NBA notebook: Jazz GM Kevin O'Connor named to Competition Committee

Source: Deseret News

Kevin O'Connor has some new responsibilities and another title.

Breaking Down Al Jefferson's Rebound Tactics [Frame by Frame]

Source: SLC Dunk by AlecLam14

Note: my visuals have been severely minimized, please just click on the picture to view a larger version of it. After all, moving your head 2 inches away from the screen draws attention from your boss... and we certainly don't want that now do we?

Rebounding is one of the most misunderstood fundamentals of basketball. It is too often seen as "just that thing big athletic players naturally do"—but that can’t be further from the truth. Rebounding is all about technique and mindset; two things that all players can develop.

If you look down Al Jefferson’s stat sheet, you see that he is averaging nearly 20/10 a

2012 NBA Draft Lottery Order...Until The Balls Drop

Source: The Utah Jazz Blog by Spencer

2012 FIRST ROUND DRAFT CHOICE ORDER

Team Record Lottery Chances (out of 1,000) Charlotte 7-59 250 Washington 20-46 199 Cleveland 21-45 138 New Orleans 21-45 137 Sacramento 22-44 76 New Jersey* 22-44 75 Golden State# 23-43 36 Toronto 23-43 35 Detroit 25-41 17 Minnesota (To New Orleans via LA Clippers) 26-40 11 Portland 28-38 8 Milwaukee 31-35 7 Phoenix 33-33 6 Houston 34-32 5

* This pick may be conveyed to Portland.
# This pick may be conveyed to Utah via New Jersey.

The order for the the remainder of the first-round picks is as follows:

15. Philadelphia 35-31
16. New York (To Houston) 36-30
17. Dallas 36-30
18. Utah (To Minnesota) 36-30
19. Orlando 37-29
20. Denver 38-28
21. Boston 39-27
22. LA Clippers (To Boston via OKC) 40-26
23. Atlanta 40-26
24. LA Lakers (To Cleveland) 41-25
25. Memphis 41-25
26. Indiana 42-24
27. Miami 46-20
28. Oklahoma City 47-19
29. Chicago 50-16
30. San Antonio (To Golden State) 50-16

2012 SECOND ROUND DRAFT CHOICE ORDER

31. Charlotte
32. Washington
33/34. New Orleans (To Cleveland via Miami)
33/34. Cleveland
35/36. New Jersey (To Golden State)
35/36. Sacramento
37/38. Toronto
37/38. Golden State (To Denver via New York)
39. Detroit
40. Minnesota (To Portland via Houston)
41. Portland
42. Milwaukee
43. Phoenix (To Atlanta)
44. Houston (To Detroit)
45. Philadelphia
46. Dallas (To Washington)
47. Utah
48. New York
49. Orlando
50. Denver
51. Boston
52. Atlanta (To Golden State)
53. LA Clippers
54. Memphis (To Philadelphia)
55. LA Lakers (To Dallas)
56. Indiana (To Toronto)
57. Miami (To New Jersey)
58. Oklahoma City (To Minnesota)
59. San Antonio
60. Chicago (To New Jersey via Milwaukee or to LA Lakers via New Jersey and Milwaukee)

*Please note that teams that finished the regular season with identical records will select in the second round in the reverse of the order in which they select in the first round, provided, that if more than two teams are tied, then, as among the tied teams, each tied team will select one position earlier than it selected in the first round, except that the tied team that selected earliest in the first round shall, among the tied teams, select latest in the second round. With respect to the ties between Cleveland and New Orleans (21 and 45); New Jersey and Sacramento (22 and 44); and Golden State and Toronto (23 and 43): since the order of selection in the first round for this set of teams may change based on the results of the Draft Lottery, the order of selection in the second round cannot be determined until after the Draft Lottery is conducted.

This Day in Jazz History - May 16, 2008

Source: NBA.com

The Jazz lost in game six of the conference semifinals to the Lakers 108-105 in EnergySolutions Arena.

Lakers Top-5 Playoff Blowouts Losses in the Kobe-era: Fan's Analysis (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

As painful as the Los Angeles Lakers embarrassing blowout 119-90 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder was Monday night for Lakers fans like me, it has actually been worse before.

NBA Player Salaries for 2012-2013 -- Who looks to be overpaid in the $8.0 million or up club?

Source: SLC Dunk by AllThatJazzBasketball

The 2011-2012 NBA Season is not over quite yet, well, it is for the Utah Jazz. Being a Utah Jazz blog it's never too early to start looking at what needs to happen this off-season. The #1 thing I want the Jazz to do is to at least PLAY in the same league as the rest of the teams. This means adopting the successful practices of other teams, instead of regressing into further and further insular doctrines. This may mean trading young players for older players. This may mean trading productive fan favorites to make room for young players with more potential. This may mean adopting advanced stats gurus. This may mean adopting a more friendly relationship with social media and blogs.

