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ESPN GameDay link:
https://www.espn.com/nba/game?gameId=401307543

ESPN Preview:
https://www.espn.com/nba/preview?gameId=401307543

Today's expected NBA lineups (all teams):
https://www.rotowire.com/basketball/nba-lineups.php

Expected Chicago/Utah lineups at time of this post (a fixed image from Rotowire):

I am surprised that Rotowire has Conley listed as expected starter this morning. The Jazz have been holding Conley out of back to backs for hamstring injury precaution.

Since losing starters Vucevic, Gordon and Fournier to trades, the Magic have surprised the Pelicans and Clippers with wins, though the Pels were playing without Zion, Ingram and Ball, and the Clips were playing without Paul George. The Jazz need to bring their normal intensity and not take the Magic for granted.

Damn...... 40 point lead in the second quarter....... Just damn.......

Hopefully Brantley and the end of the bench get some time in the second half.

Trent Forest and Illyasova put up some decent stats: 8 pts on 6 fga with 6 ast, 2 stls and 0 tovs for Forrest and 9 pts on 6 fga with 5 rebs, 2 orebs, 1 ast, 1 stl and 0 tovs for Ersan. Nice to see Ersan drain a couple of threes. With his length, Ersan is challenging to cover at the three point line.

Mitchell looked better than Damian Lillard in the first half while he confidently drained nothing but net long threes! Ingles too! Go Jazz!

Jazz number 1 in west and best overall record in league. Why isn't Spider part of the MVP talk? Q COY JC Sixth man. Rudy DPY and Mitchell MVP and Jazz NBA Champs!

ForeverRDjazz wrote:Jazz number 1 in west and best overall record in league. Why isn't Spider part of the MVP talk? Q COY JC Sixth man. Rudy DPY and Mitchell MVP and Jazz NBA Champs!

Because Rudy is much more valuable by any measure related to W. Without Gobert Jazz is (and was) at best 60% team and DM absence with Conley and Ingles healthy didn't cause any significant losses of performance. And if we are talking about jersey sthen of course DM is Utah mvp, but on that field Jazz hardly even close to the top of NBA.

vryadli wrote:

ForeverRDjazz wrote:Jazz number 1 in west and best overall record in league. Why isn't Spider part of the MVP talk? Q COY JC Sixth man. Rudy DPY and Mitchell MVP and Jazz NBA Champs!

Because Rudy is much more valuable by any measure related to W. Without Gobert Jazz is (and was) at best 60% team and DM absence with Conley and Ingles healthy didn't cause any significant losses of performance. And if we are talking about jersey sthen of course DM is Utah mvp, but on that field Jazz hardly even close to the top of NBA.

One could make the same claims about LBJ. He has AD to help add wins. Lakers didn't even make playoffs LBJ first year there. Rudy is a stud but hasn't yet become offence player that leads a team but stud on the other end protecting the rim. I believe the team with best record in league should have at least one player in the hunt for MVP. Mitchell has been over 30 points per game since all star break. Last night he'd got 30 had Magic been able to keep the game close. Speaking of close the Jazz had more 10 point wins this year than any other team. 22 and counting straight home wins this year. No love for MVP? I get it's a team sport but which player has best chance on team to win MVP? Have to be Mitchell or Rudy. I'd give very very slight edge to Mitchell. Where I believe gives Buck's star the best shot at three peat the odds on favorite again. I believe Joel Embiid has missed to many games and is load with talent around him. Loaded! And can only muster up tie for best in the east. Jazz is loaded with walk on and cast offs and second round picks. Mitchell is the highest draft pick on the team. What was 13th pick and the Jazz moved up to get that pick. Rudy was 27th pick. Joe was waived by the Clippers and Conley is about to start drawing Social Security. Royce played summer league with GSW and couldn't make the team. Don't think he was drafted. Conley was 4th pick in 2007. Long time ago. Bogey was drafted second round. Just shows you don't always need high picks to put a great time together. I'd put Mitchell in at MVP because he's the main driving force on this team this day.

Mitchell and Gobert should be in the MVP conversation....... Period......

ForeverRDjazz wrote:

vryadli wrote:

ForeverRDjazz wrote:Jazz number 1 in west and best overall record in league. Why isn't Spider part of the MVP talk? Q COY JC Sixth man. Rudy DPY and Mitchell MVP and Jazz NBA Champs!

Because Rudy is much more valuable by any measure related to W. Without Gobert Jazz is (and was) at best 60% team and DM absence with Conley and Ingles healthy didn't cause any significant losses of performance. And if we are talking about jersey sthen of course DM is Utah mvp, but on that field Jazz hardly even close to the top of NBA.

