Should the Jazz rest Mitchell and Conley until the playoffs?

[Ron Mexico]

I mean, it will probably end up putting the Lakers in the play-in.

We've gone from staring at a pretty favorable path to the WCF to praying that Curry doesn't get hot in the play-in.

And I'd honestly argue that gambling on being able to use the first round to re-integrate two starters is "being cute".

They are veterans, they can practice and be ready to go game 1. They might be able to play if it's important. That doesn't mean they are 100%. I would rather them get as close to 100% as possible then push to win this meaningless game risking injury and making them less healthy.

Who knows how the standings end up. Either way we have to beat the best in the West to make it anywhere.

You don't worry about other teams, take care of your business.

 

[MTS]

They are veterans, they can practice and be ready to go game 1.

AD looked awful his first few games back before he got into a groove. He's a veteran.

I don't care who you are. After a month off, it takes time to get a rhythm back. This has been historically true for damn near every player coming back from a lengthy injury.

 

[Ron Mexico]

I would define getting cute as not putting forth a strong effort to secure #1, and have said that for a while. I think our biggest issue, however, will be not having everyone integrated back in. If Don and Mike are really ready to go but we’re being extra cautious, I think it’s short-sighted. It’s sort of like last year when we had a brand new team and we sat most the guys for the preseason and didn’t built any rhythm or comfort, then tried to do it on opening night. Yeah, you could say that, because how long it really took to get everyone integrated, that a few preseason games would be meaningless in the end, but it certainly didn’t position ourselves to hit the ground running, and I’d say most of Conley’s struggles last year were mental. What if he were to have started with a couple strong games?

If you’re throwing Mike and Donovan out there after missing about 15 games and your opponent is the Lakers, then taking the approach of “oh, we can afford to take a couple games to shake off the rust” would be getting cute.

I agree with very little of that. But, I guess we will see what happens round one.

The FO is one thing but the players are another. I don't think the players care about the 1 seed. They want to get into the playoffs and prove themselves. But that's just my opinion of the situation.

 

[infection]

I agree with very little of that. But, I guess we will see what happens round one.

The FO is one thing but the players are another. I don't think the players care about the 1 seed. They want to get into the playoffs and prove themselves. But that's just my opinion of the situation.

Well, that's not how Bojan put it in a recent post-game interview.

 

[Ron Mexico]

AD looked awful his first few games back before he got into a groove. He's a veteran.

I don't care who you are. After a month off, it takes time to get a rhythm back. This has been historically true for damn near every player coming back from a lengthy injury.

Some do some don't. Many players, especially ones that click with the team come back hot. I would like to see a stat about that though. Maybe if we lose in the first round like you seem to think we can look back at it.

 

[Ron Mexico]

Well, that's not how Bojan put it in a recent post-game interview.

He seems like he cares. Others do not, based on effort and focus. I definitely don't think they are afraid of whoever is the 8 seed when we most likely get it. If Jazz want the one seed they will win the games they have to. I guess they have done a good job at that so far.

 

[MTS]

I agree with very little of that. But, I guess we will see what happens round one.

The FO is one thing but the players are another. I don't think the players care about the 1 seed. They want to get into the playoffs and prove themselves. But that's just my opinion of the situation.

The players have been vocal about wanting the 1 seed. Especially Bogie.

 

[Ron Mexico]

The players have been vocal about wanting the 1 seed. Especially Bogie.

I could definitely be wrong about it. Players say lots of things they don't mean. I strongly prefer the 1 seed. Mostly because we have been really good at home and partially it sounds cool. But ultimately I'm not sure how much it matters. We are either good enough to beat teams or not.

 

[MTS]

I could definitely be wrong about it. Players say lots of things they don't mean. I strongly prefer the 1 seed. Mostly because we have been really good at home and partially it sounds cool. But ultimately I'm not sure how much it matters. We are either good enough to beat teams or not.

I mean, I do think it's advantageous to get to the WCF with a lighter schedule than our opponent. Denver had to endure b2b bloodbaths last postseason - Murray was noticeably hobbled by the time they got to the WCF.

Right now it's looking like the 2 seed will have to go through the Lakers and Clippers b2b.

 

[DasJazz]

Portland is fighting for their playoff lives, gotta think that they will not let fatigue be a factor tonight.

They are more than capable of beating the Suns just like GS did a few days ago.

 

[Ron Mexico]

I mean, I do think it's advantageous to get to the WCF with a lighter schedule than our opponent. Denver had to endure b2b bloodbaths last postseason - Murray was noticeably hobbled by the time they got to the WCF.

Right now it's looking like the 2 seed will have to go through the Lakers and Clippers b2b.

They were pretty hobbled, I also felt lucky. I don't think they were the better team in any of the series.

Who knows what will happen in the play in games. Teams get lucky all the time in a single game. That's why NCAA tournament is fun. Also who knows what the health of either of those teams is and how good they are this year in the playoffs. But yes, I generally agree I would prefer to not play Lakers first round and clippers second.

 

[Getting Traded]

We play the Lakers in the first round and it will be 8 vs 5. No way the league is going to want LeBron out of the playoffs in the first round.