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After watching a few games of the Utah Flash last year, I had the feeling the Morris Almond could score any time he wanted to, but also that he did not defend at all. It also seemed as though he was just going through the motions, and didn't have a care in the world. I wondered if this was the reason that he was left int he D-League for the whole year. He doesn't rebound, doesn't pass very well and doesn't defend. So I am wondering if he will ever be able to be an NBA Player? While I admit that I didn't see every game, I had the same feelings in each of the games that I watched. He can still earn to play defense and become more of a team player, but my biggest concern was his lack of intensity. I am really wondering if he will have any playing time this year? If not, it may be in the best interest of the team to move him. I really hope that he has shown more to the Jazz than I have seen, because he is a very good scorer. I would love to see what he can do with some minutes in the real league, but with all of the guards on the roster, I don't know see where the minutes would come from.

Its hard to see him getting time for us this year. Between the rotation issues and the lack of production in certain areas, as you say, I don't see him cracking the rotation quite yet.

However, it should be noted that he was an excellent rebounder in college, and that he has the physical build and passable athleticism to be a capable defender. It all comes down to his attitude and desire. If he shows Jerry that his head is in the right place, he will get an opportunity to earn a spot, no matter the crowded rotation. I do think he has a place in the NBA long term.

erudite23 wrote:Its hard to see him getting time for us this year. Between the rotation issues and the lack of production in certain areas, as you say, I don't see him cracking the rotation quite yet.

However, it should be noted that he was an excellent rebounder in college, and that he has the physical build and passable athleticism to be a capable defender. It all comes down to his attitude and desire. If he shows Jerry that his head is in the right place, he will get an opportunity to earn a spot, no matter the crowded rotation. I do think he has a place in the NBA long term.

Agreed.

Dont see how Mo can get minutes over Brewer, Korver and CJ. But I disagree with the OP that discredits his effort. Morris is the type of player who was happy to be drafted by the Jazz and felt from the begining that he fit in well with our system. I would really feel bad for the kid if he spent all next year in Orem, but it's probably the best thing for him. We've got a team option next season which we'll undoubtedly take and if Korver opts out, Almond steps in.

I think players like Morris Almond and CJ Miles really shows me that the front office knows what they are doing. If we lose a Brewer, AK, Boozer, Korver, or Harpring we have enough roster flexability to stay competitive. Almond and CJ are both very talented players, and their value lies in our future.

With a good RMR and effort on D, we will most likely put himself above CJ on the rotation.

Well i think CJ is best Suited at SF. It's his turn to back up AK IMO.

Minus Harpring.

kerplunk wrote:Minus Harpring.

+1, I would like CJ to take harprings min, and just trade harpring, he is the fourth highest paid player on the team (6 mil), getting rid of him would get us some more cap flexibility.

i second getting rid of harpring

Harp still has definite value for us, but his PT will no doubt be limited as he approaches the twilight of his career, thanks to those damn knees. CJ and Almond could legitimately fight for those minutes. Sloan certainly wouldn't have any qualms putting Miles at the end of the bunch if he wasn't happy with his play.

I agree Harpring is still a force on the boards and is that nasty guy we need in the playoffs!He is getting older and CJ is getting better, but Matty Boy still needs to see the floor.I'm a Harpring fan and so is the coaching staff so he will still get minutes.Mo nuts might slide into the line up if we make a small deal to clear up some room and the 2 and 3 position.

I agree that Harpring brings an intensity and air of potential injury to another player that is rare in this league, even if his skills are somewhat limited. I think he and Rodman would have gotten in each other's face.

While, I am not a harpring fan, I agree with the characterization of him as a intense and "nasty" guy, but I would add "painfully unathletic, "slow" and "missed layups" (thats right, missing layups is a characteristic, I think....wait.....probably not). I just don't feel that he is worth 6 mil a year and sacrificing the development of our younger players. Besides we all know the cap situation, Harpring is the one guy we can give up and not really miss a beat (as opposed to losing Boozer, Okur, AK or Dwill) and get further under the cap.

Mo will replace CJ on the bench if he doesn't resign here.

And then Mo will come in and play spot minutes here and there with foul trouble and injuries and what not, but he's still young.

I do think he showed a lack of intensity in the NBDL, but honestly who wouldn't. What was he playing for? See if he could break his own scoring record on a team that would give him the ball and ask him to score?

He needs to work on his D still, but I expect him to come out in the RMR and tear it up. He beats up on these guys in the D-League anyways, I expect him to be even better here.

I heard an interview with him the other day and he stated that the Jazz want him to work on his defense and show more intensity. He said that he was going to focus on the defense in the RMR and not take plays off. (This explaines the lack of interest in the D-League) He also siad that he will show that he has game intensity.
I hope he does, because its not a very long trip back to the d-league.
He really sounded sincere when he was talking about being excited to play in the RMR.