With the exception of last night's game, the other losses were pretty close and competitive games, which is a positive. I think it has more to do with coaching and injuries at this point than the players on the court. They say if a team loses by more than 5 it is the players fault, but if they lose by less than 5 it is the coach's. Even in the Houston game where they lost by 11, I think it was the coach's as McHale made great 2nd half adjustments and was motivating, while Corbin appeared not to have an answer and went away from the pick and roll with Hayward and Favors/Kanter that was working so well in the 1st half.
You asked for it...now your getting it.
- Thread starter oyster
- Start date
The adjustment was that Houston played with effort in the second half. Houston is way better than the Jazz, and they only needed to play one half of basketball to beat them. Didn't matter who the coach was.
No coach would be able to consistently lead the team to victory as it is currenty constructed. There is always at least one weak defender on the floor, not near enough shooting to space the floor adequately, and not a legitimate number one or two option. Plus, the best players are very young, and inexperienced in the new roles they have.
18ppg
12ppg
17ppg
17ppg
Core 4 ppg (rounded up).
Edit: So while there are some obvious struggles they are also getting points as well. Good sign.
mellow
Well-Known Member
LazyD, I don't disagree with your assement of effort, but I want to add that I heard two related and disturbing conversations after the Houston loss. The first was the interview with Enes Kanter, he was asked what the difference was between the first and second half, what had Houston done differently? Enes just shook his head and said I don't know what they did but nothing worked the second half.
A few moments later they were interviewing Dwight howard and asked him about Enes Kanter and why Enes had got off to a great start and then struggled in the second half, was it more effort or strategy,? Dwight looked right at the reporter and said, oh it was strategy in the first half asik was playing off of him and giving him space, at halftime coach told him to get up into Kanter when he caught the ball.
Dwit knew and recognized the strategy/technique change, but Enes was completely clueless. It caused me to wonder if the jazz coaches also recognized the change and if they tried to coach a clueless Kanter or if the Jazz coaches missed out on the change.
Last edited:
I know Kanter is a little new to basketball, but I think he has experience enough to know the difference between when a player is playing close to him or not, and probably enough to know how that would change his game to some degree. He shouldn't need a coach to point that out. Now, does Kanter have enough skills at this point to play well against a closer defense? I don't know.
I do know that taking what players say in interviews as their most honest assessments is risky to begin with.
Reminds me of my friend who once told me he loves turbulence during a flight. Kinda freaked me out, but now I'm on board.
green
Well-Known Member
What are their shooting %'s? If the core four are doing great, then their %'s and efficiency and +/- should all be high because they are playing together.
If they aren't that great, then they aren't that great...yet...hopefully.
I posted all of that in one of these threads. Can't remember which. Kanter is the highest with 52% others are low to mid 40s I believe.
Also I already said there are some struggles.
I haven't read all the threads, but judging from thread titles it appears that panic is setting in. As a longtime veteran of riding tanks (Rams fan), let me remind you that it is a long process and can be extremely bumpy at first but you'll get used to the ride and the bumps become less noticeable later. The real bumps come later when the team wins a lose-able game and it pisses you off because they're ****ing with the tank.
Strap in and full steam ahead! The worst is yet to come!
Strap in and full steam ahead! The worst is yet to come!
Stifle Tower
Punch Bowl Re-Filler
Sure, I'd be a bit disappointed if 2 teams jumped over the Jazz. But Exum (or Randle) would be a pretty nice consolation prize. Lindsey can always pick up a starting SF via trade or FA. Jazz can take on a bad contract for 1-2 years if it comes with a good enough player. Or just go out and sign someone via FA.
That's the risk I am willing to take. Let's secure worst record in the League first though.
green
Well-Known Member
I think Parker is there at 3. Especially if Randle keeps playing the way he is playing. That being said, if we ended up with Parker, Wiggins or Randle, I'd be happy. You could move Favors or Kanter so easily.