Deseret News | Utah Jazz: Almond to play for Knicks' Summer League team

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Utah Jazz: Almond to play for Knicks' Summer League team

KJ | 2:13 p.m. July 1, 2009

If a guy like Rashad McCants (no defense, spark offense) can stick in this league, you have to think a guy like Almond can as well. NY seems like a perfect fit for Almond, and I wouldn't be surprised one bit if he makes their team as a 7th-8th man scorer off the bench.

Optimism amid pessimism | 2:39 p.m. July 1, 2009

Almond will make the Knicks and average 14 pts. In three years he will become a poor man's Paul Pierce.

Fortunately for the Jazz, the Knicks will be terrible. Subsequently, the Jazz will receive a fantastic draft choice in 2010 and find their best shooting guard since Hornacek.

todd from santa ana | 2:43 p.m. July 1, 2009

this is another tragic case of sloan and his "sloanaholics" ruining this kid. I say this if he does not play defense, first of all how much defense does snoozer, Okur and others play?

This is a 2 time NCAA scoring champion (YOU ALL FORGOT THIS IT APPEARS)

In my opinion, with the right coaching and motivation, Avery for example, I have ZERO DOUBT Almond would be a player by now. Deshawn Stevenson is hardly a great pro, but it is interesting how after he left the jazz and "sloan and sloanaholics" doghouse, he became one of the Wizard best players.

If Almond becomes a player, you have one person to thank----as usual......

Comments continue below

magnus | 2:55 p.m. July 1, 2009

Right Todd, Sloan ruined "this kid". Just like he ruined D-Will, and Brewer, and Millsap, and CJ, Kosta, and...What were we talking about again?

I can't think of a more perfect place for Almond than New York. But even there he is going to have to learn how to pass the ball and at least try on D, otherwise it's a career in the D-League for him.

Scoring champ? | 2:59 p.m. July 1, 2009

Todd: I suggest you're unusually harsh on Sloan. Though I agree with you that the Jazz will miss on Almond, most all players that leave the Jazz do not move on to stellar careers. Typically, they follow the path of Kirk Snyder.

I don't believe Almond ever led the nation in scoring. Are you confusing him with Millsap's thrice leading the nation in rebounding?

Huh? | 3:19 p.m. July 1, 2009

Can't seem to figure it out... Doesn't make sense... Why does the Jazz pick up these young kids then never use them? Almond I felt had some potential but was never given an opportunity. We've seen the same thing over and over. Bring them in build the hype then never see the kid given an opportunity. I bet the same thing happens with this years pick, Maynor.

Captain Kirk | 3:27 p.m. July 1, 2009

@ todd from santa ana | 2:43 p.m. July 1, 2009

Almond never Led the NCAA in scoring.
He WAS 3rd in his senior year.
He did lead C-USA in scoring at least one year. Maybe more.

Almond did not get much of a chance.
Maybe he never earnred it in practice or maybe we just had too many 2 guards. I don't know. But I bet there were reasons.

Aaron T | 3:36 p.m. July 1, 2009

" I bet the same thing happens with this years pick, Maynor."

Chances are that it very well could. The reason the Jazz "pick up these young kids then never use them" is because they're high-numbered draft picks, not high-impact players like lottery picks typically are. Go back through the NBA draft lists of the past 10 years and look at who was picked from #20 and up. See not only how few of these guys are still playing in the NBA, but also how many you've never heard of.

re:todd from santa anna | 4:09 p.m. July 1, 2009

You need you head examined.

Yes the entire NBA is blind and fortunately for all of us here you are sharing all you NBA expertise to help us understand that Almond is Paul Pierce?

Truly delusional.

Paul Pierce effectively guarded Kobe in last years Finals. Almond can not defend a stationary object.

How do I know? I watched SEVERAL d-league games and all his NBA appearances. He was too slow or did not bother to defend. Take your pick. Either way he is and never will be Paul Pierce.

If he was he would already be snatched up for a big contract by some NBA team. Instead though he is still trying scratch out an NBA life on a summer-league d-league type existence.

Delirious best describes your Sloan hating biased comments.

My guess is that you will not be getting a job offer as an NBA talent Scout anytime soon.

Stick with your day job.

Poor man's Paul Pierce? | 4:28 p.m. July 1, 2009

maybe a poor man's Eddie House, but he won't be compared to Paul Pierce my friend.

todd from santa ana | 4:43 p.m. July 1, 2009

i was not the post that compared him to Paul Pierce. Magnus back on his "defending sloan issues again" oh how much was Kostos used last year? jared Collins forget? Wow CJ has been utilized "so effectively"

My bad, maybe I did confuse him with Paul thinking he was 2 time scoring champion., Paul was 2 time Conference USA )like Almond Rebound champion.

Fine i take responsibility my error, but still a prolific scorer nonetheless.

todd from santa ana | 4:47 p.m. July 1, 2009

that was the post above me i did not compare him to Pierce.

RE: Optimism amid pessimism | 7:13 p.m. July 1, 2009

I think you forget that hornacek's scoring DROPPED every season he played for slaon.

and sloan NEVER ran a play for him.

RE: Magnus | 7:18 p.m. July 1, 2009

While ruining may a bit strong,

Sloan has never done thing for the many many shoot guards small forwards that the jazz have drafted or who have for played the jazz in last two decades.

right now he has never gave almond an honset chance,

he is ruining AK,

the SG and SF are after thoughts in the offense,

and Sloan has never done thing to improve game of the many many players who played for the jazz.

IF sloan had those players would been better after they left.

todd from santa ana | 7:50 p.m. July 1, 2009

Magnus, if you do not believe Ak problems with the weight, the confidence, his alleged being uspet covering for Boozer, if you truly do not believe some of this has to do with a strained relationship with Jerry, I would disagree. My problem right now is not focused on this old subject in Jerry, that people keep bringing up and I just react-but that our competition is getting better and we are not trading and signing at this point, and now we are going over the tax what difference does it make should we not try and acquire couple more players? Heck if we do we could challenge the Lakers-I knos sign and trade, it is complicated but these moves could make these teams better-first that Orlando Center for Houston, then jefferson and who know what the others will do. I loved Cowboy Joe proposals but now they are gone. We just keep "sitting"

Cowboy Joe | 8:31 p.m. July 1, 2009

The Jazz drafted Almond the bust if Sene wasn't drafted by Seatle they would have taken him over Brewer, and they were interested in the Russian. It just shows you they do not know how to draft. Same busts just different years.

Go Morris | 8:33 a.m. July 2, 2009

Maybe now you can begin to show what you can do. Given the chance to play you averaged in 31 MPG about 23 PPG.

Lets see who on the Jazz averaged that. NOBODY. Keep up the good work.

Shaybo | 3:22 p.m. July 2, 2009

Mo Almond was drafted because the Jazz needed a shooter. He was sent to the D-league where he proceeded to do exactly that, leading that league in scoring and if memory serves me Mvp or runner up. He has been a perfect example of what a team would want as a person, he sat game after game without being given a chance, without complaining and when he got those rare minutes he played and shot very well, and his defense was no worse than several other Jazz players I won't name. I think letting him go will come back to bite the Jazz in the but, he will not only make the Knicks roster but contribute and maybe even end up having an adverse effect on the draft pick the Jazz get from them. There is no denying Sloan is a good coach but he is horrible with young first and second year players.

todd to shaybo | 3:55 p.m. July 2, 2009

my point exactly shaybo and I have read your posts before and outstanding. Morris was wasted. He could have been the #2 guard and people assume and always take Sloan and his "sloanaholics" side that he was lazy etc, did not work, a bust. Prove it

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