Memphis, the team Utah was supposed to be

[Handlogten's Heros]

Minnesota should have won this series by now if they could close games or receive some more favorable officiating.

That said, MEM is in a good place for the next few years until they simply can’t afford to keep everyone.

Their owner is one of the richest in the league... they will be able to do whatever they want moneywise.

 

[The Fresh Prince]

Come talk to me and whine and complain when the jazz have multiple top 5 picks they drafted. On top of that they are facing a 7 seed, and barely getting by to this point

They are basically learning how to get through the rough stretches. Minnesota would give any team in this year's playoffs fits. They would've given us a run for our money, guaranteed.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Memphis is where we were pre-Mike trade but they have more upside and assets to throw around imo. They still have to nail the next moves and have hard decisions on guys like Brooks and Jones... do they pay Jones? Brooks is kinda like Ricky... he's a little bit of your heart and soul but also a limiting factor... but a good player.

They need an upgrade at either PF or C... depending on where JJJ plays long term. The biggest need is a more dynamic two way wing and that is literally the hardest thing in the league to find. If they mess the next move up their flexibility starts waning and they will hit a ceiling fast. Ja is more dynamic than anything we had so they have more upside... but they need more.

There are also some similarities because they are a little bit of a paper tiger like we were. They do some things that won't work as well in the playoffs. They aren't as good in the halfcourt and their depth isn't as valuable.

Phoenix is the team we were trying to be. Memphis is the team we were.

I dont think Memphis has more upside than the Utah teams did. Memphis certainly has a wide range of possible outcomes, which is exciting if you follow the team. They also have less age related regressions on the horizon (the thing that really hurt the Jazz is that the age regression came a year earlier than I thought it would).

They don't have the 2nd perennial all-star yet. JJJ could be that dude, but my lord is he inconsistent. Bane is very good, but I dont think he's all-star good and I'm not sure how much he will improve.

Maybe Ziare Williams can become that guy. Maybe they can draft/trade for that guy, but they need to take their depth and trade up for more high end talent. And like with Utah, not everyone will like that move and many will bitch about other moves they could have made if they didnt make that move

 

[Thee Jazz Fan]

They are basically learning how to get through the rough stretches. Minnesota would give any team in this year's playoffs fits. They would've given us a run for our money, guaranteed.

This year yes, in previous years, no!! They aren’t that good.

 

[Bawse Dawg]

I dont think Memphis has more upside than the Utah teams did. Memphis certainly has a wide range of possible outcomes, which is exciting if you follow the team. They also have less age related regressions on the horizon (the thing that really hurt the Jazz is that the age regression came a year earlier than I thought it would).

They don't have the 2nd perennial all-star yet. JJJ could be that dude, but my lord is he inconsistent. Bane is very good, but I dont think he's all-star good and I'm not sure how much he will improve.

Maybe Ziare Williams can become that guy. Maybe they can draft/trade for that guy, but they need to take their depth and trade up for more high end talent. And like with Utah, not everyone will like that move and many will bitch about other moves they could have made if they didnt make that move

I really disagree. They seem on the precipice of something that seems well beyond anything the Jazz were able to do the last 5 years. Even if we say Ja=Mitchell and Gobert>>JJJ they just have SO many nice young pieces, still have draft picks. Could easily make a move for a dude, etc.

I'm probably underrating the amount of talent the Jazz have really had the last few seasons because of the final results. But looking at the asset cupboard, and the players Memphis already has. I just see a team with a higher ceiling, and more important, just infinitely more flexibility in how to build the roster and moves they can make. Maybe they will blow it. But that situation is more enviable than any the Jazz have been in the last half decade.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

I really disagree. They seem on the precipice of something that seems well beyond anything the Jazz were able to do the last 5 years. Even if we say Ja=Mitchell and Gobert>>JJJ they just have SO many nice young pieces, still have draft picks. Could easily make a move for a dude, etc.

I'm probably underrating the amount of talent the Jazz have really had the last few seasons because of the final results. But looking at the asset cupboard, and the players Memphis already has. I just see a team with a higher ceiling, and more important, just infinitely more flexibility in how to build the roster and moves they can make. Maybe they will blow it. But that situation is more enviable than any the Jazz have been in the last half decade.

You are confusing potential vs having a lot of options.

We overrate options because our imaginations go wild. When Memphis actually makes those moves we will see what kind of potential they have. They've made a lot of good moves, but will they continue to do so?

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

I dont think Memphis has more upside than the Utah teams did. Memphis certainly has a wide range of possible outcomes, which is exciting if you follow the team. They also have less age related regressions on the horizon (the thing that really hurt the Jazz is that the age regression came a year earlier than I thought it would).

They don't have the 2nd perennial all-star yet. JJJ could be that dude, but my lord is he inconsistent. Bane is very good, but I dont think he's all-star good and I'm not sure how much he will improve.

Maybe Ziare Williams can become that guy. Maybe they can draft/trade for that guy, but they need to take their depth and trade up for more high end talent. And like with Utah, not everyone will like that move and many will bitch about other moves they could have made if they didnt make that move

I do agree that JJJ isn't a second star so you might consider them behind where we were. On the other hand they have move future picks and a little better salary flexibility than we had. Also the type of player that JJJ is when healthy is one of the most unique and easy to fit pieces that makes him maybe as valuable as Rudy in a playoff situation. He'd need to be way more consistent for it to be true. Their most important pieces are all on the same timeline as well and Rudy/Donovan had a little separation there and then you add Joe/Mike/Bogey who were all a little further down the road.

I also just think Ja is a star who could be a superstar and that is kind of a big deal. Rudy and Donovan are stars but not superstars due to some limitations. Ja will need another star or at least another well fitting piece on like Bane's level... and for JJJ to be somewhat consistent.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

You are confusing potential vs having a lot of options.

We overrate options because our imaginations go wild. When Memphis actually makes those moves we will see what kind of potential they have. They've made a lot of good moves, but will they continue to do so?

The next moves are the hardest ones... and they will determine how far the team goes.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

The next moves are the hardest ones... and they will determine how far the team goes.

Yeah, and since the ultimate goal is a ring, and they likely wont reach that goal even if they make every right move, people will incessantly bitch about what moves they didnt make. Hope Grizzlies fans are ready for that in the next 3-5 years.

 

[cowhide]

I like what Memphis has built but they haven't proven anything yet. The problem with the Jazz and this has pretty much been the problem all along. The azz organization have been too loyal to their players, coaches, and administrators. This is a positive in some ways but a negative when they hold onto players too long or bring the player back and overpay him. Favors, Conley and others. They keep guys who are bench players in the starting lineup i.e. Royce, Their drafting has been mediocre at best. Their asset management is dismal because they have to give up picks to get players or give draft picks away after regretfully bringing a player back and overpaying him. Jazz really need to find a knew direction and realize that the NBA has changed. If you don't have creators on your team then you are going to struggle especially in the playoffs. Now maybe they will find their shot and comeback and win against Mavs but even if they do it is still time to make changes.

 

[FalseFlagg K]

Getting outplayed for 95% of the time against a 7th seed in the first round is what we aspired to ??

 

[Ujfanatic]

Getting outplayed for 95% of the time against a 7th seed in the first round is what we aspired to ??

As the Jazz have demonstrated over and over, what you do for the first 95% is not nearly as meaningful as what you do for the last 5%.