Backup: Big-Man or Point-Guard?

[Luigi]

I see a lot of buzz about backup point guard among my fellow Jazz fans. But the way I see it, I would rather get a backup big. What are you thoughts?

[outerspacefella]

- 9 players with firm contracts: Williams, Price, Bell, Miles, Hayward, Kirilenko, Millsap, Jefferson, Okur
- 4 players with non guarantees: Gaines, Jeffers, Evans
- Camp invitee: Ryan Thompson
- There are between 4 and 6 spots to fill; Jazz most probably will fill 4 (a fifth is not out of the question if someone really caught their attention)

I think the first need is a decent backup PG or combo guard; Jazz cannot afford anymore to stall the offense 10 minutes per game.

[Bullet]

I voted center. Fes hasn't signed yet. Memo comes off of an injury. So that leaves a 6'10 PF to man the middle.

Even if Memo and Fes get on board, I still think we're pretty thin at the frontcourt. A big who can play both PF and C would be ideal.

[QuantumMacgyver]

Definitely Center. Like mentioned above we only have one center on the roster. Plus if you look at Price's +/- I believe we actually fair pretty well when he is in the game. But to be honest it's been awhile since I checked. Anyone know the actual stats on Price's +/-?

[Jazzfan Bayamon]

It all depends on what's available at the best price. For example, when discussing the possibility of Mike James at the vet. min. it was a no brainer (backup PG). But if we're talking about Smush Parker, then no, just NO. To be honest, if we do resign Fes, I don't think we need a C that much, of course, if we find someone that could really help us and at a good price, then backup C it is.

To answer the question, I'd prefer if we could get a Mike James and really believe his contribution to the team would help a LOT even when everyone is healthy, while a big would then be burried on the bench most likely when everyone is healthy. But in the end it just depends on what is available and at what price.

[babyjax13]

I think that shooting guard has been our position of need for quite a while and it still is.

[QuantumMacgyver]

I think that shooting guard has been our position of need for quite a while and it still is.

Also a very good point. SG went from being our deepest position to possibly our thinnest. In all honesty we only have one true SG on the team. Damn, it'd be so nice to have Wes and Raja... sigh.

[QuantumMacgyver]

Landing Stackhouse or Larry Hughes would be great pickups for the vet min.

[Jazzfan Bayamon]

Landing Stackhouse or Larry Hughes would be great pickups for the vet min.

+1

The only thing I sort of like about our "lack" of depth is that because CJ will undoubtly be playing more at the 2 (I think he is more of a 2 anyways), Hayward will have a preatty good chance at getting consistent PT behind AK at the 3. But if any of those were to be willing to take a min. type deal, all for it.

[d-will8]

All things being equal, I'd probably say we need a backup big man more than we need a backup pg (after all, all we really need at pg is somebody who can fill 10-12 minutes a game). All things, however, are not equal.

Whether it's Mike James, Earl Watson or somebody else, I think we could find a player in the free agent market who could at least push Price for the backup pg job. In fact, I think either of those guys would ultimately win the job. Conversely, I'm not sure there's anybody out there that we could get who could crack our frontcourt rotation (when our main guys are healthy).

I think it would be great if we could improve our frontcourt depth (especially considering that Memo might miss some time). I do think, however, that upgrading the backup pg position would help us more than would picking up another big (a la Josh Boone), although injuries to key frontcourt players could change that. Ideally, we'd be able to do both, but I'm not sure I see that happening. Unfortunately, we'll probably re-sign Fesenko, Gaines and Jeffers, sign Augustine and Evans and call it a summer.

[dalekjazz]

I think that shooting guard has been our position of need for quite a while and it still is.

I think CJ Miles may be ready to become a consistent contributer. Raja Bell adds some needed toughness and outside shooting to somewhat offset the loss of Korver. He also gives the Jazz somebody who can get under the skin of Kobe. From what I hear invitee Ryan Thompson might be another unheralded Sloan-type player in the mold of Bryon Russell, Shandon Anderson, and Wesley Matthews. Backup Center is a bigger priority.

[QuantumMacgyver]

How poetic would be to sign T-Mac and carry him into his first ever (real) post-season, after being one of the more prominent teams that prohibited him from accomplishing such a feat.

[QuantumMacgyver]

If this is the same Ryan Thompson that's been invited, then I would be very interested in the pickup.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDrekgIMAEw

[outerspacefella]

We have seen Williams playing huge minutes in blow out games with the Jazz winning by 20, and that's because coaching staff knows the offense stalls if they throw Price or Gaines out there to run the team for the last 7 or 8 minutes. That's a fact; coaches don't really trust our backup PGs to run the team, not even winning by 20.... and they certainly know better...

We need a consistent backup PG; one that can run the team night in night out for 15 minutes, that coaches trust to close the games they're winning by 18-20 points in the fourth, and that teammates trust enough to run the team in case of Williams injury.

Jazz could have won a couple games against the Lakers last postseason, but Williams exhaustion was probably the cause we didn't.

Whether it's Mike James, Earl Watson or somebody else, I think we could find a player in the free agent market who could at least push Price for the backup pg job. In fact, I think either of those guys would ultimately win the job.
Conversely, I'm not sure there's anybody out there that we could get who could crack our frontcourt rotation (when our main guys are healthy).
I think it would be great if we could improve our frontcourt depth (especially considering that Memo might miss some time). I do think, however, that upgrading the backup pg position would help us more than would picking up another big (a la Josh Boone), although injuries to key frontcourt players could change that.

Agreed, That's how I see it too.

[outerspacefella]

If this is the same Ryan Thompson that's been invited, then I would be very interested in the pickup.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDrekgIMAEw

Yeap, this is the guy, and I understand he can be considered a legit fighter for a roster spot.
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700053746/Utah-Jazz-Ryan-Thompson-to-attend-veterans-camp.html

[babyjax13]

I am pretty sure that is the brother of Jason Thompson.

[outerspacefella]

I am pretty sure that is the brother of Jason Thompson.

Indeed he is.
I don't know about defense, but after a little youtoubing it's obvious dude can use his body, his moves off the basketball seems smooth and efficient, he can finish at the rim, he can absorb contact, and his shooting mechanics appear to be correct and settled. There's probably a little real chance for him to take a quota of Matthews offensive rol... but most probably he cannot give us the best of Wesley: the dose of ref respect he won on his own defending people.

[Bullet]

Yeah, I agree. The guy has a nice stroke. Good mechanics. What I'm interested on more, though, is his defense. He'll easily fall out of favor if he can't defend. Anyone know what guy he is on the defensive end?

[carrottop12]

I think he makes the team also. The Jazz don't usually go after guys this early unless they are really interested.