RealGM

ESPN game day page:
https://www.espn.com/nba/game/_/gameId/401360113

I don't even know what to say if the Jazz aren't experimenting with new looks by the half and not going hog wild with testing some small ball line-ups by the mid-third. But, nah, its a Q thing. Q will run the starters and Ingles/Clarkson deep into the 4th until the 20-point lead looks "secure" and then the other team hockey team subs first.

Mitchell playing like crap again.....

Welp. Trying to win in the last of the 4th. Q either playing 3-d chess or this team is a pretender.

To put an impressive fight at home against Pelicans who were 1-9 visiting... that's something...

But at least they at last started to win close games.

Ups! I spoke 10 sec to early..

Mitchell giveth, and Mitchell taketh away...... Plays great to give Jazz the lead, and then taken a god awful shot with 7 seconds left.....

MTJazzv3 wrote:Welp. Trying to win in the last of the 4th. Q either playing 3-d chess or this team is a pretender.

Pretender for what? A title? We were never a contender for that......

This team is trash.

Sent from my SM-G988U using RealGM mobile app

I'm honestly still not worried. We have had some bad losses, yes, but we are still in HCA position while integrating a new player into the lineup and adjusting to new rules that seem to have impacted scoring guards more than anyone. e.g. Mitchell's three point shooting is down 7% this season, and his freethrows are reduced from 6 to 3.6. Clarkson's three point shooting is down 8%. As a team our three point shooting is down 5%...but you know what? These players are amazing, and they are going to adjust. Maybe we do have a small shakeup trade, e.g. a Houston fan and I agreed that Udoka Azubuike + filler (Hughes or Oni) for David Nwaba was a nice swap. That would give us the perimeter defender we need.

Didn't see this one coming. The Pels are a mess this season and we managed to lose to them at home. I watched the last minutes of the game, and while it did make for an exciting finish, we shouldn't be in such a position against a team like the Pelicans. Gobert will probably want to forget this game.

red4hf wrote:

MTJazzv3 wrote:Welp. Trying to win in the last of the 4th. Q either playing 3-d chess or this team is a pretender.

Pretender for what? A title? We were never a contender for that......

I agree we aren't a contender but many people think that we are. And if we aren't then what was the point in bringing in Conley and have such a bloated payroll? We could have just kept Rubio and get the same results. This is one of the reasons for my lack of interest in this team, we've become another playoff treadmill team. We all know the team will make the playoffs so the regular season isn't all that interesting because there are no stakes involved, and we (I) know that it won't go anywhere in the playoffs so there is not much excitement there either. In recent years, the most interesting thing in the playoffs about this team is watching how they screw up in new ways every time.

Inigo Montoya wrote:

red4hf wrote:

MTJazzv3 wrote:Welp. Trying to win in the last of the 4th. Q either playing 3-d chess or this team is a pretender.

Pretender for what? A title? We were never a contender for that......

I agree we aren't a contender but many people think that we are. And if we aren't then what was the point in bringing in Conley and have such a bloated payroll? We could have just kept Rubio and get the same results. This is one of the reasons for my lack of interest in this team, we've become another playoff treadmill team. We all know the team will make the playoffs so the regular season isn't all that interesting because there are no stakes involved, and we (I) know that it won't go anywhere in the playoffs so there is not much excitement there either. In recent years, the most interesting thing in the playoffs about this team is watching how they screw up in new ways every time.

On the other hand bringing Conley was relatively bold move. which gave about same results as a lot of even bolder move. Bron , KD, WB, Harden, Kahwi - just to name few bold moves. And ring went to Bucs who was sitting tight with Greek and Middleton. This year it quite possibly will be Warriors.

So I agree that results would be same or better with Rubio. But in that case no moves, no risk taken, no excoitement...

We are what we are..... A very good regular season team (this defeat notwithstanding) but nothing more than that....... Mitchell has his flashes, but he's not going to become an elite player..... He's good, very good at times, just not elite...... And without that, no title.....

Inigo Montoya wrote:

red4hf wrote:

MTJazzv3 wrote:Welp. Trying to win in the last of the 4th. Q either playing 3-d chess or this team is a pretender.

Pretender for what? A title? We were never a contender for that......

