Salt City Hoops

Summer of 2010: Free Agency Notes

July 22nd, 2010 by Salt City Hoops

By Brian Henderson, special to Salt City Hoops

Some news and notes on a busy free agency summer for the Jazz.

O’Connor’s Sneaky Summer Keeps Utah in the Hunt

Utah Jazz GM Kevin O’Connor has been a busy man this summer. Though most of us were afraid he was asleep at the wheel at the beginning of Free Agency Season, Jazz fans ought to be excited about his success in countering the loss of Carlos Boozer, Kyle Korver and Wesley Matthews. O’Connor has arguably made the team stronger than last year’s lineup. With the rescue of Al Jefferson from exile in Minnesota, and the return of fan favorite Raja Bell, O’Connor pulled off the impressive feat of keeping the team a viable competitor in the Western Conference for the upcoming season.

Still, the team has one glaring weakness. The Jazz need an agile and strong power forward/center to supplement Jefferson, Paul Millsap and Mehmet Okur, of whom only Jefferson can really go head-to-head with the Lakers’ two seven-footers Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum. We know Okur doesn’t like to play on the low block. While Jefferson is 6’10” he is not known as a defensive specialist. Millsap showed a tremendous ability to play above his size, especially during the playoffs this year. But at 6’8” he’s just not big enough without help. Finally, while Kyrylo Fesenko may be a nuisance to opponents in the paint (and awesome in front of a microphone), he is not agile enough to be the answer.

Combined, the Jefferson-Millsap-Okur trio (Memo Millferson?) will keep the Jazz competitive in the West, but without another true big man in the mix, they won’t conquer the Lakers. And herein lies the problem. Skilled big men—never mind seven footers—are on short supply. Since the Jazz already scooped up one of the top 3 or 4 big men in this summer’s free agent market, the pool of available talent is slim pickings at best. This leaves the Jazz with only one viable option—outwitting rivals with an undersized lineup.

If this becomes the strategy, the key is Andrei Kirilenko, as suggested by Jazz play-by-play man David Locke. He argues, and I agree, that Kirilenko needs to have the best season of his career if the team is to have a chance to win the West. If there’s such thing as a “big enough” rotation-by-committee at the 4 and 5, it must include a monster season by AK47. Let’s hope he can surprise us all.

Raja Bell over Wesley Matthews? Smart Move

Wesley Matthews earned his opportunity for a big paycheck and took it, much the same way Raja Bell did when he left the Jazz in 2005 for a big free agent contract with Phoenix. As Hot Rod used to say, “No harm, no foul.” O’Connor called his move a business decision, and it’s difficult to fault the Jazz organization for not matching Portland’s astronomical offer to Matthews. It’s amazing to think that the man who entered the league less than a year ago as an undrafted rookie and the third best player on his college team is now the highest paid sophomore in the league. And he didn’t even make the Rookie-Sophomore game during All-Star Weekend. Matthews is definitely a special player and I think most Jazz fans will continue to follow him fondly throughout his career.

In the end it’s still a business, and the Jazz upgraded and saved some money with Matthews’ departure. By almost every measure, Bell offers what Matthews does at less than a third the price. He also brings NBA finals experience to this Jazz team who need that kind of Sherpa if they’re ever going to get to the NBA Finals summit. Bell said he wanted to be the guy to put a bounty on an opponent and “lock him down” with his defense. Welcome back, Raja.

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[Infographic by Salt City Hoops contributor Chris Kirkham. You'll see a lot more from Chris in the future.]

Programming Note

July 22nd, 2010 by Salt City Hoops

My apologies for the slow summer posting. It’s all the result of a combination of real life, a move, a pending move, and a spotty internet connection in my interim location (read: a tent on BLM land. May or may not be true). Unfortunately, it all happened during one of the most interesting NBA off-seasons in recent memory and Jazz fans deserve first-rate coverage of everything going on.

So, thanks for the patience as I climb back into the saddle and serve up Jazz talk. We have some nice changes to the layout and functionality of the site that are pending, but most importantly there will be a few new voices and some great content. I’m excited to bring on some new contributors who will be introduced over the next few weeks.

Lastly, we’re looking for some hot new talent. If you are an aspiring Jazz blogger, journalist, artist, designer, historian, statistician, esthetician, musician, or surgeon and would like to have your thoughts consumed by a voracious fanbase, drop us a line with relevant links to your work and an explanation of what you bring to the table. Send your application to saltcityhoops@gmail.com with 2010 Open Tryouts in the subject line.

