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Who Am I?
Posted by: Ben S. on March 18th, 2011
The author's views are entirely his or her own and may not reflect the views of the Utah Jazz.I’ve gone through some drastic changes the last 5 months. Some for better, some for worse. I started brushing my teeth. I quit napping during church. I share the toys I get out of cereal boxes with my kids. I’ve switched to boxer briefs. I try not to say “dude” and “man” so much. I drink from the milk carton. I’ll use a tee in the middle of the fairway. I conserve water by only flushing the toilet once at the end of each day. I watched an American Idol episode. I quit drinking soda (dude-it was an awful 2 days). Who am I and what have I become? I’ve also changed my approach to how I follow the Jazz. It’s likely you have too. When I watch a game, no longer is a win the most important thing to me. Sure, it’s nice to get one, but my expectations for the Jazz have been shifted from making a post-season run to playing hard, showing improvement, and seeing players develop their skills. I also look for things that make the game more fun to watch even if the Jazz are down by 20. I still get excited about each game but because I’m so optimistic and curious about the future of this team, I find myself already looking forward to next year. Here’s a few things I do and look for during games:
-Identity. I’ve heard Coach Corbin say how he wants to make the Jazz an up-tempo team with a tough, defensive mentality. Easier said than done. The best example of a team that successfully pulled that off was the Showtime Lakers from back in the 80’s which had multiple hall-of-famers. I know other teams have tried, but usually they end up being up-tempo or defensive minded. Not both.
-Derrick Favors. I’m trying to not get my hopes up too high for this kid but man, it’s tough not to. He’s freakishly gifted. If he has any kind of work ethic at all, we’re in for a treat. I like to mentally chart the different ways he scores. Is it off a set play? Does he turn and face? Does he prefer one side of the key over the other? How is he on pick-n-rolls? Does he show signs of developing a consistent jumper? Does he run the floor? I find myself watching his every move. It’s borderline creepy. By next season he will be the best defensive big man on the team.
-Gordon Hayward. I can’t believe how many people have already given up on him. I’ll admit I didn’t like the draft pick but I’ve seen enough promise in limited minutes from GH that I’m confident he will be a solid starter and key contributor. He doesn’t have the crazy upside like I see in Favors, and he looks like the dude working the drive-thru at Taco Bell, but I expect him to be pretty good.
-Al Jefferson. He’s had all these fantastic games lately but usually in a losing cause. I think it’s been wearing on him. That’s a good thing. Him showing determination answers some of the questions I had about him when he came over in the trade. He’s scoring and rebounding and man, it’s nice to have a shot-blocking center. Making the right pass out of the post is what I’m looking for the most from Big Al.
-Ty Corbin. I love his energy on the sideline. How cool was that to see him get his first “T” the other night? It looks like he is living and dying with each possession. I imagine he’ll settle down a bit next season because there is no way he could keep that pace for all 82 games. One thing I would like to see him change is his expression when he’s upset with the refs. Instead of using the “Are you kidding me?” grimace that he currently uses, He should adopt the “I’m gonna kill you” scowl of Jerry Sloan or Frank Martin or Jimmer. I’m confident Coach Corbin will eventually develop a good “mean mug”.
Random……….
….Watching CJ drop 40 on the 76ers the other night was awesome. I love watching scorers heat up. But my favorite moment of the game was when AK stole a jump ball (like only he would do).He then tipped it out to Raja who turned back the clock and finished with a sweet jam; a 2 hand leaner full of all sorts of attitude, frustration, and nastiness. The only thing that could have made it better is if there happened to be a Hundai parked in the paint for him to jump over.
….I don’t know how you could do this to the guy but I think I’d like to see Milsap come off the bench again. It would be morally wrong but starting Favors and having Paul back up him and Al would work well.
Replies: 13
Views: 750
13 Responses
I agree with almost everything you said. Excitement and signs of life and what the future holds, thats what keeps me glued. I find myself only dissapointed with one thing you said, Favors starting over Milsap. Milsap has earned his spot. I think that if just given to Favors, you are not doing the kid any favors (no pun inteded). His mentality wont be of working hard to earn it day in and out, never is for a kid who is handed something without having something vested. Of course Milsap would still come out and play, but it would play on his mind as well. I think once Favors earns the spot, Milsap will gladly give up the starting role, and probably cheer him on. Short of that it was a wonerful post.
Maybe its just me, but it seems Milsap has fallen off a bit defensively, and the second unit needs a scorer with Miles taking Raja’s spot. Paul has earned a starting spot with this team. I love him, he is the MAN. But i think Favors would benefit a ton from playing as a starter, with those guys that know how to move the ball more effectively, and get him touches, and i’ll bet it’s helping his comfort on the floor playing alongside the only familiar face here in Utah in his rookie season. He still has some way to go defensively, but his size and athleticism have already advanced him beyond his years. He does have a tendency to get two fouls pretty quick, but lets not forget who is #5 in the NBA this year in fouls per game(I’ll save you the time, it’s Milsap).
Bringing Milsap off the bench is not a slap in the face(as Raja seemed to take it). It doesnt mean that he’s a subpar player either. It’s just a matter of what is going to give the team the best chance to win. There are lots of players in the NBA that are worthy of starting but they come off the bench; Lamar Odom, JR Smith, Raymond Felton, Kosta Koufos(haha jk).
Ben, I too find myself giddy with excitement as I watch Derrick Favors. He has the market cornered on potential. I also think Devin Harris is going to be fantastic. He’s already doing well, but wait until he understands his personnel and the full spread of offensive sets. A lot of positives in Jazz land. So glad to be able to say that again!
