This is less an article and more a desire to get feedback on an observation from fans far wiser than me. I've been noticing more and more recently that Gordon has a really difficult time when a the defending big man shows on a pick and roll. Its not uncommon that despite exerting a lot of energy Gordon ends up 4 feet outside the 3 point line with no real progress made. (This is true even when the defending big man is a slowish player like Dirk Nowitzki) Occasionally he is able to turn the corner, but his defender has generally recovered at this point and he is left with a contested shot or difficult lay up.

Does anybody else feel its about time Hayward learns to split that double team? I think it would force the showing big man to play a little more honestly and open up a few more possibilities on the pick and roll.

My friend and I disagree on who we'd take if somehow both Bismack and Fredette were available at #12. I sent the following biased and one sided string of "highlight hyperbole"  as part of my argument. Since I'd done the work already I thought I'd include it here.

0:24 back pedals worse than Jimmer Fredette did at the combine. Bad footwork.

1:00 Ostertag/Koufos bobble of easy rebound. Loses possession for team.

1:20 Easily pushed out of rebounding position

5:19 Burned on pick n roll. Recovers to block a 6'3" guard with both hands (probably fouled him, but no call), then clumsily falls over in the process. 6'3" guard ends up scoring.

7:40 Spectacular defense. Swift Recovery. Nice Block. Again manages to fall down.

8:25 Outworked by weakling.

10:15 Probably the greatest announcing I have ever heard on a 3 pointer.

Next video:

0:25 Ugh..... (yes, he just fell down again)

0:55 Out of control and ugly

1:08 Free Throws. 2/6 (Makes barely go in, misses way off.)

2:28 Drops easy offensive board

4:08 Intelligence to work in defensive scheme?


Dunno dude. I think he's a big gamble. Its basically like giving me a 7'6" wingspan and crazy hops. I wouldn't know what to do with it, I would just try to imitate what I'd seen on NBA Jam. Plus we're both 28, so there's that

***UPDATE***

My friend's response:

Nice breakdown, but I watched that video and am totally sold. Pick him at 3. 

Are you really calling him clumsy? Name another center in the league that moves like that. Dwight Howard is the only one. Look how low he gets in his defensive stance on the perimeter, how quick his feet move. He seems to play hard all the time, too. Did you see that guard try to get the ball in past that wingspan? He will lead whatever team he is on in deflections and blocks. A defensive liability is way harder to cover up than an offensive one, especially when it's a guy close to the basket. A big man can't leave him to double the same way that Kobe did on Brewer on the perimeter.
Biyombo might be the safest pick in the draft. He'll be exactly what you expect, immediately (with a little foul trouble).

Summary of Notable Plays:

1:21 – Nasty Millsap dunk over Miles (Miles on floor.)

1:30 – Jefferson burns Fess 1 on 1 in the post.

1:38 – Deron freezes Earl Watson and lays it home.

1:40 – Full court Deron pass to Ronnie for Slam.

1:47 – Miles runs into Big Al. (Miles on floor.)

1:50 – Watson to Hayward for long Memo style 2.

2:00 – Hayward recovers from pick to make easy block on Jeffers (after Jeffers is first easily blocked by Millsap)

2:13- Bell drives, knocks Thompson on his butt, and then pulls up for easy "welcome to the NBA" jumpshot.

2:25 – Evans cuts past AK (his defender) and then elevates for putback jam over Millsap (his teammate) and Jefferson (Millsap's defender).

2:34 – Deron making Al Jefferson an All-Star.

2:45 – Bell to AK for 3.

4:26 – Evans pump fakes Elson, scores, and then springs up again immediately anticipating a possible miss. (possible flubber involvement)

Go Jazz!

Twitter: @johnmrobert

Introduction

Look at that face. Would you just take two seconds and LOOK AT THAT FACE! Would you ever do anything to offend that boy? Sadly, chances are you already have. And if marriage has taught me anything, it's to not bury past offenses and hope they go away. They need to see daylight.  THIS is your chance to make amends for the past. You owe it to yourself. You owe it to Gordy.

