King Joseus

Many Jazz fans (your loyal blogger included) had written off the team as an eighth seed first round exit (AGAIN) at best after a 4-17 start that saw even the ever reliable Travis Perry struggling, but that all changed when Detlef Landros was acquired from the Philadelphia 76ers in a massive deal on December 17th. Just like that, a new season was born.

The much maligned Jazz front office had long since lost public favor due to a near refusal to move certain "core" players, something that had the majority of us Jazz fans believing the team would be .500 for another few years until Travis Perry began to decline. It was assumed that the team would develop rookies Todd Collins and Kevin Salters as eventual replacements for Perry and Ray Lee, but then this quick developing blockbuster trade happened and threw everyone for a loop. Just like that, the team tossed aside complacency and opted to take a shot now at coming out on top of a Western Conference featuring some very talented teams (I honestly wouldn't have been surprised if the front office had considered the three game win streak a sign that the team had "turned it around," leading to another lost season).

Fans were extremely excited for the arrival of Landros, a KVBL Champion and first ballot hall of famer, but I don't think anyone was expecting the new look roster to gel as quickly as it did. Yes, four members of the starting lineup remained the same, but it normally takes time to adjust to a player with as much talent as Landros. Hats off to VDN for being able to seamlessly incorporate Detlef's scoring abilities alongside Perry and Ivanos Rogic. The offense looked somewhat listless early during the season, but once again VDN has managed to put together a dynamite offense that can score against anyone (long time defensive woes notwithstanding). Thirteen games with Landros, thirteen wins (a sixteen game win streak overall). It's unreasonable to expect this team to never lose again, but boy does it seem like we're that kind of hot right now. This Jazz team now has the pieces to be the best we've seen in ten years in Utah. We can only hope that this newfound success will continue up to the playoffs and beyond.

The narrative is always nice (or so my loyal readers say), but it's always about the numbers. Let's take a look at some numbers from the thirteen game Landros era. As mentioned before, the offense has been absolutely crazy. This team was averaging in the low nineties prior to Landros' arrival, but now that number's up to 101.5 PPG (117+ with Landros!). The point differential in those thirteen games was +11, impressive even with a few games against cupcakes like Brooklyn, New Orleans, and Denver along the way. Landros was struggling on a Philly team that relied almost entirely on him to get them wins, something even he couldn't do all that well. Now, on a Jazz team where guys like Perry and Rogic are a threat to score AND can get Landros the ball in his spots with good passing, he's back to being the Landros the league is accustomed to seeing (Jazz numbers):

MPG: 32.5
FG%: 51.7%
3G%: 45.0%
FT%: 89.3%
PPG: 31.0
RPG: 10.4
APG: 2.3
SPG: 1.0
BPG: 0.5
TO/G: 0.9
PF/G: 3.7

Those numbers mostly rival his career bests! Yeah, it's a small sample size, but he's playing out of his mind so far. Absolutely a great trade, even if the team did give up so very much to get him. Let's take a look...

BJ Graham - A fan favorite in his short time here, Graham proved to be a second round steal with his scoring ability and knack for timely steals. At just 25 years old, Graham remains a potential starter down the line that can already hold his own on the defensive end against most players he's matched up against. I was hoping he'd stick around and carry on the tradition of great Jazz 6th Men, but Landros is definitely the greater good. Hopefully the 76ers can find him some minutes as he works on improving his all around game.

Todd Collins - It was believed that Todd Collins was going to be the heir to Travis Perry, killing time this year and the next few as a super sub that played solid D and did a bit of everything. Alas, we hardly knew him. My sources tell me that Collins was one of the key parts of this deal for the 76ers, and I can certainly see why. It's not every day you get a rookie with the poise and smarts of a vet. Still, outside of a small group of fanatics, Collins wasn't around long enough to earn a huge following. We'll be watching him closely as his Sixers career progresses, though, just to see what might have been.

Nicholas Marshall - Jazz fans were ecstatic when they learned the team had been able to sign Nicholas Marshall to a bargain contract averaging about $6M/year. Once a max player (albeit not really deservedly so), Marshall brought solid defense and three point shooting (ever a Jazz virtue) to the team as Rogic's backup this season. He was never meant to start here (Rogic is entrenched since the departure of our ol' buddy Salvatore Fantastigas), but his talent level meant he'd probably be best suited on a team with more minutes available. When the Landros trade became a possibility, Marshall's contract became a likely inclusion due to the need to match salaries. Absolutely no complaints about seeing Marshall go. He's a very nice player, but here he couldn't really play up to his value.

