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Jazz Point Guards
Posted by: Chris on July 12th, 2012
The author's views are entirely his or her own and may not reflect the views of the Utah Jazz.So, with the amnesty cap space from Raja Bell, our most significant need is now probably a backup point guard, as Earl Watson and Jamaal Tinsley just straight up are not good enough to be NBA players. Charlotte released D. J. Augustin today, former 9th pick in the draft and a competent young backup. He has an AST/TO ratio of almost 3 in 4 seasons in the NBA …
Well, crap, never mind, Pacers already snatched him up. Looks like we needed to act faster.
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16 Responses
I think as well as Murphy has looked, which has made me feel better about Danny Green not signing with the Jazz, so I would really like Murphy to get a lot of playing time. So with that said, I really LOVE the idea of Burks being the backup PG. He is fantastic, needs playing time, and is dynamic with the ball in his hand. I like Tinsley as the 3rd and for sure Watson has no place really. Burks needs to play the Harden bench role, and Murphy the Fisher role running around screens and spot up shooter.
Burks spending some time at PG is available to us. Another idea that would make a lot of sense is picking up Nate Robinson from the Warriors somehow. With them having added Jarrett Jack via a trade with the Hornets, Robinson is superfluous behind Jack and Curry and would make sense to be traded or waived.
Also, am I the only one who noticed that Mo Williams is actually a downgrade compared to Devin Harris? Look at the last year for both as well as the careers for both. Williams is clearly the better three-point shooter, but he’s worse in a LOT of other categories, for instance Devin shoots slightly better overall from the floor, gets to the line much more often, has more assists per 36 minutes and has a better assist/turnover ratio. True Shooting percentage (TS%) is considered the best shooting metric because it takes into account free points made at the line; it has Devin as markedly a better offensive player than Mo.
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/harride01.html for Devin’s stats and http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/willima01.html for Mo.
I am also of the thought that Harris was better and just started to find his groove towards the end of the season. Mo may be a decent temporary fix this year. Time will tell. I do think getting Mo plus Marvin who is a way better upgrade at forward, and makes me miss Harris a little less.
I agree We do need to upgrade back up pg immediately. I never have liked Watson and Tinsley isnt gonna cut it. I don’t care if there cheap. They’re washed up.
Ya Chris, you and some others have pointed that out and its true. I guess the one difference is Mo’s defense; everyone seems to talk highly about his D and toughness. That might be the crucial difference. I think Harris got a bad shake since he was mostly involved in P&R with Al, so it looked a lot like Harris got beat, but really Al needed to hold up the ball-handler longer.
The only rationale is that Burks will become the backup PG, and maybe even future PG, because the Hawks have signed Lou Williams and they still have Teague and Harris???? So they weren’t looking for a PG, just expiring contracts. This pretty much means Jazz are NOT trading Al, cuz Harris made more sense as a backup PG than Watson or Tinsley, and the Hawks didn’t want a PG; Harris was probably the only player KOC wanted to give up.
Harris is a better offensive player, is good at attacking the basket, finishing at the rim, and getting to the free throw line.
Williams is a better facilitator, defender and three point shooter. When the trade first happened, I said Williams was definitely an upgrade, but not a major one. At least now we have a guy that will make sure we get better ball movement and a few more assists. Good but not great.
It would have been sweet if we could have landed Augustine as a backup PG
Mo Williams didn’t play PG last year. His role for the clippers was instant offense off the bench. What the Jazz are asking of him is much different. He was an all star with Clevland, which is the last time he played the true PG position.
I have not heard the final results of Bells buyout. I don’t believe they used the amnesty.. Anyone know for sure..??
You all know my vote ….Blake Ahearn
did anyone see his stats again today??
Williams will run into the same problem that Harris did, playing the system, if you call it that, which Corbin had them playing last season. Chuck it in to Al and see what he does doesn’t allow any other player to show their ability or potential. If the game plan stays the same we may as well have just signed 3 point shooters with little other talent
L.K. good point! I’m a dummy, they’re buying it out not using the amnesty clause heh. I still think we have a few ways left to pick up a useful 2nd point if needed.
Patrick – Blake Ahearn is not really a point guard. His assist/to ratio is like 1.5-1 and he averages fewer than 5 assists per 36 minutes. His strength is spot-up shooting, but the rest of his offensive and defensive game have trouble stacking up in the NBA (especially the defense). I love the shooting from Ahearn (40% threes is pretty legit) but just can’t stomach the other aspects of his game. Maybe I’m biased and want him back in Reno though haha – in the NBDL, Ahearn is a perennial all-star.
disco – Yeah, Mo’s game actually meshes better with Al because Williams is also a stand around type of player (whereas Harris is typically a slasher/driver/creator and was stifled by having to deliver the ball into our black hole).
OK Chris lol….that’s funny!
Burkes can play the PG. He did a real nice job in the summer league. I think He showed good signs today when he wasnt on fire and started using teamates. He made that alley oop play in transition from half court look easy.
Mo Williams is different from Harris. Hes a better leader, and his shooting % and stats are worse because he attacks the paint in a half court set against defenders and makes plays to pass or score inside. Harris gets his points in the paint on transition speed. We need the paint penetration.
Earl Watson. I didnt even see him play in one game in the summer league. I must have missed it. He was there. Maybe still injured? Also not a penetrater, like Harris we watched the shot clock run down all season without attacking. Hes a better defender than Ahearn. His attitude was like Raja a few times this year.
Ahearn. I like the guy, I think Michael stockton did better overall. Ahearn’s got a good basketball IQ and good shooting stroke. His athleticism just isnt there. Also not going to get penetration in half court with him.
Tinsely. My favorite as backup. questionable because of age. But hes the best passer. Best talent and pure PG we have. He knows what a PG is supposed to do in half court. Great attitude and vet leader for the youth.
I cant wait for Burkes to realize he can be a good PG. Its a good spot for him. It makes him balance his game out instead forcing things. Solid Handles. Solid passing (turnovers are low and are usually from trying to score). And a good off dribble shot. Has the athleticism to be a decent defender on a PG. Needs better shot selection.
2012-13 PG Mo/Burkes/Tinsely/?
After watching summer league moving Alec to pg is good if you wanted to change his entire game, which i think is a bad thing. Limited minutes if we need him ok. But that guy is a pure 2.