Dennis Lindsey Weekly Interview

[Hotdog]

Summary of Dennis Lindsey Interview (for those too lazy to listen):

Workouts

- workout going well
- structural changes for how workouts are run
- very pleased that agents are appreciative of Jazz's unique position especially that there will be extra minutes and can play straight away
- layup series, kept Sloan/Ty system, but have added additional things
- Have given Brad ideas of what they're looking for (finishing with left hands, corner 3's)
- Brad has D League experience which is beneficial and has done superior job

Draft Strategy

- re McCollum - don't want to "tip our hand"
- Generally - Wanna go with "Best Player"
- Can make argument that there will be some guards there at #14
- Kevin and I agree, we need to take "Guys who will be best overall in his career"
- If we get a guy who's lacking upside/talent, but addressed needs, that's not the position they want
- Rather address "needs" in the free agency

No Stars in this draft

- Yes, but there is a "Market Board" and there is a "Jazz Board", so we can select better
- There isn't a "Tim Duncan" in this draft
- We're excited when we evaluate, there seems to be "Good Players" and if we can get "Rotational" who holds down "cost" rather than going to market, i.e., a "backup Center" or "backup PG".
- While they're not "home runs" but that will allow us to allocate resources else where

Mini-Camps

- Look at why someone can help us
- Can identify those Wing defenders who can make shots

Head Coaching Situation

- Not surprised to see Jason Kidd with the job as he's a tru leader that can lead
- Can make a soap opera with subplots about ownership -> management -> coaching
- So much stress "We can all get short sighted"
- "Win or lose, the management isn't going to blame Coach Sloan"
- It's a competitive business, and an emotional thing

Internal Meetings

- We just got out of "Draft & Free Agents" meeting
- The meeting got emotional
- Had a great meeting with Ty
- Not going to go into specifics
- "He should have been very selfish from a coaching perspective and worry about the next win or the next week. But he just came out sand said 'Hey - this strategy might not necessarily be the best for me, but it's the best for the organisation'".
- "He hasn't thrown our beds under the bus, he hasn't thrown our young guys under the bus"
- "The Miller family recognized that we have a real Partner (in Ty).
- We want our coach to be organized and do things well.
- "But more than anything we want a real 'Partner'."
- That's what unique with coach Popovich who got a few years in Management and had a unique perspective in what we have to spend ($) and how we need to develop young guys
- "When you get a real Partner who looks past the next game, the next week, the next month, sometimes the next Season, that's worth a lot of money.
- That speaks to Ty about his character.

Coaching & Management Relationship

- Ty is different person to coach Sloan
- Jazz has a young GM & new Coach
- So the group will be wider and more participatory
- This is what I'm used to in San Antonio
- I want to hear coaching opinions, not only relating to strategy, but we've got this player at $5million and someone at $3million and if we can get $3mill guy at a shorter term deal, ...
- Not once in my 17 years experience has a decision been made unilaterally.
- I need to challenge my coaching staff about coming up with a list of players

- Kawhii leonard trade - we were scared!
- He needs to work on finishing, shooting, but if coaching & management are communicating properly,
- when this happens there will be more "Buy In" when a player needs to develop

Thanks nickk

 

[The Midnight]

^^^

I don't know about you guys, but I think this is pretty clear that we're gonna go "young" next year.

Given that:

- Agents now know that their guys will be given plenty of playing time (I suspect this is why the agent of Zeller & McCollum encouraged them to come workout for us).

- Dennis & Ty talked about looking ahead instead of trying to "win now"

- Ty seemed to have accepted the fact that the Millers are willing to be patient with him, as long as Ty is patient with the roster

- Dennis' comment re developing young guys and Ty being appreciative of that fact.

 

[Hotdog]

So pretty much, KOC ordered the ridiculous line ups the last couple years

 

[The Midnight]

So pretty much, KOC ordered the ridiculous line ups the last couple years

I think with the high payroll we were left with from Al Jefferon's contract, we were forced to "win" as much as we can and try to make the playoffs to pay for it.

I blame DWill to a certain extent for "wanting" Jefferson, then threw a tantrum when things went sour. The history's repeating itself with the Brooklyn Nets, they're now stuck with Wallace's humongous contract and Johnson isn't the player he used to be.

Having Lindsey now in the fold, KOC can step aside and let this be known as the Lindsey era and not take the flack for "going young".

 

[Hotdog]

I think with the high payroll we were left with from Al Jefferon's contract, we were forced to "win" as much as we can and try to make the playoffs to pay for it.

I blame DWill to a certain extent for "wanting" Jefferson, then threw a tantrum when things went sour. The history's repeating itself with the Brooklyn Nets, they're now stuck with Wallace's humongous contract and Johnson isn't the player he used to be.

Having Lindsey now in the fold, KOC can step aside and let this be known as the Lindsey era and not take the flack for "going young".

I think people keep mistaking what Dennis Lindsey was brought in for. He is here so his Spursness can rub off on us and turn us into the Spurs, magically. That and his analytics analysis. Which is really just dumb way of building a team. You can't money ball basketball.

