Game 54: Utah Jazz (27-26) vs Atlanta Hawks (26-26)

[Inigo Montoya]

This will be a good chance for everyone to see what John Collins can do and estimate how he would fit in the front court with Kessler and Markkanen.

[Crunch 99]

I didn't see the game (lost my Jazz feed), but the Jazz only shot 29.5% on threes. That low of a 3P% will doom them for most any game.

We must have jinxed Kessler with all the glowing praise in the last game thread. He had two fouls in Q1 and ended up only getting 18 minutes of action with 2 points and a minus 15 +/-. KO had good rebounds and assists in his 30 mins, but he is struggling to hit shots in his return to active status --- he is not helping his trade value.

Maybe John Collins defense was OK?, but his stat line sucked.

[Inigo Montoya]

Collins didn't stand out. He wasn't bad or anything but nothing special either, at least in this game. The thing is that we need a wing defender and Collins isn't it, and Markkanen can't always defend perimeter players.

Markkanen had an off game, he missed a lot of open looks that he usually makes with ease. And he still ended up with 25 +10

[red4hf]

Collins didn't stand out. He wasn't bad or anything but nothing special either, at least in this game. The thing is that we need a wing defender and Collins isn't it, and Markkanen can't always defend perimeter players.

Markkanen had an off game, he missed a lot of open looks that he usually makes with ease. And he still ended up with 25 +10

Collins didn't look any better than Olynyk...... I was very disappointed.......

[Inigo Montoya]

Collins didn't stand out. He wasn't bad or anything but nothing special either, at least in this game. The thing is that we need a wing defender and Collins isn't it, and Markkanen can't always defend perimeter players.

Markkanen had an off game, he missed a lot of open looks that he usually makes with ease. And he still ended up with 25 +10

Collins didn't look any better than Olynyk...... I was very disappointed.......

Well, he is better but the fit isn't ideal and his contract is too big. And if he doesn't fit next to Kessler and Markkanen, Toppin won't either. Collins is a better and more well-rounded player.

[red4hf]

Collins didn't stand out. He wasn't bad or anything but nothing special either, at least in this game. The thing is that we need a wing defender and Collins isn't it, and Markkanen can't always defend perimeter players.

Markkanen had an off game, he missed a lot of open looks that he usually makes with ease. And he still ended up with 25 +10

Collins didn't look any better than Olynyk...... I was very disappointed.......

Well, he is better but the fit isn't ideal and his contract is too big. And if he doesn't fit next to Kessler and Markkanen, Toppin won't either. Collins is a better and more well-rounded player.

I agree with all your points, but if the Jazz can add a solid defender at the 2, or if Agbaji develops into one, Toppin could work...... He's great at running the floor, and is developing into a solid shooter...... And he'll be cheaper than Collins.......

[Inigo Montoya]

Collins didn't look any better than Olynyk...... I was very disappointed.......

Well, he is better but the fit isn't ideal and his contract is too big. And if he doesn't fit next to Kessler and Markkanen, Toppin won't either. Collins is a better and more well-rounded player.

I agree with all your points, but if the Jazz can add a solid defender at the 2, or if Agbaji develops into one, Toppin could work...... He's great at running the floor, and is developing into a solid shooter...... And he'll be cheaper than Collins.......

I'd rather just get a more natural SF instead of jumping though all those hoops, and take on Founier's contract just to take on Toppin who is older than Vanderbilt, and a protected FRP when we have plenty already. Now, if we're talking unprotected pick, then I'm happy to do it but I can't imagine that's the case.