At some point you do have to give Toronto credit for playing well, the defense wasn't great but at the same time the Raptors hit some tough shots and played better then there numbers show so far this season. So it is nice that even though the Raptors played one of their best games of the season the Jazz still managed to win.
Lots of hate as per the norm and lord knows everybody in my house hears me yelling similar things to the players and coaches at the TV, getting caught up in the moments and reactionary things. My biggest complaint of the night was the lack of rebounding and boxing out by every Jazz big man. However just wanted to say even with the players, teams and coaches faults still need to give credit.
Corbin did change things up with rotations and line ups, even if it isn't exactly what some or a lot of people wanted it still was some change. Mo (maybe due to being a little hobbled) in the first half more so and some in the OT's looked to be distributing first and looking for his shot second. Anyway those are just 2 quick easy examples I thought but there was also more IMO.
Don't expect them to win the next to games but hope for continued signs of growth and improvement.
Guys.. .the question ends up, is this the game it took to break the ice? How to win a game away from home even when down big?
I sure hope so
Yes, we know what big AL's ceiling is - and that along with Millsap it should be enough to make playoffs. They both are in contract year - Corbin has no choice but to play them. He can't give major minutes to Favors and Kanter and risk losing his job. It would be different if nobody would expect Jazz to make playoffs, then hell yes, play youngsters and hope for nice draft pick. And it is just not realistic to expect that given major minutes in this season Favors and Kanter would result in same or close number of the wins for the Jazz, sorry, just not happening. We would lose about 30% more IMHO. We need patience.
I sound like broken record but wait for next year!
Yeah, big AL is bad at pick and roll defense - we know that. But he compensates for it on the other end of the floor. Neither Favors nor Kanter has that ability to do it consistently and when game is on the line. Plus if you put Favors and Kanter as starters now they would foul out without playing in 4th quarter. It is not time yet to handle them reigns. They are not ready.
Corbin sucks. But at least he made some adjustments.
Could barely beat the Raptors (without some of their starters).
Should start: C-Favors (29 mpg), PF- Jefferson (30 mpg), SF- Millsap (33 mpg) , SG- Hayward (30 mpg), PG- Mo Williams (29 mpg)
Bench: Ma Williams (26 mpg), Kanter (20 mpg), Foye (20 mpg), Burks (15 mpg), Tinsley (8 mpg)
Solid 9-10 man rotation.
You guys agree? Rotation problems are solved. Favors, Kanter and Burks get more playing time. Puts us in the best position to succeed. But it still will be tough for us to make the 8th seed. Millsap is way to undersized to play the 4 spot. Is an average athlete at best. Won't be a worse defender at the 3 position as he is against bigger, longer and quicker players at the 4 position.
Also Al gets blamed for plays that are not his fault. Yea, he's slow rotating back but you can't expect anybody to be in two places at once. Somebody else has to rotate behind him to force a charge on the rolling big, and very often nobody does, or does it too late.
Here is a fun stat for everyone.
Bargnani was 5 of 7 being defended by anyone not named Favors. Bargnani being defended by Favors was 0-10 with only 2 fts.
This makes me happy because I would say that Favors biggest defensive liability was guarding perimeter bigs. Bargnani is about as perimeter as you can get for a big.
No. No he doesn't.
He shoots an incredibly low percentage and shoots an insanely small amount of FTs.
Nothing compensates for bad defense. DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS. .
Here is a fun stat for everyone.
Bargnani was 5 of 7 being defended by anyone not named Favors. Bargnani being defended by Favors was 0-10 with only 2 fts.
This makes me happy because I would say that Favors biggest defensive liability was guarding perimeter bigs. Bargnani is about as perimeter as you can get for a big.
So you honestly think playing Favors and Kanter 30+ minutes and getting rid of Al or Millsap would give us more wins this year? Let say you keep Millsap and trade AL. Plug in Favors or Kanter in starting spot. Does that result in more wins? I highly doubt. If you talk about player development then it is different story. But if we want to make playoffs this year - we need big Al, simple as that.
That is my opinion, there is no way to determine who is correct, and I will not change my mind no matter what you say.
Thats totally fine with me and I respect it, even if I think you are wrong. Unless big AL gets injured or traded we can only speculate. Cheers!