One could make the same claims about LBJ. He has AD to help add wins. Lakers didn't even make playoffs LBJ first year there. Rudy is a stud but hasn't yet become offence player that leads a team but stud on the other end protecting the rim. I believe the team with best record in league should have at least one player in the hunt for MVP. Mitchell has been over 30 points per game since all star break. Last night he'd got 30 had Magic been able to keep the game close. Speaking of close the Jazz had more 10 point wins this year than any other team. 22 and counting straight home wins this year. No love for MVP? I get it's a team sport but which player has best chance on team to win MVP? Have to be Mitchell or Rudy. I'd give very very slight edge to Mitchell. Where I believe gives Buck's star the best shot at three peat the odds on favorite again. I believe Joel Embiid has missed to many games and is load with talent around him. Loaded! And can only muster up tie for best in the east. Jazz is loaded with walk on and cast offs and second round picks. Mitchell is the highest draft pick on the team. What was 13th pick and the Jazz moved up to get that pick. Rudy was 27th pick. Joe was waived by the Clippers and Conley is about to start drawing Social Security. Royce played summer league with GSW and couldn't make the team. Don't think he was drafted. Conley was 4th pick in 2007. Long time ago. Bogey was drafted second round. Just shows you don't always need high picks to put a great time together. I'd put Mitchell in at MVP because he's the main driving force on this team this day.

You may find ONE or may be two who will make that argument about LeBron. But not many, because Lakers played quite successfully without AD and is sinking fast without Lebron. I see 4 supervaluable players in the sense that their presence makes huge difference for their team: Giannis, LeBron, Curry and Rudy. May be Jokic and Donicic. Even Embiid and Lillard did't demonstrate such level of impact.

As for DM W-impact, not on Jazz didn't shoe any sink without him, he is not even close to Rudy and Conley on +- Moreover, his role is considerably overlapped with Conley's who now, when Mike is in a groove, even more efficient shooter. DM is much better this year, but Jazz still can easily
- take 10-15 his attempts from him
- redistribute them over Conley, Clarkson and Ingles
- and the get about same points with about same efficiency.

If we talking about things like "30 points since" and others basic stats disregarding number of shot taen and/or the impact on W, then again there are much more impressive stat-stars in NBA.

All that said, team is one whole thing and DM is important cog in that device. But absolutely don't understand how he can be considered most impactful cog in current Jazz.

vryadli wrote:

ForeverRDjazz wrote:

vryadli wrote:

Because Rudy is much more valuable by any measure related to W. Without Gobert Jazz is (and was) at best 60% team and DM absence with Conley and Ingles healthy didn't cause any significant losses of performance. And if we are talking about jersey sthen of course DM is Utah mvp, but on that field Jazz hardly even close to the top of NBA.

One could make the same claims about LBJ. He has AD to help add wins. Lakers didn't even make playoffs LBJ first year there. Rudy is a stud but hasn't yet become offence player that leads a team but stud on the other end protecting the rim. I believe the team with best record in league should have at least one player in the hunt for MVP. Mitchell has been over 30 points per game since all star break. Last night he'd got 30 had Magic been able to keep the game close. Speaking of close the Jazz had more 10 point wins this year than any other team. 22 and counting straight home wins this year. No love for MVP? I get it's a team sport but which player has best chance on team to win MVP? Have to be Mitchell or Rudy. I'd give very very slight edge to Mitchell. Where I believe gives Buck's star the best shot at three peat the odds on favorite again. I believe Joel Embiid has missed to many games and is load with talent around him. Loaded! And can only muster up tie for best in the east. Jazz is loaded with walk on and cast offs and second round picks. Mitchell is the highest draft pick on the team. What was 13th pick and the Jazz moved up to get that pick. Rudy was 27th pick. Joe was waived by the Clippers and Conley is about to start drawing Social Security. Royce played summer league with GSW and couldn't make the team. Don't think he was drafted. Conley was 4th pick in 2007. Long time ago. Bogey was drafted second round. Just shows you don't always need high picks to put a great time together. I'd put Mitchell in at MVP because he's the main driving force on this team this day.

You may find ONE or may be two who will make that argument about LeBron. But not many, because Lakers played quite successfully without AD and is sinking fast without Lebron. I see 4 supervaluable players in the sense that their presence makes huge difference for their team: Giannis, LeBron, Curry and Rudy. May be Jokic and Donicic. Even Embiid and Lillard did't demonstrate such level of impact.

As for DM W-impact, not on Jazz didn't shoe any sink without him, he is not even close to Rudy and Conley on +- Moreover, his role is considerably overlapped with Conley's who now, when Mike is in a groove, even more efficient shooter. DM is much better this year, but Jazz still can easily
- take 10-15 his attempts from him
- redistribute them over Conley, Clarkson and Ingles
- and the get about same points with about same efficiency.

If we talking about things like "30 points since" and others basic stats disregarding number of shot taen and/or the impact on W, then again there are much more impressive stat-stars in NBA.

All that said, team is one whole thing and DM is important cog in that device. But absolutely don't understand how he can be considered most impactful cog in current Jazz.

