What's new
By:

Have people given up on Big Al?

J

JFFR

Well-Known Member
Is there a general feeling that he's not part of the future? I get the sense that everyone's jumped off the Big Al bandwagon and cast all their hopes onto Favors.

This interview with Randy Rigby kind of shocked me because it mentions having meetings with Hayward and Favors about the Jazz's future. Why weren't Big Al and Millsap invited?

Link- https://jazzfanatical.wordpress.com...lks-draft-player-development-fortune-cookies/


At the beginning of the year I wasn't a big fan. He slowed down the offense with this hideous pump fakes and over done post moves. But he won me over by being a stud in February and March. He's the only guy who played all 82 game. I'm a Big Al fan, I wouldn't mind if he finished his career here. I think he's our best shot at being an All-Star next year.

Am I alone?
 
I wouldn't read anything into the lack of a Jefferson or Millsap presence here. Hayward and Favors are high-profile rookies, prolly getting a little 'rookie orientation'; nothing more.
 
I haven't given up on Big Al; but looking back at last season you can't deny there are some bad signs.

Big Al "played" himself into shape last year. Which in retrospect I find a little disheartening - the days of playing yourself into shape went out 20 years ago.

I also think they gave up on him being a system guy and let him do his own thing which led to fat numbers for Big Al; but not a lot of wins - just like in Minnesota

Let's face it - he's a go-to guy who can't pass efficiently out of the double and can't get to the line. These are two glaring problems.

There is a small part of me that wants to believe it's all because of a lack of confidence in his injured leg. We'll see what happens this coming season. If things don't work out it's still not a big deal to me - it's not like he's lock up with a long term deal. His contract is expiring in 2012-13; Jazz could probably move him if need be.
 
  • Like
Reactions: GVC
candrew said:
I haven't given up on Big Al; but looking back at last season you can't deny there are some bad signs.

Big Al "played" himself into shape last year. Which in retrospect I find a little disheartening - the days of playing yourself into shape went out 20 years ago.

I also think they gave up on him being a system guy and let him do his own thing which led to fat numbers for Big Al; but not a lot of wins - just like in Minnesota

Let's face it - he's a go-to guy who can't pass efficiently out of the double and can't get to the line. These are two glaring problems.

There is a small part of me that wants to believe it's all because of a lack of confidence in his injured leg. We'll see what happens this coming season. If things don't work out it's still not a big deal to me - it's not like he's lock up with a long term deal. His contract is expiring in 2012-13; Jazz could probably move him if need be.
Click to expand...

Great points. In fact, it was extremely well said (except I'm not so sure about him not being in shape. I can't remember, did Jerry complain about his conditioning during training camp?) I'd like to think that with a healthier lineup and less drama, the Jazz would have won more games when Big Al was on his tear. I guess we'll have to see how this year works out.

In January I was ready to dump him, but he really stepped up at the end of the year. Hopefully he feels good about his knee next year.
 
If he comes back in shape to start the season then we might be pretty good. We also need to remember he has never been on a good team, and needs to figure out how to play winning b-ball.

Hopefully with a full year under his belt the light will turn on and he will get it.... Time will tell
 
candrew said:
I haven't given up on Big Al; but looking back at last season you can't deny there are some bad signs.

Big Al "played" himself into shape last year. Which in retrospect I find a little disheartening - the days of playing yourself into shape went out 20 years ago.

I also think they gave up on him being a system guy and let him do his own thing which led to fat numbers for Big Al; but not a lot of wins - just like in Minnesota

Let's face it - he's a go-to guy who can't pass efficiently out of the double and can't get to the line. These are two glaring problems.

There is a small part of me that wants to believe it's all because of a lack of confidence in his injured leg. We'll see what happens this coming season. If things don't work out it's still not a big deal to me - it's not like he's lock up with a long term deal. His contract is expiring in 2012-13; Jazz could probably move him if need be.
Click to expand...
My feelings exactly. And presented in a much more respectful way. Bravo.
 
I am pulling for Big Al, but if he does not improve his jump shot, passing, defending the pick and roll and rebounding I will have no problem with him being traded if Kanter is drafted. Out of all the bigs that were tested for agility on a list of top big men drafted for many years, he had the worst agility time. Maybe that is why his help defense and pick and roll defense is lacking.
 
When the Jazz traded for him last year I wasn't as high on him as most, but I still think he can be a huge part of successful Jazz basketball moving forward. When Utah signs players who have spent most of their careers elsewhere, some guys can hit the ground running (Hornacek, Harpring) while others take some time to get acclimated (Okur, Marshall). Al has alot to improve on but he can definitely be an important piece in Utah's success.
 
Big Al is not a perfect player, but he was still coming back from major surgery. His improvement throughout the year wasn't just from getting in shape, it was the improvement in his legs. I also think that Deron didn't help him very much. Big Al is a low-post player that loves to get the ball with his back to the basket. DWill was used to dishing off to Boozer through pick 'n rolls and high screens. I think Big Al's health will improve his rebounding. To me, the lack of rebounding was the biggest weakness. Obviously, Millsap's rebound per minute went down when he got moved to a starter and Big Al was coming off an injury. I seriously think that Millsap would be moved before Big Al. Love him or hate him...he's our Big Al for a while.
 
