"You Gotta Love It Baby" Official Jazz thread

[smokymountainrain]

Bring your elk roast over to my house and watch it.

Which, btw, I do have an extra one. Unfortunately, I can't make it tonight, but I'll PM you so we can figure out a way to get it to you.

[Eddie]

From Locke.

Locke is a pretty big homer - so I'm never sure what to make of him. But he does tend to back up his opinion with more stats than even Indy can shake a stick at.

Speaking of Locke - he was on the radio Tuesday during the drive home talking about Malone as a coach.

Locke said that he never thought much of the announcement that Malone would be helping coach. He figured it was just Greg Miller giving Malone something to get him to shut up about how he's here, he's available, and the Jazz don't seem to want to embrace their past or take advantage of the knowledge of hall of famer.

But he happened into the gym when Malone was working with Kanter a couple of weeks ago and came away extremely impressed. Malone was working with him on offensive positioning and not allowing him to be pushed out off the block, etc. At one point Malone asked what his go-to offensive move was, and Kanter mumbled something. Malone responded with a "speak up". He spent some time teaching him his patented crossing-the-lane-fall-back-jump shot-with-your-knee-out-in-front move.

It was interesting - but the basic takeaway from lock was that he figured having Malone as a coach meant that he would show up for a practice here and there and talk to the guys about doing what Karl Malone do. But he came away viewing it as a "fantastic" development - with Karl dedicating quite a bit of time to working with the bigs, including staying an extra day or two in Utah when he had plans to head home. Hearing that they'll be heading his direction to work with him there too is also promising.

It will be interesting to see what effect this has on their development - but the more I hear the more positive I think it is. If nothing else, Karl was one of the hardest workers in the league - and if he can instill that in the young guys...they have the potential to go places.

[MarkGrace]

Yeah, heard Locke talk about that and I think there were some quotes from Greg in an article. It was Favors, btw. Kanter hasn't really had a chance to work out with him yet because of the injury.

[Eddie]

Yeah, heard Locke talk about that and I think there were some quotes from Greg in an article. It was Favors, btw. Kanter hasn't really had a chance to work out with him yet because of the injury.

Thanks for the correction.

Somehow in my mind I convinced myself they were talking about Kanter - must've been because they also talked about Favors not needing the move Karl was showing, because he could/would just power over the top of everyone and dunk it.

[MarkGrace]

Well then maybe I'm mistaken and this is a different story. But I think Kanter still hasn't been cleared to do anything where he raises his arms above shoulder level. I know he's supposed to come off that restriction soon and is headed to Louisiana to work with Karl. Favors is headed there as well.

[Eddie]

Well then maybe I'm mistaken and this is a different story. But I think Kanter still hasn't been cleared to do anything where he raises his arms above shoulder level. I know he's supposed to come off that restriction soon and is headed to Louisiana to work with Karl. Favors is headed there as well.

No - I think you're right. I think it was Favors. But I think they then talked about that move being more useful for Kanter due to Favor's ability to just go over the top of people and throw it down.

[MarkGrace]

No - I think you're right. I think it was Favors. But I think they then talked about that move being more useful for Kanter due to Favor's ability to just go over the top of people and throw it down.

That does seem like it would be a useful move for Kanter. Before the draft Calipari said Kanter reminded him some of Malone. He must have meant the +30 version of Malone, because younger Malone was much quicker and a more explosive leaper than Kanter. But I can see what he might mean in terms of the older Malone who had good touch in the midrange and had to use the strength of his body to get separation since he was a little more floor bound.

[MarkGrace]

I'm handing out cups of kool-aid!

“He’s been very impressive,” said USA Basketball managing director Jerry Colangelo. “He’s a very impressive player. He knows how to play. He’s aggressive. He can shoot the ball. He’s made a mark in both camps, last year and this year.”

Hayward’s looked more like the college star he was at Butler during his time here this week than he has the role player he was asked to be in his first three seasons in the league. His ballhandling, slashing and athleticism have been on full display. He’s more than held his own on defense, too, sticking out in this talented crowd on both ends regularly.

“That’s what you love about things like this,” said Favors, who will team up with Hayward on the Blue team in Thursday night’s intrasquad showcase at UNLV’s Thomas & Mack Center. “I know how good he is. I’ve seen him do this stuff in practice every day. But it’s been funny to talk to some of these other guys and see how impressed they are with Gordon this week.”

“There’s no hiding anymore,” Favors said. “I had to tell my mom and my family back home that it was important for me to stay [in Salt Lake City] and put in the work. I couldn’t let myself get home and get too comfortable. There is so much riding on this summer and this season for myself and [Hayward]. I don’t know what they’ve told him but I know I’ve got be ready to go right now. It’s on me and Enes to hold it down up front now that Al and Paul have moved on.”

http://hangtime.blogs.nba.com/2013/0...th-young-jazz/

[smokymountainrain]

I'm handing out cups of kool-aid!




http://hangtime.blogs.nba.com/2013/0...th-young-jazz/

I'm so damn excited for this season. Also, in my opinion, Hayward has been a better and more impressive NBA player than he was at Butler.

[BGRTHNUMEGO]

I'm so damn excited for this season. Also, in my opinion, Hayward has been a better and more impressive NBA player than he was at Butler.

Hayward's rep in the NBA so far has been hurt by 3 things: 1) He's white. 2) His stupid coach has put less talented players ahead of him. 3) His stupid coach has run the offense through less talented players.

Hayward's chase down block compilation on YouTube would make the majority of NBA player envious, but we still hear descriptions about his "sneaky athleticism" or "surprising ability". There shouldn't be any surprising about it at all, except to the uninformed racists. I'm excited to see what he does this year, albeit with some hesitation because there are going to be some seriously rough stretches with the bad bench and probable bad PG play at times.

[Blueintheface]

So earlier this week my wife nixed the idea of season Jazz tickets. In addition, we had to cancel our October trip to Paris. This has been a rough week.

[MarkGrace]

So earlier this week my wife nixed the idea of season Jazz tickets. In addition, we had to cancel our October trip to Paris. This has been a rough week.

Really? What happened to the trip? Bummer. I thought I recalled you had purchased tickets already.

[Blueintheface]

Really? What happened to the trip? Bummer. I thought I recalled you had purchased tickets already.

We did but we purchased refundable tickets knowing that several issue could have arrived in the upcoming year. I almost wish we hadn't because while there are several reasons we wound up cancelling, individually they weren't insurmountable. I am pretty bummed about it though.

[MarkGrace]

Favors sat the whole 2nd half tonight because of his back. bitf's week just got even worse.

[Blueintheface]

Favors sat the whole 2nd half tonight because of his back. bitf's week just got even worse.

It's difficult trying to carry Gordon Hayward all the time.