Seeing AL Objectively - SLCdunk article

[bjunior]

In short, we need multi-faceted players like Hayward, like (possibly) Burks, like Favors...guys who can shoot, drive, get to the rim, get to the line, rebound, pass and play defense.

We need Lebron James

 

[GVC]

To clarify, I was talking offensively. Which one(s) do you think was consistent throughout the entire season?

Seems as though you're talking about a lot less than that even. I agree that Al was the only Jazz man who could consistently score the basketball on isolation plays at an average-ish clip.

 

[Gyp Rosetti]

We can move on to discussing how much & long to extend Jefferson for now?

Uh, at which of those is Al good?

 

[billyshelby]

More reductionist ******** from billyshelby (shocking). Cutting is a hell of a lot less effective after the defense is set, and Al is pretty ****ing slow making decisions with the ball in his hands.

What? Cutting is specifically designed to work against set defenses. I've never even heard of it as being a tool to use when defenses aren't set. And for the last 25 years under Sloan, we cut ruthlessly against set defenses. From the flex cuts we use to set up our offense to the cuts which are supposed to happen when the ball goes into the post, they're all designed to work in the set offense against a set defense. AK was our best cutter from the wing, and we felt his absence (in that department) last year immeasurably.

 

[NAOS]

This is exactly what I've been saying. The Jazz need to build an offense that better benefits from Jeffersons strengths & attention he demands. The Jazz had some really well executed games last season running PnR with Sap & Miles when Miles gave up the ball. Watson & Tinsley weren't a shooting threat so packing the paint was easy & even more limited having Braille, Howard & CJ on the wings. No true small forward hurt on both ends of the floor. Jefferson was the only bright spot throughout the entire season yet he's the guy hated on the most?

Imagine how much better Hayward will be on the PnR when paint d is focusing on Jefferson? (Hayward is capable of turning into an absolute assassin here BTW)

Another area Jefferson isn't getting credit for is his role in starting fast breaks. He's pretty good at making outlet passes without turning the ball over. He's not supposed to beat everyone down the court in that role either. Put another dominant rebounder in & Jefferson can get into the offense a lot quicker.

I wish I had your optimism. Even if I were to grant you that Jefferson had more room for improvement after, like, 9 years in the league, I haven't seen anything from Corbin et al. to give me a lot of hope that they can both design and manifest what you are calling for.

 

[franklin]

I wish I had your optimism. Even if I were to grant you that Jefferson had more room for improvement after, like, 9 years in the league, I haven't seen anything from Corbin et al. to give me a lot of hope that they can both design and manifest what you are calling for.

It's not that. I was calling for trading the guy/Harris for next to nothing 20 games into last season to get a number 4-6 & GSW pick. I think the Jazz have hitched their wagon to Jeff-Sap at this point. The other option is rebuild around unprovens.

27 y.o. JefferSap are one of the top front lines in the league, statistically speaking, so why not work with that instead of bitching about their shortcomings.

 

[GVC]

What? Cutting is specifically designed to work against set defenses. I've never even heard of it as being a tool to use when defenses aren't set.

Fair. Still, for player movement/cuts to be effective, the player with the ball in his hands needs to be able to make quick decisions AND make passes with some precision. I don't think Al has shown an ability to do either of those things. With that said, in the video posted by franklin, Al was able to make the required pass from the high post in a couple high-low situations. If Al doesn't show an ability to make passes to those out of his immediate field of vision, using him from the high post more frequently might leverage the defense more and improve the offense.

 

[GVC]

27 y.o. JefferSap are one of the top front lines in the league, statistically speaking, so why not work with that instead of bitching about their shortcomings.

If you don't find the current brand of Jazz basketball entertaining, and you don't think Al has the skill set and bball IQ to complement better players enough for the Jazz to become a contender (role and future salary are HUGE considerations here), should you just grin and bear it?

 

[franklin]

If you don't find the current brand of Jazz basketball entertaining, and you don't think Al has the skill set and bball IQ to complement better players enough for the Jazz to become a contender (role and future salary are HUGE considerations here), should you just grin and bear it?

What other options are there? I ask that with complete sincerity. We all know KOC won't blow it up to get high lottery picks.

NBA offenses require excellent iso players who create weaknesses in the defenses. Jefferson is the closest player the Jazz have to that & Hayward is the only true prospect IMO. If Jefferson goes then someone has to fill that role. Otherwise, this team will look as pathetic all season long as they did in 4 games against SAS last playoffs. Yet they won't be bad enough to garner a high lottery pick. Bleh.

I also hate the notion of losing Millsap without getting anything back in return. Re-signing him is a huge risk given no bird rights & him wanting & deserving a starting role. Jefferson is in a position to be re-signed before his contract expires. The Jazz need to either sign both these guys or get an asset back in a trade(s).

 

[NAOS]

well, now we are getting to the foundation of all the arguments. I don't think the jazz would miss Jefferson for very long. If we score 4 less points on offense, then we make up 6 points on defense. But that's just for sake of argument, because I think we become a better offensive team within 15 games. Favors will grow offensively, as will Hay and Burks. Commit to defense; and play a looser, faster offense. Let the 3 fly when open.

48 wins without Jefferson, IMO. And, those wins come with increased minutes and touches from all the players that will carry us further next year. <-- basically, this is what last year should have been.

 

[GVC]

What other options are there? I ask that with complete sincerity. We all know KOC won't blow it up to get high lottery picks.

NBA offenses require excellent iso players who create weaknesses in the defenses. Jefferson is the closest player the Jazz have to that & Hayward is the only true prospect IMO. If Jefferson goes then someone has to fill that role. Otherwise, this team will look as pathetic all season long as they did in 4 games against SAS last playoffs. Yet they won't be bad enough to garner a high lottery pick. Bleh.

I also hate the notion of losing Millsap without getting anything back in return. Re-signing him is a huge risk given no bird rights & him wanting & deserving a starting role. Jefferson is in a position to be re-signed before his contract expires. The Jazz need to either sign both these guys or get an asset back in a trade(s).

Whoa. Several issues...

Didn't KOC trade Deron Williams for prospects and picks? Don't the Jazz have a new GM? With all the recent changes, it's well within the realm of possibility that this roster looks a lot different a year from now.

Re: "NBA offenses require excellent iso players...": Even if your premise is correct (I'm not sure it is), Jefferson isn't an excellent iso player (or particularly dynamic to say the least), and I don't expect him to become one (I could be wrong). The low entertainment value of Jefferson ball AND the commitment to mediocrity a commitment to Jefferson would indicate would be enough for me to jump ship, quite frankly. No loss for you and yours, but a bridge I'd rather not cross.

And the Jazz do own Bird Rights on Millsap.

 

[fishonjazz]

well, now we are getting to the foundation of all the arguments. I don't think the jazz would miss Jefferson for very long. If we score 4 less points on offense, then we make up 6 points on defense. But that's just for sake of argument, because I think we become a better offensive team within 15 games. Favors will grow offensively, as will Hay and Burks. Commit to defense; and play a looser, faster offense. Let the 3 fly when open.

48 wins without Jefferson, IMO. And, those wins come with increased minutes and touches from all the players that will carry us further next year. <-- basically, this is what last year should have been.

This.