Andy Larsen's Article from Last Night - A Local Guy Going Hard

[NAOS]

I thought about that analogy here. What Brady had though was a very good OL, and Gronk. They did build around Tom Terrific.

The key word was “invested.” They played moneyball around Tom and trusted his skill would eclipse any bad luck. They had a lot of success because they are a good Xs-and-Os organization (who also made awful ethics decisions to get it done—see Hernandez and AB). They never went out and spent top dollar on hall-of-famers. Tom’s presence allowed them to focus and invest more on the other side of the ball.

 

[sahlensguy]

The key word was “invested.” They played moneyball around Tom and trusted his skill would eclipse any bad luck. They had a lot of success because they are a good Xs-and-Os organization (who also made awful ethics decisions to get it done—see Hernandez and AB). They never went out and spent top dollar on hall-of-famers. Tom’s presence allowed them to focus and invest more on the other side of the ball.

I don't agree. They had Gronk too to lean on. And always a good OL, and RB retreads who resurrected careers. They didn't desert him with talent.

 

[NAOS]

I can defend the philosophy of focusing less on defense once Rudy emerged by calling your attention to the way the New England Patriots invested in building receiving cores for Tom Brady, but I’ve run out of energy.

My conclusion is that the problem is pretty ****ing deep into the “intangibles”... like the mental side of things, and the motivations of the leaders. If these are the problems, if doesn’t matter whether you have a cast of “defenders” or “bucket-getters”, etc.

This team needs a Stockton or a Duncan... Someone who is thoroughly over himself and thoroughly committed to ORGANIZATION (over any personal benchmark). They also need to be over certain chemistry issues (our “chemistry” has been sooooo cuuuuuute the past few years) and let winning take center stage, even if it takes a little ugly to get it done.

Like the NFL waking up to a post-concussion world in which future talent will be focused on non-football sports, the NBA might need to get woke and realize that current and future talent is distracted by a lot of non-team stuff—and so another Duncan or Stockton May never happen.

 

[NAOS]

I don't agree. They had Gronk too to lean on. And always a good OL, and RB retreads who resurrected careers. They didn't desert him with talent.

They drafted Gronk in the 4th round. They invested when it came to time to re-up; they didn’t poach him from another team during free agency. There’s a difference. The O-line has been a focus, but Brady himself has also been key in those negotiations and decisions... which even furthers my point.

Belicheck has been able to focus more on defense with Tom around. That’s been a key to their chemistry since BB is a defense guy, first and foremost.

 

[sahlensguy]

They drafted Gronk in the 4th round. They invested when it came to time to re-up; they didn’t poach him from another team during free agency. There’s a difference. The O-line has been a focus, but Brady himself has also been key in those negotiations and decisions... which even furthers my point.

Belicheck has been able to focus more on defense with Tom around. That’s been a key to their chemistry since BB is a defense guy, first and foremost.

So? They reupped the greatest TE in the league to help Tom. He had a great OL in front of him.

What has the Jazz given Rudy on the Defensive end, a reupped Donte?

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

I can defend the philosophy of focusing less on defense once Rudy emerged by calling your attention to the way the New England Patriots invested in building receiving cores for Tom Brady, but I’ve run out of energy.

My conclusion is that the problem is pretty ****ing deep into the “intangibles”... like the mental side of things, and the motivations of the leaders. If these are the problems, if doesn’t matter whether you have a cast of “defenders” or “bucket-getters”, etc.

This team needs a Stockton or a Duncan... Someone who is thoroughly over himself and thoroughly committed to ORGANIZATION (over any personal benchmark). They also need to be over certain chemistry issues (our “chemistry” has been sooooo cuuuuuute the past few years) and let winning take center stage, even if it takes a little ugly to get it done.

I also think there is a general preference/favoritism towards offense. So rules aren't likely to be changed to make it easier to defend and likely it continues to go the other way. Dudes are allowed to hop and skip around and no travels are called... certain guys are allowed to jump sideways, backwards, or just stop which causes contact and results in fouls. Offensive players are trained actors out there to get free throws... building a team around an amazing defense will get harder and harder.

Shooting is also getting better and better, so more teams may be able to nullify Rudy.

IDK... everything feels pretty broken right now so hopefully effort and focus solves this BS.

 

[LogGrad98]

I think they need to take that clip from the dark Knight where the joker asks "what's the matter, did your balls drop off?" And play it on repeat in the locker room 24/7.

Found it

 

[sahlensguy]

I also think there is a general preference/favoritism towards offense. So rules aren't likely to be changed to make it easier to defend and likely it continues to go the other way. Dudes are allowed to hop and skip around and no travels are called... certain guys are allowed to jump sideways, backwards, or just stop which causes contact and results in fouls. Offensive players are trained actors out there to get free throws... building a team around an amazing defense will get harder and harder.

Shooting is also getting better and better, so more teams may be able to nullify Rudy.

IDK... everything feels pretty broken right now so hopefully effort and focus solves this BS.

You can argue that it's not worth building around a defensive center and I'd probably agree with you.

Two holes in making that case for me...

1) we are Utah. We're not LA. We have to play the hand that is dealt us because we're not on a level playing field in attracting talent. Rudy's a generational talent and competitor though so going away from him is a pity.

2) if we're not going to really build around Rudy, don't pretend that we are. Do not Max the guy. Trade him actually, because he doesn't fit in on the court with other guys - you find other guys to fit with him.

 

[Deleted member 95]

I can defend the philosophy of focusing less on defense once Rudy emerged by calling your attention to the way the New England Patriots invested in building receiving cores for Tom Brady, but I’ve run out of energy.

My conclusion is that the problem is pretty ****ing deep into the “intangibles”... like the mental side of things, and the motivations of the leaders. If these are the problems, if doesn’t matter whether you have a cast of “defenders” or “bucket-getters”, etc.

This team needs a Stockton or a Duncan... Someone who is thoroughly over himself and thoroughly committed to ORGANIZATION (over any personal benchmark). They also need to be over certain chemistry issues (our “chemistry” has been sooooo cuuuuuute the past few years) and let winning take center stage, even if it takes a little ugly to get it done.

I'll say it again. This type of soft player creation happens when you decide to base your organization around catering to everything around the player and are scared to death you'll run off players due to any perceived mistreatment or culture perception.

 

[sahlensguy]

I'll say it again. This type of soft player creation happens when you decide to base your organization around catering to everything around the player and are scared to death you'll run off players due to any perceived mistreatment or culture perception.

You're speaking of Hayward, not Rudy, right?

 

[Deleted member 95]

You're speaking of Hayward, not Rudy, right?

I'm speaking of everyone.

 

[sahlensguy]

I'm speaking of everyone.

Well they are not catering to Gobert. Haven't brought in a good on ball defender since Donte (arguably Royce). Let that sink in.

No. They funnel everything into Rudy, and let him do ALL the work.