King Jimmer

Savior of the Kings franchise?

Jimmer is headed to Sacramento.

The Kings were in need of something, or in this case, someone to put fans in the seats. No one did it better last year than the one name phenom, Jimmer.

This was an obvious PR move by the Maloof brothers, but one that I feel will work out very well for both sides. The Kings could use some instant offense beside Tyreke Evans and Demarcus Cousins, who are not exactly lighting up the score board. Fredette can shoot from... well anywhere. That is not a mystery. This team will benefit from Jimmer, and likewise the other way around.

Jimmer is best when he is in open space, and handles the ball. He is also best when he  is given reign over the shots he can take, and I think he will get that in Sacramento. Now, this is not to be confused with him becoming an all-star or the "leader" of the team. I think it simply means this is a good situation for Jimmer to flourish to start his NBA career. He will be an immediate impact on a team that is needing some shooting, and some energy for its dwindling fan base.

My prediction.... Jimmer will start eventually sometime next season, if not right away. He was drafted to please the fans, so thats what he is going to need to prove in an early stage. I think he will do well, make shots, and he will surprise people with his natural ability to run the point guard position. His passing ability is very undervalued, and his frame (6'2" 195) is one that once his defensive fundamentals are sound, will make him a decent on defender. No lock down defender, but D-Willi like with his ability to move and get a body on someone.

Jimmer will succeed early on in his career. He will continue to do what everyone says he can't do, perform at the highest levels. He already has, just go check out his trophy room in his new house in Northern California.

Jimmer goes Where?

Like many anxious Cougar fans, we are all waiting to see where "The Jimmer" gets drafted come June.

A big step could be tomorrow, when the draft lottery is decided. I anticipate this could hurt/help Jimmers positioning for the upcoming draft, depending on what happens.

I have read many things saying Jimmer would be a good fit in Phoenix, presumably to replace an aging Steve Nash. Problem I forsee there... REPLACING Steve Nash. It simply cannot be done. Jimmer is Jimmer, and the boy can surely Jimmer, but Nash is a 2 time MVP, and can pass better than anyone since John Stockton.

I believe Jimmer will be a valuable bench player in his beginning years, somewhat like a JJ Reddick, only he can shoot a little better, and can drive light years better than JJ. This comparison then brings us to the idea that Jimmer can one day become a key contributor, but it all just depends on where he lands.

Here's to Jimmer's future! Best of luck!

Behind the Williams Trade

     For 23 years, the Jazz sideline was patrolled by one of the most intimidating and powerful head coaches the game has ever known. 

     Jerry Sloan was a mainstay on the sideline in Salt Lake City through just about all the success Utah has ever accomplished. Winning more games with one franchise than any other coach in any of the four major sports, Sloan always demanded respect and the best from his players. But a little less than month ago, Sloan called his career a done deal, and that was the end of an era not only of an iconic head coach, but the end of a star with the franchise.

    Nearly two weeks after the surprising Sloan resignation, the Jazz traded away their franchise player, Deron Williams, for two younger players, draft picks, and some always helpful cash.

               

    Is the timing here just coincidence, or is there something behind this deal. Most certainly the latter.

    Deron Willams, over the past couple of seasons, has risen from high draft pick, to two-time NBA All-Star. He has gotten a massive contract extension, and been given the reigns of the Jazz franchise as its poster boy. One can easily see his career was starting to escalate to stardom, as his name was constantly brought up in “best point guard in the league,” conversations. One could also see the turmoil in the locker room making its way onto the court.

       Williams last year voiced his displeasure when the Jazz traded away his running mate, Ronnie Brewer to the Grizzlies mid-season. Deron had consistently moaned and groaned about managements lack of bringing in start talent to surround him, in order to help the Jazz make a strong push in the playoffs.

        Watching interviews with the guy, and it was obvious his desire to be in Utah was quickly dwindling, especially as this year’s up and down squad continued their downward spiral in the rankings out West.

       The morning of the trade, Williams allegedly found out himself from a TV reporting the news.

       What does all of this add up to?

      Deron Williams forced Jerry Sloan out of his post, in order to be the biggest man in town, and have no road blocks in his way. The court was not big enough for the two Jazz icons, and Deron made it known what he wanted.

They had their differences, and it cost
them spots with the storied franchise

                In the ever speculative argument that preluded Sloans announcement, Williams eludes to it being a routine thing, and he had seen bigger.

                The one thing he may not have witnessed before, was a Hall-of-Fame coach being told that his team had lost its leadership, and that a mutiny was taking place.

      I am convinced Deron Williams forced Sloan off the bench in Utah, and as a result, the Jazz brass were not happy.

      The Jazz is a proud franchise that prides itself on consistency, making the playoffs all but one year under Sloan, and team play, as they are continuously tops in the league in assists’. Neither of the aforementioned goals was true this year, and Williams continued to choke in late game situations. He would give up the ball via turnover or just poor play making play after play. He would refuse to take the last shot, or the momentum changing shot, if it ever came around. He seemed to want to put the ball in someone else’s hand, so that way the blame could not be placed on his shoulders. However, that ploy backfired, as now that is the reason he landed on the 6^th worst team in the league, with no promises of a great tomorrow.

                Good luck D-Will, with handling your ego and a losing team that isn’t going to get better because you are in town.

Jazz woes show Ugly Face

Deron is the key to Jazz success 

The Jazz continue to show that their mid-season slump is more than just that. This last month or so has shown this Jazz team true colors.

