No clue how you got that conclusion
Thread for misc Jazz News leading up to training camp
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SoberasHotRod
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Wow, that's not what I took from his comments at all. I don't think he wanted Collins, and he is currently struggling to figure out how to use him, except in a similar role as Vando, but the problem is he can't play that role with Kessler on the court, it would have to be with KO.
Lauri fan from HK
Member
Agree. People say Collins will make the Lauri jump. It won't happen. To me, the cost of getting Collins is low, but it is not a steal. Who would have given him a 75 mil/ 3 years contract as a free agent? Actually Collins should be played like Bobby Portis. A key reserve on the bench, high energy guy, offers some sparks in the offense end. At the beginning of the season, Hardy will have to start Collins, but I hope down the road he will have the guts to bench Collins.
I didn't get that at all either. He was very complimentary of JC's skillset. I think it's more of you just don't know how things fit until you see it happen.
SoberasHotRod
Well-Known Member
Yeah, not wanting Collins is not correct. I think he isn't sure how he will fit with Lauri and Kessler. I'm probably projecting my feelings on Hardy, because I'm still not sure how that is going to work having so many players that want to get to the rim playing at the same time.
I dont think Hardy is even certain on Walker. Like he said, Walker needs a good camp. For all we know, Lauri/JC/KO could be a better front-court combo than Lauri/KO/Walker.
The only thing Hardy seemed 100% positive on was that Lauri is the guy on this team and everything else needs to be worked out around that.
And I know I got labeled as the "Walker Hater" early on last year, but I still want as many opportunities as possible to see Walker in the playoffs before we may have to max him out.
It could very easily bear out that Lauri/JC is a much better duo to invest in as far as playoff basketball goes.
And the same goes for JCollins too. The guy has never been that good in the playoffs for w/e reason.
It could very easily bear out that Lauri/JC is a much better duo to invest in as far as playoff basketball goes.
And the same goes for JCollins too. The guy has never been that good in the playoffs for w/e reason.
Still wild to think that John Collins at one point averaged 22 and 10 as a 23 year old.
It's a good example that just banking on young talent to progress because they are young isnt always a full-proof route (looking at you Holiday haters).
It's a good example that just banking on young talent to progress because they are young isnt always a full-proof route (looking at you Holiday haters).
HermanG
Well-Known Member
I will be the first to admit that we sometimes hear what we want. I could be guilty of confirmation bias here. I went to listen again though and I still didnt get that sense.
He warned the media that we will look different from last year with some spacing concepts he wants to run with Walker and John. That tells me he already knows how it will look.
I dont know how you got the sense he didnt want him though. When he first brings John up at 23:35 he does it on his own volition, praises his talent and instincts and says he wants to "free him up".
HermanG
Well-Known Member
I agree and as much as I hate to say it goes for Lauri as well. Will opponents be able to neutralize him to a lesser player in a 7 game series?
It is of utmost importance we get to see these guys in the playoffs before we tie up our future financially.
Oh, I have almost no doubt on Lauri. He's made for the playoffs IMO. I'm so confident in Lauri I think he is squarely a top 15 guy this year.
The only reason Lauri would fail IMO is if we put lackluster guards around him, which is kind of what we are currently doing.
HermanG
Well-Known Member
I share most of your optimism but I still think its paramount to get the info how teams try to limit him in a full series.
In the playoffs defenses play with more intensity, throw more wrinkles at you and tailor stuff to a much greater extent.
Being the explosive seven footer he is Lauri will always have the option of driving to the basket if teams are trying to smother him at the three point line. I also hope that he keeps on developing his turnaround midrange jumper, that thing could be money in the playoffs cause with his size he can shoot it over anybody.
Tremendous Upside
Well-Known Member
The thing about modern NBA basketball is... you need to have someone (capable of) providing spacing in the corner, usually a front court player. If you don't really have that guy, you're always trying to work around that deficiency and handicapping your team in the process.
We all know Kessler is not that player, and frankly, I have zero faith in him ever becoming one as long as he's shooting 50% from the stripe. Collins ended up getting parked in the corner in Atlanta, and by all accounts hated the ensuing lack of touches and being a spectator in the offense. That's a major reason he wanted out. With the Jazz, he's looking to get back into his preferred role – the roll guy and alley-oop target roaming the middle. That alone makes him 100% incompatible with Walker, and also pushes Lauri into the passive spacer role that made his career plateau previously.
Who knows, maybe Collins surprises me by being ready to sacrifice for the good of the team and agrees to spend a lot of this time in the corner again. Not holding my breath though. But a Walker-JC-Lauri front court is impossible, that much is clear. I presume Kessler will be going to the bench. That's something the fanbase as a whole won't like.
We all know Kessler is not that player, and frankly, I have zero faith in him ever becoming one as long as he's shooting 50% from the stripe. Collins ended up getting parked in the corner in Atlanta, and by all accounts hated the ensuing lack of touches and being a spectator in the offense. That's a major reason he wanted out. With the Jazz, he's looking to get back into his preferred role – the roll guy and alley-oop target roaming the middle. That alone makes him 100% incompatible with Walker, and also pushes Lauri into the passive spacer role that made his career plateau previously.
Who knows, maybe Collins surprises me by being ready to sacrifice for the good of the team and agrees to spend a lot of this time in the corner again. Not holding my breath though. But a Walker-JC-Lauri front court is impossible, that much is clear. I presume Kessler will be going to the bench. That's something the fanbase as a whole won't like.
Tremendous Upside
Well-Known Member
For that, we need spacing from other frount court players. Both Walker and Collins want to live in the middle.
Yup. Agreed. Every modern NBA team needs a lot of spacing. If Collins isn't finding his shooting stroke again then they'll probably bench him and start Olynyk instead, just like last season.
Edit: or like someone else said in this thread already: experiment with Lauri - Collins - Olynyk starting lineup and bring Walker off the bench
HermanG
Well-Known Member
Developing his midrange arsenal would help a lot. I dont know what his FG% on fadeaways is but in turnarounds I feel its on the low side. Could be wrong though, but at least the latter is not a reliable go-to option for him as he doesnt use it that often.
Tremendous Upside
Well-Known Member
I think Lauri's just playing the percentages. And obviously he's doing it extremely well, since this approach has made him one of the most efficient volume scorers in the entire league. His current level is a max player, no ifs or buts.
Lauri almost never takes bad shots or forces things. Sure you'd sometimes like to see him try the types of shots that he's more or less deleted from his regular menu (midrangers, fadeaways, etc), but on the other hand... you can't argue with results.
As I've said before, extremely efficient volume scoring is the holy grail of the NBA.
HermanG
Well-Known Member
I agree. Its just something thats good to have in your bag in late clock moments when the defense isnt giving anyone easier looks.
Like the late game shot he had vs the Suns early season, where he essentially beat a double team with a turnaround shot.
Most of the best bigger players in the history have at least one unguardable shot which isnt often super high percentage but its something thats always available as the last resort.
Engorged On Unborn Gore
Well-Known Member
Back to dog news:
The mutt belonging to our neighbor upstairs ate an entire chocolate cake and had to get its stomach pumped at the vet.
There's nothing like a huge vet bill on your birthday to make you just love dogs
The mutt belonging to our neighbor upstairs ate an entire chocolate cake and had to get its stomach pumped at the vet.
There's nothing like a huge vet bill on your birthday to make you just love dogs