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Jazz Player “Power Rankings” 1/8/12
Posted by: Landon J on January 8th, 2012
The author's views are entirely his or her own and may not reflect the views of the Utah Jazz.Wow! It’s been a long time since I’ve been on good ol’ UJ360. It’s a shame this website doesn’t have its own iPhone App, or it may not have been such a long break. Nonetheless, I have returned and want my first post of the season to be my traditional Jazz Player “Power Rankings.” In case you don’t remember, last season, I thought up the idea of ranking the players by how much they are currently benefiting the team. Now, it’s a new season, a new roster, and time for a new list! This list is not based on statistics. It is a list of how much of an affect the players have on the team, fans, and themselves. (If that makes any sense…) When a player’s hot, they’re hot, and the impact they make can determine whether a winning streak is built or a shooting slump drags out longer. So without further explanation of what I’m getting at, here are my Jazz Player Power Rankings as of January, 8, 2012:
1. Al Jefferson
This season, Al Jefferson had a rough start. But then again, so did the entire team. The Jazz only won one game out of their first four, and that was the game Jefferson didn’t play in. I’m not implying that Jefferson alone was the reason we lost those other three games, but I personally believe that at the start of the season, Al was slowing our offense down tremendously. Now, credit is due to the Jazz point guards for turning up the tempo on offense and bringing out the best in Jefferson.
2. Paul Millsap
What a beast. Millsap also had a seemingly rough start this season, but since then, he has returned as the Paul Millsap that we’re so used to seeing. He’s making his shots, playing good D, and appears to be recovering well from his hamstring injury. If only the ref’s could keep him out of foul trouble.
3. Devin Harris
Devin Harris still isn’t playing like the all-star he once was, but what an improvement he’s made these past few games! He’s starting to find his groove and is looking increasingly comfortable in the Jazz offense. He’s pushing the tempo, playing smart, and isn’t having a problem playing in the clutch.
4. Derrick Favors
Man, I love Favors. Is he the next Karl Malone? It’s not uncommon to think so. Malone isn’t a name to be replaced, but I honestly won’t be surprised if Favors puts up Malone-like numbers eventually in his career. Favors still has some of the most potential of any player in the league. He’s playing great; incredibly, actually, for being only 20 years old. I can only wonder how long it will be until he’s an all-star.
5. Gordon Hayward
Hayward reminds me a lot of Kyler Korver, but more consistant. Since Korver, and especially with Memo gone, the Jazz have needed a “go-to” three-point shooter. And remember, I’m speaking about consistency, so I do not believe CJ Miles fits this role. I can see Hayward becoming the Jazz go-to three-point man. He’s been making a huge benefit to our offense, and isn’t a bad defensive player either.
6. Earl Watson
I almost put Watson in a tie with Harris, just because they are both pushing our tempo so well. Our tempo really is what makes or breaks the Jazz offense. And it’s always fun to see Watson give the team an extra boost with one of his traditional “Early-Oop’s.”
7. Raja Bell
Raja really hadn’t had a great offensive game until Golden State, but his defense in times makes up for his poor shooting. If it weren’t for Raja’s good D, we surely would have lost the game against the Warriors, and perhaps more.
8. Josh Howard
Josh Howard has impressed me. He’s a tough player, and reminds me a little bit of Matt Harpring. With Ronnie Price gone, It’s good to have another “scrapper” out on the court.
9. Enes Kanter
Kanter really disappointed me early this season. I’m sounding like a really negative person when I keep saying that, but he did not give us very much to be excited about. He looked confused, almost like he hadn’t even learned English before coming to the NBA! But perhaps Memo worked his magic, and really did teach Kanter something before he got traded. Kanter is now starting to go up stronger under the basket, power his way up for rebounds, and just plays smarter.
9. CJ Miles
Now you can say I sound negative. I tied CJ with Kanter, but not for a good reason. While Kanter is getting increasingly better, CJ is getting worse. The Jazz gave him one last chance by leaving him on their roster this season. He claimed he would be better, he even bulked up a little. But I’ve yet to see Miles play any better this season than he did last season. He puts up stupid shots, misses them, and then shoots even more! If you’re not making your shots, stop shooting! Or you can just not play defense, too, and get pulled out of the game by Coach Corbin. I have to apologize, I want CJ to be a great player, I really do, but that only happens once out of ten games that he plays. The Jazz have given him the opportunity and encouragement to succeed, but if he doesn’t improve drastically before the end of the season, he’ll be turning in his Jazz jersey.
10. Alec Burks
I haven’t seen Burks as much as I’d like to. I think he’s got great potential, and reminds me somewhat of Russel Westbrook. I think in time, he’ll turn out to be a great PG.
11. Jeremy Evans
I’d love to see more playing time for Evans too, but at the same time, the Jazz have been winning without him playing. He’s got tough competition in oops from Watson, because Favors has been getting quite a lot lately. Still, I like Evans, and hope he can get more time on the court.
12. Jamaal Tinsley
We’ve seen Tinsley play the least. He’s definitely great to have on the bench and in the locker room, though. And I love to see how excited he gets, even while sitting on the sidelines. But no worries, he’ll get more playing time, too.
