2011 NBA Free Agent List

[billyshelby]

Sorry, I don't buy it. Jefferson had just 1.8 assists per game last year and that's in 35.9 minutes per game. Hell, he has averaged just 1.3 for his career in 29.8 minutes per contest. Dude's a black hole of monumental proportions. At least Boozer has averaged 2.5 per game for his career and in his seasons with Utah where he was most injury-free, he averaged 3.2, 3.0 and 2.9 per game, far better than anything Jefferson's shown.

The first 40 games this year are make or break for me with Al. He needs to appear in noticeably better shape, get up and down the court better, jump out to something like 10+ rebounds a game and 2+ assists per game over that span, AND show a better commitment to team defense for me to have any faith in him. If he's done that, he's shown me a commitment to himself and the team. If not, he's the same old guy he's always been. A black hole who doesn't show the work ethic and aptitude for team ball that is necessary to win in this league.

Everyone agrees KLove is a great passer. Yet on Minnesota, he averaged 2.5 last year. That's much better than Al's 1.8. My argument would be Love should be leading the league in assists at the 4. But Minnesota was 25th in assists last year. 24th the year before, 17th before that, and 26th the year before that. They don't get a lot of assisted baskets on that team.

I don't expect Al to ever become a great passer. But I don't care if he isn't so long as he's a willing passer who can play in a system. For what it's worth, I would point out that in February, Al averaged 24, 11.5, and 2.2 assists shooting 53. He tailed off during the swan song of March, but averaged 3.6 assists in that span of 7 games. If Al was the type of guy trying to beef his numbers in a lost season, I would not expect him to suddenly juice his assist totals.

What gets lost in all this is his skill as a post player. Marc Gasol will never average 23 and 11 for 2 months of any season he ever plays in. He doesn't have Al's skill, and 99% of NBA 4's don't. Al has a killer pump fake, he can go left on the up and under, he can go right with the push shot, and his 14-16 foot jumper is more than respectable. I don't worry about his passing, I worry that the Jazz don't make his setting up lower on the block a priority. If Al is catching the ball 10 feet or in, he can be a flat out machine in the league.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

I think this is a critical year for Al. He is obviously going to be our #1 option next year, or 1a. option. I think he really needs to show the Jazz staff he can play winning basketball, because the roster has the talent to surprise people and make a low playoff seed.

 

[billyshelby]

I think this is a critical year for Al. He is obviously going to be our #1 option next year, or 1a. option. I think he really needs to show the Jazz staff he can play winning basketball, because the roster has the talent to surprise people and make a low playoff seed.

Kool Aid or not, I think Al is an all star this year. I think he turns into a leader and becomes borderline unstoppable in the post. He's the biggest reason why I believe we'll be in the playoffs next year.

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

Al was making an effort to pass at the beginning of the year. However, towards the end of the year, there was no one else who really wanted the ball. I'm too lazy to look up his assist numbers for the first 25 games of the season.

 

[NUMBERICA]

Assists are a nice indicator of team ball, but it's not the end-all. Kind of like blocked shots and good defense.

That is neither here nor there.

 

[sepanol]

They think of George like we think of Hayward. And they like Al, but don't want Hibbert and Jefferson paired.

George is from my school, he is a great defender but i think he is nothing like Hayward. He can be a guy like bruce bowen, a complementary piece, but hayward is much better, an all around player. If they think of george like we do for hayward, they r just having delusions

 

[Gyp Rosetti]

Everyone agrees KLove is a great passer. Yet on Minnesota, he averaged 2.5 last year. That's much better than Al's 1.8. My argument would be Love should be leading the league in assists at the 4. But Minnesota was 25th in assists last year. 24th the year before, 17th before that, and 26th the year before that. They don't get a lot of assisted baskets on that team.

I don't expect Al to ever become a great passer. But I don't care if he isn't so long as he's a willing passer who can play in a system. For what it's worth, I would point out that in February, Al averaged 24, 11.5, and 2.2 assists shooting 53. He tailed off during the swan song of March, but averaged 3.6 assists in that span of 7 games. If Al was the type of guy trying to beef his numbers in a lost season, I would not expect him to suddenly juice his assist totals.

What gets lost in all this is his skill as a post player. Marc Gasol will never average 23 and 11 for 2 months of any season he ever plays in. He doesn't have Al's skill, and 99% of NBA 4's don't. Al has a killer pump fake, he can go left on the up and under, he can go right with the push shot, and his 14-16 foot jumper is more than respectable. I don't worry about his passing, I worry that the Jazz don't make his setting up lower on the block a priority. If Al is catching the ball 10 feet or in, he can be a flat out machine in the league.

Good post. And I agree with Jefferson's offensive game. It's almost unmatched at the 4 in this league. But again, he needs too show me much more. For a guy with that much size and length and promise (look at past rebounding numbers), I need to see a difference this year. If he comes in a little trimmer and lighter, yet stronger and in noticeably better shape, I'll be stoked. That could or at least should mean only great things for him.

