I hope not. I'm still not completely off his bandwagon but even if I was, I would want to see DA extract some value if we give up on him.
Game Thread Oct 07, 2024 07:00PM MT: Houston Rockets @ Utah Jazz (Preseason)
- Thread starter Game Threads
- Start date
Added to Calendar: 10-07-24
Jazz4ever
Well-Known Member
Pleasantly surprised at Cody's good natural defensive instincts. We saw some of this in summer league. He is going to still suffer due to his weight, but could be a very good defender in 3 years. It remains to be seen if Kessler's added weight will help him. On offense, he generally scored with more finesse in the past by using the opposite side of the basket.
Lauri is going to miss a decent amount of games, so Flip will get his eventually, but I doubt he's in the rotation to start and might be in the G when Lauri/Kessler/Collins are active.
It's the start of year 2 of him playing a new position. To me he looked great as a playmaker. He's out there commanding the offense. I think Houston's early physical play just blew up everything the Jazz wanted to run and they werent hitting any shots.
While I agree him being the "PGOTF" is far from a guarantee, I think he is firmly a starting guard past his rookie contract. He's very good.
I'm most curious how him and Sexton play off each other. There's a lot of offensive potential from that pairing.
Projection
Sheppard turns 20 a few days before the Draft, and while he has some areas to improve, he is probably the most polished product in this 2024 Class and could contribute immediately. In 2023-24, Grayson Allen led the NBA in three-point percentage and Sheppard led the NCAA, but the former had a little more offensive athleticism than the latter did coming out of college. However, Sheppard is a better playmaker and defender, showing off some Jalen Suggs-esque tenacity during his lone season at Kentucky. Sheppard profiles as the classic three-and-D guy in a starting lineup, but he could also be utilized as a primary offensive weapon off the bench.
— Profile by RotoWire
Hard for me to visualize sheppard as a 3D guy. Dude is tiny
Sheppard turns 20 a few days before the Draft, and while he has some areas to improve, he is probably the most polished product in this 2024 Class and could contribute immediately. In 2023-24, Grayson Allen led the NBA in three-point percentage and Sheppard led the NCAA, but the former had a little more offensive athleticism than the latter did coming out of college. However, Sheppard is a better playmaker and defender, showing off some Jalen Suggs-esque tenacity during his lone season at Kentucky. Sheppard profiles as the classic three-and-D guy in a starting lineup, but he could also be utilized as a primary offensive weapon off the bench.
— Profile by RotoWire
Hard for me to visualize sheppard as a 3D guy. Dude is tiny
My big issue with the Jazz as currently constructed is that the front-court of Lauri/Walker/Hendricks just doesnt have enough on-ball ability. Cooper Flagg would fix that. But watching Hendricks/Kessler's only move with the ball to run a terrible dribble handoff (more like a dribble pitch-off with no screen contact) was frustrating.
He's a defensive playmaker, not a defender, if that makes sense. Think he will be an elite steals guy, but will get hunted on isos. Being a terror to dribble against will help that, but the highly skilled big guards will see him as a target.
Cody Williams had no prayer of dribbling on him.
Park Bites
Well-Known Member
we will agree to disagree. I will admit I do not normally like mustaches. I think they can look creepy. Some look great (Tom Selleck) but unless with a great beard I am not a fan. However this is completely an opinion here.
Isaiah 1:13
Well-Known Member
Holy crap, preseason one (league wise) and already seven pages. Looks like the secret is out! Count me convinced. We couldn’t touch this team last year! And from a nineteen point deficit with Hardy trying everything including the bathroom sink (the two JC’s)! And dam if it didn’t work!
People gotta quit complaining about our lack of lottery picks and look objectively at what we do have! Ainge and company haven’t missed a pick in the last two drafts.
Are we really in the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes this year? SI said no way after the Lauri re-up and after last night, I’m inclined to agree!
People gotta quit complaining about our lack of lottery picks and look objectively at what we do have! Ainge and company haven’t missed a pick in the last two drafts.
Are we really in the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes this year? SI said no way after the Lauri re-up and after last night, I’m inclined to agree!
The Jazz Wonderbra
Well-Known Member
Cody Williams showed flashes that he can become the on the ball defender we lacked during the Gobert/Spida years. His measurables are virtually identical to Mikal Bridges and he carries himself similarly. If he gets a shot, he will be a difference maker no doubt. I can eat me some crow because I didn't see it even in summer league.
Tremendous Upside
Well-Known Member
LOL.
We've seen him dribble against future plumbers and accountants.
There's absolutely no reason to think that Flagg can face up and handle the ball in the NBA.
I mean... we're probably all in agreement that Lauri can't really handle the ball or create in the league. Yet he can look like this playing against top international competition:
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/4X0l7y4ukqg
The Jazz Wonderbra
Well-Known Member
Also, CY, your analysis of games is really quite good. Thanks.
It's frustrating when you have to make posts so personal and ugly with posters because you see the game well. I expect a snarky comment to this just because history repeats itself, but I appreciate your soundbytes when they are about basketball and not just ripping people down.
It's frustrating when you have to make posts so personal and ugly with posters because you see the game well. I expect a snarky comment to this just because history repeats itself, but I appreciate your soundbytes when they are about basketball and not just ripping people down.