Millsap preparing for season despite lockout
- Thread starter Zerol
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Darkwing Duck
Well-Known Member
Millsap didn't block 2.5 shots a game if memory serves.
twentytwo
Active Member
Shoulda been assists I guess.
Chris
Well-Known Member
Ever since the Jazz started the process of overhauling the team, I've been among the people who thought Millsap could and should be dealt for the right price. I think a lot of people see him as an expendable, yet valuable, trade asset as the team tries to restructure. However, reading this article has reinforced the notion, should he not be dealt, that Paul could be an integral part of the team going forward. I like the fact that he puts up solid numbers regardless of what his role is, he seems to have some loyalty to the Jazz, has a great work ethic, and plays with humility because he's truly even keeled and mature.
I don't know that a player averaging 8 million/yr can justifiably be relegated only to a bench role, so in order to justify his contract, he'll have to start at the 3 going forward. It's the position that gives him the best chance to make an impact on a team that will be loaded with bigs who will be dominating the 4 and 5 spots. Some might point to his relative lack of speed, but consider this: his size matches up well at the 3 (especially considering how he plays bigger than his height), he'll out-rebound whomever he plays against in that role, and he has developed a solid jumpshot in the past few seasons. I don't think he has taken enough outside shots to really be evaluated on that yet but I could see him working on and improving his game there as well.
Are there some areas of concern with Paul moving full-time to the starting 3? Sure. But I like both the rebounding advantage and height matchups that a lineup of Harris, Hayward, Millsap, Jefferson, and Kanter gives us. If we don't make any more moves before the season begins, that lineup and a bench that includes Favors and CJ is going to make for a solid team.
I don't know that a player averaging 8 million/yr can justifiably be relegated only to a bench role, so in order to justify his contract, he'll have to start at the 3 going forward. It's the position that gives him the best chance to make an impact on a team that will be loaded with bigs who will be dominating the 4 and 5 spots. Some might point to his relative lack of speed, but consider this: his size matches up well at the 3 (especially considering how he plays bigger than his height), he'll out-rebound whomever he plays against in that role, and he has developed a solid jumpshot in the past few seasons. I don't think he has taken enough outside shots to really be evaluated on that yet but I could see him working on and improving his game there as well.
Are there some areas of concern with Paul moving full-time to the starting 3? Sure. But I like both the rebounding advantage and height matchups that a lineup of Harris, Hayward, Millsap, Jefferson, and Kanter gives us. If we don't make any more moves before the season begins, that lineup and a bench that includes Favors and CJ is going to make for a solid team.
Jason Terry, Manu Ginobili, Lamar Odom, Jamal Crawford. (off the top of my head).
Thee Idiotic Minivan K
Well-Known Member
Why can't he be are 6th man making 8 mill. Manu Ginobili and Jason Terry will make 12 and 11 mill. Next year, they are their teams 6th man.
Having a versatile, intelligent, productive forward coming off the bench where his weakness (size for one position, speed for another, more defensive than offensive drawbacks there) are minimized and his strengths are maximized could be a very powerful thing.
Count me in the camp that is willing to trade Millsap (everyone's available for the right price), but only in a deal where you net an equal or greater player. Unlike the turncoats here, I know he's a special player (even if he's never All-NBA). On a cheap salary, having re-tooled his game to age better and handle big minutes better, and still being in the early stages of his prime (and still showing continual improvement), there is no rush or need to trade the guy.
Count me in the camp that is willing to trade Millsap (everyone's available for the right price), but only in a deal where you net an equal or greater player. Unlike the turncoats here, I know he's a special player (even if he's never All-NBA). On a cheap salary, having re-tooled his game to age better and handle big minutes better, and still being in the early stages of his prime (and still showing continual improvement), there is no rush or need to trade the guy.
Jazz4ever
Well-Known Member
Once the new CBA is agreed upon the Jazz should start talking extension already. Millsap is working out 6 days a week, in July, with the likelihood of no game at least until January. If you want to know why Millsap gets better every year, this is it. "Talent" is overrated in this league, hard work is underrated.
It's good to see a bench player with so much dedication.
Jazz4ever
Well-Known Member
Fixed it for you this time slugger. Next time gonna have to charge you.
davidbenoit
Well-Known Member
Then why is he only getting 7 and a half rebounds a game now. in 2009 he was getting 8.6 with 4 less minutes every game.
Bench/minutes. But I think slotting him in a larger role of his original role (spark off the bench, but now he's refined his game to a high degree so you can make him a feature of an offense, not just a janitor of it, and have him play more minutes [though conditional to the tune of a maybe a 12 minute swing]) could be a huge positive. Besides, Favors should have to cut his teeth competing and being mentored by a guy that has done so much with so little (relative to most of his peers in production) and beat him out fair and square. Millsap's earned that much and Favors will be better for it. Just a perfect guy to have in your rebuild (great intangibles and leads through example, friendly, a straight up man's man, humble, and a veteran that's paid modestly; but one that's still pretty young, continually improves [through nothing but will and work], and is still young enough to be a real contributor if the team becomes a real contender fast enough).
Jazz4ever
Well-Known Member
Most of those are offensive rebounds, which he doesn't have the opportunity to get as he has become a better perimeter player. Playing against starters vs bench scrubs has to be taken into account as well like Numberica states.
Couldn't have said it better myself. And frankly even if the Jazz get a great player for him I'll be super bummed the day he's traded.
Injuries/conditioning. If he is going to be getting 30+ mpg he is going to have to pace himself better. His mentality his whole NBA career has been go 100% all the time, which is why he was such a good 25 mpg player. When you play starter minutes you have to hold something back as to not wear yourself down when it matters.
Which is why I want him to be in that 25-30 mpg range. Going 100% at all times is a unique skill, I don't think many players are mentally capable of it.
PearlWatson
Well-Known Member
PearlWatson
Well-Known Member
Light a candle for Saint Paul
repp'd
margodydek
Well-Known Member
I wouldn't mind if Millsap starts the season as the starter, but I would hope he would be coming off the bench by the end of the season. This would obviously depend on how well he's playing and how far along Favors or even Kanter are. It's been said many times by many people, but if Millsap is our starting PF then we aren't going to be very good. Millsap's great, but going against starting PF's is a lot different then going against 2nd units.
Griffin
Gasol (PF/C)
Cousins (PF/C)
Dirk
Z-Bo
Duncan (PF/C)
Love
Aldridge
Those are all PF's in just the west that I would rather having as my starting 4 than Millsap. And Lee/Scola/Ibaka are one's I would have to think about. That's a little more than half of the teams in the west who when we get out on the floor, we're already at a disadvantage against at the PF position.
Millsap could really shine as a 6th man, but he could hurt us if he's our starting PF.
Griffin
Gasol (PF/C)
Cousins (PF/C)
Dirk
Z-Bo
Duncan (PF/C)
Love
Aldridge
Those are all PF's in just the west that I would rather having as my starting 4 than Millsap. And Lee/Scola/Ibaka are one's I would have to think about. That's a little more than half of the teams in the west who when we get out on the floor, we're already at a disadvantage against at the PF position.
Millsap could really shine as a 6th man, but he could hurt us if he's our starting PF.
You'd rather have Duncan? Why? He isn't that good anymore.