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Logjam? But at Which Position?
Posted by: Shane on December 2nd, 2011
The author's views are entirely his or her own and may not reflect the views of the Utah Jazz.We talk a lot about a logjam with our big men….Jefferson, Milsap, Favors, Okur, Kanter, Evans. How are they all going to get time? I would argue that is not a huge concern for the Jazz at this point, that will play itself out as the season progresses. The bigger concern could be at the 2 spot. Under contract now (or soon to be) we have Bell, Miles, Hayward, and Burks. Something has to give.
Some say that Hayward is really a 3, I would argue he would be tremendous at the 2 spot. I think his outside shot is good enough for it, and it would be nice to have that kind of length on the perimeter on defense. However, given the number of guys we have at this spot, I think Gordon will continue to play more 3 this year. And what about Bell and Miles? Are these the two guys on the roster that are most at risk of being traded? I like both guys, but personally I wouldn’t mind seeing either one shipped out, maybe to bring in another guy at the 3 or a solid backup PG. There’s a lot of positive talk about Burks, but at this point, its going to be a struggle for playing time with the others still in the mix. I’m interested to see if the Jazz try out Burks at the point…..time will tell.
If it were up to me, I’d be actively shopping Bell. I’m sure his market value is low, but I think he needs to be moved. If his perceived value is too low, maybe Miles is the guy we shop more heavily.
Thoughts?
Replies: 9
Views: 318
9 Responses
Im all for losing Bell and Miles too. They just arent as productive as we need for a young team. Miles is too inconsistent. Bell played washed up by the end of the season. I like Hayward at point and Burke at 2 purely for speed reasons on a fastbreak. And Burke should be able to finish at the rim well in traffic. Hayward at point because of decision making abilities. Hes also any easy target for an outlet pass.
If jazz dont make any trades before tip off (slc trib. saying nothing really going on with player trades), one theory might be some good practices with bigs against each other and find out what kind of value each one has. Its been awhile for Okur and Enes still unproven but should give them all a run for their money. Then decide who to put on the market, there might be better options later in the season anyway
What better asset to have is a bench full of big men in a shortened, compressed season?
Start the young guys on the 2nd (or 3rd!) night of back-to-backs and rest the older guys.
I’m giddy for this season
I think Bell and Miles are both trade bait. How about them for Brandon Knight?? Here you go Patrick.
You listed all of the SG’s and the SF’s for the logjam that you say we have at SG. Miles is a SF (a backup SF, but a SF nonetheless), Bell is a backup SG, so that leaves us with two players for two positions (Unless you say that Millsap and Evans are SF’s, which I think they are). Hayward is great as a SG, and I know that KOC has said that he prefers Hayward as a SG, but unless Millsap and/or Evans are moved to SF or a move is made to aquire a new SF then Hayward will end up playing SF by default as Burks plays SG.
All I have to say is if bell starts over Hayward I will be pretty upset. I like Hayward at the two but if they want cj starting there instead of the 3 I’m ok with that. 2 and 3 in jazz system is pretty similar. Just changes who you guard and that switches up between the positions also. I just don’t think raja has done enough to start over Hayward.
I also think that it will be hard to keep burks off the court. He is a great player with similar abilities as Hayward. If he is contributing when he gets in then I think we will see raja dumped before the trade deadline.
not a bad ifea L.K.
I meant idea
KC Jones +1…keep the big men…all of them…CJ and Hayward and Millsap and maybe Evans can play the 3 depending on going big or small. Bell needs to go…liked the signing but too long of contract for injury bug and the attitude has gotten bad. CJ=INCONSISTENT and will be gone if he has a better than avg year. Wish we had Mathews back. Portland lucked out overpaying him w/Roy injuries. Need a good PG backup and better 3pt shooting from the 1,2, and 3. Hopefully Memo will help in that dept. and Tutor Kanter….Please be healthy MEMO!!!
I’m excited to see CJ play this… He actually has dropped a bunch of weight and is in the best shape of his life, and that shows me he’s taking this year seriously. I don’t care if he has his highest point average of his career, all i ask from him is that it be a consistent level of play each night.
Burks is our future tho… I believe he has the mentality to take over that 2 guard spot this year. He is everything we have been in need of at that spot… a long athletic slasher and a good defender! He has a good shot, he’ll hit the open 3 and with time he’ll develop the total offensive package.
Hayward is gonna be our 3, he has the overall game you need from a small forward! He can rebound, dribble, pass, shoot, everything..