The Thriller
Well-Known Member
Grizz are the team to watch out for. We have no answer for Ja. And if he gets some perimeter shooting help, we could be in trouble.
The Non-Jazz NBA Thread in the Jazz Section
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The Thriller
Well-Known Member
We all talked about him before the draft. The consensus was he’d be a liability on offense. He would’ve fit a need but Butler was considered too good a talent to pass up. In retrospect, Jones might’ve been the better pick. Long, athletic defender, exactly what we could use right now.
NAOS
Well-Known Member
So far, though, Ja is a big issue for their defense. Until he fixes that, their postseason success will be severely throttled.... especially against elite offenses (like ours).
The Thriller
Well-Known Member
His defense is basically as bad as Spida’s. They have no problem keeping up with our offense as Ja, Jackson, and Bane score at will since none of our guards play defense. If a few of their guys get going, we could be in trouble. They’re a horrific matchup. Guards that can score from all over and a long 3/4 who we have no answer for. If faced in the playoffs, we’ll have to make a real commitment to pounding it inside to Gobert and Whiteside. Their weakness is at the 5.
NAOS
Well-Known Member
It’s worse than Spida’s.
jom2003
Well-Known Member
Same like Jaden McDaniels though wing players don't need to play as big of a role as guards do in Quins offense. They can just stand in the corner and do nothing like Oni and still get minutes.
People here wanna get athletic wings through FA or trade though the most realistic way for most teams to get them is through the draft. Mikal Bridges, Miles Bridges, OG, etc. Once teams get those guys they'd own their bird rights and would be unwilling to give them up until those guys are like 28 or 29 but most of the time those wings prime don't last that long. OPJ suffered a major injury and lost his athleticism before his second deal with Washington expired. Isaac had a heck of sophomore year then went down and was never seen again. Kahwi is now basically made of glass. Butler too. There's a reason Jerami Grant refuse to play that role again on Denver and opt for Detroit instead.
Being the defensive wing on your team is actually physically taxing and the best way is to get them on their first contract when they are still kids and willing to do anything for their coach.
The Thriller
Well-Known Member
Ok. I’d love to see you justify that argument with quantitative data.
they were extremely competitive against the 1 seed last year. A few different bounces and that series goes different. They’re a team I’d avoid at all costs. I think they have many matchup problems, athleticism, shooting, etc.
NAOS
Well-Known Member
This is a legit mixtape. Sheesh. I would t have predicted his rebound-and-go game to be that good this soon. And that help defense at the rim is awesome.
The Thriller
Well-Known Member
Would you have drafted Jones instead of Butler if given the chance? I’m guessing that had Utah wanted, they probably could’ve gotten Jones fairly easily through trade.
NAOS
Well-Known Member
The matchups can be problematic for us. But their overall defensive structure breaks down with Ja right now. It’s why they were able to go on a big run during his absence.
I don’t have time to dig into the stats, but Ja’s on/off is pretty bad iirc.
Edit: quick glance shows Morant’s defensive rating as 7pts per 100 possessions worse than DM’s. So, basically, the burden of proof (as to their defensive similarities) is on you, man.
The Thriller
Well-Known Member
He was POTY and DPOY in the SEC for a reason. Defense and hustle was his MO. I Think there was legit questions about his outside shot and how he’d translate offensively into the NBA. Looks like he’s really panning out. Wouldn’t it be nice to have him off the bench? Or start him and have Royce come off the bench?
NAOS
Well-Known Member
Unfortunately, he’d be DNPing for us.
The Thriller
Well-Known Member
lol. Sad but probably true.
Honestly, if we had been able to add Jones to our roster, where would he fit in? What would his mins look like?
Because I think you’re right. He’d probably be given Oni’s role despite probably being better than Royce already.
The Thriller
Well-Known Member
I look at how useless Oni is, how meh Royce is, and how out of gas Jingles looks like most of the time and just feel hopeless about our playoff situation. We just don’t have enough length, athleticism, versatility, and defense to make a deep playoff run. We’ve really neglected this glaring issue in favor of players that either suck or just don’t play, Udoka, Hughes, Oni, butler…
jom2003
Well-Known Member
Butler is a better basketball player but not what the Jazz needs the most if they want to challenge for title. I mean we can't even find minutes for Butler right now. Might as well draft Herb Jones if Quins just gonna play Trent Forrest as the third string point guard.
And yes, we had the #30 initially when Jones was still available so it's entirely possible. But according to local news we were targeting Butler the entire time so Jones was never a possibility.
jom2003
Well-Known Member
I'd argue both McDaniel and Jones would get Oni minutes easily. Oni actually had a legit shot at cracking the rotation but he just blew it.
fishonjazz
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Can rudy stay in the paint in a series against them? If the answer is yes then I think we win a short series. (I do worry about Jaren Jackson pulling rudy out of the paint but I think the jazz could put someone else on jackson and rudy on a non 3 point shooter. JV comes to mind) Plus, they (and every team in the league pretty much) have no answer for our offense. We averaged a crazy amount of point per game in the playoff series against them last year. Something like 135 per game (I dont remember exactly but it was really high)
The Thriller
Well-Known Member
I don’t think JV plays for them anymore. But you’re not wrong, if we can keep Rudy in the paint, then we’re a lot better.
I’m just not sold on out scoring everyone in the playoffs. I think at some point that catches up to us, especially against versatile and athletic teams.
The Thriller
Well-Known Member
He sucks. But I’m genuinely interested to know what others think had McDaniels, Bane, or Jones been picked? Seems like Snyder has been infected with Sloan disease and doesn’t play the young guys. It’s just ridiculous given the leash he consistently gives Clarkson.