BOX said:
I like him as part of the big rotation. If the jazz do take kanter, they can move sap for a wing.
Click to expand...

Agreed, Favors, Kanter, Jefferson is a solid big man rotation. And i'd try and move Millsap/Evans for Gallenari/Felton
 
When the lockout ends, I expect to hear some "Al Jefferson to Houston" rumors. Kevin McHale loves him.
 
YB85 said:
When the lockout ends, I expect to hear some "Al Jefferson to Houston" rumors. Kevin McHale loves him.
Click to expand...

Great point. KMart to the Jazz? I think it could happen (and I usually don't agree with speculation)
 
I'd like to believe he could be a solid piece for years to come. But there are some questions in his game, I keep coming back to the fact that Minnesota traded him for practically nothing and thought a suitable replacement would be Darko.

I love him as a 2nd unit scorer, but his contract is not 2nd unit. On the first unit, I don't like the ball going into him and staying there, while the other players stand and watch. Maybe Ty Corbin and his staff will make some changes that will help him work better with the 1st unit.
 
I love Al and dont get all the hate on our best player, atm. I do see all the flaws he has, obviously. But he is a very skilled post player which we havent had since.......mmm, since before Malone decided he was a good jump shooter. Yes, he needs to work on passing but it isnt as horrible as some make it seem, IMO. All that said, if we pick Kanter and can get great (Not good) value for Big Al in a trade, you gotta probably do it.
 
I think the problem this year was sap as much as i like him because the minute they started to start favors they have not lost. But big al needs to get his speed going. Being it is his first year and the way he played the last part of the year he was starting to play a lot better. His passing is better and he was starting to get a feel for the system. One thing i want to see him do better is push himself into the paint more and push people around. But favors and him together make up for each other. More then anything the jazz need a play maker like a kobe or a lebron on this team. Jazz have a lot of good players on this team just no one that can make a lot of plays and create double teams. Big al might be the one player that can create a double team on this team.
 
Still having ways to go, he actually improved on passing out of the double team close to the end of the year. Before Hayward got consistent minutes, no one was cutting to the basket after making the entry pass. Al was always forced into rolling to the basket after the pick (which he also started to improve before Deron's departure) instead of being in his sweet spot. Now if we can add some real shooters who can slash to the team rather than just some pretend outside shooters like we did last year, I expect a lot of passing out of double team from Big Al.
 
JFFR said:
Is there a general feeling that he's not part of the future? I get the sense that everyone's jumped off the Big Al bandwagon and cast all their hopes onto Favors.

This interview with Randy Rigby kind of shocked me because it mentions having meetings with Hayward and Favors about the Jazz's future. Why weren't Big Al and Millsap invited?

Link- https://jazzfanatical.wordpress.com...lks-draft-player-development-fortune-cookies/


At the beginning of the year I wasn't a big fan. He slowed down the offense with this hideous pump fakes and over done post moves. But he won me over by being a stud in February and March. He's the only guy who played all 82 game. I'm a Big Al fan, I wouldn't mind if he finished his career here. I think he's our best shot at being an All-Star next year.

Am I alone?
Click to expand...

I personally think Big Al will have an All-Star year next year. At least I'm hoping. I really hope he puts in hard work this off season.
 
shadler said:
I think the problem this year was sap as much as i like him because the minute they started to start favors they have not lost. But big al needs to get his speed going. Being it is his first year and the way he played the last part of the year he was starting to play a lot better. His passing is better and he was starting to get a feel for the system. One thing i want to see him do better is push himself into the paint more and push people around. But favors and him together make up for each other. More then anything the jazz need a play maker like a kobe or a lebron on this team. Jazz have a lot of good players on this team just no one that can make a lot of plays and create double teams. Big al might be the one player that can create a double team on this team.
Click to expand...

Zerol said:
Still having ways to go, he actually improved on passing out of the double team close to the end of the year. Before Hayward got consistent minutes, no one was cutting to the basket after making the entry pass. Al was always forced into rolling to the basket after the pick (which he also started to improve before Deron's departure) instead of being in his sweet spot. Now if we can add some real shooters who can slash to the team rather than just some pretend outside shooters like we did last year, I expect a lot of passing out of double team from Big Al.
Click to expand...

Archie Moses said:
I personally think Big Al will have an All-Star year next year. At least I'm hoping. I really hope he puts in hard work this off season.
Click to expand...

iawaotp
 
Archie Moses said:
I personally think Big Al will have an All-Star year next year. At least I'm hoping. I really hope he puts in hard work this off season.
Click to expand...

If he puts in the work then it is definitely possible. If he is fat Albert again, then we will see another slow start.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page
Back
Top