| 24 February 2012
*This post covers last week’s games, and this week’s (didn’t want to do a post for a 2 game week, soooo yeah.)
16.7%. Take a guess at what that number is. No it’s not Fesenko’s old free throw percentage, and no it’s not the percent of times that Josh Howard passes on a fast break. It’s actually the percentage of games we have won since my last post. That’s six games and only one win. I don’t I need to explain to you how bad that is. Just a few weeks ago, we looked like a legitimate playoff team, now we look like a legitimate lottery team. Am I overreacting? Maybe, maybe not. But that’s not the point. The point is this team is underperforming right now, along with a lot of its players. Let’s take a look to see who is and isn’t.
Devin Harris
Last Week’s Line: 9 points (53%), 5 assists (2.7 TO’s), 1.5 rebound, 1.2 steals
Not exactly the most impressive line, but I won’t lie, Harris has looked better recently. He plays a lot better when he is pushing it and taking it to the basket, both of which he has been doing lately. Is he still underperforming? Yes, he can definitely play better. Hopefully All Star break can help reenergize him some more.
Raja Bell
Last Week’s Line: 10.5 points (60%), 1.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 60% on 3’s.
Despite missing the last two games, Bell once again played pretty good. The 10 points a game sure doesn’t look like a lot, but it’s hard to be disappointed when it is coming on 60% shooting from the field (AND from downtown). I don’t think Raja is the ideal shooting guard for many teams; however he has been a bright spot for the Jazz of late as one of the only players who isn’t underperforming. Call me crazy, but he’s actually played himself into contention for this week’s award.
Gordon Hayward
Last Week’s Line: 5.3 points (33%), 1.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists (2.2 TO’s)
There is no question that Hayward has had a rough year; calling it a roller-coaster ride would probably be an understatement. 10 days ago, Hayward was playing the best ball he had all year, now he is playing some of his worst. I think you can pin some of this on the fact that the team is playing pretty bad overall, but you cannot deny that Gordon is still trying to find his stride. I still don’t think it’s a question of if he will find it, but when he will. It took him most of the season last year to find his stride, how much longer do we have to wait this year? Maybe an appearance in Orlando this weekend will do the trick…
Paul Millsap
Last Week’s Line: 15.2 points (42%), 8.2 rebounds, 1.7 steals, 1.7 assists (1.3 TO’s)
I personally thought that being snubbed from the All Star game would help get Millsap’s game back on track, but calling him a ‘snub’ at this point may be a little generous. Right now Millsap is shooting 49% on the season, and if he keeps up his current play it could be the first time he finishes under 50% in his career. He’s worn out, I don’t think there is any question about that. However there is question in whether he can up his production by season’s end, because the Jazz sure need it.
Al Jefferson
Last Week’s Line: 20.6 points (49.6%), 10.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists (.3 TO’s), 1.5 blocks, 1.7 steals
Statistically, Jefferson had a pretty good 6 games. In a matter of fact, that really is an impressive line. But that’s the problem. Putting up good numbers on bad teams is exactly what Jefferson is known for. I got curious this morning about Al’s shot attempts in wins compared to losses, so I looked it up.
I’m not an expert when it comes to numbers, but I did find it interesting to find that this [season] was only the second time that Al has put up more shots in losses than wins, it also happens to be the largest margin as well. What may be more concerning about this is Jefferson shoots 9% worse in losses this year (53% in wins compared to 44% in losses) but still averages more overall attempts. Jefferson is a good player, but can he be a good player on a good (playoff) team? Right now the answer is no. That could change though, there are still 34 games left this season.
Earl Watson
Last Week’s Line: 3.33 points (28%), 3.2 assists (1.5 TO’s), 1.5 rebounds, 1.3 steals
You only have to take one look at Earl’s stats to know he didn’t have the best week. He actually had the worst average +/- on the team at -7.7. Then again, putting up good stats isn’t really Earl’s thing. It’s funny, while Watson may hate losing more than any Jazz player, he also happens to be one of the most positive players on the team. If you follow him on twitter, you’d probably agree with me. Like I said, Earl didn’t have the best week. But I am fine with that, because the intangibles he brings to each game mean a lot more than his stats do.
CJ Miles
Last Week’s Line: 5.7 points (29%), 1.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists (1 TO)
Not exactly what you expect from a 7 year veteran in a contract year, right? Then again, it probably wouldn’t be fair to expect something specific from Miles since he has been doing the unexpected his entire career. Brian T. Smith tweeted about Miles possibly resigning after this season.
