The Millsap dilemma

[GVC]

Two, we were horrific this year sending cutters through the lane. The offense gave up at the 14 second mark of nearly every clock.

There is no mystery why this was the case. Everyone was waiting for Big Al to shoot or lob a pass out to reset the offense. Cutters just get in the way of Big Al in the post.

How does having superior post moves make up for Big Al's lack of versatility, BBall IQ and physicality? The Jazz offense was better with Paul on the floor this year than it was with Big Al on the floor, and it should be pretty damn obvious why that's the case.

 

[billyshelby]

There is no mystery why this was the case. Everyone was waiting for Big Al to shoot or lob a pass out to reset the offense. Cutters just get in the way of Big Al in the post.

How does having superior post moves make up for Big Al's lack of versatility, BBall IQ and physicality? The Jazz offense was better with Paul on the floor this year than it was with Big Al on the floor, and it should be pretty damn obvious why that's the case.

I don't see Al as lacking versatility or BB IQ. He can play 4 or 5 like a lot of 4's and 5's. As to IQ, he had to absorb a ton of new stuff this year, and just as he was getting it the team imploded. His rebounding is an issue.

This argument ISN'T Sap vs. Al. They're both good. The argument should be what offense would most effectively make use of Al's post game. As just one example, Zach Randolph is a machine in the post and a terrible passer. You can win with him, though. And I think Al can be better than Zach.

 

[NAOS]

Starting a guy at a position that he's only going to play 7-10 minutes totals wreaks havoc on your rotation. Assuming your 1st and 3rd quarter starters are the same, who do you pull after 3-5 minutes? It's easy enough to work in if he is starting at a different position, but unless Favors gets lazy over the summer, Millsap doesn't start next year at PF.

If we really have aspirations to be a championship, or even contending, team, we need to have bench players that could start on lesser teams. Millsap is a natural choice for that role. If he doesn't want to fill it, then we should do him the favor of sending him where he wants to go. Wrecking our rotation to keep him does no tmake sense.

You could yank any number of players after 5 minutes (which, IMO, is a perfectly acceptable time to make your first substitution). You could pull the 3, 4, or 5. (insert DWill2 at SF and slide Paul over?!?!?!?!?!)

I'd also hope that Millsap could close games at SF (depending on matchups and foul trouble). Remember, I'm only suggesting 7-10 minutes as a minimum.

I realize that this issue is magnified for a box-score peeper.

 

[GVC]

IThis argument ISN'T Sap vs. Al. They're both good.

I disagree.

 

[gregbroncs]

So why are these stupid questions about coming off the bench only asked about Paul?

There are very few things that Big Al does better than Paul Millsap on the basketball court.

Because Jefferson is a better and more versatile than Millsap. Jefferson has length, and size for the position against starters and Millsap does not. The bigger, longer PF's really give Millsap fits on both ends of the floor. Jefferson is more consistent and better in the low post than Millsap. Jefferson is the better player. Millsap has heart and plays hard at all times. It's not enough.

There are less things that Millsap does better than Jefferson on the court.

Advantages
Rebounding. = or favor Jefferson.
post offense. Jefferson
mid range game. Millsap
Post defense. Jefferson
Help defense. =
Defensive rotation. Millsap

Since I don't think Millsap is significantly better in either category he is better at. And Jefferson is significantly better in the post on both ends of the floor I prefer Jefferson playing against starters. Favors is already better than Millsap defensively and at rebounding. I prefer AJ/Favors over Millsap/Favors or AJ/Millsap.

As far as these questions being asked about Millsap instead of Jefferson. That's easy, Jefferson is a better player to build around than an undersized PF. Jefferson and Favors compliment each other better than Jefferson and Millsap.

I'm all for keeping Millap and giving him 25-35 MPG as long as he's coming off of the bench and Favors is getting more minutes than he is.

 

[freakazoid]

Jefferson is the better player.

Is he twice as good? 14 million compared to 6.7 next year. I think GVC undervalues Al a bit, but he has a legitimate argument when you look at salaries.

 

[Jeffrey32]

Millsap is a hard worker, so I have no doubt that he he concentrates on playing the 3 spot this summer, then he should be able to achieve success there. He would have to get a bit more consistent beyond 18 feet and work on speed. I have no doubt he can do both. In the Utah system he would also have to work on moving without the ball and back-cuts, as he wouldn't be the one setting the pick but the one doing the curl. Ideally, though, would be for him to look at Lamar Odom as his example. Lamar deserves 6th man of the year and arguably could have been an All-Star. He plays 30+ minutes a game at the 3 or 4 position. I think Millsap could be Utah's Odom and Utah's candidate for sixth man of the year every year if he commits to it.

 

[One Brow]

I realize that this issue is magnified for a box-score peeper.

Even the occasional box-score peeper recognizes that team chemistry comes from playing groups together, particularly when they are young/new to the team. Pretending you can substitute players in and out like they are Tinkertoys is unrealistic.

 

[NCJazz]

Sorry if these numbers have been posted but they do make you think twice about Big Al. If we were to draft a guy like Kanter makes you wonder if we should put Big Al on the market for that wonderful wing.

Consider this: Utah's offense improves 4.3 points per 100 possessions when Jefferson steps on the floor, but the team also hemorrhages another 9.4 points per 100 possession to the other team with him out there.

From ESPN, to lazy to look up Millsap's numbers, but Jefferson really needs to pick it up on the defensive end. Blocking some shots is not enough.

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

Also anytime you have a guy who is tough as hell, plays through injuries, doesn't whine, works hard, has great moves/instincts around the basket, has a great shot from anywhere on the court, plays decent defense, is athletic, seems to want to be here, and isn't overpaid then you definately need to try to get rid of him. I dont think that dilemma is a good way to describe milsap. So he is undersized. that is his only weakness. his game is solid, his attitude is solid, his work ethic is off the charts, and hes not too expensive. In other words... he is a keeper in my book.

Let him come off the bench like Antonio McDyess post-injury, Carl Landry, Big Baby, etc. He can still get 25 - 30 mins. as a 6th man.

 

[Champzz]

I hope we keep Millsap over the summer, because his work ethic may be inspiring to other players. And if he doesn't work out at the 3, or off the bench, then we can trade him next year. But he has a lot of potential still, and nothing would be worse than seeing him go and regretting it a few years later like Matthews and Korver.

 

[gregbroncs]

Is he twice as good? 14 million compared to 6.7 next year. I think GVC undervalues Al a bit, but he has a legitimate argument when you look at salaries.

No he's not. But if we are trying to build a team into a real contender you need the better players. Al is better than Millsap. If Millsap were 6'10 or so like Jefferson he would probably be worth more than Al. He's not. They are both good bigs to have if they are willing to play their role.

I guess I'm not of the opinion that just because he makes twice as much means he needs to be twice as good. He's better, that's enough for me. I don't believe Millsap can be a starter at any position on a team that is a serious contender. I do believe Jefferson could be. So is that difference worth the salary? It is to me.