Well thought-out post, thanks Stoked. And whoever you plagiarized.
I agree that we addressed a lot of needs. The issue is there were so many to address (side-note: it is impossible to address injuries, let's hope we avoid so many of those this next season), and to what level did we address them. Is our shooting now world-class, or is it league average adequate? We got a couple of vets with some playoff experience, but all are realistically peeking over the top of the hill if not outright headed down, how much of a plus is that really? If there is some number line we could add to all this, and 0 is the center point, then in those categories where we were negative, did we just move closer to 0, or did we really make a jump. Be honest about it too. And a few of these remain to be seen. Chemistry? We have been bitten on that front more than once with a new guy who brought vet playoff experience. Get healthy? Sure we get a single player back after season-ending injury, but during the season last year we were something like in the top 3 teams in the league for games lost to injury, NOT counting Exum.
While I agree we made strides in all of these areas, I question how big those strides were, for one thing.
But really what all my rants have been about is that it is getting very old watching us do the same damn thing every single year. A few years ago we added some vets with playoff experience, one who went on to win a ring (Jefferson) proving they were not total crap, and more than one who has gone on to have solid impacts on their NEXT teams. But we were somewhat hopeful when they came in (and more critical, as there was some vocal opposition on this board), but mostly it was viewed as a "solid" move. A solid move that got us nowhere.
I am ready to watch the front office go nuts, throw everything at the wall to see what sticks, and, as I have stated in other posts, move us solidly either into the top 3 or bottom 3. Go for the gold. Stop *****-footing around and do something different. I would at least like to have read somewhere something like KD went to the Warriors despite the fact that the Jazz threw everything but the kitchen sink at him. Something to generate some headlines that we are hitting away, not just bunting again. I know the options this season were limited, but maybe a little shake-up would light a fire. Let the team know everyone is up for grabs if they don't put it in gear and really hit the ground running. But I will be a pretty disenchanted fan to see another just-miss lower teens pick. Time to **** or get off the pot.
The only real way to address injuries is avoid injury plagued players and improve your depth and hope. For the most part Utah has done this.
The older vets will give our core playoff experience and most are on short (1-2 year contracts). Than they will be the playoff vets and we can bring in the pieces missing at that time.
As for shooting, I'd say above league average but not yet elite.
As for moving into the top 3, I think we all agree that we want to be there. But it is extremely hard to get there at all and even harder for a team like Utah. The FO put is in the group right below them IMO and in our best chance in a long time to get into that elite group of true contenders.
It will never be easy or quick to jump into the true elite one season to the next for Utah. But I truly feel this is our best chance we have had to get there since the end of the 98 season.
I agree that the FO should let the team know that we are in the pursuit of a title and nothing less is acceptable.
But with this team you know have an attractive offer to throw in with that kitchen sink at a Superstar. You have elite D, good shooting, play makers, youth, speed and hunger.
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