Game Thread Utah Jazz vs New Zealand Breakers - Oct 4th 7:00 PM (MT) (Preseason)

[idiot]

Some random thoughts (watched starting from second quarter):

• Liked Kessler's playmaking.
• A little worried that the added weight has taken a bit off of both Kessler's and Hendricks's vertical games.
• Collier's not really ready and will likely be a turnover machine for a while. But I think I'm still optimistic. I can see him getting to where he needs to be.
• Wow, Juzang. I know he runs hot and cold, but if we get anything close to this consistently, it will be hard not to have him in the rotation.
• The thing that concerns me most right now about Hendricks is he doesn't seem to get much just within the regular flow of the offense (the occasional C&S three excepted). It seems like he's always needing to go off-script a bit to get involved.
• Eubanks and Filipowski could be a nice frontcourt pairing, even if it's on the 3rd team.
• Sensabaugh still has a chance to be a rotation player in this league.
• Cody will give us some good stuff even while he's figuring out how to score in this league.

 

[jazznik]

One positive is that Keyonte, Hendricks, Brice and Kessler all worked on their bodies and it shows. Even Cody looks a bit stronger.

 

[stitches]

Brice the lead ballhandler is just cringe....Don't think that part of his game is gonna ever materialize.

I think they should try it, though... like... give it half a season.. I don't mind it.

 

[HermanG]

I liked some or most of the things I saw from all the kids. Its probably a level of competition thing though.

Kessler was bad early on but had some redeeming moments down the line especially when he got the ball in short roll.

Keyonte was pretty flawless but not as highlighted as I thought he would be. Made some nice passes, drew some fouls, hit a few threes but also took the backseat for stretches. Hard to assess his defense because of the opponent but at least it looked better.

Cody and Hendricks had few nice moments as well as some lapses but were mostly solid and looked like they belong firmly in the rotation.

Collier had two amazing bully ball steals and few nice offensive flashes but he wasnt in control out there and looked like he may end playing more for the Stars than the Jazz.

I was hoping Flip would get more on-ball reps but he was mostly a spectator. That one coast-to-coast finish was sweet though.

Brice was better than I expected/remembered. Had few ugly TOs but also some awesome plays. Maybe there is something?

Juzang was simply awesome and showed that he deserves some run with the top rotation guys.

As a sideline not, Clarkson looked like he was very composed and may be back cooking. That may hurt the tank a bit.

 

[FrenchJazzFa]

Good effort from the team. Looks like we got a good tanking team with lots of young players fun to watch. Will be a good season to let them grow. Hope Lauri and JC do not hurt the tank too much.

 

[Swuul]

I had forgotten Parker Jackson-Cartwright and Lauri were team-mates in Arizona. They had an almost too long hug at the start of the match


A couple years ago Petteri Koponen said he too would want a Lauri Markkanen shirt after a match, but others always are first in the queue. Seems he managed it this time.

 

[Swuul]

Lauri gave an interview to the NBL, I didn't see this linked in any of the Jazz feed.



Nothing important of note, but always fun to hear that australian (or it newzealandish?) accent

 

[fishonjazz]

Reading through the thread its pretty clear that Kessler is going to be the whipping boy again.
25 minutes, 9 rebounds, 8 points, 2 assists, 1 block, 4-6 shooting. Almost a double double in 25 minutes. Only glaring negative was the horrible 0-4 from the line but thats a pretty good stat line.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

Kessler is just such a bore to watch. Dude is too massive to make everything contested a finesse finish. Also sad to see him come out and brick 4 FTs

Not sure the added weight is helpful. Still looks soft but now with less vertical pop (didn’t think that was possible) and looked slower on the perimeter.

He did throw a nice pass tho.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

Reading through the thread its pretty clear that Kessler is going to be the whipping boy again.
25 minutes, 9 rebounds, 8 points, 2 assists, 1 block, 4-6 shooting. Almost a double double in 25 minutes. Only glaring negative was the horrible 0-4 from the line but thats a pretty good stat line.

He didn’t affect things at the rim at all in the first half. The tiny pg finished around him. His passing was nice but his rim finishing a couple times was the same soft stuff. He’s an nba player… we know that. He just doesn’t seem like he’s improving at all. It’s just disappointing.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

f

Reading through the thread its pretty clear that Kessler is going to be the whipping boy again.
25 minutes, 9 rebounds, 8 points, 2 assists, 1 block, 4-6 shooting. Almost a double double in 25 minutes. Only glaring negative was the horrible 0-4 from the line but thats a pretty good stat line.