I agree we aren't a contender but many people think that we are. And if we aren't then what was the point in bringing in Conley and have such a bloated payroll? We could have just kept Rubio and get the same results. This is one of the reasons for my lack of interest in this team, we've become another playoff treadmill team. We all know the team will make the playoffs so the regular season isn't all that interesting because there are no stakes involved, and we (I) know that it won't go anywhere in the playoffs so there is not much excitement there either. In recent years, the most interesting thing in the playoffs about this team is watching how they screw up in new ways every time.

I disagree that we aren't a contender. Phoenix is playing better than us right now, but they are the only team in the West that is particularly scary come playoff time. If we made the finals, I wouldn't be surprised at all (also wouldn't be if we did not). There has never been more parity in the West, and never been a better chance to make the finals. Then you have to face either the Nets, Bucks, or Heat. I think we'd be favored in the Heat series, but have a chance against Brooklyn sans Irving, or Milwaukee. Again, wouldn't be the house on it, but we have a non-zero chance of a championship with this team, and that's probably the first time in my life I've felt that way (wasn't around to follow Stockton-Malone teams, I was like 5 and lived in Montana).

babyjax13 wrote:

Inigo Montoya wrote:

red4hf wrote:
Pretender for what? A title? We were never a contender for that......

I agree we aren't a contender but many people think that we are. And if we aren't then what was the point in bringing in Conley and have such a bloated payroll? We could have just kept Rubio and get the same results. This is one of the reasons for my lack of interest in this team, we've become another playoff treadmill team. We all know the team will make the playoffs so the regular season isn't all that interesting because there are no stakes involved, and we (I) know that it won't go anywhere in the playoffs so there is not much excitement there either. In recent years, the most interesting thing in the playoffs about this team is watching how they screw up in new ways every time.

I disagree that we aren't a contender. Phoenix is playing better than us right now, but they are the only team in the West that is particularly scary come playoff time. If we made the finals, I wouldn't be surprised at all (also wouldn't be if we did not). There has never been more parity in the West, and never been a better chance to make the finals. Then you have to face either the Nets, Bucks, or Heat. I think we'd be favored in the Heat series, but have a chance against Brooklyn sans Irving, or Milwaukee. Again, wouldn't be the house on it, but we have a non-zero chance of a championship with this team, and that's probably the first time in my life I've felt that way (wasn't around to follow Stockton-Malone teams, I was like 5 and lived in Montana).

That seems to be because the rest of the league got worse rather than the Jazz being able to put together an actual contending team. I suppose that in the end it amounts to the same outcome, but still, if we can't get past injured teams like the Clippers then we aren't that threatening.

Inigo Montoya wrote:

babyjax13 wrote:

Inigo Montoya wrote:I agree we aren't a contender but many people think that we are. And if we aren't then what was the point in bringing in Conley and have such a bloated payroll? We could have just kept Rubio and get the same results. This is one of the reasons for my lack of interest in this team, we've become another playoff treadmill team. We all know the team will make the playoffs so the regular season isn't all that interesting because there are no stakes involved, and we (I) know that it won't go anywhere in the playoffs so there is not much excitement there either. In recent years, the most interesting thing in the playoffs about this team is watching how they screw up in new ways every time.

I disagree that we aren't a contender. Phoenix is playing better than us right now, but they are the only team in the West that is particularly scary come playoff time. If we made the finals, I wouldn't be surprised at all (also wouldn't be if we did not). There has never been more parity in the West, and never been a better chance to make the finals. Then you have to face either the Nets, Bucks, or Heat. I think we'd be favored in the Heat series, but have a chance against Brooklyn sans Irving, or Milwaukee. Again, wouldn't be the house on it, but we have a non-zero chance of a championship with this team, and that's probably the first time in my life I've felt that way (wasn't around to follow Stockton-Malone teams, I was like 5 and lived in Montana).

That seems to be because the rest of the league got worse rather than the Jazz being able to put together an actual contending team. I suppose that in the end it amounts to the same outcome, but still, if we can't get past injured teams like the Clippers then we aren't that threatening.

I agree with the first part, but not necessarily the second part. LAC is a real threat, even without Kawhi. The West just has a ton of parity, there is no clear favorite (Suns are the closest, imo). The East has a better upper tier, but there are no Durant Warriors this season with Kyrie out, and I love the Bucks because they are built right (one true superstar + a supporting cast that compliments him) but again...they aren't a superteam, they just have an all-time great player.