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Bells usually start things off
Posted by: Lowery Johnson on December 23rd, 2011
The author's views are entirely his or her own and may not reflect the views of the Utah Jazz.In school, the day starts with a bell. Church bells ring at the start of every new hour. But just because bells generally start things off, doesn’t mean it’s always the best.
In an announcement Thursday morning, Corbin told the Salt Lake Tribune he is closer to setting tighter rotations and picking the starting five. The pre-season line-up included Raja Bell, but will that, or should that be the case for the regular season?
Corbin has a lot of decisions to be made here. During training camp the attitude seemed to be if they earn it, they’ll get the time. Fortunately, but frustratingly for the team, we have a lot of players stepping up to earn time.
Bell is one of my favorite players for the Utah Jazz. He’s tough on the court. He’s not afraid to push around a super star (remember when he clothes-lined Kobe Bryant?). He’s also been an asset on the court when it comes to defense and using veteran experience to help out a younger, new age Jazz team.
I was never in favor of trading Bell, nor am I now. I am wondering, however, if there are other opportunities for the Jazz’s starting lineup in which Bell is on the bench. Defensively, I think Bell is good starting. He is able to start against the biggest and baddest without getting nervous or shy.
But does he fill a role there that someone else can? No.
Offensively, Bell is not the best starting option. I understand Corbin’s move bringing Miles off the bench. He’s energy, he’s a good contrast to the rookies. However, Miles has earned his opportunity to start. While he’s not a shooting guard, he is capable of taking over at the 2 0r 3. This is one of many options Corbin has to consider.
Maybe Raja Bell should be more like the closing bell on Wall Street, a signal of a hard fought and hopefully a successful day.
Corbin’s rotations will be set soon. Who are your starting 5?
Replies: 12
Views: 826
12 Responses
Devin Harris, CJ Miles, Josh Howard, Paul Millsap, Al Jefferson
Devin Harris is the closest thing we have to a lock in a starting role. I would assume the same for Big Al. I think CJ should be our starting 2, he looked real good in that last preseason game. You have to remember that CJ was our best player at times last year. I just think that CJ and Josh Howard bring great athleticism to pair with Devin Harris. Paul should start over Favors because he is a much more polished player. Favors still has a lot to prove before he makes a case to start.
Jefferson , Favors, Millsap, Harris/Gordon Hayward. If C.J. can beat out Gordon… it’s his job. Josh Howard is not ready for big time minutes/may never be. After an extended layoff, he needs time to find his game. If he does, he’ll be a valuable asset coming off the bench. Paul Millsap deserves every opportunity to prove that he cannot play small forward in this league. Just my take.
I think the staters will change often, due to the shortened season. But i think the primary starters should be: Harris, Hayward, Miles, Favors, Jefferson. Right now, hayward, and favors are the future of the jazz and deserve that recognition with starts. Harris is the only start-worthy 1, big al is head and shoulders better than the unproven kanter, and cj will be able to produce more than bell or howard would. I think the jazz are still in trade talks, and i wouldn’t be suprised to see big al, millsap or harris to their way out soon.
If Devin is starting (which I think is a given), then Hayward needs to start. Devin is not good at running the half-court set and Hayward is the most capable of helping him out with that task. Harris is one of the best I’ve seen running the break, but in the half-court set…meh.
I’d prefer to see Favors & Al starting inside. Favors’ defensive abilities will be needed on the starting unit, as will Al’s (reliable?) offensive production. Having both on the floor will limit double-teams, or the Jazz can make them pay!
Howard is better at creating his own shot than CJ, so Josh should run with whichever PG needs that skill on the floor. I’d lean towards Harris, but that might best be determined through trial & error. For the last couple of years, when CJ plays well the Jazz are tough to beat! Here’s hoping he’s more consistent this year.
Millsap is such an advantage coming off the bench. He’s likely the best backup PF in the league, but probably in the middle of the pack as a starter. He would provide a scoring threat on the 2nd unit in addition to his defensive & rebounding ability. His offensive game will take the pressure off Kanter as he develops.
