In an attempt to throw more games, the Jazz are having Walker Kessler shoot five threes a game.

[DonaldSanders]

Sarah Todd had a good article a couple of days ago on this. I've got absolutely no problem with the Jazz using these last few games to try to expand players' skillsets.

https://deseretnews-deseretnews-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/sports/2025/03/17/utah-jazz-walker-kessler-3-point-focus-chicago-bulls/

I think this is smart. I have no problems tanking this way -- it's no different from playing young guys instead of vets, the season is lost so why not see what can be improved? And if Kessler can even be a 33% shooter from 3 it would be huge.

But in all likely hood he will never be a decent 3P shooter, given his terrible FT shooting. But why not at least try and see what you have? Much better than resting everyone.

[JJ_PR]

The Jazz tried to screw us over, and it seems like it backfired. Isn't that great?

How did the Jazz try to screw the Cavs?

They were banking on us being bad and also losing Mitchell in free agency.

[Inigo Montoya]

The Jazz tried to screw us over, and it seems like it backfired. Isn't that great?

How did the Jazz try to screw the Cavs?

They were banking on us being bad and also losing Mitchell in free agency.

The Cavs made that trade knowing the situation. There is a big difference between hoping the Cavs will be bad and trying to screw them. Two completely different things.

[AbeVigodaLive]

paying homage to the great Mark Madsen, IYKYK

Sadly, I don't know if enough hoops fans know. So this is for them...

Flashback to April 19, 2006. Final game of the season... Minnesota vs. Memphis. The Wolves were out of the playoffs, but could move up ONE spot in the draft with one more loss. Enter Mark Madsen and Glen Taylor.

- Mark Madsen was a poor-shooting galoot who made less than 1/2 of the shots in his career despite shooting layups and dunks almost exclusively. He had made 1 three pointer in his entire career... his rookie season.
- Madsen avg. 10 mpg that season. He'd never played 12 minutes straight in any game in his career.
- Up 6 going into the 4th quarter... the Wolves put Madsen in the game and he played all 12 minutes with other bench guys.
- Madsen had not taken 5+ shots in any game that season. He took 5 shots in that quarter... including 2 three pointers. It wasn't enough to lose.
- So... the game went to OT. No problem. Madsen played all 5 minutes and missed 2 more three pointers. It STILL wasn't enough.
- The game goes to 2nd OT... and now the scene is set... Madsen plays 5 more minutes... and takes FIVE more three pointers.
- Madsen played the final 25+ mpg of that game without a rest... shot 1 - 15 fg (career high)... including 0 - 7 (career high) on three pointers.

Finally, the tank works!

The Wolves moved up one spot in the draft! YEAH! So what do they do?

Glen Taylor (owner) initiates a trade so the Wolves could jump back one spot in the draft for cash considerations... which Taylor pocketed.

___________________________________________


Just how bad was Mark Madsen as a shooter? Glad you asked! Consider...

- Mark Madsen shot 18% over his final two NBA seasons (6 - 33 fg) shooting only layups and dunks.
- Mark Madsen shot 19% on free throws over that same stretch.

[Hornet Mania]

I had no idea about Madsen's FT percentage at the end of his career. That is brutal. I knew he was a white stiff but now I feel like calling him that is an insult to other respectable 50% FT shooting white stiffs.

[AbeVigodaLive]

I had no idea about Madsen's FT percentage at the end of his career. That is brutal. I knew he was a white stiff but now I feel like calling him that is an insult to other respectable 50% FT shooting white stiffs.

To be fair... he was 52.7% for his career. He started out at 70% with the Lakers. It just kept going down from there. Dropping to 65% and then 59% and then... well, you get the picture.

In a small sample size over his final two seasons when he was in pure gimmick mode...

He shot 6 - 33 from the field. And 3 - 16 on free throws.