re: Pelicans at Jazz Streaking over Jazz 128 Pels 120

The name Jazz is another time, another era.
I have no emotional attachment.

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Ehhh, we shot 41% in the game, our average is closer to 46%.. We shoot our average, we win this game...

This team is better than alot of people give them credit for, they just have to figure out how to finish quarters, and how to stay disciplined and not resort to ISO ball when they are already having trouble hitting shots

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The Jazz are the best defense in the league, shooting your average is tough and not something you should expect, that’s what makes them the best defensive team.


They have potential, absolutely, especially if they can get healthy, but they are going to be working through all the layers of problems against a pretty tough schedule in the next ten games(really until January). Both LA teams, two Dallas games, @Mil, @PHI. Stealing one of those plus not slipping up against a team like @OKC will be tough. I’m expecting 4-6(bracing for 3-7) and hoping to be surprised by 5-5 with a solid unexpected win, like maybe(hopefully) LAL.

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We have not even seen this group with what everyone feels will be the best player, and most important piece moving forward. Let’s see how Zion fits in and who he plays well with before we start trading everyone away. Cool?

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I mean long-term unless Zion is such a transcendent talent that we are contenders in the next two seasons, getting a return for guys like Jrue/Redick is going to need to be considered.

Jrue will be 31, Redick is 35 and will be 37 at the end of his contract. Both have the best positive value on the roster that are outside our long-term time schedule. I might eat my words of letting them go to contenders at the deadline because Zion and health does somehow turn us into a playoff team, and that experience is valuable, but it's still something we need to be preparing for(and open to) if we want to make the Zion era successful.

Are we even sure Favors is a long-term piece here though?


Even in his short stint, it was becoming pretty evident Zion operates a lot better with spacing around him. This also is why I have pushed big for Hayes developing a three. Unless Zion develops a strong jumper, he and Ingram would really benefit from a stretch big. As both operate best in a lot of the same space and having a paint clogger is not ideal.

Frankly, if I am building a realistic roster around Zion/Ingram I would want to bring in a Myles Turner, fill out the Guard positions with sharpshooters that can play both on and off ball. NAW, assuming he can develop, fits nicely, and then someone like Jrue makes a bit more sense with three floor-spacers.

NAW(or a player equivalent that is a good-sized on/off ball point guard)
Jrue
Ingram
Zion
Turner(just a defensively capable stretch big of some sort)

I'd maybe take Redick off the bench on a minimum deal, but to say it again, he will be 37 at the end of his contract. I'd hope that somewhere in our draft war chest or FA we can find a combo guard/forward that can slot into a death lineup with Zion at center and Ingram at PF while switching everything competently.