SLC Dunk - Utah Jazz 2015-2016 Preseason and Training Camp news and informationOur Team Is On The Floorhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/29190/slc-redunk-fv.jpg2015-10-28T15:43:52-06:00http://www.slcdunk.com/rss/stream/92151862015-10-28T15:43:52-06:002015-10-28T15:43:52-06:00Utah Jazz Roster and Capspace 2015-2019
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<figcaption>AllThatAmar</figcaption>
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<p>A quick look at the team, and who is going to get paid.</p> <p>This is a quick and dirty breakdown of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.slcdunk.com/">Utah Jazz</a> players. It's divided into three groups: point guards, wing players, and big men. So, it's easy to follow (I hope) and charts how much each player is going to make over the next few seasons. It also shows all the non-future draft pick assets of the team, including some guys who are just never going to play for the Jazz. The "Big Three" of <span>Gordon Hayward</span>, <span>Derrick Favors</span>, and <span>Rudy Gobert</span> could all be getting a raise in the next few seasons. However, the bigger issue would be all the guys still on rookie deals, besides Gobert this also includes <span>Dante Exum</span>, <span>Rodney Hood</span>, <span>Trey Lyles</span>, and Trey Burke. Utah did luck up with the contract for <span>Raul Neto</span>, though I think they overpaid for Tibor Pleiss. Alas, the biggest question mark is going to be Trevor Booker. He's going to want to make at least his fair market value. That's going to be more than the $5 million he's making this season.</p>
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<p>Please note, this was completed AFTER the last round of team options the Jazz picked up for Burke, Gobert, Exum, and Hood. It does not include any information for <span>Phil Pressey</span> or <span>Eric Atkins</span> because ain't nobody got time for that.</p>
<p>This team is young enough to be good when the current batch of great teams are on the downswing. That's one thing the Jazz org needs to learn from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">Spurs</a>. Utah was great when there wasn't a chance for a title. We saw that as the <span>Deron Williams</span> teams ran up into the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Lakers</a> buzz-saw, and the John Stockton and Malone teams couldn't get by Michael Jordan. In three seasons I could see this core competing in the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba-finals">NBA Finals</a>. And this time, with a chance to win it.</p>
<p>Of course, that's if Dennis Lindsey can keep everyone together, and <span>Quin Snyder</span> makes everyone better.</p>
https://www.slcdunk.com/2015/10/28/9631644/utah-jazz-franchise-roster-has-youth-hunger-and-lots-of-futureAllThatAmar2015-10-23T18:07:03-06:002015-10-23T18:07:03-06:00Utah Jazz 2015 2016 Preseason Player Stats + Poll
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<figcaption>Classic John Stockton set-up dribble is classic. | Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Which Jazzman showed up the most in the preseason? Is this important, or are preseason statistics meaningless?</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.slcdunk.com/">Utah Jazz</a> wrapped up their preseason with a resounding victory over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/">Denver Nuggets</a>. Overall the team went 3-4 and, honestly, none of those games matter towards the actual team's chances of making the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba-playoffs">NBA Playoffs</a>. It's easy to dismiss the win / loss record in lieu of seeing how well the team is playing with certain units. Of course, the opposite seems to be the case with how a player performs on the court. If someone is 'blowing up' in the preseason it raises the hopes of fans and agents alike. Though, it's reasonable to use our brains sometimes (<i>sometimes guys, not <u>all the time</u></i>) and see that a sample size of play that's 150 minutes of fewer isn't a very big one. (No, this isn't a knock on the <span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/cottobr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Bryce Cotton</a></b></span> supporters who hung their hats on 150 minutes of mostly garbage time.) Our players did go out there and did produce some stats. And in our never ending hunger for Jazz basketball it would be bad of me not to go over them.</p>
<p>Thus, here are the per game statistics produced by our roster over the preseason period:</p>
<p><i>(N.B. The order is based upon my concept of a normal, healthy Jazz team)</i></p>
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<p align="center">Original preseason totals data provided by <u><b><a target="_blank" href="http://basketball.realgm.com/nba/preseason/team/Utah-Jazz/29/stats/2016/Totals/All/minutes/All/desc/1/Preseason">RealGM.com</a></b></u></p>
<p>Okay, let's get to it, but break it up by those groups.</p>
<h4>Starters:</h4>
<p>These are the players listed at 1 to 5 in the table above. The first thing is that <span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/e/exumda01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Dante Exum</a></b></span> didn't play because of his ACL injury. That leaves four players, wings <span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/haywago01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Gordon Hayward</a></b></span> and <span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/burksal01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Alec Burks</a></b></span>, and bigs <span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/f/favorde01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Derrick Favors</a></b></span> and <span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/goberru01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Rudy Gobert</a></b></span>. Alec played the most, 192.2 minutes over 7 games, while Derrick played the least, only 129.5 minutes over 5 games. Everyone else was in-between, but really only G-Time and Corner Pimp played over 150 minutes. (The Bryce Cotton line) I think we needed to see the most from Alec as he was last seen at Game 27 of 2014-15. What we did see from these four players were a collection of mixed results.</p>
<p>Rudy Gobert effectively sleepwalked parts of the preseason and woke up for a very impressive and encouraging game against the very small Denver Nuggets. He played for less than half a game on average, and finished with a 7 and 7 line. He did still score at a high completion rate (60.0 FG%), and blocked over a shot a game. His concentration seemed to be off as he went 10 for 25 from the line, that's only 40.0 FT%. The biggest knock on Rudy was that he didn't dominate. And if that's what you're docking a guy some preseason points for then it's not that big of a deal.</p>
<p>Derrick Favors was frustratingly inconsistent. Since his rookie season he would tantalize everyone watching or playing the game with this talent. There were just some plays he would make where it's like he remembered he's the most talented player on the floor. Other times he just wouldn't do the amazing thing he did the night before. So was it in the preseason. He beasted the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Los Angeles Lakers</a> and on other nights just wasn't as effective. He was very impressive though overall, just not on offense where he shot only 39.3 FG%, and on average scored 11.4 PPG off of 11.2 FGA. Favors also had trouble making his shots at the line, but that's really a common complaint from all of our starters. Not just him. Defensively Derrick was dominant.</p>
<p>Gordon Hayward is the best player on this team, and didn't need to play the big minutes to prove it. When he's on the court things settle down a bit more. That's a mark of his leadership ability and the trust his teammates have in him. Gordon really shot well from deep, but like everyone else didn't really shoot well from the free throw line, or overall. Defensively he was active and looks like he's ready to really show that he's a two-way threat. I would confidently call him one of the best small forwards in the game right now. His preseason performance (155.0 minutes) doesn't change that.</p>
<p>Alec Burks had all eyes on him, and boy, did some of our eyes really miss him! Burks played the most on the team, 27.5 MPG, and performed every minute he was on the court. He led the team in APG (3.1), was third in RPG (5.1), and fourth in PPG (12.0). He also led the team in FTA (5.4), but as is the law for our starters, really shot poorly -- only 71.1 FT%. I don't think that's an acceptable rate for a shooting guard. The other thing about Alec, as a shooting guard, is that he went 1 for 6 from downtown. So he only made 16.7 3PT%, and took only 0.9 threes a game. His drive and dish game was on point, but not his spot up shooting game. Alec is a weapon, just not a very long distance weapon right now.</p>
<p>I was okay with how this group played collectively, but not blown away.</p>
<h4>The Second String:</h4>
<p>For this group, 6 to 10, I group <span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/burketr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Trey Burke</a></b></span>, <span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/i/inglejo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Joe Ingles</a></b></span>, <span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/hoodro01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Rodney Hood</a></b></span>, <span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/booketr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Trevor Booker</a></b></span>, and <span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/witheje01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Jeff Withey</a></b></span> together. Burke and Hood both really played well, and both were about the 150 minute mark. Everyone else from this group played much less. Ingles had a game off, Booker got ejected from one, and Withey was held out of some stints in favor of gibing some of the other bigs some burn.</p>
<p>Trey, at 147.4 minutes, was more of the guy we expect. And this is part of the problem with Trey, and other guards like him. Overall, all things considered, he has talent and ability and his on court performance isn't the worst thing ever. Some nights it will be bad. Some nights it will be great. We grew up watching <b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/stockjo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">John Stockton</a></b>, and his game-by-game numbers are more consistent than the phases of the moon. It's more than just the fact that John was a Hall of Famer, it's that he was one who was reliable through thick and think. As a direct comparison, inconsistency is harder to root for. Trey was, numerically, the most impressive player for our team. He shot 50.0 FG%, 43.5 3PT%, 87.5 FT%. No one has said it because of the abject Treyphobia that exists, but those are <span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/n/nashst01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Steve Nash</a></b></span> like shooting numbers. He did that while shooting 11.3 times a game. In only 5 of the 19 seasons he played did John shoot 11.0 or more FGA per game.</p>
