Utah Jazz : 2013 Year End Grades

2013 has seen some up and down moments for the Utah Jazz. With the year wrapping up and the 2014 year here, I thought I should give my perspective on some things that happened this year.

I want to give out my “grades” on each player on the team, but before I do that, I want to look back on some other things that happened to this Jazz organization in 2013 and “grade” them.

Off-Season

During the off-season, Jazz management made some major decisions to effect this team and it’s fan base. They decided to start from scratch and let guys like Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap walk in free agency. At first, as every fan I think reacted, it was a bit of a shock to see these guys go and have the Jazz get nothing in return. Then, the Jazz made a trade to acquire 3 expiring contracts from the Golden State Warriors and picked up Brandon Rush, Andris Biedrins, and Richard Jefferson.

For the outlook on how that would effect THIS season, Jazz fans seemed pretty upset. However, after hearing explanations on what Jazz management was doing, it made a lot of sense. The fact that they got deals from the Warriors that will expire at the end of this season, PLUS they somehow got Golden State to give them their 2014 first round draft pick, can make the Jazz very flexible in the future. I like the move for future reasons, but for this season and having to watch some pretty bad basketball from time to time is a little frustrating.

Grade : B

Drafting Trey Burke

Like the Jazz will have in the 2014 draft, they had 2 1st round draft picks in the 2013 draft. They did what they might have a chance to do next draft as well, and that was to take both picks and trade up in the draft. They did that so they could move up and get a key piece for this franchise, Trey Burke.

Burke was the National Player of the Year after his National Championship Runner-Up finish at Michigan. The Jazz desperately needed a point guard and Trey was the best point guard in this draft. Before draft day, I don’t think anyone thought there was much of a chance that we would have ended up with Burke. As bloggers, we were preparing for the Michael Carter-Williams, C.J. McCollum, or Dennis Schroeder era to begin. The fact that the Jazz were able to trade up and surprise everyone was incredible.

Burke is going to be a special player in this league. I, for one, am glad that he gets to be that special player in Utah.

Grade : A

Installing new Jumbotron

I’m sure by now everyone has seen the new video screen that was installed before pre-season in the arena. Seeing it on TV really doesn’t do it justice though. If you haven’t been down to the arena, you need to get there.

The screens are so clear and add on the new sound system that they installed with it, and it gives Jazz games a whole new experience. I was pretty blown away when I first seen it, and again, very impressed with Jazz management and wanting to give the fans that kind of experience when they go to games.

Grade : A+

NOW….lets get into grading the players!