Utah's Jefferson back in best shape ever (6 photos to look at)

[Gyp Rosetti]

Who cares about the muscle? AJ looks in a lot better shape. I am excited about the roster. I am glad that I am not Corbin because he has a tough job determining playing time. I just hope all the positive vibe going on remains because my biggest concern is player's complaining about playing time.

There's only two pics and of those, only one is of his body and that one's on a weird angle and to me (and Bodhi), I don't see much difference.

 

[candrew]

It's hard to tell in those bright white uniforms under those lights.

Kanter looks bulked up around the upper arm/shoulder area in pic #3

 

[My2Cents]

Agreed that comments by players at the first of training camp are always suspect. However, if this quote is accurate, I am very optimistic. MM doesn't often spout off.

"I will go on the record right now in front of God and everybody," trainer Mark McKown said. "He is the most explosive, the most athletic overall, the strongest and most stable from foot to head than he's ever been, and with the lowest body fat ever.

"If he doesn't have his best season ever ... I will be shocked."

Obviously MM has only been around Al for one year but still quite a comment.

I listened to his interview with Locke. He spent the entire summer in Santa Barbara at P3. Some of the other Jazz player would come for 2 or 3 weeks at a time but Al was there all summer working out for 2 1/2 hours a day. It remains to be seen how that translates to the court, and doesn't necessarily solve some of his other problems, but that was quite a commitment.

 

[The Fresh Prince]

So you guys expected Enes Kanter and AJ to come into training camp looking like Brock Lesnar? Main thing is both guys look to be in basketball shape for their respective positions.

 

[vslice02]

Actually Al and Enes looked pretty soft in those picks - not much upper-body definition. Hayward does look like he has put on some weight.

With the exception of guarding Dwight Howard, I don't think arm strength matters as much as endurance, conditioning, quickness, flexibility and mobility. Alot of times big guys worry too much about brute strength and overlook that basketball is a game of skill and quickness.

As always take these training camp reports w/a grain of salt. Remember Kirilenko had about 5 straight years where he "added 10-15 pounds" to his frame in the offseason.

 

[Thee Jazz Fan]

How good was Hornacek. i didnt watch jazz back then, so i am just curious

You missed out he was as good if not a better shooter then Korver was, more consistent foul shooter from year to year. Unlike Korver he could create his own shot, wasn't just a spot up shooter, was crafty with the ball in his hands, and an elite passer. He had a great tear drop shot that was near impossible to defend. Before he came to Utah, the Jazz they were always considered a good team but never elite. Jeff Hornacek was the final piece that made the Jazz championship contenders

 

[Brown Notes]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TV38gSMuCqA

 

[LogGrad98]

Absolutely useless photos. Although the photographer did come across as fairly artsy fartsy.

I am looking forward to seeing the new muscle on the court. Play hard or go home.

 

[Jazz Spazz]

How good was Hornacek. i didnt watch jazz back then, so i am just curious

Here's a couple highlight video's.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6Jwt00dYHQ

Here's my favorite.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5j6ORbPJYI&feature=related

 

[LogGrad98]

You missed out he was as good if not a better shooter then Korver was, more consistent foul shooter from year to year. Unlike Korver he could create his own shot, wasn't just a spot up shooter, was crafty with the ball in his hands, and an elite passer. He had a great tear drop shot that was near impossible to defend. Before he came to Utah, the Jazz they were always considered a good team but never elite. Jeff Hornacek was the final piece that made the Jazz championship contenders

Before he came to Utah I HATED HATED HATED when we played against his teams. He always seemed to have big games against us. Probably because of Sloan's defensive mentality that left 3 pt shooters open, and with his ability to drive and get off a shot if you challenged him it always seemed he had a hayday against us. I was THRILLED when we picked him up.

I really think Hayward could be that type of player. His play last year reminded me a lot of Horny. That is probably Hayward's ceiling. I sure hope we get to see that kind of play from him.

 

[vslice02]

You missed out he was as good if not a better shooter then Korver was, more consistent foul shooter from year to year. Unlike Korver he could create his own shot, wasn't just a spot up shooter, was crafty with the ball in his hands, and an elite passer. He had a great tear drop shot that was near impossible to defend. Before he came to Utah, the Jazz they were always considered a good team but never elite. Jeff Hornacek was the final piece that made the Jazz championship contenders

Also an excellent passer. Could pass off the bounce and IMO was the best post-feeder in the game. As good as Stockton as making that lob pass to Malone (when Karl was fronted in the post). Could advance the ball on his own and can't say how many times in the Delta Center he would punctuate a Jazz run with a pullup jumper and force the other team to call a timeout.

Also he was the master of the off-balance runner, and made some of the most difficult shots imaginable - and he would take them in big situations.

This could be the greatest shot I ever saw Horny make - and it was with less than 2 min left in an elimination game.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWX2FAYs3ks#t=1m15s

 

[NotDeadYet]

Hornacek at 6'4" was like a miniature Larry Bird on the court. Neither big, strong, or fast, he relied on pure smarts and competitiveness. I remember a game where he hit a 3, stole a pass, hit another 3, and either hit a jumper or maybe got fouled. Anyway, it was like 8 points in just a few seconds...