Annual NBA GM Survey: Utah Jazz Perspective

Oct 17, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Utah Jazz forward

(33) is restrained by guard

(21) and referee Jeff Wooten (50) after flagrantly fouling Los Angeles Clippers forward

(32) at Staples Center. The Clippers defeated the Jazz 101-97. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The 2014-15 annual NBA GM survey is in the books, and surprise, the Utah Jazz didn’t fare terribly well in it. However, there were a few appearances by Jazz players, although no coaches or former coaches were made mention of.

You can follow the link given above to read the results. Here, we’ll put a Utah Jazz spin on a few of the Qs.

Which team will win the 2015 NBA Finals?

Bovada has the Jazz at a 300/1 shot to win the NBA Finals in 2014-15, although some places taking your lunch money have them as far out as 500/1 odds.

Who will win the 2014-15 MVP?

As far as the Jazz go, Gordon Hayward, Derrick Favors and Trey Burke should contend for that title in Utah this year.

Which player forces opposing coaches to make the most adjustments?

That could be Alec Burks for Utah this season. Playing within the system he should be very good, and adding in an ability to “go rogue” on any given broken play and create something out of nothing will keep opposing coaches guessing at how to keep him under wraps.

Which player is most likely to have a breakout season in 2014-15?

Also receiving votes: Rudy Gobert

Gobert led GM voting for also rans. Not bad for the big Frenchman, surely boosted by his awesome FIBA World Cup performances last summer.

There’s a good possibility this player actually ends up being Trey Burke or Alec Burks for Utah this year, though. Maybe even Rodney Hood.

Which one player acquisition will make the biggest impact?

In Utah, Trevor Booker could turn heads, possibly even becoming a starter by season’s end if Enes Kanter flounders too often, frustrating staff. Again, this player could also be Rodney Hood for the Jazz.

Which team will be most improved in 2014-15?

The Phoenix Suns got no consideration here last year. Who some consider this year’s Suns, the Jazz, also got no love from GMs this.

Who will win the 2014-15 Rookie of the Year?

Probably not Exum, but equally unlikely seems to be Marcus Smart, who received some votes.

Which rookie will be the best player in five years?

Also receiving votes: Dante Exum

Exum led also ran voting by GMs. The flashes of Aussie awesomeness we’ve seen from “X” validate his appearance on this list for now. What about Rodne…Okay, I’ll stop.

Which rookie was the biggest steal at where he was selected in the Draft?

1. Rodney Hood (23), Utah — 17.9%

Oh hey! Rodney! Nice to see you, man. Good job, Dennis Lindsey and Co.

Who is the best international player?

On the Jazz? Kanter? Gobert?

Who ya got, fans?

Gregg Popovich nearly swept the coaching section, winning:

• Best Head Coach

• Best Manager/Motivator

• Best In-Game Adjustments

• Best Offense

• Second in Best Defense

In addition, in the Best Assistant category, the San Antonio Spurs’ Ettore Messina ties for second and former University of Utah Runnin’ Utes head coach Jim Boylen rings in on the honorable mention list leaving the Spurs as the only team in the NBA to have a coach in every category of the subset (aside from the Best Active Player Who Will Make the Best Future NBA Head Coach category).

Both Boylen and Messina were speculated to be among the Jazz’s coaching search candidates last summer before they settled on another Spurs coaching tree apple in Quin Snyder.

Snyder is attempting to emulate much of the Spurs’ game plan on defense and offense — with his own twists, of course.

Which team is the most fun to watch?

No love for the Jazz here, although it’s interesting to note that the swing in the interest in the Spurs has swung pretty darn far in recent years. San Antonio used to be considered a nationally boring team to watch. Bravo, for upping your game knowledge, NBA fans.

Which team has the best home-court advantage?

Historically, this has been the Denver Nuggets and Utah Jazz, largely attributed to the high altitude of both NBA cities. Denver comes in second, leaving the Jazz as an also ran receiving some votes.

Which player is the most athletic?

Also receiving votes: Jeremy Evans third on the list of also rans.

Virtually the entire roster of the young Utah Jazz is uber-athletic, as well as lengthy. Not many T-Rex arms on this squad, packed with dynamic rim punchers.

Which player is the best pure shooter?

On the Jazz, this is Steve Novak‘s crown for Rodney Hood to steal. Novak is sixth all-time on the NBA three-point field goal percentage list, yet gets no consideration, despite being second among active players to Stephen Curry.

Which player is the fastest with the ball?

Hmm…

Which player is best at moving without the ball?

Also receiving votes was Gordon Hayward, third among also rans in the category. 

Hayward is simply an all-around intelligent player, one of the best multi-skilled NBA’ers in the game today. It’s worth noting he shoots better when assisted, such as coming off of a screen moving without the ball. Just has a knack for finding seams, holes and making himself available to teammates at the right time in the right place.

Watch Hayward move without the ball during a game sometime. He’ll slide up a half-step to make a passing lane easier for a ‘mate potentially about to get trapped, or cut to the right place at the right time.

Hayward will also receive the Jazz vote for Best Bball IQ.

Which player is the best at getting his own shot?

On Utah, and while largely it consists of making something happen while penetrating the paint, it’s a no-brainer that Alec Burks is your guy who creates something out of nothing better than anyone else with the ball in his hands.

Many of the following Miscellaneous categories will be Burks, on Utah, as well, from Most Dangerous in the Open Floor to Best Finisher at the Rim.

Which player is the best offensive rebounder?

Under Quin Snyder you simply will likely never see a Jazz player make this list. Snyder insists they get back in transition for defense first and foremost. He counts on makers, not putbackers.

Who is the toughest player?

For the Jazz this is Trevor Booker. The man takes guff from no one on the court, injecting a much needed slice of spice into the squad.

Which player would you want taking a shot with the game on the line?

Uh…