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CNNSI Luke Winn's Take On Harris and Jefferson

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Qman

Well-Known Member
CNNSI Zack Lowe's Take On Harris and Jefferson

https://nba-point-forward.si.com/20...layers-pt-v-nos-51-60/?sct=hp_wr_a5&eref=sihp

60. Devin Harris
PG, Utah Jazz
Age: 28
2010-11 Stats: 15.2 PPG, 42.2 FG%, 32.2 3PT%, 7.1 APG, 2.4 RPG

Harris never developed legitimate three-point range, and that’s a big reason things haven’t really come together for him. He’s still a creative player who generally helps a team’s offense, but if you can keep him out of the lane, there’s not all that much he can do to hurt you.

He still gets in the lane a ton, both on one-on-one drives and pick-and-rolls, and he still gets to the line six or seven times per 36 minutes — an elite number. He is a solid passer, too, and he has the speed to be a troublesome defender on the perimeter — when he’s not wandering too far out of position or gambling for steals.

Harris can be a bit turnover-prone, and it will be interesting to watch how his game ages as he approaches 30 and loses a bit of his trademark quickness. What happens when the lane closes up a split second faster?
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53. Al Jefferson
F-C, Utah Jazz
Age: 26
2010-11 Stats: 18.6 PPG, 49.6 FG%, 76.1 FT%, 9.7 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.9 BLK

Jefferson is like a big man version of Washington’s Nick Young in that he shoots a lot, scores at a decent rate, rarely dribbles or passes and, thus, rarely turns over the ball. Jefferson, in fact, had the lowest turnover rate in the entire league last season, according to Basketball-Reference.

That alone would constitute an odd statistical profile. But Jefferson also has a unique allergy to the foul line and the unwanted designation of a guy whose teams usually play much worse defense with him on the floor. This was especially true in Utah last season, when the Jazz allowed nearly nine more points per 100 possessions with Jefferson on the court versus with him on the bench — one of the biggest negative discrepancies in the league. Jefferson has trouble showing on pick-and-rolls to cut off ball-handlers seeking entry into the lane, and he has never been quick rotating to shooters.

So why is Jefferson here at all? In part because, for all his flaws, Jefferson’s weird quick-release post game demands the kind of attention from defenses that can create openings for teammates. Utah was much better offensively with Jefferson in the game, though that probably had as much to do with the Jazz’s punchless bench as Big Al’s scoring. But there is value in a 20-point post scorer who snags an offensive board or two every night and commands a double team — when he holds the ball long enough to draw one.

Jefferson’s defensive issues are real and they were a big part of why Utah ranked 29th in points per possession allowed on pick-and-rolls in which ball-handlers finished the play, per Synergy. But if you hammer Jefferson for that, you must acknowledge his decent shot-blocking and the fact that opposing big men shot just 82-of-231 (35.5 percent) against him in the post — a stingy number that ranked among the league’s 50 best marks for defenders.

Also, rebounding is part of defense, and Jefferson is a good rebounder. He’s overrated and overpaid (he’s owed a combined $29 million over the next two years), but there is value here, and there’s at least a chance we’ll see that value rise now that Jefferson gets a second consecutive season on a functional NBA team.
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Hmm if big Al can do just a little better passing the ball and/or defending the pick and roll he would be a very, very good player.
 
Jefferson at 53 and Granger at 51 - pretty much confirms our sentiments this would be an even trade that makes sense for both parties.
We'll see where Millsap ends up in this rating, he is the only Jazz player to crack the top 50.
 
Jazz4ever said:
Jefferson at 53 and Granger at 51 - pretty much confirms our sentiments this would be an even trade that makes sense for both parties.
We'll see where Millsap ends up in this rating, he is the only Jazz player to crack the top 50.
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Sry he's just 2 short.
 
Qman said:
Hmm if big Al can do just a little better passing the ball and/or defending the pick and roll he would be a very, very good player.
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Well I thought AJ vastly improved his passing at the end of the season. There were a few games he had 4 or 5 assists. His rotation defense needs to get better but so does a lot of Jazz players. I think with a renewed emphasis on defense and better conditioning AJ will improve his defense. I certainly agree with the writers assessment now but I think AJ is feeling like this is his chance to prove people wrong. It seems like he is working extra hard this off season and wants to be in better shape. I just wish there was no CBA issues and we could be seeing how all the Jazz players did in the off season.
 
