Should the Jazz start Georges Niang?

[Joncolton]

Brendan Taz Cannon

@jazzwithtaz
Zach Lowe and Kevin Pelton also agree that the Jazz should start Georges Niang in place of Bojan when league action returns (per Lowe Post Podcast)
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Brendan Taz Cannon

@jazzwithtaz
· May 29
David Locke suggests that when the Jazz resume, they could consider starting Niang (instead of O’Neale) alongside Gobert, with Rudy covering Georges’ defensive deficiencies (much like he did for Bojan). I...actually think that could work really, really well.



I don't know about this. It should also be noted that Kevin Pelton had the Jazz finishing 4th in the West in his predictions behind Lakers, Clippers and Rockets. He published his prediction on Dec. 2nd, so I'm going to assume that it was BEFORE the Westbrook trade. I don't know if he's updated since then.

 

[rjfan]

When they said that the league wouldn't weed test guys this season, that applied to the media coverage aswell ?

 

[Eminence]

No.

Do we want our defense to suck?

General team atmosphere and the ridiculousness of the task we asked of Rudy caused him serious issues last season, this would certainly not make that better.

 

[Rubashov]

Covid might make Niang at starter at some point. We all like to trash Georges for being fat, slow and a liability on D, but the guy isnt a complete scrub. Things could be worse.

 

[Thee Idiotic Minivan K]

Covid might make Niang at starter at some point. We all like to trash Georges for being fat, slow and a liability on D, but the guy isnt a complete scrub. Things could be worse.

This is the first rational thing you’ve ever said.

Rub is growing up right before our eyes.

 

[Rubashov]

This is the first rational thing you’ve ever said.

Rub is growing up right before our eyes.

Sod off

 

[whatthe]

Start him 100% if you don't have Bojan and if you have Gobert and Favors in the starting lineup. He's the best spacer the Jazz have. Plus we can have JazzFazz stop being mean about him. Geez.

 

[416Klawzz]

Do we want to start games giving up 10 -0 runs ?

 

[LogGrad98]

This is the dumbest idea ever proposed by any media pundit in the history of the world. Possibly in the history of any world, including any and all alternate dimensions and imaginary/fictional worlds. We are all now dumber for having read it.

 

[footawn]

As much as I want to give Georges the benefit of the doubt for his occasionally sweet 3-pt stroke and his hilarious messages to fans on Cameo, he’s kind of a stiff and a liability on defense. He belongs at the end of the bench; getting minutes only if there’s no one better. So should he start? Hell no!

 

[infection]

Well something has to change. It's an undeniable dilemma. The need for constant overstimulation has numbed JazzFanz. Nothing seems to satisfy. Locke is just testing the waters with a finger. It's not a shoulder.

Relax.

 

[candrew]

A couple weeks ago Locke floated the idea of starting Morgan at the 4. I find that idea much more intriguing.

 

[kabenac]

There's a reason why Steve Novak only started 6 games in his career.

 

[KqWIN]

I don’t think it’s crazy. It doesn’t really matter who starts. It’s about building the best lineups. Niang has good complimentary skills to Mitchell and Conley. If you think Niang is awful at defense, than it does make sense to have his minutes tethered to Rudy.

It depends on who the next guy in the rotation is. If it’s Oni, you probably want to start Royce because there’s an overlap of skill sets there. If it’s Morgan, it could go either way. Do you like Morgan/Favors and Niang/Gobert or Niang/Favors and Morgan/Gobert?

I guess that depends on who the matchup is. Either way, we know who would finish the game. Obviously Royce would get priority.

 

[infection]

There's a reason why Steve Novak only started 6 games in his career.

I loved Steve Novak even before being on the team, and wished Quin played him more.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Hell ****ing no lmao.

Niang would be too outclassed physically/athletically against starters.

This was a bubble question too, not a regular season question. Bogey should be good to start and if he's not there are still like 2-3 better options (Morgan/Favors/O'Neale).

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

The biggest issue with a guy like Niang is that everyone knows he is a terrible athlete, so everyone goes at him. I think his actual defensive ability is better than his reputation, but players just have confidence against him because they know he cant really contest their attempts that well. I remember in the playoffs even Torrey Craig got the confidence to take him 1-on-1 once or twice, which was a positive for the Jazz, it was just funny to see.

 

[homeytennis]

He was a GLeague all star.

 

[candrew]

I don’t think it’s crazy. It doesn’t really matter who starts. It’s about building the best lineups. Niang has good complimentary skills to Mitchell and Conley. If you think Niang is awful at defense, than it does make sense to have his minutes tethered to Rudy.

I get that but not with the starting unit.

Besides it should be the other player's responsibility to get better at defense - not Rudy's job to cover for them.

 

[KqWIN]

I get that but not with the starting unit.

Besides it should be the other player's responsibility to get better at defense - not Rudy's job to cover for them.

If it’s the best lineup configuration, it’s the best lineup configuration. Labels shouldn’t get in the way of being a better team.

That’s like saying we should start Favors instead regardless of fit or matchup.