My goals for him this year are 19.0+ ppg on 51.2%+, 10.3+ rebounds, 2.1+ assists, and 1.8+ blocks with a free throw percentage somewhere near his career high from last year. Those numbers aren't overwhelming but I expect him to get 3-5 less minutes per game with Favors playing more and Okur coming back. Most importantly to me is his conditioning, offensive efficiency, overall defensive play, passing, and leadership. I'd like to see him make solid improvements in all areas. Not leaps, just solid improvements as he begins to head into what could or should be the peak of his career for the next 3-5 years. If he can do that, I'm sold on him.

 

[Jeffrey32]

Jeremy Evans is unrescrited?

 

[billyshelby]

Good post. And I agree with Jefferson's offensive game. It's almost unmatched at the 4 in this league. But again, he needs too show me much more. For a guy with that much size and length and promise (look at past rebounding numbers), I need to see a difference this year. If he comes in a little trimmer and lighter, yet stronger and in noticeably better shape, I'll be stoked. That could or at least should mean only great things for him.

My goals for him this year are 19.0+ ppg on 51.2%+, 10.3+ rebounds, 2.1+ assists, and 1.8+ blocks with a free throw percentage somewhere near his career high from last year. Those numbers aren't overwhelming but I expect him to get 3-5 less minutes per game with Favors playing more and Okur coming back. Most importantly to me is his conditioning, offensive efficiency, overall defensive play, passing, and leadership. I'd like to see him make solid improvements in all areas. Not leaps, just solid improvements as he begins to head into what could or should be the peak of his career for the next 3-5 years. If he can do that, I'm sold on him.

Pretty much agree with everything you said. Slightly disagree with only two things:

1. I don't want Al coming in lighter. Running the court like a gazelle is never going to be his game. Better conditioned, sure, but that's true of every player. If I'm Al's physical trainer, I'm putting his lower body on a grueling regimen and not letting him lose weight. The absolute key to Al getting the maximum out of his skill is being able to set up low on the block and hold position. Keep the *** fat and turn the legs into tree trunks. I would love to see his efficiency totals when he catches the ball at 8 feet. He's flat out unguardable that close.

2. I don't see Al's minutes being affected by Favors. Millsap's minutes might get affected by Favors, but I doubt that, too. Favors will have his good games where he plays extra time. But he's so raw offensively I'll be surprised if he averages more than 25. But I'm very hopeful Favors will make such strides that he warrants more time. I just think Favors in year 2 is going to mostly be a warrior on the 2nd unit refining his offensive game.

 

[colton]

bump

Which free agents do you like? I guess I'm not sold on the Millsap = SF plan, and I'd like Hayward to play more 2 than 3. And I don't want to bring Miles back (sign & trade would be best). I have mixed feelings about AK. So there's a hole at SF which I'd like to fill with a quality FA using the MLE (without knowing the new CBA, it's hard to predict what will be allowed... but there will likely be something like the MLE).

 

[Favors Flave]

bump

Which free agents do you like? I guess I'm not sold on the Millsap = SF plan, and I'd like Hayward to play more 2 than 3. And I don't want to bring Miles back (sign & trade would be best). I have mixed feelings about AK. So there's a hole at SF which I'd like to fill with a quality FA using the MLE (without knowing the new CBA, it's hard to predict what will be allowed... but there will likely be something like the MLE).

Well now the good crop of SG's in this class are out of the question most likely.

-PG position- If we don't re-sign Watson, I like JJ Barea and Mario Chalmers. Not many back up points. No need to get a 3rd string guy b/c we have Burks now who can play the 1.

-SG- I love the SG talent but would only make a play for one if Hayward moves to 3- Marcus Thorton, Nick Young, Arron Afflalo, Jamal Crawford, Jason Richardson and then some bench options like Mike Dunleavy, CDR, Michael Redd, DeShawn Stevenson

-SF- Wilson Chandler, Prince, Grant Hill, Rasual Butler, Shane Battier, Caron Butler, Azubuike. Most of those guys are veterans but would love for Chandler,Prince or Butler to be our starting SF. Maybe a very cheap bench option is Derrick Brown. Tyrone Corbin and the Jazz staff loved him and remember him playing for our summer league team.

-PF- No chance they sign a PF

- C- Would only sign a back up C if they move Big Al or Memo. I would only want a defensive center type though. A lot of defensive C's but most of these guys would want to be starters or would demand way too much $- Chandler, Nene, Gasol, Dalembert, DeAndre Jordan, Przybilla, Ryan Hollins, Alexis Ajinca,Ratliff

 

[The-Joker]

I think we should be saving as much cash as possible right now... we're going to have to resign 2 top 5 picks in the next 3 years and 2 other lottery picks. Drafting well doesn't mean jack if we can't afford to keep them.

We're not a playoff team with any combination of those free agents, with the exception of Marc Gasol, but he's going to be a hard get...