New Future Power Rankings- Jazz #5

[Magic Spray]

The Chicago Jazz ahead of us??

DWill / Big Al / Millsap > DRose / Boozer / Noah

WRONG. It's a tie at best.
DWill > DRose. of course. Nobody controls a game as well as DWill. Rose is a close second.
Big Al = Boozer. I hate to say it, but look at the numbers. Boozer, while an enormous cooze and injury-riddled, spots up 20+ pts 10+ reb without breaking a sweat (he also plays defense without breaking a sweat too, but that's beside the point). Big Al seems to have to work harder for fewer points and rebounds. I would rather go with Big Al, because he wants to be here and has the size to contend with other PF/C's instead of disappearing against the Gasols/Garnetts/Duncans of the league. And Boozer is a Benedict Cockblock.
Millsap < Noah. Sorry. I would trade Millsap for Joakim in a heartbeat. Anyone who says no, is a liar and a fraud and probably mentally retarded. Joakim is top 5 rebounder and can D up anyone in the league. Millsap is the perfect Jazz player, we all love him. He is part of the heart and soul of the team. Boom.

Plus Korver still makes the girls go more crazy than Hayward or Bell.

 

[vslice02]

Big markets and money don't build championships as much as they sustain them (i.e. keep your team's core intact).

I have no idea how OKC is going to keep more than Westbrook, Durant, Ibaka - which is still a great looking big 3 - but 2 years ago wasn't Portland supposed to be that young team that dominated for years to come? They only have Roy, Pryzbilla, Oden, Batum, Miller, Fernandez left from that group - and 2 of them are hurt - and the rest aren't exactly a championship-level supporting cast.

I think Kobe's game will age similar to how Jordan's did - both are awfully strong SG's with great post games, Jordan had a better build for it but Kobe also has more range than Jordan. The big thing with the Lakers is can Pau transition to the #1 guy as Kobe takes a smaller role in the offense. Pau's a phenomenal #2, but outside of playing for Spain in the Olympics - he doesn't seem to have that trait of wanting to be "the guy" (unless he's playing against the Jazz).

Maybe Dallas will prove me wrong this year but to me, they'll always be that team that wins 50-55 games and loses in the 2nd-round of the playoffs. With Cuban - too much overhaul year-to-year and not enough continuity to build championship-level chemistry.

 

[franklin]

This is an oversimplification. Look at how the Blazers have been able to buy draft picks, both outright and by taking on bad longterm contracts. Further, teams over the tax are still able to use the MLE to add good role players each season.

The Jazz would still have Wes Matthews if they were able/willing to spend like the Jerry Busses and Paul Allens of the NBA.

The Blazers went over $100 million early into the 2000's. It has never worked for them. New York has been spending for a decade. It has only made them worse.

 

[GVC]

The Blazers went over $100 million early into the 2000's. It has never worked for them. New York has been spending for a decade. It has only made them worse.

If Roy and Oden had knees, that Blazers team would be crazy.

The Celtics and Lakers have won championships taking on other teams' unwanted but productive salary. A willingness to spend into the luxury tax gives teams an undeniable advantage (not that I think that's a bad thing).

 

[Shad]

We all know DWILL is going to go to Dallas once Kidd retires. Get over it!