Continue reading this post »

INTRODUCTION

"D Williams is Batman…He's the captain..[a]nd I'm Robin. So I'm willing to do whatever…I'm going to adjust to him. Whatever he needs me to do is going to be done. Because the first thing he said to me when I talked to him is, 'I'm going to make you an All-Star.' And when he said that to me, I believed him." - Al Jefferson

I accepted the Jazz's addition of Al Jefferson with great excitement this summer. He said the right things, he was younger and taller than Boozer, their statistics were in the same neighborhood, and Al was coming at a cheaper price. But, admittedly, for all of Jefferson's advantages, my enthusiasm was somewhat tempered by the advantages Boozer seemed to be taking with him. (i.e. Boozer is clearly the better passer. Boozer is clearly the better shooter). Today, however, it is my belief that Al will give us everything Boozer did and more. As if you needed any more reason to love Big Al, let me provide you with a pair of tasty statistical nuggets.

Continue reading this post »

Introduction

Before reading this, please read Amar's article here.

First, let me be clear, Amar's article is EXCELLENT. I really think he's captured the heart of this question and explored it in impressive detail--far clearer than I could. But, as I have a little background in econometrics that has laid utterly dormant in law school, I was hoping to indulge myself and weigh in on a few of the metrics from Amar's article. In doing so, I recognize Amar's impressive body of statistical work on this site, and I readily admit this exercise is more than a little like tugging on superman's cape.

Continue reading this post »

First, let me say that I think Boozer walking will prove to be a great thing for the Jazz in coming years. But, as I've spent my fair share of time pointing out what I perceive to be his weaknesses--professionalism (see Summer '09), defense, loyalties, frailness--I think it is only fair that I give the man credit for the many things I will miss.

Things Carlos Boozer will be taking with him...

1. The loudest "and one" yell in the league. It always gave me a certain satisfaction to be able to hear his "AND ONE!" through the announcers microphone which sat some 30 feet away. I also love that he yells this for his teammates as well as himself.

2. The detachable jaw. The man can seriously open his mouth when he celebrates.

3. The polarization. Come on. It's been fun to have the "team Millsap"/"team Boozer" conversations. But don't worry, I'm sure Locke will still wear his Boozer jersey to bed every night.

4. The cheerleading. I can't speak to the past, but this season Carlos has been the first person standing off the bench when Millsap or any other teammate succeeds.

5. The monster rebounds, even when nobody is around.

6. The "I just missed a free throw" frustration yell that I can hear 2000 miles away.

7. The image of him running on the court after Sundiata hit his shot.

8. The elbow jumper that starts at his back and when released looks like it will never come down.

9. The footwork that takes him from the just inside the free throw line to the basket in 2 steps and past 2 defenders.

10. The ambidextrousness. Ambidexterosity. Ambidextricity. Whatever you want to call it...the man could go both ways.

11. The block(s). Its like getting a goal in soccer. The anticipation...wondering if it will ever happen...when Booz gets a block its exciting. I definitely rubber-neck everytime.

12. The wide eyes and look of wonderment  when he gets beat and commits a silly foul. Queue that picture of him with interlocked fingers I couldn't find.

13. The pleading with my wife to not rhyme "Boozer" and "Looooooozer" during games to avoid bad energy.

And finally...

14. The Houston series.

If you think I missed anything feel free to add below.

Adios Carlos!

I don't have the means to do this, but there are two highlights that I didn't see in the game summaries last night. I would love to be able to see them again.

1. Deron is dribbling across the court around the free throw line or just beneath, gets doubled, swings the balll behind his back and then puts it threw his legs and continues to move forward, freezes the defenders and then throws it down low for an assist.

2. Wes' block on Carmelo. He absolutely smothered him. Amazing. After that I didn't care that we were going to lose.

If anyone can youtube these I will be most grateful.

As a show of good faith here's a copy of the poster I made for a jazz wizards game. I can email you a huge 3 foot version if you like. It's high quality.

via i816.photobucket.com

Here is my take on some of our gamethread player nicknames and sayings. Of course, use these how ever like, no credit necessary. If there are any other players you'd like me to tackle let me know. Sorry, I'll pass on interpreting Korgasm ;)

Deron=Ninja (Large)

Deron=Ninja (Small)

Jazz Ninja Star

For Tazz - Not the best. I need a higher quality vector of the D 8 W logo.

 Doe

 OMSW="Oh my sweet Wesley" (what have I done)

AKWSUA= AK will save us all

Paul Millsap is Mansap

 Enjoy!

***

Per Request

Fess - Lol, not a lot of inspiration for this one. I just remembered when he first landed stateside he asked his agent to spend 3-4k on a car for him.

KISHRN - Kyle is so hot right now