Whats the over/under on how many days before the majority of Jazzfanz will demand we trade AK?
Good News -- Another Year of AK47!
- Thread starter write4u
- Start date
AK is not going to start at PF, Sloan said CJ/Bell to compete for SG and AK and Hayward for SF. AK may see a few minutes there but he is not gong to start. Evans is not a SG either.
I really think we may be getting ahead of ourselves on Evans (I'm not referring to you specifically as this same statement has been made a few times on the board). Millsap was drafted after his junior year, where he put up 20/13 for both his junior and sophomore year. Matthews put up 18/6 in his senior year. In contrast, Jeremy evans put up 10/7 his senior year. Though there are multiple variables in any statistical comparison, this is a rather large gap. I understand that he's an "energy guy" but getting praise and positive quotes about his ability may not go as far as me may want to think. I don't doubt that he could come in and have a positive, limited role, but certainly not to the extent of a Millsap or Matthews.
In addition, the level of competition at Western Kentucky is poor.
Williams/Watson/Price
Bell/CJ/Thompson
AK/Hayward/Evans
Millsap/AK/Jefferson
Jefferson/Fesenko or Elson
This starting lineup sets a very nice defensive tone and this may also help Jefferson in that respect with him being the C and him understanding that the C is supposed to be the captain of the defense (even though I don't think he'll ever be great, he certainly can improve a lot). This also leaves AK as the clear 3rd option and secondary ball-handler/playmaker which is important for him to have priority in the offense. Bell and Millsap as 4th/5th options are their ideal roles and you could do a hell of a lot worse with them as your 4th and 5th options. CJ off the bench will give him a good opportunity to have higher priority in the offense and against weaker defense, and this should also help hide his defensive inadequacies if he still has them. The same could be said of Hayward. AK slides to the 4 and his role would change somewhat, but he should already be engaged in the game. There's an interesting dynamic between emphasis on interior and perimeter scoring when AK's at the 4 and Jefferson's on the bench and when Jefferson's on the floor, so that should create some difficulties for the opposing team's defensive gameplan provided that the team gels well and are fluid in that offensive shift.
Getting a little more back to the original point, I have more hope for AK this year than in years past because I haven't seen him have a stretch like he had last year since 2005. The Jazz were damn unstoppable, and so long as AK is given some priority (as kind of childish and coddling as it is), the dividends could be massive. On paper, Jefferson should make AK worse, but there was an off-court dynamic between Boozer and AK that didn't seem good (and maybe that was just the AK homers making a stink), so hopefully there's growth from the absence of Boozer (even though to be more clear, Jefferson has been a way worse black hole than Boozer).
Bell/CJ/Thompson
AK/Hayward/Evans
Millsap/AK/Jefferson
Jefferson/Fesenko or Elson
This starting lineup sets a very nice defensive tone and this may also help Jefferson in that respect with him being the C and him understanding that the C is supposed to be the captain of the defense (even though I don't think he'll ever be great, he certainly can improve a lot). This also leaves AK as the clear 3rd option and secondary ball-handler/playmaker which is important for him to have priority in the offense. Bell and Millsap as 4th/5th options are their ideal roles and you could do a hell of a lot worse with them as your 4th and 5th options. CJ off the bench will give him a good opportunity to have higher priority in the offense and against weaker defense, and this should also help hide his defensive inadequacies if he still has them. The same could be said of Hayward. AK slides to the 4 and his role would change somewhat, but he should already be engaged in the game. There's an interesting dynamic between emphasis on interior and perimeter scoring when AK's at the 4 and Jefferson's on the bench and when Jefferson's on the floor, so that should create some difficulties for the opposing team's defensive gameplan provided that the team gels well and are fluid in that offensive shift.
Getting a little more back to the original point, I have more hope for AK this year than in years past because I haven't seen him have a stretch like he had last year since 2005. The Jazz were damn unstoppable, and so long as AK is given some priority (as kind of childish and coddling as it is), the dividends could be massive. On paper, Jefferson should make AK worse, but there was an off-court dynamic between Boozer and AK that didn't seem good (and maybe that was just the AK homers making a stink), so hopefully there's growth from the absence of Boozer (even though to be more clear, Jefferson has been a way worse black hole than Boozer).
NAOS
Well-Known Member
Jazz4ever
Well-Known Member
Perhaps you should pack your bags and hit the road like drivewayball did to Chicago.
Completely agree. +1
I'm excited for AK this year. We're going to see max effort, and he's got a chance to play a big role for the team.
Whatever happens though I don't want to sign him at ANY price next season. Let him have a great year, and get overpaid by some other team.
Let's use him this year when he'll be playing hard then let him walk at season's end.
You owe us AK. I for one will be waiting to collect.
(Can you pick up my League Pass bill too? thanks)
Whatever happens though I don't want to sign him at ANY price next season. Let him have a great year, and get overpaid by some other team.
Let's use him this year when he'll be playing hard then let him walk at season's end.
You owe us AK. I for one will be waiting to collect.
(Can you pick up my League Pass bill too? thanks)
Twin Towers
Well-Known Member
A little different than mine but I agree. As long as Bell is starting at the 2 guard I honestly don't think its huge deal between Miles or AK starting at the 3. I like both scenarios. But Bell is the key for us at the 2 guard.
I do think Miles will be backing up the SF and SG spot though if he comes off the bench. Hayward won't be off the bench before CJ at either position. Either way I am excited for the year. I think having Jefferson deep in the post will actually open things up for slashing. People think having more shooters opens up slashing but that is not always the case. Balance opens up slashing opportunities. Having Jefferson in the post creates more space in the mid range which helps you initially get to the hoop. There might be a guy standing at the hoop but once you get past your man but you can either shoot or dish it off (which AK is great at) to the guy next to the hoop.
Jefferson will help create balance on the floor which opens up everything. We have a very balanced scoring team now. Before I felt like we were 3 point or mid range with the old team. Floor spacing looks awesome. AK will be slashing more now.