Good Luck Memo - The Downbeat - #648

by Basketball John on Dec 23, 2011 9:51 AM MST in Features - Downbeats

If Memo had to go, then I can't think of anywhere else better for him than New Jersey. Not that he's not a big boy, but he's very close to Deron Williams and that will ease the transition for his kids that now have to be uprooted. Though they didn't play together, the two became closer when Deron played in Turkey during the lockout. And that's just on the personal side.

Though Memo was fine with coming off the bench in whatever role and capacity, he deserves to be playing more. The injury to Brook Lopez provides for that. He'll have an excellent season with someone familiar with his style of play feeding him the ball. So while it sucks that one of the best Jazz men ever is no longer with the team, be happy for Memo. Here's to hoping that he finds his way back to the organization after his playing days are over.

Jody Genessy writes how Greg Miller spoke with Memo,

The personal part: Miller thanked Okur - fondly called "Memo" and / or "Money" in these parts - for his dedicated play and effort and because he'd "given everything he had" to the Jazz since 2004.

Miller expressed gratitude that Okur, who worked hard to rehab his injured back and surgically repaired Achilles tendon to 100 percent strength, "played hurt when a lot of guys would not have."

Miller also told Okur that the Jazz "appreciate everything he did." They hope he remembers how important he was to the success of the franchise family.

One thing I know is that Saturday, Jan 14th is going to be a great reunion. DWill back. Memo back. Kris Hum.. um.. okay. You get the idea. Get your tickets now.

A year ago at this time, Jerry Sloan moved into third-place all time for coaching wins when the Jazz picked up a road victory against the Peskies. Take a look at the roster then compared to now.

December 2010	December 2011
Andrei Kirilenko	Josh Howard
Paul Millsap	Paul Millsap
Al Jefferson	Al Jefferson
Raja Bell	Raja Bell
Deron Williams	Devin Harris
Earl Watson	Earl Watson
Francisco Elson	Enes Kanter
Ronnie Price	Alec Burks
CJ Miles	CJ Miles
Kyrylo Fesenko	Derrick Favors
Gordon Hayward	Gordon Hayward
Jeremy Evans	Jeremy Evans
Mehmet Okur	Jamaal Tinsley

The ones in bold are the holdovers from last season. And if you look at the roster two years ago, the team is virtually unrecognizable.

There are likely more moves possible though whether they happen before the season starts or whether they happen later this season remains to be seen. Let's hope things stabilize soon though because as Jazz fans we're just not used to this.

Good news, Ostertag is back. From Ridiculous Upside,

Former NBA starters Ricky Davis and Greg Ostertag have decided to make an NBA comeback through the NBA Development League, league sources told Ridiculous Upside on Thursday night. Both players have signed D-League contracts and will find out their new teams after clearing waivers on Tuesday afternoon.

Tag hasn't played for a few years and is 38. I'm not sure he's one to squander away his earnings -- almost $50 million -- from the NBA days. So I wonder what his motivation is. If he somehow ends up in Boise, I may have to make a drive to see him an Antoine Walker play. It would be like a 1999 time machine.

Jazz players struck out on ESPN's award previews except where Derrick Favors got two votes for most improved player. Chris Palmer and Brian Windhorst were the two ESPN analysts with the picks. Carlos Boozer also got a vote from Scoop Jackson. Booze put up 17 & 10 last season. That would have to be quite the improvement for him to win.

Neither of our rookies made the list for ROY. That would be a tough award to crack for them given that neither is going to be starting. The awards normally go to good rookies on terrible teams. The Jazz may not be a playoff team, but they're not going to be terrible either.

Friday poll...

Poll

The line for wins for the Jazz this year is 25.5 (31.5 for 82 games). Do you have the over or under?

Over

258 votes

Under

92 votes

350 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 36 comments | Add comment | 0 recs |

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Comments

I said over. I think when I did my count from the schedule, I came up with 27.

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

by JazzHype on Dec 23, 2011 9:57 AM MST reply actions

Yeah, I don't they break 30

But, 27-28 seems a little more right.

by P-Will on Dec 23, 2011 10:18 AM MST up reply actions

Of Course Greg Miller has to say nice stuff..

He’s a fan favorite what else would he say?

I’m just worried that if he gets injured again that the Nets fans won’t ever see the Memo that we saw – the one that we appreciate and love.

Also wonder if he is going to be upset with Deron for pulling him into Jersey or if the Jazz were planning to move him somewhere else already anyways.

I hope he stays healthy and has great success this season.

Good Luck Memo.

by utahspazz on Dec 23, 2011 10:07 AM MST reply actions

If he gets injured in New Jersey,

then that makes the trade an even bigger success.

by TurboJazz224 on Dec 23, 2011 10:14 AM MST up reply actions

I call into question your compassion.

But you may make a great GM someday.

by utahspazz on Dec 23, 2011 10:31 AM MST up reply actions

I never said I would be happy,

but you have to admit that we are far better off with the pick and the exception than we would be with an aging center with an injury problem. I am trying to look at this move as a basketball decision, not a personal decision. As a basketball decision, this was the right move.

by TurboJazz224 on Dec 23, 2011 10:40 AM MST up reply actions

It truely is a sad day for Jazz fans.