Jazz GM Kevin O’Connor Named to NBA’s New Competition Committee

Source: NBA.com

The NBA announced today that Utah Jazz general manager Kevin O’Connor has been named as a member of the league's new Competition Committee.

SBN's Jon Bois breaks down NBA Team slogans, somehow "Get Loud, be Proud" was overlooked

Source: SLC Dunk by AllThatJazzBasketball

SB Nation's Jon Bois did a great job with this, looking at each NBA team's slogan, and putting that slogan in a category. AND THEN, charting that slogan against the other teams in that category -- based upon winning percentage. Fascinating. And horrible, if you have any background in marketing. Horrifying if you are a fan.

While the Get Loud / Be Proud anthem missed out, the Jazz were represented by this genius idea:

NBA Competition Committee adds new members, including Jazz GM Kevin O'Connor

Source: SLC Dunk by AllThatJazzBasketball

The Competition committee is a small group, cabal if you will, of individuals who vote and discuss prospective rules changes to the NBA game. Everything from determining how flops are punished, to proposals to a four point line have to go through this group. The NBA's board of governors decided that this Comp committee needed to change. According to the SL Trib the committee "will now include two owners, four general managers, three head coaches and one representative from the NBA Players Association" (SL Trib, 2012). Fun stuff.

NBA's Competition Committee General Manager Bryan Colangelo

Updated: Jazz GM Kevin O’Connor gets a new gig, fifth in exec of year voting

Source: Deseret News Jazzland by Jody Genessy

Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor addresses media while 1320's Tony Parks contemplates what Faux Hot Rod Hundley might say, I give him a death stare and Standard-Examiner's Jim Burton sports a fancy bow tie.

(UPDATED at 11:50 a.m. MT with NBA executive of year info at bottom.)

Kevin O’Connor has some new responsibilities and another title.

Jazz general manager. Senior Vice President of Basketball Operations. Charter member of the NBA’s revised Competition Committee.

O’Connor, the league’s second-longest tenured GM, has been selected by the NBA to be on the newly formed committee, which includes four general managers, three head coaches, two owners and one National Basketball Players Association representative.

Previously, the Competition Committee consisted of the league’s 30 GMs. That group is now called the General Managers Committee.

“The Board decided that the inclusion of owners and head coaches on the Competition Committee would add valuable perspectives to discussions about our game and how it might be improved,” said Joel Litvin, NBA President of League Operations, in a news release. “At the same time, we will continue to receive input on competition and rules matters from all 30 teams through the General Managers Committee.”

Competition Committee members include owners Dan Gilbert (Cavaliers) and Joe Lacob (Warriors); general managers O’Connor, Bryan Colangelo (Raptors), Mitch Kupchak (Lakers) and Sam Presti (Thunder); coaches Rick Carlisle (Mavericks), Lionel Hollins (Grizzlies) and Doc Rivers (Celtics); and a yet-to-be named NBPA rep.

The Competition Committee is in charge of voting on the league’s playing rules and competition-related matters before final approval is made by the Board of Governors (owners). The first of the regular meetings will take place during the NBA Finals.

The new General Managers Committee will meet annually to discuss the state of the game and various competition matters, according to the release.

Here’s hoping flopping and tanking are Agenda Items No. 1A and 1B. And to be a fly on the wall if O’Connor were to bring up how the league should deal with tanking with the Warriors’ owner in the room.

***UPDATE***

O’Connor finished fifth in voting for the NBA’s executive of the year award for the 2011-12 season, the league announced late Wednesday morning.

Indiana president of basketball operations Larry Bird won the NBA exec of the year award, becoming the first person to earn MVP as a player (1984, ’85 and ’86), coach of the year (1997-98) and the front-office honor.

Frank Layden was one of three people to ever win coach/executive of the year awards in the same season (1983-84) along with Red Auerbach and Pat Riley.

Bird finished with 12 first-place votes and 88 total points from a vote by NBA executives. San Antonio’s R.C. Buford (8, 56), Clippers’ Neil Olshey (6, 55), Bulls’ Gary Forman (2, 16) and O’Connor (0, 10) rounded out the top five.

More from the NBA’s press release:

As President of Basketball Operations, Bird oversaw a Pacers team that went 42-24 (.636), earning the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference and finishing with the league’s fifth-best record.

Bird set the tone for the 2011-12 season by naming Frank Vogel, who had served in an interim capacity for 46 games during the 2010-11 season, head coach on July 6, 2011. He added to an already strong nucleus by signing David West in December, and beefed up the Pacers’ bench by trading for Lou Amundson and Leandro Barbosa. Indiana’s draft picks under Bird’s watch have included three key contributors on this year’s team: Paul George (2010), Tyler Hansbrough (2009), and Roy Hibbert (2008).

