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More Rotation; Likely Invites to Training Camp
Posted by: JC on September 21st, 2010
The author's views are entirely his or her own and may not reflect the views of the Utah Jazz.I finished this blog before an apparent signing of Earl Watson, rather than scrap it, I’ll put NEW notes in blue, and cross out old info…
Taking a look at our current SG/ PG rotation, I was struck by what seems to be a need for more depth in both spots. Should the Jazz look for a hybrid guard, someone that can be a change of pace guy, handle the ball, score etc., or look to more traditional roles in each position?
Word on the street is that Earl Watson will be getting a training camp invite WAS SIGNED, but, is it worth taking a flyer on someone else for the sake of depth and competition, a guy named Patrick Beverly for instance could be nice for a training camp shakeup. Not only could he provide even more competition for PG depth, but maybe even some more depth fill some shoes in the SG department (though at 6-1 he is a Jason Terry height guy. But hey, how’s that working out for Dallas? Pretty good…)
Another side note: in the financial aspect of things as he could get his contract bought out by the Miami Heat, making him an uber-cheap acquisition possibility for the Utah Jazz. Forced to play overseas last year, I’m feeling like he is a hybrid guard that can bring you the same excitement as Ronnie Price, just more scoring upside.
The Miami Heat have 15 players with guaranteed contracts for this season and three others — Kenny Hasbrouck, Shavlik Randolph and rookie Da’Sean Butler — with partially guaranteed deals. Butler is expected to get the 15th and final spot on the roster which means that one of the players with a guaranteed deal must be waived or traded. Will that player be rookie Patrick Beverley, who signed a two-year guaranteed minimum contract?
“Yes,” writes Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. “From the start, I have viewed the Heat’s payment to Beverley as a thank you for agreeing to spend last season in Europe when the Heat was into the luxury tax (and therefore would have had to take a one-season hit for Beverley with the money it now will pay him over two seasons). With Butler, the Heat seems to be going to great lengths with a player who still has a long way to go in his rehab. Butler could be something special. Based on summer league, even in such a small sample, I’m not sure the same can be said for Beverley.”
More on Patrick Beverly: He was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2009 NBA Draft and then traded to the Miami Heat for a future 2011 second round draft pick and an undisclosed amount of cash. Beverly played collegiality for two seasons (2006–08) at the University of Arkansas Razorbacks, leaving the team as a sophomore to play in Europe.
In the 2008–09 season, he played in the Ukrainian Second Division, and in 2009-10 he played in the Greek A1 League with Olympiacos Piraeus.
His averages overseas were: 16.9 ppg / 7 rpg / 3.6 apg / 2.2 spg
Vitals: 6-1 / 180
During the 2010 NBA Summer League, he had a lack-luster outing with the Miami Heat, averaging just 5.8 ppg / 4.8 rpg / 1.8 apg / 2.3 spg / on 34% FG shooting (8/23) during 24 minutes per game.
Let’s just forget about Sundiata Gaines (even though I’d bet he gets a training camp invite still…) Comparing Summer League to Summer League with Sundiata Gaines:
Gaines: 8.6 ppg / 1.6 rpg / 3.0 apg / 0.8 spg / 36% FG ( 11/30) during 19.2 minutes per game.
Gaines is 6-1 / 185
Earl Watson:
6-1 / 185
Let’s take a look at his regular season stats, as he did not participate in Summer League play this year.
7.8 ppg / 3.0 rpg / 5.1 apg / 1.3 spg / 42.6% FG during an average of 24.6 minutes per game with the Indiana Pacers.
Bottom line: Earl Watson will bring more experience to the table from his years as a Sonic, Zombie-Sonic, Grizzly, Pacer, and even a brief 40′ish game stint with the Nuggzz. He handles the ball well as evidenced by his career 4.7 assist to 1.8 turnover numbers. He even has some playoff experience when he was with the Memphis Grizzlies (2003 / 2004 seasons).
Wanna take a flier for a third stringer, or a more solidified veteran as a possible new #2 at the PG spot?
What about spending? Should we be more concerned with saving money for a season that to most will be an average one at best, or, move forward by solidifying our back court with more experience in a key position. Spend away KOC, spend away, give us veterans in our backup roles and we’ll flourish!
Perhaps these questions will best be answered when the Jazz start their annual training camp (typically around the last week of September).
I don’t know about you, but I was I’ll be glued to Twitter, Facebook, and other local media outlets for news in regards to depth and rumors on signings surrounding the guard line.
What does this mean for the Jazz?
1. Ronnie Price will likely have to compete to retain that #2 PG spot,
2. The Jazz will have more defensive depth at the guard than they have had in years
3. We are more aggressive to win NOW than we may be giving the Jazz-Org credit for
How about some other guys I’d like to see in training camp, or at least involved in signings would include …
Shooting Guards and Small Forwards
Michael Finley – do we have available space for a veteran minimum guy at SG?
Ryan Thompson – high energy rookie that is the younger brother of the Sacramento Kings Jason Thompson. Could fill a niche at SG/SF, plays defense, mediocre shooter with some range
Josh McRoberts – not only does he sport a beard much of the time, but he has developed a game beyond mid-range. Consistency? Well … he’s come a long way on that front too.
Adam Morrison - never really has been given a chance since getting injured during his rookie campaign. While I’m not going to cry for him, he does have talent: he can shoot the ball, and pass the rock. As a mediocre defender, mediocre rebounder, and being one cursed with feet as slow as Okur, he would need to come in and “stretch the floor”, as they say.
Ike Diogu - tough defender, can shoot a mid-range shot, not necessarily offensively minded but has had occasional “break-out” games.
Random Big Guys
Stephen Hunter, Rasho Nesterovic, Patrick O’Bryant. Are any of them really better than Fesenko? I’d give Rasho the ups of being the best on the list, but that is about it.
Replies: 7
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7 Responses
Authors note: I hope they invite more SG/C to training camp and stash a few in the D-League (one of each would suffice).
Earl watson was a good pickup. Gaines is more than likely not making the team. At this point Deron will be sliding to the 2 with Watson/Price battling for minutes while Deron is at the 2 or on the Bench.
But I’m going to assume we sign another SG, and that’s the only player we’ll need to sign unless Fes goes somewhere else.
If Fes leaves we’ll just need a 3rd tier center in case some injuries happen.
lots of great info!
I still think that Hayward should be 2nd string player at the 2. But with the sign of Watson we might just move up Ronnie to the SG? NO?
Hayward a 3 so you will have enough room for finley but, do you want to go with a vet or a kid with potential that’s a hard desesion.
There is absolutely not a single reason Deron should ever play the 2. He is the best point guard in the league, and should stay at that position. Earl Watson should be the backup point, and Ronnie P the insurance point guard.
The Wings are basically interchangeable in today’s NBA, so I think our wing rotation should be: Top 3 as follows: AK, CJ, Raja and backups/lower minute guys Hayward/Price/Evans. AK and Evans will likely see some minutes at the PF spot, giving Ronnie/Hayward a bit more PT.
I’d much rather see Gaines make the team than Jeffers. However I think we should be able to upgrade over both of them
Tacorev, I agree, but to a point, Othyus can play D, but he is a liability on offense; Gaines can run the point, has potential to score, but is a FT shooting liability.
I’d rather see 2 veterans make the team than those two.