Last Year vs This Year

[fishonjazz]

This comparison is only using lineups when fully healthy (last year when cj, bell, watson all healthy. so no carroll or ahearn)

Last year point guard: Harris, watson, tinsley.
This year point guard: Mo, watson, tinsley.
I give a slight edge to this years rotation because i think that mo is a little better than harris.

Last year shooting guard: Bell, cj, hayward, burks.
This year shooting guard: Hayward, burks, murphy.
This years rotation better due to bell and cj not being on the team, and burks and hayward improvement (playing with the olympic team, summer league, training camp, more pre-season.)

Last year small forward: Howard, hayward, cj
This year small forward: Marvin, hayward, carroll
This years rotation better due to the upgrade of marvin over howard.

Last year power forward: Millsap, favors, evans
This year power forward: millsap, favors, evans
This years rotation better due to development of favors and evans and more minutes for favors.

Last year center: Jefferson, kanter
This year center: jefferson, kanter
Again this year rotation better due to development of kanter and jefferson having another year of this offense under his belt (better passing)

coaching should be better too, along with better team chemistry since we only made a few minor changes.

So we SHOULD be better at every position including the coaching staff. Im excited for next year and think we will be anywhere from a 4-6 seed in the playoffs.

 

[t.work]

Well put.

Teams I think Utah is better than:

Houston
New Orleans
Denver
Minnesota
Portland
Golden State
Phoenix
Sacramento

Everyone else out West is either on par or better. Where's that put them at the end of the season? One would say the 8th seed, but I have them 6th.

I think the Jazz might be closer to the 5th seed but here's how I think the West plays out heading into the Playoffs:

1. Thunder
2. Lakers
3. Spurs
4. Clippers
5. Mavericks
6. Jazz
7. Grizzlies
8. Nuggets

This means we'd be playing San Antonio in the first round again. D'oh!

 

[fishonjazz]

Well put.

Teams I think Utah is better than:

Houston
New Orleans
Denver
Minnesota
Portland
Golden State
Phoenix
Sacramento

Everyone else out West is either on par or better. Where's that put them at the end of the season? One would say the 8th seed, but I have them 6th.

I think the Jazz might be closer to the 5th seed but here's how I think the West plays out heading into the Playoffs:

1. Thunder
2. Lakers
3. Spurs
4. Clippers
5. Mavericks
6. Jazz
7. Grizzlies
8. Nuggets

This means we'd be playing San Antonio in the first round again. D'oh!

I would put us ahead of dallas. They lost alot of pieces in the last few years (kidd, haywood, barrea, odom etc) and although they have added some pieces i think it will take them some time to get thier chemistry right.

So i guess i go with 5th seed against the clips and feel like we would have a chance to pull an upset.

 

[Stifle Tower]

Agree with the OP. The Jazz should have stronger rotations, not only because Mo and Marvin are upgrades over the departed players, but because they bring the Jazz badly needed outside shooting, which should open up the inside game.

The top-3 in the West are clearly the Thunder, Lakers and Spurs (in some order). But 4-8 is a toss-up. Clippers could be improved...IF Odom plays like he did a few seasons ago. After that, who knows? I see the T-Wolves as having a legit chance of making the playoffs. The Warriors, as well. They have a very good starting five...IF they can stay healthy. Question is, who would those teams replace?

 

[spycam1]

I don't see the Mavs being much of a threat, to be honest. They were 7th last year, and have lost way more pieces than they've added, in addition to being even older. I wouldn't be surprised to see them in the lottery.

 

[Stoked]

I'm with fish on the fall of the Mavs. They sturck out this off season and are worse than they were last year. I say the Jazz land with the 5th seed. If they get the Clips I think they can/will pull it off a first round win.

Lets go Jazz!

 

[orangello]

Should we be better than last year's team? Yes. Will we be better then last year's team? Yes. As always, injuries could really derail everything. Hayward and Favors have been healthy and Kanter and Burks seem like they can and will play through injury. I'm optimistic but cautious about next season.








I still want Jefferson gone.

