The Downbeat #1219: Andris Tankidriens Edition

The Burke family had something to say about tonight.

This is not even the beginning. Here is what Brandon Rush said after the game (H/T @WeAreJazzNation)

Interesting Twitter night part 1 #JazzNation pic.twitter.com/p7771Wutg7

— Jazz Nation (@WeAreJazzNation) December 10, 2013

I understand that the coach must be the be all and end all, but with great power comes great responsibility. The Utah Jazz have given Tyrone Corbin the same respect that Jerry Sloan had. They have made it a point to afford him the same power and respect that Jerry Sloan had. Was it too much, too fast? Tyrone Corbin has required his players to earn their time and earn their minutes.

Has Tyrone been forced to earn the power and respect that was afforded to his predecessor? It has become a common occurrence after locker room clean outs for prior Jazz players to throw him under the bus and criticize his communication. So much so that Paul Millsap was the exception when he sent a letter to the Jazz thanking them for their belief in him. The camaraderie is missing in this locker room.

For example, Alec Burks had one of the most productive games in his young career. Something that helps is unsolicited public praise after something like that. There's nothing. In fact, he was pulled in favor of Richard Jefferson because Richard Jefferson was somehow having a better game than Alec Burks who had the offense churning. I love how Richard Jefferson has become Alec Burks' mentor, but Richard Jefferson playing 32 minutes to Alec Burks' 24 is a travesty.

Andris Biedrins current season facts:

• Currently has a win score of -0.041.
• If he played 36 minutes he would grab 14 rebounds but only score 2.6 points.
• Shooting 16.7% from the free throw line.
• Pulls down 41% of all defensive rebounds while on the floor.
• Has an offensive rating of 61 points per 100 possessions.
• Turns over the ball 35.5% of the time.
• Has a PER of 2.3.
• He's 27.

So please tell me why Andris Biedrins and Richard Jefferson are more deserving of minutes when they are both expiring contracts. Saying that maybe in practice they respond better is not applicable in this case since we are not privy to those conversations. Let's talk on what we all know. We know the stats, what we see in games, and press quotes. Using the facts available to us there is not a reason Andris Biedrins and Richard Jefferson should average more minutes a game than Rudy Gobert and Alec Burks.

Recently Kurt Kragthorpe of the Trib wrote this about Jazz attendance with a slight shot at Tyrone Corbin.

As for the theory that fans would eagerly embrace and support this version of the Jazz, regardless? Uh, no. Monday's crowd was announced as 17,555, but entire rows of lower-bowl seats were empty. Even with a potential sellout Jan. 31 when former coach Jerry Sloan's honorary banner is unveiled and some visits from elite opponents, the team's attendance average is sure to be lower than 18,000 for the first time in the building's 23 seasons.

Personally, I should have taken my own preseason advice to just check back in April and see how it all turned out.

Should I compare this Jazz team to the expansion New Orleans Jazz (2-21) of 1974-75, or to the 2003-04 team (13-10) that followed the departures of Karl Malone and John Stockton? Should I evaluate coach Tyrone Corbin in regard to what Boston's Brad Stevens (10-12) and Phoenix's Jeff Hornacek (11-9) are doing with their rebuilds, or to the embarrassing results of New York's Mike Woodson (5-14) and Brooklyn's Jason Kidd (6-14)?

Injuries haven't helped Corbin, obviously. Burke missed the first 12 games with a broken finger and Favors has been sidelined for the last two games with a sore back. I'll say this: They've made themselves valuable in their absences - and Burke did so on the court Monday.

Others have said this before on this blog and I'll reiterate it.

GO TO THE GAMES

• If you are disgusted by the coaching and feel like you're going to protest with your wallet your voice won't be heard.
• Go to the games and protest with your voice if that's your cup of tea.
• If you support the coach then go to the games and support the coach and boo the booers.
• If you support the Bear then go to the games and cheer on the Bear.
• However you feel at least support the players.

[Sidenote: Sooner or later one has to see that other rebuilding teams are not losing at such a huge margin as the Jazz are. In fact, Brad Stevens has turned the Boston Celtics into a team of respectability. Jeff Hornacek's Suns are an image of overachievement. Brett Browns' 76ers, while outmatched every game, play each game like it would be their last. Tyrone Corbin may be the best tank commander out there, but the disparity between him and other rebuilding coaches is startling.]

Take a look at Trey Burke's numbers since he's returned.

What is amazing is Trey is shooting 91% from the line. If Trey is able to shoot at least 40% from 2 point and 40% from 3 point he is going to be something special. It looks like the Jazz have found their point guard.

Much has been made about Enes Kanter's drop in rebounding. Maybe you should know about this statistic. Enes Kanter leads the league in contested rebounding percentage at 55%. He's a man's man's rebounder. In fact Kanter and Favors each average the highest amount of contested rebounds as a tandem in the league with a combined 7.5 per game, Derrick Favors with 4 and Enes Kanter with 3.5. The regression of Enes Kanter's rebounding has been grossly overstated.

Tank Update

Chad Ford in his Tank Rank had this to say about Utah.

The Jazz's biggest hole is at small forward. The two guys who get the most time there, Marvin Williams and Richard Jefferson, are both free agents this summer. But even if that wasn't the biggest need, it's hard to think of any other team in the league that would be a better fit for Duke's Jabari Parker. Parker's versatile, aggressive game would be a godsend to the Jazz. And with Parker the best Mormon basketball player since Danny Ainge, there's a good chance the Jazz could keep him long term.