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The Bench:(http://d2cwpp38twqe55.cloudfront.net/req/201604170/images/players/livinsh01.png)(http://d2cwpp38twqe55.cloudfront.net/req/201604170/images/players/simmojo02.png)(http://d2cwpp38twqe55.cloudfront.net/req/201604170/images/players/pondequ01.png)(http://d2cwpp38twqe55.cloudfront.net/req/201604170/images/players/scottmi01.png)(http://d2cwpp38twqe55.cloudfront.net/req/201604170/images/players/leeda02.png)(http://d2cwpp38twqe55.cloudfront.net/req/201604170/images/players/lawsoty01.png)(http://d2cwpp38twqe55.cloudfront.net/req/201604170/images/players/smithjo03.png)(http://d2cwpp38twqe55.cloudfront.net/req/201604170/images/players/varejan01.png)
TEAM DEPTH CHART:PG: Derrick Rose / Shaun Livingston
SG: Khris Middleton / Quincy Pondexter / Jonathon Simmons
SF: Wilson Chandler / Khris Middleton / Quincy Pondexter
PF: Karl-Anthony Towns / Mike Scott
C: Jonas Valanciunas / Karl-Anthony Towns
DEEP RESERVES:
David Lee (PF,C), Josh Smith (PF), Anderson Varejao (C) , Ty Lawson (PG)
WHAT WE GOT:
THE THREE HEADED ATTACK:The Jazz is spearheaded by boy Wonder Karl-Anthony Towns.
This kid averaged a double-double in his first year, averaging 18 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 1.7 blocks on 54% FG with a cherry on the top 34% 3PT shooting. The reigning ROTY is coming into his second year, expected to have a bump in his numbers.
This kid can do virtually anything on the court. I mean, anything!
Inside game? Check. Footwork? Check. Dribble drive? Check. Mid range game? Check. 3PT shot? Check. Run the floor? Check. Passing? Check. Quick first step? Check.
Towns is an offensive prodigy in a 7 footer's body.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rh719uA9B7s
Helping him on this season is 2011 MVP Derrick Rose. Rose has slowly but surely coming back to his own former superstar self. The former MVP averaged 16 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists on 42% shooting last year. Not really good numbers for an MVP, we get it, but he did finished strong, logging 17.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 47% FG, 37% 3PT after the All-Star break, suggesting that he's still capable of doing the things that made people fell in love with his game with.
Lost a step? We at Salt Lake City HIGHLY disagrees.
Rose's ability to get to the basket was on full display last year, and is slowly shaking off two years worth of trust. His ball handling is as deadly as ever, and his ability to get to the lane is still on par with the best of the league.
Really, though, just look at him in action.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRlr30UI6sk
And here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfzlqwiYdIM
And here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V76fOxfsCZo
And here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4S8WYpCSoA
We do not forget. We do not forget that Derrick Rose is one ELITE scorer. And while he's body hasn't caught up yet, his skills are still there.
The other help comes from Khris Middleton.
We love the fact that he averages 18 points on 44% shooting and 39% from the 3 point arc. In a team where there are two guys who are capable of dominating in the scoring department, it's a luxury to have a dude who can catch and shoot effectively and quietly add tally to the score mark. He opens up the floor too, which is vital for the team that has a guy who can dominate in the paint, and a guy who can penetrate to the paint.
THE REST OF THE TEAM:We're happy to have Wilson Chandler in our lineup, one of the underrated players in the NBA. This athletic wing is capable of putting 13 points a game, shooting at a solid 43% and a good 34% from 3. Another guy who can run on transition, use his quick first step, and open up the floor with his shooting.
Jonas Valanciunas is a big, bruising, mammoth of a man with an ability score from the pain and gather rebounds. Averaging a near double-double last season with 12 points and 9 rebounds, he, along side KAT would provide great advantage in our inside scoring with their size and efficient scoring.
The bench also sports a couple of good shooters, ready to come in if the floor is needed to be stretched out. Mike Scott and Quincy Pondexter (who is ready to go this year) averaged 39% and 37% shooting from the 3PT respectively. Both provide extra spacing and an extra offensive boost from the bench.
Another guy who can add to the scoring tally is Shaun Livingston. His ability to get to his mid range spots and shoot over defenders is a valuable offensive weapon. The dude is efficient on the floor, making 53% of his shots, mainly from posting up smaller defenders and shooting over them.
We have extra scoring coming in from the interior in David Lee if needed be. This is a guy who makes 55% of his shots from 10 feet or less, making him a good inside option if the team needs an added scoring punch.
DEFENSE:We may not have All-NBA Defense team players, but we sport guys who are well known in the league to be good defenders.
We have two wings who are known to be good defenders for their position. Athletic and long, they can disrupt opposing wings with their length, quickness and size.
KAT averages close to 2 blocks per game, capable of protecting the rim. He's also quick enough to defend pick and rolls without being exposed. His nimble feet and length could not only bother ball handlers but it's gives him the ability to get back to his man when needed.
Quincy Pondexter, our resident third wing player, also has a reputation of being a good defender. A guy with a knack to staying in front of his man and with quick hands means we don't lose defensive intensity when we sub our one of our wings. Don't believe me? See for yourself...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sodyk1ydyOo
Shaun Livingston is a long, tough defender that can contest any shot his man would take. Tough to score against due to his length and his quickness to keep his man in front.
Jonas Valaciunas is slowly getting his defensive mojo. His body is tough to push around, making scoring harder on the interior. He's got length to bother shots. And his most important thing, he's a great rebounder. This kid averages 12.6 rebounds per 36 minutes. He will finish possession with the ball in his hands.
Derrick Rose is a bad defender, not making an excuse on that one. But we have a group who can cover him. And we can sport a lineup capable of making stops at crunch time when we need to protect a lead.
VERSATILITY:We can put in and match up with any lineup. We traditionally start big, but if needed, we can space the floor more by putting in Mike Scott, and staggering the Center positions with J-Val and KAT. This will provide us with a lineup with shooters all around, opening up the floor for dribble drive moves from Rose and inside scoring with our bigs.
Our small ball isn't even small. With Towns having the adequate footspeed to defend quicker players, we can put in a Towns - Chandler - Pondexter - Middleton - Rose line up capable of playing fast tempo basketball, all while still having size in the lineup, despite going "small".
As mentioned, we have a defensive lineup we can put in on late game situations while protecting the lead. Having Shaun Livingston at PG gives us a defensive boost at PG positions. And with our small ball and traditional lineup all are good with defending, we can get stops in the final minutes when we need it.
OUTLOOK:We at the Utah Jazz expects to be one of the top teams in the West. We have explosive offensive players, a team roster that fits well with the pieces, a deep bench and versatile options on our lineups. We are defensively sounds, with players who are widely known league wide as good defenders, athleticism and length.
BONUS FEED:This team has the following players.
David Lee, Josh Smith, Ty Lawson, Derrick Rose, Anderson Varejao, Wilson Chandler (Knicks version).
If the Earth for some reason goes back in time, say year 2011, we'd still be one of the best teams in the league. Think about that for a second.
We would be happy to address any questions you have regarding the Utah Jazz.