 

[green]

Well put.

Teams I think Utah is better than:

Houston
New Orleans
Denver
Minnesota
Portland
Golden State
Phoenix
Sacramento

Everyone else out West is either on par or better. Where's that put them at the end of the season? One would say the 8th seed, but I have them 6th.

I think the Jazz might be closer to the 5th seed but here's how I think the West plays out heading into the Playoffs:

1. Thunder
2. Lakers
3. Spurs
4. Clippers
5. Mavericks
6. Jazz
7. Grizzlies
8. Nuggets

This means we'd be playing San Antonio in the first round again. D'oh!

The Jazz had BETTER be better than the Mavs. I also don't buy into the Griffin hype and would put the Jazz above the Clipps as well.

 

[orangello]

The Jazz had BETTER be better than the Mavs. I also don't buy into the Griffin hype and would put the Jazz above the Clipps as well.

I just want everyone else's take on something. Will Griffin become a much better player then he is now or has he already reached his ceiling?

 

[cowhide]

This comparison is only using lineups when fully healthy (last year when cj, bell, watson all healthy. so no carroll or ahearn)

Last year point guard: Harris, watson, tinsley.
This year point guard: Mo, watson, tinsley.
I give a slight edge to this years rotation because i think that mo is a little better than harris.

Last year shooting guard: Bell, cj, hayward, burks.
This year shooting guard: Hayward, burks, murphy.
This years rotation better due to bell and cj not being on the team, and burks and hayward improvement (playing with the olympic team, summer league, training camp, more pre-season.)

Last year small forward: Howard, hayward, cj
This year small forward: Marvin, hayward, carroll
This years rotation better due to the upgrade of marvin over howard.

Last year power forward: Millsap, favors, evans
This year power forward: millsap, favors, evans
This years rotation better due to development of favors and evans and more minutes for favors.

Last year center: Jefferson, kanter
This year center: jefferson, kanter
Again this year rotation better due to development of kanter and jefferson having another year of this offense under his belt (better passing)


coaching should be better too, along with better team chemistry since we only made a few minor changes.

So we SHOULD be better at every position including the coaching staff. Im excited for next year and think we will be anywhere from a 4-6 seed in the playoffs.

For the most part I agree with your assessment about the roster, but one factor you forgot to mention is that other teams have gotten better too. If the Jazz can improve from within so can other teams. I think the Western conference is going to be a dog fight. The Jazz may be better and still not make the playoffs. I think they will make the playoffs but it isn't a sure thing.

I think the Jazz have improved their outside shooting but I am still doubting that Mo is the right PG for the team. I love his toughness but he is more of an undersize shooting guard ( I am a big fan and wanted him over Arroyo) but I have to see if he has improved his PG skills. I think the Marvin Williams acquisition helps the most because the Jazz were so bad at the SF position excluding Hayward. Howard and CJ actually hurt the team most of the time they were playing. I am ready for training camp to see how the team comes together.

 

[cowhide]

I would put us ahead of dallas. They lost alot of pieces in the last few years (kidd, haywood, barrea, odom etc) and although they have added some pieces i think it will take them some time to get thier chemistry right.

So i guess i go with 5th seed against the clips and feel like we would have a chance to pull an upset.

The Mavs didn't have Barrea last year and odom gave them nothing and was a distraction. Kidd is on his last leggs but is still a decent back up. The only guy they lost that will hurt is Terry. Mavs got Collison, OJ Mayo who are both young and can play. As long as Dirk is in Dallas the Jazz will still struggle against them. I think the Jazz are better overall but the margin is not as big as some people are making.

Minnesota was playing great before Rubio went down. So their season will be determined by Rubio's health. They added a few piece and if they get Batum they could be fighting for a 7th or 8th seed. I like GS and their starting roster. They have had health issues and their bench isn't great but I like their starting five. I like what New Orleans has done but both Rivers and Davis are going to need to be in all-star form for them to make playoffs. However, I like the acquisition of Anderson and keeping Gordon was huge for them. I remember NO giving us problems last year.

