How much does preseason basketball matter? <\/p>\n
That\u2019s the question I keep asking myself as I go through my first preseason as an NBA reporter. When I talk to experienced reporters or NBA sources around the league, the answer is: not much. <\/p>\n
But they all point to two things. Preseason is about players building good habits and getting a look at different lineups and rotations. As for the Jazz, there\u2019s a lot to be excited about. <\/p>\n
Internally, the organization likes what it has seen from the team through two preseason games and training camp. The Jazz are still figuring out lineups, so expect some experimentation in the final two preseason games. <\/p>\n
The focus isn\u2019t just on winning basketball games this year, but also on figuring out what they have in Darryn Peterson, Keyonte George and Ace Bailey. <\/p>\n
The regular season can\u2019t come soon enough. Let\u2019s see how it all plays out. <\/p>\n
Anyway, it\u2019s time for another Utah Jazz Q&A. Thanks, as always, for the questions. Questions have been lightly edited.<\/p>\n
Who are the top seven players in terms of minutes per game this year \u2014 @SeanBell_Get How ‘Bout This Jazz newsletter. Utah Jazz post-game analysis and hot takes from The Tribune\u2019s Andy Larsen.<\/p>\n
For this exercise, let\u2019s assume center Jusuf Nurkic is fully healthy. If that\u2019s the case, the top six is pretty easy: George, Peterson, Lauri Markkanen, Nurkic and Bailey (as a likely sixth man). <\/p>\n
The back end of the rotation is a bit harder to project. As I understand it, guard Isaiah Collier and center Jaxson Hayes will play a decent amount of minutes. <\/p>\n
Who else will be a regular off the bench?<\/p>\n
Based on preseason rotations and what they bring to the table, that will likely be Brice Sensabaugh and Josh Okogie. <\/p>\n
That doesn\u2019t mean Svi Mykhailiuk, Kyle Filipowski and Josh Green won\u2019t see minutes. In fact, there will be games where they play more than the other bench players. The Jazz have options depending on matchups and game situations. <\/p>\n
What\u2019s the move at the center position for the Jazz? \u2014 @SleeperJazz<\/p>\n
Right now, the Jazz plan to stand pat and not make a trade for a big to fill in for the injured Nurkic.<\/p>\n
The most likely outcome is that Jaxson Hayes and Jaren Jackson will open the season starting alongside each other, with big man Mo Bamba taking the backup center spot until Nurkic returns.<\/p>\n
A team source pointed out that Hayes might have more passing ability than previously shown, even if it isn\u2019t at Nurkic\u2019s level. <\/p>\n
Now, Hayes starting alongside Jackson isn\u2019t set in stone. The Jazz are still exploring playing Jaren Jackson at the five-spot with George, Peterson, Bailey and Markkanen.<\/p>\n
But why not trade for a big? <\/p>\n
It\u2019s a bit late in the offseason for that. Teams want to see what they have first, and the reality is that most deals don\u2019t happen until Dec. 15, when the majority of newly signed free agents become trade-eligible.<\/p>\n
The Jazz may very well trade for a big this season \u2014 just not yet.<\/p>\n
What have you noticed about the Jazz defense so far? Does it seem like the players are buying in? \u2014@WesJenkins3<\/p>\n
The Jazz should be better on defense this season. Part of that is that the roster has more good defenders, or at least players with the potential to become good-to-elite defenders, like Peterson and Bailey. <\/p>\n
It also should help that the Jazz are, you know, actually going to be trying to win. <\/p>\n
So far, the Jazz are optimistic about what they\u2019ve seen from players on that end in both training camp and preseason games. <\/p>\n
What have I noticed? The overall effort has been good, and I\u2019ve seen good communication on switches and help situations. Though I am worried about the rim defense. <\/p>\n
That concern is bigger without Nurkic \u2014 who\u2019s not the best rim protector, either. Candidly, the Jazz\u2019s defense should be better than the worst in the league this season. How much better? It\u2019s hard to tell.<\/p>\n
Who will have the starting job throughout the season (including the Nurkic injury), Ace or Peterson? \u2014 @JarenWRLD<\/p>\n
The Jazz are still determining a fifth starter. <\/p>\n
But as coach Will Hardy is quick to point out, who that will be doesn\u2019t matter all that much.<\/p>\n
The starting lineup could change within 10 games (and it will, assuming Nurkic is healthy). I\u2019m much more interested in who plays in crunch time.<\/p>\n
That said, I believe Peterson will start more games this season. His talent is hard to keep off the floor, and he fits well alongside George, Jackson, Markkanen and Nurkic. With Peterson in the lineup, the Jazz have two ball handlers and better overall shooting. <\/p>\n
As for Bailey, he\u2019ll play plenty alongside George, Peterson, Jackson and Markkanen. Those five are the most talented on the Jazz, so don\u2019t be surprised if that five plays in closing moments. <\/p>\n
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