<p>At the risk of sounding like a Treypologist he has to get some props for that. The almost immediate call and response here is that he shot and played well LAST preseason as well, to very humble regular season results. I get that. Which again calls into play the idea of inconsistency and sample size. Trey's defense didn't look improved, but his body is. He played better with pace and was more effective in transition when passing. He didn't kill it with his assist to turn over ratio -- but neutral observers have pointed out that his turn overs were more because of aggressive play, instead of sloppiness. Those are rookie turn overs, though. And not third year pro turn overs.</p>
<p>That's a lot of Trey talk, so let's go right to Rodney Hood. Hood is good. He's not great. He may not be the second best wing on the team, but at times he looks like a starter. He may very well be the starter soon enough. He was 2nd on the team in PPG, though he didn't shoot remarkably well (42.0 FG%, 29.2 3PT%, 87.5 FT%), except at the free throw line. His play making is an asset as he finish the preseason with a better assists to turn over ratio than Hayward, and with just the same number of assists per game. Rodney just doesn't do a lot on the glass, but that could really be a product of whom else is on the floor with him.</p>
<p>Joe was on the Gordon plan where he didn't have to do much to impress. He knows his spot on this team is secure and knows that his role is clearly defined. He played some, hit a number of threes, and somehow averaged 1.0 spg in 17.7 mpg. That's impressive.</p>
<p>Less impressive to me was Trevor Booker. He is in a contract year and usually plays with energy. This time around he's using that energy to be much more physical than last year -- and last year he got into it a lot with other players. I love that toughness that he brings, but I don't want him to be pushed into recklessness. He said in locker clean-out last year that he was going to spent a lot of the summer on working on his three point shot. In the preseason he shot 25.0 3PT%, but on the super small sample size of 1 for 4 shots. I don't know if his numbers are anything that will carry on to the regular season -- a regular season he will start in street clothes thanks to the one game suspension he earned for pimp slapping <b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/hibbero01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Roy Hibbert</a></b>. Booker is essentially playing the role of the 3rd big, and auditioning for his next contract. He managed 4.0 rpg, but somehow I kinda expected more than that.</p>
<p>Jeff Withey is the bomb. He's a bigman who makes his free throws. He shot 85.7 FT% while getting to the line twice a game . . . AND . . . he blocks shots. He played 11.3 MPG and blocked more shots per game than Rudy did at 23.2 MPG. He also plays mostly mistake free basketball, not fouling much, being very effective at finishing plays (81.8 FG%), and ended up with the best assist to turn over ratio on the team at 4 to 1! He needs a good nickname as soon as possible if these numbers keep piling up. (The White <b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/e/evansje01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Jeremy Evans</a></b>?)</p>
<p>I think Burke, Hood, and Withey were impressive. Ingles didn't have to do anything, but Booker is on a season long "check me out" mode. If his individual goals go beyond the needs of the team it could be a problem. I love his intensity, it's something our team of quiet puppy dogs needs. He and Ingles really give this team some personality. I hope it rubs off on some of the other players.</p>
<h4>The Third String:</h4>
<p>It's unfair to call all of these guys "third string" players because of random situations, I could easily see three of them start during the regular season at times. <span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/n/netora01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Raul Neto</a></b></span> could be the day one starter because Dante Exum is injured. <span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/millsel01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Elijah Millsap</a></b></span> may end up being the shooting guard starter if <span>Quin Snyder</span> wants more defense and hustle out there from his 5th option on offense. And <span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/lylestr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Trey Lyles</a></b></span> could start FOR REALS if there is a shake up and injuries, though we hope neither of those things will happen. (After all, 12 different players started for the Jazz last season. It's not out of the question to see strange stuff.) These three players are joined by <span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/pleisti01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Tibor Pleiss</a></b></span> and <span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?search=Chris+Johnson&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Chris Johnson</a></b></span>.</p>
<p>I don't know if Chris is going to make this team, though some have made a strong case for him on social media. He missed one game due to the NBA's concussion protocol, but still only played in five of the seven preseason games. He clicked in at 54.4 total minutes, which is the least on the team out of everyone who hasn't been cut yet. He is, in theory, the offensive conjugate to Millsap's defense. And Chris shot 1 for 7 from deep (14.3 3PT%), 0 for 1 from the free throw line, and 6 for 16 overall (37.5 FG%). Is 50 minutes long enough to see how good a guy is at shooting? No. Is fewer than 20 shots fair? No. Has the braintrust seen this guy during the regular season last year, in practice, in summer, in summer league, in training camp, and in preseason? Yes. So whatever way they go I am confident that it's not just based on his play in the preseason. So whatever way they go I will be fine with it. Christapher is more than just a shooter. But that's the "Three" part of the three and D that could keep him in the NBA. If he makes it he will be a fourth year vet.</p>
<p>While this could be Chris' fourth year in the NBA, it's going to be Eli Millsap's second. Millsap is the oldest player on the team, but has an above average NBA skill in his on-ball defense. The preseason stats I have don't really track any of that. But he did average 1.0 spg, while looking more improved in other areas of his game. Three point shooting isn't one of them as he shot 14.3% from downtown, the same value as <span class="sbn-auto-link">Chris Johnson</span>. If two guys are missing just as badly as one another you go with the guy who is the better defender, I'd think. In this case Sap >Johnson. Millsap was also a more active passer, rebounder, and was a beast by getting to the FT line 3.4 times a game in 16.5 mpg. He shot 79.2% from there too. Good on ya, Sap!</p>
<p>Trey Lyles is a confusing player and the 19 year old deserves his own post. He played everything from small forward to center for Quin Snyder and I think it's going to be a while until we figure out what he's supposed to do on the court. I was impressed with his finishing ability (either on cuts to the basket, or on this pick and pops that <span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/k/kanteen01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Enes Kanter</a></b></span> was so good at). He doesn't have much of a back-to-the-basket game right now, but again, he's 19. There's a lot of <span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/boozeca01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Carlos Boozer</a></b></span> potential with him, but for him to really get there he's going to have to learn how to finish with his left hand, yell a lot more, and really work on his rebounding. Lyles played 15.4 mpg and finished with 1.0 rpg. I think Moni averaged at least 1.7 rpg this preseason and she didn't even have to suit up. Trey will be fine, but he's very inconsistent right now, but has a lot of nice tools.</p>
<p>Tibor is much the same way, but nearly a decade older. Both are rookies this year. It's going to be a fun year. Tibor has size that is ridiculous. In one game he plucked rebounds like they were fruit. Other times he just didn't look like he made any effort to go after the ball -- the opposite of hustle team all-star <span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/cooleja01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Jack Cooley</a></b></span>. Tibor also made his free throws, but is clearly the 6th big in this rotation that will probably be four deep.</p>
<p>And that brings us to Raul Neto. I can't express how much I love, love, love this kid. I may also be "in love" with him. He was impressive during certain stints on offense and on defense. He naturally plays the game we grew up watching, and seeing his fluid style is familiar and comforting to us. He has traditional point guard instincts and plays more like the players from the 80s and 90s than today's era. There are reasons for that, though. He's not a great scorer but he's a great distributor. He had a 3.6 to 1.0 assist to turn over ratio, and in 17.0 mpg managed to dish out 2.6 apg. He shot 41.7 3PT%, while taking 1.7 threes a game -- but he really wasn't effective enough on offense. He averaged 4.6 ppg off of 5.0 fga. That's negative efficiency despite the great three point shooting and 75.0 FT% efficiency.</p>
<p>Neto could start, and I'd be fine with that. But he wont star. Which is fine with me. I don't need more competition for his affections. If he gets too popular he'll have the time for us at this blog.</p>
<h4>The people who got cut:</h4>
<p>This is everyone else. And there's not much to say. Bryce Cotton was cut, he shot 21.1 FG%, and 0 3PT%. He did shoot a lot, the most frequently on the entire team. He shot 9.5 times a game, on that 21.1 FG%, and scored 6.5 PPG. He shot the ball once every 1.79 minutes on the floor, or once every 107.7 seconds he was in the game. For a point of direct comparison, one of the biggest gunners in the game is <b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/dantlad01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Adrian Dantley</a></b>. For his career he took one shot every 2.26 minutes played. Bryce, again, shot it once every 1.79 minutes. Bryce. What R U Doin? Bryce. Staph!</p>
<p>He also finished with 0.5 apg, which looks really bad when you shoot it 9.5 times a game and shoot only 21.2 FG%.</p>
<p><span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/grahatr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Treveon Graham</a></b></span> played 18.2 minutes. Jack Cooley played 6.5 minutes. <span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/o/obriejj01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">J.J. O'Brien</a></b></span> played 1.6 minutes. <span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jerregr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Grant Jerrett</a></b></span> was injured and could not play. And <span>E.J. Singler</span> was signed and cut before he could even be on the active roster. The only one we're going to cry about is Cooley. We've seen him a lot and like him. The Utah Jazz have seen him more though, having worked him out twice predraft, and then having him over for a free agent mini-camp, and then having him in training camp twice, and then having him play for the Idaho Stampede, and then having him play in the regular season. There are things to like about Cooley but at this stage he is a very well known product.</p>
