

Weird comment about Williams. Seems like he's talking about Mo to begin and Marvin to end.

[BGRTHNUMEGO]

Jazz aren't going to get a very good pick from GS.

[Jacob]

Jazz aren't going to get a very good pick from GS.

Welcome aboard.

[UtahJazzFan88]

Jazz aren't going to get a very good pick from GS.

16 or 17 at worse, Golden State could sneak in as the 8 seed, but are we really depending on Curry and or Bogut staying healthy? Plus Harrison Barnes is still a rookie.

[The_Douger]

I hate the Golden State Warriors. They can eat a bucket of dog crap for how they blatantly tanked to keep their pick.