And, of course, I can't agree more on your part about general Jazz design, pick level and all other things. I'm crazy proud that Jazz is first without flashy drafting and sensational trades, just on hard work, believing in their players and other everyday dull things.

If you watch the Utah Jazz on a regular basis and you think Mitchell is or might be the best player on the team, your basketball analysis is sorely lacking.

Gobert is top 10 in the NBA in terms of impact on wins/losses. He is the best player on the best team in the NBA. If anybody playing for the Jazz should be in MVP talk, it's Rudy by a landslide.

Cappy_Smurf wrote:If you watch the Utah Jazz on a regular basis and you think Mitchell is or might be the best player on the team, your basketball analysis is sorely lacking.

Gobert is top 10 in the NBA in terms of impact on wins/losses. He is the best player on the best team in the NBA. If anybody playing for the Jazz should be in MVP talk, it's Rudy by a landslide.

Do you really think Rudy is the best player on offence? Maybe 5th on the team. Do I think Mitchell is the best player on Defense? He also my be 5th best. Both players bring all star value to the team. Without Rudy we'd be lucky to be in the 8th spot and without Mitchell we'd be lucky to 6th seed. We have nights Mitchell is batman and nights Rudy is batman. One can argue this very same point about any team in the league. I agree that people are clueless if they believe Rudy should be coming off the bench. Totally clueless. This year is without question is Spider Mitchell best year in the league but I also believe Conley Joe and JC and Rudy are also having there best years. Perfect storm forming in Utah. We get Royce and Bogey playing little better over all this team is unbeatable. Truly our best player or MVP might very well be coach Quin.

vryadli wrote:

ForeverRDjazz wrote:

vryadli wrote:

Because Rudy is much more valuable by any measure related to W. Without Gobert Jazz is (and was) at best 60% team and DM absence with Conley and Ingles healthy didn't cause any significant losses of performance. And if we are talking about jersey sthen of course DM is Utah mvp, but on that field Jazz hardly even close to the top of NBA.

One could make the same claims about LBJ. He has AD to help add wins. Lakers didn't even make playoffs LBJ first year there. Rudy is a stud but hasn't yet become offence player that leads a team but stud on the other end protecting the rim. I believe the team with best record in league should have at least one player in the hunt for MVP. Mitchell has been over 30 points per game since all star break. Last night he'd got 30 had Magic been able to keep the game close. Speaking of close the Jazz had more 10 point wins this year than any other team. 22 and counting straight home wins this year. No love for MVP? I get it's a team sport but which player has best chance on team to win MVP? Have to be Mitchell or Rudy. I'd give very very slight edge to Mitchell. Where I believe gives Buck's star the best shot at three peat the odds on favorite again. I believe Joel Embiid has missed to many games and is load with talent around him. Loaded! And can only muster up tie for best in the east. Jazz is loaded with walk on and cast offs and second round picks. Mitchell is the highest draft pick on the team. What was 13th pick and the Jazz moved up to get that pick. Rudy was 27th pick. Joe was waived by the Clippers and Conley is about to start drawing Social Security. Royce played summer league with GSW and couldn't make the team. Don't think he was drafted. Conley was 4th pick in 2007. Long time ago. Bogey was drafted second round. Just shows you don't always need high picks to put a great time together. I'd put Mitchell in at MVP because he's the main driving force on this team this day.

You may find ONE or may be two who will make that argument about LeBron. But not many, because Lakers played quite successfully without AD and is sinking fast without Lebron. I see 4 supervaluable players in the sense that their presence makes huge difference for their team: Giannis, LeBron, Curry and Rudy. May be Jokic and Donicic. Even Embiid and Lillard did't demonstrate such level of impact.

As for DM W-impact, not on Jazz didn't shoe any sink without him, he is not even close to Rudy and Conley on +- Moreover, his role is considerably overlapped with Conley's who now, when Mike is in a groove, even more efficient shooter. DM is much better this year, but Jazz still can easily
- take 10-15 his attempts from him
- redistribute them over Conley, Clarkson and Ingles
- and the get about same points with about same efficiency.

If we talking about things like "30 points since" and others basic stats disregarding number of shot taen and/or the impact on W, then again there are much more impressive stat-stars in NBA.

All that said, team is one whole thing and DM is important cog in that device. But absolutely don't understand how he can be considered most impactful cog in current Jazz.

You make the claim LBJ plays very well without AD? You do know the Lakers missed the playoffs the year before when AD wasn't on the team? Mitchell has ups his Rebs and Assist are up plus points. Went 6 for 7 last game behind the line. 3 point shooting is also getting better all while the other teams focus more on him. Best team in league we should have at least two players getting love for MVP. Other night Rudy on the3 point line I was hoping he'd let it fly. Give the man at least one try every couple games. We've all seen Rudy practice that shot and it looks pretty good.