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If I have my way: 2-Bigs or 2-Smalls or 1-Big & 1-Small?
Posted by: Arnell on June 4th, 2011
The author's views are entirely his or her own and may not reflect the views of the Utah Jazz.In the upcoming draft, the Jazz can go either way. Can they?
It is no secret that, in this coming season, they need to strengthen their 1) Defense (Rebounds and Help Team Defense), 2) have a consistent scorer in their Wings (SF & SG), and 3) a stable/reliable Point Guard(s).
#1 – the Team’s core BIGS (Jefferson, Favors, Millsap) can sufficiently meet our rebounding and scoring needs. O’Connor already mentioned that they’re going to the draft without Okur. So, this means, that they’re definitely going to draft at least 1-Big who can help the team this coming season. My bet is they’re going to use their #3 Pick on Kanter – unless they can trade it to Wizards #6 & #18 Picks with another player (if possible, say Javalee McGee or Nick Young) or their 2012 Unprotected First Round Pick. If so, the Jazz can select Bismack Biyombo (6th), Donatas Motiejunas (12th), and Jeremy Tyler/Jon Leuer (18th) – my ideal kind of scenario. Then, if Okur ’s health is not there anymore – they should offer to buy his contract out (unless they can collect some insurance money) and use the money to acquire either Marc Gasol(Grizzles) or DeAndre Jordan(Clippers) – both are free agents come July 1st. Coach Corbin will have the whole summer and camp to figure out how to tighten up their team defense – which he was not able to do the past season.
#2 - this coming season, Gordon Hayward will be our full-time Starter as a SG and will do part-time as a SF. CJ Miles will be resigned and will do the same as reliever to GH. Will probably also see them signing a Free Agent in Joe Alexander (6′8″ SF, a double-double guy in NBDL last year, a former 1st Round #8 Pick of the Bucks in 2008 but got injured and it took him awhile to get back in his form. This guys is now ready to go back in the flow of things in the NBA). Get him, Jazz (before another Team will) ! See http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Joe-Alexander-1185/ These 3-Guys plus Millsap, who can also slide as a SF (depending on the match-up), will be more than a handful and can score a bunch.
#3 - for a Stable/Reliable PG’s, we actually still have Devin Harris (First round 5th Pick in 2004, was also a 1-time NBA All Star). During his exit interview, he pledged to up his leadership and my hope (given time to gel and Corbin’s system installed during this summer) that he will also UP his Assists in helping his team become better and score more wins. I believe that the Jazz will resign Earl Watson as he will to continue to be the glue and provides veteran leadership to the team. A true PG that will bring energy with the 2nd Unit. If need be, Harris can even come in to play as a SG to Watson once he found his mid-range and 3-point shooting this coming season. For a 3rd PG, hopefully – they are able to find a way to pick up Shelvin Mack (probably by Buying a Pick or part of the Sign & Trade deal). If not, I am okay to bring in Kyle Weaver. But, I have a gut feel that somehow the Jazz can find a way to find a diamond among the rough for our future PG this year, if not next year (remember, we have GS Pick in 2012).
To sum up this coming season’s line-up:
Center(3): Jefferson, Gasol/Jordan, Tyler(R)/Leuer(R)
Power Forward(3): Favors, Biyombo(R), Motiejunas(R)
Small Forward(3): Millsap, Alexander, Evans
Shooting Guard(2): Hayward, Miles
Point Guard(3): Harris, Watson, Mack (R)/Weaver
That is a total of 14-Players. I will be willing to resign Fesenko (15th Player) – and, hire a Developmental Coach for the BIGS (i.e. Karl Malone) . We can always send a few of the Rookies to the Utah Flash for further develpment and gain playing time. As to Mr. Raja Bell, either Trade him for a Future 1st Round Pick or Buy him out – and, offer him to become part of the Coaching Staff as a Defensive Coach. I think he will like it.
