Comments about ‘Utah Jazz: Report card against Memphis Grizzlies’

Nice win for the Jazz but coaching should not get an A when Raja Bell is still starting! True, he only played 18 minutes but that is 18 minutes too many. His minutes would be better used on developing Burks and Hayward.

Was very nice to see CJ sit out. Hopefully his minutes will go to develope more consistant players. Miss watching Evans play.

One key to the game was Kanter's job on Gasol. Gasol was scoring easily against Jefferson and Favors, running around them for short hooks, getting tip-ins, and hitting mid-range jumpers. Kanter laid some wood on him and appeared to completely intimidate Gasol who never got back into rhythm after being knocked around a bit.

I don't know what Corbin was thinking after AJ fouled out. Corbin played Watson, Harris, Hayward, Howard, and Millsap. I know he wanted free throw shooters but you also have to defend and rebound. Kanter does that and can shoot free throws. Where was he?

The starting line-up is struggling. The Jazz fell behind in both the 1st and 3rd quarters with them in the game. Bell is really bad. Hayward is struggling. Harris looks disinterested. Millsap struggled until the last two games. That puts a huge burden on AJ. You can't expect to put the second unit in a double-digit hole and have them bail you out every time. Give AJ some help on the first team.

I love the rotation with the big men. AJ, Millsap, Favors, and Kanter all seem to be getting the right amount of minutes with Evans available in case of foul trouble, injury, poor play, energy infusion, or blowout.

PG rotation seems okay though I wouldn't mind seeing a few more minutes out of Tisdale. We will need him before the season is over. Harris is not the most injury-free guy in the history of the league. In fact, I think he is already hurting a little. Until Harris really steps up, reduce his minutes to 20/game and give Tisdale 6-8 minutes a game to keep him prepared for the inevitable.

I hate the rotation for the wings. Bell should be out. Howard and Hayward should get starter minutes (~30-35m/game). That will leave about 25-35 minutes for CJ and Burks to share depending on who's going well that particular night. Each of tghem can get extended minutes if Hayward or Howard need shorter minutes. Bell can be used like Evans; fouls, injuries, mop-up, etc.

Kanter and Favors continue to develop. Guard is a big problem with Watson showing a big of spunk. I believe that the Jazz are showcasing players for trades. I believe that you trade Jefferson while he has some value. It's just a matter of when the "power pups" are ready. The glaring problem is a point guard of the caliber of D-Wil before the tirade.

Jazz always fall behind because they start Bell. As long as he starts it will be the same results. Except the good teams will stay ahead. Put him and CJ on the end of the bench. The far end..

@joe5:Jazz have a player named Tinsley but no Tisdale.

My dream trade (ain't gonna happen) is:

Jazz send Jefferson, Millsap, trade exception, and 1st round draft choice to Orlando.

Orlanda sends Howard, Turkoglu (since Orlanda won't make the trade unless someone takes his salary), and a commitment from Howard to sign an extension with the Jazz.

Then I would amnesty Raja Bell.

That would leave:
- Dwight Howard, Favors, Kanter, and Evans as the bigs
- Josh Howard, Hayward, Burks, Miles, and Turkoglu at the wings
- Harris, Watson, and Tisdale at PG

That's only 12 players so I would look around for a reserve center, maybe even take another chance on Fesenko.

That leaves the Jazz with a first round draft pick in a very deep draft where they can go for the point guard of the future. Hopefully the first rounder we trade to Orlando would be the Jazz pick and we could keep the Golden State pick.

But that's just dreaming. First, I don't think KOC is even talking to Orlando even though we have tons of assets to put together a credible package. Second, I don't think Howard would agree to an extension in Utah. And third, I think Orlando is still hoping to keep Howard.

Little Andy: Sorry, good catch. I've been watching the NBA too long and have lost too many brain cells. Waymon Tisdale played a couple of decades ago and was a big, not a PG. I've been messing up Jamaal Tinsley's name ever since we picked him up. My son just laughs at me.

Why be critical. Entertaining game. Well done.

Will people please give Raja a break. He made his only 3 point attempt, had 2 rebounds and 3 assists in those 19 minutes. Sure, he is not a scoring threat anymore, but that's not what he is being asked to do. He is still providing a great defensive effort and the other players are picking up on that. Sure Alek Burks is the eventual starter, but in my opinion he will learn much more coming off the bench for right now, learning from those with more experience.

Trading millsap or jefferson at this point is stupid. The plethora of big men is awesome! When have the jazz defended this well? The only weakness is from the awful playmaker harris and washed up bell.give cj the rest of the season, he hasn't been perfect but hes not bad.

That's right. I forgot that Dwight Howard doesn't play any defense at all.

C'mon. You honestly believe the team is better off with Millsap and Jefferson than it would be with Dwight Howard? I wish you were working the front office in Orlando.

By the way, note that I said that was a dream trade. I'm not trying to pawn of Millsap and Jefferson to get Roy Hibbert. But, in my mind, any player is expendable if it improves the team to trade him.