Reading Lindsay's Exit Interview - I'm encouraged.

[green]

Q: Our top five-man lineups weren’t good. Is that a sign of Corbin misusing talent, or Corbin adapting to matchups, or nothing?

A: You know, look. The NBA has chosen to share their data with bloggers, and writers, and you know, it’s a pretty transparent process. So you know, on some of those things, we can’t run and hide that, you know, there’s certain big-minute lineups that didn’t perform very good…There’s such a human element to, you know, keeping a locker room, and keeping a locker room with a lot of veterans, keeping a locker room with eight or nine free agents. And you know, if it’s, you know, just play the young guys and you know, everything else be damned…it could become a very chaotic situation. So there’s a lot of things that go into those decisions…While I believe in the numbers and I believe in the analytics, that doesn’t mean you paint by numbers either. That doesn’t remove the human element and the emotion out of it.

What I take from this is that the Jazz knew what this year was...a wasted year. They knew that they had a lot of guys leaving, and they wanted to tread water. While I don't necessarily agree with this approach, I understand it. I feel like a better approach should have been to turn the team over to the C4 after the lockout. I think that would have guaranteed their success more than this direction, but I get it.

2012-2013: Tread water, try to make as much money as possible, then let everyone go and try to use the cap space to hit a homerun with a trade. I would have rather tried to hit the homerun through the draft, but I get it.

Q: Are Gordon Hayward and Derrick Favors ready to put their stamp on this team?

A: I think they’re clearly both ready to take bigger roles…Ty really challenged Derrick defensively, and I think he is one of already the better, one of the better defenders in the league. But he needs to take two or three steps forward where, you know, he can be our version of Tyson Chandler or Kevin Garnett or Tim Duncan, where not only is he a good defender, he’s quarterbacking the whole thing. And we’ll lay those challenges to the coaches to, can we build that?…And then, no one wants Gordon to set standards on how we do things, whether it’s how we travel, how we talk to the media, how we practice, how we play, no one wants those standards set more by Gordon Hayward than Ty Corbin…And there were a lot of big requests of Gordon made by us to start setting those standards, today, Apr. 18.

I like to see the Jazz making demands of Gordon. That is really good. Gordon and Favors are going to want to get paid. It's time for them to prove this is their team and we should toss the majority of our cap at them.

Q:Top priority

A: Our top priority is to be a consistent contender. So the best way to that, whether it’s quick and bold, or long and painful and patient, you know, we’ll figure out. But that’s the top priority. / We’re not collectively afraid if, that the best alternative is to go young, and be very patient with the flexibility that we built in. I’m not afraid of that. You know, if, in, so to speak, take a step back. If we need to do that, then we’ll do that.

This guy is saying the right things. If only he were here before the strike and we could have done all this crap for the last two years.

The good news is, we are in a GREAT place. We have a TON of cap room. We have talented young people. He have flexibility. As long as we don't bring back Mo, Al and potentially Millsap (depending on cost) and as long as we don't overpay for anyone, including someone like Bledsoe. Nothing can kill what potential this team has than paying someone 10-12 million to be less than a borderline All-Star. Utah can't afford to make those types of mistakes.

 

[My2Cents]

I'm not sure he's saying Gordon is making demands, although I guess he could be, I think he's saying the Jazz are asking Gordon to be a leader and set standards for the team.

 

[The Fresh Prince]

People are hating on Lindsey, but the dude came from the most successful franchise, other than the Lakers in the 2k era.

I'd actually go on to say San Antonio has been the most consistent, successful franchise since 1999. They've made the playoffs ever since that ring haven't they?

Patience is a virtue, I think the prodigy, Dennis Lindsey is going to utilize his drafting/signing skills this offseason.. O'Connor hired the guy for a reason, and Lindsey can wave a ring in O'Connors face, too...

 

[David Stern]

I wouldn't completely hate tanking next season.. just saying, Wiggins/Parker are going to be superstars in this league.

 

[NUMBERICA]

I absolutely love Wiggins. But so does everyone else.

