Getting a Cushion

SoCalJazzFan · Post #1 » by **SoCalJazzFan** » Fri Oct 19, 2012 8:27 pm

With Love and Dirk out for the next 5-6 weeks, can the Jazz build a cushion of wins between themselves and the Mavs and Wolves to an extent it makes a difference in April?

Post #2 » by **StocktonShorts** » Fri Oct 19, 2012 9:19 pm

I thought Dallas might struggle to make the postseason without a clear injury to Dirk; with it? Yeah I think it helps the Jazz's chances.

Minnesota has the potential to be better, but they've got injury issues now on Rubio and Love; and their next two best players are arguably Brandon Roy and Andrei Kirilenko, neither of whom are likely to play more than 60 games this year.

Post #3 » by **DelaneyRudd** » Fri Oct 19, 2012 10:46 pm

I wonder if Denver will disappoint.

Post #4 » by **StocktonShorts** » Fri Oct 19, 2012 11:03 pm

DelaneyRudd wrote:I wonder if Denver will disappoint.

Given the lofty expectations of some of their fans this is almost a given.

Paper Face · Post #5 » by **Paper Face** » Sat Oct 20, 2012 4:39 am

The real cushion will come when the Clippers suffer a significant injury. Which should come by Christmas.

The59Sound · Post #6 » by **The59Sound** » Sat Oct 20, 2012 4:54 am

Paper Face wrote:The real cushion will come when the Clippers suffer a significant injury. Which should come by Christmas.

Did they move Christmas to November?

UTJazzFan_Echo1 · Post #7 » by **UTJazzFan_Echo1** » Sat Oct 20, 2012 5:37 am

StocktonShorts wrote:
DelaneyRudd wrote:I wonder if Denver will disappoint.

Given the lofty expectations of some of their fans this is almost a given.

Word is that Kosta is gonna start over JaVale... that'll put a big damper on things.

Neon Black · Post #8 » by **Neon Black** » Sat Oct 20, 2012 8:22 am

The love for Denver by the media and their fans has been a joke. People are having all kinds of 'gasms over how amazing of an acquisition Iguodala is...seriously?

I've heard "analysts" say Denver would compete with Oklahoma for the Northwest Division. Come on.

They have a sexy team dynamic, but not one player good enough to carry them. Meanwhile, everyone derides the Jazz' subtle, crafty and intelligent moves this off season because they really don't understand how bad CJ and Raja were or just how well the team's weaknesses have been addressed. That, and the development of Hayward, Kanter, Favors and Burks goes completely ignored.

But what's new? The Jazz will exceed expectations this year just as they did last year and many other years. I was right about them sneaking into the playoffs last year - this year they'll finish second in the division and, with all the injuries to other playoff contenders, they'll compete for the 4-5 seed.

Denver and Koufos will surely be close behind.

nghedman · Post #9 » by **nghedman** » Sat Oct 20, 2012 12:28 pm

Iguodala is a perfect fit for Denver just as Marv and Mo are for the Jazz. Denver was better than the Jazz last year and they clearly got better this year.

But with that being said, I too Neon was one of the few last year that knew the Jazz were better than most thought, and predicted such. And I think the Jazz improved that much more than Denver, in fact they have as much of a cushion that I think they will be competing for the top spot with OKC (and Denver).

reapaman · Post #10 » by **reapaman** » Sat Oct 20, 2012 2:09 pm

Well I will get the negatives out the way first.

While for the jazz 3 point shooting was a weakness, it clearly wasn't our biggest weakness. #1 was poor playmaking and Mo is not much of a upgrade in that category from Harris. Playmaking cures a lot of ills and without it, its still gonna be Big AL going iso with everyone else standing around looking. Those 3 point shooters are still gonna have trouble getting open and making room for jefferson (or millsap) to pass out of double and tripple team. 3 point shooters are not as effective without a playmaker ala nash, d-will or Lebron. Defense and Consistancy were other clear weaknesses and of the two consistancy was addressed the best. Plus I think we got some geling to do which can be scary in the beginning of the season and also I think the lockout was a bit more kinder to us than other teams which helped us out.

Denver on the other hand major weakness was 3 point shooting and they were aweful last year and have been aweful in the preseason so far. Lack of perimeter shooting killed them in games last year because when lawson or miller penetrated the defenses, they didn't have no one to kick it out too most of the time and they still don't from the looks of it. They did upgrade affalo with iggy which is great since I have some issue with affalo last year especially in the playoffs. The other problems are 3 starting centers and they really need a big man with more offensive skill because you and only go so far with your front court getting points primarily off of hustle plays. Defense can be an issue for them to at crucial times.

So we shall see, I don't think its a given one team is better than the other right now but if I were to place a bet its gonna be on Lawson/Miller because they can have a more dangerous impact than Jefferson/Millsap.

Paper Face · Post #11 » by **Paper Face** » Sat Oct 20, 2012 5:44 pm

The59Sound wrote:
Paper Face wrote:The real cushion will come when the Clippers suffer a significant injury. Which should come by Christmas.

Did they move Christmas to November?

Touche. Hell, it probably almost happened in their game Wednesday against the Jazz.

QuantumMacgyver · Post #12 » by **QuantumMacgyver** » Sat Oct 20, 2012 6:42 pm

Stephen Curry also left the 'Dubs game last night after someone stepped on his ankle. There's no way his ankle makes it through this season. Too bad for him, but good for the Jazz.

Post #13 » by **StocktonShorts** » Sat Oct 20, 2012 8:55 pm

QuantumMacgyver wrote:Stephen Curry also left the 'Dubs game last night after someone stepped on his ankle. There's no way his ankle makes it through this season. Too bad for him, but good for the Jazz.

Also too bad for my plan for the Jazz to sign him.