A three-time MVP as a player (1984, 85, 86) with the Boston Celtics, the Indiana basketball legend won NBA Coach of the Year honors in 1997-98, his first season on the sidelines, after guiding the Pacers to a 58-24 mark. In three seasons as head coach, Bird led Indiana to a 147-67 record and its only Finals appearance in 2000. Bird is the only person to win all three awards – MVP, Coach and Executive of the Year. Red Auerbach, Frank Layden and Pat Riley are the only people to earn both Coach of the Year and Executive of the Year honors.

Bird totaled 88 points and received 12 first-place votes from a panel of his fellow team executives throughout the NBA. The San Antonio Spurs’ R.C. Buford finished second with 56 points (eight first-place votes) votes and the Los Angeles Clippers’ Neil Olshey finished third with 55 points (six first-place votes). Executives were awarded five points for each first-place vote, three points for each second-place vote and one point for each third-place vote.

Below are the results of the voting for the 2011-12 NBA Executive of the Year. The balloting was tabulated by the independent accounting firm of Ernst & Young LLP.

2011-12 NBA EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR VOTING RESULTS

Rookie, Team    1st     2nd     3rd     Total
Larry Bird, Indiana             12      8       4       88
R.C. Buford, San Antonio        8       4       4       56
Neil Olshey, L.A. Clippers      6       7       4       55
Gar Forman, Chicago             2       2       -       16
Kevin O’Connor, Utah            -       2       4       10
Glen Grunwald, New York -       2       2       8
Pat Riley, Miami                1       -       2       7
Sam Presti, Oklahoma City       1       -       -       5
Chris Wallace, Memphis  -       1       2       5
David Kahn, Minnesota           -       1       1       4
Rod Thorn, Philadelphia         -        1       -       3
Dell Demps, New Orleans -        1       -       3
Rick Sund, Atlanta              -       1       -       3
Danny Ainge, Boston             -       -       1       1
John Hammond, Milwaukee -       -       1       1
Lon Babby, Phoenix              -       -       1       1
Mitch Kupchak, L.A. Lakers      -        -       1       1
Otis Smith, Orlando             -       -       1       1
Masai Ujiri, Denver             -       -       1       1

The Spurs’ 15-game winning streak: A look inside the numbers (Ball Don't Lie)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

One night after the Oklahoma City Thunder convinced a lot of people that they were the team to beat in the Western Conference by walloping the Los Angeles Lakers, the San Antonio Spurs offered their retort: A measured, professional destruction … Continue reading →

Jazz GM O’Connor named to NBA’s competition committee

Source: Salt Lake Tribune

Jazz GM O’Connor named to NBA’s competition committee

The Salt Lake Tribune

Published May 16, 2012 11:16AM MDT

The NBA on Wednesday announced the members of the league’s new competition committee, including Utah Jazz general manager Kevin O’Connor. The announcement follows a decision by the league’s board of governors last month to change the committee’s composition. The committee will now include two owners, four general managers, three head coaches and one representative from the NBA Players Association. Joining O’Connor are fellow GMs Bryan Colangelo (Toronto Raptors), Mitch Kupchak (L.A. Lakers) and...

Copyright 2012 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Jazz GM O’Connor named to NBA’s new competition committee

Source: Salt Lake Tribune

Jazz GM O’Connor named to NBA’s new competition committee

The Salt Lake Tribune

Published May 16, 2012 11:16AM MDT

The NBA on Wednesday announced the members of the league’s new competition committee, including Utah Jazz general manager Kevin O’Connor. The announcement follows a decision by the league’s board of governors last month to change the committee’s composition. The committee will now include two owners, four general managers, three head coaches and one representative from the NBA Players Association. Joining O’Connor are fellow GMs Bryan Colangelo (Toronto Raptors), Mitch Kupchak (L.A. Lakers) and...

Copyright 2012 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Jazz GM Kevin O’Connor gets a new gig

Source: Deseret News Jazzland by Jody Genessy

Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor addresses media while 1320's Tony Parks contemplates what Faux Hot Rod Hundley might say, I give him a death stare and Standard-Examiner's Jim Burton sports a fancy bow tie.

Kevin O’Connor has some new responsibilities and another title.

Jazz general manager. Senior Vice President of Basketball Operations. Charter member of the NBA’s revised Competition Committee.

O’Connor, the league’s second-longest tenured GM, has been selected by the NBA to on the newly formed committee, which includes four general managers, three head coaches, two owners and one National Basketball Players Association representative.

Previously, the Competition Committee consisted of the league’s 30 GMs. That group is now called the General Managers Committee.

“The Board decided that the inclusion of owners and head coaches on the Competition Committee would add valuable perspectives to discussions about our game and how it might be improved,” said Joel Litvin, NBA President of League Operations, in a news release. “At the same time, we will continue to receive input on competition and rules matters from all 30 teams through the General Managers Committee.”

Competition Committee members include owners Dan Gilbert (Cavaliers) and Joe Lacob (Warriors); general managers O’Connor, Bryan Colangelo (Raptors), Mitch Kupchak (Lakers) and Sam Presti (Thunder); coaches Rick Carlisle (Mavericks), Lionel Hollins (Grizzlies) and Doc Rivers (Celtics); and a yet-to-be named NBPA rep.