Kevin Salters - The draft party I was at this year went wild when Kevin Salters had his name called by the commish. We were all convinced the Heat or someone else would take him, but he just kept on falling. Evidently VDN was as happy as us about it, because he ended up deciding to start him at the beginning of the season next to Lee. That experiment didn't last (sadly they just weren't compatible), but Salters remained a weapon off the bench that many assumed would be the power forward of the future (possibly as soon as next season if Lee refused to re-sign). Of course, Landros is one of the all-time KVBL greats...gotta send talent to get it. Salters could do wonders in Philly if they can put a cohesive unit together. His early games over there have been somewhat disappointing, but it seems to be that he's just overwhelmed now that defenses are honing in on him (rather than guys like Perry, Lee, and Rogic). I think he'll turn it around for sure, definitely a key prospect that made this deal happen.

Tom Andrews - You know, I kind of feel bad for ol' Tommy Andrews. He faced huge questions coming into the league as a 6'6" jumpshooting center, and he hasn't really had a shot to show if he belongs or not. He played well in limited minutes last season for us, providing a shotblocking presence and very good man defense inside. The roster crunch in Philly just wasn't kind to him with the big men they've got over there. I don't expect him to wash out of the league, but I'm not sure if he'll end up with a nice KVBL career either. Cutting down on his turnovers is something to focus on, because that's all that's really holding him back from being a nice rotation big for somebody. Jazz fans aren't too upset about giving him up since he was unlikely to ever move in front of Rick Damen, Lee, and Salters (if this trade hadn't happened). I wish him well.


There were, of course, also some picks in this deal. The Jazz sent their own pick, the Bulls pick, and the Lakers' second this year along with their first next year and the Lakers' second next year. I'm not too upset about it. It's possible that the team would have continued to fare poorly this year and ended up with a high lotto selection, but history suggest we'd have just finished near .500 and gotten a roleplayer in the late lotto. That pick should be in the high teens or low twenties now. Next year's pick ought to be about the same, barring any unforeseen changes. The Bulls pick looked to be in the high teens when it was shipped out, but they've struggled and it could be one of those low teen nonlottery picks that often bring nice value. All things considered, I don't think the picks were too much to pay. This trade depleted the war chest quite a bit, but the reason you pile up assets in the first place is to trade for a guy like Landros. If it doesn't work out, the team ends up bad and rebuilds. The risk/reward ratio is peachy.

That about does it for me on the Landros front, but we've still got our usual bit of stuff from around the league below...


Portland Trail Blazers - At 27-7, the Blazers remain the team to beat in the Western Conference. John Wall has been fantastic for them, and a brief injury to the three time KVBL Champion showed just how important he is for a Blazers team hoping to win its first championship under this owner. The Blazers have a great shot at entering the All-Star break with the best record in either conference. Cameron Clothier is doing his best to show voters that he's worthy of DPOY and MVP, but Caramel Love could relegate him to just the former.

Vancouver Lions - The Lions retooled in an effort to improve the long term health of the team, but they've managed to stay near the top of a very competitive Western Conference even with the new look. Clyde Grubbs, Chip Fookes, and Jerry Andrews are proving to be a potent trio for the team, with the veteran Andrews providing leadership that's helped the team to a 13-7 record on the road. Barring a collapse, the Lions should make the playoffs in consecutive seasons for the first time AND they have a very good shot at winning their first playoff series (something that might have happened last year if not for injury).

Seattle SuperSonics - We're obviously pleased to have ended up with Perry, but watching the Sonics you have to wonder how things would've changed with Freddy Childs running the show. The Sonics have been dominant at home this year, but road games have given them trouble. A power move for Walker Gilchrist has the team setting its sights on the KVBL Finals this season, but the primary focus at this point should be securing a top four seed and hoping to recapture some of the magic from last year's run to the Western Conference Finals. Kudos to Eddie Green for upping his game in Seattle. They'll need him and Marakov Moncova if they're going to topple the West's heavyweights.

