Jefferson thriving without Deron

[Jazz4ever]

Emotion? I have no emotion regarding this issue. You just happen to be wrong in a way that is quite surprising. What statistics do you think support your ideas? If you think it's statistically demonstrable, then by all means -- go ahead.

Lets start with a disgraceful -12.5 +/- rating, followed up by a distastefully worse adjusted -11 per 48. Both stats detailed on basktballvalue. com
Part of it is not being a natural center, the other half is not meshing with Deron. You don't bomb on both those stats with over half a season played unless something is wrong. Both these numbers were bad from day one. They may have improved a couple points by February, but again there is no way it should take that long if its EVER going to be a good fit.

My other evidence is Al is only assisted on 63% of his shots. That is better than his Minnesota days, but underwhelming given we had the top point guard in the league. Again this is not necessarily Deron's fault, the simple fact here is Al scores on his own. Give him the ball in the post with good spacing and he will get you 20 points a night. Its how he played the last 10 years of his life and we are wasting our time to try and turn him into Boozer.
This is what the Jazz tried to do the first four months, and the stats above speak for themselves. So my theory is let Al do his thing on the post, get another shooter to give him the proper spacing he needs, and we will continue to see a consistent improvement.

 

[mhindy]

After watching the game tonight, I really think this team could be pretty good going forward, especially if we are able to add a real shooter to the mix either through draft, FA, or through a trade in the offseason.

Favors is unpolished, but he is going to be a freak with a little luck.

 

[Stickler]

And just so I'm clear, in support of this thesis you're prepared to disregard all those interviews from earlier on in the season where the coaching staff, Big Al's teammates, and Big Al himself, said that he was improving as he learned the offense, and still had a lot to learn, it was so complex, etc.

 

[bordelais7]

Unsurprisingly, Jazzfanz is also thriving without Deron.

 

[Jazz4ever]

And just so I'm clear, in support of this thesis you're prepared to disregard all those interviews from earlier on in the season where the coaching staff, Big Al's teammates, and Big Al himself, said that he was improving as he learned the offense, and still had a lot to learn, it was so complex, etc.

Really? Would you honestly expect them to say anything different?

 

[vegas]

I would love to see a player of the month. Lacking some w's I would guess.

 

[NUMBERICA]

If I had to boil it down not having seen the games, he seems like he's either relieved or pissed off and it lit a fire under him. Maybe both.

 

[Stickler]

Really? Would you honestly expect them to say anything different?

Just so I understand -- are you saying there's actually been a conspiracy amongst the Jazz coaches and players all this time to lie about Jefferson's knowledge of the offense in order to cover up the truth, which is that Deron Williams ... I don't know. Did some unnamed thing wrong when it came to working Al Jefferson into the offense?

 

[cowhide]

AJ has been playing great for about a month and he was never playing as bad as some Jazz fans thought he was. Ak was finally playing with energy before he hurt his ankle. Why is it when DW shoots poorly or has too many TOs its his fault. Should AK and AJ be blamed for their mistakes or lack of effort? Is it DW fault when he passes the ball to a wide open AK and clanks it off the rim? A few more games and some people will blame DW for Stockton and Malone not winning a championship? Perhaps people should realize that DW was traded, he didn't leave, he was traded. The Jazz FO thought they could improve the team by doing it because they realized that DW wasn't going to get it done and that he most likely would leave. I think the did the best for what the organization needed. There was no conspiracy against AJ and AK. I am sure AJ recently good play has more to do with him adjusting to the way the Jazz play. Did you not see how AJ instantly did the pick and roll without thinking. Perhaps AK energy level has to do with the fact that he is in a contract year, that he has been hurt so he is excited to play and yes he is needed more because DW isn't here. I don't really see any change in his game since DW has left (two whole games). Of course he is going to get more shots but not that many more and he has brought the ball up more but that was when the Jazz just made the trade. Remember the Dallas blowout.

I just find it funny that people are saying after (two games) that DW was the problem and now the will make the playoffs and DW sucks. Utah Jazz Homerism at its best.

 

[fairweather]

He's played well for the last month with and without Deron.

 

[Scorpjazz]

I just find it funny that people are saying after (two games) that DW was the problem and now the will make the playoffs and DW sucks. Utah Jazz Homerism at its best.

No one is saying that, good call. Pull your head out please.

 

[cowhide]

No one is saying that, good call. Pull your head out please.

yea I am the one who has to pull their head out. I stand by what I said and all you have to do is ignore all the crap that has been said about DW and listen to the TV and chat on this board to see what I said is true. However you can't see it because it is your head that is stuck.

 

[moevillini]

...I think Jefferson will benefit a lot more from a fast penetrating guard like Harris over a pick and roll guard like Deron. We'll see.

oh, so the pick and roll was all Deron's invention? Sheesh...

at any rate, Jefferson's play has improved a great deal over the past few weeks, aside from other issues, he seemed completely one-dimensional up until a couple weeks ago - - now he's showing some variety in his play.

 

[Bodhi]

oh, so the pick and roll was all Deron's invention? Sheesh...

at any rate, Jefferson's play has improved a great deal over the past few weeks, aside from other issues, he seemed completely one-dimensional up until a couple weeks ago - - now he's showing some variety in his play.

So to be a "pick and roll" guard, you have to be the one who "invented" it?

To quote a wise man, "sheesh...."