Starting Lineup--Why No Bell

retiredcoach · Post #1 » by **retiredcoach** » Tue Jan 10, 2012 1:22 am

After watching the games thus far, the lineup I would be starting is:

Harris, Hayward, Howard, Millsap and Favors.

That lineup will get the Jazz off to their fastest start offensively. That's important because the Jazz play better when they get out the gate faster.

Watson, Bell/Burks, Miles, Jefferson, Kanter coming off the bench give the Jazz a bench that can score and play defense.

Whatever Bell brings to the first unit in defense, he's costing them more in sluggish starts. Hayward plays better from the 2 than the 3 and Howard is a quick attach threat from the 3. Favors will pass the ball out of the post (Sap won't--don't know why) and Hayward can get assists for Favors, Howard and Millsap. Harris, Howard and Hayward can and will run.

I've heard Phil Johnson say that the 2 and 3 are the same and it doesn't matter if Hayward is at the 2 or the 3, but the stats don't support it. The best scoring unit for the Jazz is the one I mentioned that should start. So moving Hayward to the 2 changes the dynamics of that group.

This was the lineup I liked coming out of training camp and still is after 8 regular season games. It's the lineup that's been the most productive, so I see Corbin's bias for Bell as a problem.

I think Bell has plenty to contribute but not as a starter. As a starter, his defensive contributions are diminished by the slow start the Jazz seem to have too often.

(I agree with Amish that starting Bell with limited minutes is at least rational and reasonable. I just have a bias toward optimal starting offense. If an opposing player is hot coming out of the box, we'll deal with it defensively and change lineups accordingly.)

babyjax13 · Post #2 » by **babyjax13** » Tue Jan 10, 2012 1:29 am

I agree completely.

Amish Mafioso · Post #3 » by **Amish Mafioso** » Tue Jan 10, 2012 1:55 am

This is one of the few times I disagree with coach. Compared to last year, our first quarters have been pretty competetive. Even in the blowout losses, we started out well for the most part. Last year we were getting hammered fairly often, even by 15-20 in the first quarter.

That doesn't mean I want Bell to start, because I don't. I just don't think our starts have been that bad.

If I had to pick my poison, I'd rather have Raja starting with limited minutes, than have him come off the bench and get more playing time overall. Just my 2 cents.

HolyToledo · Post #4 » by **HolyToledo** » Tue Jan 10, 2012 1:55 am

everyone on the board agrees with that lineup and I think you might see it next game. Howard has a couple of days to recover from his injury so i think u see it tuesday.

Amish Mafioso · Post #5 » by **Amish Mafioso** » Tue Jan 10, 2012 2:50 am

HolyToledo wrote:everyone on the board agrees with that lineup.

I don't. I want Jefferson starting. I want his trade value maximized leading up to the trade deadline. That doesn't happen by telling the rest of the league we think we're better when he's not starting. Al's either a starter, or he should be moved. Moving him to the bench and then trading him is putting the cart before the horse. Also, having a 6th man making 14 milion might be an option for a team that is set to make a run in the playoffs. It shouldn't be a consideration for a team in Utah's position. That is, either lottery or squeaking into the 8th seed.

HolyToledo · Post #6 » by **HolyToledo** » Tue Jan 10, 2012 2:57 am

i was commenting basically on Bell to the bench for Howard. Jefferson is going to start all year and likely wont be traded until the off season. We could even see Millsap move to the second unit or traded next year starting Favors with Jefferson next year. Kanter is still 2-3 seasons from being ready to be a starter.

babyjax13 · Post #7 » by **babyjax13** » Tue Jan 10, 2012 3:45 am

babyjax13 wrote:I agree completely.

I thought Jefferson was in that lineup, apparently I don't read well enough. He needs to start, Millsap is way overrated on this forum.

The59Sound · Post #8 » by **The59Sound** » Tue Jan 10, 2012 4:00 am

Millsap is a higher percentage shooter that is capable of passing the ball and doesn't grind the offense to a halt. I'll sign on to RC's proposed starting lineup; that unit has been great fun to watch.

Jazzfan12 · Post #9 » by **Jazzfan12** » Tue Jan 10, 2012 4:58 pm

That would be the best starting lineup, but I don't get why you think Millsap won't pass out of the post (when he's been passing great this year), while Favors will when he has zero assists on the season.

retiredcoach · Post #10 » by **retiredcoach** » Wed Jan 11, 2012 2:30 am

Jazzfan12 on Tue Jan 10, 2012 8:58 am
That would be the best starting lineup, but I don't get why you think Millsap won't pass out of the post (when he's been passing great this year), while Favors will when he has zero assists on the season.

Well, I've counted Millsap's and Al's passes out of the post. Al almost never passes out and Milllsap won't pass the ball to certain people like Hayward and often Bell. It's rare. He'll look at him and then pass to someone else. Several times Hayward has been open and Millsap passes off to someone else who is not open. Count them for yourself and then show me where I'm missing it.