UJ360: Coming Season Could Define CJ Miles

[tmb3]

http://www.utahjazz360.com/jamesseaman/ ... r-in-utah/

This is a good read about the importance of this upcoming season for CJ. Everything is in place for him to have a significant role and a breakout season, and it's up to him to make it happen.

After reading this article, I tried to determine what would make a successful season for CJ, from the fans perspective.

These are my expectations for CJ this season and, if accomplished, it will be viewed as a successful season:

1) Average 13-15 pts, 4-5 rebounds, and 2-3 assists - I don't think we need him to put up 15-18 points this season. He just needs to consistently score in double figures and be a threat offensively to open up things for DWill, AJ, and Sap.

2) Shoot 40% from 3 - He has a great shot, but I think his questionable shot selection has killed his efficiency. Again, this will help open things up for Dwill to operate with AJ and Sap.

3) Play solid D - This is the biggest question mark for me and a major factor to determine if he has a successful season. He has shown he has the ability to play solid D for stretches, but has not shown that drive to be a good defender on a nightly basis.

4) Improved shot selection - CJ has, at times, been too in love with the 3 ball. If he plays like he did in the playoffs and mixes it up he will be much more effective. He needs to drive to the basket, catch and shoot off the curl, and stop and pop to keep his man honest. When he just launches 3's he is too easy to guard and the entire Jazz offense struggles as a result.

5) Consistency - I don't want him to go through mental lapses like we have seen his entire career where he is non-existent for long stretches of the season. I want him to bring it every night and get through rough patches quicker. When he loses his confidence it seems to take him weeks to get it back. He needs to have a short memory and forget the bad games. When Kobe has a bad game, he usually follows it with a 30 - 40 point game. CJ needs to acquire that mental edge and not get down on himself.

6) Impact the game without scoring - This has been my biggest complaint about CJ during his career. He is extremely gifted, but too often it seems that when his shot isn't falling he has little to no impact on the game. I want to see him step up his D, rebound, and create for others when his shot isn't falling.

If CJ does this, I will view this as a very successful season for him and will likely result in a successful Jazz season. I don't think any of these expectations are too lofty for CJ and I believe that he will accomplish ALL of these. He seemed to have turned the corner the last couple months of the season. I look forward to seeing the continued progression of, what I hope to be, a major part of the Jazz's future.

With that said, what are your expectations for CJ this season?

[Jazzfan12]

I want to improve his footwork on the shots, that's the main thing holding him back now that he's improved his BBIQ.

[tmb3]

I want to improve his footwork on the shots, that's the main thing holding him back now that he's improved his BBIQ.

That's a good point. I follow CJ on twitter and a few weeks ago he said that is one of his main focuses this offseason.

[Bradford]

I think Miles could shock some people with just how good he is; hopefully it's this year.

[Luigi]

The kid has a complete offensive skill set. I hope he makes himself useful and doesn't have to watch Bell play most of the minutes he should be playing.

[DelaneyRudd]

I don't think Bell is his competition, it's AK. If CJ breaks out big time, an AK trade will be likely. That is unless AK breaks out big time too, in which the Jazz should likely rely on loyalty and if he walks he walks.

[Reckless]

I think Miles could shock some people with just how good he is; hopefully it's this year.

I've been waiting to be shocked by him. I was on the fence about re-signing him and still am. He's shown flashes of being a great player at times but other times it seems he's just content to hoisting up shots from long distance and providing little defensive support. He had that injury kind of spoil his season last year but he can't give the same excuse this season, it's definitely a now or never season for him as a jazzman.

[Sloanfeld]

I'm not getting my hopes up despite him playing better after the Brewer trade.

[jazzfan1971]

He played better last year. I didn't see nearly the mental lapses from the prior year.

To me, that's everything with him. If he can keep his head in the game I'll consider it a good season. But, if I have to watch him constantly finding himself out of position, guarding nobody, watching the gentle arc of the ball as it glides towards teh basket (instead of positioning for a rebound or leaking out for a fast break) I'll consider him a failure.

All he has to do IMHO is just stay focused on what he's susposed to be doing, all the time.

His footwork, his shot selection, his defense, all of that will improve as a result.


Some guys are just slow, that may be the case with him. I don't think so though, as he did seem much improved last year.

[ColdBlue]

^ I think about 10 lbs of toughness from the gym would improve his mental state. CJ needs to get a litte edge to his game.

[dalekjazz]

Practicing against Raja Bell should improve his defensive game and toughness

[Jazzfan12]

His toughness and defense is underrated. He does need to stop handchecking so much though.

[The59Sound]

There's nothing CJ does that is UNDERrated. Dude has a long way to go on defense, and is too easily knocked off his game by aggressive players (on both sides of the ball).