Preseason Game #2 - Portland @ Utah, 12-21-11, 7pm MST
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candrew
Well-Known Member
I realize Aldridge hasn't played in a while but you have to be impressed with how Kanter was giving him fits on D. Hard to believe the kid is only 19 and goes at it against vets like he does. When he learns how to get position on offense he will be even better.
The comparisons to Koufos are idiotic. The foundation is clearly there for him to be a low end double-double guy within a couple of years.
The comparisons to Koufos are idiotic. The foundation is clearly there for him to be a low end double-double guy within a couple of years.
Yep, now that we match his quickness and size, heck we even have to players who can.
Kanter has that style were he seems to have no respect for personal space. He just gets right up in your face. That will probably get him into a lot of foul trouble, but I appreciate the effort.
prodigy
Well-Known Member
I loved Evans blocked shot on Aldridge, Evans has to play, he has too much effect on the game to be wearing a suit.
Kanter has some really good feet on defense. His free throw is really good, and hopefully translates to jump shots as well. He has been promising. I was impressed when he passed off when the double comes. Thats something not enough bigs do.
Evans needs to play, he will only get better. I wish he would take it to the rim when he gets a lane from 20 feet out.
Favors is a stud. He doesn't try to force it. he has some tough defense. Aldridge was struggling all night between him and Kanters defense.
Burks is quick. The game will open up for him.
Hayward couldn't catch a break. He needs to let things come to him. Its hard to have a good game when you get a foul called every other time down the court.
Big al is tough to defend. Okur is done. He won't make it through this condensed season playing very many minutes. I think 20 mpg max with his age, and the other young players.
I hope Howards shot comes around. He was signed about 4 years too late. He would have been awesome with Dwill and Booz back in the day.
Evans needs to play, he will only get better. I wish he would take it to the rim when he gets a lane from 20 feet out.
Favors is a stud. He doesn't try to force it. he has some tough defense. Aldridge was struggling all night between him and Kanters defense.
Burks is quick. The game will open up for him.
Hayward couldn't catch a break. He needs to let things come to him. Its hard to have a good game when you get a foul called every other time down the court.
Big al is tough to defend. Okur is done. He won't make it through this condensed season playing very many minutes. I think 20 mpg max with his age, and the other young players.
I hope Howards shot comes around. He was signed about 4 years too late. He would have been awesome with Dwill and Booz back in the day.
Kanter is Koufus on the offensive end right now. He is far ahead of Koufus in rebounding, toughness, and man defense though.
vslice02
Well-Known Member
-As a team, Utah needs to learn how to handle the halfcourt trap. Under Sloan we'd space the floor then hit the 4-man running up the middle of the court, turning the press into a 3-on-2 fastbreak drill. Evans obviously can't handle and pass as well as a Malone, Boozer or Millsap, but tonight Evans was far too slow up the court (not sure if that's on Evans or Corbin's strategy to break the trap) and we couldn't even get the ball past the timeline. Need to clean that up asap.
-Last 3 minutes aside, impressed w/our PG play. Harris did a much better job getting us into our halfcourt sets earlier. Watson provided a spark as usual and if someone goes down, we'll lose a little but I don't think our offense will completely tank w/Tinsley moving up to the #2 spot.
-Kanter may not be able to score alot this year, but he'll give you maximum effort on the glass. Needs to clean up a few transition defensive laspes, but he can definitely contribute as a rebounder this year.
-Memo's going to have his liabilities but if he's right physically, his ability to make shots will be welcome because this team is going to go through 2-3 min stretches where we struggle to score.
-We'd all like to see Hayward play 30+ min a night but if he's not ready defensively he won't be able to stay on the court. Alot of the calls were touchy, "rookie calls" imo, but if you can't stay on the floor you can't play.
-I know people want Evans to bulk up, but for the time being I love what he brings as a 195-pound PF off-the-bench. Last year I called him "Bo Outlaw with hands" and he creates a ton of things at the rim (on both ends) as a PF. Some nights there will be matchup problems where he won't play - but think about how Monday Batum hurt us at PF w/Portland's 2nd-unit (previously Portland played Travis Outlaw at PF and he caused us a ton of problems). Evans can be effective in that role - as well as against teams like Portland who go small w/their bench.