The Competition Committee is in charge of voting on the league’s playing rules and competition-related matters before final approval is made by the Board of Governors (owners). The first of the regular meetings will take place during the NBA Finals.

The new General Managers Committee will meet annually to discuss the state of the game and various competition matters, according to the release.

Here’s hoping flopping and tanking are Agenda Items No. 1A and 1B. And to be a fly on the wall if O’Connor were to bring up how the league should deal with tanking with the Warriors’ owner in the room.

The Downbeat #750 - The Well is Drying Up

Source: SLC Dunk by prodigal punk

As you can tell from the clever DB title, Jazz news is starting to get pretty scarce. We've hit that lull happens every year between the end of the Jazz season to either the lottery drawing or the draft itself. This season we could spend a little extra time wandering the proverbial desert unless something gets shaken up on May 30th.

That being said, we could also have a wild summer starting with the draft depending on how the Jazz play things. Clark and Andy have done a fantastic job in laying out just about every conceivable scenario in which the Jazz use their assets, all we can do now is sit back and enjoy the ride.

One thing that I have been

Duncan dominates as Spurs win game one (AFP)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Tim Duncan finished with 26 points and 10 rebounds as San Antonio cruised past the Los Angeles Clippers 108-92 in game one of the Western Conference semi-finals on Tuesday, extending the Spurs' win streak to 15 games.

Utah Jazz Web Round Up 5-16-2012

Source: The Utah Jazz Blog by Spencer

Who the Hell is Josh Selby? That’s not the real title but you know he wanted it to be.
by Jody Genessy
I wouldn’t expect anything less from Jody. Tongue and cheek at its best. The great thing about this article is that Jody is calling out the random media member that voted for him. Calling out people for being idiots is ok in my book. Thank you Jody.

Salt City Hoops Podcast with Spencer Ryan Hall and Jackson Rudd.

N.O.  is added to the Goran Dragic sweepstakes. The Counter Point
So Far we have POR, DAL, NYK, UTA, ORL and now NO that have shown or been hinting at wanting a piece of the Dragon. He played well this season, but with this many teams on his junk his payday is going to be 6-8 million, and possibly even more.

From Hornets247
“But it goes beyond his individual statistics; Dragic also raises his team’s level of play. When Dragic is on the court, the team’s true shooting percentage jumps up a full 3%. This is the result of him getting the ball to the rest of the team in their favorite spots. This is also why his assist percentage jumped over 7% to 34.6% as a starter.”

From ESPN Florida
Goran Dragic, Houston Rockets – Dragic is a bit of an enigma because he hasn’t played a lot in his career. However, during spot time in Phoenix and Kyle Lowry‘s injury last season, Dragic showed flashes of brilliance. The 25-year old wound up starting 28 games this season, finishing with a career-high 11.7 points and 5.3 assists per game while shooting 46.2% from the field and 33.7% from beyond the arc. With Lowry back in the fold, Dragic could be looking for a starting gig.

Mark Eaton still working with youth and doing good everywhere. I respect Mark Eaton for what he has created off the court more than anything he did on the court.  As someone who works with young adults everyday, I think there is an enormous value to good examples. Mark Eaton continues to do good in the Salt Lake area by being a good example.

Andrei Kirilenko is not a Robot!

Paul Shirley talks about Jammal Tinsley in College 

No beats were missed in Spurs' Game 1 victory (The SportsXchange)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

The San Antonio Spurs picked up right where they left in sweeping Utah by picking apart the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals Tuesday night.

NBA Playoffs: Round 2 – Recap

Source: Purple and Blues by JAmes

NBA Playoffs: Round 2 – Recap - Purple and Blues - Purple and Blues - A Utah Jazz Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

Jazz Gordon Hayward joins elite group in Jazz History Books

Source: SLC Dunk by AllThatJazzBasketball

The Utah Jazz started off as the New Orleans Jazz. Their first season was in 1974-1975. Since then they've spent decades getting better and better. Part of why the Jazz have been good has been because of their success in drafting quality talent. Name some of the best and most popular players in Jazz history -- John Stockton, Karl Malone, Darrell Griffith, Thurl Bailey, Mark Eaton -- they were all drafted by the Jazz. Those five guys are locks to be on the All-Time Jazz roster. Other guys who the Jazz drafted, but are not playing with the team anymore, have been pretty great here too: Deron Williams and

Quick Poll: Which was the worst NBA Playoff team this year?

Source: SLC Dunk by AllThatJazzBasketball

Okay folks, so the first round of the playoffs are history. The Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Lakers, Clippers, Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs all advanced. In the

Favors on Olympic Team... It looks very likely.

