Meet
The BIG Lineup
Posted by: Jazzaholic on November 21st, 2012
The author's views are entirely his or her own and may not reflect the views of the Utah Jazz.The current “BIG” lineup is not doing as well as expected.
So, why not?
Only 2 games may be too soon to tell, or perhaps the Jazz have the wrong “BIG” lineup starting the game. Randy Foye has not done as well starting as hoped, but has played very well with the second unit. Gordon and Marvin have thrived with the second unit. The key to the “BIG” lineup is clearly Derrick Favors.
I think this would be our best “BIG” lineup.
PG: Mo Williams, 6′1″, EFF +15.09.
SG: Gordon Hayward, 6′8″, +12.25.
SF: Marvin Williams, 6′9″, EFF +10.7.
PF: Al Jefferson, 6′10″, EFF +21.8.
C: Derrick Favors, 6″10″, EFF 13.83.
From the small sample size of games I’ve seen, the small forward position seems to be the key problem. Perhaps the best “BIG” line up would be with Paul coming off the bench? He has a difficult time getting his own shot and guarding the 3 point line.
Paul is too small to guard most of the starting PFs and to slow to guard most starting SFs on the 3 point line.
If Paul were to come off the bench, against the 2nd string PF, he could be more productive on both offense and defense. This would allow the Junkyard Dog, DeMarre Carroll, to come in, play SF alongside Paul and cause havoc with the other team. Randy Foye would be there to shoot 3s and Enes gives the second team low post presence, rebounding and defense. Too bad Jamaal has lost his shooting touch. Perhaps Earl will give the second unit that punch and speed they need.
It’s too bad that our two young 6′6″ guards, Alec Burks and Kevin Murphy, aren’t playing better, getting more time and able to play the point. That extra size at PG would cause some real match up problems.
Because Big Al and Paul are on expiring contracts, if they are not in the starting lineup, they will probably not resign next year. Bring either one off the bench, even if they are finishing the game and getting their minutes, and kiss off any long term signing, because they will sign with a team where they can start.
At least the Jazz mostly have efficient players on the roster, as opposed to last year, with Toxic Raja, CJ and Howard gobbling up minutes, with little production.
Jazzaholic
Replies: 16
Views: 831
16 Responses
How about Mo, Gordy, Millsap, Favors… and Kanter?
And then KOC calls up David Kahn to find how to trick a team into trading for Jefferson, like he himself was suckered into doing?
I love Kanter!
Kanter and Favors on the floor generates a killer defense. Given the minutes, I’ll take Kanter over Big Al, for the salary difference. He just needs the time.
When the Jazz first drafted him, I thought, “Look at those other players they could have drafted.” Then, last year, I thought he’d be a bull in a china shop, with little skill and no vertical.
Did he ever prove me wrong!!!
Then, this year. I’ve never seen such improvement from year 1 to 2 in a player.
I’m just excited to watch Kanter and Favors develop.
If Dennis/Kevin play money ball with Paul or Big Al, which I hope they do, Enes is poised to make the most out of the minutes.
But, that being said, Big Al is more productive right now and I’d start him over Enes.
Hold that thought until after the trade deadline.
Jazzaholic
From SI
“They’ve assembled the deepest young frontcourt in the NBA with Paul Millsap, Al Jefferson, Enes Kanter and Derrick Favors, who is the most promising of them all. The problem is money. Millsap and Jefferson, both 27, are going to be free agents in the summer. Can the Jazz afford to maintain their frontcourt in an expensive market that will pay Millsap and Jefferson eight figures each per year? “The possibilities are always there,” said Dennis Lindsey, in his first year as GM of the Jazz. “Is it realistic? We’ll find out in time.” SI.com
They’ve assembled the deepest young frontcourt in the NBA with Paul Millsap, Al Jefferson, Enes Kanter and Derrick Favors, who is the most promising of them all. The problem is money. Millsap and Jefferson, both 27, are going to be free agents in the summer. Can the Jazz afford to maintain their frontcourt in an expensive market that will pay Millsap and Jefferson eight figures each per year? “The possibilities are always there,” said Dennis Lindsey, in his first year as GM of the Jazz. “Is it realistic? We’ll find out in time.” SI.com
Then again, they could lose both Jefferson and Millsap; or they could yet decide to keep Jefferson as a low-post complement to the athleticism of Favors. No matter what the Jazz do, the likelihood is that this problem will once again turn out to be a good thing for them. The rest of the league is dying for talented size, and it’s the team in Utah — the franchise that shouldn’t be able to compete — that has more young big men than it can afford. SI.com
The big issue about this is that Gordon was a lot better from the bench…. (forever on bench)
GO JAZZ GO!!
