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Game One Thoughts
Posted by: David J. Smith on November 2nd, 2012
The author's views are entirely his or her own and may not reflect the views of the Utah Jazz.It was exhilarating to once again welcome the Utah Jazz regular season. For Jazz fans, the feeling is akin to Christmas morning. And if game one was indicative, we are in for an exciting, fun season.
First off, here is my first regular season Instant Analysis for the Deseret News. This has my main impressions of our team’s opening performance.
Now, some additional thoughts:
- We knew it would be the case, but relentless rebounding will be a huge strength for us this year. In addition to the excellence of Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson, the improved effort and ability of Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter will help us even further. It has to be intimidating a bit, especially to an undermanned, undersized team like Dallas.
- The accelerated pace was thrilling. The best part about it: it wasn’t frantic and minus a few instances, was under control. Fastbreaks can really open things up, but I am also a big fan of early offense. One of the best things about John Stockton and Deron Williams was the way they would try to quickly assess things and if there was a good shot available, they facilitated this.
- With Mo Williams, Marvin Williams, Gordon Hayward, etc, we have a corps of guys who can and will run the floor. Our bigs are showing increased mobility in getting up and down.
- Much has been said about Alec Burks’ lack of playing time. I am a big Burks supporter and naturally want to see him get more burn. That said, I am trying to avoid the overreaction that always comes prematurely…both in regards to positive and not-so-positive trends. Let’s see how we sit after a few weeks.
- Jamaal Tinsley started out the preseason very well, but tailed off toward the end. Against Dallas, he had some nice moments, but also looked overmatched by the Mavs’ speedy point guard duo of Darren Collison and Roddy Beaubois. Now, I think JT can hold his own against most back-up PGs, but after Mo was tagged with the early fouls, he was pitted against Collison. It causes me to worry a bit about how we’ll fare if Mo gets injured.
- Marvin Williams was perhaps the most consistent player during the preseason and he kept it coming Wednesday. He got all his shots (except one early rushed three) smoothly within the context of our offensive schemes. I am always appreciative of guys who move well without the ball and work hard to put themselves in solid positions to score.
- Good outside shooting is a beautiful thing!
- I would love to see Coach Corbin pull the veterans a bit earlier in the cases of blowouts. After watching the unfortunate Taysom Hill incident, you can never be too careful. Additionally, every minute our young guys like Kevin Murphy and Jeremy Evans (not to mention Burks) can get is beneficial.
- There is already an excitement about this team. That third quarter outburst was punctuated by the players’ reactions: they were having fun, were very supportive of each other, and seem to have a unity already. A combination of vets and young guys, key additions, and a full training camp have got to be factors.
I don’t know about you, but I cannot wait for tonight’s game, our first roadie of the year. Go Jazz!
Follow me on Twitter at @davidjsmith1232.
Replies: 13
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13 Responses
Good post.. What I like is the difference between Marvin and last year Howard and CJ. A whole new world. This year much much better. In one game Mo is much better than Harris. Playing time will be adjustable all season. Being deep will help.
It is a whole new world, that’s for sure! And I agree…each of our new additions is a big upgrade on their counterparts from last year’s roster.
Great post David. I’ll add that Kanter looks like a new man. Dropping some weight has proven to be pretty amazing for his quickness and being light on his feet. He’s solid and I like his game so far this year.
Great post! It’ll be interesting to see how Corbin handles back to backs. I think it would be wise to get the young guys more minutes on the second night and rest the vets a bit. However, I don’t know if you can afford to do that against the Spurs tomorrow. I think Kanter and Favors could probably hold their own, but can a guy like Burks stay on the floor against the likes of Parker and Ginobili (if he plays)? I’ll be interested to see how it is handled.
Like you I worry about our back up PG situation. Mo is not going to play every game, he hasn’t done so for a long time. For all the plaudits that Jamaal got last year for coming in and laying in assist after assist when called upon he isn’t a scoring threat himself and he has a tendency to be easy prey for some PG’s. I also doubt he can move the game at tempo that Corbin wants to play at. Ideally I would like to see Bell and Tinsley packaged together for a young second string PG, but I doubt anyone wants Bell anymore, so I don’t see that happening.
I am excited about Marvin though. A number of times I saw him being there to pick up the pieces when Hayward was unable to finish a move of. Someone running with Hayward this season could make a huge difference to the points total at the end of the night.
Marvin seems to like the system that doesn’t involve ISO around Josh Smith. Presumably if we can keep Jefferson’s ISO game to a minimum Marvin and others will continue to benefit.
At the end of the second quarter, after getting back into the game and letting its slip away again I was worried how the team might react. If they can have the same reaction against full strength teams this could be a very exciting season to watch indeed.