Source: The Utah Jazz Blog by Spencer

USA - Speculation mounts on select team; extension confirmed

NEW YORK (Olympics) - The USA Select team has been a vital part of the country's return to the top of international basketball with many members having graduated to the senior side coached by Mike Krzyzewski.

NEW YORK (Olympics) - The USA Select team has been a vital part of the country's return to the top of international basketball with many members having graduated to the senior side coached by Mike Krzyzewski.

Though the select squad has yet to be announced, there is media speculation that the Americans are planning to include New York Knicks sensation Jeremy Lin and others with stardom in their future.

If reports are true, Gordon Hayward and Derrick Favors (both Utah), DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento), Klay Thompson (Golden State), Kyrie Irving (Cleveland), John Wall (Washington), DeMar DeRozan (Toronto), Paul George (Indiana), Kawhi Leonard and DeJuan Blair (San Antonio), Ryan Anderson (Orlando) and Taj Gibson (Chicago) will also be invited.

Meanwhile, USA Basketball confirmed on Monday that the country's Olympic Committee (USOC) had granted a two-week extension for the naming of the 12 players who will travel to London and compete at the Olympics.

Four players on the Olympic team have removed themselves because of injuries. The recent addition of some of our local players is a cause for speculation. Here are the injuries Rose, Billups, Alldrige, and Howard and Odom due to external issues.  Two point guards a two forwards and a center. If you look at the list of players that have been added to the list, there are only three players that could fill the Center position left by Howard and LMA; Favors, Cousins and Blair. I am not saying that Favors is going to play on the Olympic team, I am speculating at the openings and the recent additions. There are two spots to fill with three players to fill those spots. I think the odds are forever in Favors favor. It is possible that he could fill one of the Forward spots for Alldridge or Odom as well.  Hayward does not look like a replacement for Rose, or Billups. When you look at the full roster... below it looks like a tough spot for Hayward to be in. Hayward is four years away at least. 

We Are Utah Jazz: Sticking Together

Source: SLC Dunk by dianaallen

I have not been able to stop staring at this photo (that we have all seen, many, many times) and it's not because of what was going on during that moment it is because of how we as fans and how Jazz players can relate to both Larry and Greg.

Continue reading after the jump:

We as fans have our hot button issues, topics that no matter what, we have to express our opinions, we are always right and we will defend our opinion to the death. There is nothing wrong with having hot topics. We are fans we don't always need to be logical, we have the right to have our opinions just like Larry had the right to fight that Denver fan.

It seems like this season our hot button issues were:

Matt Harpring looks backward, forward as he reflects on the Utah Jazz season

Source: Deseret News

After a non-start and a late deal with the NBA lockout, the Utah Jazz sprinted through the shortened season full of surprises...

Salt City Hoops Podcast – 5/15/2012

Source: Salt City Hoops by jazzhype

Listen up as Spencer Hall and Jackson Rudd discuss the excitement and drama surrounding the Utah Jazz offseason. Remember to check out the podcast every Tuesday, and join us live on 1320 KFAN every Saturday from 11:00 to noon.

This Day in Jazz History - May 15, 1994

Source: NBA.com

With a comfortable 3-0 series lead over the Nuggets, the Jazz looked to close out the series with a sweep in Denver.

2012 NBA Playoffs: San Antonio Spurs Vs. Los Angeles Clippers Western Conference Semifinals Matchup Fan's View (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

The San Antonio Spurs and Los Angeles Clippers have spent the last week very differently. After easily sweeping the Utah Jazz in four straight games, the Spurs got some rest while they rejuvenated their minds and bodies and waited to find out who they would play in the second round of the 2012 NBA Playoffs. San Antonio now knows that its Western Conference semifinals opponent will be the Los Angeles Clippers.

San Antonio Spurs–Los Angeles Clippers Series Schedule (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

A year ago the San Antonio Spurs were written off; too old and too far past their prime to contend for another league title.

Josh Selby (who?!) gets more Rookie of the Year love than Enes Kanter and Alec Burks

Source: Deseret News Jazzland by Jody Genessy

Photo by Jennifer Pottheiser/NBAE - Getty Images

The Jazz’s two NBA newcomers didn’t receive any votes for the 2011-12 Rookie of the Year award.

Both Enes Kanter and Alec Burks had their moments and contributed nicely at times for the Jazz in their first years, but it is not a surprising development that they didn’t get any Rookie of the Year attention.

Associated Press photo

That is, until you consider this: Josh Selby finished 12th in the voting for the prestigious award.

To answer your “Who?” question: Selby, a point guard from Kansas, played in 28 games for the Memphis Grizzlies this past season. And take a look at this shining stats: 2.3 points, 1.1 assists while shooting 34.7 percent from the field and 13.3 percent from 3-point range. (Granted, that long-range percentage would’ve made him one of the Jazz’s better shooters, but still. … Yes, I’m kidding.)

