Close Losses

[Hekate]

He didn't say he could become kd. He just said we need someone who we can go to to hit the big shot in crunch time. And personally, I'm starting to get frustrated with him not getting the ball late in games, surely other teams are not doing that good a job of denying him the ball.

They could be. I don't know the crunch time stats but Hay is shooting %55 of his shots with a defender near him, up from %45 last year.

 

[mellow]

Jazz have a bunch of good players and Quin has them playing hard.

Jazz don't have a player capable of blowing out the other team, or taking over for the last 2 minutes of a game.

Even when Exum and Rudy come back, the Jazz still won't have a team capable of blowing out other teams on a regular basis and still won't have a closer.

 

[Miggs]

It's bitter but we have also beat playoff teams. Grizzlies, Raptors, Hawks, Clippers.

We are also missing Gobert and Exum.

But DL needs to upgrade this roster at some of the back up positions.

Not to be a party pooper but all four of those teams (maybe not Toronto off the top of my head) are a clear step below last year.

 

[Miggs]

Agonizing, but against the Dubs and Thunder, the Jazz made a lot of clutch shots down the stretch. They just got out-clutched by MVP-tier players.

Very, very fair point.

 

[Miggs]

All of the backup positions and a couple of the starting spots.

1. PG: a) Neto needs to be 3rd string; b) Burke needs to be traded. c) Exum shoots like a backup and penetrates like a scared little girl. How good will he even be coming off a major injury? Need a bona fide starting-caliber talent. Just changed my mind. Jazz should sign/trade for a starter. Draft a young PG with potential and let Neto return to Europe.

2. SG/SF: Hood ain't cutting it with his 28% 3PT shooting. Replace him in the lineup with a 3&D player. Let him back up Hayward and Burks can back up a shooter at the 2. Wouldn't be upset to see Hood traded - or Burks. Jazz need guys who can shoot. As for Gordo, Jazz need to be prepared to let him walk. He's very good, but doesn't take over games like a superstar. He's a complementary player and not worth the $25-$30M he'll be asking in 2 years,

3. PF: Booker and Lyles have been awful.

4. C: Withey and Pleiss. Don't even need to say anything.

Jazz board should tell Lindsey his job performance, draft history and trade/free agency results have been unacceptable. Can't rest on the laurels of getting Gobert if everything else has been crap. And can't really give him credit or blame for Dante. Every draft board had Exum slotted at the pick after Gordon was the surprise choice ahead of him.

WPOTY.

 

[Miggs]

Think this is pretty common for most teams. Both teams score points and sometimes the totals are kind of close. I don't buy it being us not having a "closer" this game. We got some good looks and missed and we got some stops but didn't rebound. It is inexcusable for Hayward not to touch the ball in half-court possessions though when the game is in the final minutes. That is a big difference from last year. Last year it seemed like he always had the ball and now with Burks/Hood/Burke being more prominent on-ball, he doesnt get it enough in those key moments.

I basically just said this in another post. He needs to realize this is his ****ing team and that there's nothing wrong with that.

 

[Laramie]

I think the Jazz are actually better than their record indicates, given their strength of schedule, injuries, and high number of close losses against elite teams.

Battle tested teams wear those scars & win those close games; Durant has been there, he a seasoned veteran.

Quin Snyder has crafted the Jazz for some future confrontations with the devas of the west (Warriors, Spurs, Clippers, Thunder).

Whoever opens against Utah in the playoffs will have their hands full. Yeah, Utah will make the playoffs..

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

He didn't say he could become kd. He just said we need someone who we can go to to hit the big shot in crunch time. And personally, I'm starting to get frustrated with him not getting the ball late in games, surely other teams are not doing that good a job of denying him the ball.

Hayward has hit big shots and Burks has one of the best FG% in clutch time.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Don't think you need a top #5 player. Lillard isn't a top #5 player but he can make that shot. Join Drew League, train 1-on-1 with Paul George. Do whatever he needs to do, but we just need Hayward to be able to make that shot.

Please just stop.

 

[vegas]

We really miss having a true all star type player in these close games... a player that can create and give you an easy 2 and/or get to the FT line... or hit a cold blooded 3 like KD did tonight.


Really hope Hayward can turn into that player somehow... but is it wishful thinking?

I see it a bit differently. We play to our strength of defense. We need to figure out how to prevent those players from getting/making those shots. We have the personnel to do it. We have proven we can hold teams consistently to low scoring games. I think we have a better chance of achieving that than finding the magical unicorn superstar.

I have seen Hayward, Burke, Burks and Hood all ice multiple games with big shots. Favors probably belongs there too. I think both coaches and players are figuring out how to mesh and maneuver the offense. If we can lock down defense, we have much more margin for error on the other end and we get a few easy ones along the way.

 

[Stifle Tower]

For Hayward to become KD? No **** it's wishful thinking. We aren't missing the "true all-star" we are missing a complete team (because the complete team is a more attainable end goal than somehow getting a super-star). Part of being a team that doesn't have a top 5 player is that all your pieces have to be playing well.

I think having a legit PG would vault this team into contention for home court. Neto contributes little and Exum didn't give us much last season. Also getting no outside shooting from Hood or at PF.