In the meantime, here’s a clip to whet your appetite:

Gordon Hayward to the Jazz

June 25th, 2010 by Salt City Hoops

Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE/Getty Images

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Life is good for Gordon Hayward today. Even though his pro career began with hearty booing, he became a very rich man when the Jazz took him with the 9th pick in last night’s draft. It would have been a perfectly magical evening if he didn’t have the misfortune of being the final product of more than six years of anticipation for Jazz fans.

After Isiah Thomas gifted Utah an unprotected first-round pick, many thought this pick would be parlayed into a franchise-changing player. Instead the Jazz appear to have approached the draft with a “Best Nine Year-Old Available” philosophy. That’s a little unfair, but poor Gordon Hayward really was just 14 years old when the Jazz fleeced the Knicks in 2004, and will have to prove that looking like a white elementary school student isn’t a fair predictor of basketball talent.

The vitriol from the crowd seemed to be directed toward GM Kevin O’Connor rather than strictly toward Hayward. The angry shouts from the crowd stunned the season ticket holder who announced the pick and led KOC to take the microphone and say “My hope is that you aren’t booing in two years.”

Several reporters grilled O’Connor about his “two years” comment, and he was quick to point out that he was referring to the time when Hayward’s contract will be up for renegotiation and the Jazz will have to make a decision on keeping him, rather the comment being a referendum on O’Connor’s performance as the architect of the talent on the Jazz. Nice gig, right? There aren’t many general managers in the league with the kind of job security that will allow them to make unpopular picks and have full confidence that ownership will allow them bring the player along slowly.

Apparently the Jazz tried to move up in the draft but couldn’t find any takers. By the time the 9th pick rolled around O’Connor felt like the talent was basically in “tier two” and the team was in agreement with their pick.

So now the question is whether Hayward can take his game to the pro level. I really enjoyed watching him play in the NCAA tournament, and as KOC mentioned, “Winning counts for something.” He won a state championship in high school in Indiana and led unlikely Butler to the championship game in the NCAA tournament. The way he awkwardly but unrelentingly came up with big plays and never quit throughout the tournament showed me something special. His game kind of reminds me of a young Manu Ginobili in the sense that his looks belie a competitive spirit and knack for the game. If a balding Argentine can be a dominant player in this league, a lanky tennis player could surprise us too. He’s clearly a very smart player and plays with heart and knows how to win. On those qualities alone he brings a lot to the table for the Jazz.

The other question is what this means for the future of Kyle Korver. The local heartthrob is an unrestricted free agent and it’s almost a sure thing that at least one team will throw enough money his way to lure him away. The Hayward pick could very well be jersey sales insurance if Korver moves on. O’Connor wouldn’t touch questions about Korver (and probably isn’t allowed to discuss until July 1st anyway), but the possibility remains that someone will have to pick up the slack in pink bejeweled jersey sales. If that’s the case, Hayward has a real possibility to become a legend in this state. If he plays his cards correctly and develops into a player who just wins, he could own this place.

It may not have been the most obvious pick, but it’s done and I’m looking forward to the Hayward era.

2010 NBA Draft Live Blog

June 24th, 2010 by Salt City Hoops

Photos by Jesse D Garrabrandt and Jennifer Pottheiser/NBAE/Getty Images

The NBA Christmas is finally upon us. All eyes are on Madison Square Garden in Manhattan as gifts are unwrapped. The doors open at 4:30pm for the Jazz draft party at Energy Solutions Arena tonight.

The ESPN TrueHoop Network will be hosting a special summertime Daily Dime live chat, so stop in and make some comments while you’re watching the greatest fashion show in sport.

Who’s it going to be for the Jazz tonight?

2010 TrueHoop Network Mock Draft

June 21st, 2010 by Salt City Hoops

The 2010 TrueHoop Network Mock Draft will be released on our individual sites during the rest of today, tomorrow and Wednesday. Picks are predictions, not our preferences.

First eight picks:

With the 9th pick in the 2010 TrueHoop NBA Mock Draft, selecting for the Utah Jazz, SaltCityHoops selects Xavier Henry from the University of Kansas.