But at the same time, I think this was a necessary move. Memo was one of my favorite Jazz men, but sadly he wasn’t in our future plans. I think the Jazz did the right thing, even though it feels pretty crappy right about now. So now we need to wait for the trade deadline and figure out which teams are ready to blow up their roster, because we have the room and the assets to pick make some serious moves.

Here’s hoping to the Celtics blowing it up and giving us Rondo….

by TurboJazz224 on Dec 23, 2011 10:08 AM MST reply actions

it's not that sad

by handlogten on Dec 23, 2011 10:19 AM MST up reply actions

Rondo would be awesome, but he will command too much

He has a great contract (10K this year, 11K, 12K, then 13K). We would probably have to give up both first rounders this year and future picks. Probably not worth it in my opinion.

by P-Will on Dec 23, 2011 10:23 AM MST up reply actions

Also, they are going to have a ton of cap space next year

Not likely they would be interested in a trade exception deal.

by P-Will on Dec 23, 2011 10:24 AM MST up reply actions

K = thousand

10K would indeed be a great contract.

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

by JazzHype on Dec 23, 2011 11:44 AM MST up reply actions

haha whoops

~~10K, 12K, then 13K~~ 10mil, 11mil, 12mil, 13mil

by P-Will on Dec 23, 2011 11:49 AM MST up reply actions

Celtics being blown up is a myth..

At least for this year. No way Ainge blows up the team right now when he can milk Boston for 1 more season of full ticket sales with the belief and hype that Boston has one last title run in them and Rondo is probably the most important part of that team.

by utahspazz on Dec 23, 2011 10:36 AM MST up reply actions

If the celtics blow it up.

The guy they are keeping is Ramon rondo.

The more you try to erase me, the more that I appear.

by clarkpojo on Dec 23, 2011 4:14 PM MST via mobile up reply actions

Is ramon rondo

Rajon’s cousin?

For the Love of the Game

Stockton to Malone- The perfect combination!!

Follow @JasonForTheLove

MonSTARZ forever!

by ForTheLove on Dec 23, 2011 9:11 PM MST up reply actions

Ha!

Love it

by TurboJazz224 on Dec 27, 2011 9:28 AM MST up reply actions

This buys us time.

I think the biggest value for Memo was his expiring contract. If we didn’t find a good deal before the trade deadline he would have no value at all, but with this trade exception that value goes into next offseason and the beginning of next year. It’s worth a lot more than an expiring contract would ever be worth.

by BigGreen on Dec 23, 2011 10:26 AM MST reply actions

I wouldn't say it's worth more. I'd say it's worth something different.

Sometimes teams want nothing except the money coming off their books (Like Przybilla for Crash). In this case the trade exception is more valuable. They get the money off sooner. Plus the Jazz can offer this for longer than Memo’s contract.

However, sometimes teams want both a contract to expire AND to get a decent player. NJ wanted this. The good player makes it very possible to make the playoffs and help Deron believe in the team, but it also keeps them in play for a possible run at Dwight as a FA.

Sure the trade exception will be a chip for longer than Memo would have been. But whether the trade exception or Memo + expiring contract is more valuable … that depends on the team and the situation.

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

by Yucca Man on Dec 23, 2011 10:34 AM MST up reply actions

Over the cap teams that fall apart early will be the likely destination

PHI/ORL come to mind…plus, 3+ team trades would always be possible. I like the options that this gives us and also the time factor that has been mentioned by several others. Luxury tax season and also as a tool to free up cash for the D-Will/DH12 sweepstakes this summer could also be possible usages. The only way Boston becomes a viable option is if they experience injury or just completely fall apart. I wish we could make it happen but it isn’t likely.

by udowado on Dec 23, 2011 10:41 AM MST up reply actions

Right

Boston would be more interested in the second option (though they wouldn’t do Memo for Rondo … they’d need a PG). They want both the contract off the books AND a quality guy for this season.

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

by Yucca Man on Dec 23, 2011 10:50 AM MST up reply actions

Two days ago I would have picked the over

Today … I don’t know.

If the Jazz are really blowing things up for the kids, and Al, Devin, or Sap go for young guys or picks, then it’s under. If Jazz stay pat, playing Al, Sap, and Harris as the main guys, then it’s over (just a bit).

Two days ago I would have bet anything they were choosing option number two. But now I really don’t know. What comes out of KOC’s mouth and what they are really planning are sometimes different things.

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

by Yucca Man on Dec 23, 2011 10:27 AM MST reply actions

Jazz wins over/under

If any of you wonderful writers want a project I’d be interested to see a compilation of the writer’s projection for the Jazz for 2011-12. In particular, if we could see a cumulative ranking or win/loss from SI, ESPN, SBNation, etc that might be interesting. Granted I’m probably just getting sent all of the bad links but I recall seeing Amick having us projected to finish with the worst record in the NBA and I think there was another SI writer that had us projected to finish in the 26th slot. Has anyone seen any reputable sources that rank the Jazz any higher?

by udowado on Dec 23, 2011 10:36 AM MST reply actions