To compare the Jazz rookies to Selby’s less-than-stellar rookie campaign:

Burks: 7.2 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 0.9 apg, 42.9 FG%, 33.3 3PT%

Kanter: 4.6 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 0.1 apg, 49.6 FG%

If Selby deserved a third-place vote, Burks could’ve won the award and Kanter finished second. By the way, if Selby doesn’t ring a bell, it’s probably because he played a grand total of zero minutes in the three Jazz-Grizzlies’ games this past season and only appeared in 28 contests his entire rookie campaign.

For the record, my ballot reflected the final results: 1. Kyrie Irving, 2. Ricky Rubio, 3. Kenneth Faried.

Here are the official results for the Eddie Gottlieb Trophy as voted upon by a panel of U.S. and Canadian sports writers and broadcasters (most of whom don’t make silly votes):

Rookie, Team        1^st        2^nd        3^rd        Total
Kyrie Irving, Cleveland        117        2        1        592
Ricky Rubio, Minnesota                -        49        23        170
Kenneth Faried, Denver                1        30        34        129
Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio        1        9        15        47
Iman Shumpert, New York        1        7        7        33
Klay Thompson, Golden State        -         5        15        30
Isaiah Thomas, Sacramento        -        6        10        28
Brandon Knight, Detroit                -        6        3        21
Chandler Parsons, Houston        -        3        5        14
MarShon Brooks, New Jersey        -        1        1        4
Kemba Walker, Charlotte        -         –        3        3
Josh Selby, Memphis                 –         –        1        1

Josh Selby gets more Rookie of the Year love than Enes Kanter and Alec Burks

Source: Deseret News Jazzland by Jody Genessy

Photo by Jennifer Pottheiser/NBAE - Getty Images

The Jazz’s two NBA newcomers didn’t receive any votes for the 2011-12 Rookie of the Year award.

Both Enes Kanter and Alec Burks had their moments and contributed nicely at times for the Jazz in their first years, but it is not a surprising development that they didn’t get any Rookie of the Year attention.

Associated Press photo

That is, until you consider this: Josh Selby finished 12th in the voting for the prestigious award.

To answer your “Who?” question: Selby, a point guard from Kansas, played in 28 games for the Memphis Grizzlies this past season. And take a look at this shining stats: 2.3 points, 1.1 assists while shooting 34.7 percent from the field and 13.3 percent from 3-point range. (Granted, that long-range percentage would’ve made him one of the Jazz’s better shooters, but still. … Yes, I’m kidding.)

To compare the Jazz rookies to Selby’s less-than-stellar rookie campaign:

Burks: 7.2 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 0.9 apg, 42.9 FG%, 33.3 3PT%

Kanter: 4.6 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 0.1 apg, 49.6 FG%

If Selby deserved a third-place vote, Burks could’ve won the award and Kanter finished second.

For the record, my ballot reflected the final results: 1. Kyrie Irving, 2. Ricky Rubio, 3. Kenneth Faried.

Here are the official results for the Eddie Gottlieb Trophy as voted upon by a panel of U.S. and Canadian sports writers and broadcasters (most of whom don’t make silly votes):

Rookie, Team        1^st        2^nd        3^rd        Total
Kyrie Irving, Cleveland        117        2        1        592
Ricky Rubio, Minnesota                -        49        23        170
Kenneth Faried, Denver                1        30        34        129
Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio        1        9        15        47
Iman Shumpert, New York        1        7        7        33
Klay Thompson, Golden State        -         5        15        30
Isaiah Thomas, Sacramento        -        6        10        28
Brandon Knight, Detroit                -        6        3        21
Chandler Parsons, Houston        -        3        5        14
MarShon Brooks, New Jersey        -        1        1        4
Kemba Walker, Charlotte        -         –        3        3
Josh Selby, Memphis                 –         –        1        1

Utah Jazz: Grading the Jazz Starters' 2011-12 Season

Source: Bleacher Report

At the conclusion of the 2011-12 season for the Jazz, let's go back and grade all of Utah's starters. They will be graded on overall performance and consistency.

It has only been a year since Deron Williams and Jerry Sloan left Salt Lake, and despite doubters, the Jazz had a fairly successful season. They were the eighth seed in the West in the playoffs, and although they were swept by the Spurs to end the season, let's grade all of the Jazz starters.

Begin Slideshow

Utah Jazz Around the Web

Source: The Utah Jazz Blog by Spencer

Utah Jazz Around the Web

Al Jefferson Stats Breakdown from LockedonSports

Locke is fantastic with stats. I also like that he has broken it down into categories instead of throwing it all into one post. It is difficult to write “sloany” stat filled posts. Those of you reading that have tried, know what I am talking about.

Jerry Sloan #2 on the Free Agent Coaches List. Tom Ziller
It is safe to say that for the next five years, Jerry Sloan’s name will come up every time there is a opening. I get it, but how interested is he really?

One-on-One with Kerem Kanter: More than Just Enes’s little brother
Some very interesting comments from Kanter’s brother. I don’t know how we would get him here or even how good he is, but he watches every Jazz game and is probably going to be an NBA player soon.