The Jazz continue to be horrible at rebounding, allowing momentum changing shots, and horrendous porous defense. Nothing has changed since the change in regime either.

The most recent two losses, both to the Suns, have had similar trends. Deron and the Jazz started off hot, to eventually cool down, and choke down the stretch.

One trend that I have noticed in the recent struggle which is the 2010-2011 season, is Deron William's unwillingness to have the ball in his hands at crunch time, and make the plays to win. Here is as guy that has hit many big shots, hit many key free throws, and has created some improbable comebacks, even just this year. Yet in the game against the Bulls in particular, Deron refused to step up when his team needed him.

On three straight possessions with the Jazz within striking distance of the lead, Deron turned the ball over, killing any chance of a comeback versus the "Jazz East." The Jazz lost that game eventually, and started the most recent trend of blowing games in the final 6 minutes.

Yesterday against Phoenix, Utah had an 8 point lead with 7 minutes left, not to mention all the momentum. Enter Steve Nash, good-bye Jazz 'W'.

Utah allowed Phoenix to go on an 11-0 run within 3 minutes of Nash's return to the hardwood, and the Suns never looked back. Entering the 4th quarter, Deron Williams had made 1 shot from the field. Leaving the fourth quarter, he had added only one additional field goal and 6 turnovers.

Do all of the Jazz problems rest solely on Williams shoulder? One could argue he is the team captain, that he needs to hold people responsible for their performance, including his own. One might also add that as the 2 time all-star on the team, the fans expect him to come up with the plays down the stretch that bring the win home.

On the other hand, it is a team game. Injuries have plagued the Jazz of recent, playing yesterday with 9 guys healthy, 2 of which are rookies Gordon Hayward and Jeremy Evans. Another arguement in favor of Deron Williams lack of blame carrier, is the lack of team defense. Jazz continue to show they dont know how to rotate on ball movement, and recover from dribble penetration.

So, is it Deron Williams' fault that Utah is almost on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoff race? Not entirely, but he sure needs to step up his game in order for this team to stay intact and have any shot and bringing back fans to the green seats in Salt Lake City.

Matt Reynolds to return

Good news from BYU's standout offensive lineman: he's coming back. Deseret News is reporting that the two-time all MWC tackle will return for his senior year at BYU.

Big Bro's thoughts: Next year the Cougar offense will still be relatively young, so Reynolds's maturity and leadership will be much appreciated. A skilled left tackle will be a necessary component in the offense to give Jake Heaps the time to make his throws. Of course, that is assuming Heaps wins the contest for the starting job next spring (tongue in cheek).

At the beginning of the season Reynolds was high on scouts' lists, but the disappointing BYU season resulted in a drop in his stock. Much of that is thanks to the dual quarterback system, wherein Reynolds had to switch back and forth from left to right tackle to protect Riley Nelson (lefty) and Heaps (righty). Along with switching sides, a lack of consistency also rattled the O-line, protecting a mobile quarterback one series and a pocket passer the next.

I expect that next year Reynolds will have a standout season and his NFL stock will skyrocket. He will also have a chance to be a part of BYU's inaugural independent team and to to show himself to scouts in multiple time zones and on ESPN.

Why Doman hire is great for BYU

Brandon Doman is BYU'S OC. Was this the best choice for BYU?

Like his predecessor, Doman has been a polarizing figure. In anticipation of his hiring, bloggers, commentators, and message boarders have been split on the prospect of the young coach taking over the reigns of the offense. Nay-sayers say he's too young and inexperienced and cite rumors that he favors Riley Nelson over Jake Heaps. Band wagoners point to Bronco's praise for Doman and cite rumors that Doman is a hot commodity in the coaching market.

Big Bro's thoughts: While Doman's experience is minimal, his upside is demonstrable. As QB coach he proved his worth as a coach. He churned out two NFL players in Max Hall and John Beck, both of whom displayed great play-making and leadership ability. He played a huge role in BYU's ability to land Heaps, the top quarterback blue chip in the nation, and Heaps has been vocal about his love for Doman.

But the best reason why Doman is a great pick for OC is his commitment to BYU and its mission. One of the biggest reasons for Bronco's success has been his ability to embrace BYU's culture and history and use it to his advantage. It started with bringing back a modern version of the old logo and has recently been evidenced by his players lifting him on their shoulders after a 7-6 season. His signature "Band Of Brothers" tee-shirt sells like hotcakes. He has earned the respect of fans, players, writers, recruits, and boosters. Doman has bought into his scheme, and I think it will be a symbiotic relationship that can flourish for years to come.

Perhaps Doman's youth can be an asset. As BYU blazes the independence trail, a new OC who could be there for a long time (a la Norm Chow) could be valuable. Hiring from within means the learning curve of losing your OC will be minimal.

So, nay-sayers beware. Like Bronco said, Doman was probably the best QB coach in the country, and if he is nearly as good of a OC, the offense could be dangerous next year. Combined with Bronco's signature defense and bring young stars like Heaps, Hoffman, Van Noy, and Quezada, and the next few years could be special.

Doman gets a chance

It's official. Brandon Doman is BYU's new offensive coordinator. BYU's official athletic website announced today that Doman would take over after Robert Anae resigned last week. Also announced today, Kelly Poppinga will take over as outside linebackers coach.

Read The Sports Bros' thoughts and opinions here.