 

[nightmare3983]

Agree with the OP. The Jazz should have stronger rotations, not only because Mo and Marvin are upgrades over the departed players, but because they bring the Jazz badly needed outside shooting, which should open up the inside game.

The top-3 in the West are clearly the Thunder, Lakers and Spurs (in some order). But 4-8 is a toss-up. Clippers could be improved...IF Odom plays like he did a few seasons ago. After that, who knows? I see the T-Wolves as having a legit chance of making the playoffs. The Warriors, as well. They have a very good starting five...IF they can stay healthy. Question is, who would those teams replace?

I don't see the T-Wolves getting into the playoffs without Batum, who will probably stay in Portland. I can see the Warriors being a lot better based on getting Harrison Barnes and Jarrett Jack. You have to wonder about health with Curry and Bogut though. As for teams falling out of the playoffs, I can see the Mavs and Nuggets in that group. Honestly though it seems like the type of year where you could have a good team with a winning record miss the playoffs.

 

[green]

I just want everyone else's take on something. Will Griffin become a much better player then he is now or has he already reached his ceiling?

So, did you not want my opinion?

 

[nightmare3983]

So, did you not want my opinion?

He already got it silly.

 

[nightmare3983]

I just want everyone else's take on something. Will Griffin become a much better player then he is now or has he already reached his ceiling?

He can become a better player by developing a more rounded offensive game. If he can improve his jump shot and work on some post moves other than using his freak athletecism to dunk, he can keep the defense honest by hurting them in numerous ways.

 

[orangello]

So, did you not want my opinion?

Yes, I would love your opinion.

 

[t.work]

Griffin's athleticism, which is a crucial part to his game, will slowly decline from here on out, but I expect him to develop a post game and a consistent mid-range jumper in the next year or two. He'll get better so long as his body holds up, but I think after his most recent injury, he's going to have a lot of people telling him to tone it down with his explosiveness.. which will be completely up to him.

 

[framer]

I don't recall the Jazz struggling mightily against the Mavericks. Indeed, I think our increasing length and athleticism make us a bad matchup for them. Look for them to start to lose some of the garbage games against young and athletic teams. I think they fade quite a bit. Until the Warriors one day show that they don't suck, I will always assume that they will suck. The players that they have now doesn't seem very moneyball to me.

 

[franklin]

This comparison is only using lineups when fully healthy (last year when cj, bell, watson all healthy. so no carroll or ahearn)

Last year point guard: Harris, watson, tinsley.
This year point guard: Mo, watson, tinsley.
I give a slight edge to this years rotation because i think that mo is a little better than harris.

Last year shooting guard: Bell, cj, hayward, burks.
This year shooting guard: Hayward, burks, murphy.
This years rotation better due to bell and cj not being on the team, and burks and hayward improvement (playing with the olympic team, summer league, training camp, more pre-season.)

Last year small forward: Howard, hayward, cj
This year small forward: Marvin, hayward, carroll
This years rotation better due to the upgrade of marvin over howard.

Last year power forward: Millsap, favors, evans
This year power forward: millsap, favors, evans
This years rotation better due to development of favors and evans and more minutes for favors.

Last year center: Jefferson, kanter
This year center: jefferson, kanter
Again this year rotation better due to development of kanter and jefferson having another year of this offense under his belt (better passing)

coaching should be better too, along with better team chemistry since we only made a few minor changes.

So we SHOULD be better at every position including the coaching staff. Im excited for next year and think we will be anywhere from a 4-6 seed in the playoffs.

Well put.

Teams I think Utah is better than:

Houston
New Orleans
Denver
Minnesota
Portland
Golden State
Phoenix
Sacramento

Everyone else out West is either on par or better. Where's that put them at the end of the season? One would say the 8th seed, but I have them 6th.

I think the Jazz might be closer to the 5th seed but here's how I think the West plays out heading into the Playoffs:

1. Thunder
2. Lakers
3. Spurs
4. Clippers
5. Mavericks
6. Jazz
7. Grizzlies
8. Nuggets

This means we'd be playing San Antonio in the first round again. D'oh!