 

[The Midnight]

I think people keep mistaking what Dennis Lindsey was brought in for. He is here so his Spursness can rub off on us and turn us into the Spurs, magically. That and his analytics analysis. Which is really just dumb way of building a team. You can't money ball basketball.

I think he was brought in, so that when we "tank" next year, it's not KOC's fault.

Plain and simple.

 

[cowhide]

I think with the high payroll we were left with from Al Jefferon's contract, we were forced to "win" as much as we can and try to make the playoffs to pay for it.

I blame DWill to a certain extent for "wanting" Jefferson, then threw a tantrum when things went sour. The history's repeating itself with the Brooklyn Nets, they're now stuck with Wallace's humongous contract and Johnson isn't the player he used to be.

Having Lindsey now in the fold, KOC can step aside and let this be known as the Lindsey era and not take the flack for "going young".

So is this your opinion about DW or do you have an actually quote or article stating DW wanted AJ. I think the decision to bring in AJ was all KOC. He was looking for a service vet without a long contract to make up for losing/not signing Boozer. I don't think DW demanded/wanted a specific player. DW wanted to win so yes he wanted good players and who could blame him when he saw that the Jazz were letting guys go instead of adding to the team.

Besides the fact that trading DW has helped the Jazz rebuild faster than they could have if they had kept DW and just stayed the course. Without trading DW the Jazz would not have Favors, Kanter #21 and even Burks so I think your DW hate is off base.

 

[silesian]

bench

We'll have no depth at any position. None.

Do you think they are not going to fill the open roster spots and we'll go into the season with only 7 players? Or are you saying that you believe the players we are going to pick up are going to constitute an inferior bench?

 

[silesian]

. You can't money ball basketball.

Core premise of getting the most wins per dollar by getting most productive players per dollar holds pretty true, I would think. Compare the list of teams committed to money ball versus the naysayers.... which team would you bet on?

Judge for yourself: teams committed to money ball: Spurs, Heat, Thunder, Grizzlies w/ Hollinger, Rockets, Jazz w/ Lindsey, Mavericks, Nuggets

Teams dubious about moneyball: Trail Blazers, Sixers (will change with new GM and after Collins), Kings, Bobcats

 

[Hotdog]

Core premise of getting the most wins per dollar by getting most productive players per dollar holds pretty true, I would think. Compare the list of teams committed to money ball versus the naysayers.... which team would you bet on?

Judge for yourself: teams committed to money ball: Spurs, Heat, Thunder, Grizzlies w/ Hollinger, Rockets, Jazz w/ Lindsey, Mavericks, Nuggets

Teams dubious about moneyball: Trail Blazers, Sixers (will change with new GM and after Collins), Kings, Bobcats

Its about talent, plain and simple. Either you dont understand what moneyball is, or you choose to completely ignore what players those teams have.

Spurs are only as good as they are because they have had Tim Duncan forever, and Ginobli and Parker, but especially Duncan.

Trying to play moneyball without great talent gets you ....drum roll..... Al Jefferson and Boozer offense. That will NOT win you a championship.

And C'mon, really? You put the Heat in there? You could give a 12 year old control of a team and be a contender as long as he had Lebron.

Great players make coaches, gm's, and organizations look great. Not the other way around.

Look at Danny Ainge with the Celtics. He has always been known as a stats guy, but he wasn't **** until he got Garnett, Pierce, Allen, and Rondo


Argument over. I win

 

[The Fresh Prince]

Man, Corbin's here to stay?
I don't think you can groom a brain into Tyrone.

 

[The Midnight]

So is this your opinion about DW or do you have an actually quote or article stating DW wanted AJ. I think the decision to bring in AJ was all KOC. He was looking for a service vet without a long contract to make up for losing/not signing Boozer. I don't think DW demanded/wanted a specific player. DW wanted to win so yes he wanted good players and who could blame him when he saw that the Jazz were letting guys go instead of adding to the team.

Besides the fact that trading DW has helped the Jazz rebuild faster than they could have if they had kept DW and just stayed the course. Without trading DW the Jazz would not have Favors, Kanter #21 and even Burks so I think your DW hate is off base.

No DWill didn't "demand" Al Jefferson exactly, but he "demanded" that something has to change before his contract runs its course (this is when we were stopped by the Lakers time and again in the playoffs due to our lack of size inside the paint).

KOC obviously trying to please DWill looking at all the options and he definitely ran the "Al Jefferson" option by DWill. I remembered him in an interview saying that it's hard to get guys to come to play in Utah and that KOC ran the option of bringing in Jefferson by him, or at least discussed it before KOC went ahead and let go of Boozer to bring in Big Al.

I remembered there were a lot of optimism at the time (as Big Al always played well against the Lakers). But unfortunately it didn't workout as well as everyone had hoped.

 

[The Midnight]

Do you think they are not going to fill the open roster spots and we'll go into the season with only 7 players? Or are you saying that you believe the players we are going to pick up are going to constitute an inferior bench?

I they're going to sign "average" bench players on shorter contracts ala Tinsley, Caroll, Watson, etc, rather than going after legit players and locking them up long term.