Los Angeles Lakers - In what could definitely be called a Finals hangover, the Lakers have struggled this season. A shocker of a deal recently went through that shipped out the longtime star of the team, Aleksandr Matechowski, to New York for Lance Prince as the primary return. This deal could sink the team or propel it to new heights this year. We may have some bias here, but Fantastigas is one heck of a player and now he gets more minutes. Prince's passing could help to get the post tandem of Riley Thurman and Javier Garcia on track, and if they're going good then the Lakers will be a threat again.

Los Angeles Clippers - The Clippers have been stuck in KVBL purgatory for a while and this year looks to be more of the same. Robert Goodhue has developed nicely, but the current mix of players around him doesn't seem to be the right fit. If they could somehow put together a trade for a strong wing player to complement Goodhue (and fit next to Senghor), they'd be back in the mix again. This season is likely a lost cause, but the lack of a first round pick this season makes it difficult for the team to improve outside of the trade market. Clippers fans should at least be able to cheer on Goodhue as he makes a second consecutive All-Star team this season, though I doubt that's much consolation for another year of mediocrity.

Phoenix Suns - The Suns just haven't been able to get it done this year. A lack of draft picks and an aging roster might be enough to finally push this team to rebuild, but you can never know what they're thinking over there. Phillip Vasquez was a good get for them, but with Mancin Tulker not being the player he once was, it just doesn't seem like they have enough to seriously contend for a championship (or even the West alone). This team can beat you on any given night, but something just doesn't seem to be clicking.

Denver Nuggets - The Nuggets new ownership has yet to make its mark, but they inherited a mess of a team that seems to have lost its edge after years of being a threat in the Western Conference. Rumors galore are floating around that the team will be trading off assets to start a rebuilding effort, but the shoe has yet to drop. Logan Heastie's return from injury before the All-Star break should give him an opportunity to reestablish himself as a piece worth trading for, but the wheels have to start moving soon or this Nuggets team isn't going to be able to maximize its assets.


Of course, no blog entry is complete without the supplementary non-Pacific briefs...

Miami Heat - This might be LeBron's last shot at adding another KVBL Championship to his trophy room. So far so good!

Atlanta Hawks - Could somebody fill us in on which cheat code the Hawks' Caramel Love has been using? My goodness.

Boston Celtics - Xie Dong has looked great this year after suffering a major injury last season. They'll need him at his best to come out of the Eastern Conference.

Washington Bullets - Who is this impostor and what has he done with the real James Russell? Things have been rough since that injury, we hope he gets back to form soon for the Bullets' sake.

Cleveland Cavaliers - Barry Wagner sure can put the ball in the hoop. Spence ought to give him some of his shots.

Chicago Bulls - Something's amiss in the Windy City. Scates is the man, but the Bulls might not have the right supporting cast for him. Still, a return to the playoffs seems likely.

London Raptors - The old guys out in London still show some flashes of brilliance here and there, but they can't bring it every night like they used to. Raptors are hoping the extra rest between games in the playoffs is enough for some vintage ball around Briscoe as he looks to escape another first round exit.

Québec Sharks - Although they currently hold the eighth seed, we wouldn't really be surprised if the Sharks finished next to last in the East. This team needs a shakeup pretty bad, mostly an infusion of talented big men. Garrett Thomas is performing admirably, but the team should probably look to trade him to a contender.

Milwaukee Bucks - The Bucks have been disappointing so far, but we'd still put money on them making the playoffs this year. Too much talent. That young core should be a force for years.

Orlando Magic - Always a work in progress, the Magic really just seem to need some consistency. At some point they've gotta cut the dead weight through some consolidation trades. Still, it's not all bad. A good run and they could snag the eighth seed.

New York Knicks - This cursed season should at least be a bit more interesting now that Aleksandr Matechowski is in town. We hear the jerseys are already flying off the shelves. They might sneak back into the playoffs. Another showdown against Atlanta would be fun, especially with the Caramel/Matechowski matchup.

Brooklyn Nets - This team wasn't really meant to be any good this year, so it's no surprise that they've slipped over time. An eye on the future should not keep the team from evaluating its current roster, though, so hopefully they're keeping an eye on guys who could continue to help them out long term.

