SLAM magazine 2012-3 predictions

Posted by: Dave Leeky on November 3rd, 2012

The author's views are entirely his or her own and may not reflect the views of the Utah Jazz.

Ok, so just read the Jazz’s 2012-3 prediction in SLAM.

Chris Webber has the Jazz at 9th in the West.

1 OKC
2 LAL
3 SAS
4 MPH
5 LAC
6 DEN
7 DAL
8 MIN
9 JAZZ
10 POR
11 GLS
12 HOU
13 SAC
14 PHO
15 NOH

His justification???

“Their brand is so good – Utah Jazz always played hard and didn’t lose games at home. But last year it didn’t seem like they played with the same character as past Jazz teams. I expect them to go back to that gritty play they once played with”

I’m not sure I get this. I thought the Jazz played hard almost every night last year, if they didn’t they would have most certainly not made the playoffs. Equally, then, if Webber thinks the Jazz will be better this year, why are we sitting outside the playoffs this year? I know the West is stacked, but his argument make no sense!

Replies: 4

 

Views: 339

4 Responses

1. Dallan Forsyth says:

   November 3, 2012 at 10:36 am

   Al Jefferson
2. Ben Williams says:

   November 3, 2012 at 11:47 pm

   Jefferson does carry with him a lot of the weaknesses on this team, but he is the only big on our entire roster who can score in the paint. And at this point, there’s no argument. Favors and kanter are terribly inconsistent still, and Millsap just can’t.

   If you trade Jefferson, at this point, you need to drastically change your offense. And for a team that relies heavily on pounding the paint- trading the only player who can score at will inside could be dangerous.
3. Jazzed uponit says:

   November 4, 2012 at 1:19 pm

   Bens right.

   If its possible to package something for a player that can score inside along with draft picks for the both of Al and Paul. Jazz should jump on it. Paul and Al are productive but if Paul doesnt want to stay and every team can just dominate us offensively with P&R when Al is in, then that is a necessary improvement to make during this season IMO.
4. Dustin Flanary says:

   November 4, 2012 at 1:29 pm

   I think we can definitely let Jefferson go. We want to play uptempo (and we can) but that doesn’t suit Al at all. If we trade him we can start Favors and really start to run! We also need to let a wing go so we can get Burks in or start playing Marvin at the 4 if we let Big Al go and do PnR with Favors and Mo or Favors and Hayward, etc.