<p>He is a great rebounder and very strong. He works very hard and can get to the line. He's also a 6'9 power forward built for 1980s basketball playing in the 2010s and he's just too short to be a banger and too immobile to chase stretch bigs as a four. Thus he played center. And thus he was even more undersized.</p>
<p>And as much as we love him, I know I do, he just can't make this version of the Jazz. His tenacity and hunger will be sorely missed, especially if we see more of 'observer mode' Tibor in games.</p>
<p>I think most of us expected these guys to be cut. I thought Bryce would have made the team, but the front office did not think like I think.</p>
<p>The roster is now down to 15 guys, and overall the preseason was a mixed bag. How much of it do you bring with you to the regular season, and how much do you just chuck out? I can't really say. For each player it's in their best interest to remember what they did well while being mindful of what needs to improve. None of our players played perfectly.</p>
<p>But if I was going to nominate a Top 5 of the preseason it would easily be (in no order):</p>
<ul>
<li>Derrick Favors</li>
<li>Trey Burke</li>
<li>Rodney Hood</li>
<li>Alec Burks</li>
<li>and Gordon Hayward</li>
</ul>
<p>And depending on what some other teams do during the regular season, you might just see that as a line-up for a 4 minute stint.</p>
https://www.slcdunk.com/research-statistics-analytics/2015/10/23/9605680/utah-jazz-2015-preseason-gordon-hayward-derrick-favors-rudy-gobert-trey-burke-alec-burks-rodney-hoodAllThatAmar2015-10-22T18:00:04-06:002015-10-22T18:00:04-06:00NBA Preseason Game 7 Thread: Nuggets @ Jazz
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/DJPT7Mj8-cR9_NPi6typFio2qNw=/0x854:2048x2219/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47500201/GettyImages-241492.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Tim DeFrisco/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p><strong>Game time</strong>: 7:00 PM MT<strong>TV</strong>: Nope<strong>Radio</strong>: 1280 AM / 97.5 FM</p> <p>So this is it, my friends. The last preseason game for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.slcdunk.com/">Utah Jazz</a> leading up to the 2015-2016 NBA Regular Season. It's almost time to take the training gloves off, but first let's look at how the team got here. The Jazz played their first two games in beautiful Hawaii, and beat the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Los Angeles Lakers</a> 90-71 and 117-114 (OT). They flew back to the continent with a 2-0 record and sights on a great season. They then proceeded to drop the next four games -- all against Western conference foes. The 101-85 loss to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/">Phoenix Suns</a> showed a lack of effort, and we blamed it on jet lag. Then they lost to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blazersedge.com/">Portland Trail Blazers</a> without <span class="sbn-auto-link"><strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/lillada01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Damian Lillard</a></strong></span>, 88-81, and we called that a lack of focus. The Blazers then won the next game 116-111 after they played their starters down the stretch and made a great come back against the Jazz 3rd and 4th stringers. We call that a lack of 'chill' from their head coach Terry Stotts. The last game, two nights ago, was yet another loss, this one 113-102 to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Oklahoma City Thunder</a>. And after a while it's not so much about what the Jazz are even lacking, but what does this team even have?</p>
<p><span>Quin Snyder</span> dropped the motivational gauntlet on his team by talking about them to the press. We'll see if they respond. They almost have to. But the whole world will see for sure if they don't perform tonight against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/">Denver Nuggets</a>.</p>
<p>Denver, on the other hand, is 4-2 and looking like an actual surprise team. Utah was proclaimed to be that team, but are now looking at a five game losing streak -- before the season even starts. That would be a downer for morale, and for our sakes they need to get a win tonight. Also for our sakes, the game isn't on TV. So I hope we get a win, even if no one is going to see how they get it.</p>
<h4>Presumed Starters: (written at 4:03 pm)</h4>
<ul> <li>PG: <span class="sbn-auto-link"><strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mudiaem01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Emmanuel Mudiay</a></strong></span> vs. <span class="sbn-auto-link"><strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/burketr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Trey Burke</a></strong></span> </li> <li>SG: <span class="sbn-auto-link"><strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/harriga01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Gary Harris</a></strong></span> vs. <span class="sbn-auto-link"><strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/burksal01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Alec Burks</a></strong></span> </li> <li>SF: <span class="sbn-auto-link"><strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gallida01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Danilo Gallinari</a></strong></span> vs. <span class="sbn-auto-link"><strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/haywago01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Gordon Hayward</a></strong></span> </li> <li>PF: <span class="sbn-auto-link"><strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/f/farieke01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Kenneth Faried</a></strong></span> vs. <span class="sbn-auto-link"><strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/f/favorde01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Derrick Favors</a></strong></span> </li> <li>C: <span class="sbn-auto-link"><strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/lauvejo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Joffrey Lauvergne</a></strong></span> vs. <span class="sbn-auto-link"><strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/goberru01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Rudy Gobert</a></strong></span> </li> </ul>
<p>I don't know if these are even going to be the starters or not. We could see <span class="sbn-auto-link"><strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/f/foyera01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Randy Foye</a></strong></span>, <span class="sbn-auto-link"><strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/chandwi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Wilson Chandler</a></strong></span>, <span class="sbn-auto-link"><strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/hicksjj01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">J.J. Hickson</a></strong></span> or your Uncle Dale in the starting line-up. I don't think Quin Snyder is going to shake things up with his starters . . . Trey Burke has been shooting well, and while we all love <span class="sbn-auto-link"><strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/n/netora01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Raul Neto</a></strong></span> . . . I don't think rocking the Trey boat will help him at this stage.</p>
<h4>Injuries:</h4>
<ul> <li> <span class="sbn-auto-link"><strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/e/exumda01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Dante Exum</a></strong></span> (UTA) -- out</li> <li> <span class="sbn-auto-link"><strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/n/nurkiju01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Jusuf Nurkic</a></strong></span> (DEN) -- out</li> <li>Randy Foye (DEN) -- didn't play last game</li> </ul>
<h4>Anything else?</h4>
<p>Remember when <strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/anderch01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Chris Andersen</a></strong>'s home was raided by Denver police in a child pornography sting? Whatever happened to that? Chris Hansen's Kickstarter was successful and To Catch A Predator lives again, and last I heard they got 10 new creeps on their first night out. Both of those things have nothing to do with the Denver Nuggets or the Utah Jazz, or the NBA for that matter. But you can watch TCAP online on YouTube tonight, but you can't watch (legally) this Jazz game. So, either way you can have an exciting night.</p>
<p> </p>
<h3>GO JAZZ GO!</h3>
<h3>AND/OR</h3>
<h3>WHY DON'T YOU HAVE A SEAT OVER THERE</h3>
https://www.slcdunk.com/2015/10/22/9600378/nba-preseason-2015-denver-nuggets-at-utah-jazz-game-threadAllThatAmar2015-10-22T15:45:42-06:002015-10-22T15:45:42-06:00NBA Preseason Game 7 Preview: Nuggets @ Jazz
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/jnQRTgInbFZECYp9KitzFw3PKSQ=/0x62:3148x2161/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47500181/usa-today-7548175.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p><strong>Game time</strong>: 7:00 PM MT<br>
<br><strong>TV</strong>: Nope<br>
<br><strong>Radio</strong>: 1280 AM / 97.5 FM</p> <p>Tonight the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.slcdunk.com/">Utah Jazz</a> (2-4) go up against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/">Denver Nuggets</a> (4-2) in the last game of the preseason for these division rivals. Between them the two have a few Northwest Division banners to their name, but in reason seasons the two actual teams 'from' the Northwest have done the most damage: the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blazersedge.com/">Portland Trail Blazers</a> and Seattle Supersonics (now the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Oklahoma City Thunder</a>). In addition to sharing a mountain range these two teams have also shared the shame of being lottery teams for a number of seasons in a row. Will that streak end for either team this season? We'll have to play 82 games that count to find out. But before that we still have to play one more that doesn't -- tonight's game. (Which isn't even on TV . . . because . . . reasons.)</p>
<p>I'd like to point out the similarities between these two clubs do not end with their geographic location and recent difficulties in the W/L column. Both have young, exciting, athletic point guards leading them in <span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/e/exumda01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Dante Exum</a></b></span> and <span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mudiaem01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Emmanuel Mudiay</a></b></span>; of course, only one of them is going to be playing this season. Furthermore, both teams have athletic and exciting bigmen. The club that's probably best at getting their point guards to manufacture points for their bigs will be the stronger side tonight.</p>