Watson is a fine 2nd PG, and hopefully Tinsley’s minutes during the season look more like his first half performance Wed. rather than his 4th quarter meltdown against the press.
I know it won’t happen, but I wish Raja would get only spot duty. His shot is gone and he’s lost a step. The Jazz played best Wed. when he A-wasn’t on the floor & B-didn’t touch the ball on offense. He still knows how to play D, but can’t always get to the spot quick enough. He’d be a great defensive mentor and with the condensed season we’ll need him to fill some minutes as well.
Yeah, I know I didn’t mention Evans. He’s a great energy guy & will be able to fill some minutes sometimes. But he’s too scrawny to D up many PFs and his defensive skills don’t yet allow him to guard SFs. My kind of 11th man, but nothing to get too excited about.
I’m excited to see how the younger players develop and how Ty uses the vets to help their development. I don’t expect the Jazz to be over .500 this year, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be fun! Hopefully KOC has another good offseason in 2012, finding the PG we need and also solidifying the wing positions.
Merry Christmas everybody!
Starting lineup
1 Harris
2 Hayward
3 Millsap
4 Favors
5 Jefferson
Depth Chart behind starters
1a Watson
1b Tinsley
2a Miles
2b Burks
2c Bell
3a Howard
4a Evans
5a Kanter
Some very interesting observations. You guys brought up some points. I think Miles and Harris have some great chemistry, though.
I have serious questions about it. I don t see Devin well at mid court work, i saw Jamaal and Watson a lot better, in fact.
Cj sucks, so, we need Howard and Hayward work hard at wins.
Bell is a pure defender.
Our big mans are really good, but we need a better job at front court.
I really hope that we can bring another perimeter player, we got the cap and the money.
I’m not as worried about who starts. With this season having so many back-to-backs; I’m sure even the youngsters will get tired (and God forbid, injuries). I wouldn’t be surprised to see everyone having a chance to start throughout the season.
Like I said, I almost don’t care who starts. As long as we are consistent and play well I’ll be happy.
Guido: I’d love to hear more about your take on CJ because so far this season I don’t see it.
Ben: that’s a good point ben. I’m sure it will change regularly.
If I was Coach Corbin, I would start:
Devin Harris
Gordon Hayward
C.J. Miles
Derrick Favors
Al Jefferson
Harris.. One of the fastest point guards in the NBA needs someone to run along side him
Miles.. Because he is better starting then off the bench. He can run with Harris
Hayward.. Can also run with Harris and works hard. Miles needs someone along side him that works hard or he slacks off. Remember him and Matthews? Miles best defense was with him there
Favors.. The reason I say this is it brings more height to the starting lineup which we need. Milsap then gives us a good scoring option and Veteran presence off the bench
Jefferson.. Obviously we all know he should be here.
As far as bench goes:
PG- Watson needs to be the first option and then Tinsley I like what Tinsley brings but Earl is proven with us.
SG- Burks should come in next off the bench his athleticism is amazing and he needs to play!
SF- Howard with the second unit would be awesome our second unit could be one of the best in the league. Bell should replace Burks or Howard throughout the second.
I feel the guard and forward positions should be dealt with like Sloan used to work with Brewer and Korver and switch them every quarter. Everyone should get about the same but I do not think Bell is giving us enough to play a ton of minutes.
PF-Milsap, Evans
C- Kanter
The big man rotation is obvious with people going in and out.. Jefferson, Favors, and Kanter can play both positions so they can just bounce in and out whenever someone is needed.
Somehow we need to continue to give Evans some time from the 3 or the 4 I do not care which he just needs 8-10 mins a game. He continues to get better and continues to produce. He has worked his butt off and deserves it.
Long post but my thoughts out on the table
wow… long comment. But I can definitely see your logic behind your picks which I think are pretty solid. Except I think you had six?