On the clock:

Indiana – Paul George (Tim Donahue of Eight Points, Nine Seconds)

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Top 10 Prospective Picks in Honor of only the Second Top-10 Pick in Utah Jazz History

June 17th, 2010 by Salt City Hoops

[Editor's Note: The venerable MC Welk weighs in with an excellent prospectus on the choices facing the Jazz in the 2010 Draft.]

PLAYER	UPSIDE	DOWNSIDE	APPROACH
DeMarcus Cousins	Derrick Coleman pt. 2	The Mailman Flu pt. 2 ⁱ	Strength Coach Malone
Greg Monroe	Triple Threat in Flex O	Motor spits and starts	Jerry Tractor Tune-Up ⁱⁱ
Al-a-Freak Aminu	Versatile like AK47	Tweener like AK47 ⁱⁱⁱ	AK serves as mentor
X. Henry	Scoring wing w. “juice” ^iv	Not well-rounded	These things take time
Ed Davis	12-foot max vert. reach ^v	Passive temperament	Roll the dice and pray
Ekpe Udoh	Offense and Defense	Too skinny to board ^vi	Glad he’s 23 years-old
Patrick Patterson	Boozer part 2	Boozer part 2	Who repeats history … ^vii
Luke Babbitt	Fits the stereotype	Curse of Kirk Snyder ^viii	Pass (please), need D
Cole Aldrich	More athletic Ostertag	= Joel Pryzbilla	Take if can trade down ^ix
Gordon Hayward	Magical NCAA run ^x	Looks like BYU Cougar	Utah in the PAC-12 now

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Notes: The first three will almost definitely be off the board by #9; the last three will hopefully still be on the board after #9. Realistically the Jazz should select from Henry, Davis, Udoh and Patterson, any of whom would be palatable. If I were KOC I would roll the dice on Davis, but it’s not my money and he may be a project; moreover, Deron Williams wants to win now. Boozer and probably Korver are gone.

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Derrick Coleman was notorious for missing games in which he would be facing the rough and tumble Karl Malone.
Jerry Sloan is an avid antique tractor collector, particularly John Deere’s, on his farm in Southern Illinois.
Andrei Kirilenko has often been frustrated with his role under Sloan; however, they have both matured lately.
This is what David Thorpe says the Jazz needs; whereas, Kevin Arnovitz would like to see Monroe’s passing skills.
His measurements approach those of “can’t miss” prospect Derrick Favors: 12’+ max. vert. reach is pretty rare.
At least he was against Zoubek and the Plumlees in the NCAA Tourney. Admittedly I haven’t seen enough of him.
Everyone thought the Jazz were going to select Boozer in the draft; instead they wound up with Curtis Borchardt.
Kirk Snyder and Jay Humphries tested out as two of the best athletes in the draft (and later Ronnie Brewer) …
I like Aldrich, I really do. I just think that #9 is too high for him: 50% better than 00 is still outside the lottery.
Hayward’s Hoosiers made it through the West Regional in S.L.C. Still I fear his pro career will just rim out.

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Driven: A TrueHoop review of Larry H. Miller’s autobiography

May 26th, 2010 by Salt City Hoops

Take a minute and read the review of Larry H. Miller’s autobiography, Driven by the BlogFather, Henry Abbott. Media members were given copies of the book, written with the help of long-time Utah sportswriter and columnist Doug Robinson. I haven’t had a chance to read it, but I’m planning to get into it in the next two weeks, at which time I’ll weigh in with a few more thoughts.

I’ve long been fascinated with Larry Miller. He was a complicated man who continued to change and grow and adapt to his world until the day he died. At the same time he left an unmistakable legacy in Utah that goes far beyond the Jazz. Henry points out some of the famous scenes that made Miller infamous as an outspoken and emotional NBA owner, but also discusses the moments of growth and learning that were always so public and to me, so interesting.

Through it all, the portrait that emerges is of a man who had his moments of ugliness. He flew off the handle more than a few times. But that relentlessness of spirit saw happy endings most of the time, even in those cases.

The Denver Nuggets fans he had argued with are quoted in the book as delighted at how Miller apologized repeatedly for his actions that night, and made them his guests at a later game.

Even the “Brokeback Mountain” controversy, after more effort, achieved some resolution. Miller called a meeting with protesters which he opened by saying “I want to hear what you’re feeling. What have I done to hurt you?” I don’t know that the riddle of homophobia was solved that day, but by their words and actions, it’s clear both sides were pleased with each other’s efforts towards reconciliation. Miller seemed genuinely surprised at the hurt gay Americans feel and it affected him.

