Deseret News | Utah Jazz: Suton playing hard to earn roster spot

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Utah Jazz: Suton playing hard to earn roster spot

Suton needs some time | 8:53 a.m. July 8, 2009

to get a better feel for the game at this level. He does not know most of the plays well enough to run on instinct. He is still thinking about what to do. That makes him look slower than he is.

By the time the summer league ends Suton will be playing better as he knows the plays better.

He has potential as a back up C with the Jazz. He can run the same plays as Okur. I am not sure if he will be an effective PF. However, KK2 could play PF with Suton at back up C on the second team.

He has some good low post moves. Needs to improve his elevation and quickness. He does play hard and his defense is good given the very fast players he is guarding. He has good fundamentals.

The Jazz should sign Josh or someone like him. Kruger would be okay as a 3rd PG. Suton can go to Europe for a year if necessary, the Jazz will own his rights. The Jazz need cheap bench players with talent while they work out the luxury tax issues.

Miles | 9:07 a.m. July 8, 2009

Kruger could be had cheap at the PG position. He knows the game as well as anyone. He can shoot and pass. Problem is he can't defend.

Basketballogy | 9:55 a.m. July 8, 2009

Miles, you made some good observations.

Kruger has a lot of heart, really knows the game, can get very hot as a shooter, but defensively struggles to defend very quick guards. He seems to do well guarding larger guards, but not so much the quick ones. With the Utah Flash, they often had to use Andre Ingram or an NBA assignee to cover point guard defense and let Kruger cover the opposing shooting guard.

It would be WAY cool to see Kevin in the NBA too. And Ingram too for that matter.

Comments continue below

Kruger | 9:56 a.m. July 8, 2009

I watched Kruger play for the Flash.
He reminded me of Stockton. Not because of his greatness, but because when he was out of the game, the Flash suffered. He would be a solid backup and he can nail the 3.

Adam | 10:09 a.m. July 8, 2009

I think there is a good chance that you see Kruger as back up PG #3 on the jazz roster. He would take a smaller contract than Ronnie Price.

todd from santa ana | 11:02 a.m. July 8, 2009

How long have I talked about Krueger?

For months

Tell me does anyone on the Jazz play defense consistently?

I want Krueger. Let him defend off guards, we only need 10-15 minutes a game from him'

Him and Korver off the bench would be awesome-

fact..

i would love | 12:27 p.m. July 8, 2009

to see Kruger too, but not for too long. I want Maynor to get most of the backup-PG minutes so he can develop quickly.
Kevin will bring toughness and grit, but the sooner that Maynor gets confident with the system, the better for the Jazz.

Anonymous | 2:10 p.m. July 8, 2009

no...no...no...please no (have I mentioned no?) - Krueger is a very good D-leaguer but he cannot run even with the 2nd team two guards in the nba, it would be a very painful 10 -15 minutes of basketball to watch. Sorry, he is a 10 day contract guy, and probably one day an exceptional college coach, but that is it.

yep | 3:14 p.m. July 8, 2009

i agree w/ anonymous, Krueger wont last in the nba hes a d leaguer b ut thats it!!!!!!!!

Shaybo | 3:26 p.m. July 8, 2009

Krueger is an average D league player.

No Surprise | 3:48 p.m. July 8, 2009

These are probably the same people who believe that Millsap, a player who can not get ANY offer in the free agent market, can replace Boozer offensively.

Clearly low basketball IQ is rampant on these message boards.

They think that because a guys works hard and overachieves that somehow means that he is better than the lazy defensive loafer named Boozer.

Not so.

Boozer demands a double team on offense. Millsap never has and quite likely never will. He is a 6'7" PF who will always be playing against guys who have innate advantage against him. HEIGHT!!!!

Millsap shows little ability to overcome scouting. Teams learn how to defend him and then he becomes far less effective offensively. Sure he can still bang, hustle, and get rebounds but if you can't demand a double team in a PG to PF offense then you can't, and never should be, the starter.

