Meet
Traded in the snow for the sand…
Posted by: jason michael crannell on August 19th, 2012
The author's views are entirely his or her own and may not reflect the views of the Utah Jazz.“I’M TAKING MY GAME TO DAYTONA BEACH”
Jason Michael Crannell
Hello fellow Jazz fans.
Well…here I am in Florida…Port Orange to be exact (about 10 minutes south of Daytona Beach). I had a home in Utah, and here in Florida I have a glorified trailer. But, it’s worth it to be closer to my seven year old grandson (and other family). And, I’m only a few minutes from the beautiful beach. I will be posting stories, and photos on my Facebook page about all my adventures in Florida as the days, weeks, and months go by, so feel free to become a friend, and share in my journey.
I did pay up the nose to get the most expensive premier package on Directv, in order to watch all the Jazz games on Root Sports this coming season. Hopefully, there won’t be any hitches.
A few quick thoughts on the Jazz.
Alec Burks is not a point guard…he doesn’t have the right mentality for it. His natural position is shooting guard, and that’s where he should see the bulk of his time.
I also believe that Marvin Williams will be the real deal at small forward for many years in Utah (unless the Jazz lose him in free agency when his deal is up).
Gordon Hayward will swing between the shooting guard (his best position), and small forward. Just like the Jazz are going to need to make a decision between Paul and Al in the near future, a decision will also need to be made concerning Gordon and Alec. I think at some point, both guys will demand a starting position, and neither will be very happy to settle for bench duty. One or the other will need to be traded (along with Big Al?) in order to bring in a top notch point guard for the future. It would create a better balance for the team. Mo Williams is capable of holding down the fort for a season or two, but he isn’t the long term answer the team needs in order to become a championship contender.
If you had to choose between Burks or Hayward, moving forward, which would you take?
Possible future starters:
Enes Kanter – center
Derrick Favors – power forward
Marvin Williams – small forward
Gordon Hayward/Alec Burks – shooting guard
??? – point guard
Replies: 18
Views: 835
18 Responses
While Burks is a good player, is a easy choice and Hayward wins every time. If Utah build a good team Burks might be happy to come of the bench.
Harden is one of the shooting guards in the league and he is happy to take less money and come of the bench for the Thunder.
Gordon Hayward over Burks any day of the week. Gordon’s defense is top notch. With Hayward and Favors in the starting lineup we always have that anchor of defense at the 2,4 & 5 positions. He can also defend the 3, but the way he can shut down starting 2s.
I’ve always said Burks is not a point guard. He’s a shooting guard who can’t shoot. He’s amazing at penetrating defenses and getting to the rim, he’s an outstanding athlete, and he very good at getting to the line. But his jumper is pretty awful. Most importantly, he shows great reluctance to pass.
Burks has a lot of athletic talent, and is an exciting player to watch. But a distributor and floor general? No freaking way.
U mean trade big Al for a pg?
That would be cool.
Burks jumper is not bad at all. Its just his game is in driving so you dont see too many jumpers. Its there just hasn’t used it enough.
Rookie seasons:
Russell Westbrook: FG 40%; 3PT 27%
Tony Parker: FG 42%; 3PT 32%
James Harden: FG 40%; 3PT 37%
Manu Ginobili: FG 44%; 3PT 34%
Dwayne Wade: FG 46%; 3PT 30%
Alec Burks: FG 43%; 3PT 33%
Burks shot a better FG% than Westbrook, Parker, and Harden.
Burks shot a better 3PT% than Westbrook, Parker, and Wade.
Basically, Burks shot better from the field and three than the PG on the two best trams in the West in their rookie seasons. Burks can shoot well enough, and with an actual off-season with technical coaching those numbers are just going to get better. Hes rookie numbets are better than champions and All Stars. HUGE mistake trading him. I try and find a way to play both Burks and Hayward, thats the future. So naturally, Hayward has to move to the 3 permanently, or Burks to the PG. I think Burks at the PG is a huge advantage.
@Omar: Interesting stats u show!!! almost Manu Ginobili ones…
The point is, given him more minutes on court this year i mean, almost 20 and i think he could have it.
