Looking Like One Season, Howard U? - The Downbeat - #643

by Basketball John on Dec 16, 2011 8:54 AM MST in Features - Downbeats

With the signing of Josh Howard, I really have to question what the goal of this team is for this season. If you listen to Kevin O'Connor, the team's goal is to compete and he will reiterate the desire of the Millers to spend in order to put a competitive team out on the floor. I don't doubt that that is the case.

But as of February of this past year, this team made a fundamental shift in its short and long-term plans. The team is no longer looking to contend in the immediate future. They can be competitive, but not contend. The question though is how will this reloading plan affect the future goals of this team? O'Connor has also stated that the younger players will have to earn playing time, often pointing out that even John Stockton didn't start until his third year in the league. On the flip side, one could counter that Karl Malone started 76 of 81 games his rookie season ahead of Thurl Bailey.

What appears to be the goal for the team going forward is a gradual takeover by the young players much like Stockton and Malone era came to be. Adrian Dantley was the star player for the Jazz until the team decided it was time to hand the reins to Malone and traded Dantley in 1986. Those first few seasons of Malone's career saw the Jazz getting either a 4^th of 5^th seed in the west until 1989 when they finished 1^st in the Midwest Division and 2^nd in the West.

It seems as if every moderately successful movie these days gets at least a sequel or more. For most trilogies, the first sequel is merely a vessel to get to the final movie. No plot points are resolved. New characters are introduced. And inevitably, there is a cliff hanger designed to make sure everyone comes back to see the third film. The Jazz this season are the first sequel. This is merely a prelude to the 2013 season and beyond. It will be solid enough, but what everyone is looking forward to is the end which is hopefully just the beginning.

So don't sweat the signings this season. These are characters that are brought in for filler. Sit back, throw back some popcorn, enjoy the ride, and look forward to the future installment.

With the Howard signing, the Jazz now have 13 players on guaranteed contracts and 18 total. The max the team can carry is 15 with 13 being the minimum.

The Jazz could add one more of the training camp invitees for the minimum salary. For the past couple of seasons, the Jazz have kept the roster low so as to not take a big hit paying the luxury tax. They have more freedom this year.

Of Paul Carter, Trey Gilder, Keith McLeod, Scottie Reynolds, and Jamaal Tinsley, who has the best shot at sticking? The last three are all point guards vying for a shot at the third-string job. The first two are wings who will be impacted by Howard's signing. In a season like last where the team was paying the luxury tax, I don't think any of them would would have made the cut.

In a shortened, compressed season, where depth will be a premium, I could see one or two of them making the team. Despite Alec Burks's PG capability, I think one of the PGs makes the team heading into the regular season. I don't see either Carter or Gilder getting a deal but could be brought back should the Jazz have a wing get injured.

I guess it's best that the NBA is run like a cold business because otherwise, how could you cut a guy like Gilder after this comment he made to Jody Genessy?

NBA hopeful Trey Gilder doesn't have a guaranteed contract, so his mind ran wild with hopeful dreams when he stepped onto Larry H. Miller Court.

"I was thinking I want to stay here," he said.

The ex-Northwestern State small forward, who played two games with the Memphis Grizzlies in 2009, was in awe of banners and retired jerseys high in the building.

"Looking up in the rafters, I was seeing a lot of greatness up there," said Gilder, who's played professionally in the D-League and Australia. "I want to be able to put on the jersey on opening night."

Basketball is a business, blah, blah, blah.

A reminder, as if you need it, tomorrow is the open scrimmage at the ESA. It starts at 7 with the doors opening at 6. And by the time you're off work next Monday, we'll have a real-life pre-season game and the first official game thread of the season.

Friday poll...

Poll

Who, if any, is most likely to be a Jazz man once the regular season starts?

Paul Carter

49 votes

Trey Gilder

22 votes

Keith McLeod

33 votes

Scottie Reynolds

112 votes

Jamaal Tinsley

141 votes

None of the above

40 votes

397 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 23 comments | Add comment | 0 recs |

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Comments

#1

Upon further review, I’m actually OK with this signing. From a basketball standpoint, Howard is very similar to Caron Butler, who just signed with the Clips for 3 yr / 24M. Physically they both have the good player (as long as he’s healthy) caveat. The biggest difference is that Butler has been more mentally tough historically, but maybe Josh finally has his head on straight. If so, and he can return to anything like his 2007 play, this is a great value signing.

