Exit Giricek – Enter Korver

Posted by Johnathan Kendrick on December 29, 2007

‘Trading Places’ (Jesse D. Garrabrant – NBAE/Getty Images)

When the Jazz fell to the Lakers 123-109 on Dec 28th, it revealed two things.

1.      The Lakers are a better team after shaking up the chemistry and trading for SF Trevor Ariza.  The Lakers are 10-2 since Dec 4th (The first game Ariza got considerable playing time in LA) and 6-0 when he plays at least 15 minutes.

2.      The Jazz could also benefit from a chemistry shake up, and some new blood.

Exit Gordan Giricek, Enter Kyle Korver.

Giricek was a polarizing figure while on the Jazz, especially the last few weeks.  Most fans of the team either thought he should be playing regular minutes, or that he should have been aggressively shopped around the league, traded for almost anyone.  While Giricek is gone, the debate to whether or not he was dealt with fairly is sure to live on.

Personally I wish Giri well in Philadelphia, but I think the Jazz are going to be much better withouthim.  He was a great jump shooter.  Problem is, he rarely took jump shots.  He liked to fake the defender into the air and then drive and shoot off the run. He is not a strong finisher around the hoop.  Giricek has bad hands and is a bad passer.  He caused a lot of turnovers that were credited to teammates.  Giricek showed lately that he could be an aggressive, in your face defender when his man had the ball outside, but he still was not a good off-the-ball defender and like many Jazz players got lost in help defense.

Bottom line – He wasn’t a good fit in the Jazz system. At least not the way he wanted to play.  On paper – Korver should be able to help the Jazz significantly.  Mostly by doing what Giricek should have been doing, staying outside, stretching defenses, and hitting jump shots.  All playing to the strengths of a shooter.  If Korver can do this successfully, the Jazz will be better offensively.

It’s hard to say the Jazz will be any better defensively with Korver – but realistically – they really get much worse.

This could be a good trade for all parties involved.  The Jazz needed some new blood and a shooter.  After watching the Lakers, it’s easy to see what one player can do for team chemistry.  With any luck the Jazz can now take a much needed step forward.

4 Comments

Samantha Korver on December 29, 2007 said:

this is crazy korver should still be on the 76ers. i am philly girl and i neeed to be able to get my tickets to watch my man play basketball with his number 26 76ers jersey on. i dont wanna have to travel about 6 hours..although it looks lke i will have to

Linda McFarland on December 30, 2007 said:

Samantha,,,I can understand your feelings completely. Who knows, if things workout like they are suppose to, you may learn to like Salt Lake enoughy to become a Philly girl who has been transferred to Utah. I hope you have a chance to talk to others who were not happy about coming to SLC but found that it is nothing like they thought and they really love it here. We welcome you with open arms and hope Korver fits in with the Jazz. I think that is the hardest part of the NBA is the trading ect. My heart soert of aches for Gireck but deep down I know he will be much happier with a team where he fits in better. Sorry about the 6 hours travel. When we are fortunate enough to be at a game we drive 3 hours but I know that is a little different. Anyway, WELCOME KORVER.

Dar on December 30, 2007 said:

Give him back, #1 Kyle fan, #2 76ers fan

RRR on December 31, 2007 said:

I’m not looking forward to our next game against Philly, Gira will probably sit outside and drop 15 3’s against us. All over the league there is a seeding of Sloane trained players, and most of them are very good, and very good against the Jazz as well. Only point is that players do not own their own destiny, sans Koby. The rest are well compensated for having what you could call a mobile life.

But such would only support this trade as being good for him. For me Korver is a ?. My G/F was pretty impressed and since I refer all BB related material through her, I’m anxious to see him in action with the Jazz.

BTW, you can purchase league pass and watch him play every game in from of that new HD set! Not exactly the same, but hey it sure cuts down on travel time.

Imagine this, Williams to Harp, driving hard, defense collects, harp throws out to Korver for a 3! I can live with that scenario about 20 times a game! If he can do that sorta stuff, consistently, I’m gonna start smiling. Better than me smiling, my G/F will be smiling allot more. Nothing like having a happy lady around!

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