“Yes, I would do it differently,” he writes. “I would either not procure the movie and not discuss it, or, if we had booked it, go ahead and run it because we were showing worse movies than that …I wouldn’t intentionally hurt someone unnecessarily. Even my own secretary was upset. I regret that I caused people pain or made like more difficult for them.”

Let me know what you thought of the book and your opinions on LHM’s legacy.

Mock Draft Extravaganza

May 26th, 2010 by Salt City Hoops

Ok kids, today we have a little treat for those of you who can’t get enough NBA Draft prognosis. I’ll be jumping in on a Mock Draft hosted by UtahJazz.com and featuring Basketball John (@slcdunk) from slcdunk.com, Ben Bagley (@benbags) from 1320 KFAN, and Jared Conger (@utah_jazz) representing UtahJazz.com. Stop in at 1:00pm MDT today and leave your thoughts.

(I may be a few minutes late, so do your best to stall the rest of the panel until I can arrive. Thanks.)

<a href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php/option=com_mobile/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=3d1868894b" >MOCK DRAFT 1.0</a>

Fesenko Exit Interview

May 21st, 2010 by Salt City Hoops

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Enjoy Fesenko’s exit interview from last week. Here are a few more from the team.

The heart of a champion

May 20th, 2010 by Salt City Hoops

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I can’t stop watching this commercial for Argentina’s national team in preparation for the World Cup this summer. It’s a genius turn by the ad agency, the Buenos Aires office of Young & Rubicam for TyC Sports. Anyone who has spent any time in Argentina has heard the stories the locals tell each other about the amazing things that happen in other countries. “In the United States, you just take one step out into the street, all the cars stop for you… In Switzerland, you can keep working and still collect retirement checks… In Spain, you’re riding a bike, you use it and put it down and someone else just picks it up… In Germany, if you even throw a tiny shed of paper in the street, someone will pick it up and bring it to you and say ‘Sir, you dropped this.’”

Each story is told with a backdrop of disappointment in the home country (“This place doesn’t have rules…”) and is met with head shakes and sarcastic comparisons and explanations. “That’s Europe,” they say. “It’s cultural.”

At that moment, the scene is inverted, and the tales being told are coming from foreign lands, from awestruck messengers recounting the scenes of intimidating argentine sports culture. “Every time the team enters the field, they throw a million streams of paper in the air… It doesn’t even matter if they’re winning or losing, they sing anyway… They take a sock and roll it up and play with it in the street, I’ve never seen anything like it… The guy’s ankle was swollen to the size of my neck and the guy played anyway… If they lose, they don’t go out, they don’t go to the movies, they don’t do anything.” The fans don’t do anything? “The fans or the players.”

The familiar protests come from the incredulous listeners: “It’s cultural.” says one. The tone grows more desperate as the violin music builds to a crescendo and the messengers grow more urgent. Finally, a pleading man begs his countryman to believe the real threat he is preaching; this indomitable argentine team. “They don’t play with their feet,” he says. “They play with their heart. WITH THEIR HEART!”

“In any championship there is always one of them.”

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Following the Jazz sometimes feels like conversations at the beginning of the commercial, talking about how every other team has every advantage and does everything so much better. Better GM, richer owner, bigger market, better city. Did you know that in Miami they don’t have to pay state income tax? In New York they give you endorsement deals even when you haven’t played a game in 30 years. In LA, even the bench warmers get reality shows.

The only answer for the Jazz organization is to field a team that plays with heart. Just like the argentine street kids who make do with poor equipment and limited resources, a scrappy team can be the stuff of legends. In contrast, sitting out the most crucial game of the regular season with sore ribs clearly doesn’t indicate that something that makes sport transcendant. And it certainly disqualifies that someone from screaming “AND ONE!” after every play. Earn it.

So here’s to a team of more Wesley Matthews, more Othyus Jeffers, more Paul Millsap. Here’s to the Manu Ginobilis of the world. And here’s to unheralded (or heralded, even) rookies who want to come in and play with heart.

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[Editor's note: I removed the comment about Boozer's Maybach because I agree with the comment below, lavish lifestyle doesn't necessarily mean the player lacks heart.]