<p>Of course, that is, unless the wings from both teams decide to take matters into their own hands. <span>Quin Snyder</span> and Mike Malone both run <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">Spurs</a>-ian systems (because, duh, same coaching tree). That means ball sharing. And that means a lot of sets are wing initiated. The Jazz have an edge with <span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/haywago01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Gordon Hayward</a></b></span> (and <span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/burksal01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Alec Burks</a></b></span>) (and <span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/hoodro01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Rodney Hood</a></b></span>) over what the Nuggets bring to the table. However, Denver really knows how to make their three point attempts, which always can keep a team in a game, or keep a team out of threatening distance.</p>
<p><u><b><a target="_blank" href="http://www.slcdunk.com/utah-jazz-game-coverage/2015/10/22/9600358/denver-nuggets-utah-jazz-preseason-game-scouting">In the scouting report we got to look at</a></b></u> the Nuggets preseason numbers. And, well, they are eye opening. <span>Jameer Nelson</span> and Mudiay power their team to a number of easy baskets and assists. And while they don't 'look like' they have a star on their team right now, they have lots of legit rotation players that can really help a team win some games. In a way the Nuggets are like the Jazz yet again. Utah isn't supposed to have a star this season either, however the closest thing for both teams could be Gordon Hayward. However, like the Nuggets, the offense his coach runs is a team oriented one. He's not going to win any games without the other four guys on the court with him. And the box scores will be evidence of that.</p>
<p>Denver has always played a little faster than Utah, but our Jazz are supposed to push the pace a little more this season. Tonight's game will be fun -- you know if we could watch it -- as both teams try to find a place for themselves in the crowded Western Conference.</p>
<p>Utah should win, but will they?</p>
<p>We'll find out.</p>
<h4>Injuries:</h4>
<ul>
<li>
<span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/f/foyera01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Randy Foye</a></b></span> did not play on Sunday, with a hamstring injury. I do not know of his status for tonight</li>
<li>
<span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/n/nurkiju01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Jusuf Nurkic</a></b></span> is rehabbing his knee and will be out for a while still</li>
<li>Dante Exum is out for the season</li>
</ul>
<p>During the preseason the Nuggets also had injuries to <span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/arthuda01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Darrell Arthur</a></b></span> (right knee bone bruise), <span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/greener01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Erick Green</a></b></span> (left knee strain), and <span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/pecheol01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Oleksiy Pecherov</a></b></span> (right soleus strain, uh, I mean calf for those of us out there who are normal human beings). I expect most everyone to be in game shape for tonight, even if Mike Malone doesn't play everyone. I assume the same for Quin Snyder.</p>
<h4>Key Battleground:</h4>
<p>Free Throw line. If the Jazz are more aggressive they can get to the line on this Nuggets team that doesn't appear to have an active shotblocker right now. If they can make their free throws it could make this game much easier for the team. I feel like this free throw attempts and makes issue is going to be something I write about quite a bit this season.</p>
<h4>Marquee Match-up:</h4>
<p>Alec Burks vs. Randy Foye. Just because.</p>
<h4>Prediction:</h4>
<p>If a game is played and it's not televised does it even count? Nope. Just like all the preseason games.</p>
<p> </p>
<h4>GO JAZZ GO!</h4>
https://www.slcdunk.com/utah-jazz-game-coverage/2015/10/22/9600376/nba-preseason-2015-denver-nuggets-at-utah-jazz-game-previewAllThatAmar2015-10-22T15:22:58-06:002015-10-22T15:22:58-06:00NBA Preseason Game 7 Nuggets Scouting Report
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/3d_nYSGYBCkxcnhoYBLdy80mV-s=/0x18:2529x1704/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47500093/usa-today-8849749.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Tonight the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.slcdunk.com/">Utah Jazz</a> take on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/">Denver Nuggets</a>. The Nuggets aren't expected to make much noise this season, while the Utah Jazz are 'supposed' to be 2nd best in the division. These two regional rivals share a mountain range, but perception of the two franchises and their immediate trajectories aren't so close. Looking at the stats, though, I can't help but notice that the Nuggets aren't horrible. At the very least in the preseason they are 4-2, while the Jazz are 2-4. As a result, it's not a bad idea to investigate just who we are playing tonight. Mike Malone's club could be the greater known in the Jazz/Nuggets equation right now. And while our guys are trying to find themselves, going up against a team that is already written off should be a real measuring stick.</p>
<p>Utah is supposed to be better than Denver this season. If that's the case it would be nice to start with a win. But before the game tips off (tonight at 7 PM MT, on radio, not on TV) let's look at their team.</p>
<p> </p>
<h4>Nuggets 2015-2016 Preseason Stats:</h4>
<p>As far as I can tell the Nuggets still have 17 guys on their roster, but I'm not going to bother showing you the stats of some of those guys. The only dude here who can complain is <span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/johnsni01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Nick Johnson</a></b></span>, who has played in 5 of the 6 Denver games and is averaging 16.1 mpg through it all. Anyway, here are the 15 guys I expect to make the team . . . placed in "Amar order" which is my hypothetical idea of what's going to happen from the start of the season.</p>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="531">
<colgroup>
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 768; width: 16pt;" width="22"> <col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 4124; width: 87pt;" width="116"> <col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 512; width: 11pt;" span="2" width="14"> <col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 568; width: 12pt;" width="16"> <col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1251; width: 26pt;" width="35"> <col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 398; width: 8pt;" width="11"> <col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1166; width: 25pt;" width="33"> <col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1536; width: 32pt;" span="2" width="43"> <col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1792; width: 38pt;" width="50"> <col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 398; width: 8pt;" width="11"> <col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1109; width: 23pt;" span="2" width="31"> <col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1052; width: 22pt;" width="30"> <col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1109; width: 23pt;" width="31"> </colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 14.4pt;" height="19">
<td class="xl63" style="height: 14.4pt; width: 16pt;" align="center" height="19" width="22"></td>
<td class="xl63" style="width: 87pt;" align="center" width="116"><b>Player</b></td>
<td colspan="2" class="xl63" style="width: 22pt;" align="center" width="28"><b>Pos</b></td>
<td class="xl63" style="width: 12pt;" align="center" width="16"><b>G</b></td>
<td class="xl64" style="width: 26pt;" align="center" width="35"><b>MPG</b></td>
<td class="xl64" style="width: 8pt;" align="center" width="11"><b></b></td>
<td class="xl64" style="width: 25pt;" align="center" width="33"><b>PPG</b></td>
<td class="xl65" style="width: 32pt;" align="center" width="43"><b>FG%</b></td>
<td class="xl65" style="width: 32pt;" align="center" width="43"><b>3PT%</b></td>
<td class="xl65" style="width: 38pt;" align="center" width="50"><b>FT%</b></td>
<td class="xl65" style="width: 8pt;" align="center" width="11"><b></b></td>
<td class="xl64" style="width: 23pt;" align="center" width="31"><b>RPG</b></td>
<td class="xl64" style="width: 23pt;" align="center" width="31"><b>APG</b></td>
<td class="xl64" style="width: 22pt;" align="center" width="30"><b>SPG</b></td>
<td class="xl64" style="width: 23pt;" align="center" width="31"><b>BPG</b></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 14.4pt;" height="19">
<td class="xl63" style="height: 14.4pt;" align="center" height="19">1</td>
<td class="xl63" align="center"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mudiaem01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Emmanuel Mudiay</a></b></span></td>
<td class="xl63" style="background: #63BE7B; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">1</td>
<td class="xl63" style="background: #B1D47F; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">2</td>
<td class="xl63" align="center">5</td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #63BE7B; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">29.1</td>
<td class="xl64" align="center"><br></td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #63BE7B; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">15.0</td>
<td class="xl65" style="background: #FEE582; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">37.0%</td>
<td class="xl65" style="background: #E7E483; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">37.5%</td>
<td class="xl65" style="background: #FFEB84; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">75.0%</td>
<td class="xl65" align="center"><br></td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #FFEB84; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">3.0</td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #82C77D; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">5.4</td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #DAE182; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">1.0</td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #CBDC81; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">0.4</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 14.4pt;" height="19">
<td class="xl63" style="height: 14.4pt;" align="center" height="19">2</td>
<td class="xl63" align="center"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/f/foyera01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Randy Foye</a></b></span></td>
<td class="xl63" style="background: #B1D47F; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">2</td>
<td class="xl63" align="center"><br></td>
<td class="xl63" align="center">3</td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #FEDE81; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">18.2</td>
<td class="xl64" align="center"><br></td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #FBA275; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">4.3</td>
<td class="xl65" style="background: #FEEA83; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">38.5%</td>
<td class="xl65" style="background: #E7E483; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">37.5%</td>
<td class="xl65" align="center">--</td>
