Stifle Tower
Punch Bowl Re-Filler
I just wonder if any of the old Jazz centers follow this team.
Rudy Gobert "Greatest Jazz Center of All Time" Countdown Thread
- Thread starter framer
- Start date
I just wonder if any of the old Jazz centers follow this team.
framer
Well-Known Member
#28 John Amaechi
Points 277
Rebounds 187
Blocks 17
Steals 21
Assists 50
Easily the most disappointing free agent pickup the Jazz ever had. I don't really hate a lot of former Jazz players, but this guy can burn in Hell. Signed to the 2001 Jazz squad in what would amount to StockMalone's last gasp, not a tremendous amount was expected of him, only to be a solid backup to Ostertag and, at times, Malone. Instead, he immediately began to sulk and found himself in Jerry Sloan's doghouse. What happened is that right after signing his contract, John ceased to care about basketball. Later he would claim that it was in reaction to the team persecuting him because he was gay, but evidently no one besides Andrei Kirilenko knew he was gay. He wrote a book detailing how Larry H. Miller was virulently anti-gay, when in reality Larry was just anti the guy STEALING money from him. Also, Jerry Sloan used anti-gay slurs when referring to him, just not in FRONT of him. Amaechi never disclosed what those "slurs" consisted of. . . What you need to know in retrospect is that in two years with the Jazz Amaechi played 16 playoff minutes. He was later traded for Glenn Rice and some draft picks. He now does sports commentary with the BBC if he feels like it after waking up in the morning.
Points 277
Rebounds 187
Blocks 17
Steals 21
Assists 50
Easily the most disappointing free agent pickup the Jazz ever had. I don't really hate a lot of former Jazz players, but this guy can burn in Hell. Signed to the 2001 Jazz squad in what would amount to StockMalone's last gasp, not a tremendous amount was expected of him, only to be a solid backup to Ostertag and, at times, Malone. Instead, he immediately began to sulk and found himself in Jerry Sloan's doghouse. What happened is that right after signing his contract, John ceased to care about basketball. Later he would claim that it was in reaction to the team persecuting him because he was gay, but evidently no one besides Andrei Kirilenko knew he was gay. He wrote a book detailing how Larry H. Miller was virulently anti-gay, when in reality Larry was just anti the guy STEALING money from him. Also, Jerry Sloan used anti-gay slurs when referring to him, just not in FRONT of him. Amaechi never disclosed what those "slurs" consisted of. . . What you need to know in retrospect is that in two years with the Jazz Amaechi played 16 playoff minutes. He was later traded for Glenn Rice and some draft picks. He now does sports commentary with the BBC if he feels like it after waking up in the morning.
Stifle Tower
Punch Bowl Re-Filler
^^
Reported for bigotry.
Just kidding. I agree Amaechi was one of the worst FA signings ever. But at least Amaechi just quit on the team. Mark Jackson tried to tear it apart. Jerry Sloan 's anti-gay slurs were probably just coincidental. He probably called everyone a ******* *****.
Reported for bigotry.
Just kidding. I agree Amaechi was one of the worst FA signings ever. But at least Amaechi just quit on the team. Mark Jackson tried to tear it apart. Jerry Sloan 's anti-gay slurs were probably just coincidental. He probably called everyone a ******* *****.
Just Ted
Well-Known Member
I vote we never discusss Fez!
Stifle Tower
Punch Bowl Re-Filler
I kind of liked the element of surprise, maybe just knowing how many combined stats he needs to pass the next player, but not who that will be.
Magic Spray
Well-Known Member
#28 John Amaechi
The quintessential Larry H Miller "he had kicked our A one game last season let's pick him up."
Sometimes you'd rather play against a player 2-4 times a year than play 82 with him.
Magic Spray
Well-Known Member
No doubt. Great f'n thread.
Stifle Tower
Punch Bowl Re-Filler
Ronnie Price was ok. If we were to acquire every minor player who has had a career night against Utah over the last several years, I think we'd have to expand the roster to 30-40 instead of 15.
Stifle Tower
Punch Bowl Re-Filler
Halfway there after the last 2 games, including a monster 30 fantasy pt game against Miami.
framer
Well-Known Member
#27 Curtis Borchardt
Points 258
Rebounds 278
Blocks 46
Steals 14
Assists 64
OK, let's get something out of the way right now. Curtis didn't suck, he just couldn't overcome his injuries. Had his feet cooperated, he would have been one of the best centers we ever had. A lot of people were angry because the Jazz traded up to draft Borchardt over Boozer. Remember however that EVERY team passed on Boozer at least once, and Borchardt was a "swing for the fences" pick in 2003 that was possible because he was "on sale" due to his injury. That bet didn't work out and Borchardt appeared in less than 90 games. When he played, he could defend, pass and shoot from distance, which is very rare for a center. I thought he went on to use his Stanford degree, but it appears that he was paying overseas up until a year or two ago. Good for him.
The lesson I take from Borchardt, and backed up by other examples, is that lingering foot issues for big men almost never go away, due to their weight, the size of their feet, and the stress of playing in the NBA. Thus I have almost no hope for Joel Embiid, although I hope he beats the odds. It also makes me happy that Gobert has shown no signs of lingering injury despite the pace he plays at.