But, that may be due to playing without Big Al or Millsap impeding ball movement. If he’s playing with Favors, Marvin and no Millsap, does he get more touches and chances to create?
Marvin and Gordon have done better with the second unit.
I think they both play better with ball movement and Paul and Big Al tend to stop the ball.
Jazzaholic
The Jazz have put together a semblance of the most recent Pistons Championship team if not slightly better in certain positions
Ben Wallace – Favors Advantage Favors
Rasheed Wallace – Kanter Advantage Rasheed (for now)
Tayshaun Prince – Hayward or Marvin similar
Rip Hamilton – Burkes similar style
Chauncey Billups – Mo Williams – Advantage Billups
So why are we not playing this lineup? This team has potential it’s there, let them grow together, and pick up a few COMPLIMENTING additions along the way. As a fan I would rather fork out my hard earned money to watch this lineup then what the current product is, no matter the result.
Can we really wait till the deadline for a trade though? If you keep DNP Burkes or not getting the others the minutes they deserve why are they going to resign with the Jazz? Wouldn’t that be a kick in the a$$ to see Favors go back to Brooklyn along side DWILL…
That’s where Memo got his championship ring.
I think Rip was a lot better than Burkes is now. I’m not sure he will ever get to that level, but not playing him isn’t helping. If Ty isn’t going to play him, ship him off to the D League. If Pogo is still eligible, ship him off too. Let the kids get some PT.
It was defense that won that series over Peyton, Malone, Shaq and Kobe.
When Favors and Kanter are on the floor, the Jazz are at their defensive best.
Jazzaholic
Lol Taco!! And ya Jazz could have the Big D line up with Kanter. Kanter and Favors front court D combo looks phenomenal!!! I dont know what the numbers are, but just with the eye test, I bet that combi is holding teams to less than 35% shooting. Bet.
We all talk about how sorry Bell, CJ, and Howard were/are, but Corbin was the one giving them about 25 minutes per game EACH!! And subbed in Howard for Carroll. Not to mention at the expense of Burks development. Si what does that say about Corbins coaching and assessment of talent……..
I dont remember seeing a Favors, Millsap, Marvin, combination much, if it all. I think with Marvin and Millsap taking turns pulling their man out to the 3pt line the other team might be forced to play 3 bigs or give up easy 3’s on short defenders. Favors would also have lots of room for P&R’s or iso low post to use his athleticism.
@jazzed no way that can happen, Corbin won’t run plays for Favors. As I have said before, I like the idea of hayward playing time with the second unit, as it currently stands, as a point forward, similar to Lebron running the plays for Miami. That would allow the Burks/Foye back court and losing the Tinsley no shooting threat
I agree with Tyler, as we saw in the 2nd quarter of the Houston game, that 2nd unit was fun to watch, even if they weren’t to win every game because they hustle, play defense and make good things happen. I love the idea. I think we would be just fine if we got rid of big Al, Foye and Tinsley.
I am against getting rid of Burks because he is the one type of player all championship-calibur teams seem to have, a wing who can score in isolation, demand a double team and draw fouls (like a Dwade, Rip Hamilton, Derrick Rose, Paul Pierce). Without him or a top-notch point guard, I don’t think Favors/Kanter and Hayward could get us a championship, I think Burks has great potential, but he needs confidence shown to him and guidance. It would be fascinating to know what’s the relationship between him and the coaches and how they are trying to help him improve and what they want to see from him.
The Jazz won’t be able to keep both Big Al and Paul, due to the economics of the CBA.
They can work a trade, probably close to the trade deadline, with a team looking for a talented big. Probably some young players, picks or short term salary cap relief for the other team. Too bad they couldn’t get a 2nd round pick, at least, for Howard, Bell or CJ last year. They went to free agency, except Toxic Raja, and the Jazz got nothing.
But, even if they don’t do anything, which is just as possible, the Jazz hold their full Bird rights and can do a sign and trade with any team under the luxury tax apron.
Lots of teams may want them as free agents, but will only have the midlevel exemption to offer. In order to pay them more, which they both are worth, the Jazz can do a sign and trade and get back some value.
I would guess the best Jazz defensive team is Kanter, Favors, DeMarre, Gordon and Earl, when he gets back.
Jazzaholic
Here’s the entire SI article:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/ian_thomsen/11/21/utah-jazz-al-jefferson-paul-millsap-derrick-favors-enes-kanter/?xid=si_mostpopular
Jazzaholic
Ty should start Kanter against Cousins tonight. He just pushes Big Al around like a toy.
But…ain’t a gonna happen!
Jazzaholic
Ha ha good call! he put Kanter in for 2 seconds and Demarcas self destructed and got tossed!
Enes won’t back down.
Jazzaholic