<td class="xl65" align="center"><br></td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #F97C6E; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">1.3</td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #FBB178; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">0.7</td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #FEE282; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">0.7</td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #D8E082; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">0.3</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 14.4pt;" height="19">
<td class="xl63" style="height: 14.4pt;" align="center" height="19">3</td>
<td class="xl63" align="center"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gallida01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Danilo Gallinari</a></b></span></td>
<td class="xl63" style="background: #FFEB84; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">3</td>
<td class="xl63" style="background: #FCAA78; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">4</td>
<td class="xl63" align="center">4</td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #ACD380; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">24.8</td>
<td class="xl64" align="center"><br></td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #B2D580; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">12.2</td>
<td class="xl65" style="background: #F8E984; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">40.5%</td>
<td class="xl65" style="background: #FA9773; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">11.8%</td>
<td class="xl65" style="background: #A5D17F; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">89.5%</td>
<td class="xl65" align="center"><br></td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #E5E483; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">4.0</td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #DAE182; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">2.5</td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #DAE182; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">1.0</td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #F8696B; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 14.4pt;" height="19">
<td class="xl63" style="height: 14.4pt;" align="center" height="19">4</td>
<td class="xl63" align="center"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/f/farieke01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Kenneth Faried</a></b></span></td>
<td class="xl63" style="background: #FCAA78; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">4</td>
<td class="xl63" align="center"><br></td>
<td class="xl63" align="center">5</td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #EDE683; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">20.9</td>
<td class="xl64" align="center"><br></td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #D8E082; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">10.8</td>
<td class="xl65" style="background: #C4DA81; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">53.8%</td>
<td class="xl65" align="center">--</td>
<td class="xl65" style="background: #FDCB7E; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">57.1%</td>
<td class="xl65" align="center"><br></td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #79C57D; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">8.0</td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #FBA777; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">0.6</td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #DAE182; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">1.0</td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #63BE7B; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">1.2</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 14.4pt;" height="19">
<td class="xl63" style="height: 14.4pt;" align="center" height="19">5</td>
<td class="xl63" align="center">
<b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/n/nurkiju01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Jusuf Nurkic</a></b> (INJ)</td>
<td class="xl63" style="background: #F8696B; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">5</td>
<td class="xl63" align="center"><br></td>
<td class="xl63" align="center">0</td>
<td class="xl64" align="center">--</td>
<td class="xl64" align="center"><br></td>
<td class="xl64" align="center">--</td>
<td class="xl65" align="center">--</td>
<td class="xl65" align="center">--</td>
<td class="xl65" align="center">--</td>
<td class="xl65" align="center"><br></td>
<td class="xl64" align="center">--</td>
<td class="xl64" align="center">--</td>
<td class="xl64" align="center">--</td>
<td class="xl64" align="center">--</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 14.4pt;" height="19">
<td class="xl63" style="height: 14.4pt;" align="center" height="19"><br></td>
<td class="xl63" align="center"><br></td>
<td class="xl63" align="center"><br></td>
<td class="xl63" align="center"><br></td>
<td class="xl63" align="center"><br></td>
<td class="xl64" align="center"><br></td>
<td class="xl64" align="center"><br></td>
<td class="xl64" align="center"><br></td>
<td class="xl65" align="center"><br></td>
<td class="xl65" align="center"><br></td>
<td class="xl65" align="center"><br></td>
<td class="xl65" align="center"><br></td>
<td class="xl64" align="center"><br></td>
<td class="xl64" align="center"><br></td>
<td class="xl64" align="center"><br></td>
<td class="xl64" align="center"><br></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 14.4pt;" height="19">
<td class="xl63" style="height: 14.4pt;" align="center" height="19">6</td>
<td class="xl63" align="center"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/n/nelsoja01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Jameer Nelson</a></b></span></td>
<td class="xl63" style="background: #63BE7B; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">1</td>
<td class="xl63" align="center"><br></td>
<td class="xl63" align="center">5</td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #FEEB84; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">19.9</td>
<td class="xl64" align="center"><br></td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #FFEB84; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">9.4</td>
<td class="xl65" style="background: #E8E583; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">44.7%</td>
<td class="xl65" style="background: #C2DA81; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">43.8%</td>
<td class="xl65" style="background: #FFEB84; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">75.0%</td>
<td class="xl65" align="center"><br></td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #FEDD81; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">2.8</td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #63BE7B; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">6.4</td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #F98B71; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">0.2</td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #F8696B; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 14.4pt;" height="19">
<td class="xl63" style="height: 14.4pt;" align="center" height="19">7</td>
<td class="xl63" align="center"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/harriga01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Gary Harris</a></b></span></td>
<td class="xl63" style="background: #B1D47F; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">2</td>
<td class="xl63" align="center"><br></td>
<td class="xl63" align="center">5</td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #83C87D; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">27.2</td>
<td class="xl64" align="center"><br></td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #CDDD82; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">11.2</td>
<td class="xl65" style="background: #D3DF82; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">50.0%</td>
<td class="xl65" style="background: #B1D580; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">46.7%</td>
<td class="xl65" style="background: #B1D580; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">87.5%</td>
<td class="xl65" align="center"><br></td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #FCB77A; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">2.2</td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #FDD17F; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">1.0</td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #63BE7B; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">1.8</td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #F8696B; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 14.4pt;" height="19">
<td class="xl63" style="height: 14.4pt;" align="center" height="19">8</td>
<td class="xl63" align="center"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/chandwi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Wilson Chandler</a></b></span></td>
<td class="xl63" style="background: #FFEB84; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">3</td>
<td class="xl63" align="center"><br></td>
<td class="xl63" align="center">5</td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #8DCB7E; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">26.6</td>
<td class="xl64" align="center"><br></td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #FAEA84; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">9.6</td>
<td class="xl65" style="background: #FFEB84; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">38.6%</td>
<td class="xl65" style="background: #FEE282; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">31.2%</td>
<td class="xl65" style="background: #FCC47C; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">52.9%</td>
<td class="xl65" align="center"><br></td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #7EC67D; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">7.8</td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #D1DE82; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">2.8</td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #81C77D; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">1.6</td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #B1D580; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">0.6</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 14.4pt;" height="19">
<td class="xl63" style="height: 14.4pt;" align="center" height="19">9</td>
<td class="xl63" align="center"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/arthuda01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Darrell Arthur</a></b></span></td>
<td class="xl63" style="background: #FCAA78; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">4</td>
<td class="xl63" style="background: #F8696B; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">5</td>
<td class="xl63" align="center">1</td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #FCC17C; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">14.4</td>
<td class="xl64" align="center"><br></td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #FDC87D; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">7.0</td>
<td class="xl65" style="background: #FED980; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">33.3%</td>
<td class="xl65" style="background: #F8696B; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">0.0%</td>
<td class="xl65" style="background: #FFEB84; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">75.0%</td>