Points 258
Rebounds 278
Blocks 46
Steals 14
Assists 64
OK, let's get something out of the way right now. Curtis didn't suck, he just couldn't overcome his injuries. Had his feet cooperated, he would have been one of the best centers we ever had. A lot of people were angry because the Jazz traded up to draft Borchardt over Boozer. Remember however that EVERY team passed on Boozer at least once, and Borchardt was a "swing for the fences" pick in 2003 that was possible because he was "on sale" due to his injury. That bet didn't work out and Borchardt appeared in less than 90 games. When he played, he could defend, pass and shoot from distance, which is very rare for a center. I thought he went on to use his Stanford degree, but it appears that he was paying overseas up until a year or two ago. Good for him.
The lesson I take from Borchardt, and backed up by other examples, is that lingering foot issues for big men almost never go away, due to their weight, the size of their feet, and the stress of playing in the NBA. Thus I have almost no hope for Joel Embiid, although I hope he beats the odds. It also makes me happy that Gobert has shown no signs of lingering injury despite the pace he plays at.
The lesson I take from Borchardt, and backed up by other examples, is that lingering foot issues for big men almost never go away, due to their weight, the size of their feet, and the stress of playing in the NBA. Thus I have almost no hope for Joel Embiid, although I hope he beats the odds. It also makes me happy that Gobert has shown no signs of lingering injury despite the pace he plays at.
I was always thankful that Big Z was able to fight and overcome his foot issues and contribute.
Also, Gobert continues to kick *** on the court.
Only those centers that manage to change their games to become completely ground based, à la Z and a few others, can survive lingering foot injuries long enough, but yes I agree, more so than knees or backs, feet are the Achilles' heel of massive centers.
framer
Well-Known Member
#26 Kent Benson
Points 329
Rebounds 231
Blocks 28
Steals 39
Assists 39
Mostly known as the dude we traded Adrian Dantley for (well him and the forgettable Kelly Tripucka. It really set the current rebuild back. . .) Kent played for Indiana in college and only turned in a perfect season as a the team's star as a junior in 1976 (perfect meaning that they didn't lose a single game regular and post season.) He was the number one pick out of college. He was never able to break out in the NBA and was a 10 and 6 average guy for most of his career. When he came to the Jazz in 86 playing time was sparse behind emerging stars Mark Eaton and Karl Malone. He only averaged 12 minutes a game. He went on to play 2 games for Indiana the next season before playing one season overseas in Italy. Also well known for breaking Abdul-Jabbar's hand with his Jaw in his first game in the NBA. The NBA counted Abdul-Jabbar's two month recovery time as a suspension because that is how the NBA has ALWAYS rolled with the Lakers.
Points 329
Rebounds 231
Blocks 28
Steals 39
Assists 39
Mostly known as the dude we traded Adrian Dantley for (well him and the forgettable Kelly Tripucka. It really set the current rebuild back. . .) Kent played for Indiana in college and only turned in a perfect season as a the team's star as a junior in 1976 (perfect meaning that they didn't lose a single game regular and post season.) He was the number one pick out of college. He was never able to break out in the NBA and was a 10 and 6 average guy for most of his career. When he came to the Jazz in 86 playing time was sparse behind emerging stars Mark Eaton and Karl Malone. He only averaged 12 minutes a game. He went on to play 2 games for Indiana the next season before playing one season overseas in Italy. Also well known for breaking Abdul-Jabbar's hand with his Jaw in his first game in the NBA. The NBA counted Abdul-Jabbar's two month recovery time as a suspension because that is how the NBA has ALWAYS rolled with the Lakers.
Stifle Tower
Punch Bowl Re-Filler
Thanks for the update. Have to wait until after Christmas now...I get so greedy after a Jazz win.
I liked the Borchardt pick. The "conservative" Jazz FO DID swing for the fences. It was a last attempt to put together a championship caliber team for Stockton and Malone.
Just added up the totals for Benson: 666. I think you've identified the anti-Christ.
Hey just as a "teaser"...if Gobert were to average 20 fantasy points per game through the end of the year, where would he end up in the rankings? Let's round it off and call it an even 1,000 fantasy points over the remaining 53 games. NO NAMES please - just the approximate position.
I liked the Borchardt pick. The "conservative" Jazz FO DID swing for the fences. It was a last attempt to put together a championship caliber team for Stockton and Malone.
Just added up the totals for Benson: 666. I think you've identified the anti-Christ.
Hey just as a "teaser"...if Gobert were to average 20 fantasy points per game through the end of the year, where would he end up in the rankings? Let's round it off and call it an even 1,000 fantasy points over the remaining 53 games. NO NAMES please - just the approximate position.
Coach Ellis
Well-Known Member
I really like this format.
framer
Well-Known Member
Thanks for the update. Have to wait until after Christmas now...I get so greedy after a Jazz win.
I liked the Borchardt pick. The "conservative" Jazz FO DID swing for the fences. It was a last attempt to put together a championship caliber team for Stockton and Malone.
Just added up the totals for Benson: 666. I think you've identified the anti-Christ.
Hey just as a "teaser"...if Gobert were to average 20 fantasy points per game through the end of the year, where would he end up in the rankings? Let's round it off and call it an even 1,000 fantasy points over the remaining 53 games. NO NAMES please - just the approximate position.
I haven't calculated that far out yet, but I would estimate that he could move up as much as 8 or 9 more places, and probably break the top 10 by all-star break next year if he continues to improve and get minutes.