Preseason Game #2: OKC at UTAH

[GVC]

If Favors can learn to hit a free throw line and short corner jumpshot relatively consistently, attack the rim in PnR situations and opportunistically, and continues to run the floor well, he'll be a quality NBA starter, even if he only averages 12-15 points per game. He has a pretty damn good feel for the game; tonight, he slid to the free throw line when Al was doubled (missed the shot), attacked the rim from the free throw line when a seam opened up, and was, as per usual, always in the right spots on defense and ahead of the play in transition. He seems a bit clumsy with the ball in his hands, so he may not ever be an offensive force, but that's not the end of the world.

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

Favors is a very talented, instinctive shot blocker. He still changes the game with his defense.

 

[Dr. Jones]

If Favors can learn to hit a free throw line and short corner jumpshot relatively consistently, attack the rim in PnR situations and opportunistically, and continues to run the floor well, he'll be a quality NBA starter, even if he only averages 12-15 points per game. He has a pretty damn good feel for the game; tonight, he slid to the free throw line when Al was doubled (missed the shot), attacked the rim from the free throw line when a seam opened up, and was, as per usual, always in the right spots on defense and ahead of the play in transition. He seems a bit clumsy with the ball in his hands, so he may not ever be an offensive force, but that's not the end of the world.

Nice 132 words, really.

 

[GVC]

Mo was terrific pushing the tempo tonight. He wasn't very good in halfcourt sets, but hopefully that will come in time (I'm not that hopeful). He and Enes were the two Jazz players really trying to impose their will.

I also like how Corbin's giving Al another shot to play more out of the high post, running more stuff along the baseline. Al still doesn't seem to execute that well from there, but having some preseason games to try to figure it out can only help.

 

[Siro]

Didn't say that. But teams generally WON'T win when there is a big weakness the other team can exploit. I didn't say Favors doesn't have the potential. He just disappears in too many games. My hope is he's just dogging it a bit because it's the pre-season, Maybe he's a little burnt out from playing in the summer and will turn it up a notch when the games count.

I realize that almost everyone here bases his opinion on the very last game played (referring to the general anti-Favors comments in this thread, not you personally). But let's be reasonable. Favors played pretty well last season, and ended on a high note. Kanter on the other hand had a disappointing season, and people were losing interest in him. What changed since then? 2 pre-season games.

I do think that Kanter made real improvements in the off-season though. He seems like a different player.

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

I don't think the Jazz should push tempo every time. Some of the plays seemed rushed. Players like Burks and Foye are better in half-court sets with spacing and when they have time to take their defender. The up-tempo game favors Kanter and Hayward though, since other teams can't match their energy and keep them off the rim.

That said, it seems as though the more veteran, well-coached teams play fast.

 

[spycam1]

I don't think the Jazz should push tempo every time. Some of the plays seemed rushed. Players like Burks and Foye are better in half-court sets with spacing and when they have time to take their defender. The up-tempo game favors Kanter and Hayward though, since other teams can't match their energy and keep them off the rim.

That said, it seems as though the more veteran, well-coached teams play fast.

Burks is perfect for a team pushing the ball in transition.

 

[addictionary]

Play of the game: https://www.nba.com/video/games/jazz/2012/10/12/0011200034-okc-uta-play4.nba

Great power play but the Burks alley oop was great too so I call'em equal.

Btw, I watch the emotion level of Kanter and he looks like he's on some kind of energy drug or steroids or smth. He gets aggressive on the defensive end and throws badboy looks to the guy who has the possibility to say smth angry to him after a foul. That game full of emotion will be fun to watch if he keeps that up.

Burks and Foye were on the floor at the same time and Burks brought the ball sometimes. Love it.

 

[spycam1]

We need to run Favors in the pick and roll more. He's not primarily a post up player and we need to stop forcing him to be. Watch his highlights and tell me how many of them come from him cutting to the basket vs posting up. I really feel the coaching staff misuses him a great deal on offense.

 

[billyshelby]

We need to run Favors in the pick and roll more. He's not primarily a post up player and we need to stop forcing him to be. Watch his highlights and tell me how many of them come from him cutting to the basket vs posting up. I really feel the coaching staff misuses him a great deal on offense.

Yes, we should, but he's not very good at it. He had that nice take in the 1st, but that was opportunistic. To be a good PnR player, you have to have at least a respectable jump shot. He's neither a good post player nor a good PnR player at this point, just deadly as a garbage player.

To develop, he needs plays called for him. It will work better on the second unit, but we're only 2 games into preseason and the lineups tonight were so crazy that you can't really tell.

 

[Stifle Tower]

If Favors can learn to hit a free throw line and short corner jumpshot relatively consistently, attack the rim in PnR situations and opportunistically, and continues to run the floor well, he'll be a quality NBA starter, even if he only averages 12-15 points per game. He has a pretty damn good feel for the game; tonight, he slid to the free throw line when Al was doubled (missed the shot), attacked the rim from the free throw line when a seam opened up, and was, as per usual, always in the right spots on defense and ahead of the play in transition. He seems a bit clumsy with the ball in his hands, so he may not ever be an offensive force, but that's not the end of the world.

I can't argue with this. Favors just needs to become an adequate offensive player with a couple of weapons. FT shooting needs to improve or he won't be able to close games as the other team can just "Hack-A-Shaq" him. I'd be thrilled with 12-15 points, 10 rebounds and elite defense.

 

[addictionary]

Al-Favors-Gordon had 7 blocks tonight. Jazz beat the block party team 8-6. Let's hope it happens again when they're full squad. I'm sure Kanter will add 2 more.