Andy Larsen's Article from Last Night - A Local Guy Going Hard

[Handlogten's Heros]

I get that he had 3 fouls but he still could've done a lot more to try and contest some of these shots without fouling.

Right but he’s being kinda dickish with people and he provided no context... that first one becomes a foul if he contests hard... the middle ones could have contested harder... the last one is kind of damning but I need the high def review because I’m fairly sure Baynes has him in a bear hug.


He’s done this before... sometimes he relies on reputation and doesn’t contest super hard... tries to get the rebound... It’s energy conservation sometimes and frustration others times. Even the great ones pick their spots... he just never dialed it up last night.

 

[Jingled]

May not change the world but let's do two things...
1- Joe or Mike come off the bench... pick your poison Quin... I'd choose Mike, but we may not want to hurt his trade value (I kid... we'd never trade him)
2- Niang and Bradley are not allowed to be in the same lineup... again pick one. If you absolutely think Niang's shooting has to be in the lineup (it doesn't) then use Morgan as the backup center. I'd prefer to just do Brantley and Morgan together and just see what happens... not like many guys are executing the game plan... may as well have it be because of ignorance versus selfishness or willful disregard.

This definitely needs to be addressed. We have too many poor perimeter defenders in the starting lineup. We're having to put Joe on the other teams best player every night and he's clearly lost a step defensively and isn't capable of guarding guys like Booker, Lilard and Harden anymore. I would also choose to bench Mike but I think we all know the Jazz aren't going to do that, so they need to stop delaying the inevitable and just put Joe back on the bench already. Royce has been pretty awful defensively as well lately but he's still the best option we have.

 

[rjfan]

Nice work... I continue to enjoy that we start the worst option because of this narrative that it gives us the most upside. Eye test, logic, and data tell a totally different story.

May not change the world but let's do two things...
1- Joe or Mike come off the bench... pick your poison Quin... I'd choose Mike, but we may not want to hurt his trade value (I kid... we'd never trade him)
2- Niang and Bradley are not allowed to be in the same lineup... again pick one. If you absolutely think Niang's shooting has to be in the lineup (it doesn't) then use Morgan as the backup center. I'd prefer to just do Brantley and Morgan together and just see what happens... not like many guys are executing the game plan... may as well have it be because of ignorance versus selfishness or willful disregard.

At this point, if Mike were to opt out of his final year, we'd be in a better position.

I'm all for bench Mike and bring Brantley and Morgan to the rotation

 

[rjfan]

This definitely needs to be addressed. We have too many poor perimeter defenders in the starting lineup. We're having to put Joe on the other teams best player every night and he's clearly lost a step defensively and isn't capable of guarding guys like Booker, Lilard and Harden anymore. I would also choose to bench Mike but I think we all know the Jazz aren't going to do that, so they need to stop delaying the inevitable and just put Joe back on the bench already. Royce has been pretty awful defensively as well lately but he's still the best option we have.

We have too many poor perimeter defenders on the entire roster. Who we got outside of Royce to throw out there expecting to get stops, be able to consistently stay in front of their guys, and to be active and strong on getting the rebound if Rudy is forced out of the paint to contest ? One 2nd rounder (maybe two and one or other g-league guy) ?

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

This definitely needs to be addressed. We have too many poor perimeter defenders in the starting lineup. We're having to put Joe on the other teams best player every night and he's clearly lost a step defensively and isn't capable of guarding guys like Booker, Lilard and Harden anymore. I would also choose to bench Mike but I think we all know the Jazz aren't going to do that, so they need to stop delaying the inevitable and just put Joe back on the bench already. Royce has been pretty awful defensively as well lately but he's still the best option we have.

The argument that “the best version of this team is with Mike starting and playing well” no longer has teeth... mostly because he’s played poorly. Even if he was playing well the main lineup was so flipping good that I doubt they’d match it.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

More goodness from Andy on the weekly run pod...

1- Thinks Juwan Morgan should be playing over TB.

2- Thinks Conley should come off the bench because Joe gives us more of what we need next to DM and Rudy.

3- Was a bit critical of the overpay for Mike... didn’t like that we didn’t correct some of our summer mistakes and part of the reason why was we gave up too much in the trade and had nothing left to give.

When they were talking about Mike it reminded me of that cute friend you have in high school... you are both really good friends... both of you think the other is cute... you try to date because 1+1 should equal 2, but for whatever reason the attraction or spark isn’t there... like they are both trying to make it work and want to make it work but it’s not natural... kinda forced and it just ain’t quite happening.

 

[sahlensguy]

More goodness from Andy on the weekly run pod...

1- Thinks Juwan Morgan should be playing over TB.