I'll admit he's better than he looks aesthetically, but it's hard for me to get past how bad the aesthetics' can be.

I dont mind awkward clumsy Gobertisms, but I cant stand soft non-skilled bigs who cant throw down dunks in traffic.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

He didn’t affect things at the rim at all in the first half. The tiny pg finished around him. His passing was nice but his rim finishing a couple times was the same soft stuff. He’s an nba player… we know that. He just doesn’t seem like he’s improving at all. It’s just disappointing.

The stretch big took him one on one and finished on him too.

 

[SoberasHotRod]

Reading through the thread its pretty clear that Kessler is going to be the whipping boy again.
25 minutes, 9 rebounds, 8 points, 2 assists, 1 block, 4-6 shooting. Almost a double double in 25 minutes. Only glaring negative was the horrible 0-4 from the line but thats a pretty good stat line.

Kessler was both our best option at center last night and incredibly disappointing, both things can be true. Kessler has the skillset of a traditional big, but seemingly wants to play a finesse game instead. I am hoping that Kessler solidifies himself as a key piece of our future, and will be disappointed if he continues to look as replaceable as he did this game.

I was very patient with Kessler last season. I anticipated a Sophomore slump, so I was not surprised by his play last year. We don't have the luxury of being eternally patient with our young guys. If Kessler doesn't improve he won't be part of our future, which would be a shame with the tools he has.

 

[slc]

Jazz need a big body jumbo center to battle Zach Edey
Every team will need one to battle a jumbo center

 

[fishonjazz]

Kessler was both our best option at center last night and incredibly disappointing, both things can be true. Kessler has the skillset of a traditional big, but seemingly wants to play a finesse game instead. I am hoping that Kessler solidifies himself as a key piece of our future, and will be disappointed if he continues to look as replaceable as he did this game.

I was very patient with Kessler last season. I anticipated a Sophomore slump, so I was not surprised by his play last year. We don't have the luxury of being eternally patient with our young guys. If Kessler doesn't improve he won't be part of our future, which would be a shame with the tools he has.

And i get it. I watched. I saw the soft attempts. But all I truly care about is production. If he averages a double double on 70% shooting and plays 1st team all nba defense but 100% of his field goal attempts are "soft" then I dont really care.

Last year everyone said he sucked. You yourself said he had a sophmore slump. I agree. Well almost no one on the jazz was a positive in BPM last season. Sexton, Markennan, KO (not on the team) and Kessler were the only rotational players who were positives. He looks bad but plays good apparently.

 

[fishonjazz]

Jazz need a big body jumbo center to battle Zach Edey
Every team will need one to battle a jumbo center

Thankfully when Kessler played against Edey in their only matchup Kessler played him ok. Kessler had 5 blocks that game to go along with 10 points (3-5), 2 assists, 2 steals, 6 rebounds and plus minus of +4 (second on the team) and the jazz won.

Edey did play well too though. But did have 6 fouls and didn't get to the line at all.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

I was hoping Flip would get more on-ball reps but he was mostly a spectator. That one coast-to-coast finish was sweet though.

That's the negative with this team. There's so many players we want to see what they can do with the ball. You could tell some guys got antsy for their own shot last night. Sexton took a bad 3 off the dribble when he Lauri posted up calling for it. Collier took a stupid the 3 for no reason and clanked it off the backboard.

That's where Juzang is kind of nice because he isnt trying to make his own play, he's going to play off other guys. Nearly everyone else on the team seems like a guy who wants to make their own play.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Also, Cody hasnt played an actual NBA game yet and I think he is clearly our best perimeter defender. He looked like the only guy who could kind of stay in front of Cartwright last night.

 

[homeytennis]

Kessler was both our best option at center last night and incredibly disappointing, both things can be true. Kessler has the skillset of a traditional big, but seemingly wants to play a finesse game instead. I am hoping that Kessler solidifies himself as a key piece of our future, and will be disappointed if he continues to look as replaceable as he did this game.

I was very patient with Kessler last season. I anticipated a Sophomore slump, so I was not surprised by his play last year. We don't have the luxury of being eternally patient with our young guys. If Kessler doesn't improve he won't be part of our future, which would be a shame with the tools he has.

Yurt7 and Luka S say hi.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

I really hope the Jazz whoop the **** out of the Rockets on Monday. STill think they have the most overrated team when it comes to dudes slobbing over their young players.