While Miles is one of my favorite players, I honestly don’t see it happening. Maybe we sign him for a short and cheap contract, but my money is that another team will offer a longer and better deal.
Josh Howard
Last Week’s Line: 6.5 points (40%), 4 rebounds, .8 assists (.8 TO’s)
While it wasn’t a great week for Howard, atleast he didn’t look like a corpse like he did in the previous week. Josh actually played really good the last two games, which is hopefully a sign that he is getting his legs back. Brian T. Smith also tweeted about Howard resigning. As I said with Miles, I don’t know if I see it happening. Not unless it’s for short and cheap. However, depending on whether or not the Jazz draft or make a move for a different wing, we will need somebody back. The second half of the season could be an audition for next year.
Derrick Favors
Last Week’s Line: 8.5 points (47%), 3.3 rebounds, .8 blocks, 1.3 TO’s (16.6 minutes)
Is Favors struggling? Yeah to a point he is, the sophomore isn’t exactly excelling. But I’m guessing it is pretty hard to excel when you are only getting 17 minutes a game (3 less than last year). Truth is, I think it’s difficult to make an impact when your playing time is limited. Statistically, Favors had a decent week. Convert his averages to 36 minutes, and he is putting up 18 points, 7 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 3 TO’s. Not numbers that make you drool, but definetly numbers that make you wonder whether he should get more time or not. Now I understand, minutes don’t necessarily mean development, but can you develop without minutes? Here is a breakdown of Favors’ minutes from this season (from www.basketball-reference.com).
A little while ago David Locke tweeted that the Jazz are 8-2 in games that Favors plays more than 20 minutes. I don’t know what is more amazing about that, the record, or the fact that he has only played 20+ minutes in 10 games. I decided to take a deeper look. It turns out there have been 11 games now where he has played 20+ minutes (8-3 W/L). In them he has averaged 27 minutes, 11.3 points (57% shooting), 7.2 rebounds, 1.4 blocks, and 1.6 turnovers. Now, I’m not here to tell Ty Corbin what to do, he has a very hard job. The Jazz have 4 really good bigs, so it’s going to be hard to give them all the minutes that they are worthy of; a trade may be the only way of making that happen.
Enes Kanter
Last Week’s Line: 5.2 points (45%), 6.2 rebounds, .7 blocks, .8 TO’s (14.8 minutes)
Kanter is also struggling to get minutes on the floor. Regardless, Kanter is still producing. He has improved greatly on both sides of the ball since the season started, and is still rebounding at incredible rates. Hypothetically, if you gave Kanter Kevin Love’s minutes, he’d bring down 16.7 boards a game. Read that again, 16.7. That’d be good enough for #1 in the NBA. Of course that is hypothetical. Kanter isn’t going to get 40 minutes a game. However, that doesn’t change the fact that he is already a top rebounder in this league.
Alec Burks
Last Week’s Line: 7.5 points (48%), 2.5 rebounds, 1 assists (.5 TO’s), .8 steals (15.8 mintutes)
Burks may not be completely free yet, but he has finally earned a spot in Ty Corbin’s wing rotation. In a matter of fact, we have been seeing Burks come off the bench before CJ in some games, and it comes with good reason. Alec is looking really good lately. Not only is he putting up good numbers in his limited time, but he is playing within the flow of the team, and a lot less out of control. In the past 6 games, Burks has been averaging more points than Howard, Miles, and Hayward. He’s also been shooting much better than all three of them. I love watching him play, but I don’t make that decision, Corbin does. I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets a nice bump in minutes if he keeps his current play; I hope he does.
*Players who didn't play (very much): Jeremy Evans, Jamaal Tinsley, DeMarre Carroll
There is no question that the Jazz played really bad over the past 6 games. So while deciding on who should get this week’s award, I decided to eliminate all players who are underperforming and see who is left; there weren't too many.
Player of the Week (Week 8 and 9)
Alec does a good job at containing his emotion after hearing about his latest
award. (Photo via Trent Nelson, Salt Lake Tribune)
Alec Burks: 7.5 points (48%), 2.5 rebounds, 1 assists (.5 TO’s), .8 steals (15.8 minutes)
Runner up: Raja Bell
Special Mentions: Enes Kanter, Al Jefferson
Thanks to @sproul13 for weekly stats
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