Utah Jazz Player of the Year 2011-12

Post #1 » by **StocktonShorts** » Sun Apr 15, 2012 3:51 pm

With just five games to go I thought I'd start up this thread. Based on the PotG results from each game, it seems like the choice should be between Millsap, Jefferson and Hayward, but I'm open to including others if you think I should.

After the final game of the season (including playoffs if that happens) I'll put an actual poll on this thread. In the meantime you can state your case for who you think is the player of the year.

red4hf · Post #2 » by **red4hf** » Sun Apr 15, 2012 4:17 pm

Al Jefferson, leading scorer, leading rebounder, leading shotblocker, bad defender....... Three out of four ain't bad......

ColdBlue · Post #3 » by **ColdBlue** » Sun Apr 15, 2012 5:43 pm

I agree that it should go to Al, Paul, or Hayward. It's a tough call because they all were inconsistent and have glaring weaknesses.

Al's weaknesses are #1 defense and #2 passing out of the double team. He did show improvement in passing but his process is slow and usually didn't break down the opposing defense because the shot clock was usually winding down. As far as defense, he is slow but does block shots.

Paul's weaknesses are #1 size at the 4 (which affects both offense and defense) and playing a little out of control which caused many turnovers and bad shots. He forced too many plays in crunchtime and while he did win many games, he also lost quite a few as well. With that said, he was put into the position as go to guy by default as we don't have a frontcourt that can do anything.

Gordon's weaknesses are outside shooting as well as playing a little out of control similar to Paul. His defense was probably the best on the team and I loved how he finished in on the break. His 3pt shooting was improving but he needs to hit that shot off the curl with more consistency. He has good vision and can pass the ball effectively. He could eclipse AK if he continues to improve.

Bottom line is that all three of these guys are good solid players but none of them are star caliber.

My vote hinges on who showed the most improvement and I think it goes to Gordon.

HolyToledo · Post #4 » by **HolyToledo** » Sun Apr 15, 2012 7:35 pm

red4hf wrote:Al Jefferson, leading scorer, leading rebounder, leading shotblocker, bad defender....... Three out of four ain't bad......

I totally disagree. If Big Al doesnt play at all this season, the Jazz make the playoffs. My MVP is Millsap but Hayward as a close 2nd. Favors would have been MVP if he got Jefferson's minutes.

Jazzfan12 · Post #5 » by **Jazzfan12** » Sun Apr 15, 2012 7:40 pm

Millsap was Player of the Year imo. Super efficient this year, had stretches of pretty good defense even though he was generally bad defensively, scored in a ton of different ways depending on the personnel and what he was needed to do, played through injuries. Al was also pretty great this year but he didn't really have good stretches defensively in the year. Favors is good enough to be nominated, but he didn't play enough and played pretty bad to start the year.

Post #6 » by **FJS** » Sun Apr 15, 2012 9:11 pm

Like it or not, it's Jefferson.
Millsap and Hayward has played well, but Al is the only one who played great in an consistent basis.
Hayward has played really well the last 20 games, Millsap began great, and he is finishing great, but he played poorly in february.
I know he is poor in deffense, but when Jefferson is in, you know Jazz is going to score.

russnumber3 · Post #7 » by **russnumber3** » Sun Apr 15, 2012 11:34 pm

Jefferson then Millsap then a long ways down to Hayward and everyone else. Favors would have lead the league in turnovers if he had Al's minutes, while averaging 14 points a game. Would have been in the running for all nba defense though.

Have to chuckle at anyone who says Gordon...We all want him to be great, but most of us can seperate that from reality.

red4hf · Post #8 » by **red4hf** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 12:03 am

HolyToledo wrote:
red4hf wrote:Al Jefferson, leading scorer, leading rebounder, leading shotblocker, bad defender....... Three out of four ain't bad......

I totally disagree. If Big Al doesnt play at all this season, the Jazz make the playoffs. My MVP is Millsap but Hayward as a close 2nd. Favors would have been MVP if he got Jefferson's minutes.

And I think, Millsap doesn't play, Favors get 35 minutes a game, and we make the playoffs as well...... Millsap is not the difference maker on this team......

ColdBlue · Post #9 » by **ColdBlue** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 12:18 am

russnumber3 wrote:Have to chuckle at anyone who says Gordon...We all want him to be great, but most of us can seperate that from reality.

Do you have a chip on your shoulder or something? I'll give you a break this time.

Next time, before you make a judgment statement, it might be a good idea not to assume that your method for determining POTY is the only one. After all, it is undefined.

russnumber3 · Post #10 » by **russnumber3** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 12:25 am

i meant no offense, I just think POTY is more synonymous with Most Valuable Player, not Most Improved Player. In the 5 or so games that Hayward was really good this year he was probably most valuable, but Jefferson and Millsap split up almost all the rest.

babyjax13 · Post #11 » by **babyjax13** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 12:39 am

I have to go with Jefferson. Everyone else that agrees is making the same arguments I would, so I'll leave it be.

