Crank up the RPMs
‘More Price is Right’ (Noah Graham - NBAE/Getty Images)
It’s long overdue, but Ronnie Price needs to be getting ALL of the backup minutes at point guard for the Jazz. Watching the Sacramento game the other night with a buddy of mine, we decided that the team needs an infusion of RPMs - Ronnie Price Minutes. Here’s why.
He’s averaging the same amount of points in less minutes than Hart. On top of that fact, he’s shooting an enormously better percentage.
| PPG | Min | Pct | |
| Jason Hart | 3.2 | 12 | 31% |
| Ronnie Price | 3.3 | 7 | 46% |
Every other major stat for the two guards is pretty similar. So why is he not getting the minutes? It makes no sense. In my opinion, he gives a similar or better effort than Hart on defense too.Aside from the statistical benefits of playing Price more, he fits in better to what the Jazz seem to be building - which is a team that can be a legitimate contender for a championship in the next two seasons. Price has another year left on his contract while Hart’s expires this season. That makes Hart trade fodder in my opinion. It would be a grave mistake to resign him for another $2m next year, which is what he’s on the books for now. So why not play the guy that WILL be here next year?
It seems that Sloan and the rest of the coaching staff are starting to realize the benefits of having Price on the floor too. He played more minutes that Hart in the win against Chicago. If Sloan doesn’t continue to reward him with minutes after the all-star break, I’ll be completely shocked.
I don’t think that Hart is as bad as people make him out to be. He gives exactly what is expected from a backup guard playing 12 minutes a game. Cranking up the RPMs isn’t going to necessarily lead to more wins for the Jazz this season. I think it might next year though. With consistent playing time who knows what more Price could do. He reminds me a lot of another Jazz backup guard from the past - Jacque Vaughn. Look what he’s turned into over the years for San Antonio and you’ll see what can happen when you have a great role player coming off the bench on a championship team.
5 Comments to “Crank up the RPMs”
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I agree (go figure). Price has played great on both ends of the floor while in the game. I think he has proved that it is tough for just about any PG to guard him. He is incredibly fast and is not afraid to take charges. He seems to make at least one good defensive play every game as well.
Hart has played better, but he is definitely trade material. He still just doesn’t seem that comfortable with his role on the team. I think when he is in at the end of the first quarter the Jazz should just have Milsap, Harpring and Boozer all stand under the offensive basket and wait for the inevitable missed shot by Hart.
I agree that I feel better when Price is in but I still think the reason that he does so well is because he comes in off the bench and gives a big spark at that time. I don’t think that he will give the big spark if he is playing earlier in the game. I don’t know just what the Jazz organization is thinking but I think I can almost guarantee that they have been thinking about the whole thing. They are not blind and all of them get all of the stats so they know and see what you and I know and see but you and I don’t have any idea what the organization is thinking. There are so many, many things involved in contracts, money, terms of contracts, wishes of the players, and a million other things that go into who is playing right now and who isn’t. I agree with the play of the two players but I have to leave my trust in the Jazz organization to do what will work out for the better.
Ronnie Price is definitely Williams backup. Larry, let’s trade Hart, Collins, and maybe CJ and let’s get a big center that can play rough under the basket and block shots and offense of rebound. If you need any help deciding, give me a call. You have my number.
Price is way better then Hart. At least he can go under for a layup. But Hart can’t. He can’t even manage the timing when it comes to the final seconds.
If someone has a seat close to Jerry Sloan please let him know that Hart has to go. He shouldn’t even be playing in the D-League. Price is way better. I went to school with Price and watch him play (He did things in college that I can’t wait to see him do everytime he steps on the court for the Jazz). If Sloan will give him a chance Price can be AMAZING!!! Williams is UNBELIEVABLE but he can’t play the whole game. When sloan puts Heart in to give Williams a break it’s like putting in a 6th player for the other team. We need a good backup for Williams going into the playoffs and price is the man (Hart’s missed shots and turnovers will kill us in the playoffs). Come Sloan “Play the Price” and let’s win the title.
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