:(
I get Ainge is the president and instrumental in all operations, but Zanik still is the GM, and he’s pretty much only overlooked. Ainge gets all the credit for the Mitchell and Gobert trades, but like, is it wrong to assume Zanik was also instrumental there?
7:30pm MST on NBA TV
Jazz Injury Report (as of 7/12):
PROBABLE - Ochai Agbaji (Low Back Tightness)
OUT - Taylor Hendricks (Right Hamstring Strain)
OUT - Brice Sensabaugh (Left Knee Surgery Recovery)
Players to watch on both teams per SLC Dunk:
Keyonte George (no explanation necessary)
Johnny Juzang (2nd year guard is showing signs of a good scorer)
Joey Hauser (Jazz gave Joey a 2 way contract, he hasn’t played well yet but the shot is nice)
Collin Gillespie (2nd year guard out of Villanova on Denver is a fun player to watch)
Julian Strawther (He hasn’t played a lot for the Nuggets this summer but his shooting is pretty special. He also hit a game winner against BYU while at Gonzaga)
Peyton Watson (Dunk specialist)
Part of me always thinks about how much longer it would have taken the Jazz to realize Mitchell’s full potential and give him the minutes he deserved if Rodney Hood? I think it was had a panic attack or something on opening night in 2017. Mitchell got the start and played amazing immediately I think they were playing the nuggets.
Hi all, new here but I come in peace. Not a Jazz fan but also not really any NBA team’s fan so, there’s that. My question is: is there much buzz surrounding Ochai right now? I know age and efficiency are factors but felt like he had a pretty strong last couple months there, and he’s balling out in summer league so far. Anyone else of the opinion he makes a second-year jump?
I have seen many people, Jazz fans or draft-people, voice concern with how Keyonte has performed defensively in summer league. I was wondering what others' thoughts were.
I've watched every summer league game so far and do not share the over-the-top level concern that some Jazz fans have expressed. Keyonte has been very solid, in my opinion, with his on-ball defense on the perimeter and screen navigation. There have been multiple times when someone has him on the perimeter, tries to get by, and he easily cuts them off with smart angling and his great athleticism. He has made a couple of very nice reads off-ball for steals or deflections.
He does some to lack physicality when switched on to a bigger player. You can rewatch in the Minnesota game, a couple of times when a wing just walks him down without resistance, catches the ball in deep under the basket, and goes for a layup without much of a contest. Any time something like this has happened, it has struck me as a lack of effort, not an ability thing.
There have also been a few times off-ball where he may watch the ball too much and someone gets to good position without him noticing for an easy bucket. But in general, it seems like his communication is there, he's not overly active off-ball but not necessarily in a bad way, just in an "efficiency of movement" type of way, if that makes sense. Like he's not being an active disruptor but he's not typically hurting the defense.
Has anyone found a reason to be more concerned than I am? I don't think he'll be a plus defensively early in his career, at least, but I don't think he'll be anywhere close to unplayable either.
I have my opinion but I want to hear yours!
EDIT: Added some top level stats for comparison. Good discussion everyone!
| Season | Age | G | GS | MP | PTS | TRB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | FG% | 3P% | FT% | TS% | USG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agbaji Rookie Year 2022-23 | 22 | 59 | 22 | 20.5 | 7.9 | 2.1 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 0.427 | 0.355 | 0.812 | 0.561 | 15.8 |
| Hood Rookie Year 2014-15 | 22 | 50 | 21 | 21.3 | 8.7 | 2.3 | 1.7 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 0.414 | 0.365 | 0.763 | 0.529 | 19.6 |
| Hood Career 2014-22 | 448 | 253 | 24.5 | 10.4 | 2.6 | 1.6 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 1 | 0.42 | 0.366 | 0.841 | 0.535 | 19.6 |
Mr Loyalty that was universally LOVED by Portland and most of the league is getting his name dragged through the mud by an agent that feels like he can power play Pat Riley and the rest of the league.
I bet this does not end up like the agent thinks it will.
Ochai out with back spasms. Sensabaugh and Hendricks still resting.
”Lauri Markkanen has collaborated with physical trainer and sports physiotherapist Jani Parkkinen during the summer. According to Markkanen, Parkkinen has played a significant role in his rise to become an NBA star.”
Translated from long finnish news article: https://yle-fi.translate.goog/a/74-20039918?_x_tr_sl=fi&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=fi&_x_tr_pto=wapp