And that pretty much sums my rankings up. I’ve got a great story to tell about meeting Jerry Sloan, but I’ll save that for my next post. I’ll likely put out new rankings in four to six weeks. But for now,
What are your thoughts on breaking down the team? Try to keep away from listing players in order of “favorites” and think about the impact that the player is making as of lately…
Replies: 7
Views: 573
7 Responses
Kanter disappointed?? He is already an above-average rebounder, and he’s only 19. He has played solid D and has some fantastic post moves that just need polishing, which will come with time and experience. Any 19 year old is going to look confused at times when playing amongst veteran world-class athletes.
I can’t believe CJ is anywhere besides dead last, he has been absolutely horrible so far this season. I have been somewhat of a CJ apologist at times in the past, but he is giving people fewer and fewer reasons to defend him with each game. And Bell should be a lot closer to the end, even with his one good game vs. GS. He’ll need to string together at least three or four more like that before he can realistically climb to where you have him. Howard should definitely be higher as well. Also, Burks isn’t a PG…
I agree with tacorev. Here are my rankings.
I like this post and Hope you do it weekly.
5/5 stars.
1. Millsap. I feel like he brings similiar produciton as Al, but with more excitment.
2. Al, he just rocks.
3. Favors. He has been tearing it up. Love him.
4. Harris. I have always had hope in this guy and I’m glad his hard work is finally paying off.
5. Josh Howard. He has been doing great off the bench and I hope to see him get better in a Jazz uniform.
6. Hayward. He has been struggling in some games but great in others. I feel like he does a lot of the off the ball hustle stuff AK used to do for us (Except for blocking shots.)
7. Earl Watson. He is probably doing as good, if not better, than most starting PGs in the league.
8. Raja Bell. Poor guy. I love him to death. Seeing him play well vs Golden state was a godsend.
9. Kanter. Doing well considering he hasnt played organized ball in a year and had 2 weeks of practice before the season began.
10. Jeremy Evans. I wonder why he isnt on the court much…
11. Alec Burks. He misses a lot of shots but I think he will get better.
12. CJ Miles. What a joke. He jacks up shot after shot and they are BAD. CONTESTED. SHOTS. He is worse this year than last and I hope he begins to warm up the bench more because his lack of good D and lack of good shot selection is KILLING us.
Wow, like the idea but it could be hard to find two guys to agree on more than a few players. Here’ s my ranking and reasons.
Millsap is top, most constant, improved from last season rebound hogging, hard working keep his mouth shut, awesome. He make players around him better. Enough said.
Favors. Next most consistent who doesn’t pull numbers at the expense of the other players.
Al, would rank better, but I feel some of his numbers come at the expense of the team. If he begins to play more Millsap like, this team will go far in time.
Watson/Howard are tie. Watson is great,but still not top notch starter. Love the guy. Howard has continued to improve. Hope he hasn’t found his ceiling yet.
Evans. I know your saying huh. Every time his number is called he puts up numbers. Efficient offensively. Wish his body shape was thicker, or what not. Still wish we could have seen him play more SF. You did say most benefit to team, that’s why he ranks so high.
Kanter gives numbers like a kid who has never missed a year. He hasn’t played for two. Youngest in the league? Sheesh, on other teams he would be earning 25 + mins a night and in the running for rookie of the yr.
Harris/ Hayward. Why so low. We know what both are capable of. They aren’t near that. What’s encouraging is both seem to be improving. If both play solid and consistently we improve dramatically.
Burks can see the potential, but again this is about helping the team. He brings a lot, hope he keeps getting to the foul line, but he needs to make free shots to earn minutes.
Bell. Love bell. In a shooting slump, but plays hard. Not sure even his good defense makes the team better. Hope he teaches Burks enough defense to round Burks game out.
CJ needs some help. If potential was what this blog was about then he would rank high. At the moment Miles isn’t even a help off the bench. Nice thing, its still not to late to find his game.
Much harder than I thought. There is something that encouraging, many guys are not playing close to their best. If that changes as the season continues we could make the playoffs. You have to be excited over what we have seen so far.
1. Al
2. Paul
3. Favors
4. Earl
5. Hayward
6. Harris
7. Howard
8. Kanter
9. Bell
10. Burks
11. Evans
12. Tinsley
13. CJ
1. Millsap
2. Al
3. Howard
4. Favors
5. Watson
6. Hayward
7. Kanter
3. Burks
9. Harris
11. Tinsley
12. CJ
13. Bell
1. Millsap
2. Al
3. Favors
4. Howard
5. Hayward
6. Watson
7. Kanter (very impressive for just 19 yrs old. potential)
8. Harris
9. Evans (wish he got 5 min at least a game)
10. Burks (with his athletecism, he WILL move up, given playing time)
11. Bell (1 decent game out of 8 so far)
12. CJ (amazingly, even more of a chucker this year, keeps committing stupid fouls at end of quarters)
I’m wondering if the CJ in CJ Miles’s name actually stands for Chucker-Jacker (rather than Calvin Jr. as you might have been led to believe =P)