(Note: Even if the Jazz would like to and offer AK a reasonable contract, more likely he will go for the highest bidder which is probably the NJ Nets or, guess who? - the Trailblazers!).
Yes, if I have my way in putting the Utah Jazz together this coming season, it will be this way !
I would like to hear your side of things . . .
Replies: 15
Views: 723
15 Responses
I say you are up in the night. What unprotected 2012 pick are you talking about?? Jazz own pick goes to the Wolves (Lottery protected), Warriors pick is top seven protected.Jazz are over the cap and cannot sign free agents. Fess is done. Miller did not like the way AK handled his injuries so he is done.
@LK: That is just my wish. (and, you can have yours too – if you want). Teams do negotiate and huggle for what they can get in a Trade. And, Clippers gave away their 1st Round Pick UnProtected to the Cavaliers – and the Lucky Ball bounce their way – and, boom! They have this year’s 1st Round Pick #1. So, it’s possible, this can happen.
As far as Fesenko is concerned, that is my hunch and preference. I think that he will flourish once able to work with Karl Malone, our ‘BIG’ Developmental Coach. Man, he is finding his Free Throw stroke from Hornacek. And, he will find his Toughness from Malone. Just have Faith – he’ll come through this year, if not next year. (I’ve said my piece already about AK)
First off Millsap can only play the 3 in certain circumstances. He will not be there consistently. Grizzlies will re-sign Gasol, I can’t see them letting him go. He was a big part of their playoff run.
As for what O’Connor stated about Okur, he said that they aren’t drafting and seeing him injured. They’ll draft as if he’s healthy.
Raja won’t be traded, he’ll be back next season and has stated that he didn’t work on his shot last offseason, as much, because of his wrist injury. He’ll be back in the gym shooting everyday and improving his shot and consistency.
Karl Malone has stated he will NOT be apart of the Jazz organization until his son is FINISHED with high school. His son is on the High School Football team. Then when his son’s done if the Jazz offer him a job he’d gladly take it. He has said this plenty of times since he attended a game after Sloan resigned.
As for your lineup for next year, it needs adjusting. Millsap and Evans can NOT be counted on at the 3. Millsap will START at the PF with Favors backing up. Okur will back up Jefferson.
CJ, Fesenko, AK can’t be counted in or out because of Free Agency/team option. Miles will be at the 3. Bell will backup Hayward.
I agree with Arnell about Fesenko. Though with Malone not being here for at least another year or 2 it’s a tough decision on Fes. Though I believe he showed us who he can be when he destroyed Bynum in the 3rd meeting against LAL at Home.
Have you forgotten about the lack of 3 point shooting? Why trade down in a “weak” draft. We need to pick carefully at 3 and choose a player That we can build around. As we have no money for free agents you also have a problem in your plan.
We actually do have a few 3-Point Shooters in this proposed line-up (Hayward, Miles, Millsap, Harris, Watson, Alexander, Mack/Weaver). Coach Corbin will just need to design the plays for this to work – as Sloan was a non-believer of the 3-Point Shots in his playbook. And, of course, the players need to practice these plays and shoot it with confidence when the play is called upon. I trust that these group of guys can deliver it! Again, let’s have faith with them.
Joe Alexander, NO NO NO>>> read why… One of the top call-up candidates in the NBADL at this juncture, former top-10 draft selection Joe Alexander is off to a strong start in his first campaign with the Texas Legends. “Struggling to make a transition to the small forward position on the NBA level, Alexander has added a significant amount of weight to his upper body and has been converted back to the power forward spot, a position he’s clearly far better suited for skill-wise.” He scored effectively from the four spot during the two games he played at the 2011 Showcase, even if he showed some limitations as well.
We already have an undersized PF, Who we all love, Paul Millsap. Looking at Alexanders stats, he cannot shoot a 3 point shot, so scratch him from the 3 pt shooting..
