Burks a SG? Maybe not..................

[GVC]

Agree.

I should have noted that the "hard part" is to see past or through this when the discussions come up.

Sure. Big Al is enticing for obvious reasons, but so much of what he brings to a team is superficial. In a game of one-on-one, Jefferson probably beats Millsap (although, with Millsap's improved perimeter game, this might not be the case), but basketball is a team game. There are 10 players on the court at all times with a role to be played. We know Millsap can fit in, we're still waiting to see if Al can adapt. This coming season is a make-or-break year for Jefferson.

 

[GVC]

Or Big Al is the right guy in the right system. That is he could be the Hakeem in a 1post + 4 3pt shooter model. (Calm down everyone he's not as good as Hakeem.) But the point is that SEEMS to be his game. Not high pick and roll stuff. Also, we all were hopeful that he could be the Karl in the 'low post cross screen' offense. If that become our offense, then Big Al becomes more keepable. I've just made the assumption his game is different than the other bigs we have.

But if Al can't recognize cutters/shooters and get them the ball where and when they need it...

 

[akirac73]

Everything being said about Burks were also said about DeShawn Stevenson when we drafted him...good passing ability, could spend some time as a PG, could play up to three positions, needs to improve his outside shooting, etc.
Hope this time, the predictions come true.

 

[GVC]

Everything being said about Burks were also said about DeShawn Stevenson when we drafted him...good passing ability, could spend some time as a PG, could play up to three positions, needs to improve his outside shooting, etc.
Hope this time, the predictions come true.

Drafting at 12 is a crap shoot. They picked a guy with a very high ceiling, which is the way to go, IMO, especially since the Jazz already have loads of youth and potentially two more lotto picks next year.

 

[colton]

This coming season is a make-or-break year for Jefferson.

I agree completely with this. Around mid-season I was completely off the Jefferson bandwagon, mainly because of his inability to pass the ball. Towards the end of the season I think he showed signs of improvement. I'd give him another half-season to see if he did in fact learn how to pass, and if he didn't I'd trade him at the trade deadline. I will say the 2 blocks/game were a nice upgrade from the "defense" of Boozer.

 

[infection]

Everything being said about Burks were also said about DeShawn Stevenson when we drafted him...good passing ability, could spend some time as a PG, could play up to three positions, needs to improve his outside shooting, etc.
Hope this time, the predictions come true.

There's a better track-record on Burks. DeShawn came out of high school.

 

[Favors Flave]

Towards the end of the season I think he showed signs of improvement. I will say the 2 blocks/game were a nice upgrade from the "defense" of Boozer.

100% agree but most ignore this

 

[orangello]

100% agree but most ignore this

I'm not ignoring it but how many games did the Jazz win the 2nd half of the season? Blocks do not mean that you are good defender. Steals have the same problem. Dwight is a good defender because he moves around and creates spacing issues for the opposing team. Jefferson is slow and gambles a lot on defense.

 

[noyritus]

Harris
Hayward
AK-47
Jefferson
Favors

6th man: Milsap

Biggest needs: Lights out shooter from beyond the arc and a small forward.

Here's to an interesting year!

 

[NotDeadYet]

Hmmmm. Burks at PG is becoming more and more intriguing. If he is good enough at it in TC, maybe we don't really need Watson re-signed. Just a thought... Watson definitely showed his age last season as the season progressed; really had some slower games. If Burks shows well as a PG, we would have roster space to re-sign AK to reasonable contract and shore up our SF position. TC will be interesting this year...

 

[cowhide]

By the end of the season, I thought AJ was passing it more than Millsap. I don't want to trade either right now. Both will have to adjust to having more competition on the team and will have to adapt to different roles. It will be interesting which player complains about their roles if it changes this season. It one of them doesn't want to come off the bench than perhaps the decision of which one needs to be traded will be made easier. I know their is a log jam of bigs but Okur's health and contract status may ultimately free up playing time. A rotation of AJ/Millsap/Favors/Kanter is a nice problem to have. There are several options with that front court rotation.

 

[NotDeadYet]

Burks at PG and Hayward at SG to close out games down the road seems a good idea to me... And adding a healthy Okur to the mix means Millsap is gonna play more at SF for us, assuming Favors and Kanter see significant PT. As I think is Evans' future too. Both can put in some PT at PF. Millsap needs to understand the more VERSATILITY we have within our different lineups, the better our team should perform.
I DO NOT WANT ANY TRADES at this time; LOVE the versatility of this group just as it is!!