Big Al is very talented, but his D leaves a lot to be desired.
Jazz need a big man who can be a defensive anchor. Preferably they get one in addition to Al, but I wouldn't hesitate to trade him for the right price.
 
I would say hold onto Al another year. His trade value is probably the lowest it can be right now with the Jazz imploding after his arrival. If he can put up good stats and we can get a better than expected record, that would boost his value some.
 
Very surprised that Millsap was rated higher than Jefferson @ #46, as Jefferson is a more dominating player on a consistent basis. No one will ever match Millsap's 3-point bombs against Miami, but Jefferson has more consistent numbers and a greater ability to dominate the game down the stretch. Odd that they call Millsap a mediocre rebounder considering that was the only thing he did at a high level when he came into the league.

46. PAUL MILLSAP
PF, Utah Jazz
Age: 26
2010-11 Stats: 17.3 PPG, 53.1 FG%, 39.1 3PT%, 7.6 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.4 STL

He’s more active defensively than teammate Al Jefferson (No. 53 on this list), with a more varied game on both ends of the floor. He was the only member of Utah’s core rotation that helped the team, in terms of points per possession, both offensively and defensively while he was on the court, according to Basketball Value. He’s certainly not a stopper defensively, but he’s more naturally active than Jefferson and quicker on his feet in space.

Millsap can do a lot of things on offense, and his step-back jumper — more of a slide-back, really — has become a reliable weapon. (Extra style points, too.) He can work in the post and via pick-and-rolls, and four-plus seasons in former coach Jerry Sloan’s offense made him a demon off the ball.

Millsap is a classic undersized power forward who doesn’t really seem undersized, even if he’s only a mediocre rebounder for his position. He’s a solid all-around player, but this feels like his ceiling in terms of his place within the league’s hierarchy.
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It is indeed very surprising that the player that matched or exceeded another player's contribution and doesn't have a reputation for losing was ranked higher.
 
NUMBERICA said:
It is indeed very surprising that the player that matched or exceeded another player's contribution and doesn't have a reputation for losing was ranked higher.
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Luke Winn is high on team defense and help defense. Things that Big Al struggles with. So I am not that surprised to see Millsap ranked more highly.
 
NUMBERICA said:
It is indeed very surprising that the player that matched or exceeded another player's contribution and doesn't have a reputation for losing was ranked higher.
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So we would rather have a star who has been on losing teams than the guy who can NEVER be a star who is also on losing teams? Makes sense I suppose.
The way you stated that almost sounds like you are saying Sap is a better player than Al, which of course you wouldn't say because that is insane.:rolleyes:
 
Jeffrey32 said:
Very surprised that Millsap was rated higher than Jefferson @ #46, as Jefferson is a more dominating player on a consistent basis. No one will ever match Millsap's 3-point bombs against Miami, but Jefferson has more consistent numbers and a greater ability to dominate the game down the stretch. Odd that they call Millsap a mediocre rebounder considering that was the only thing he did at a high level when he came into the league.
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The only thing Jefferson has ever dominated was one of those Baconator doubles from Wendy's.
 
Scorpjazz said:
So we would rather have a star who has been on losing teams than the guy who can NEVER be a star who is also on losing teams? Makes sense I suppose.
The way you stated that almost sounds like you are saying Sap is a better player than Al, which of course you wouldn't say because that is insane.:rolleyes:
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Perhaps more palatable is the notion that Al could be a significantly better player than than Millsap if Big Al put forth a little more focus, effort, and conditioning into the equation, especially on defense. AJ is arguably a better player already, but I'm all for a rating system that heavily penalizes people who don't play help D. Or man-to-man D. Or either.

Big Al = the reincarnation of Boozer, who didn't always clearly contribute than Sap, especially with CB's periodic exacerbations of Matador Syndrome.
 
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