 

[infection]

There are some things in there, such as him saying something to the effect that collectively they're not opposed to the youth. Also, he says something similar to if necessary they'd do a youth movement, which doesn't really clarify anything because the whole statement hinges on whatever definition they use to determine necessity.

 

[Jazz4ever]

I wouldn't completely hate tanking next season.. just saying, Wiggins/Parker are going to be superstars in this league.

There are some teams that might not win 10 games next year, it will be pretty disgraceful. Fake injuries after the all star break, 4th quarter scoring acts of 6 points. What are you going to do about this David?

 

[b_line]

I'm not sure he's saying Gordon is making demands, although I guess he could be, I think he's saying the Jazz are asking Gordon to be a leader and set standards for the team.

when I listened to it, it sounded like they were asking Gordon to do those things. Then Locke said, "so you have to open up the roster for he and Derrick to do that, right." And DL said something to the effect that they would, unless they were blown away by a trade or a free agent signing. That means to me that Faves and Gordon are the guys on this team, over Al, Paul and Mo.

 

[dipship31]

I'm convinced Lindsay and the rest of the front office's strategy this year was to just ride out the roster we had and try to win as many games with our roster. This offseason we'll start to see what he's capable of (good or bad). I am confident him along with KOC will do the right thing. KOC has been widely accepted around the league as one of the best GM's and combine that with a key guy from the most successful franchise over the past 15 years I'd say we're in safe hands.

 

[b_line]

I'm convinced Lindsay and the rest of the front office's strategy this year was to just ride out the roster we had and try to win as many games with our roster. This offseason we'll start to see what he's capable of (good or bad). I am confident him along with KOC will do the right thing. KOC has been widely accepted around the league as one of the best GM's and combine that with a key guy from the most successful franchise over the past 15 years I'd say we're in safe hands.

This^^. The only thing I would add is that Lindsay probably didn't care how many games we won, other than selling tickets.

 

[infection]

I also don't buy that our hand was forced by keeping the locker room peaceful. If that's the case, why no trades? Unfortunately, too often that question is dodged by hiding behind extremes such as "we're not going to get LeBron for Jefferson."

 

[Stifle Tower]

I'm convinced Lindsay and the rest of the front office's strategy this year was to just ride out the roster we had and try to win as many games with our roster. This offseason we'll start to see what he's capable of (good or bad). I am confident him along with KOC will do the right thing. KOC has been widely accepted around the league as one of the best GM's and combine that with a key guy from the most successful franchise over the past 15 years I'd say we're in safe hands.

Good comments by Lindsay, although I have to disgaree with his remarks over "keeping the locker room." Once the trade deadline passed, youth should have been served.
*
It is good to hear Hayward and Favors have been challenged to step up. I think they're ready to become the offensive and defensive leaders of the team. I'd throw Enes in there, but he just needs to work on coming back from his injury. I doubt a trade will be made before the next deadline. That's when teams will be looking to utilize our cap space. And outside of the big market teams that may not care about paying the onerous luxury tax, we can really demand a lot for taking on players without giving salary back.

 

[Siro]

I don't know what to think. This sounds promising. It sounds like the management knows how the fans feel about the situation, and kind of agree with us. But, some things can't be explained away by hiding behind keeping the peace.

What does any of that have to do with the lack of an offensive system and sets? How about Hornacek's half-time gems about needing to 'feed the ball to Jefferson more' every time the team is behind? How about the vets not being held accountable for anything they do? I'm not talking about AJ here. AJ has physical/mental limitations that prevent him from being a good defender, but at least he can consistently produce on the offensive end. But what about Marvin Williams, who pretty much took 6 months off before playing passable basketball toward the end of the year? Why does he get a 6 months pass? What does that have to do with locker room peace? How about Mo playing hero ball at the end of EVERY ****ING GAME. Why does a second-rate PG get to do that for an entire season?

How about Corbin's hilariously inept time-out speeches? How about the plays he draws at the end of close games? If you can even call those plays.

I'm hopeful, but my memory just isn't that short.