Point Guard Drivin League: Tim Cowlishaw
This goes back to the Devin Harris decision, if you could call it that.

Kyle Korver Anyone? From Bulls.com
Would Kyle Korver come back to the Jazz? It looks like the Bulls are going to have a hard time resigning everyone. He is right in our range price wise.

Kyle Korver: He had a good season, ranking in the top 10 in three point shooting again, but suffered a foot injury late in the regular season that worsened in the playoffs and he basically was unable to play in Game 6, though the team declined to discuss specifics. Korver is one of the league’s best perimeter shooters and an improving defender, so there’ll be good a market for him if the Bulls let him go. “We went in every day as a team believing we would win a championship,” said Korver. “We really went for it. We put everything into it every day. So it makes it a really tough finish. This team has a really bright future. Obviously, we need Derrick to come back healthy and strong, which we all think he will. There are some really great pieces. They told me they’d like to bring me back, but (I know) it will come to dollars. It’s a privilege to wear a Bulls uniform. It’s really an honor. I watched the Bulls growing up. To be part of an organization like that is great. The Bulls are first class in every way, great people, organization, culture and a great place to play basketball. Chicago is an amazing place for sports. Obviously, I’d love to be back, but we’ll see.”

Chance to return: 30 percent

@AndyBlarsen  @Slcdunk Debut on the Downbeat 

I Love Andy. We had him on a Podcast about a month ago, and he knows his stuff. He is a huge addition to the Jazz community. I would be lying if I didn’t say he has been heavily recruited by all Jazz sites since about the third grade. ;) He is like a blue chip.

@Monilogue Jazz Fanatical and your AK fix 

The rumors are flying around that AK may want to comeback. I just don’t know if we have/want to spend the money that he is looking for. However we have already given him 91.5 Million dollars.

Exciting Times for Hayward & Favors, KOC, and Me - The Downbeat - #749

Source: SLC Dunk by andylarsen

The big news released yesterday was that Derrick Favors and Gordon Hayward made the USA Select team. This is the team that practices and scrimmages against the real Team USA, the one that's going to the Olympics in London this year. The full list of players on the Select team (courtesy The Sporting News):

DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento

Brad Rock: Rock on: Ex-Jazz forward Carlos Boozer's Bull story

Source: Deseret News

After Chicago's playoff-ending loss to Philadelphia, last week, ex-Jazz forward Carlos Boozer was asked to assess his season.

Utah Jazz: Derrick Favors, Gordon Hayward join Select team

Source: Deseret News

Before LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and Team USA take on the world this summer, they'll have to deal with a couple of Utah Jazz...

Hayward, Favors Going to the Olympics?

Source: Purple and Blues by JAmes

December 30, 2011; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; The Utah Jazz

visit site to read more]

Hayward, Favors Going to the Olympics? - Purple and Blues - Purple and Blues - A Utah Jazz Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

Gordon Hayward Accepts Invitation To Join USA Basketball...Surprise Surprise

Source: The Utah Jazz Blog by Spencer

From SI

USA Basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski has announced that Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward has accepted an invitation to join this year’s team at the Olympics, reports Michael C. Lewis of the Salt Lake Tribune.

Coach Krzyzewski says the @utahjazz's @gordonhaywardhas accepted an invitation to @usabasketball select team.#MediaSummit

Hayward will be a welcome addition to the American squad, as injuries have ravaged an originally promising roster. LaMarcus Aldridge, Chauncey Billups, Dwight Howard, Kevin Love and Derrick Rose all suffered injuries this season that put their status for this summer’s Games in doubt. James Harden and Anthony Davis were added to the Team USA roster earlier this month, but more help was still needed.

Hayward is a promising young player — the former No. 9 overall draft pick started for the playoff-bound Utah Jazz this year, averaging 11.8 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game in his second pro season.

Coach K and Hayward share an interesting connection — the coach’s Duke Blue Devils beat the youngster’s Butler Bulldogs in the NCAA Tournament final in 2010. Hayward missed a desperate halfcourt shot at the buzzer to end March Madness.

I don't think that Hayward will see any minutes this summer, and with Coach K coaching his last Olympic team, Hayward may never get PT on the olympic team. However, getting on the Olympic team is a process of growth, and starting from the bottom and working your way up. Hayward, (and Favors) are in the pipeline to be on the team in 2016.  

NBA Teams: Social Connectivity by Market Size

Source: SLC Dunk by AllThatJazzBasketball

I made this into a graph if you care for that type of thing . . .

Boom.

NBA Teams: Does market size and media attention translate to success?