I’m not concerned about Alec Burks at this stage. I want the team to win first. Minutes and egos come second. Last year I thought the balance in the team was wrong and I was all for Burks getting minutes. But now I think this is a solid team, and you have to play as a team member to get on it. Burks is a good player, but he plays an individual game, he needs to show that he can do unselfish team plays because everyone else can and is. If he was a less individual focused player he could be our 3rd string PG but right now for all his talent he is too individual orientated to be trusted there.
I like Alec as a penetrative SG, but he needs to develop a jump shot to be truly effective. Ideally he will become more selfless team wise as time goes on but its not necessary he can still be a valuable player to have on the roster if he develops a jump shot. His speed, athleticism and talent are excellent but of the four Favors, Hayward, and Kanter he risks being the odd man out if he doesn’t develop that jump shot in the time that he is here. I would hate to see him go to another team but he could be a valuable trade piece if his development does not go as planned. Some teams will always be on the lookout for a fast athletic scorer, and the fact is he is becoming predictable. Teams are looking to foul him when he goes to the basket, and although he is a great scorer from the free throw line for such a young guy going to the line so oven is limiting his effectiveness. However if he starts going to the free throw line after finishing off the move his effectiveness to the team will be scary good, especially if he develops a jumper. He’s one of those players who could go either way, he could be the best of the four, or the most expendable but great trade bait.
I do like what Kanter has brought to his game this summer. I was hoping he would score more than 6 Points and have more than 6 rebounds but considering he spent so much time off the floor he still had an impact. He might have been the one with the stitches but he bruised and battered the Dallas defense and I think he got in their heads so much so that he had them softened up before the Jazz went on their 37 – 13 run in the 3rd quarter. Last year I was worried about Kanter, with the lack of college career, and the lockout and generally just looking a little shy at times I thought we might have overreached with the 3rd pick but he looks like he is eager to breakout if given the chance to do so.
@A.G.
I kind of feel the opposite. I think young guys play better at home, and veterans win games for you on the road, so I’d skew my rotations that way if I were Ty.
Although I do think putting Favors on Duncan is a much better idea than Jefferson v. Duncan (exhibit A: last years sweep at the hands of the Spurs).
AND, if you’re up by 16 in the fourth, put in the young guys! Burks, Evans, Murphy, Kanter.
Great post.
I know that Kanter was out for a bit with the cut on his chin, but I think it is inexcusable to be playing Favors and Kanter less than 20 minutes a game. Favors had 10 rebounds in 18 minutes, if he had played the number of minutes the Millsap got he would have had 18 rebounds and 11 points. He would have had more rebounds, equivalent scoring and is a FAR SUPERIOR defender. Everybody is happy when we are winning, but Favors and Kanter are not going to be happy when we lose, because they know that they can do better.
We were able to blow out a Dirk less Mavericks team, but I worry that it would have been a bit of a different story with Dirk there. Tinsley isn’t going to be able to carry the load at backup PG. In my view that is where Burks needs to find minutes.
@ KC
I see what you’re saying. I also agree that young players play better at home. I just feel that if we can keep our veterans as fresh as possible we’ll have a better chance at winning night in and night out. I was thinking about it and maybe he should play the young guys more minutes tonight against a weaker Hornets team and rest the veterans a little more for tomorrow’s game. I guess it all depends on how well the team plays though. If guys like Kanter, Favors, and Burks can’t make an impact on the game Corbin’s hand is forced into playing the other guys.
Totally agree that we should keep the veterans fresh, and we’re lucky to have the luxury of talented depth to actually do it. I’m really excited for our team and shouldn’t be nitpicking that Burks got 2 minutes instead of 12 as I’m sure he’ll get his opportunities over this season.
Thanks so much for this David, I was doing the Halloween thing with the kids and missed parts of this game. I have almost nothing to complain about in this game. I thought Ty did a great job and am not going to criticize rotations and player minutes after a win over a good team. Like you, my only concern is back-up point guard and I wonder if/when Earl comes back he can play up to his efforts from last season. Thanks again for these updates.
Yes – even Karl Malone, on National TV, is of the opinion that BURKS can become our PG of the future. Hope he has taken notes and learn from MO Williams this year. Then, perhaps during the All Star Break and/or Summer Time, that he will visit STOCKTON in his home on Washington and learn the PG Ropes from the Master. That is my wish for him to do. If that will happen, that is a dream come true for all Jazz Fanz!
i am very interested to see how Corbin handles the Spurs game. will he learn from the sweep or will he persist in believing Jefferson can match up against Duncan.
I agree with everyone about the back-up PG spot. I also really like Murphy, any kid who can come on cold for bugger all minutes and look like he fits in, is doing well in my books.
Excellent thoughts everyone! I appreciate the interactions. Love how passionate and knowledgeable Jazz fans are. Despite last night’s set-back, this will be an exciting season!