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Accepting Roles, Not Trades
Posted by: Jeff Winget on December 22nd, 2011
The author's views are entirely his or her own and may not reflect the views of the Utah Jazz.Ever since the Jazz drafted Enes Kanter, a lot of Jazz fans (including myself) have felt that the team had too many big men. Right now, the Jazz have 6 bigs who seem to be demanding playing time with their on-the-court performance: Jefferson, Millsap, Favors, Kanter, Memo, and Evans. This logjam would seem to be a problem for the team, and keeping everyone happy seems to be impossible in this setup. Compounding that problem, the Jazz have potential logjams at all positions, and how they unravel them could determine the future of the franchise for years to come.
Along with the 6 bigs that I mentioned above, the Jazz have 5 wing players fighting for minutes: Miles, Hayward, Burks, Bell, and Howard. All of these players seem to be demanding time with their preseason play. Add to that the three veteran point guards on the roster — Harris, Watson, and Tinsley — and you have a 14-player logjam on the team.
Here are some of the problems with so many players that seem to be demanding time:
- Only 12 players can dress per game
- Most teams run an 8-10 man nightly rotation
- Players like to play in the games, not just be benchwarmers
So, it would seem that Jazz have a bit of a conundrum. Most fans seem to think that the way to solve this problem is to trade away a couple of players to make room. The most common choices for trade bait are Jefferson and Millsap. Most fans seem to think that one of the two is going, and the debates over which one should go have been passionate and interesting. However, I’m to the point that I think we should keep both of them.
Now, I have to put a caveat in my above statement. If some team offers an amazing package for Millsap or Jefferson (or any other player or players on our roster), the team has to do it. For example, the Lakers call and say, “We will give you Pau Gasol for Millsap and Bell.” The Jazz can’t turn that down. However, since gifts like that don’t happen very often, the Jazz will probably be in the position of making a ho-hum trade or keeping their two post players.
If this were a normal, 82-game season with a full preseason and training camp, my position would change, and I would feel that one or two of our bigs needed to be shipped out. However, this isn’t a full season, and the first 15 games of the season are going to be training camp for most teams. With that in mind, the Jazz can audition their youth throughout the year in real-game scenarios, and get a feel for what they actually have going into the future.
The idea of going forward with our youth is a given, but the Jazz have always been a we-want-to-win-now type organization, and handing the reins over to a bunch of 20-year-olds isn’t the best recipe for that unless one of them is Kevin Durant. So, the Jazz need to keep the veteran presence around to stay competitive and to evaluate all of their talent.
The problem, of course, will be how to keep everyone happy.
Everyone on the team is going to have to accept a role for the betterment of the team. Some nights, the Jazz will be able to go big and play Millsap or Evans at the 3 and punish the other team inside. Other nights, the team will have to go small with Howard or CJ at the 4 and run teams out of the gym. Some nights –cough, last night, cough — Favors and Hayward will get 3 fouls each in the 1st quarter and other players will have to step up. Having so many quality players on the roster can’t be a bad thing. It gives Coach Corbin a lot of flexibility with lineups and roles, and it will let him coach to the situation, not to the set rotation. Isn’t that one complaint most of us had about Jerry?
Another benefit from having a deep roster is that the players will have to compete everyday for their job. Coach Corbin has said that every position is up for grabs. Competition is great for athletes. If they want to play, they will work hard and produce results on the court. If they don’t produce, the guy behind them will.
Also, the lockout-shortened season will make it hard to keep players healthy and rested. The Jazz have lots of stretches where they play 5 games in 7 nights, and having fresh legs to attack in those later games will be a benefit for them. In fact, I’m really interested to see the state of the aging Lakers’ legs when we play them on the 27th on their 3rd game in 3 nights. The Jazz’s youth and depth should serve them well this season.
So, in the end, I don’t think the Jazz will move one of their bigs this season or anyone else unless a nice offer from a team comes their way, and I don’t think it is in their best interest to move someone at this time. The Jazz are an enigma right now, and no one knows what they really have. Until they figure it out, players will have to accept their roles within the team and do their best to earn their spots.
Go Jazz!
Replies: 15
Views: 966
15 Responses
I liked it when Coach Corbin said in an interview that he would be willing to start different lineups in different games, depending on match up purposes. With Coach Sloan, he liked to always keep the same starting five on the floor, sometimes, even when they weren’t performing well. I like the idea of being flexible, and not having anything set in stone. I do think Jefferson, and Harris are the best players at their positions, and should start. However, I feel the other spots are up for grabs.
I personally think the best starting five would be Jefferson, Favors, Miles, Hayward, and Harris (at least for now).