For the most part I agree with your assessment about the roster, but one factor you forgot to mention is that other teams have gotten better too. If the Jazz can improve from within so can other teams. I think the Western conference is going to be a dog fight. The Jazz may be better and still not make the playoffs. I think they will make the playoffs but it isn't a sure thing.

I think the Jazz have improved their outside shooting but I am still doubting that Mo is the right PG for the team. I love his toughness but he is more of an undersize shooting guard ( I am a big fan and wanted him over Arroyo) but I have to see if he has improved his PG skills. I think the Marvin Williams acquisition helps the most because the Jazz were so bad at the SF position excluding Hayward. Howard and CJ actually hurt the team most of the time they were playing. I am ready for training camp to see how the team comes together.

The Mavs didn't have Barrea last year and odom gave them nothing and was a distraction. Kidd is on his last leggs but is still a decent back up. The only guy they lost that will hurt is Terry. Mavs got Collison, OJ Mayo who are both young and can play. As long as Dirk is in Dallas the Jazz will still struggle against them. I think the Jazz are better overall but the margin is not as big as some people are making.

Minnesota was playing great before Rubio went down. So their season will be determined by Rubio's health. They added a few piece and if they get Batum they could be fighting for a 7th or 8th seed. I like GS and their starting roster. They have had health issues and their bench isn't great but I like their starting five. I like what New Orleans has done but both Rivers and Davis are going to need to be in all-star form for them to make playoffs. However, I like the acquisition of Anderson and keeping Gordon was huge for them. I remember NO giving us problems last year.

.

 

[Qman]

This comparison is only using lineups when fully healthy (last year when cj, bell, watson all healthy. so no carroll or ahearn)

Last year point guard: Harris, watson, tinsley.
This year point guard: Mo, watson, tinsley.
I give a slight edge to this years rotation because i think that mo is a little better than harris.

Last year shooting guard: Bell, cj, hayward, burks.
This year shooting guard: Hayward, burks, murphy.
This years rotation better due to bell and cj not being on the team, and burks and hayward improvement (playing with the olympic team, summer league, training camp, more pre-season.)

Last year small forward: Howard, hayward, cj
This year small forward: Marvin, hayward, carroll
This years rotation better due to the upgrade of marvin over howard.

Last year power forward: Millsap, favors, evans
This year power forward: millsap, favors, evans
This years rotation better due to development of favors and evans and more minutes for favors.

Last year center: Jefferson, kanter
This year center: jefferson, kanter
Again this year rotation better due to development of kanter and jefferson having another year of this offense under his belt (better passing)

coaching should be better too, along with better team chemistry since we only made a few minor changes.

So we SHOULD be better at every position including the coaching staff. Im excited for next year and think we will be anywhere from a 4-6 seed in the playoffs.

I see the point guard rotation as having the same talent level but being better offensively and worse defensively. I think Mo will provide better team chemistry than Devin.

So minor improvement over last year.

Shooting Guard should be a stronger position for use because Burks and Hayward are more talented than CJ, Bell and their younger selves. However I still expect inconsistency from this position. Also I don't think Murphy is really read to play even spot minutes. So we should try and vet to come in for the minimum as injury insurance.

Again a minor improvement.

Our Small Forward rotation should be much improved. Marvin Williams is much better than Howard. He also fits our offensive scheme better with his 3 pt shooting. However IMO Carroll is an inferior CJ but both only will play spot minutes.

Power Forward is still the strength of the team. Millsap improves every year and in a contract year I expect him to improve even more. Favors might take a small step forward or he might take the leap many big men take in their 3rd year. This should be a significant improvement.

Now at Center I think Big Al will be the same. Al is giving an honest effort but he just cannot play D. Kanter is in my opinion still not ready. He'll show a few flashes again, but I think he would benefit from playing in the D league. He just needs to play organized basketball and develop his court awareness and BBIQ.
So this position will be about the same as last year.

So overall I think we will take nice step forward but it appears almost every other team has done the same. So I think we will still be in one of the last couple playoff spots.