Even if Kanter ends up as a good back up that isn't a bad thing. Good teams need quality back ups. This team is going to have a couple of guys that never develop past good backups.
I can accept that.
Stats For The Big 7 Thru 2 Preseason games
- Thread starter Stoked
- Start date
Even if Kanter ends up as a good back up that isn't a bad thing. Good teams need quality back ups. This team is going to have a couple of guys that never develop past good backups.
I can accept that.
My thoughts:
-Gordon plays like a max-contract player! Very, very good so far! And it's not just the offensive numbers - I love how he's been defending as well. I'd love it if he can keep it up through the season.
-I love our rookies. Hood's shot is thing of beauty. He seems like such a smooth offensive player. He needs to learn defense. Exum's learning curve seems to be very steep and I am very optimistic about him. As long as he keeps providing us with flashes of the brilliance he's capable of producing I am OK with not even being concerned with his particular numbers this season. With that said. If he keeps the numbers like they are right now, that'd be a fantastic first season for one of the rookies that were most raw in this year's draft.
-Kanter's ability to shoot the 3 has been massively overstated. His shot seems awkward and hesitant from 3. This experiment might prove unsuccessful. Better to crash and burn(fail) now and concentrate on the things he can do well, than fail slowly throughout the season, when the games really matter. His defense has been abysmal.
-Booker is awesome energy guy, who provides toughness and grit for a young team that might not have it. If Kanter doesn't pick up the slack I can see him starting with Favors by all-star week.
-Gobert is a monster on the boards and in the paint! His level of play will demand playing time. If he keeps playing like that I can't see him playing less than 20 minutes a game. If Kanter doesn't pick up the slack I can see Booker and Gobert fighting for the starting spot. We need to experiment some more with two bigs who can't shoot to see if it even makes sense to try it in games that matter.
-I love Favors' progress. I think he's visibly better this year than last. He's improved his post moves, he's learned how to finish off the movement, he even dropped several 15-16 footers.
-Burks has shown off his individual slashing skills all pre-season long. The question is can we incorporate them into the system without breaking it. If yes, we might have a special player on our hands. I also want him to shoot some 3s. I know that his comfort place is driving to the rim, but if he doesn't develop 3 and midrange game, teams will learn how to guard him or how to limit his success around the rim(stacking the low post).
-Burke has been great. I don't know if it is Exum creating real urgency and competition for him, but he seems to have raised his level. I am still not certain he's elite level PG, but at least now he looks like an NBA starter. Good for him and good for the Jazz...
-Novak cannot defend ANYBODY! As bad as Kanter's defense is, I think Novak's is much worse. I can't see him spending much time on the floor at the 4 spot. I wonder if we can use him as a 3 when we get favorable matchups.