Your point beginning with “Everyone on the team is going to have to accept a role for the betterment of the team.” echoes what I have suggested a number of times: the Jazz look for the best matchups throughout the course of any game, as well as who’s hot.
As you also suggest, with the compact schedule and back-to-back games, having everyone ready to play is critical. Consistency, flexibility, and adaptability will be key for any team this season and the Jazz should be alright barring unforeseen injuries, etc.
@Jason,
I agree with you about Jefferson being the best at his position right now, but I think Watson has thoroughly outplayed Harris in both preseason games. That said, I like your starting five. Watson is a good motor guy off the bench.
@Ray,
I think the Jazz can even withstand some injuries. Their depth at every position makes overcoming even a major injury more doable.
Hayward and Bell playing good preseason ball? Did I miss something? Maybe if you count missed shots and turnovers. The JaZz are looking at two more lottery picks next draft. I believe they are trying to get more picks and trying to be competitive in 3-4 years if they can keep some of the players that turn out be good…
i@Jazzman – 2 pre-season games does not maketh the man. I don’t think you should write the whole team off just yet.
@Jeff – I agree that a deep roster is perfect for a shortened season and I think that not having an egocentric supersta rwill allow the players to accept their roles.
@Jason – I agree with your starting 5 apart from CJ. I think he is better used in short sharp bursts as he tends to throw up rubbish when he is on the court too long. I would start Hayward at 3 and, I know I will cop some criticism, start Bell. Hopefully his D can help to avoid slow starts.
@Jazzman,
I think your horizon for this team is too far out. I wouldn’t be surprised if they miss the playoffs this year, but I’ll be quite shocked if they don’t make noise next year. The Jazz organization doesn’t “play for draft picks.” They play to win every year. There’s a lot to be excited for with this team.
Did not someone say teams can dress thirteen players until February??This because of the short season and the new fast start.
Memo to NJN for 2nd round draft pick.
You can dress and play 13, then feb, dress 13, but only play 12.
Jazzaholic
@disco no, 2 preseason games do not make a team and/or man, but considering Bell could not make a shot all of last season and seems to be doing the same this season, he should be at very least benched and become a cheerleader. Hayward hasnt empressed me at all ever. Last season ( I know…I know … a rookie and did have a few good games in the end when the JaZz had given up and the games meant nothing to the other team) doesnt show any heart, no passion and was afraid to shoot the ball last season and nothing yet this season. Maybe he will surprise me and break out of his shell and I will sincerly apologize and be very happy for the JaZz. KOC promised us all when Hayward was drafted in two years all the naysayers whould be sorry. That time is coming up soon so we shall see. Favors is the best thing to come of the D-Will trade and looks very good. I hope the JaZz dont mess it up and make/let him leave any time soon.
@L.K. and Jazzaholic,
Thanks for the clarification on how many can dress. I wasn’t aware of the change, but it makes sense.
@Jazzaholic,
It figures that I would write a post about not trading anyone the day that the Jazz make a trade. I’m glad it was Memo and not Millsap.
@jazzman,
Apparently the way you spell JaZz is some hilarious joke that I don’t get. I initially thought it was a typo, but you’re consistent with it. As for your other points, Raja struggled last year, but has looked pretty good in this preseason. He hit a three in the first game and played stout defense in the second. He shouldn’t start, but he should get 15-20 minutes a game.
As for Hayward, I was at the game last year against Denver to end the season, and he was the best player on the court. He is athletic and shoots well from everywhere. He is also a high character guy who works hard on both ends of the court. I think KOC is right, by the end of this year, there will be little doubt as to why we picked him. He really impresses me.
Favors is a stud. Last year when we traded D-Will, I said we got the better end of the deal, and I still think so. This kid is going to be special.
The Jazz were lucky to find a team $10.8m under the cap, willing to take on the salary AND give up a 2nd. Kevin did a good job of exploiting Lopez’ injury.
The NJN now overtake the Bulls as the “Jazz East.”
Jazzaholic
Geeeeeeeeez arent we a little sensitive. I thought sites like these were where people could express their opionon? No? I have always typed the JaZz this way since 1985 when I lived in little old “happy valley” Utah. Now that I have lived in Phoenix for the last 18 years I still do it to keep my JaZz roots as the biggest JaZz fan in Arizona. I do hope Hayward turns out to be great player and the future lottery picks next year do as well. Then, maybe the JaZz can have a kick ass team in 3-4 years. Only time will tell, although if D-Will couldnt get any great players to stay or sign here…..I’m not sure who can.
I was just curious…I didn’t mean to sound harsh although looking at my post it has more sarcasm than I intended. My bad.
Jeff….Good thoughts and great blog. The Jazz can be happy to have you as a fan.
Thanks Linda!