Philadelphia 76ers - We're rooting for 'em given the number of ex-Jazz there now, but this team just doesn't have enough talent to compete. Evaluation of young talent is likely to be a focus as the team tries to see who's a keeper to put next to what should be a top five pick in this year's draft.

Detroit Pistons - Teams need some experience to win, and this Pistons team hasn't got it. At least, not yet. Curtis Rhodes' return from injury might give them a spark, but this team should still be among the league's worst. Definitely gotta wait a few years for this bunch.

Oklahoma City Thunder - Another ring for Maynard? Might be time. A playoff showdown against Portland would be epic, we know the commish would love the promos hyping the Wall/Celtics history. Ratings bonanza.

St. Louis Warriors - Ernie Nielsen seems to be fitting in alright, but the Warriors haven't quite been at their best yet. They've peaked in the playoffs before, maybe Byers and company'll do that again this year.

Memphis Grizzlies - One of the more stable rosters over the past few seasons got a bit of a shakeup recently due to a couple of trades, and it looks like the team hasn't lost much of a step if any. Ownership has to hope this new look gets the job done in the playoffs, they don't get too excited about regular season wins down there anymore.

San Antonio Spurs - The rejuvenated Spurs are getting contributions from a lot of guys, most of whom are still pretty young. They're likely hoping to get to the playoffs to help get the young guys' feet wet before hoping to make a bigger splash next season. Opoku has shown some of his potential this year, him reaching it would go a long way to bringing the Spurs back into the title picture.

Minnesota Timberwolves - Minny is in the mix for a low seed in the West playoffs, but you have to think they were hoping for more. Similar to the Bucks, the Wolves have young talent and should be good for a while...they just haven't been able to step up quite yet.

Houston Rockets - Despite management's insistence that Dwight Howard will retire a Rocket, he's gotta be on the block...right? He's no dominant force as he once was, but he can still make a difference for a team. At least Rockets fans have Jude Parker to swoon over.

New Orleans Hornets - This rudderless ship is rumored to be in the midst of being prepped for sale. There's some talent sticking around from years past, but the team as a unit just isn't very good. Only thing to hope for this season in New Orleans is winning the lottery.

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Porn Player

The Phenom.

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MemphisX

Clips pick was lottery protected :wink:

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KVBL L.A. Clippers Team Page
2016 Western Conference Finalist
2017 Western Conference Finalist
2027 KVBL Finalist

2028 KVBL Champions

PG Anibal Levrino | SG DJ Alexander | SF Sky Johnson | PF Henry Torre | C Frank Weiland(MVP) | 6th Man Nikolai Koznyshev

2018 FRSL Champion L.A. Clippers

King Joseus

Jazz blogger is not a fan of fact checking...that should help, at least.

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AllRim

great read!!

KJ is a lock for GMOY now

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FRSL Toronto Raptors - Home Court Igloo advantage

KVBL Grizzlies - The team that traded Duke and all their picks, to get nothing in return. Gary level achieved.

JerryWest

Jazz remind of 76er teams from the end v2.0

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KVBL Basketball Sim, Los Angeles Lakers

FRSL, Los Angeles Lakers
Season 2 Champs (64-18), Season 4 Champs (66-16), Season 5 Champs (72-10)

Dornado

Something may be amiss in Chicago, but we're 19-18... last year by the time we got our 19th win we were 19-37. Ice, Ice baby.

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fsecreast

Like what the Bulls are becoming. Toole-Scates-Node is a beastly 2-3-4. Once they work on the PG and C position they'll be golden. I don't like Bradford.

Dornado

I've considered starting Novak, since Node might be able to cover for his rebounding, but it is basically pick-your-flawed-defensive specialist.

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BlakeJesus

Bradford is a beast, you just need to have the right type of team around him. He'd look really good next to Weiland IMO.

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Dornado

I agree, you should probably trade me Frank Weiland.

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BlakeJesus

I did think about offering Weiland for Scates in some type of package but decided against it.

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Porn Player

You decided against it because he would say no.

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Vuchato

Just wait till next years Kong/Rafa/Sagan three headed monster

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Rafa Salvadores/Sam Sagan/Mick Scragg

BlakeJesus

He might he might not, I decided against it because it was a step backwards schematically.

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