Pre-Draft Summit

[APerna]

Hey posters,

First of all, I'm sorry that your team wasn't able to make it to the WCF. I definitely identify with you, since my Pacers weren't even able to make it that far. I am looking to put together NBA Summits for each team as the Draft draws closer.

I put together a ton of these on the NFL forums heading into the draft and they were wildly successful. I hope for the same here, and I know the population of these boards will lend itself to many responses.

Editor Chris Reina and I have put together these seven questions for you all to answer, with the best answers making it into posted pieces on our main page. The only thing that I ask is that you please limit your responses to two sentences per question. Please try your best to heed that request, it makes the Summits easier to read and quicker to put together.

Thanks gang, and best of luck in the Draft.

1. What could the team have done differently to advance in the playoffs?
2. Where were the team

[fivas14]

1. Played better defense against the 3rd and 4th best players on the opposing team.
2. Moving the ball, out rebounding the other team.
3. AK47 no doubt
4. Gordan Giricek
5. As confident as I could possibly be.
6. Athletic players, shot blocking centers, driving specialists
7. I don't know who'll be there so I'll just name a my top 8 prospects that should be there. Hibbert, McGee, R. Lopez, CDR, Green, Buddinger, Jawai, Speights, B. Walker

[loserX]

Great idea, PP.

1. Consistent effort game-to-game. We have plenty of talent, but never seemed to be firing on all cylinders.
2. Point guard play, team passing.
3. Agreed with Kirilenko, especially after the previous season's nightmare.
4. I was not surprised by the struggles of anyone who struggled. Collins and Hart were just awful, and that came as no surprise to me.
5. Mostly. I'm curious to see whether the luxury tax barrier will be a team-shaking obstacle or not.
6. I don't think our biggest needs can be solved by the draft, especially as late as we're picking. If we keep the pick it'll be more about asset collection than "solving" any problems.
7. If we keep the pick, Hibbert makes the most sense of the names I've been hearing. He wants to be here and can contribute (somewhat) now.

[carrottop12]

1. What could the team have done differently to advance in the playoffs?

Shown a better team effort on defense, and found a way to get Carlos Boozer out of his funk.

2. Where were the team

[dr0welf]

1. We needed to make our shots and stop whining about the non calls.
2. Home court was our biggest strength and play of our bench at home. Deron Williams domenance was also a huge strength.
3. Ronnie Brewer did a ton better then I expected. The way he moved around screens and along the baseline to get open dunks was refreshing.
4. Most guys who were expected to perform did during the season. Carlos Boozer was surprisingly ineffective during this years playoffs.
5. KOC has done a great job so far and have faith he will continue his efforts.
6. We need to trade our draft picks for future picks. I don't feel we benefit anything this year from drafting.
7. If we did draft a player Hibbert or Lopez look decent at the area we draft.

[jazzarenumber1]

1. What could the team have done differently to advance in the playoffs?
-play consistent and not have to work up hill
2. Where were the team

[Neon Black]

1. What could the team have done differently to advance in the playoffs?
Had more consistency, which stems from solid defense.

2. Where were the team

[JStockLivesOn]

1. What could the team have done differently to advance in the playoffs?

If we had played smarter defense with crisper rotations, we certainly could have beaten the Lakers.

2. Where were the team

[JDubJazz]

1. What could the team have done differently to advance in the playoffs?
2. Where were the team

[bleu]

1. What could the team have done differently to advance in the playoffs?

Not even hard. If someone would have shot Carlos Boozer right in the head we'd be playin Boston right now instead of LA.

2. Where were the team

[GP]

1. What could the team have done differently to advance in the playoffs?

Shown a better team effort on defense, and found a way to get Carlos Boozer out of his funk.

2. Where were the team

[bsutefan]

1. Needed 1 man to step up besides DWill.
2. Point Guard play, FG%, Rebounding and Bench
3. Ronnie Brewer
4. The biggest disappointment would have to be Jason Hart
5. One of the best front offices in the league that understand the dynamics of Utah. They'll do what they have to do to protect our long-term success in Utah.
6. C, backup PG. Though with only 1 roster spot open and a MLE to use I don't see things staying put.
7. Hibbert is a good fit, Serge Ibaka would solve the roster problem as he could stay oversees for a while, and trading for a future 1st is always a good option.