-Sidney Lowe all over Evans. On the game's final play Evans was guarding the inbounds pass, then backed off to play in the lap of a Portland player, then sorta moved up in no-man's land where he wasn't pressuring the ball nor defending an oncourt player. At the buzzer Lowe went right out onto the court and had some stern instruction for Evans. Glad to see Lowe using these teaching moments while it's still fresh in everyone's mind.
-Last 3 minutes aside, impressed w/our PG play. Harris did a much better job getting us into our halfcourt sets earlier. Watson provided a spark as usual and if someone goes down, we'll lose a little but I don't think our offense will completely tank w/Tinsley moving up to the #2 spot.
-Kanter may not be able to score alot this year, but he'll give you maximum effort on the glass. Needs to clean up a few transition defensive laspes, but he can definitely contribute as a rebounder this year.
-Memo's going to have his liabilities but if he's right physically, his ability to make shots will be welcome because this team is going to go through 2-3 min stretches where we struggle to score.
-Was impressed with Al's lowpost passing tonight. In the first quarter he found CJ out of a double-team that drew a foul at the rim and in the 2nd-qtr he was doubled on the left block, Evans flashed to the middle and Big Al hit him for a dunk. All part of the learning process and I'm not overly concerned, but I think it shows he's not going to seemlessly step into a starting spot without a few hiccups.
-We'd all like to see Hayward play 30+ min a night but if he's not ready defensively he won't be able to stay on the court. Alot of the calls were touchy, "rookie calls" imo, but if you can't stay on the floor you can't play.
-I know people want Evans to bulk up, but for the time being I love what he brings as a 195-pound PF off-the-bench. Last year I called him "Bo Outlaw with hands" and he creates a ton of things at the rim (on both ends) as a PF. Some nights there will be matchup problems where he won't play - but think about how Monday Batum hurt us at PF w/Portland's 2nd-unit (previously Portland played Travis Outlaw at PF and he caused us a ton of problems). Evans can be effective in that role - as well as against teams like Portland who go small w/their bench.
-Sidney Lowe all over Evans. On the game's final play Evans was guarding the inbounds pass, then backed off to play in the lap of a Portland player, then sorta moved up in no-man's land where he wasn't pressuring the ball nor defending an oncourt player. At the buzzer Lowe went right out onto the court and had some stern instruction for Evans. Glad to see Lowe using these teaching moments while it's still fresh in everyone's mind.
Darkwing Duck
Well-Known Member
My Depth Chart:
PGs: Harris, Watson, Tinsley
No surprise, there, though Watson and Tinsley will really fight Harris for minutes, it looks like.
Wings: Hayward, Miles, Howard, Burks, Bell
I prefer the three man rotation of Hayward, Miles, and Howard, with Burks getting spot minutes. Bell just can't initiate offense, nor can he keep it flowing. It only ends or stagnates with him.
Bigs:
Jefferson, Millsap, Favors, Kanter, Okur
Favors showed why he'll start on the bench. Can't stay out of foul trouble yet. Okur can't rebound anymore. Can play offense well enough, but can't rebound.
X-Factor: Evans.
I don't know when, where, and how much to play this guy.
PGs: Harris, Watson, Tinsley
No surprise, there, though Watson and Tinsley will really fight Harris for minutes, it looks like.
Wings: Hayward, Miles, Howard, Burks, Bell
I prefer the three man rotation of Hayward, Miles, and Howard, with Burks getting spot minutes. Bell just can't initiate offense, nor can he keep it flowing. It only ends or stagnates with him.
Bigs:
Jefferson, Millsap, Favors, Kanter, Okur
Favors showed why he'll start on the bench. Can't stay out of foul trouble yet. Okur can't rebound anymore. Can play offense well enough, but can't rebound.
X-Factor: Evans.
I don't know when, where, and how much to play this guy.
billyshelby
Well-Known Member
1000 percent agree on Bell. My god, he's just an offense killer and his D is so overrated at this point. I know Ty will go Bell to start the year, but the minutes should be split between Hayward/Miles/Howard/Burks.
Crazy thing is, Burks can't hit a shot and I already love him. He can get into the lane like melted butter and wreak havoc. Really love this kid.
That was probably Evans' first time in a situation like that, which is probably why Corbin had Evans and that crew in there, to gain experience in these moments.