Lotto or Playoffs?

carrottop12 · Post #1 » by **carrottop12** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 3:37 am

Alright, we have 24 games left.

We currently sit in the 9th spot in the West, a half game out of the 8th spot, 2.5 games out of the 5 spot, and 14th in the lottery.

What would you rather do, make the playoffs, or make it into the lottery and give ourselves two lotto picks?

Apparently it's a weak draft with several prospects nervous about the possibility of a lockout, but it seems every year around this time we are projected to have a weak draft class, so who knows.

So where do you want to see the Jazz in 2 months? Playoffs, or lotto?

Jazzfan Bayamon · Post #2 » by **Jazzfan Bayamon** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 4:03 am

Playoffs. It'd be great for this unit to experience the playoffs, especially Al and Favors. They've come to a "winning" franchise, we don't want them to change their opinion on this.

Post #3 » by **DelaneyRudd** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 4:15 am

Playoffs. I think they will be the 7 or 8 too. The Grizz and Suns and Nugs aren't better than this team.

Post #4 » by **StocktonShorts** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 4:28 am

I voted lotto first, but I think the experience that the youngsters would get from the playoffs trumps some schmo like Jimmer that they'd get with the 14th pick.

dr0welf · Post #5 » by **dr0welf** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 4:37 am

I think if you can make the playoffs you always go playoffs. With this team the playoffs help give the young players needed experience and confidence. Being good enough to make the playoffs is a bragging right. You also see where you stack up and what you need to do individually and as a team to make it to the next step. Motivation is caused by coming close. Falling short of the playoffs breeds mediocrity.

blackham9258 · Post #6 » by **blackham9258** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 4:48 am

I voted lottery but would be okay either way. Both are good points. I just like the idea of packaging the #13 or #14 pick to move up with someone.

Say we get the 6th pick, and we have the 13th of our own. If we love someone at #3, say Kyre from Duke, or Harrison Barnes from NC we could move up and get him. That player will make so much more of a difference to our future than would a 4 game sweep at the hand of the Spurs or Lakers!

If Harrison Barnes turns into the next Superstar, that changes your franchise forever.... a 4 game sweep... how much will that really help long term.

This is a weak draft and will drop off after 3 or 4 players. I want to increase the chances of fundamentally changes our franchises future and the draft is the only way to do that.

Since we aren't winning a championship this year, I say double down this one year on making the most of the quick rebuild! Take all the pain and all the medicine at once.

Post #7 » by **jazzfan1971** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 5:10 am

I'd prefer that we win every game here on out and have the 1st seed.

But, barring that, if we can finish the season strong, say 16-8 over the last 24 that'd be perfect.

If we're going to play sub 500 ball, I'd rather just get a lotto pick.

Sloanfeld · Post #8 » by **Sloanfeld** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 5:11 am

Playoffs, I don't see the point in rooting against players you have to try and get players you don't know how they'll turn out.

I tried rooting against my Dolphins in 2004 when we sucked, and I just couldn't contain myself when we upset the Patriots on Monday Night Football. Didn't work.

QuantumMacgyver · Post #9 » by **QuantumMacgyver** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 5:15 am

blackham9258 wrote:I voted lottery but would be okay either way. Both are good points. I just like the idea of packaging the #13 or #14 pick to move up with someone.

Say we get the 6th pick, and we have the 13th of our own. If we love someone at #3, say Kyre from Duke, or Harrison Barnes from NC we could move up and get him. That player will make so much more of a difference to our future than would a 4 game sweep at the hand of the Spurs or Lakers!

If Harrison Barnes turns into the next Superstar, that changes your franchise forever.... a 4 game sweep... how much will that really help long term.

This is a weak draft and will drop off after 3 or 4 players. I want to increase the chances of fundamentally changes our franchises future and the draft is the only way to do that.

Since we aren't winning a championship this year, I say double down this one year on making the most of the quick rebuild! Take all the pain and all the medicine at once.

Most every mock draft I've seen has Harrison Barnes dropping to the 7-9 range. Really had a tough start this year. GIven, these are mocks are are hardly ever accurate, especially before March Madness has even started, but I don't see this draft as being as weak as many believe. Unless players pull out cuz of a lockout.

Post #10 » by **DelaneyRudd** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 5:17 am

If they don't get into the playoffs it's not like the pick will improve much. A 1% chance at a top 3 pick and 1 or 2 draft spots is not more important than even a 5 game series.

Jampod · Post #11 » by **Jampod** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 5:29 am

Playoffs. 6 months of no Jazz is already rough as it is.

blackham9258 · Post #12 » by **blackham9258** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 5:38 am

We moved from 6 to 3 by giving up two 1st round picks in the late 20's, and got Deron. If we land at 6 again, that 13/14 pick would be more than sufficient to move up and grab the guy we like.

I don't like 4 game sweeps... when we could really improve the team through the draft.

The59Sound · Post #13 » by **The59Sound** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 5:41 am

blackham9258 wrote:We moved from 6 to 3 by giving up two 1st round picks in the late 20's, and got Deron. If we land at 6 again, that 13/14 pick would be more than sufficient to move up and grab the guy we like.

I don't like 4 game sweeps... when we could really improve the team through the draft.

I don't think you can make that assumption without knowing what teams are drafting in which positions. It all depends on whether a team at 3 thinks they can still get the player they really want at 6.

Post #14 » by **DelaneyRudd** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 5:45 am

It seems like a top 2 type draft, but I could be wrong.

Jazzy13 · Post #15 » by **Jazzy13** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 11:27 pm

Sloanfeld wrote:Playoffs, I don't see the point in rooting against players you have to try and get players you don't know how they'll turn out.

I tried rooting against my Dolphins in 2004 when we sucked, and I just couldn't contain myself when we upset the Patriots on Monday Night Football. Didn't work.

Haha. Its funny that my teams are also the Jazz and the Dolphins.

Its a very strange combo but I'm a diehard fan for these teams forever.

Soul Patch · Post #16 » by **Soul Patch** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 11:32 pm

Playoffs. I didn't think we'd make it but I think team morale is going to go up and we'll sneak in.

MeestR · Post #17 » by **MeestR** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 11:34 pm

playoffs first, every time.

but if we fail, (because that's what it is when a team misses the playoffs, a failure) i will still remain optimistic. jimmer is more real with the jazz's own pick.

kebutah · Post #18 » by **kebutah** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 11:53 pm

I hope we make the playoffs then Minn can draft Jimmer with our pick. He can disappoint their fans instead of us.

Batu7 · Post #19 » by **Batu7** » Sun Feb 27, 2011 12:49 am

Why is everybody hating on Jimmer? Keep in mind that this question is coming from a guy in Turkey who doesn't have access(at least until last month) to NCAA coverage.

retiredcoach · Post #20 » by **retiredcoach** » Sun Feb 27, 2011 4:25 am

I'm getting concerned about a few college players who are on the fence about declaring for the draft because of the possible lockout. It could distort the draft and take a lot of good players out that would be there for the Jazz with the Nets pick.

There will likely be a lockout and a somewhat shorter season. The players association has to take this to the brink. I hope it doesn't keep too much talent out of the draft. The Jazz need a true defensive center and a 2. If they don't make the playoffs they'll have two picks in the top 14. That gives them flexibility for trades and taking risks. If they make the playoffs they only have one.

Let's hope the CBA agreement doesn't screw up the Jazz's lottery players.

Playoffs or Lotto?