ColdBlue · Post #12 » by **ColdBlue** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 1:20 am

russnumber3 wrote:i meant no offense, I just think POTY is more synonymous with Most Valuable Player, not Most Improved Player. In the 5 or so games that Hayward was really good this year he was probably most valuable, but Jefferson and Millsap split up almost all the rest.

I think both MVP and MIP should be a part of POTY.

For what it's worth... I'm not a Hayward Homer. I just think he put it all together this year. If you just go by consistent scoring... well then it is easily Al.

Post #13 » by **StocktonShorts** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 2:48 am

FJS wrote:Like it or not, it's Jefferson.
Millsap and Hayward has played well, but Al is the only one who played great in an consistent basis.
Hayward has played really well the last 20 games, Millsap began great, and he is finishing great, but he played poorly in february.
I know he is poor in deffense, but when Jefferson is in, you know Jazz is going to score.

I agree with your assessment of Hayward and Millsap but disagree strongly on Jefferson. I think there have been relatively few games this season where his offense has been good enough to make up for his atrocious defense.

I think I'd have to go with Millsap, despite his midseason slump.

Neon Black · Post #14 » by **Neon Black** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 4:58 am

I think they were all just swell. Gonna go Millsap, he's the heart & glue of this team and he shows improvement every year...his ball handling skills and shooting have improved this season.

Someone menioned Hayward wasn't good or whatever...don't know what you're smoking. He's not the MVP and he's got plenty of room to grow, but I have no doubt he will. Go take a look at his April stats and efficiency.

Hayward would be a top 5 pick if the 2010 draff were redone. I'm gonna go out on a limb and say he's oir best player 2012-2013. Mark my words!

Reckless · Post #15 » by **Reckless** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 7:28 am

Easy - Millsap, so what Al's #'s look better, it's only because he takes far more shots. I don't know why we thought we could make the playoffs with a Jefferson dominated offense. Didn't work in Minnesota, did we really think it would work here? We would have been far better off with a mixture of Favors and Kanter at the 5 than black hole sun Jefferson.

Reckless · Post #16 » by **Reckless** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 7:31 am

By the way, anyone care to remind me what was our record w/o Jefferson?

The59Sound · Post #17 » by **The59Sound** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 3:17 pm

Probably goes to Millsap, for his consistency offensively and notable clutch performances. His positives outweighed his negatives in a way Jefferson couldn't manage, in my personal opinion.

Only guy who was good on both ends of the court is Hayward, but I still give the nod to Paul.

Post #18 » by **FJS** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 4:47 pm

ut_jazz wrote:By the way, anyone care to remind me what was our record w/o Jefferson?

Jazz without Jefferson is 4-1
They have won vs Phi, Por, GSW and @ LAL and they have lost vs Toronto

Jazz are 1-0 without Favors vs LAC

Jazz are 1-0 without Millsap vs Rockets

Jazz are 13-15 without Raja Bell

Jazz are 0-3 without Devin Harris

Jazz are 3-2 without CJ Miles

Jazz are 7-4 without Watson

Jazz are 11-9 without Howard

So... is Harris the most important guy? and Bell??? we are 18-15 with him playing... uh!

Brown Notes · Post #19 » by **Brown Notes** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 11:53 pm

For me it's Millsap. He's wanted it more than anybody and has been Mr. Clutch for this team. IMO if you made a highlight for every Jazz player with the game on the line Sap takes the cake hands down.

I think a case could be made for Harris. When he plays well Utah seems to win a whole lot more often. As much as people love to love Watson, and as nice a surprise Tinsley is, the downgrade from Harris to them is by far the highest there is at any position. Harris has been a ton better over the last 1/2 season.

I don't know about Al. These last couple losses, and several others over the year were hinged on guards having their way with him on PnR late. I thought he'd bring an elevated game during this playoff hunting stretch but haven't seen it. It can't be denied that the guy has been the most consistent producer though. Even when he's having a crap game he almost always brings the boards. There is no question in my mind he's tried his hardest to get this team over the hump this year and to improve his game. He just can't defend in open space and doesn't get better in huge games.

Jgolds · Post #20 » by **Jgolds** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 6:45 pm

honestly i dont think we can give player of the year to just one player. they all played important roles and came up big at different times. but if we have to choose a few players i think we should give it to raja bell and josh howard and watson for getting hurt. it forced the team to grow. it made us better and to look to other sources to come up big for us.

Who was the player of the year?