Jazz Training Camp: Replacing Fisher

Posted by David Locke on October 04, 2007

Twenty-Eight minutes, 10 points and three assists a game need to be replaced in the backcourt with the departure of Derek Fisher. While the leadership void will fall up upon others, the on floor vacancy will fall upon numerous shoulders.

Second year player Ronnie Brewer comes to camp with a vastly improved body. He has a better understanding of what the NBA entails. Brewer has the potential to be a very good defender with his athleticism. Offensively, his jumper must improve so that he is guarded. He does a nice job of passing off the dribble and plays in the paint very well. In addition, he does well in the open floor.

Ronnie Brewer and I chatted as he embarks on year 2 in the NBA.

Three new players will also compete with Brewer for some of those minutes, Morris Almond, Jason Hart and Ronnie Price.

Jerry Sloan gave me a short breakdown on those guys.

We talked with Morris Almond yesterday. The team is very pleased with how well Almond moves without the ball. He understands the floor and the angels. He also comes with a back to the basket game that is rare for guards. Whether or not that is used in his rookie year is yet to be seen. A weakness in college of ball handling in traffic has not manifested itself in summer league or the opening of training camp.

Jason Hart is a guy who has played well whenever he got the opportunity. While I spotlight his time in Charlotte he points out that the best he has ever played was last year in LA with the Clippers.

Here is my conversation with Jason Hart.

Ronnie Price has an exciting combination of work ethic and athleticism. On the break he is able to get on top of the rim which makes him a very good finisher on the break. He says all the right things about defense. I see him as a Bobby Jackson type.

Ronnie Price and I talked about that before practice today.

Gordan Giricek can’t be forgotten in this conversation either.

Here is more Jerry Sloan about how he is approaching training camp.

Who do you think steps into this void for the Jazz in 2007-08?

1 Comment

ChrisR on October 04, 2007 said:

Locke,

2-guard play:

I was disappointed that the Jazz weren’t able to pickup a veteran 2-guard with the Fisher money -which I assume they still have available. But I have to assume they didn’t feel that the right player was available for the right money.

That being said, I think that the Jazz’s best opportunity for improvement is in Brewer and Almond at the 2. Knowing Jerry, I think that the job is Brewer’s to loose, (much like CJ last year).

If Brewer can show he can play within the offense, make good decisions, and play good defense (basicly do everything Sloan wants)… then I think he will get the majority of minutes.

Almond might get some minutes pre-season, but unless Brewer is a huge disappointment, and Jerry has another DW moment while riding his tractor, Or Almond starts playing like Millsap (far above everyone’s expectations, and showing great heart and intensity), then I think the job is Brewer’s to loose.

I think that Hart and Price are doing and saying the right things, at least two days into training camp. Hart might end up starting at 2, like Fisher was last year… but I think that the Jazz should focus Hart and Price at playing the backup point, instead of playing Hart in a combo rotation. I’d rather see Hart be a solid backup to DW, then see him do only an fair job trying to play both positions… and leave Jazz fans wondering how much better we might be if Brewer or Almond or even CJ were allowed to play at 2.

Leave Your Comment

How do I get an avatar for my comments?
It is easy and completely free. Just go to Gravatar.com and sign-up with your email address. Gravatar is globally recognized, so your avatar will show on every Gravatar-enabled website or blog.