Derons Fighting Illini Homecoming 6:30 KJZZ

[Duiz]

Did Derrick Rose almost PWNED Wililams?

Also I felt that people were in the game for Roger Powell, not Deron Williams.

Does Almond = Giricek without the traveling?

[erudite23]

Rose was extremely impressive off the dribble. The one thing that I wish Deron was better at is staying in front of athletic guards off the dribble. He seems to struggle with that.

One of the things that will get lost in the shuffle with this game, but that REALLY jumped out at me when it happened, was the one FG that Koufos made. The dude is notorious, almost laughably so, for having no left hand. I mean, read any scouting report on his and it will mention it. He will force his right hand even if it means getting his shot blocked. Something at I actually saw happen against Denver. On that shot tonight, though, he made a twisting lefty hook from about 5ft. It took me so off guard I rewound it three times just to make sure I wasn't confusing my hands. But it was his left. Blew me away, and gave me cause to hope. The guy is skilled. Of course, he looked lost most of the other time he was on the floor, so perspective is still key.

[DelaneyRudd]

I understand this is the pre-season, but why not put in your regular group that would be taking a last second shot and let them practice that situation. Unless Deron,Booze and Memo are all fouled out I doubt we see Price or Fesenko in that situation ever. Only Korver would be out there at the very end.

[jazzfan1971]

Man, I've never thought Kofos looked lost. I guess you are more of a student of the game than I am. Sometimes I notice that Fes is lost. And Almond spends way too much time thinking, but, I've never thought Kofos was a step behind.

[carrottop12]

Yeah, with the exception of the Portland game I have been happy with Koufos and his ability to understand a little bit of what the Jazz are trying to do. I think he's going to be a pretty good player.

Shame we couldn't win tonight, Korver struggled a bit. I think we can all start to see that Almond probably isn't quite what the Jazz are looking for. I think we were hoping for more of a Korver type player and Almond just can't relax enough for that to happen.

AK didn't play a ton, but he's looked good and really active when he is playing.

Lets get them tomorrow.

[JDubJazz]

I thik its time for the Almond experiment to end. That kid is wound so tight that he's likely to explode (and not in a good way). It obvious that he's so nervous about screwing up that his game goes to crap every time he steps on the floor. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if the Jazz cut him.

[outerspacefella]

Did Derrick Rose almost PWNED Wililams?

Also I felt that people were in the game for Roger Powell, not Deron Williams.

Does Almond = Giricek without the traveling?

1) Yes... only a blind man would say otherwise...
2) I thought the same...
3) and minus self-assessment...

I've already watched 2 and a half preseason games and in many ways I didn'd like what I saw...

[outerspacefella]

Rose was extremely impressive off the dribble. The one thing that I wish Deron was better at is staying in front of athletic guards off the dribble. He seems to struggle with that.....

Everybody knows this is one of Deron's flaws (and not the only one: TOs, to get blocked in obvious situations, and a tendency to depend too much at times on the opposite guard over-defending him... ). He's been long enough in the league now and he hasn't been able to get better at it, so I guess it's time to accept this is just the way it is with him. Of course his positives overwhelm.

[outerspacefella]

I thik its time for the Almond experiment to end. That kid is wound so tight that he's likely to explode (and not in a good way). It obvious that he's so nervous about screwing up that his game goes to crap every time he steps on the floor. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if the Jazz cut him.

For what I saw 'till now.... ZERO improvement.
D-League for him for another year, and rightfully so.
If he doesn't improve quick enough I think he will be gone tis time next year... or by trade deadline this year...

[outerspacefella]

One thing to be said: I like what I saw from Kirilenko in these games. His game and most of all his attitude are quite different from what he showed the last two years... this can be a huge positive for this team.

[The Sheik]

What was the deal with Kosta not playing? Didnt see anything about it in the papers.

[The Sheik]

I thik its time for the Almond experiment to end. That kid is wound so tight that he's likely to explode (and not in a good way). It obvious that he's so nervous about screwing up that his game goes to crap every time he steps on the floor. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if the Jazz cut him.

Thats just foolish talk. He makes 1.1 mil right now and he will have his option picked up for next yr because he will make 1.3 mil. Now the 4th yr is another story, but Almond looks no worse then CJ did when he was in his 2nd yr.

He needs to figure out how to be a system player and when he does that and learns where to get his shots (just like Korver does now) he will be fine.

You people have way high expectations for this guy. He was a late bloomer in college and might take 2-3 yrs to figure it out. Hell look at Michael Redd, he wasnt an instant All Star. It took him 3-4 yrs of work before he started getting major minutes.

[Ming Kong!]

I thik its time for the Almond experiment to end. That kid is wound so tight that he's likely to explode (and not in a good way). It obvious that he's so nervous about screwing up that his game goes to crap every time he steps on the floor. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if the Jazz cut him.