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/player/profile?playerId=27301
Biyombo? You know he has no offense right? You know no one knows his true age and suspect he may be older than people think right? You know that 6′9″, is pretty small for center, and we are stocked full at the PF position right? For the right team, maybe, for us, at 3rd or 6th or even 12th, why waste the pick. Take Singleton instead, you get defense, some offense, and he is a SF which is what we need.. Correct?
Dream your dreams, but dont be afraid to let them change and always strive to improve them.. Sorry Arnell, but I dont seen any further need to continue with this stuff about bigs. You want a good pick, take Kanter, he can back both the Center and PF.
I like the thoughts to try and obtain Gasol or DeAndre. It may bring about some trades, but I dont think its necessary, though it could just be something that would work for us. The supposed true center who plays defense.
You may be better off trading down from 3rd pick to 4th pick and Sessions letting the Cavs have Williams or Kanter. We could then Draft Knight and be set at PG, no matter which worked out. Fredette fans wont like that but, if you set yourself up for PG with those guys, you can play them a little at the SG too. Draft Singleton, you bring in some Defense at the SF. It is an easy way to round out our roster recieving the shooting, and perimeter defense we need. You could go further, but here is what you have with this suggestion.
Harris/Knight/Sessions, one could even be tradebait.
Hayward/Bell/Singleton/Harris/Knight
Singleton/Hayward/Evans/Millsap/ AK?
Millsap/Favors/Okur Okur could be trade bait.
AL/Favors/Okur Dropping Okurs contract allows funds to grab DeAndre or Gasol.
Oh, the Memphis want to keep Gasol. Memphis’s salary is around 48 mil for next season, that doesnt count Battier who they say they will sign as well. Say Battier sign for 6 Mil then they are at 54 mil and 11 players. There is a hard cap that teams are trying to impose at 45 mil per team. I doubt it goes that low, but they are already over that and in need of two players. Gasol will draw at least 10 to 14 mil.. Will they be able to keep Gasol, most think not. I say try to get him, if nothing else, you push Memphis into a bad financial situation that still works for us.. It would be nice to get him though.
@Patrick: Unless the Jazz can unload Okur I think their cap is too high to try and get Gasol. Agree with you too on Alexander. He and arujio (SP??) are the highest everpicks who turned out to be busts. Until Oden takes their place. Also Alexander is like Almond Joy great D- leaguer but that is the top of their game..
Okay Arnell, first of all, it’s obvious that Millsap and Jefferson can NOT meet our rebounding needs, seeing as we dropped to 26th in the NBA in rebounding last season. I don’t know why you’d want Biyombo seeing as we already have three 6′9″ to 6′10″ guys. If we were to draft a big man, I’d rather see us get a defensive one like Tyson Chandler or Marc Gasol. And as far as Montiejunas, NO! NO! NO! He was one of the absolute worst rebounding and shot blocking big men in the Euroleague last season. He has a poor work ethic and is awful defensively. He’s Fesenko 2.0, which is NOT a good thing. Now, as for our 3-point shooting, of everyone you say are our 3-point shooters, the only reliable one is Hayward. Miles is the most inconsistent shooter in the league, losing us 5 games for every 1 good game he has. Millsap is NOT a 3-point shooter, he is an undersized PF, and a few clutch threes doesn’t make him a shooter. Harris and especially Watson are NOT consistent 3-point threats. Now for Joe Alexander, he will be mediocre at best. He is not even a solid 3rd string player. When you Google his name, the 3rd suggested search is bust, and the 4th is D League. Why would you not want to build for the future by addressing our needs at PG and shooting? Millsap, Alexander, Evans at SF is ridiculous. I’m sorry, but I give your “ideal” lineup for next year just over 10 wins at best.
