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NBA Summer League 2014: Utah Jazz Roster -- Full Schedule -- Things to watch
The Las Vegas Summer League is a big deal. At least it should be. This will be the first year that the Utah Jazz participate in this tournament and there are a lot of reasons to be happy about it. Sure, Jazz fans miss the Rocky Mountain Review -- but the size and required infrastructure of what the NBA does with Vegas should indicate that Vegas is a better location when we look outside of Utah.
Here are the bare bones qualification games the Jazz will play in Vegas before the tournament starts:
| Game | Date | Time | Location | Game | ||||||||||
| 1 | Sat | July | 12 | 2014 | 8:30 | PM MT | Thomas & Mack Center | Utah Jazz | vs | Philadelphia 76ers | NBA TV | |||
| 2 | Mon | July | 14 | 2014 | 8:30 | PM MT | Thomas & Mack Center | Utah Jazz | vs | Milwaukee Bucks | ||||
| 3 | Tue | July | 15 | 2014 | 6:30 | PM MT | Thomas & Mack Center | Utah Jazz | vs | Denver Nuggets | ||||
As the Jazz progress, I'll be updating this table. And depending on how Utah does here will help them draw a higher seed in the tournament, and hopefully give them a better chance to advance. Unlike Orlando, here in Vegas the games matter. As a result, trying out a guy who was the 4th string center in Europe vs playing someone who is already on the team is a poor strategy. Teams go to Vegas to work out new players, and to win.
The players want to play their games, showcase their abilities, and build their own popularity. Nate Robinson wouldn't even be in the league today if he didn't have such great summer league performances. The same could be said for Ian Clark , who is trying to hold onto his job right now.
Peter and Prodigal Punk are both going to be there reporting on the games. They will be in the press row, and not available to chat during the games. But you all should plan on hanging out before the games or after if you are going to be down there.
So, treat this as a sign up sheet of sorts.
The Jazz have some talent on their roster in Trey Burke, Dante Exum, Ian Clark, Rodney Hood, and Rudy Gobert. Mardy Collins is an actual NBA player as well. It's going to be fun to watch what the Jazz coaches do, though. Are they going to Jazz it up and play 4th and 5th string guys, or try to play their best talent now. I think that is what most Jazz fans want to see, and hope will continue through the actual NBA season as well. Don't wait to play the guys who are the best. Play them now.