Ideally, Howard returns to form AND the young guys look like they’re going to work out. If that’s the case there should be a lot of demand for Howard as a trade-deadline rental to get draft pics / a young PG / whatever. It would be really funny if Butler got hurt and we were able to use Howard to pry Bledsoe away from the Clips.

by JasonInPG on Dec 16, 2011 9:06 AM MST reply actions

bart scott: "cant wait!"

by handlogten on Dec 16, 2011 9:15 AM MST reply actions

#1

I saw a lot of reactions on twitter last night that were pretty negative*Cough*Yucca*Cough* I really think that we should relax. The opinion out of training camp seems to be that CJ, Gordon, and Alec are more natural at the 2 than the 3. It also seems that Millsap at the 3 is a pipe dream. Who does that leave us as an actual three? Jeremy Evans? And in this compressed schedule where is our depth on the wing? He hasn’t been guaranteed any minutes, I don’t think he starts. I still see our First Unit having CJ and Hayward starting, If Howard is the first wing of the bench who does that really effect? Raja? Burks wouldn’t be getting minutes at the three. Are you worried that they play him at the end of games?

I mean, worst case scenario we start Harris, Bell, Howard, Millsap, Jefferson, and end up with the first pick in the draft.

by Kfunk on Dec 16, 2011 9:23 AM MST reply actions

It's about matchups..

not so much natural position anymore. The way people take advantage of opposing teams is creating nightmare matchups I think it all started with Tim Duncan being used as a PF.

When you have guys like Lamar Odom or Carmello Anthony playing Small Forward you still think it will matter that we have Josh Howard? Even more athletic guys like Durant will smoke Howard and his veteran/ruined knees.

Against some of the bigger and stronger “Small Forwards” Milsap would be a good option and I’d rather have CJ on the quicker more athletic guys and Evans who needs playing time to develop.

by utahspazz on Dec 16, 2011 9:49 AM MST up reply actions

I dont agree with this argument.

Like you said, it’s all about match ups. It’s not like Ty is going to set his starting line up and it’s set in stone for the year. They will start whatever player they feel gives them the best chance to win. That means they will adjust their starting line up to compete with the other team if necessary. That’s why I wouldn’t be surprised to see Milsap start at the 3 against guys like Artest.

by TurboJazz224 on Dec 16, 2011 9:58 AM MST up reply actions

Yep—CJ, Gordon, Alec and Raja are all natural SG's

So let’s give them each 12 minutes per game instead of using a similar spot (SF) to give them more playing time and development.

YEAH!

I got the crap beat out of me in Provo one time

by Yucca Man on Dec 16, 2011 11:01 AM MST up reply actions

#5

I actually would like to see the Jazz give Scottie Reynolds a shot at the 3rd string PG position. Mcleod and Tinsley are both washed up vets, but Reynolds is a rookie and could surprise some people. I’ve watched some videos of him and he may not have great PG instincts, but he can score plus I think he has a better risk/reward than the other two.

"If you're racist I will attack you with the north." -Abraham Lincoln

by footeperu on Dec 16, 2011 9:26 AM MST reply actions

#1

The goal is profitability and competitive play. The Millers want to make the playoffs and the Jazz have the assets to pull it off so he’s giving KOC the green light to make player trades/acquisitions to make it happen. At least that’s what I am sensing. The Jazz have never rushed player development- if anything, they’re more likely to be accused of stunting player development so this isn’t too much of a surprise. I read the twitter feed that Stock didn’t start for 3 yrs today. I think the young guns will still get decent burn this year but the Jazz are close enough to playoff worthy with enough assets (read trade pieces) to make a run at the playoffs. At the end of the day the Millers see a chance to break even and they are taking it. I like the move! Single yr contract should force Howard to bring it night in and night out. Unlike “some people” I’m okay with the Jazz actually winning games this year.

