The Jordan Clarkson equation

[Thee Idiotic Minivan K]

This needs its own thread because it’s that important to the jazz’s Championship aspirations.

Over the last three games there’s been a big shift in the way he plays within the team system. He’s a big reason why the jazz got off to such a fast start last year. Quin gave him such a huge green light that he took his aggressive play style to a new level. It feels like Quin might be finally reeling him in a bit. I’ve noticed him moving the ball more, and not looking to shoot every time he gets the ball. He even had two back to back possessions where he threw lobs to Dok. Dok even stated he was expecting him to shoot those.

Over the last three games, he’s been more efficient, and would’ve been even more efficient had his three ball been dropping.

If this continues imo he will continue to improve on where he was and making this team more lethal a lot like the beginning to middle of last year.

 

[SoberasHotRod]

Clarkson creates so much gravity since every defender knows he's not going to pass. When he actually does pass, people are wide open.

If he can have a stretch of shooting like he did to start last season, but during the playoffs, we might be unbeatable.

 

[NUMBERICA]

I’m less often offended the last few games but he has to keep that up.

I do think the trade deadline and the emergence of Forrest (and Butler to some extent) is a part of this.

Whatever informs him not playing like a total ****ing idiot, I’m here for it. A little can go a long way.

For this team to be a real contender, everyone simply has to be more committed to winning basketball. It feels like that necessary shift has occurred because of that brutal stretch (including Joe going down), so maybe it was a blessing in disguise or something.

 

[Hearsky]

I mostly agree. He definitely has a different approach over the last few weeks trending towards playing more as a team player. But, he is still taking bad shots. A contested 3 last night with 19 seconds on the shot clock pissed me off. And, I am not totally convinced the two Dok lobs weren't actually bad shots. With that said, the dude seems like a really great person. I am rooting for him for more reasons than being a Jazz fan, but he has been gawd awful this year.

 

[homeytennis]

When Clarkson came into the league it was as a point guard and one year he averaged almost 7 assists so he hasn't been a chucker forever.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

I mostly agree. He definitely has a different approach over the last few weeks trending towards playing more as a team player. But, he is still taking bad shots. A contested 3 last night with 19 seconds on the shot clock pissed me off. And, I am not totally convinced the two Dok lobs weren't actually bad shots. With that said, the dude seems like a really great person. I am rooting for him for more reasons than being a Jazz fan, but he has been gawd awful this year.

I’m fine with that contested three most nights… last night because we couldn’t throw it in the ocean it was rough.

I think he’s been better on offense… still worry about his defense. Ross had a pretty simple action he got a layup on that you could tell JC just didn’t see what was happening at all or just wasn’t interested in defending it the right way. He’s just a space cadet at times.

He’s fine… hopefully his trade value increases and we can do something different there. I’m fairly convinced he was not viewed as an asset to outside teams because of his slow start this year.

 

[infection]

When Clarkson came into the league it was as a point guard and one year he averaged almost 7 assists so he hasn't been a chucker forever.

How are you defining “almost”?

 

[homeytennis]

It's Homey Math: "However, he ended up starting 38 games for the Lakers, primarily at point guard, and averaged 15.8 points, 5.0 assists, and 4.2 rebounds as a starter.[21] On March 24, 2015, he had a season-best game with 30 points and 7 assists in a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.[22] Starting alongside Jeremy Lin, the pair became the first Asian-American starting backcourt in league history."

 

[kabenac]

JC wasn't bad in the month of January (43% shooting and 38% from three at 16.7 PPG)

I'm hoping he figures this out and gets back to a semblance of his awesome play last season.

 

[fishonjazz]

I think he mostly is what he is at this point. And that is a chucker (a lot of that is by design to be fair). Whether he hurts or helps the team mostly depends on his three ball. If he is jacking up 3's and they are going in at a good clip then he is helpful. If he is not jacking up threes and going in to the paint and making the defense work then he is helpful. If he his jacking up threes and missing them like crazy then he is hurting the team.

