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2024-2025 Tank Race

Expect Collins and Lauri to play.
How so?

Lauri had just missed his first consecutive games in a month.

My theory is after the Houston win Ainge got anxious and decided to chat with Lauri about sitting more games down the road. Hence the consecutive games missed.

With 24 games left in the season we’ll see how many games he ends up playing.

My guess is he’ll end up playing only about half if not less.
 
... but I haven't heard an argument for the cost of sitting Lauri.
Really? I can think of at least a few possible costs (or maybe, more correctly, value for playing Lauri). Whether these are actually at play, I don't know, but they all seem like possible things:
  • Give Lauri more of a chance to practice his one-on-one skills and other "weaknesses" in a developmental season
  • Give the youngsters a chance to play with real, quality NBA players (which may help hasten their development)
  • Give Lauri a better chance to achieve individual goals (hard to do if they're not playing him)
  • Maybe even part of the negotiation that convinced him to stay in Utah was that he wouldn't be completely shut down even if there was a season devoted to young player development. So, it's possible that they feel that they owe it to him
  • Help make games more competitive, on the theory that young players develop faster when they aren't getting blown out most of the time
 
Really? I can think of at least a few possible costs (or maybe, more correctly, value for playing Lauri). Whether these are actually at play, I don't know, but they all seem like possible things:
  • Give Lauri more of a chance to practice his one-on-one skills and other "weaknesses" in a developmental season
  • Give the youngsters a chance to play with real, quality NBA players (which may help hasten their development)
  • Give Lauri a better chance to achieve individual goals (hard to do if they're not playing him)
  • Maybe even part of the negotiation that convinced him to stay in Utah was that he wouldn't be completely shut down even if there was a season devoted to young player development. So, it's possible that they feel that they owe it to him
  • Help make games more competitive, on the theory that young players develop faster when they aren't getting blown out most of the time

Fans bought tickets to watch Lauri play. . .
 
Fans bought tickets to watch Lauri play. . .
I think the FO and the owners are trying to strike that perfect balance between tanking and still keeping the stadium full.

Looking at this year’s attendance together with the fact that we might get the 3rd best lottery odds it seems like they’re doing a brilliant job of that.

Lauri missing consecutive games at the time of writing this (after the Houston win) tells me the FO means business getting to the finish line here.
 
I think the FO and the owners are trying to strike that perfect balance between tanking and still keeping the stadium full.

Looking at this year’s attendance together with the fact that we might get the 3rd best lottery odds it seems like they’re doing a brilliant job of that.

Lauri missing consecutive games at the time of writing this (after the Houston win) tells me the FO means business getting to the finish line here.
Honestly I feel like the jazz have basically executed the perfect season so far. Its been nice seeing all these flashes of great play from collier, key, and flip. Plus the emergence of Kessler. Even Cody has done some stuff. Collins has played at an all star level. Sexton has had a good year other than the injury. And we currently have the best possible odds at getting Cooper.
If we get Flagg and some of our young guys make a leap (plus I still believe that hendricks will be a value piece of this roster) then we could really take off next year if we decide to.
 
Bexcuse if
How so?

Lauri had just missed his first consecutive games in a month.

My theory is after the Houston win Ainge got anxious and decided to chat with Lauri about sitting more games down the road. Hence the consecutive games missed.

With 24 games left in the season we’ll see how many games he ends up playing.

My guess is he’ll end up playing only about half if not less.
How so? Because we can't lose all the remaining games. And if we are going to win one or two, let it be against Minny. If minny slides 1.0 games they are tied with Sactown for the 10th spot.

That means 2 play-in games to make the playoffs and both on the road. If they miss on one play-in game we have at least an extra 2.4% and probably at most a 4.8% chance at a top 3 pick.

And worst case scenario a top 14 pick vs 20. Much more value.

If you are going to win a game in the next 10, tonight is the night.
 
Edwards is out. Injuries are starting to add up. Minny has been squeezing out wins that they probably didn't deserve at the end of games with crazy come backs. But overall, they aren't that compelling of a team. A bit more sliding and they are chasing the rest of the season. Stress in Minnesota is really good for the Jazz long term.
 
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