Meet
Utah Jazz Starting 5
Posted by: Chase on September 10th, 2011
The author's views are entirely his or her own and may not reflect the views of the Utah Jazz.Coming into this season (if there is one) the Jazz coaching staff are going to have their work cut out for them. Do they start the veterans? Do they throw the rooks into the fire in hopes they’ll develop faster? or do they mix and match the two between the first and second teams? Personally, I believe it will be the later. One thing is for sure and that’s we MUST give a lot of minutes to the youngsters, especially Favors and Kanter, maybe even Burks. I’d like to see Alec get 15+ minutes a game. Below I’ve listed what I’d like to see be our starting 5 and their subs. Keep in mind that we have several players that can play 2-3 positions so there could be many variations.
1. D. Harris/Earl Watson
2. G. Hayward/A. Burks
3. Ak/Miles
4. Favors/Milsap
5. Jefferson/Kanter
What do you think?
Replies: 12
Views: 988
12 Responses
if there is one season, i agree with this line up. But Okur? He hasn’t plans to return? I don’t think so
@Guido-thanks for the reply. I’d like to see Okur get in some playing time, but more of as a situational type player. Possibly when we need his 3 point shooting or the threat of his shooting. This would allow his defender (which will mostly be the opposing teams anchor)
to come out and guard him, therefor allowing the potential for more scoring in the lane, which we all know is our bread and butter.
and Okur will definitely return. He’s under contract for about 10 mill. this season.
If I had to put down money on it, at least to begin the season, I would imagine this will be the starting lineup:
Devin Harris
Gordon Hayward
Paul Millsap
Derrick Favors
Al Jefferson
I see Miles, Kanter, and Burks getting significant minutes off the bench (and maybe Watson, if he resigns). I don’t see AK returning. Not once, but twice, this summer, he’s tried to latch on with a couple different teams in Europe, but the money just didn’t work out. He’s looking to move on, and I think the Jazz are as well. Time may prove me wrong, but we will see.
There is NO way that Paul Millsap isn’t a starter to begin the season (regardless of what happens with AK). He’s your team captain. He’s already stated he doesn’t want to return to bench duty. I, for one, think he meant it. Unless the Jazz trade Paul, he will be a starter.
I like what Jason says about Millsap at the SF spot. But I dont think he will start there. I bet the Jazz start:
Harris
Bell or CJ
Hayward
Millsap
Big Al
I then see them taking out Bell or CJ due to lack of production moving Hayward over to the 2 Sap over to the 3 and putting Favors in at the 4.
I also see Kanter and Burks getting 20+ min each off the bench so it wouldn’t surprise me at all if Bell and CJ got totally left out. But at the Start of the season I fully expect the jazz to have CJ or Bell start at the 2, then i expect changes down the road if they both struggle. (which I expect them both to.)
Oh and PAUL MILLSAP WILL START no matter what!
Hayward at the 2 and Millsap at the 3 proved to be too great at the end of the season last year to not go with it again.
Harris
Hayward Ginobbli
Millsap
Favors
Big Al
Backed up by
watson/Burks
Burks/Bell
Ak/CJ
Ak/Evans/Jefferson
Okur/Kanter
lot of possibilities to match up with what different teams can throw at us. We have line ups to match up against teams going big like the Lakers,outside shooting with a big in the middle(magic) or run and gun shooters(warriors). As long as the team can find the defensive flow and jive together fast to be able to adapt to these different situations we could be a very difficult team to deal with on the defensive end and at least match offensively
No way man the starting lineup will most likely be
1) Devin Harris
2) CJ Miles
3) Gordon Hayward
4) Al Jefferson
5) Enes Kanter.
Got to go big guys.
1 – Harris
2 – Hayward
3 – Miles
4 – Favors
5 – Jefferson
As much as I like Millsap he has to come off the bench, he will be the 6th man of the year for sure, he can play the three and four depending on foul trouble and the team were playing, Kanter can back up Favors and Big Al.
I don’t think Memo will be back to his old self and I can’t see the Jazz playing him much or even keeping him the whole season.
@Jason- Good call with the Sap starting. It’s definitely more likely that he starts. Do I necessarily believe that’s the best idea? now that’s a different story. He’d be a great 6th man. I just hate to see him play so many minutes. His body just doesn’t hold up well.
@Steve- I think Enes will get a lot of minutes but starting is pushing it, especially if there’s no preseason and training camps. Now starting later on in the year that’s a stronger possibility.
@Shaun- I agree with you on Memo. I believe he’ll be the one lost in the shuffle with all of our big men. If Utah can somehow unload his expiring contract for anything else I’d anticipate them to do so.
Chase got it right ak hasn’t tryed to get on any other teams he has made it clear it is utah or russia he isn’t goin any place else paul can’t play defence on a three and you have to give the 4 to favors so paul needs to come off the bench the 2 after watchin hayward handle kobe like he did I believe he has the speed to keep up with twos and his hieght really bugs a two guard you have no chioce but to give harris the point spot even though I wish he would play with the team more he doesn’t pass it enought and jefferson with kanter and okur backing him up is great I have 4to guys that have proven themselfs that they can play with the bigs in this league and a hig picked rookie so. Your set there I have to say I like this line up the most because we have the deepest bench with this line up I mean you can play 10 to 11 guys deep with this staring 5 the guys like cj and paul do great coming off the bench giving a spark to the team so chase got it right on the dot with his starting line up
Here is someone’s idea of the starting five from Alec Burke’s twitter account http://yfrog.com/h78t2qvqj
Jason, I’m with you, including C.J. Miles, Enes Kanter/ Alec Burks coming off the bench. Jeremy Evans is someone who isn’t mentioned too much these days but could surprise many, particularly, if he has improved his outside shooting/ball handling skills during this off season.
It’s too bad the players/owners have elected to drag out the new CBA negotiations… what a waste of time/money. bill, the lowly fan, is embarrassed for them. Fans like myself don’t appreciate this unnecessary, ridiculous, prolonged spectacle driven by greed/insatiable need to overpower the other – we’ll show them syndrome! Ego- megalomania anyone? Level heads expect results that are fair to both sides/you know, the irrelevant, forgotten fans who pay salaries/expenses.
Eventually, compromise has to prevail or we won’t have a 2011-2012 season or viable NBA. So why prolong the inevitable/needlessly hurt all the many innocent, hidden faces who work hard, earn a living/contribute to a successful NBA? See Dumb 101, it’s pure/simple… even an idiot should get this one. Bottom Line: Stop the BS/ get a deal done! Just my take.