Obviously there is a little more to it than that but I think that is the heart of his value.

 

[Tom349]

I think the solution is pretty simple. Some nights JC will be unstoppable, hitting crazy shots and taking the game away from the opposition, on those nights play him more minutes and get him more shots. On the nights that have been more common this season where he is missing and being more of a negative then lessen his minutes, the options are there in Forrest, NAW and Butler. No point having depth if you are only going to rely on the same players every night.

 

[Thee Idiotic Minivan K]

I think the solution is pretty simple. Some nights JC will be unstoppable, hitting crazy shots and taking the game away from the opposition, on those nights play him more minutes and get him more shots. On the nights that have been more common this season where he is missing and being more of a negative then lessen his minutes, the options are there in Forrest, NAW and Butler. No point having depth if you are only going to rely on the same players every night.

You can’t just give him less minutes simply because he’s missing shots, that’s too much pressure, then he starts to press, most can’t perform under those conditions. He’ll always have in the back of his mind, I can’t miss this shot.

 

[Tom349]

You can’t just give him less minutes simply because he’s missing shots, that’s too much pressure, then he starts to press, most can’t perform under those conditions. He’ll always have in the back of his mind, I can’t miss this shot.

Im not talking about missing a couple of shots, Im talking about when you're stone cold and already pressing to fix the issue. I want JC putting pressure on opposition defense and don't mind if he takes a couple of ugly shots on the basis that he is an incredible shot maker but some nights are ugly and thats the same for every player but JC doesn't much else to fall back on. He can't defend, he can't create for others as well as other options on the team, on those nights use the other options.

No bench player should be immune to being benched further on the basis of having a bad night.

 

[416Klawzz]

I know he isn't perfect and he is flawed but when he is on he is like no other. Sadly most of you scold him not knowing that is offensive production isn't easily replaceable. And he wanted to come back to Utah, no one else wants to come here. But it's a business let's trust Ainge and company and see what gets shook up in the summer

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

I know he isn't perfect and he is flawed but when he is on he is like no other. Sadly most of you scold him not knowing that is offensive production isn't easily replaceable. And he wanted to come back to Utah, no one else wants to come here. But it's a business let's trust Ainge and company and see what gets shook up in the summer

Tons of players want to come to Utah if you overpay them...

 

[Thee Idiotic Minivan K]

Im not talking about missing a couple of shots, Im talking about when you're stone cold and already pressing to fix the issue. I want JC putting pressure on opposition defense and don't mind if he takes a couple of ugly shots on the basis that he is an incredible shot maker but some nights are ugly and thats the same for every player but JC doesn't much else to fall back on. He can't defend, he can't create for others as well as other options on the team, on those nights use the other options.

No bench player should be immune to being benched further on the basis of having a bad night.

Not how basketball works. And same thing.

 

[Thee Idiotic Minivan K]

Im not talking about missing a couple of shots, Im talking about when you're stone cold and already pressing to fix the issue. I want JC putting pressure on opposition defense and don't mind if he takes a couple of ugly shots on the basis that he is an incredible shot maker but some nights are ugly and thats the same for every player but JC doesn't much else to fall back on. He can't defend, he can't create for others as well as other options on the team, on those nights use the other options.

No bench player should be immune to being benched further on the basis of having a bad night.

You don’t bench a player for doing what you tell them to do. He’s had this freedom from Quin for years.

 

[homeytennis]

You don’t bench a player for doing what you tell them to do. He’s had this freedom from Quin for years.

What if Quin had given that freedom to Oni, Hughes or DedEx?

 

[416Klawzz]

Tons of players want to come to Utah if you overpay them...

Yep also when they are washed and no one else wants to give them a job

 

[Thee Idiotic Minivan K]

What if Quin had given that freedom to Oni, Hughes or DedEx?

Then coach should be fired