Milsap to 2nd Unit

SoCalJazzFan · Post #1 » by **SoCalJazzFan** » Tue Nov 6, 2012 9:38 pm

I have to admit, I am a huge Paul Milsap fan. However, I am convinced more than ever that he should be moved to the second unit.

It is only 4 games into the season, but I think that the 2nd unit is in shambles, and it has shown the past 3 games.

Burks and Foye are not PGs and never will be. Period. The Jazz have to use Tinsley as the PG of the second unit.

Outside of Foye, the 2nd unit has no one to go to for offense. Kanter, hasn't been very impressive in the paint offensively. Favors isn't that great offensively either. That is why this unit loses balls in the paint and jacks up outside shots over and over again. Other than Foye hitting 3s and Kanter and Favors getting rebounds, the 2nd unit is pretty worthless and rudderless.

So, move Favors to the 1st unit in order to provide the defense and length to overcome Al's weaknesses. With Mo, Gordon, Al and Marvin, the 1st unit has plenty of offensive weapons and options. This might even free up Favors for offensive plays.

Milsap will give the 2nd unit a reliable inside presence and offensive option. It will also give the 2nd unit an inside/outside game between Foye and Sap, and Sap should be able to tear up backup PFs. He isn't going to like it, but Manu Ginobli and The Beard have made a name for themselves doing it, and either Favors at Center and Sap as the PF or Sap at backup PF is his future with the Jazz anyways. If he tears it up, it shouldn't hurt his upcoming free agency either. In any event, I am convinced that Corbin needs to make the tough call and swap Favors and Sap (each could still get 20-30 mins per game, particulary if Favors gets in foul trouble).

SoCalJazzFan · Post #2 » by **SoCalJazzFan** » Tue Nov 6, 2012 9:53 pm

I just read Locke and the comparison of the bigs playing with each other. I'd like to see the numbers without the Big 3 lineup (Al, Favors and Sap), but they support the proposition of Sap playing with Kanter on the 2nd unit.

Grow some, Corbin, and make it happen!

HolyToledo12 · Post #3 » by **HolyToledo12** » Tue Nov 6, 2012 11:34 pm

Jefferson to the 2nd unit not Millsap. Big Al doesnt get his shots with 1st unit bc of a lot of scorers while Big Al's scoring is needed on 2nd unit against 2nd unit bigs. Start Favors, Millsap, Marvin, Hayward, and Mo with bench play of Foye, Burks, Big Al, and Kanter (9 player rotation 1st half of game and phase out Foye, Burks, or Kanter who dont play well in 1st half for an 8 man rotation in 2nd half of games. It is the best lineup.

outerspacefella · Post #4 » by **outerspacefella** » Wed Nov 7, 2012 6:10 pm

There's no really an argument to throw Millsap to the second unit. Why not Jefferson?
IMHO the five best players at this point have been Mo, Randy, Hayward, Millsap and Favors. That's a starting unit. Besides, Jefferson's a little slow in getting to his comfort zone at the start, but tends to elevate his game in the clutch, at the end of games.

UTJazzFan_Echo1 · Post #5 » by **UTJazzFan_Echo1** » Wed Nov 7, 2012 6:12 pm

outerspacefella wrote:There's no really an argument to throw Millsap to the second unit.

SoCalJazzFan · Post #6 » by **SoCalJazzFan** » Wed Nov 7, 2012 8:57 pm

HolyToledo12 wrote:Jefferson to the 2nd unit not Millsap. Big Al doesnt get his shots with 1st unit bc of a lot of scorers while Big Al's scoring is needed on 2nd unit against 2nd unit bigs. Start Favors, Millsap, Marvin, Hayward, and Mo with bench play of Foye, Burks, Big Al, and Kanter (9 player rotation 1st half of game and phase out Foye, Burks, or Kanter who dont play well in 1st half for an 8 man rotation in 2nd half of games. It is the best lineup.

The reason Mo and Marv get open outside looks is because the opposing defense has to respect Al on the block, and often double team him when he gets the ball on that left block. I'm glad that he is not putting up as many shots this year, and instead the ball is getting into everyone's hands, but I wonder if the shooters would get as many open shots if Al weren't in there with them.

What Al needs is help on defense, as his defense is horrendous, and Favors can offer that. Yet, Al can still score on the block and the outside shooters can still snipe away.

If Favors and Sap played together, the opposing team would focus their defense 12-24 feet from the basket as neither is that great of an offensive threat in the paint, particularly against starting PFs and Cs. Statistically, though, that duo should be great defensively.

Let's face it, at least one of Al and Sap are gone by the end of the year. Time to cure some immediate problems and determine which combo works best.