| 13 March 2012
*This post does not include stats or insights from last night’s win vs the Pistons
The Jazz did what they were supposed to do last week. They started off the week by winning the 2 easy games vs the Cavs and Bobcats, and then followed that with a couple losses to the Sixers and Bulls. Not necessarily successful, but I wouldn’t call it a failure either.
Devin Harris
Last week’s line: 9.3 points (53%), 2 assists (1 TO), 2.7 rebounds
Despite missing the final game, Harris has kept up his recently good play. Devin may not be piling in the points, but he is still scoring efficiently, and pushing the pace to start most games. 2 assists a game is not what Jazz fans have come to expect from their starting point guard, but it is not his fault that team traded for a “shoot first” point guard. While Harris has definitely played better of late, I still think that it is unlikely he is part of the team’s long term plans.
Raja Bell
Last week’s line: 2.3 points (33%), 1.3 assists (1.3 TO’s), 1 rebound, .3 steals
Ever since coming back from injury, Bell has really struggled. This is pretty obvious as you take a quick look at his numbers. It took Bell a good part of the season to get up and running, and with the way he has been playing lately you wonder if it will take him that long to get going again. However, poor play wasn’t the highlight of Raja’s week, his “rumble” with Corbin is. While none of us know the specifics of what happened between Bell and the Jazz organization, it is still an intriguing matter. Despite his poor play, is Bell complaining about minutes and touches? This could be our last week with the former fan favorite.
Josh Howard
Last week’s line: 10.8 points (43%), 3 rebounds, .8 assists (1 TO)
Howard’s production has slipped a little, but it is still much better than it was a few weeks ago. While I wasn’t a huge supporter of him gaining the starting spot, but I do think he plays better with the starters. Then again, he is still below average when it comes to starting wings in my opinion, and is obviously not the answer for the future. When it comes to chance of being traded this week, I think Howard is near the top of the list.
Paul Millsap
Last week’s line: 17.5 points (51%), 7.5 rebounds, 3 assists (1.3 TO’s)
Is Millsap back? Not yet, but he is getting closer. Paul looked better for the second consecutive week, including a monster game vs Chicago (Boozer). He actually led the team in steals over the past week with 2.5, something he was doing a whole lot of earlier in the year. Not to mention the impressive assist (and turnover) numbers.
Al Jefferson
Last week’s line: 21.5 points (50%), 9 rebounds, 3.8 assists (1 TO), 1.8 blocks
Big Al had another very solid week, but skip the points, rebounds, and blocked shots and take a look at those assists, nearly four a game. You probably heard already, but in Monday’s win over the Cavs Jefferson led BOTH teams in points, rebounds, and assists. That rarely happens. Then he almost did it the next game, but co-led in assists. It may have taken the man 8 years to learn to pass like he is, but he still deserves credit. Overall Al is just playing really, really good right now, just ask Biyombo.
Earl Watson
Last week’s line: 3.8 (33%), 4.5 assists (1.5 TO’s), 3 rebounds
Watson was simply Watson last week. He led the team in assists, didn’t score too much and grabbed a couple of rebounds. It’s funny, I think if you showed any other non-Jazz fan his stats, they probably wouldn’t get very excited. But I cannot tell you how glad I was to resign Earl for this and next season. While there is no official captain to this team, Watson is without a doubt one of the leaders, both on and off the court.
CJ Miles
Last week’s line: 3 points (14%), .5 assists (.5 TO’s), 1.8 rebounds
Nope, that is not a typo, Miles really shot a scalding 14% last week, 14%! I had to double check it myself, and sure enough, 3/22. I don’t think I have to go into detail on how bad that is. Unfortunately, Miles wasn’t a major contributor anywhere really. For the past little while I’ve been thinking if anyone gets traded this week, it’s Miles or Howard. How bitter sweet would that be? While it would free up time for Burks, it would be the end of the #Whatupdoe era, which wouldn’t be easy for me.
Gordon Hayward
Last week’s line: 13.5 points (58%), 4.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists (2.3 TO’s)
Hayward did a fantastic job in responding to his benching, starting with 23 points in his first game off the bench (this season). He kept up the improved play through the week and even finished second in FG%. This is the Hayward we fell in love with last year. If you think Gordon has been hitting from deep more often than not, then you are right, as he has made 5 of his last 11 three point attempts. Let me also point out that Gordon didn’t lose any time in this benching, in a matter of fact he played more than the week prior and was just above his season average.
Derrick Favors
Last week’s line: 9.5 points (64%), 5.3 rebounds, 1.8 TO’s, .5 blocks, .5 steals (17.5 minutes)
Derrick is playing the best ball of his NBA career right now. We’ve never seen Favors play this good on offense, and overall he is just playing hard and it is paying off. Maybe that trip to Orlando for All Star weekend gave him an extra shot of confidence? However I do have one concern, his playing time. I know, I know, Favors is splitting time with Millsap, Jefferson, and Kanter, time on the court definitely does not come easy. But 17.5 minutes? That’s about 3 less than last year, and like I said, he is playing the best ball since coming into the big league. It will likely take a trade to open things up for the sophomore, but I don’t see one of our other bigs being dealt before draft night.
Enes Kanter
Last week’s line: 2.3 points (27%), 1.3 rebounds (8.5 minutes)
Kanter is really in a slump right now, and Corbin has let him know, as his playing time was cut in half last week. Enes has looked lost on both offense and defense at times, and even his trademark rebounding has gone down. This is where we take a deep breath and remember this is a 19 year old rookie who hadn’t played before this season for over 2 years. To say the least, growing pains are to be expected, and a good amount of them. Kanter has met or exceeded most people’s expectations, and I believe he will continue to do that as he develops. But for now, he needs to work on getting his game back.
Alec Burks
Last week’s line: 5.3 points (47%), 1.3 rebounds, .5 assists (0 TO’s) (12.8 minutes)
Bell returning from injury instantly took minutes away Burks, but that didn’t stop Burks from doing his thing. I think Alec is in a similar position to Favors. Close to taking another step, but needs more playing time to do so, which will only happen if a trade occurs. Right now Burks is last in line on the depth chart of wings, which runs 5 players deep. I personally think he is our second or third best wing. A lot of this could change in the next few days though.
*Players who didn’t play (much): Jeremy Evans, DeMarre Carroll, Jamaal Tinsley
While last week was somewhat predictable, this current week is going to be the exact opposite. The Jazz have some games that will put them in position to make a run at the playoffs, and who knows what will happen with the trade deadline on Thursday. This could be the last time I write about certain players…That said, I think we have a winner.
Player of the Week: Week 11
Jefferson has bigger hands than you, and more POW Awards (Photo via Scott Winterton)
Al Jefferson 21.5 points (50%), 9 rebounds, 3.8 assists (1 TO), 1.8 block
Runner up: Derrick Favors
Special Mentions: Gordon Hayward, Paul Millsap
Thanks @sproul13 for weekly stats
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