Morning Jazz 05-22-14

Welcome to our Thursday May 22nd edition of the “Morning Jazz”, where we are bringing you the best Utah Jazz content from around the web. There was plenty of good stuff to read yesterday, and if you missed anything, or wanted a chance to re-read it, you can catch it all below with the daily links.

2014 NBA Draft: Post-Lottery Mock Draft (via Purple & Blues)

Tuesday night, we finally got to see where all the teams would be placed in the draft order for the upcoming 2014 NBA Draft. Somehow, in some way, which I really don’t understand, the Cleveland Cavaliers jumped from the ninth position to snag the number one overall pick for the second year in a row, and the third time in four years.

As far as for the Utah Jazz, after being positioned fourth heading into the lottery, we ended up falling back one spot to pick number five. I do think though, the Jazz have a pretty good opportunity to trade up. Dennis Lindsey said last night, that the Jazz could use a combination of picks to move up, but we will have to wait and see.

For now, here is the current draft order after last night’s NBA Draft Lottery, and here is what our first mock draft looks like.

1. Cleveland Cavaliers – Jabari Parker

The Cavaliers need a scorer. They need a big man too, but I think if they really want to help Kyrie Irving out, they need to go scoring wing here. Last year with the number one pick, the Cavaliers took Anthony Bennett, which hasn’t really played out for them. They have a good core of young players, but besides Irving and Dion Waiters, nobody can score the ball. Parker is going to bring instant offense and should be who the Cavaliers take here. (Continue reading here)

2013-14 Utah Jazz by the numbers: the rookie edition (via Purple & Blues)

Welcome to the latest edition of 2013-14 Utah Jazz By The Numbers. This edition will look at some stats and numbers of the three rookies who saw action with the Jazz: Trey Burke, Rudy Gobert, and Ian Clark. Let’s be honest, this is less painful to think about than numbers related to yesterday’s NBA lottery. Am I right or am I right? As usual, I’ve retrieved most of the stats mentioned here from the Utah Jazz section of Basketball-Reference.

Trey Burke

Due to the Jazz having a relatively short history with the NBA Lottery, most Jazz rookies don’t come into the season under the pressure of high expectations from Jazz Nation. In recent memory, Deron Williams and Gordon Hayward are the biggest exceptions to this rule. Or rather, were the biggest exceptions. When Dennis Lindsey worked out a trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves to acquire Trey Burke, most Jazz fans, including myself, were excited. He had a rough summer league in Las Vegas Orlando, but I never put much stock in summer league play. After suffering a broken finger in the preseason, we were more than ready for Trey when he made his debut. While he had some ups and downs, to me, he didn’t disappoint. Now, on to the numbers. (Continue reading here)

Insider Buzz: Jazz could shake up NBA Draft with shocking pick (via Bleacher Report)

The Utah Jazz were hoping to jump into the top three of the NBA draft, but fell victim to some unfortunate bounces in the lottery. Who will they decide to select with the No. 5 pick?

Jody Genessy of the Deseret News analyzes Utah’s strategy with Adam Lefkoe in the video attached in the article. (watch video here)

2014 NBA Draft Rumors: Utah Jazz interested in Marcus Smart, Dante Exum (via Fansided)

The Utah Jazz were obviously disappointed with the results of Tuesday night’s NBA Draft Lottery, they still could package their picks to move up in the draft.

Of course, they are more likely to remain in the fifth spot and make a pick.

Although the Jazz selected former Michigan Wolverines’ point guard Trey Burke in the first round last year, ESPN’s Chad Ford believes they could bite one on of the top two point guards, Australian native Dante Exum and former Oklahoma State Cowboy Marcus Smart, this season. (Continue reading here)

Utah Jazz to interview Gentry (via Fansided)

Once the season came to a close, the Utah Jazz decided not to renew the contract of head coach Tyrone Corbin and now are on the hunt for a new head coach.

According to Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports, the Jazz will be interviewing current Los Angeles Clippers’ assistant coach Alvin Gentry.

Los Angeles Clippers associate head coach Alvin Gentry is expected to soon interview for the Utah Jazz’s head-coaching vacancy, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

Jazz general manager Dennis Lindsey arrived in Los Angeles on Wednesday to see predraft workouts. The Jazz have already interviewed Chicago Bulls assistant coach Adrian Griffin, but have been deliberate in their process to hire a new head coach. (Continue reading here)

SportsTechie NBA Digital Series Takes A Look At The Utah Jazz (via Purple & Blues)

SportTechie has a great new series on how NBA teams leverage digital media to reach fans and enhance their brands. See below for a preview about how the Utah Jazz are using digital strategy. Then head over to SportTechie to read the entire writeup.

Gordon Hayward may be one of the NBA’s brightest up and coming stars, but basketball has always been a team game. The 30 franchises that make up the league have generated a revenue pie in excess of $5 billion. The digital age has enabled this game to reach its worldwide audience anywhere, anytime. Teams can build up their own local fan base through the sundry of platforms available.

Much like our #NFLTechSeries, this time SportTechie delves into the digital strategies–from web, social media, mobile apps, and any other technological connection–of each team and analyzes them, including insights from some of the digital executives involved. Today, the #NBADigitalSeries 2013-14 continues with the Utah Jazz. Stay tuned to for ongoing coverage of the #NBADigitalSeries. (Continue reading here)