Thats just foolish talk. He makes 1.1 mil right now and he will have his option picked up for next yr because he will make 1.3 mil. Now the 4th yr is another story, but Almond looks no worse then CJ did when he was in his 2nd yr.

He needs to figure out how to be a system player and when he does that and learns where to get his shots (just like Korver does now) he will be fine.

You people have way high expectations for this guy. He was a late bloomer in college and might take 2-3 yrs to figure it out. Hell look at Michael Redd, he wasnt an instant All Star. It took him 3-4 yrs of work before he started getting major minutes.

Interesting comparison with Redd, he definitely had a slow start with just 6 games in his rookie season, but he had to compete with Ray Allen, and he did get much better each of his first 4 years. Morris Almond doesn't have the competition of a borderline superstar. The problem for Morris is simply that there are two players who are better than him at this stage of the game. He might be able to take some of Korvers minutes in a few years, but I doubt he'll ever become half the player Brewer can be.

[carrottop12]

Like my man Sheik said, Almond is a late bloomer and always has been. But once he does find that niche he seems to be able to be a very effective player.

He dominated college teams, and then he dominated the NBDL which is certainly a level above college. His defense is crap, but obviously with todays NBA you can get by with bad defense, and Redd is a perfect example. Hold on to him this year, and obviously next year unless he becomes a good piece in a trade that could really put the Jazz over the top. Otherwise he's a low risk, high reward player to have on the roster.

[erudite23]

Yeah, I think that should be obvious.

Call me strange, but I've actually liked a lot of what I've seen from Almond this pre season. The dude is a surprisingly effective finisher around the hoop. I mean, he legitimately has a deep inventory of scoop shots, hook shots, finger rolls and other junk moves that allow him to finish when he gets into the paint. Not just that, but he's very effective coming off screens or shooting on pindowns. I think he takes the place of Harpring when Harp leaves for good, and maybe we let him replace KK if he leaves this summer. His biggest problem seems to be managing his energy level and knowing what his role is on the team. I think he certainly has an NBA body, and he's smart and works hard. Those are the basics, and he has them all. Also, he has at least one strong NBA skill: he's obviously a very good shooter. After that, he just needs to figure out what his identity as an NBA player is and figure out what he needs to do to contribute and make himself valuable.

Which leads to the question: how is the NBDL going to help him do that? He needs to play IN THE NBA. He has all the practice and experience he's ever going to need being The Man at a lower level. He needs to get some burn playing with a guy like Deron Williams, with 4 other players on the floor who are all better than he is. He needs to learn where he fits. I don't know that that happens this year, and it might ultimately submarine his career with us. But I think he makes it in the league, and has a long solid career. He's no Kirk Snyder, thats for sure.

[GP]

Interesting discussion on Almond, I agree to not give up on the guy yet. As far as Almond dominating at the college level, it really isn't a good indicator of how a player will fair in the NBA, look at Morrison and Reddick...... The jazz are stacked at sg anyways, so it would be a nice surprise if Almond works out, if not we have a glut of sg ready.

[Racer X]

Rose was extremely impressive off the dribble. The one thing that I wish Deron was better at is staying in front of athletic guards off the dribble. He seems to struggle with that.

Are you mad??? That is one of Derons strengths! That is why Chris Paul never has good games against us. Its because Deron can stay in front of him.

Rose scored all of his points in the first quarter off of jumpers which Deron just flat let him take. He scored all of his points in the 3rd by just beating the Jazz back down the floor after Deron had just taken him to the hole on the other end. I didnt notice any point in which he was beating Deron "off the dribble".

[ChiCitySPORTS#1]

Rose was extremely impressive off the dribble. The one thing that I wish Deron was better at is staying in front of athletic guards off the dribble. He seems to struggle with that.

Are you mad??? That is one of Derons strengths! That is why Chris Paul never has good games against us. Its because Deron can stay in front of him.

Rose scored all of his points in the first quarter off of jumpers which Deron just flat let him take. He scored all of his points in the 3rd by just beating the Jazz back down the floor after Deron had just taken him to the hole on the other end. I didnt notice any point in which he was beating Deron "off the dribble".

no he did take him off the dribble on more than one occasion..

anyways, the reason wjy some of you may have felt roger powell was getting so much love is becasue he was playing for the bulls...most of the ppl there are bulls fans first.

[outerspacefella]

Rose was extremely impressive off the dribble. The one thing that I wish Deron was better at is staying in front of athletic guards off the dribble. He seems to struggle with that.

Are you mad??? That is one of Derons strengths! That is why Chris Paul never has good games against us. Its because Deron can stay in front of him.

Rose scored all of his points in the first quarter off of jumpers which Deron just flat let him take. He scored all of his points in the 3rd by just beating the Jazz back down the floor after Deron had just taken him to the hole on the other end. I didnt notice any point in which he was beating Deron "off the dribble".

We saw different games it seems...