<td class="xl65" align="center"><br></td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #E5E483; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">4.0</td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #F8696B; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">0.0</td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #F8696B; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">0.0</td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #F8696B; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 14.4pt;" height="19">
<td class="xl63" style="height: 14.4pt;" align="center" height="19">10</td>
<td class="xl63" align="center"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/hicksjj01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">J.J. Hickson</a></b></span></td>
<td class="xl63" style="background: #FCAA78; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">4</td>
<td class="xl63" style="background: #F8696B; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">5</td>
<td class="xl63" align="center">3</td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #FA9E75; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">9.8</td>
<td class="xl64" align="center"><br></td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #F98570; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">2.3</td>
<td class="xl65" style="background: #F98A71; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">10.0%</td>
<td class="xl65" align="center">--</td>
<td class="xl65" style="background: #FDD57F; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">62.5%</td>
<td class="xl65" align="center"><br></td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #FFEB84; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">3.0</td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #F8696B; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">0.0</td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #F8696B; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">0.0</td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #F8696B; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 14.4pt;" height="19">
<td class="xl63" style="height: 14.4pt;" align="center" height="19"><br></td>
<td class="xl63" align="center"><br></td>
<td class="xl63" align="center"><br></td>
<td class="xl63" align="center"><br></td>
<td class="xl63" align="center"><br></td>
<td class="xl64" align="center"><br></td>
<td class="xl64" align="center"><br></td>
<td class="xl64" align="center"><br></td>
<td class="xl65" align="center"><br></td>
<td class="xl65" align="center"><br></td>
<td class="xl65" align="center"><br></td>
<td class="xl65" align="center"><br></td>
<td class="xl64" align="center"><br></td>
<td class="xl64" align="center"><br></td>
<td class="xl64" align="center"><br></td>
<td class="xl64" align="center"><br></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 14.4pt;" height="19">
<td class="xl63" style="height: 14.4pt;" align="center" height="19">11</td>
<td class="xl63" align="center"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/greener01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Erick Green</a></b></span></td>
<td class="xl63" style="background: #63BE7B; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">1</td>
<td class="xl63" align="center"><br></td>
<td class="xl63" align="center">4</td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #FDC87D; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">15.3</td>
<td class="xl64" align="center"><br></td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #FCBD7B; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">6.2</td>
<td class="xl65" style="background: #F6E984; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">40.9%</td>
<td class="xl65" style="background: #63BE7B; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">60.0%</td>
<td class="xl65" style="background: #FEDC81; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">66.7%</td>
<td class="xl65" align="center"><br></td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #F8696B; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">1.0</td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #F8E984; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">1.5</td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #FCBF7B; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">0.5</td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #F8696B; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 14.4pt;" height="19">
<td class="xl63" style="height: 14.4pt;" align="center" height="19">12</td>
<td class="xl63" align="center"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bartowi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Will Barton</a></b></span></td>
<td class="xl63" style="background: #B1D47F; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">2</td>
<td class="xl63" align="center"><br></td>
<td class="xl63" align="center">6</td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #99CE7F; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">25.9</td>
<td class="xl64" align="center"><br></td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #E6E483; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">10.3</td>
<td class="xl65" style="background: #EEE683; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">43.1%</td>
<td class="xl65" style="background: #FEDE81; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">30.0%</td>
<td class="xl65" style="background: #FCBD7B; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">48.9%</td>
<td class="xl65" align="center"><br></td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #A7D27F; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">6.3</td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #EFE784; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">1.8</td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #BDD881; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">1.2</td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #BED981; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">0.5</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 14.4pt;" height="19">
<td class="xl63" style="height: 14.4pt;" align="center" height="19">13</td>
<td class="xl63" align="center"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/millemi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Mike Miller</a></b></span></td>
<td class="xl63" style="background: #B1D47F; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">2</td>
<td class="xl63" style="background: #FFEB84; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">3</td>
<td class="xl63" align="center">2</td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #FDCB7D; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">15.7</td>
<td class="xl64" align="center"><br></td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #FBA576; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">4.5</td>
<td class="xl65" style="background: #FED980; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">33.3%</td>
<td class="xl65" style="background: #FFEB84; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">33.3%</td>
<td class="xl65" align="center">--</td>
<td class="xl65" align="center"><br></td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #FFEB84; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">3.0</td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #DAE182; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">2.5</td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #FCBF7B; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">0.5</td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #F8696B; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 14.4pt;" height="19">
<td class="xl63" style="height: 14.4pt;" align="center" height="19">14</td>
<td class="xl63" align="center"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jokicni01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Nikola Jokic</a></b></span></td>
<td class="xl63" style="background: #FCAA78; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">4</td>
<td class="xl63" align="center"><br></td>
<td class="xl63" align="center">6</td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #FFEB84; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">19.8</td>
<td class="xl64" align="center"><br></td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #BDD881; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">11.8</td>
<td class="xl65" style="background: #63BE7B; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">78.4%</td>
<td class="xl65" style="background: #FFEB84; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">33.3%</td>
<td class="xl65" style="background: #FFEB84; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">75.0%</td>
<td class="xl65" align="center"><br></td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #D2DE82; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">4.7</td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #F98871; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">0.3</td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #DAE182; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">1.0</td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #A4D17F; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">0.7</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 14.4pt;" height="19">
<td class="xl63" style="height: 14.4pt;" align="center" height="19">15</td>
<td class="xl63" align="center"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/lauvejo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Joffrey Lauvergne</a></b></span></td>
<td class="xl63" style="background: #F8696B; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">5</td>
<td class="xl63" align="center"></td>
<td class="xl63" align="center">6</td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #A5D17F; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">25.2</td>
<td class="xl64" align="center"></td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #93CC7E; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">13.3</td>
<td class="xl65" style="background: #AED480; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">59.3%</td>
<td class="xl65" style="background: #9ECF7F; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">50.0%</td>
<td class="xl65" style="background: #D9E082; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">81.2%</td>
<td class="xl65" align="center"></td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #63BE7B; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">8.8</td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #FA9D75; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">0.5</td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #F8E984; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">0.8</td>
<td class="xl64" style="background: #F8696B; mso-pattern: black none;" align="center">0.0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<p>You may remember Erick Green as the dude we got <span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/goberru01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Rudy Gobert</a></b></span> for . . . but jokes aside, their point guard play is vastly superior in on court production than what the Jazz are getting from <span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/burketr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Trey Burke</a></b></span> and <b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/n/netora01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Raul Neto</a></b>. Mudiay is a guy on the attack and while he's not killing it, he has shown shooting range that no one anticipated. Also, he's taking about three shots from three point range a game. Jameer is steady at what he does and isn't prone to making mistakes at this stage of his career.</p>