Please remove your Millsap goggles and realize while we all love Millsap for all he is that he will never be a go to guy in the clutch with the game on the line like Boozer has PROVEN he is capable of when he is healthy.

Re: No surprise? | 4:27 p.m. July 8, 2009

Have you ever heard of Charles Barkley? He wasn't the most gifted offensive player- he didn't demand a double team- he could bang, hustle, and get rebounds though, and he was maybe 6'7" on a good day... Not to mention he played the lost art of defense!

For half the Price of loozer thier is no comparison!

todd on summer league | 4:34 p.m. July 8, 2009

Big men that can play nothing like it. Hansborough 24 points, Roy Hibbert 21 Indiana crushed the Jazz 87-69. Top scorer I think was Duncan 12 points, no one else over 10

uncle_albert | 4:36 p.m. July 8, 2009

no surprise...just what games have you been watching?! Boozer is NOT a go to guy, remember the foul line extended jump shot? He hasn't made one in 3 years!

Anonymous | 4:37 p.m. July 8, 2009

Todd, you're so smart. Why can't we all have your foresight and knowledge?

Krueger is a bum
fact...

todd to amonymous | 5:55 p.m. July 8, 2009

my earlier request to you was deleted/ I asked why you feell the way about Krueger. I admit I last watched him under dad at UNLV, is he that much worse than any other player lacking defense on the job? I do not know it all I asked a questionasking for your comment but they deleted my 1st post.

Maynor has had a couple of | 8:38 p.m. July 8, 2009

semi poor days. Suton look like he needs a year in Europe. Price ran the team poorly when DWill was out so the Jazz need somebody better for a back up PG and that is not Kruger.

Boozer is not quite good enough at PF and Millsap is not as good as a healthy Boozer.

The Jazz have to go out and get the talent to compete or they have to be satisfied with over paying to get the 7th seed.

In my opinion the Jazz have not been aggressive enough in recruiting enough talent and have over paid role players and less than super stars in the name of "continuity".

Continuity with mediocre talent produces medicore results. Sloan love continuity, but it never makes up for the lack of talent.

Jolt Sloan out of his comfort zone and get some real talent at each position and also the best role players possible. The Jazz do not need "big names" they need younger cheaper talent who can grow into big names. When they get to expensive replace them.

If the Jazz get a Duncan or Kobe they can over pay them but not the role players.

re: uncle albert | 10:55 a.m. July 9, 2009

Boozer has one of the highest FG%'s on the team (combined with one of the most Points/game).

I don't like alot of things about Boozer but the facts say he can make shots. You can give all the anecdotal garbage you like but the fact is Boozer, when healthy, is one of the premier offensive PF's in the league.

Your emotional statements may get a bunch of nice guys on the team but at the end of the day I doubt they would win much if you think Millsap is better than or even close offensively to Boozer.

Charles Barkley?

Millsap is no Barkley.

Tell me the last EVER when Millsap demanded a double team? Don't waste your time looking because he doesn't demand a double team. Boozer does.

Lakers won because they have more players that demand double teams which means players get left open for good looks at the basket.

I truly do not get why basketball BASICS are so hard to understand for some of you people.

Sesame Street | 5:10 p.m. July 9, 2009

I think O'Conner should get try and get Big Bird to play for our team. He is better than any of our past centers and he can fly to the hoop very easily.

I agree... | 5:17 p.m. July 9, 2009

I can't believe someone earlier compared Paul Millsap to Charles Barkley! Size is the only similarity, but Charles was 10 times the player that Millsap is, especially offensively.

seriously | 6:27 p.m. July 10, 2009

It's Kruger btw, for all of you. Anyways, Kevin would fit in perfectly. He's been with the Utah organization for a while now (d-league team) and knows how their system works. He's one of the smartest players you can have on the court. He would be a great fit, and has a nasty 3 ball.

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