[DelaneyRudd]

1. What could the team have done differently to advance in the playoffs?
Defensively we needed a better effort up front, especially from Boozer. Also the cold shooting from the three by Korver was a big reason they struggled against the Lakers.

2. Where were the team

[troy]

1. What could the team have done differently to advance in the playoffs?
Utah needed to play better inside defense. They let the Lakers shoot 49% from the floor and no offense can overcome that.

2. Where were the team

[Reckless]

1. What could the team have done differently to advance in the playoffs?
Played better team defense, shot the ball better, play under control more

2. Where were the team’s biggest strengths?
D-will at point is our biggest strength because of his ability to get easy looks for other players and he has become a very efficient scorer himself. Thats why we have the most efficient offense in the NBA.

3. Who had a surprisingly effective season?
Ronnie Brewer really stepped in his role and consistently gave strong efforts and was able to hold the starters spot all year long.

4. Who had a surprisingly ineffective season?
Millsap offensively wasn't as effective last season as much I would have liked.

5. How confident are you in the front office heading into the offseason?
very confident. we have a predictable front office that makes good moves most of the time

6. What are the team’s biggest needs in the draft?
Backup to Memo. Jarron Collins has to go

7. Who would you like your team to select?
Roy Hibbert is the consensus pick from the fans, it's hard to argue against it, he'd fill a role and have a immediate impact.

[APerna]

Thanks gang, it'll be up tomorrow.

[babyjax13]

I hope I am not too late.....

1. What could the team have done differently to advance in the playoffs?
The big thing here is low post defense. Boozer just lets opposing players waltz into the lane, and Okur, while he tries hard, still needs to work on his positioning.
2. Where were the team’s biggest strengths?
Offense is definantly our biggest strength. There isn't a team in the nba who has as good of an offense as the Jazz.
3. Who had a surprisingly effective season?
Ronnie Price would have to be my answer. While not a statisticaly stunning year, he definantly showed flashes of being a good backup to Deron Williams.
4. Who had a surprisingly ineffective season?
Jason Hart. His lack of energy, combined with the ugliest release on a jumper ever, as well as having little experience in a well structured offense leaves a lot to be desired.
5. How confident are you in the front office heading into the offseason?
Very Confident. KOC has made the right decisions in the draft, and he is very good at finding undiscovered talent in free agency.
6. What are the team’s biggest needs in the draft?
Fionding a big center to clog up the lane. A backup point guard wouldn't hurt either.
7. Who would you like your team to select?
23- Roy Hibbert- his seven foot three inch frame is exactly what we need, as well as his polished game.
44- Goran Drajic- Looks to me to be a second round steal, he has good size for a point guard, and is still very young.
53- Omar Asik- Another second round steal, he has a big frame, and oodles of potential.

[Soul Patch]

1. What could the team have done differently to advance in the playoffs?
Started Millsap. He gave us a lot of production in stretches and this would have allowed us to use Boozer against their second string PF. This could have helped motivate Boozer and going against their bench PF might have helped him find his shot.

2. Where were the team’s biggest strengths?
Our offense. Everyone was on the same page for the most part, Brewer did really well moving without the ball and got tons of easy dunks. Ak worked on his jumper to help spread the floor and Boozer's and Williams chemistry is awesome.

3. Who had a surprisingly effective season?
AK, Brewer, and Miles. AK was a massive question mark after all that summer nonsense, I was amazed he came back and performed the way he did. Brewer filled our starting SG spot perfectly with his good defense and his constant movement on offense. I thought Miles was a bust last year but he won me over in the Miami game Wade won with his buzzer beater. Miles really stepped up and was the only reason the game came down to the last possesion.

4. Who had a surprisingly ineffective season?
I expected a little more from Millsap, but he's still the flyest nukka on the bloc.

5. How confident are you in the front office heading into the offseason?
Very confident.

6. What are the team’s biggest needs in the draft?
A back-up point. Price showed flashes but he doesn't run our system well and Williams had to play way to many minutes. We could also use a center, but I think Fesenko will fill that need.

7. Who would you like your team to select?
Hibbert, he has a good attitude and I don't know any PG's in the draft.