GVC
Well-Known Member
Agree with A and C for sure. The team still needs more offensive talent IMO. Hood and Burks are probably fine rotation players, but they're probably the most replaceable/upgradeable.
So do we still need a star?
- Thread starter sportsnut1232
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no
sahlensguy
Well-Known Member
We don't need to add a superstar imo. We need to add some veteran talent to stay the ride. Theirs killed us last night as did Wall. Pierce, Gordot, and even Gooden all played well. Last night's game was near playoff intensity. If this team is to do well down the stretch and into the playoffs over the next year or two, a couple of solid vets off the bench will be needed.
karl malone
Well-Known Member
Do we still need a star?
No, we have one in Rudy Gobert.
Do we still need that go to guy who can take over at the end of games?
Yes, unless 1 of Burks/Exum/Hood turn into that go-to scorer (which I don't see happening- not to say they won't all be good offensive players), we still need someone besides Hayward who can take over offensively at the end of close games, especially in the playoffs. He doesn't necessarily need to be a star, though.
Should we still do everything possible to try to get Russell?
Yes, depending on what you mean by everything possible. Although his recent play has been lessening what I would be willing to trade along with him, I would trade Exum for Russell (love Exum's long-term potential, just think an offensive minded/good passing guard fits better with GH, DF, & RG than a defensive minded/good passing guard does). I would also include a future pick, if necessary (OKC/GSW-maybe both), not sure about this year's pick. First choice would be to package this year's pick, both OKC/GSW, & another future pick or Burke to a team like PHI at #3. Everything possible is probably what it would take (Exum+this year's pick+OKC+GSW+future pick(s)+maybe even Burke or Hood), in which case I definitely would not do. As much as I think Russell is exactly what we need (#1 scoring option), it would likely take a massive overpay to move from #12 to #3. Because of this, I think we should hope Hezonja slips to the #6-8 range & try to move up for him as he is the closest thing to a #1 scorer in this draft after Russell.
While I do think that we can compete for the playoffs for years to come with the roster we currently have (+ this year's draft pick & a solid role-player or 2), I think the difference between this team competing for the playoffs & competing for championships will be that go-to guy who can take over at the end of games, as it's beginning to look like we have a championship caliber defense. Now, all we need is our Rudy Gobert on the other side of the ball & we will have a potential dynasty.
No, we have one in Rudy Gobert.
Do we still need that go to guy who can take over at the end of games?
Yes, unless 1 of Burks/Exum/Hood turn into that go-to scorer (which I don't see happening- not to say they won't all be good offensive players), we still need someone besides Hayward who can take over offensively at the end of close games, especially in the playoffs. He doesn't necessarily need to be a star, though.
Should we still do everything possible to try to get Russell?
Yes, depending on what you mean by everything possible. Although his recent play has been lessening what I would be willing to trade along with him, I would trade Exum for Russell (love Exum's long-term potential, just think an offensive minded/good passing guard fits better with GH, DF, & RG than a defensive minded/good passing guard does). I would also include a future pick, if necessary (OKC/GSW-maybe both), not sure about this year's pick. First choice would be to package this year's pick, both OKC/GSW, & another future pick or Burke to a team like PHI at #3. Everything possible is probably what it would take (Exum+this year's pick+OKC+GSW+future pick(s)+maybe even Burke or Hood), in which case I definitely would not do. As much as I think Russell is exactly what we need (#1 scoring option), it would likely take a massive overpay to move from #12 to #3. Because of this, I think we should hope Hezonja slips to the #6-8 range & try to move up for him as he is the closest thing to a #1 scorer in this draft after Russell.
While I do think that we can compete for the playoffs for years to come with the roster we currently have (+ this year's draft pick & a solid role-player or 2), I think the difference between this team competing for the playoffs & competing for championships will be that go-to guy who can take over at the end of games, as it's beginning to look like we have a championship caliber defense. Now, all we need is our Rudy Gobert on the other side of the ball & we will have a potential dynasty.
GVC
Well-Known Member
Getting your own shot isn't as important as being able to create easy baskets for teammates by leveraging the defense. The most efficient shots in the halfcourt - open 3s and layups/dunks - are mostly created by players who not only beat their own man off the dribble, but make the correct read and play once off-ball defenders rotate to help. That is, if the opponent's defensive rotations are good, beating the first line of defense leads to open pull-up 2s and contested layups, which are decent shots. Those shots still aren;t as good as open 3s and open layups/dunks.
Hood has yet to show an ability to bend the defense enough to create open shots for his teammates (without considering his ability to make the correct read and hit the open man), Burks has never been particularly adept at turning his forays into the paint into easy buckets for his teammates, and Dante isn't enough a of a threat to score off the dribble to attract much extra attention.
True, the Spurs and Hawks depend on more of their players making sequences of quick reads and passes, but having top end creators makes it easier.
framer
Well-Known Member
A big part of the puzzle is to not have your starting one and two guards be rookies. Fortunately, that will be solved in the offseason, because those players will be more experienced. Seriously, three of our starters and three of the first four guys off the bench are Rookies and Sophomores. None of our vets are yet in their prime. We have a very good player coming back next year at the wing and a lottery pick (sorry, churro) to add for depth. We REALLY need to push for Tomic, because he fits like a glove and brings experience. I think we are way to early to start determining what exactly we have and what we are missing.
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Handlogten's Heros
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Stop with the rational patience... No room for that **** here.
I think a lot hinges on Hood & Exum. If both show half the improvement Gobert has from last season to this season then we'll have an excellent starting-five with a solid bench. To have Booker, Burke, Burks, etc. as a 2nd-string is a luxury. Obtaining a solid back-up PF & back-up C (sounds like Tomic will be our C) is going to give us a very well-rounded team. Our bench will be solid and our starting-five will play excellent defense. The key is Exum & Hood - they must improve.
I disagree in part. I think we have some very clear pieces (Favors, Gobert, Hayward) and some are still up in the air (like Hood and Exum). I'd say that base don that it gives us areas of focus. Such as looking at back up 4-5s instead of wodnering if we have our starters at those positions.
With this team I think the jazz should focus on back up C, back up SF/SG (possibly starter depending on Hood) and back up PG.
MoTappin
Well-Known Member
Though another consistent shooter would help too! Matthews?
framer
Well-Known Member
OK, I am going to guarantee you that both Exum and Hood will be better next year. How many players declined after their rookie season? The question is will they be better or "Gobert better". . .