Big Al ranked 3rd best NBA center- ESPN
- Thread starter Golfman
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akirac73
Well-Known Member
I'll give you Billups. But Rose and Westbrook are NOT clutch. Did you even watch the playoffs last season? Both guys failed big time when it mattered most in the playoffs.
The Thriller
Well-Known Member
I would take Bynum as #1 idiot in the NBA. First takes down some guy 4 feet tall in the playoffs. then rips off his jersey as he walks off the court in embarrassing fashion. Then he takes up 2 handicapped parking spaces at a store.
Stay classy andrew...
Stay classy andrew...
InGameStrategy
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The analysis shows AJ as among the top in post-up defense. That's a good thing, but the analysis also acknowledges that it does not account for team defense, which is a big chunk of the value of a center--even one with strength in offense. Even Slowkur is a decent post-up defender, as shown by his valiant performances defending Yao Ming in the playoffs.
But my mantra was more about protecting the paint, and defending his own man is only a fraction of a legit center's role. I agree that Jefferson is less matador than Boozer (and the analysis seems to support that notion), but that's not saying much. Okur seems to put at least a bit more effort in D than either of them but doesn't have the conditioning to deliver on D (and even less so in his 30's, following a major injury [why, again, did the Jazz re-sign him for 8 figures?]).
Your statement is self-dinging, because "above-par on-ball defender" is a huge qualifier. It's like saying that, pound-for-pound, a player is the best point guard in the NBA ...
The frequency with which Jefferson hasn't helped the defender and instead has left the paint/lane unprotected seems to fly in the face of your source. It appears that he improved over the season, which is promising.
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Like I said, AJ was the only acquisition that the front office recently spent a lot of money on. Those other two contracts are really old news. Some might argue that they were good contracts when they were done. Teams make long term contracts, and players get older, or injured. It happens to most teams.
Do you think that if fans show lots of hate for the players, that will make them play better?
Do you think that if fans show lots of hate for the players, that will make them play better?
We give Notorious Al a lot of crap... but in reality dude put up really good numbers. He didn't miss a game. He was top 5 in blocks, top 6 in boards, Top 20 in points(18).
In more complex statistics, he had the best Turnover% (a good thing) in the league.
Big Al is probably a top 3 offensive C in the league... maybe even 2 or 1.
If he could improve his defensive game, beyond blocked shots... He would be a solid piece to build the Jazz dynasty with.
In more complex statistics, he had the best Turnover% (a good thing) in the league.
Big Al is probably a top 3 offensive C in the league... maybe even 2 or 1.
If he could improve his defensive game, beyond blocked shots... He would be a solid piece to build the Jazz dynasty with.
Favors Flave
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Can't agree more
LogGrad98
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It is funny we went from Boozer who did less than play no defense, to a guy who was among the league leader in blocks, and all we do is bitch about how his defense isn't better "beyond blocked shots". Unbelievable.
Stifle Tower
Punch Bowl Re-Filler
But I thought we established on the old board that blocks = good defense.
Seriously, all great points on this page.
I think part of the problem is the system. Sloan was a great, tenacious defender, but when was the last time a Jazz team played great defense? Jerry's system was very simple - and very flawed - force everything into the middle where a shot-blocking center will take care of it. Only problem is that defense was built for Mark Eaton and for about 1 1/2 seasons of Greg Ostertag. And Sloan's system never took into account that guards would eventually start making 3's at higher than 30%.
Jefferson is never going to be all-NBA on the defensive end. But I think (and hope), Corbin will tear down the defense and start all over again. There is enough athleticism with most of the projected starters and backups to play decent team defense.
Seriously, all great points on this page.
I think part of the problem is the system. Sloan was a great, tenacious defender, but when was the last time a Jazz team played great defense? Jerry's system was very simple - and very flawed - force everything into the middle where a shot-blocking center will take care of it. Only problem is that defense was built for Mark Eaton and for about 1 1/2 seasons of Greg Ostertag. And Sloan's system never took into account that guards would eventually start making 3's at higher than 30%.
Jefferson is never going to be all-NBA on the defensive end. But I think (and hope), Corbin will tear down the defense and start all over again. There is enough athleticism with most of the projected starters and backups to play decent team defense.
InGameStrategy
Well-Known Member
I agree with you that AJ is a step up from CB. Fewer unsubstantiated yells from A-Jeff, too.
Are you going to claim, though, that Big Al's D is satisfactory for a center (especially on a team that has historically tended to favor protection of the paint, even at the peril of leaving the now-higher-percentage 3 open more often)?
Adjusting the "system" is easy: enforce defense by the center, and tell the non-centers to favor defending the perimeter a little bit more. Staples (Center), that was easy.
Joe Bagadonuts
Well-Known Member
Excuse me sir. Do you happen to have any Gray Poupon?
Scorpjazz
Well-Known Member
Stop the madness!!! You can NOT come here supporting Jazz players. That isnt very jazzfanz of you at all. At least you threw in the caveat about his D to make it a little less gracious, thanks.
dcfaithful
New Member
Agreed. I think the bottom line here is that the coaching staff needs to dilligently work on Al's defense with him. Make him understand that if he can get down a solid defensive game, and stay strong in the paint he'll for sure be a big worth holding on to.
Round out Al's defensive game to the best of your ability, and keep a close on eye the developing game of Favors and we'll have two valuable bigs.
LogGrad98
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If the Jazz do not make Big Al a centerpiece of the team, then they might as well have dumped him for 2nd round draft picks. It is ludicrous to have a player like that on the payroll and not build around him, even if it is for the short term. At least we have built around a position in which we have a couple good young players that can fill that spot if/when AJ leaves.