2- Thinks Conley should come off the bench because Joe gives us more of what we need next to DM and Rudy.

3- Was a bit critical of the overpay for Mike... didn’t like that we didn’t correct some of our summer mistakes and part of the reason why was we gave up too much in the trade and had nothing left to give.

When they were talking about Mike it reminded me of that cute friend you have in high school... you are both really good friends... both of you think the other is cute... you try to date because 1+1 should equal 2, but for whatever reason the attraction or spark isn’t there... like they are both trying to make it work and want to make it work but it’s not natural... kinda forced and it just ain’t quite happening.

Trouble is... Mudiay is a better fit charging up the court with the ball on the second team than Conley is.

Ingles is a better fit with the starters and Mudiay is a better fit with the bench.

Yes MC is that bad of a fit.

Bench his *** until he opts out to save what's left of his career.

That's the best option.

We will never do it.

 

[Jazzta]

Jazz's lineups (+20min) since 01/27/2020 (defeat vs Rockets) :
Conley-Clarkson-Bogdanovic-O'Neale-Gobert : OFFRTG 111.5 ; DEFRTG 101.9 ; NETRTG : +9.6
Mitchell-Clarkson-Bogdanovic-O'Neale-Gobert : OFFRTG 115.2 ; DEFRTG 112.7 ; NETRTG : +2.5
Mitchell-Ingles-Bogdanovic-O'Neale-Gobert : OFFRTG 110.3 ; DEFRTG 115.8 ; NETRTG : -5.5
Mudiay-Clarkson-Ingles-Niang-Bradley : OFFRTG 119.6 ; DEFRTG 128.6 ; NETRTG : -9.0
Conley-Mitchell-Ingles-Bogdanovich-Gobert : OFFRTG 99.5 ; DEFRTG 111.7 ; NETRTG : -12.2

Analysis :
- Conley+Mitchell don't work in offense
- Too many players don't make the defensive effort

This is why you bring Conley off the bench if anything. But you know, “my favorite PG in the league”, in Quin’s own words..

 

[sahlensguy]

This is why you bring Conley off the bench if anything. But you know, “my favorite PG in the league”, in Quin’s own words..

Pretty damming assessment imo. Not a good take for Quin. Truly it's JazzFanz level bad.

 

[NAOS]

It’s laughable that our organization was citing the Raptors Model last off-season. At this point, there’s an exhaustingly long list of things that point to how we’ve never been close to that standard—from the execs, to the coaches, to the players.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

It’s laughable that our organization was citing the Raptors Model last off-season. At this point, there’s an exhaustingly long list of things that point to how we’ve never been close to that standard—from the execs, to the coaches, to the players.

Massai is one of the ballsiest gms... DL/JZ are ummmm.... not that. No way would Massai have TB as his backup center right now on a “contender”.

Truly great people make their own ****ing model... DL has pivoted from the San Antonio model to the Toronto model... next year the Clippers model? It’s almost like he’s 12 months behind on every thing.

 

[NAOS]

Massai is one of the ballsiest gms... DL/JZ are ummmm.... not that. No way would Massai have TB as his backup center right now on a “contender”.

Truly great people make their own ****ing model... DL has pivoted from the San Antonio model to the Toronto model... next year the Clippers model? It’s almost like he’s 12 months behind on every thing.

I don’t think Massai could be in the same county as TB without spontaneously combusting.

Nick Nurse basically runs laps around Q as a coach on the offensive side of the ball. And isn’t afraid to tinker with combos all the way to the end of the bench.

Raptors players appear to have enormous pride when it comes to staying in front of their opponent on defense. And, generally, are just tough as nails, pound for pound.

Starting-level players have come off the bench. So little ego or worry about the that ****.

Etc.

 

[homeytennis]

Wasn't it the Raptors we were down by 40 at the half?

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

I don’t think Massai could be in the same county as TB without spontaneously combusting.

Nick Nurse basically runs laps around Q as a coach on the offensive side of the ball. And isn’t afraid to tinker with combos all the way to the end of the bench.

Raptors players appear to have enormous pride when it comes to staying in front of their opponent on defense. And, generally, are just tough as nails, pound for pound.

Starting-level players have come off the bench. So little ego or worry about the that ****.

Etc.

Yeah they had Jonas who was good... traded for Gasol who was better... benched Serge...

Those maneuvers right there would be way to much boat rocking for DL and Quin. Rotation wise this year I’ve had some flashbacks to the Corbin era... I wonder how many games we wait to move Joe (that’s who it will end up being) or Mike (but but but he’s MIKE CONLEY) to the bench. Bojan likely breaks out of his slump and we meander to 51/52 wins and never make the change...

 

[infection]

Yeah they had Jonas who was good... traded for Gasol who was better... benched Serge...

