Five Thoughts From Friday’s Game

Posted by James Seaman on November 02, 2008

‘Stretch it out’ (NBAE/Getty Images)

Just like the Jazz players, a fan-turned-blogger must use the preseason to stretch the muscles, work out the kinks, and burn away the off-season flab. Watching Utah’s preseason game against Chicago on Friday night gave me a chance to tune up the engine and formulate the following thoughts in anticipation of the regular season.

5. What did the Jazz have in mind when they elected to play an injured Brevin Knight on Friday? I understand the need to work Knight into the system and make him comfortable with the offense. But the man is a savvy, experienced veteran. He also played at Stanford, suggesting the presence of more than a few brain cells. Knight will figure it out and work his way into the offense. He certainly can’t do that now after reinjuring his hand in Friday’s meaningless preseason game.

4. Drew Gooden looks like he should play bass guitar for the band Godsmack. It’s too bad for the Bulls that Gooden isn’t a more dynamic player. Can you imagine how terrifying that guy would seem if he had a reputation for swatting shots from the air and knocking bodies ruthlessly to the floor? Instead of striking fear in the hearts of his opponents, however, Gooden’s mediocre game makes his appearance more cartoonish than fear-inducing.

3. One day in the not-too-distant future, the Jazz will feature Ronnie Brewer at small forward and CJ Miles at shooting guard—if Miles can emerge and earn the job. Although the Jazz started Brewer at the two spot last year, several factors make the former Razorback a stronger candidate to play the three: his ability to get to the basket, the extra muscle he added over the off-season, and his unreliable outside touch. Miles can stroke the three-point shot, making him a more natural fit at shooting guard. In truth, these positions are interchangeable, as long as one of the two can stretch the defense by threatening from the perimeter. Defensively, Sloan can just assign Brewer to either the opponent’s small forward or off guard, depending on who poses the greatest offensive threat.

2. The Bulls should have drafted Michael Beasley. Two years ago this team advanced to the second round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs with the combo of Luol Deng, Ben Gordon, Kirk Hinrich, and no inside scoring to speak of. Sure, they stunk last year, but the Deng-Gordon-Hinrich trio provides more than enough punch in the backcourt. Derrick Rose simply adds another cook—albeit a massively talented one—to a crowded kitchen. Meanwhile, the Bulls let Beasley get away, losing a frontcourt threat born to score buckets and grab rebounds. Dummies.

1. Were Carlos Boozer to leave, the Jazz could run the pick and roll with Deron Williams and Mehmet Okur, putting Milsap at power forward. By no means do I want to lose Boozer. The Jazz don’t beat Houston in 2007 without the burly Alaskan. When he brings his A-game, which he usually does, Boozer plays as well as any power forward in basketball. I have contemplated the Williams-Okur pick and roll, however, because I don’t know that the Jazz can keep Boozer, even if he wants to stay. As Jazz fans know, the infamous Kirilenko contract will make the team’s budget extremely tight as they attempt to pay all of their current players when the contracts of Boozer, Okur, Brewer, and Milsap expire. While those last two will not require max money, their talents will certainly demand more than their rookie salaries currently require. The Jazz will have to make choices about who to keep and who will be allowed to walk. The most important piece—Williams—belongs to us for another five years. If the Jazz suffered the misfortune of losing Boozer, I believe they could still compete with Okur becoming the featured option alongside Williams in the Jazz’s classic two-man game.

1 Comment

John M and Kathy M on November 02, 2008 said:

Fortunately Knight’s injury did not prove serious as he was has played nicely in the first two games. Knight should enjoy his adventure with the Jazz if he gets minutes. His outstanding passing ability and low turnover to assist ratio will be appreciated and he’ll love the opportunity to distribute the ball in the Jazz passing offense.

The thought of losing Boozer immediately prompts a cold sweat. It’s not just his ambidextrous moves around the basket and his fade away jumper but also his terrific rebounding on both the offensive and defensive boards.

Ronnie Price has looked a bit tight as a shooter in is starting role. I love the guys athleticism but would Knight be a better leader while Williams is out?

Thanks for the insights James!