karpasov
Well-Known Member
As I was sitting with a plate full of Hanukkah Latkes, I was thinking that Jazz fans in this forum have much interest in reviews and forecasts regarding this year's team and that you'll be happy to read some unusual view. So, in honor of the long awaited season opening, Christmas and all the Jazz fans out there, I give you my modest gift- A translation of the Israeli "Walla" NBA forecast for this season.
(This was published last week and was made as a very basic 2011-12 season guide for the common Israeli viewer. Still, nice to read. And pardon my English…)
Utah Jazz- Back to the "playlist"
Utah doesn't have a Playoff "players material", but with Al Jefferson, and youngsters such as Hayward and Favors, it has reasons for optimism
Last season: 39-43
Position: 11th in the west
Who's who
Starting lineup: Devin Harris, Raja Bell, Gordon Hayward, Paul Millsap, Al Jefferson.
Bench: Mehemt Okur, CJ Miles, Derek Favors, Josh HOward, Earl Wattson, AlecBurks (r), Enas Kanter (r)
Coach: Tyron Corbin. First season as head coach
Potential "breakthrough": Hayward
In his rookie season, Hayward made the sharp transition from being the star of little Butler college – the Cinderella of 2010 NCAA tournament – to a slow cooking bench player at Utah ( 14 MPG). From time to time he was asked to sub for a starting player on the wings, and as a starter he contributed 9 PPG in excellent shooting: 55.6% FG%,52% 3PT. He is an intelligent player with good ball handling and high passing ability. The tall and athlete Hayward added a muscle weight during the summer and if this will allow him to handle physical defenses, and bring forward his variety of strengths, probably Sloan and Kobe won't be the only ones complimenting the kid this year.
X-factor: Favors
Another rook that arrived to Utah last year is Favors. 3rd pick from the 2010 draft. Favors played 22 games in Jazz uniform shooting 8.2 PPG, 53 FG%,5.2 RPG, 1.2 BPG, and only in just 20 MPG. He is only 20 and is expected to be better. If he'll show that he can still be an actual contributer to he Jazz this year, don't be surprised to see a trade on one of the big men – Millsap or Jefferson.
The crystal ball
Optimistic scenario:
Hayward and Favors are showing a satisfying improvmant in their sophomore season, Burks and Kanter contribution is making Utah the big winner of 2011 draft, and this Jazz quartet seems like of the future leading teams of the league. In present times – Harris and Howard are staying healthy and reviving their youth days in Dalla, Jefferson in his slimmer and more athlete version leaves destruction in the rivals' paint area, Millsap continues to be a double double machine and Okur makes a "comeback". The Bigman shortage in the league makes Utah a central destination in trade talks, and the team continues to collect assets for a rapid rebuilding.
Pessimistic scenario:
Hayword still fragile, Favors shows that it is true that "size cannot be learned" but there are cases in which basketball fundamentals cannot be learned either, Kanter is unfit, Harris and Jefferson take the team to their hands and it looks like a freaky mirror image of D-will & Dwight Howard duo that the Nets succeed to assemble during the season.
Forecast:
The Jazz are deep up front but very vulnerable on guards positions, in light of the injuries history of Harris and the age of his subs). It's hard to belive the team will be able to surprise and sneak into the playoffs in he "As always deep" west, on the other hand, it is a very competitive and strong team, considering the fact that since the beginning of 2011 it said goodbye to it's myth coach and the franchise player.
9-11 spot in the west and healthy optimism towards the future.
https://sports.walla.co.il/?w=/175/1886546
HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND HANUKKAH EVERYBODY
(This was published last week and was made as a very basic 2011-12 season guide for the common Israeli viewer. Still, nice to read. And pardon my English…)
Utah Jazz- Back to the "playlist"
Utah doesn't have a Playoff "players material", but with Al Jefferson, and youngsters such as Hayward and Favors, it has reasons for optimism
Last season: 39-43
Position: 11th in the west
Who's who
Starting lineup: Devin Harris, Raja Bell, Gordon Hayward, Paul Millsap, Al Jefferson.
Bench: Mehemt Okur, CJ Miles, Derek Favors, Josh HOward, Earl Wattson, AlecBurks (r), Enas Kanter (r)
Coach: Tyron Corbin. First season as head coach
Potential "breakthrough": Hayward
In his rookie season, Hayward made the sharp transition from being the star of little Butler college – the Cinderella of 2010 NCAA tournament – to a slow cooking bench player at Utah ( 14 MPG). From time to time he was asked to sub for a starting player on the wings, and as a starter he contributed 9 PPG in excellent shooting: 55.6% FG%,52% 3PT. He is an intelligent player with good ball handling and high passing ability. The tall and athlete Hayward added a muscle weight during the summer and if this will allow him to handle physical defenses, and bring forward his variety of strengths, probably Sloan and Kobe won't be the only ones complimenting the kid this year.
X-factor: Favors
Another rook that arrived to Utah last year is Favors. 3rd pick from the 2010 draft. Favors played 22 games in Jazz uniform shooting 8.2 PPG, 53 FG%,5.2 RPG, 1.2 BPG, and only in just 20 MPG. He is only 20 and is expected to be better. If he'll show that he can still be an actual contributer to he Jazz this year, don't be surprised to see a trade on one of the big men – Millsap or Jefferson.
The crystal ball
Optimistic scenario:
Hayward and Favors are showing a satisfying improvmant in their sophomore season, Burks and Kanter contribution is making Utah the big winner of 2011 draft, and this Jazz quartet seems like of the future leading teams of the league. In present times – Harris and Howard are staying healthy and reviving their youth days in Dalla, Jefferson in his slimmer and more athlete version leaves destruction in the rivals' paint area, Millsap continues to be a double double machine and Okur makes a "comeback". The Bigman shortage in the league makes Utah a central destination in trade talks, and the team continues to collect assets for a rapid rebuilding.
Pessimistic scenario:
Hayword still fragile, Favors shows that it is true that "size cannot be learned" but there are cases in which basketball fundamentals cannot be learned either, Kanter is unfit, Harris and Jefferson take the team to their hands and it looks like a freaky mirror image of D-will & Dwight Howard duo that the Nets succeed to assemble during the season.
Forecast:
The Jazz are deep up front but very vulnerable on guards positions, in light of the injuries history of Harris and the age of his subs). It's hard to belive the team will be able to surprise and sneak into the playoffs in he "As always deep" west, on the other hand, it is a very competitive and strong team, considering the fact that since the beginning of 2011 it said goodbye to it's myth coach and the franchise player.
9-11 spot in the west and healthy optimism towards the future.
https://sports.walla.co.il/?w=/175/1886546
HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND HANUKKAH EVERYBODY
