Offseason Random Twitter Comments about Jazz Players

[NAOS]

I feel perfectly OK complaining about less than 4 assists a game (regardless of any precedent at the position) when a player gets that many possessions that early in the clock. That's a combination of players and coaches.

 

[Deleted member 848]

I feel perfectly OK complaining about less than 4 assists a game (regardless of any precedent at the position) when a player gets that many possessions that early in the clock. That's a combination of players and coaches.

How many centers average 4 APG again? Also, who could we replace al with at the 5 that would result in better passing from your big man?

 

[JAZZGASM]

Cyrone-I agree, he is a good passer, he knows how to do it. He just doesn't do it.

 

[NAOS]

How many centers average 4 APG again? Also, who could we replace al with at the 5 that would result in better passing from your big man?

I feel perfectly OK complaining about less than 4 assists a game (regardless of any precedent at the position) when a player gets that many possessions that early in the clock. That's a combination of players and coaches.

I want the ball in Hayward and Millsap's hands more. Put Favors at the 5 for defense and second-option scoring. I guarantee an increase in quality assists if Al's touches go to GTime and Pimpslap.

 

[NAOS]

How many centers average 4 APG again? Also, who could we replace al with at the 5 that would result in better passing from your big man?

How many Cs get as many touches as Al does so early in the shot clock? How many Cs are primary scorers?

You ask a blunt/badly worded question.

 

[Deleted member 848]

How many Cs get as many touches as Al does so early in the shot clock? How many Cs are primary scorers?

You ask a blunt/badly worded question.

Olajuwon would fit both of those descriptions, as well as being one of the better passing big men of NBA history. Still, he only averaged over 3.0APG for 4/18 seasons(peaking at 3.6), averaging 2.5 over the course of his career. I think that 2.5 APG should be okay for Al as well.


Also, badly worded in what regard?

 

[Stoked]

How many centers average 4 APG again? Also, who could we replace al with at the 5 that would result in better passing from your big man?

I have already said Big Al has gotten better at passing. I just want more. He still forces things and misses obvious passes. I think the critique I have leveled is valid and fairly close to the point.

 

[NAOS]

Olajuwon would fit both of those descriptions, as well as being one of the better passing big men of NBA history. Still, he only averaged over 3.0APG for 4/18 seasons(peaking at 3.6), averaging 2.5 over the course of his career. I think that 2.5 APG should be okay for Al as well.

For fun, let's try to stay in the current era. Rule changes have made this a different game than in Dream's day.

Also, badly worded in what regard?

You asked your question in a way that provoked a response: namely, that I was calling for 4 assists per game from the Center position and had to answer on these terms. That's not what I'm calling for. I want to take touches from Jefferson and give them to one or two guys that can deliver 4 more quality assists per game.

 

[Deleted member 848]

For fun, let's try to stay in the current era. Rule changes have made this a different game than in Dream's day.

Assisting has changed? To me, this awfully seems like you just trying to avoid the question for the sake of convenience, but whatever. This question conveniently become difficuly for me to answer if we ignore past eras, seeing as there are very very few dominate-centers in today's NBA, that command a similar amount of possessions to Al Jefferson. From what I can think of, I'd guess that Bogut and Howard both get a similar amount of possessions per game. Bogut averages 2.6APG, 0.4 more than Al. Dwight, on the other hand, averaged 1.9, despite the fact that his team was packed with much more capable shooters than Al Jefferson last season. So should we really be expecting our 5 to me averaging THAT many more assists? Unless we stumble across a career 3.1-3.2 APG 4/5 like Pau or Duncan, we cant really do much better than Al, but we sure could do a helluva lot worse.

You asked your question in a way that provoked a response: namely, that I was calling for 4 assists per game from the Center position and had to answer on these terms. That's not what I'm calling for. I want to take touches from Jefferson and give them to one or two guys that can deliver 4 more quality assists per game.

To me, this is on the play of the offense, and not Al. I think it would be a HUGE stretch to think that Al intentionally hogs the ball, and refuses to let other players be more immersed in the offense. Honestly, 60% of our plays resulted in Al backing down on the left box and everyone spaced out BECAUSE an iso-play was most-likely called out before the half-court set began. Its quite obvious just from watching the games, at least in my opinion. Our offense is one-dimensional, and overly-filled with Jefferson-isos because of Corbin, not Jefferson. I sincerely doubt that Al was the one who stopped Corbin from running more Harris/Favors P&Rs in crunch-time, a la the Golden State game. Corbz needs to come out of training camp with a much more diverse, versatile offense for next season.

 

[Deleted member 848]

I have already said Big Al has gotten better at passing. I just want more. He still forces things and misses obvious passes. I think the critique I have leveled is valid and fairly close to the point.

I understand that you want more and trust me, I do too. But quite frankly, what is our alternative? Favors or Kanter would both be worse, as far as passing is concerned. There are only 2-3 good passing bigmen in the NBA, and none of them are easily obtainable. Crying over Al Jefferson not averaging >3APG seems a bit dumb to me, when so few centers do so to begin with. Crying over his ******** defense, however, is completely understandable.

 

[NAOS]

Assisting has changed? To me, this awfully seems like you just trying to avoid the question for the sake of convenience, but whatever. This question conveniently become difficuly for me to answer if we ignore past eras, seeing as there are very very few dominate-centers in today's NBA, that command a similar amount of possessions to Al Jefferson. From what I can think of, I'd guess that Bogut and Howard both get a similar amount of possessions per game. Bogut averages 2.6APG, 0.4 more than Al. Dwight, on the other hand, averaged 1.9, despite the fact that his team was packed with much more capable shooters than Al Jefferson last season. So should we really be expecting our 5 to me averaging THAT many more assists? Unless we stumble across a career 3.1-3.2 APG 4/5 like Pau or Duncan, we cant really do much better than Al, but we sure could do a helluva lot worse.

Where pressure comes from and where passes go has changed because of rule changes. So, yes, comparisons with players who played before these rule changes are limited. It's like comparing Montana's passing records to Brady's... even Brady himself says that's a limited way to look at the game. I know you're a young'un, but the difference between early Malone and late Malone is key. Rule changes... then, adaptation through passing.

To me, this is on the play of the offense, and not Al. I think it would be a HUGE stretch to think that Al intentionally hogs the ball, and refuses to let other players be more immersed in the offense. Honestly, 60% of our plays resulted in Al backing down on the left box and everyone spaced out BECAUSE an iso-play was most-likely called out before the half-court set began. Its quite obvious just from watching the games, at least in my opinion. Our offense is one-dimensional, and overly-filled with Jefferson-isos because of Corbin, not Jefferson. I sincerely doubt that Al was the one who stopped Corbin from running more Harris/Favors P&Rs in crunch-time, a la the Golden State game. Corbz needs to come out of training camp with a much more diverse, versatile offense for next season.

What you are implying here is that Al can be used very differently than he has in his career if only his coaching were different. I'd suggest that the structure of the offense has a lot to do with what Al is capable of doing.... but that must be nutzo <pause> NOT.

 

[NAOS]

I understand that you want more and trust me, I do too. But quite frankly, what is our alternative? Favors or Kanter would both be worse, as far as passing is concerned. There are only 2-3 good passing bigmen in the NBA, and none of them are easily obtainable. Crying over Al Jefferson not averaging >3APG seems a bit dumb to me, when so few centers do so to begin with. Crying over his ******** defense, however, is completely understandable.

You strike out on the fundamental idea.
It's not about subbing some other sweet passing Center for Al. It's about taking Al's touches and giving them to somebody else (not at C). Give them to Hayward and Millsap.