You guys remember a guy named CJ Miles? Used to play for us. Anyway, he never met a jumper he didn’t like. He had the athleticism to take it to the hole every time, but he didn’t. He settled for jumpers and fadeaway threes. Burks is already head and shoulders past CJ Miles because he takes it to the hole. Now, he just needs to add the open three-ball to counter his drives and a better passing game to keep defenses honest and he’ll be just as good as Harden, and/or a poor man’s version of Dwyane Wade.
@Dean
Harden is still on his rookie contract and has yet to sign an extension. Hence all the talk about the difficulty of being able to keep Westbrook, Durant, Ibaka (who just signed his extension), and Harden on the same team and if the Thunder are willing to go over the tax. It is yet to be seen if he will be happy coming off the bench and taking less money. My bet is no.
Also, one more thought. I think ideally you want a three-man rotation for your bigs, a three-man rotation for your wings, and a 2-man rotation for PG.
Bigs: Kanter, Favors, Millsap
Wings: Burks, Hayward, Ma-Will
PG: Mo-Will, Foye
If you can assemble an 8-man core like that that can learn and grow together and get the majority of the playing time, I see us contending for a long time.
Obviously, upgrading any of those guys into a better player and/or adding depth and versatility would be an additional bonus.
@NA Harden has already said he would take less money and come of the bench. I know some players just use “media talk” but he has a chance to be part of a Championship team so I can see him staying. He wouldn’t be the first person to sit on the bench would could start elsewhere.
It would be a terrible idea to trade Burks. But for the question of Hayward or Burks, its simple
@KC, that rotation is fire! I pray thats the rotation. Each player can guard at least 2 positions to more, and play 2 positions or more. U can mix and match about any combination of those 8 players and never be at a disadvantage, and probably have a significant advantage with some combos. I think the backup backcourt of Foye and Burks will be lethal! Playing to combo guards simultaneously, will be fun to watch. I dont see one single defensive liability in that 8 man rotation….and with Evans and Carroll as depth, Jazz can be a top 5 defense.
The coolest part of that 8 man rotation, is if someone gets injured, there’s others to step in and provide their own specialty (like Omar mentioned). Carroll and Evans provide the insane hustle and effort. Carroll adds great D and Evans adds an entirely new set of offensive explosion (at the rim of course).
Does anyone think that Kevin Murphy gets a spot on the roster. If he does he is likely going to the D league. I think he will make it but Jazz have to many players right now for him to get any time.
Good post, I feel like Haywards BB IQ and defense are elite. it would be safe to build around him and I think we are. Hayward and Favors together will be significant. Burkes cant be counted out. I wasnt impressed with his team play in summer league when his shot cooled off. But Burkes can score.
I think Hayward should be a halfcourt floor general. with his decision making, height, exceptional handles and passing he is a unique player if used right on offense. our plays sets should start after the ball gets in his hands. With the 3pt shooting talent added especially at PG with Mo and Foye, Hayward would be prime to be the guy getting the ball to the right person at the right time freeing up Mo and Foye to slash or setup for shots.
I love how all the fans legitimately see how our offense should be ran with our players we have and the coaching staff just does some random crap and our team woukd be way better if we actually had a better offense based off of our defense and then on cuts and pick and roll. WHAT A JOKE!
Just a comment i think hayward is better as a sf and, i agree anyday of the week right now hayward over burks for this season season after might be a diffrent story the kid has alot of potential. He has similar if not better stats then hayward in his rookie season. I do agree with williams having a breakout year this year and, i could see foye taking over the starting pg spot from williams this year. A lot of jazz fans may not agree with me but, foye i believe is a better passer and could run are offense better once he gets use to it
@ Trevor, Burks and Hayward’s Rookie season stats might be similar but their defense is worlds apart.
Dean some players are on a team for defence others for an offensive spark others for hussle. Diffrent players play diffrent roles burks can put the ball in the bucket hayward can do a bit of everything. You need both on the team to be successful. Hayward will have a better career i believe but, i can se burks having a higher scoring average.