Those maneuvers right there would be way to much boat rocking for DL and Quin. Rotation wise this year I’ve had some flashbacks to the Corbin era... I wonder how many games we wait to move Joe (that’s who it will end up being) or Mike (but but but he’s MIKE CONLEY) to the bench. Bojan likely breaks out of his slump and we meander to 51/52 wins and never make the change...

“Gasol is old lol.”

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

“Gasol is old lol.”

"We don't know for sure for sure he is even an upgrade... its only like 8-10 minutes a night in the playoffs... it doesn't even matter"

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Dude went at the team hard... and when I say he went at the team... he went at them all. His last couple paragraphs on DL/JZ were especially pertinent imo. With how bad a fit Green and Davis were how did we think that would work? As a couch GM I knew the stuff I'd watched and raw numbers, but didn't realize how small Davis was, how he can't protect the rim much, and how he's basically a walking turnover in the pick and roll. Our GMs should know that... Green was a m

inimum guy and we needed a guy so whatevs.

Go read his article... he deserves your clicks... good job andy (not sure he has an account here anymore or I'd send it to his handle.)​

https://www.sltrib.com/sports/jazz/2020/02/25/jazz-suns-analysis-by/

I mean, the thing on Davis is kind of BS. It was widely lauded as a great move by local and national guys. I was one of the few people who really disliked it, but I figured I must just be wrong since everyone else seemed to be on board.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Has nothing to do with stupid ASG selections.

Teams are going small and The Jazz have no answers - and the fact that they have no answer is killing their confidence as a team and causing them to get frustrated which translates to you and me as a lack of effort.

The whole defense is predicated on the fact that "Rudy has your back." When that doesn't happen the system collapses like a house of cards.

Not sure what the answer is, maybe modified zone when teams go small, but the ship is taking on water here.

That's definitely not it.

The Jazz just have ****** man defenders who also aren't high IQ defenders. Plus guys like Mitchell aren't living up to their defensive potential.

I mean, they added guys like Bogey, Clarkson, Mudiay, and Bradley (I know he wasn't "added" but it's his first time actually playing). Plus Niang is getting more minutes and Ingles/Conley have aged on the defensive end.

And Oneale is an overrated defender (by some). He isn't a game changer on that end or a lockdown guy. He is merely a good defender. And he honestly might be the only good defender on the team outside of Rudy (I'd call Ingles, Conley, and Mitchell average).

Juwan Morgan has some defensive potential, but it does seem likes he's too small to play center and it's hard to play him over Niang, who does a great job at playing in Utah offense with his spacing and at least knows where to be (Morgan often looks lost).

I really wish Oni could get some run as he has the body and athleticism to be a plus defender, but his gleague stats don't suggest that he is ready.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

I mean, the thing on Davis is kind of BS. It was widely lauded as a great move by local and national guys. I was one of the few people who really disliked it, but I figured I must just be wrong since everyone else seemed to be on board.

That's fair... I just didn't realize how inept the guy is in the pick and roll. I think some basketball people mentioned it, but then glossed over it with a "it'll work out and be fine". I think his point was that's something the front office should have known that media types wouldn't. Maybe they didn't think he was this bad or that he could improve... there were some other options on the market but only a few of those have worked out.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

That's definitely not it.

The Jazz just have ****** man defenders who also aren't high IQ defenders. Plus guys like Mitchell aren't living up to their defensive potential.

I mean, they added guys like Bogey, Clarkson, Mudiay, and Bradley (I know he wasn't "added" but it's his first time actually playing). Plus Niang is getting more minutes and Ingles/Conley have aged on the defensive end.

And Oneale is an overrated defender (by some). He isn't a game changer on that end or a lockdown guy. He is merely a good defender. And he honestly might be the only good defender on the team outside of Rudy (I'd call Ingles, Conley, and Mitchell average).

Juwan Morgan has some defensive potential, but it does seem likes he's too small to play center and it's hard to play him over Niang, who does a great job at playing in Utah offense with his spacing and at least knows where to be (Morgan often looks lost).

I really wish Oni could get some run as he has the body and athleticism to be a plus defender, but his gleague stats don't suggest that he is ready.

I think Juwan has been fine... he hasn't played with any aggressiveness or force on offense. The defense has been good. He had an empty box score in the phoenix game but did some good things. I wish they would commit to him for like 5 games and tell him to try a couple things even if it doesn't work out. Like have Quin set up a pick and pop three for him when he comes in the game and tell him to let it fly if he's open. I also think he could be our only big that can fake the pass on the DHO and if the defense shifts too hard he can drive and get a layup. I think he's a better option than TB even if he is too small... hasn't looked real comfortable yet.