by udowado on Dec 16, 2011 9:27 AM MST reply actions

hell yeah

it’s no fun watching losing basketball. i’m far too impatient to think about next year, or years down the line, lets go out there and try to win now.

it’s all entertainment at the end of the day!

by handlogten on Dec 16, 2011 9:56 AM MST up reply actions 1 recs

After further thought, this is OK

At first I was upset with this move. I does tell us though that they 1) expect to play either Hayward or CJ major minutes at 2, 2) Milsap is not going to be playing major minutes at 3. Our lineup is looking like:

1 Harris, Watson, Burks
2 Hayward, Burks, Bell
3 CJ, Howard, Hayward
4 Milsap, Favors, AJ
5 AJ, Okur, Favors, Kanter

by Daniel Smith on Dec 16, 2011 10:00 AM MST reply actions

ummmm

Jeremy Evans still plays for the jazz

by UtonganKidInCali on Dec 16, 2011 12:44 PM MST via mobile up reply actions

Seems like a fairly accurate 3-deep to me.

I am in no way affiliated with the blog of the same name.

by JazzHype on Dec 16, 2011 2:21 PM MST up reply actions

Sorry forgot him.

He would be the 4th on the 3 and 4.

by Daniel Smith on Dec 16, 2011 3:18 PM MST up reply actions

I like this lineup for the beginning of the year

If somebody steps up and deserves more time then so be it.

by davidthecomposer on Dec 16, 2011 2:58 PM MST up reply actions

I don't mind the Howard pickup

This schedule is going to be brutal. The young guys are going to get plenty of burn, however, at the pace of this compacted season, exhaustion is a real problem to consider, even for young men in great physical shape. Having veteran depth is advantageous.

by nel812 on Dec 16, 2011 10:01 AM MST via mobile reply actions

2 Questions

Are we, as fans, ok if the Jazz tanked this season to get a good draft pick this draft? Supposedly this is going to be a better draft.

How much are we paying Howard? I know it was a one year deal but I haven’t seen a dollar amount yet.

by P_Dizzle on Dec 16, 2011 10:36 AM MST reply actions

we don't tank

It must be cheap

by UtonganKidInCali on Dec 16, 2011 12:47 PM MST via mobile up reply actions

1. The move is a bit of a gamble. Realistically, it’s taking a flyer on him to see if he has anything left. At his best, he was an all-star. He may never be at that level again, but maybe if everything falls in place just right, he’ll have somewhat of a comeback season and be a solid player. Otherwise, it’s just a 1-year gamble that didn’t work out.

2. Tinsley is probably the favorite, though I could see Scottie Reynolds being the PG version of the OMSW story.

3. Imagine if he was in Boston or LA. I love our history though.

4. It’s great to have a season again. I can’t wait for the ESA game against NJ.

by flibbidy on Dec 16, 2011 11:25 AM MST reply actions

ha ha

“He may never be at that level again”. May?

I love how delusional fans can be sometimes. (No offense, I do exactly the same thing.)

Reality check: Josh Howard will never ever ever ever be an all star again.

This was just giving Devin Harris a friend to play ball with for a year. Might make him better.

by chamont on Dec 17, 2011 7:55 AM MST up reply actions

Title contention

I feel we are the deepest team in the NBA. I think we could make a deep push into the playoffs this year. with the modified scheme to fit our players and the opportunity to run several different lineups we can oust other teams with out minimal to no drop between our starters and bench. maybe I’m overly optimistic but if kanter and burks can contribute and kanter is solid out to 24 ft I can see the possibilities are endless

by UtonganKidInCali on Dec 16, 2011 12:54 PM MST via mobile reply actions

Now this is optimism

We could all probably use more of that

I got the crap beat out of me in Provo one time

by Yucca Man on Dec 16, 2011 2:28 PM MST up reply actions

i like gilder

i used to keep up with nw st bc my dad went there. the kid can play. im assuming hes put on weight since then, as that was really his main weakness. he lead that team to the southland conference championip and almost won it for them

Louisiana Jazz fan

by TBKIII on Dec 16, 2011 2:09 PM MST reply actions