Game Thread Mar 27, 2023 07:00PM MT: Jazz vs. Suns

[HermanG]

I think criticism towards Kessler is pretty dumb tbh. He is a #22 drafted rookie who is exceeding all expectations.

Sure he has room to develop, but lets be REALLY UNFAIR and compare his rookie year to that of every #1 drafed center in the past 20 years:

Name	MPG	PPG	RPG	BPG	FG%
Kessler	22.8	8.9	8.3	2.3	72.2
Ayton	30.7	16.3	10.3	0.9	58.5
KAT	32.0	18.3	10.5	1.7	54.2
AD	28.8	13.5	8.2	1.8	51.6
Oden	21.5	8.9	7.0	1.1	56.4
Bogut	28.6	9.4	7.0	0.8	53.3
Howard	32.6	12.0	10.0	1.7	52.0

If we forget hype and focus on what they actually did, I dont feel too bad about Kessler in that group. Only Oden had less opportunity but Kessler still destroys everyone in two statistical categories and would also win rebounds clearly in a per 36 comparison.

I would also argue the main reason he loses in points to some of those guys is that we havent given him equal opportunity.

 

[Isaiah 1:13]

Watching the game last night thinking we had those guys, and why didn’t Hardy keep the pedal to the metal. Then it hit me today when I looked at standings, as the Suns are just a few games ahead of the Wolves. It doesn’t look like it’s gonna matter though because Wolves are playing well since dumping D’Lo and adding Conley and NAW.

 

[Step-Back Hook]

Lauri has been so bad from downtown last two months think we don't take lots of wins.
I wish it is just fatigue. Technique issues might b also one reason. His shot arch is not optimal.
However - he dropped the ball in this one and his inefficient shooting was a big reason we lost. I think the biggest.
Good thing is it does not matter that much.

 

[Elizah Huge]

Lauri has been so bad from downtown last two months think we don't take lots of wins.
I wish it is just fatigue. Technique issues might b also one reason. His shot arch is not optimal.
However - he dropped the ball in this one and his inefficient shooting was a big reason we lost. I think the biggest.
Good thing is it does not matter that much.

It has more to do with the quality of looks he’s getting. With Conley at PG and better players around him he was getting better looks.

He’s still averaging 28/8/2 since February 1st.

 

[Step-Back Hook]

It has more to do with the quality of looks he’s getting. With Conley at PG and better players around him he was getting better looks.

He’s still averaging 28/8/2 since February 1st.

Half of the reason is that. The other half is he bricks open shots more he did two months ago. Dunn would be a much better pairing with him than THT. Also JC and Sexton. But it is what it is until next season. Wish we get someone good bc all of our guards are just bench level in a contending team.

 

[SoberasHotRod]

There's no way that Lauri doesn't have a big bruise after that knee from Booker. I've seen other players miss time for leg contusions.

THT with some rough free throw shooting. I'm not sure I'm going to have a concrete opinion on him even after all the minutes he's played.

We have a lot of guys I like as end of bench guys, but not rotation players.

 

[homeytennis]

There's no way that Lauri doesn't have a big bruise after that knee from Booker. I've seen other players miss time for leg contusions.

THT with some rough free throw shooting. I'm not sure I'm going to have a concrete opinion on him even after all the minutes he's played.

We have a lot of guys I like as end of bench guys, but not rotation players.

My $0.25 on THT is that he is not an NBA level point guard now. It doesn't mean he can't improve his craft but he truly is the bull in a china shop right now. I think I'm not repeating a state secret that when Conley was the point guard, Lauri was getting better looks at the basket.