<p>On the wings we're seeing a lot of good stuff from MSU's Gary Harris. He obviously has more upside than Randy Foye, but from what I know about Randy Foye is that <u><b><a target="_blank" href="https://youtu.be/VdJZnSO2szk?t=1m35s">he's amazing and should always start no matter what</a></b></u>. I do hope that Harris does get the start for Denver, for obvious reasons. Danilo and Wilson are both versatile and are legit NBA players who will pose a great test to 2nd year players <span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/hoodro01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Rodney Hood</a></b></span>, <span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/i/inglejo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Joe Ingles</a></b></span>, and <b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/millsel01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Elijah Millsap</a></b>. So Denver isn't horrible at the wing either . . . they even have Mike Miller out of mothballs while Will Barton has been balling this preseason.</p>
<p>Inside is where things get dicey. During the season I expect to see much more of Faried and Hickson, especially with Nurkic out till "maybe November-ish". Their international crew is playing well for them, with both Jokic and Lauvergne both making almost every single shot they take, while hitting the glass.</p>
<p>Denver isn't supposed to make the playoffs this season, but I don't think they're just going to roll over for Utah either.</p>
<p>Tonight is the last preseason game for both squads, and we may see teams try out more normative rotations, while still making sure no one gets hurt. It would have been nice to see Mudiay go up against <span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/e/exumda01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Dante Exum</a></b></span>, but they will have to wait until next season. In this last game of the preseason we're going to need to see a pulse from the Jazz. The Nuggets may just be the system shock to get them started again.</p>
https://www.slcdunk.com/utah-jazz-game-coverage/2015/10/22/9600358/denver-nuggets-utah-jazz-preseason-game-scoutingAllThatAmar2015-10-20T17:49:13-06:002015-10-20T17:49:13-06:00NBA Preseason Game 6 Thread: Thunder @ Jazz
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/2qVA5NUJ-Sy9_SK9XUVWRbDObXU=/0x1020:2304x2556/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47477170/GettyImages-72494484.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p><strong>Gametime</strong>: 7:00 PM MT<strong>TV</strong>: ROOT Sports<strong>RADIO</strong>: 1280 AM / 97.5 FM</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.slcdunk.com/">Utah Jazz</a> (2-3) host the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Oklahoma City Thunder</a> (4-1) tonight in just their second home game of the preseason. It's going to be an interesting game for both teams as they gear up for final cuts and try to regroup from summer mode into work mode. The season start is right around the corner and from the games we've seen both teams do float a bit. Jazz fans have seen a whole lot more floating because, well, head coach <span>Quin Snyder</span> has been more than content to rest his main guys and go out there with fringe players hoping to catch a contract with some other team, probably in some other league. I think the Thunder and their rookie head coach <strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/donovbi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Billy Donovan</a></strong> has done a bit of that, but if you look at the top minutes gainers for both teams you get some interesting match-ups:</p>
<p><strong>Top 10 OKC Players</strong>: <span class="sbn-auto-link"><strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/waitedi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Dion Waiters</a></strong></span> (106.0 mins), <span class="sbn-auto-link"><strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/roberan03.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Andre Roberson</a></strong></span> (103.8), <span class="sbn-auto-link"><strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/duranke01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Kevin Durant</a></strong></span> (95.4), <span class="sbn-auto-link"><strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/augusdj01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">D.J. Augustin</a></strong></span> (94.3), <span class="sbn-auto-link"><strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/i/ibakase01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Serge Ibaka</a></strong></span> (93.1), <span class="sbn-auto-link"><strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/adamsst01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Steven Adams</a></strong></span> (92.5), <span class="sbn-auto-link"><strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/k/kanteen01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Enes Kanter</a></strong></span> (91.9), <span class="sbn-auto-link"><strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/westbru01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Russell Westbrook</a></strong></span> (90.6), <span class="sbn-auto-link"><strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/morroan01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Anthony Morrow</a></strong></span> (89.7), and <span class="sbn-auto-link"><strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/collini01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Nick Collison</a></strong></span> (71.3).</p>
<p><strong>Top 10 UTA Players</strong>: <span class="sbn-auto-link"><strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/burksal01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Alec Burks</a></strong></span> (134.8 mins), <span class="sbn-auto-link"><strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/hoodro01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Rodney Hood</a></strong></span> (117.5), <span class="sbn-auto-link"><strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/haywago01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Gordon Hayward</a></strong></span> (105.2), <span class="sbn-auto-link"><strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/burketr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Trey Burke</a></strong></span> (93.7), <span class="sbn-auto-link"><strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/millsel01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Elijah Millsap</a></strong></span> (89.7), <span class="sbn-auto-link"><strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/booketr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Trevor Booker</a></strong></span> (83.5), <span class="sbn-auto-link"><strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/n/netora01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Raul Neto</a></strong></span> (82.7), <span class="sbn-auto-link"><strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/f/favorde01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Derrick Favors</a></strong></span> (80.7), <span class="sbn-auto-link"><strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/goberru01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Rudy Gobert</a></strong></span> (77.5), and <span class="sbn-auto-link"><strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/lylestr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Trey Lyles</a></strong></span> (77.0).</p>
<p>What's the difference? Well, for one, Burks and Hood are 'hongrey' for minutes this year and getting them in the preseason. Durant and Westbrook are playing minutes, but are being held back a bit. No one is being keep under wraps as much as Gobert has been though. But the big point here is that <span class="sbn-auto-link"><strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/i/inglejo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Joe Ingles</a></strong></span> isn't even in the Top 10 for minutes so far -- and thus the preseason means nothing. (This is essentially the Chewbacca Defense, but called the Joe Ingles preseason minutes defense.)</p>
<p>For those who aren't familiar . . .</p>
<p align="center"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xwdba9C2G14" frameborder="0" height="315" width="420"></iframe><br>This.<br><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/clKi92j6eLE" frameborder="0" height="315" width="420"></iframe><br>This.<br><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/b-1pmmajr2Q" frameborder="0" height="315" width="420"></iframe><br>And possibly this.</p>
<p>Anyway, the preseason means nothing . . . except when we win games. And hopefully the Jazz return to .500 with a win tonight. The Thunder are going to be resting Kanter, Augustin, and <span class="sbn-auto-link"><strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mcgarmi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Mitch McGary</a></strong></span> are all out tonight. Everyone for the Jazz, save for <span class="sbn-auto-link"><strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/e/exumda01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Dante Exum</a></strong></span>, will be ready to play for the Jazz. I expect to see strong first and third quarters, and as for the fourth (and overtime?) I'll expect Snyder to let caution take over, and bench everyone.</p>
<h4>GO JAZZ GO!</h4>
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<h5 class="poll-title">Who is going to win tonight?</h5>
<div id="poll_container_323458_118407132" class="poll_container">
<div class="poll_option clearfix">
<div class="poll_option_percentage" style="display:none">48%</div>
<div class="poll_option_result">
<h5>The Utah Jazz</h5>
<div class="poll_option_bar"><span class="vote_count">29</span> votes</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="poll_option clearfix">
<div class="poll_option_percentage" style="display:none">52%</div>
<div class="poll_option_result">
<h5>The Oklahoma City Thunder</h5>
<div class="poll_option_bar"><span class="vote_count">32</span> votes</div>
</div>
</div>
<p class="poll-total-votes"><strong>61</strong> votes
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https://www.slcdunk.com/2015/10/20/9578913/nba-preseason-2015-utah-jazz-vs-oklahoma-city-thunder-game-threadAllThatAmar2015-10-20T17:15:41-06:002015-10-20T17:15:41-06:00NBA Preseason Game 6 Preview: Thunder @ Jazz
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/0pLdtMhkUtMD9zzXQad2cB0Zte4=/0x185:1573x1234/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47477124/GettyImages-226858.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p><strong>Gametime</strong>: 7:00 PM MT<br>
<br><strong>TV</strong>: ROOT Sports<br>