 

[David Stern]

There are some teams that might not win 10 games next year, it will be pretty disgraceful. Fake injuries after the all star break, 4th quarter scoring acts of 6 points. What are you going to do about this David?

 

[Stifle Tower]

I don't know what to think. This sounds promising. It sounds like the management knows how the fans feel about the situation, and kind of agree with us. But, some things can't be explained away by hiding behind keeping the peace.

What does any of that have to do with the lack of an offensive system and sets? How about Hornacek's half-time gems about needing to 'feed the ball to Jefferson more' every time the team is behind? How about the vets not being held accountable for anything they do? I'm not talking about AJ here. AJ has physical/mental limitations that prevent him from being a good defender, but at least he can consistently produce on the offensive end. But what about Marvin Williams, who pretty much took 6 months off before playing passable basketball toward the end of the year? Why does he get a 6 months pass? What does that have to do with locker room peace? How about Mo playing hero ball at the end of EVERY ****ING GAME. Why does a second-rate PG get to do that for an entire season?

How about Corbin's hilariously inept time-out speeches? How about the plays he draws at the end of close games? If you can even call those plays.

I'm hopeful, but my memory just isn't that short.

Well, ummm...
Sorry, I tried to think of an excuse, but I've got nothing.

 

[zman1527]

This guy is saying the right things. If only he were here before the strike and we could have done all this crap for the last two years.

The good news is, we are in a GREAT place. We have a TON of cap room. We have talented young people. He have flexibility. As long as we don't bring back Mo, Al and potentially Millsap (depending on cost) and as long as we don't overpay for anyone, including someone like Bledsoe. Nothing can kill what potential this team has than paying someone 10-12 million to be less than a borderline All-Star. Utah can't afford to make those types of mistakes.

There was some good stuff in there but I also heard too much support/excuse making for Ty. He is just not up to the job and if the FO cannot see THAT, then we are really in trouble.

If Ty is as bad as we think and he continues as head coach, we will have real problems. The team will underperform (again) and the C4 will be blamed for the failure and some will be let go. Then we will have blown our one great chance to be a contender.

 

[Stoked]

Read an article that was suggesting that Lindsey was just keeping his head down this season to get a feel for the Jazz. What worked , what didn't and what he could improve and bring to the table. That this offseason, now that he has that knowledge, will show which direction Lindsey wants to take the Jazz. That between now and trade deadline we will see what Lindsey has, or does not have.

 

[green]

How much of the Jazz not making a move on Corbin has to do with the potential replacement? What's the point of firing Corbin, eating 2 million for a Jeff Hornacek coach? If you can't hit a homerun with a coach, why waste the money owed Corbin? What's the worst thing that could happen? I'll tell you:

The Jazz suck, let Corbin walk and get Jabari. Then we are a title contending team. The Jazz are then a team that a big name would LOVE to coach. Maybe even Phil Jackson. Could you imagine this starting lineup:

Some PG
Hayward
Jabari
Favors
Kanter

That is an amazing team.

 

[orangello]

The Jazz suck, let Corbin walk and get Wiggins. Then we are a title contending team. The Jazz are then a team that a big name would LOVE to coach. Maybe even Phil Jackson. Could you imagine this starting lineup:

Some PG
Hayward
Wiggins
Favors
Kanter

That is an amazing team.

Fixed for what we all really would like to see.

 

[Batman]

How much of the Jazz not making a move on Corbin has to do with the potential replacement? What's the point of firing Corbin, eating 2 million for a Jeff Hornacek coach? If you can't hit a homerun with a coach, why waste the money owed Corbin? What's the worst thing that could happen? I'll tell you:

The Jazz suck, let Corbin walk and get Jabari. Then we are a title contending team. The Jazz are then a team that a big name would LOVE to coach. Maybe even Phil Jackson. Could you imagine this starting lineup:

Some PG
Hayward
Jabari
Favors
Kanter

That is an amazing team.

I like the concept. Even if we drafted Parker, Marcus Smart, or PG Harrison twin, We'd be well on our way to contending. Hope we do go, as lindsey said, "Lean and Strategic" with our roster next season.