Let’s face it once again and be cold-minded: we are overloaded at PF. Starting Favors over Millsap is just a matter of time. If Millsap is not pleased with this situation, trading him will also be a matter of time.
So I just hope Paul is going to understand the situation, make his own criticism (and, yes John, I also have the impression that Millsap has had some inconsistencies), and get back to work. A 3-man rotation of Millsap-Favors-Jefferson, plus an oversized SF (AK), plus an oversized SG (CJ) is a good way to adress length and rebounding issues.
I don’t mind players like Paul and Derrick giving up fouls. I would rather a team earn their points at the line than have 2 easy points in the paint. Not enough players in the Jazz uniform this year have made it difficult for the opposing teams to earn their points. This seems to be a season where team after team has been able to get easy points against the Jazz. There is a perceived weakness out there that the Jazz are vulnerable so I don’t mind players fouling, its the style of fouls that have frustrated me. Too many players in the team either don’t contest shots at all or they foul weakly, the player gets his two points and then gets an extra free shot. I could handle a few more players doing what Paul and Derrick do, getting a couple of fouls in quick succession and getting some bench time as long as they stopped the opposition scoring in the process. Maybe then the Jazz wouldn’t look so weak and teams would have second thoughts about their chances of success.
As for Favors taking over from Milsap, I see so much potential in that boy but I’m not sure he’s ready to take over just yet. He’s exciting to watch for sure, but Paul does bring a lot to the team. He might not have rehit the heights of Miami but the team has a whole (excluding Al) has fallen since then and he does a good job of being there to help Al split the offense. Favors has some time to go before he can say the same. That said the injury to Paul might be a blessing in disguise as it is giving Favors (and CJ) some minutes that can only help his progress.
It’s take the Jazz time to get more options on the bench. I don’t see it being a case of keeping Paul in the team at the expense of Favors development, or Favors being the future and Ball being waved off to another team. We need both if the Jazz are to be successful. They both have fight, they both can score, Paul looks like he has more range at the moment, but Favors will improve in that regard, and both can grab the ball offensively and in defense. We need them both. I’d like to see them compete and provide competition for one another, then the coach can decide which game suits which player.
I would agree with Henri. Favors is still young and probably growing. He could handle both center and PF positions. A rotation of Favors, Sap, and AL would be good. 32 min each or whatever. AL has been worked too hard and so has Sap so this would be good for all of them. Throw in a backup for 6-8 minutes would be even better. Remember on the Nets Favors was not getting too many minutes so he is still developing.
Ben, I commend you on your water conservation. Way to do your part. And I’m with you on big Al’s is rebounding. He & Sap are the best rebounders on the team but Hayward has the best technique. I love watching him fight, and box out for boards.
I’ve wanted to see a bigger starting 5 all season. I’m glad CJ is finally starting at the 2.
@Patrick, I see what you’re saying and almost agree… and if Favors showed any signs of complacently I’d take him out of the starting lineup quick. But starting DF with Sap off the bench has too much promise.
You guys seem to think the only way to develop a guy is to have him start. That just isnt so. Many guys coming off the bench get plenty of minutes and still have playing time with the starters.. When Favors reaches a point that he earns his way into the starting line up, I am sure Milsap will not mind, since even coming off the bench he will get his minutes.. But you have to earn it, or it means nothing. You cant have it given to you because of a decent showing, and you were the 3rd pick… We want to develop Favors and build a winning team, you have to do it right..
You cant go wrong with Sap or Favors starting. However I remember the Mailman being given the starting job halfway through his rookie year and his game took off. That was my favorite Jazz starting 5 ever: Malone, Dantley, Eaton, Griffith, Stockton. Whether or not Paul goes to the bench this year or next, I don’t think he’ll be happy about it but he’s such a team guy I think he’ll accept it. He will still get plenty of minutes, probably finish a lot of games, and it will prolong his career. What a luxury it is to have a guy like Paul coming off the bench. I agree with Steven about Sap and Raja playing important roles in the future. Both team leaders for all these young guys. I keep having to remind myself to be patient with Favors because he’s so young.
It’s an exciting future, and fun to watch them develop right now, even if you’re rooting for more ping-pong balls.
Favors should be starting, because of his height and length. Bring Milli off the bench, where he has better matchups. Ty can still play him as many minutes, but, unfortunately, Ty is too “old school”, on starting the youngsters, unless injuries force him to do so. I hope I’m wrong! We’ll see Sunday.
Jazzaholic
A tee in the middle of a fairway? That’s low. Malone,Dantley, Eaton, Griffith, and Stockton all in their primes would have been an awesome starting 5.
@ Ben S. I enjoyed your post. I too have changed my attitude and expectations this season, but am looking forward to the future. However I think I’m with Patrick and Steven. I think Sap should start for now. What I would like to see though is Ty holding Sap and Al accountable for defense and rebounding. If they’re not fighting on D, i’d like to see Favors put in, and same goes for Favors. That sends the message that you better play D or else we got someone else that will. Frankly the Jazz haven’t held players accountable, starting with Booz, then Al and even Sap. One thing is for sure: Favors needs minutes and is already a good post defender. He keeps working and he’ll earn the starting spot.
Solid take on the jazz ben. I would be happy to see Millsap come off the bench, and to those who don’t think it is a good idea, let’s not confuse big contracts with deserving to start. Millsap is overpaid right now and needs to do more, and I only say that because he can.