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What 3 things will you be watching for during the first pre season game.

framer

framer

Well-Known Member
The threads here are getting stale and we have actual ball to watch tomorrow. List the top 3 things you will be watching for in tomorrow's game.

1. Exum's speed. After watching Taysom Hill, and knowing it is not the same injury, I am still legit freaked out about Exum losing a step. That step is what makes Exum special and I know that no one involved with the team is going to come right out and say, "Yep, Exum is measureable slower than he used to be!" The only way to tell will be to see him in action. It should be plenty obvious after watching him play against Portland's guards if he still has that elite first step. As long as he has that, I will forgive some stupid mistakes in his first preseason game back.

2. Favors's range. I'm hoping that Favors comes out and nails a few pick and pops right off the bat. I'm not even expecting 3 pointers, just the ability to make defenses worry about him hitting the 10 to 12 footer which should further open up his driving game off the fake. If he hits a three, he is hereby know as "Sho'nuff!".

3. How the Jazz team D does against Portland's guards. Those munchkins gave us problems last year, and I am hoping our upgrades at the point and a healthy roster show it was a fluke. Stopping consistent interior penetration against the likes of Dame and company is a prerequisite for securing home court in the playoffs. Make those guys settle for contested jumpers and even if they get by, impede them enough for Rudy and Favors to have the opportunity to make a play on the ball.

Bonus- I'm also looking for who is going to step up and make the epic game thread that the start of the season deserves.
 
1. Jo Johnson- Does he still have enough to give us 15-20 minutes a night?
2. Exum- Will he take it to the rim without fear?
3. Gobert- How hungry is he?
 
1) Exum's body and confidence.

2) How Joe Johnson, Gordon Hayward and Rodney Hood work together.

3) How George Hill runs the offense.

3a) If Lyle's confidence from summer league carries over.
 
I'm looking forward to watching Trey Burke and Enes Kanter defend the pick n roll against Lillard & McCollum ....

oops .. i mean not .. remember them days ????
 
Actually the one thing i'm really looking to see is how is Exum's 3 pt shot. I have no reservations about him physically and am sure he'll get there with driving to the hoop even if not straight away but if he can shoot even 35-36 % from 3 this year, oh boy look out.
 
I think preseason is less about the core players and more about the the last third of the roster.

With that in mind:

1. Who is the third PG to play? How long, and with whom? Does the fourth PG get off the bench?

2. Will Bolomboy play with any regulars. Will they run complicated sets with him?

3. Any of the non-guarantees have a chance to make the team against Withey?
 
1. Gobert playing offense at all. Passing, finishing, just being more confident.

2. Favors asserting himself.

3. Exum's new bulk and strength helping him finish at the rim and draw fouls.
 
1. Hayward/Favors jump shots. We need these guys to be consistent this year if we are serious about making a run. It starts tonight.

2. Overall offensive execution. We have some new faces, and their focus in camp was apparently defense. Will the offense struggle early?

3. Exum. We've had to wait a year for the return of our #5 pick. Will nerves get the best of him? Will he shine?
 
DownUnder said:
I'm looking forward to watching Trey Burke and Enes Kanter defend the pick n roll against Lillard & McCollum ....

oops .. i mean not .. remember them days ????
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"Snap out of it!" (only line I'll ever quote from Cher...)
So distant, not even a blur in the rearview mirror
 
Catchall said:
1) Exum's body and confidence.

2) How Joe Johnson, Gordon Hayward and Rodney Hood work together.

3) How George Hill runs the offense.

3a) If Lyle's confidence from summer league carries over.
Click to expand...

+1 on THIS. Except, don't expect to see much of JoeJ on this game, unless we're down in 4th and want to see if he can pull it out for us...
 
1) Exum--Is he full speed? Cutting? Does his shot look decent?
2) Favors--Is he gonna stretch the floor and shoot the 3 some this season?
3a) Lyles--Is he any better on defense?
3b) Hood--Is he any better on defense

I think we know what to expect from Hill, Johnson, Diaw, Hayward, and Ingles. These are seasoned vets whose improvement (if any) will be incremental. Burks is out and that leaves only Gobert as far as guys who will get major time and I just don't see there to be anything to look for. I don't care about his defensive intensity in pre-season games. I highly doubt he has improved any on offense. I am curious to see if his free throw shooting has improved but given his performance this summer I'm not holding my breath. Hence, my top 3/4.
 
b_line said:
1. Gobert playing offense at all. Passing, finishing, just being more confident.

2. Favors asserting himself.

3. Exum's new bulk and strength helping him finish at the rim and draw fouls.
Click to expand...
Really good ones here.

I would add: Is Too Big going to have a new and improved post game? And are George Hill, Hood, and yokedward enough to keep teams from paint packin?
 
In general I think there is very little to learn in preseason games and even less this year for the Jazz. The one thing that I think Quinn will be tinkering with and watching for is Chemistry. Who plays well together in what situations. Everything else he needs to know he is learning in practice
 
1- Exum's recovery. Is he as fast as he was before injury? How much rust he has to shake? Will he get into paint?

2- Gobert's hands- Heard Locke say he was better in traffic in scrimmage. Let's see how he looks in half serious game.

3-Subsitions- Who will play with who? How much minutes will they get together?
 
1- Exum's recovery. Is he as fast as he was before injury? How much rust he has to shake? Will he get into paint?

2- Gobert's hands- Heard Locke say he was better in traffic in scrimmage. Let's see how he looks in half serious game.

3-Subsitions- Who will play with who? How much minutes will they get together?
 
gomretat said:
In general I think there is very little to learn in preseason games and even less this year for the Jazz. The one thing that I think Quinn will be tinkering with and watching for is Chemistry. Who plays well together in what situations. Everything else he needs to know he is learning in practice
Click to expand...

This. Preseason, especially the first couple games, is not something we should formulate an educated opinion about any facet of Jazz basketball on. Players who are insignificant to team destiny will play mostly, and they will play against players who are fighting for spots. I'm mostly interested in watching just because it's the Jazz and I'm overly optimistic.
The Jazz as constructed have no glaring holes; Rudy and Exum's offense could be a point of argument and if they haven't improved, we will only make it to the conference finals. Also, Quinn must never play Lyles, Ingles, and JJ together as this is not conducive to defensive stops. Gordon has to improve his post up game, and Burks has to come back healthy. Jazz still need him because he has the ability, and speed to create like no one else on the squad. JJ, while not being quick, has the ability to get his any time on anybody. I hope they don't play him too much. He needs to stay a couple years and be at max productivity. Barring significant injury to Gobert or Hay, Golden State is going down. The biggest issue this season will be keeping everyone happy. We actually have 12 players that deserve minutes and they aren't all going to get them.
 
Only 3 things?

Favor's agressiveness.
Hill/Exum perimeter defense.
Quicker pace, shots taken earlier in offense.
Does Gobert show any midrange game?
What kind of open looks are Johnson, Hood, and Hayward going to get?
Overall team defense.
 
1- chip to dip ratio
2- Jazz Dancers....
3- Bolomboy, can he touch the top of the backboard on a missed dunk.
 
1. Portland's starting lineup - They had a very good starting lineup last year with Harkless. It'll be interesting to see if they ruin it with Turner.

2. First subs - Obviously not the full rotation, but we can get a good feel for what the pecking order is.

3. Kristen Kenney

I'm not too interested in the make/miss aspect of the game.
 
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