 

[The Midnight]

Man, Corbin's here to stay?
I don't think you can groom a brain into Tyrone.

I think Corbin is here to say - Yes.


At the same time I also think that Dennis/KOC must be satisfied that there is enough "material" within Ty to work off of. Obviously the Millers seem to love Ty because of his Loyalty, etc. Afterall he was patient enough to stick around for so long (either that or because he couldn't find a HC job).

In any event, it seems to me they are intent on "grooming" him regardless of what the media or what the fans say.

 

[bjunior]

No DWill didn't "demand" Al Jefferson exactly, but he "demanded" that something has to change before his contract runs its course (this is when we were stopped by the Lakers time and again in the playoffs due to our lack of size inside the paint).

KOC obviously trying to please DWill looking at all the options and he definitely ran the "Al Jefferson" option by DWill. I remembered him in an interview saying that it's hard to get guys to come to play in Utah and that KOC ran the option of bringing in Jefferson by him, or at least discussed it before KOC went ahead and let go of Boozer to bring in Big Al.

I remembered there were a lot of optimism at the time (as Big Al always played well against the Lakers). But unfortunately it didn't workout as well as everyone had hoped.

yup

https://www.slamonline.com/online/nba/2010/09/d-will-to-al-jefferson-im-going-to-make-you-an-all-star/

 

[d@!!0n0rcutt]

...You can't money ball basketball.

You CAN moneyball basketball and it would be stupid not too, get with the times where analytics rule sports in every game, and they rule for every facet of successful teams. Take for instance Gary Neal and Danny Green, multiple teams gave up on these guys because they don't do some things right or they are too small just like 'moneyball' but the Spurs have been a top 4 to 6 teams in the NBA for over a decade, why, because they built their team the right way. With taking these no name players that no one wanted and the analytics side of things and combine them with what they all do something very similar which is hit an open shot and defend. And if your team play is good enough and you have those one or two all stars you are going to be pretty special. Lets face it when Duncan and Ginobili were at the top of their games Parker was just coming into his own. Later Ginobili basically sucks now, but Parker is the man on the Spurs now and Duncan is just a once in a lifetime player just like some of the players in the 2014 draft, so we basically have 3 or 4 key pieces and if we add that once in lifetime player in next years draft we will be at the top for a long time to come.

 

[GVC]

You can't money ball basketball.

What makes it impossible to take advantage of market inefficiencies in basketball?

 

[Lakers_Slapper]

I find this hard to believe, considering you're talking KOC, because KOC drafted these guys. You would think he would make their development a high priority. Unless he means Greg, which would make more sense because he doesn't seem to know much about basketball.

KOC drafted some horrible players and now he is the president of basketball opps for the Jazz! He was a horrible GM and G. Mill decided to promote him. What are you talking about??

 

[Qman]

You CAN moneyball basketball and it would be stupid not too, get with the times where analytics rule sports in every game, and they rule for every facet of successful teams. Take for instance Gary Neal and Danny Green, multiple teams gave up on these guys because they don't do some things right or they are too small just like 'moneyball' but the Spurs have been a top 4 to 6 teams in the NBA for over a decade, why, because they built their team the right way. With taking these no name players that no one wanted and the analytics side of things and combine them with what they all do something very similar which is hit an open shot and defend. And if your team play is good enough and you have those one or two all stars you are going to be pretty special. Lets face it when Duncan and Ginobili were at the top of their games Parker was just coming into his own. Later Ginobili basically sucks now, but Parker is the man on the Spurs now and Duncan is just a once in a lifetime player just like some of the players in the 2014 draft, so we basically have 3 or 4 key pieces and if we add that once in lifetime player in next years draft we will be at the top for a long time to come.

Or more importantly for Green and Neal they ran into a coach who created a square hole in his game plan and put them in it.

 

[silesian]

Its about talent, plain and simple. Either you dont understand what moneyball is, or you choose to completely ignore what players those teams have.

Spurs are only as good as they are because they have had Tim Duncan forever, and Ginobli and Parker, but especially Duncan.

Trying to play moneyball without great talent gets you ....drum roll..... Al Jefferson and Boozer offense. That will NOT win you a championship.

And C'mon, really? You put the Heat in there? You could give a 12 year old control of a team and be a contender as long as he had Lebron.

Great players make coaches, gm's, and organizations look great. Not the other way around.

Look at Danny Ainge with the Celtics. He has always been known as a stats guy, but he wasn't **** until he got Garnett, Pierce, Allen, and Rondo


Argument over. I win

i like you, you're funny. This is a common and narrow interpretation of moneyball's application to the NBA, so you are with the herd on this one.

Two things you may be missing: (1) Successful teams have stars and uses moneyball concepts to optimize the non-star talent using player win value per dollar. Look at the teams with great players who do not win because of the way they round out the roster. Certainly you don't think that having stars alone wins.

(2) NBA stars are underpaid for value due to salary cap, so having a star and paying them the max is consistent with moneyball fundamentals

You have to get out of the MLB mindset to see these things, but for those with an open and nonlinear mind, the fundamental concepts translate between sports pretty nicely.

Good day to you..... : - )