<br><strong>RADIO</strong>: 1280 AM / 97.5 FM</p> <p>Tonight the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.slcdunk.com/">Utah Jazz</a> (2-3) face off against the <strike>Seattle Supersonics</strike> <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Oklahoma City Thunder</a> (4-1) in the good guys' penultimate preseason game. I'm going to be pretty specific here, I don't think the preseason matters as much as how well the team is playing after the All-Star break. At that make or break period of the season you're there to work, and either you're putting in the work on the court, or you're looking at the lotto. Furthermore, preseason success is as useful as replacing your digital clock from your microwave and replacing it with a barometer. It's nice. I see you did something. I don't know if it is something good or meaningful in any way. But you did it. So hooray for you. Also, it's no replacement for grilling something up over an open fire like a caveman. We here in Jazzland like that unsubtle caveman stuff. Our players go hard in the paint. We fans like hard screens. And we've had two and a half generations growing up on playoff basketball in Utah.</p>
<p>What do the Thunder like? You know, besides stealing legendary NBA Franchises?</p>
<p>Apparently they like playoff basketball and defense too. Which probably explains why <i>persona non grata</i> <span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/k/kanteen01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Enes Kanter</a></b></span> is sitting this game out, and as a benefit of not being active, is beyond the reach of media availability. (Missing piece of info: Kanter doesn't play defense, and defense is a key component of playoff basketball.)</p>
<p>The Thunder are expected to mop the floor with the rest of the North West division (not the kid related to Kim Kardashian). The Jazz may have something to say about that. As a result . . . I would expect this game to be one of those "no chill" preseason games. It's a pointless game that has no bearing on the regular season, but still could be one predicated by needless physicality and intensity. So, basically like any good Jazz / Sonics game should be.</p>
<p>They will be powered by <span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/duranke01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Kevin Durant</a></b></span> and <span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/westbru01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Russell Westbrook</a></b></span>, while <span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/adamsst01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Steven Adams</a></b></span>, <span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/i/ibakase01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Serge Ibaka</a></b></span>, <span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/collini01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Nick Collison</a></b></span> and company make sure they have enough beef to go around inside. The Thunder will be playing without Kanter (rest), D.J. AUgustin (rest), and <span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mcgarmi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Mitch McGary</a></b></span> (Concussion).They will still have DIon Waiters, <span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/singlky01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Kyle Singler</a></b></span>, and <span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/morroan01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Anthony Morrow</a></b></span> for our guards to chase around. Should be fun, hope <span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/n/novakst01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Steve Novak</a></b></span> gets some burn.</p>
<p>I expect the Jazz to be at "full strength" (no <span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/e/exumda01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Dante Exum</a></b></span>, but everyone else). <span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/burketr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Trey Burke</a></b></span> will get a chance to see if his shot shooting was just a fluke while <span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/haywago01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Gordon Hayward</a></b></span>, <span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/f/favorde01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Derrick Favors</a></b></span>, and <span class="sbn-auto-link"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/goberru01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Rudy Gobert</a></b></span> probably inch their way up to about 30 minutes.</p>
<p>Personally I would have rather had seen Enes Kanter out there. But we'll see him soon enough.</p>
<h4>GO JAZZ GO!</h4>
https://www.slcdunk.com/utah-jazz-game-coverage/2015/10/20/9578869/nba-preseason-2015-utah-jazz-vs-oklahoma-city-thunder-game-previewAllThatAmar2015-10-18T18:00:02-06:002015-10-18T18:00:02-06:00NBA Preseason Game 5 Game Thread: Jazz @ Blazers
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ivLBvO9owc4tDw14LsLlR0Hqp2o=/82x0:3118x2024/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47461532/usa-today-8856995.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Catch Tonight's game on NBA TV at 7:00 PM MT! Or on the radio at 1280 The Zone!</p> <p>I don't know how important preseason games are. Sure, you don't win the title if you are killing teams right now. But by the same token, if your team looks like garbage there's no automatic switch to flip that ensures a smooth start to the regular season. In Hawaii the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.slcdunk.com/">Utah Jazz</a> (2-2) looked defensively sound and ready to grind teams up. After returning from paradise the team has fallen back to earth and dropped two games to Western Conference foes the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/">Phoenix Suns</a> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blazersedge.com/">Portland Trail Blazers</a>. That last game, their first at home, was a downer as Portland (2-2) was playing without their best player <span class="sbn-auto-link"><strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/lillada01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Damian Lillard</a></strong></span>. Lillard has vowed to play tonight, and the Jazz are resting their big three of <span class="sbn-auto-link"><strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/haywago01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Gordon Hayward</a></strong></span>, <span class="sbn-auto-link"><strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/f/favorde01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Derrick Favors</a></strong></span>, and <span class="sbn-auto-link"><strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/goberru01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Rudy Gobert</a></strong></span>.</p>
<p>By the laws of irony alone Utah should win, right?</p>
<p>We'll have to see what happens on the court. The Blazers will still be without starting shooting guard <span class="sbn-auto-link"><strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?search=Gerald+Henderson&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Gerald Henderson</a></strong></span>, and bigman <strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/alexacl01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Cliff Alexander</a></strong>. But otherwise they are ready for action. The Jazz will be playing without four of the five starters from last season as Hayward is out with a low back contusion, <span class="sbn-auto-link"><strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/e/exumda01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Dante Exum</a></strong></span> is still out for the season, and Favors and Gobert are out for rest.</p>
<p>What could a starting line-up look like tonight? (N.B. These are not the official starters, I am writing this hours before the game starts)</p>
<ul> <li>PG: <span class="sbn-auto-link"><strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/burketr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Trey Burke</a></strong></span> vs. Damian Lillard</li> <li>SG: <span class="sbn-auto-link"><strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/burksal01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Alec Burks</a></strong></span> vs. <span class="sbn-auto-link"><strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mccolcj01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">C.J. McCollum</a></strong></span> </li> <li>SF: <span class="sbn-auto-link"><strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/hoodro01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Rodney Hood</a></strong></span> vs. <span class="sbn-auto-link"><strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/aminual01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Al-Farouq Aminu</a></strong></span> </li> <li>PF: <span class="sbn-auto-link"><strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/booketr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Trevor Booker</a></strong></span> vs. <span class="sbn-auto-link"><strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/leoname01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Meyers Leonard</a></strong></span> </li> <li>C: <span class="sbn-auto-link"><strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/pleisti01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Tibor Pleiss</a></strong></span> vs. <span class="sbn-auto-link"><strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/plumlma01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Mason Plumlee</a></strong></span> </li> </ul>
<p>In the last game the Jazz were having increasing difficulty on defense against mobile or orbital bigmen -- guys who didn't need to be in the paint to be in the play. Will Booker (or <span class="sbn-auto-link"><strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/lylestr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Trey Lyles</a></strong></span>) tagged up with Pleiss (and <span class="sbn-auto-link"><strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/witheje01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Jeff Withey</a></strong></span>) do a better job? Or will the Jazz have to somehow shoe-horn <span class="sbn-auto-link"><strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/i/inglejo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Joe Ingles</a></strong></span> as a Euro-four during stretches? Also, in somewhat related news, why didn't Dennis Lindsey give <span class="sbn-auto-link"><strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/k/kirilan01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com">Andrei Kirilenko</a></strong></span> a call back in July?</p>
<p>I know, too soon.</p>
<h4>GO JAZZ GO!</h4>
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<h5 class="poll-title">Who is going to win tonight?</h5>
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<div class="poll_option_percentage" style="display:none">39%</div>
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<h5>The Utah Jazz (2-2)</h5>
<div class="poll_option_bar"><span class="vote_count">26</span> votes</div>
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<div class="poll_option_percentage" style="display:none">61%</div>
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<h5>The Portland Trail Blazers (2-2)</h5>
<div class="poll_option_bar"><span class="vote_count">41</span> votes</div>
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<p class="poll-total-votes"><strong>67</strong> votes
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