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Corbin’s player development
Posted by: Jazzdependency on December 11th, 2012
The author's views are entirely his or her own and may not reflect the views of the Utah Jazz.There has obviously been so much said on this site about Corbin’s idea of player development. Most of it is negative and many Jazz fans seem to think they know better how to develop players in the NBA. I’m not saying that I know better than anyone else, and I know that I know less than Corbin for sure.
My argument is this: Kanter and Favors are developing great, in fact, I believe they are developing faster and better than expected. Giving a player the green light and minutes is one way to develop them…it has its pros and cons of course. Players in that environment will definitely put up huge numbers, but will they win? will they learn team play? … I think that history has shown that more often than not they will become Monta Ellis types, scoring machines with bad shot selection and no concept of team play. Its easy to see how Big Al became such a me-first guy in Minnesota without a coach to hold him back, and how hard it has been to break him of it.
To prove my point, lets take a look at the 2010 and 2011 draft classes and see where they are now.
2010: 1. John Wall, 2.Evan Turner, 3. Derrick Favors, 4. Wesley Johnson, 5. Demarcus Cousins, 6. Ekpe Udoh, 7.Greg Monroe, 8. Al Faroug Aminu 9.Gordon Hayward, 10.Paul George, 11. Cole Aldrich 12.Xavier Henry, 13.Ed Davis…
…Practically every player on this list has gotten alot more minutes than Favors so far, and most of them more than Hayward. On draft night Derrick Favors was supposed to be the most undeveloped player on this list. Being objective, is there any player on this list that is better than Derrick Favors right now? I say no … Same with Hayward, he is hands down better than the other wings on this list, maybe not Turner…Paul George is pretty decent but he is already showing signs of bad development….just another flashy ball-hog on a struggling team.
2011: 1.Irving 2.Derrick Williams, 3. Kanter, 4. Tristan Thompson, 5. Jonas Valiancuanas? 6. Jan Vesley 7.Bismack 8. Brandon Knight, 9. Kemba Walker, 10. Jimmer 11. Klay Thompson 12. Alec Burks 13. Morris 14. the other Morris
…same story, Irving is a beast and would have been great no matter where he went …everyone else on this list, is not as developed as Enes Kanter, period. And once again, on draft night, Enes Kanter was the big question mark of this group, he was said to be the least NBA ready and least developed. At this point Klay Thompson is ahead of Burks, but time will tell on that one … 3 out of 4 so far.
So, looking at Kanter and Favors specifically, how is it possible that the two least NBA ready players in either lottery class, are now the two best players in that class?… and in such a short time? Isn’t it possible, and plausible, that their coaching staff had something to do with it?
You may not like Corbin still, but it’s obvious by looking at the names from these drafts that playing time and touches are not the only way to develop a player. Maybe the players that get everything they want from day one don’t work as hard as players like Favors and Kanter have…
I suppose time will tell, what are your thoughts on player development?
Replies: 8
Views: 452
8 Responses
yup, you can definitely tell a difference with Kanter and Favors. I remember a few games back, Favors had the ball in the post, he faked HARD towards his left shoulder, came back to his right and shot a nice little fadeaway that left me quite impressed.
I know the hiring of Johnny Bryant as a player development coach has a lot to do with it, but Corbin deserves credit. These two guys have come a long ways offensively.
For me the thing where Corbin can improve the most, is putting the players in the best situation to succeed. He needs to understand his players strengths and weaknesses better than the players do, and then scheme according to that.
@jazzdependancy – I am a one of those in the anti – Corbin camp, but it is nice to see someone backing up what they are saying with some evidence. My only question is about whether the coach or assistant coach develops these areas of the players game. My biggest worry is the young players resigning after their current contracts expire.
I too am on the anti-Corbin side. I cant speak for everyone, as great as Kanter and Favors (even Hayward; Burks especially ) look, I still think they are underdeveloped, considering how great I think they can be. They have such high ceilings, but all these doubters and haters all we heard was that they arent ready, when even underdeveloped they are better than Al right now, and exclude last couple of games, better than Millsap.
#3 pick usually turn out to be championship superstars and most times at least multiple all stars–we have two of them and they back up Al??!! And Millsap.