I dare say that Millsap won’t be able to switch. He isn’t a deadly and quick shooter, he’s too slow to take the ball to the hole from the perimeter, and he’ll get killed on defense from guys like Danny Granger, LeBron James, Paul Pierce, Kevin Martin, and Kevin Durant. He should stick to PF, but since he refuses to come off the bench, I say we move him. He’s got great trade value right now and we could probably get some great guys back. Teams like Cleveland, Detroit, Sacramento, Phoenix, Indiana, Houston, Toronto, Milwaukee, and others are probably looking for a good PF. Millsap would be their guy. Drafting Kanter and Jimmer is what I think the Jazz should do. Signing DeAndre would solidify our front court lineup and any SG or SF we get from our Millsap trade could fill the vacancies we have at those spots.
My “wishful thinking” lineup . . .
PG: Devin Harris, Jimmer Fredette
SG: Gordon Hayward, Marcus Thornton, CJ Miles
SF: Kevin Martin, Andrei Kirilenko, Jeremy Evans
PF: Al Jefferson, Derrick Favors
C: DeAndre Jordon, Enes Kanter, Mehmet Okur
@Adam: Where is your documentation that says Sap refuses to come off the bench??? I remember him saying he would rather start and play the PF spot. And where in the wourld of your fantacy dreams did Kevin Martin ever play defense?? I am glad we have some real peole with brains that will decide.. Go back to your fantacy league and have fun..
I don’t see the Jazz doing something as stupid as drafting someone with such little, serious playing experience as Kanter with the number #3 pick. O’conner said they are drafting with Okur being healthy, not injured. We have a solid core of big men even without Okur.
Expect two guards or a guard and a SF.
With the Jazz workout list they haven’t even worked out anyone that would be seriously considered a number #3 or #12 pick besides Kanter. They have all been summer league prospects, which means they already have a plan in order or a trade lined up. They just tried out Kanter for the sake of taking advantage of the fact at looking at him.
With the new offense the ideal picks would be
Knight/Kemba and Jimmer and I think the Jazz are going to do everything they can to land these. I’m starting to believe with Jimmer’s willingness and wanting to be here and the growing risk of him being taken by the Kings, the Jazz would even dive in and take him at #3. They have learned alot with the Deron situation that players WANTING to be here,co-operative players and level headed kids mixed with potential superstar talent are next to impossible in Utah and that is a something you can’t pass up and I agree. With the respect of this draft class for Jimmer, having him here AND succeeding would draw that class here in the future.
Also the Jazz are probably going to be looking to move Devin harris as they don’t see him as a future PG for this franchise.
I say give Harris and our #12 pick plus Golden states pick for their pick and see if maybe they will throw in a shooter. Draft Kemba/knight and Jimmer and develop the SWARM offense.
Millsap will be at the 3 alot and you can count on that, when that offense was run towards the end of the season it was successful. The team,coaches and Paul said it was a goal so expect it.
Kemba(Knight)/Jimmer/Watson
Hayward/Jimmer/CJ
Millsap/AK/Hayward
Favors/Millsap/Evans
Jefferson/Okur/Fesenko
that’s a lineup that can handle pretty much anything if you ask me
forgot to add Bell in my list
@Colby: KOC loves baseball and I think the Red Sox are his favorite team. With the workouts he is not only covering all his bases but I think he is throwing a lot of curves when you think a fastball is coming. I would not mind seeing Tyler or Mack on the Jazz. That would only happen with a trade. The Jazz have no second rounders. Also on Locke report he said Walker plays no defense. So many people are hammering Jimmer with that but no one has brought it up but Locke. I just hope they pass on all Euros since they already have two they are waiting on.
Locke says alot of things…..and about 80% of the time he turns out to be wrong.
Colby, Really, name some.. 80% I think that should be an easy one for you. Make sure that since he is wrong you show why, not just give an opposing opinion.. We can find opinions on both sides of every arguement. I dont always agree with LK, or Shockwave or whom ever, but there is a lot of common ground between us, and most of us attempt to back up our arguements. I am not picking on you, just when you make a claim like that, you should either back up your words, or expect people to stop reading anything you post since you will lose credibility.