Source: SLC Dunk by AllThatJazzBasketball

Of the top of your head, which NBA teams have had the most success since the 2000-2001 season till today? The Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics won titles, and so did the San Antonio Spurs. The Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat did as well. The Phoenix Suns and Orlando Magic also won a ton of regular season games too. According to the NBA rankings (that I

Paul Millsap from Our Faces. (Art)

Source: The Utah Jazz Blog by Spencer

From Aaron the Ogre @ OurFaces.Wordpress.com 

SLC Dunk Roster move: Introducing . . . Andy Larsen

Source: SLC Dunk by AllThatJazzBasketball

Hey SLC Dunkers -- if you are an astute observer you probably figured it out by now -- but Andy Larsen has decided to take his talents to the SLC Dunk beach. As a result this is how I felt.

Jokes aside, we all know that Andy is clutch. We've seen and read his work for YEARS on Jazzbots/Jazz360. We've followed him on twitter @andyblarsen. And in the last few weeks we've seen him hit home runs with his posts here. Of course, Andy is going to be a great asset, and you all will give him a warm

The Genius of Gregg Popovich ... or What I Hope Ty Corbin Can Learn, Part 1

Source: SLC Dunk by Yucca Man

Note: Clark is writing a series about three-point shooting specifically. My look at the Spurs could be called a companion to his. There are a lot of similar themes. So read his, get smart, and then look at mine and see what you think.

* * *

The playoffs were, according to the official Jazz Stance, a terrific learning experience. So I wanted to see what could be actually learned, starting with this:

What can Tyrone Corbin learn from Gregg Popovich?

I love

Talking Utah Jazz with Pounding the Rock and Raptors HQ

Source: SLC Dunk by AllThatJazzBasketball

I love the Utah Jazz, and it is a blast to get an opportunity to talk about them to other people. (Again, during times of my life I was clearly the only Jazz fan in a 1000 mile radius) I had a chance to talk with two our of SBN sister-sites about the Jazz recently.

Pounding The Rock 's JR and I go over the Utah Jazz / San Antonio Spurs series and what the Spurs have to look forward to in the Los Angeles Clippers, and how many games it will be. (

This Day in Jazz History - May 14, 1999

Source: NBA.com

Trailing 2-1 in the series against the #6-seed Kings, the #3-seed Jazz were facing elimination in game four. In front of a wild Sacramento crowd the game went back and forth with each team making clutch plays until the end.

Report: Derrick Favors, Gordon Hayward named to 2012 USA Select team

Source: Deseret News Jazzland by Jody Genessy

The summers for Gordon Hayward and Derrick Favors just got a bit busier.

The two young Utah Jazz players have reportedly been invited to participate on the 2012 USA Select team, which will help prepare Team USA for the Summer Olympics in London.

Hayward and Favors, both selected to participate in the NBA’s Rising Stars Challenge this past All-Star Weekend, will join a team full of American up-and-comers, according to a CSNBayArea.com report.

The team reportedly will include: Hayward and Favors of the Jazz; DeMarcus Cousins (Kings), Jeremy Lin (Knicks), Klay Thompson (Warriors), Kyrie Irving (Cavs), John Wall (Wizards), DeMar DeRozan (Raptors), Paul George (Pacers),  Kawhi Leonard and DeJuan Blair (Spurs), Ryan Anderson (Magic) and Taj Gibson (Bulls).

Details haven’t been released by USA Basketball, but it’s possible Hayward and Favors would not be able to participate with the Jazz’s summer league team in Orlando in July. Team USA will begin its preparations for the London Games in Las Vegas during the same time period.

Hayward struggled in the postseason (6-for-33 shooting), but he played especially well during the second half of the regular season to help the Jazz make a successful playoff push. The 22-year-old finished his second year in the NBA with averages of 9.1 points, 3.3 assists and 3.1 rebounds.

Favors averaged 8.1 points and 5.9 rebounds during the season but the powerful and athletic 20-year-old came on strong in the playoffs. As one of Utah’s best players all series in the sweep vs. the Spurs, the 6-10 Favors averaged 11.8 points and 9.5 rebounds while playing stellar defense.

Gordon Hayward and Derrick Favors added to USA Select Team

Source: SLC Dunk by AllThatJazzBasketball

Utah Jazz sophomores Gordon Hayward and Derrick Favors were both added to the USA Select Team, according to multiple sources (press reports, media members, and players own tweets). Good stuff. It's the right progress for these two 2010 picks.

BREAKING- Derrick Favors and Gordon Hawyard (sic) named to the USA Select Basketball Team

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Hayward, Favors picked for U.S. Select Team

Source: Jazz Notes

Hayward, Favors picked for U.S. Select Team

The Salt Lake Tribune

Published May 14, 2012 11:12AM MDT

Gordon Hayward and Derrick Favors of the Utah Jazz will play for the U.S. Select Team this summer, the Salt Lake Tribune's Michael C. Lewis reports from the Olympic Summit in Dallas.The U.S. Select Team will practice against the United States Olympic team that will compete in London. Hayward, 22, averaged 11.8 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.1 assists during the just-completed NBA season. Favors, who turns 21 on June 15, averaged 8.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and one block.Other players reportedly invited...

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