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Favors needs more minutes

NAOS said:
I wonder if Thomas Thibreadough could draw up a defensive schematic in which Millsap could play SF for six minutes a game (in most cases)? The reason is because if this were possible (via the modest reduction of his defense responsibilities and the subsequent correction in the schematic), then Millsap, AJ, and Favors could all close games.

I realize it would take a master, but I still wonder if it could be done. The change would also create a nice mismatch on the offensive end, and if Millsap continues to stretch his range, then he might be very effective at that position. The front court passing would be beautiful.
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In my thinking, this has to be on the minds of the Jazz coaching staff this offseason. I'm worried about our chemistry issues next year if we lose Millsap.

I don't see how you can have Millsap on the bench to close games (clutch!), but neither can I see putting Favors or AJ there.

So, yes, I dream this is possible for the limited scale that you've highlighted ~5-6 min per game.
 
Figuring out how to effectively distribute minutes between Al, Sap, and Favors is just a good problem to have. I trust in Ty to figure it out. As an added bonus, I think there's a way Okur can contribute next season, just not as a starter. The last remaining puzzle piece is a developmental big with size whose strength is D, not O, that can be used situationally.
 
billyshelby said:
Figuring out how to effectively distribute minutes between Al, Sap, and Favors is just a good problem to have. I trust in Ty to figure it out. As an added bonus, I think there's a way Okur can contribute next season, just not as a starter. The last remaining puzzle piece is a developmental big with size whose strength is D, not O, that can be used situationally.
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what do you think about the possibility of Millsap closing games at SF?
 
I really know nothing about the big men of the draft. I really only watch ACC. I'd say Henson intrigues me as a guy who should be there when we pick. Skinny and a little raw, but a crasy athlete who beasts at the rim. A bit like Davis, but even a better athlete with less offensive game.

I'm all for finding ways to keep Sap on the floor. I have never thought he could defend the 3, though. I get scared when he's out on the perimeter. But if Favors made enough strides and we had much better help instincts we could maybe get away with it for short stretches. Mostly I'm in favor of just closing games with whatever combo of those 3 work best. Sap out against Bynum/Pau, Sap in against Duncan/Blair, that kind of thing.
 
CALJAZZFAN said:
I would not be against drafting a center, provided that he have some serious potential to be a defensive force, but I'm not sure about drafting based on height. Favors is the same height as Dwight Howard, and Dwight plays center. AK can guard Odom and we don't need anyone other than Al and Favors. Plus, the Lakers won't necessarily be the team we need to worry about after another year or two, IMO. Kobe is on the downside and without Kobe, they're nothing, even with three trees. I'd worry more about Oklahoma City.
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Not really any good true 7 foot centers in this draft. Kanter is 6'10". The other Euros are considered more PFs than centers. Zeller might be the highest ranked 7 footer. Either though I kind of doubt he is a legit 7 footer either. Could be some Euro who comes out of nowhere though.
 
billyshelby said:
I really know nothing about the big men of the draft. I really only watch ACC. I'd say Henson intrigues me as a guy who should be there when we pick. Skinny and a little raw, but a crasy athlete who beasts at the rim. A bit like Davis, but even a better athlete with less offensive game.

I'm all for finding ways to keep Sap on the floor. I have never thought he could defend the 3, though. I get scared when he's out on the perimeter. But if Favors made enough strides and we had much better help instincts we could maybe get away with it for short stretches. Mostly I'm in favor of just closing games with whatever combo of those 3 work best. Sap out against Bynum/Pau, Sap in against Duncan/Blair, that kind of thing.
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... but, then again, I think Millsap can play Artest...

I agree with you on the core of this idea: help defense is what this is all about. Favors and AJ could be the anchors of a pretty solid defensive front court, but both have a lot to learn on rotations, etc., and how to put THE TEAM in good rebounding position after making a play on defense.

I dunno... I think this is an issue that Millsap and the Jazz have to work out together. Millsap wants to be a foundation for this team, and I think he has earned serious consideration for being team Captain + being a focal point of the team's overall schematic. He's come to training camp every year with new facet to his game. I think there is plenty of reason to hope that he could work on his lateral agility and footwork so that he could play spot minutes at the SF. Of course, the coaching staff needs to be in conversation with him about this, and part of the conversation probably needs to be about him coming off the bench. Crown him Captain, give him 30 minutes a game, and tell him that we want him to close games (and if he can adapt to playing spot minutes at SF that'll be sooo much easier).

It's too bad that Fes isn't working out. Then, you'd have your situational big man with a specialty on D. Do you think he'll be back?
 
NAOS said:
... but, then again, I think Millsap can play Artest...

I agree with you on the core of this idea: help defense is what this is all about. Favors and AJ could be the anchors of a pretty solid defensive front court, but both have a lot to learn on rotations, etc., and how to put THE TEAM in good rebounding position after making a play on defense.

I dunno... I think this is an issue that Millsap and the Jazz have to work out together. Millsap wants to be a foundation for this team, and I think he has earned serious consideration for being team Captain + being a focal point of the team's overall schematic. He's come to training camp every year with new facet to his game. I think there is plenty of reason to hope that he could work on his lateral agility and footwork so that he could play spot minutes at the SF. Of course, the coaching staff needs to be in conversation with him about this, and part of the conversation probably needs to be about him coming off the bench. Crown him Captain, give him 30 minutes a game, and tell him that we want him to close games (and if he can adapt to playing spot minutes at SF that'll be sooo much easier).

It's too bad that Fes isn't working out. Then, you'd have your situational big man with a specialty on D. Do you think he'll be back?
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Sap's jumper gives me a lot of hope that he can be used creatively. But I don't see any amount of jumping jacks that is going to make him an even adequate defender against most NBA wings. He doesn't have Artest's skill set defensively. I'm also not worried about his feelings if he's asked to come in on the second unit since he will get 30 minutes and he can dominate other second units. I'd rather have talent and figure out how to make it work than be searching for talent. The frontcourt guys we have can all play better together which is where the process starts.

As for Fes, I don't know what to think. I suspect he signs elsewhere after the Jazz make a nominal offer. My thing is every team has to evaluate whether a player didn't take advantage of the opportunities given to him, or whether he was denied opportunity. I'm not blaming anyone in this scenario, but he's not a stiff like Arajuo so I don't think I'll feel completely comfortable with how it ends if he does go.
 
Fess is like others on our team, mentally weak. He just doesn't care enough about the game. If he had half of Malone's work ethic he would be the next Shaq, but the guy just doesn't see, to care. He is reasonably skilled and coordinated and uses that plus his size to get by. But that is all he seems to want to do is get by, and have a good smoke after the game. It will not hurt us if he goes. I think he will end up in Europe or back in Russia.
 
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