Mj, Wilkins, Billups, Mayo, Pau Gasol,Penny Hardaway, Harden, Horford, Melo, DWill, Grant Hill, Kevin McHale
And all-around:
Burks >than Foye
Burks >>>>> Tinsley
Burks >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Watson.
Great article, thanks for writing it. Interesting points, my only question is: is it Corbin’s development system? Or more the jazz organization player development system? I think it’s been the same since jazz came to Utah.
To me its about talent ceiling and game speed. If you have a lottery pick the potential and talent should be there to work with. For the rookie year it should be about getting feet wet and getting adjusted to pro speed. Garbage minutes and games that they are hot. If the rookie has a pro skill that is working right away, then they should get into games to compete and work on the other elements. Example Klay Thompson, 3 pt shooter on offense. He is an asset on offense and he can stay in games with value while developing perimeter defense.
Kanter and Favors are #3 which means 85% chance of being stars. They came in with 2 pro skills working at the NBA level. Defense and rebounding. The organization should have been aware of their talent ceiling or not picked them in the first place. A #3 pick should be the calibur of player that you build a team around, especially if you dont have a star.
Favors and Kanter have already proven they should be built around, which means you do everything possible to maximize their talent before they hit prime. For contract reasons as well as knowing what other players to put around them. Example Thunder. Durant and Westbrook made them strong in the front court and offensively. So they add Perkins and Sefolosha who gives some defense.
Jazz should be close to that point right now. Favors and Kanter should be getting starter minutes. And why? Why play them when Al and Sap have starters stats? Because Al and Millsap are not going to be around or as productive at the projection time for Favors and Kanter to be title contenders.
We should be using their salaries on players that compliment the Front office choice of Favors and Kanter. We dont have to lose to develope them. We do need veteren scoring that will be more consistent than what young players usually produce. But it is absurd to block your 2 #3 picks of playing time with that vet scoring. TRADE. Get a Granger, Iggy, Gay, Hardin. Pieces that dont interfere with your 2 #3 picks.
It seems like we have the opposite roster of what would actually work for development. Get consistent vets behind Kanter and Favors that dont demand minutes like Elton Brand, or a stretch 4 that can shoot and produce on offense like Novak or Ryan Anderson.
Burks is racking up DNPs , so is Evans. We are invested in them or we shouldnt have picked them. These guys are not getting development. So they should be traded if not used. Put them in a package with Al and Millsap to clear a path to put pieces together that work with our #3 picks.
@ jazzed upon it. I agree favors and kanter deserve starter or more minutes, I don’t know if Corbin is entirely to blame, or If he is following “jazz protocol”?? Does that make sense?
I hear everyone blaming Corbin for not playing young talent enough ( and I agree) but looking at the history of how jazz develop young I think it’s bigger than Corbin.
@disco – the only way they are leaving is if they accept the gualifying offer like Ben Gordon did with the Bulls. Otherwise they will be restricted free agents and the Jazz can match any offer.
@omar -”#3 pick usually turn out to be championship superstars and most times at least multiple all stars–”
Adam Morrison, Ben Gordon, Mike Dunleavy, Darius Miles, Baron Davis, Raef LaFrentz, Christian Laettner, Billy Owens, Chris Jackson(Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf), Dennis Hopson, Chris Washburn, Benoit Benjamin …not exactly… only with proper development, which is less than half the time.
@jazzed uponit -”#3 which means 85% chance of being stars.” …see above, I’ll give you 40% stars. even #1 picks haven’t panned out 85% of the time. It all comes down to coaching and system development, which the Jazz are doing a fine job with.
@c-style(and everyone) – I also agree that Favors and Kanter deserve more minutes. I would love to see them both starting too. My argument isn’t against them starting and becoming the face of the franchise. My argument is against the idea that Corbin and Co. are not developing them into great players.
…thanks to everyone for the replies, I can’t wait to see what happens with the roster and minutes. We are coming up on dec.15, which will open up alot of trade possiblities for us and for other teams … its my hunch that something is coming down the trade pipeline for us. Favors and Kanter will get thier time, go jazz.