Meanwhile, New Jersey Nets restricted free agent power forward Kenyon Martin is expected to visit Utah sometime this week. Martin, supposedly seeking a maximum-money offer, also apparently intends to visit Denver this week. Some speculate Martin — much like Ginobili, perhaps — merely is trying to secure an offer sheet while keeping fingers crossed that his own club will match. The Jazz seem to be proceeding with some degree of caution, but Haslem suggested there have been "several conversations" and said "(Martin's) agent has demonstrated good faith in negotiating with us." Brian Dyke, who represents Martin, declined to comment on the Jazz's dealings with his client Monday afternoon. http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,595075377,00.html Silly me, I thought the Jazz only went after white players.
Sean, did you shrink to 97 posts or all you had were 97? I've known you for a while now and have seen your post. But only 97? What's going on?
I've been a member for a while, since 2002, but I don't post much because the Jazz are hated on this site. So that is probably why, I've made few posts.....but I've been around this place for quite some time.
BTW, I do think the Jazz are more after the White players. I don't think it's necessarily a racial discrimination thing, but more of a system thing. Jerry Sloan's system is very team oriented, which involves in alot of passing, motion and searching for easy buckets such as open-shots and layups. The talent to run in this kind of system doesn't require the athleticism and speed that the Black players seem to be superior at (I know I am not politically correct, but I think it's true). Given the fact that Utah is not the place that would attract most black players due to its enigma about not being friendly toward the blacks, it is easy to imagine why the Jazz goes after White players primarily.
YAY! I get to fly.......even if it's for a few seconds. As for the Jazz bringing in more white players, I think you're right about the old Jazz system. But I fully believe the Jazz are updating their look for the NBA, realizing that the slow minded offense of Karl Malone and John Stockton has run its course. That is why Utah is interested in Martin.
I agree, Martin isnt worth max money. The one part of Martin's game that really needs to improve is half court offense. He needs a more dependible low post game. He needs more moves, a signature shot. It is this facet of his game that makes him rate below the Jermaine O'neals and Elton Brand's of the world, two guys that can get it done on the offensive end.
I want to say that I agree that Kenyon Martin isn't worth max money. Common sense tells me that you should be the kind of player that can nearly single handedly carry your team to a victory on any given night to earn max money. But then I look around the league and see Nash getting 65 million, Okur getting 50 million and even Adonal Foyle getting 40 million. If those players are worth that in todays market, then Kenyon Martin is definitely worth max money.
Kmart is not worth the max...I think he's a better option than most teams have now, but the max, forget about it...
who cares let the jazz waste their money! i hate utah! it's the worse franchise...thats y no superstar willing to play for them....but if they offer martin the max he should take it cuz i dont think anyone else will give him the max...he aint worth it... i say he is worth bout 8-9 mil/yr but i would not pay him anymore then that! the only jazz player i like is AK47 ... u gotta admit he is good!
While this is all true, I think this is still huge for Utah, if they can get it done. Even if it means a max contract.....they need to land Martin to stay competitive in the West. Especially this year, where it seems all the West's top teams are losing key players while teams of the future like Houston and Denver continue to add and become better. This is the time for Utah to join the ranks of the up-and-coming....the future of the West. I think Martin's game could improve big time under Jerry Sloan, as has most players who have went to Utah. And imagine this team with a core of Martin, AK47, and Okur with role players like Arroyo, Giricek, Harpring, Bell, and Lopez. This scrappy young team could easily become the NBA's version of last year's Florida Marlins. The Jazz could be back in a big way........ However, I myself cant picture Kenyon Martin being happy in Utah, especially after spending the last few seasons in the Big Apple. That's a huge change of scenery....one that might cause Martin to go elsewhere. I'm also suprised Dallas hasnt made a move for Martin yet. After all, he is from Dallas so this would be a great PR move for them localy. And we all know how much Cuban loves those big names. And with them now most likely being OUT of the "Shaq sweepstakes" (assuming there is one) after letting the bait (Nash) walk, you would figure a situation like Martin's, whom the Nets are willing to dump just to save money for the move to Brooklyn, would command the Mavs attention from the get go. This is right up Dallas' alley....another chance to rip off another team of its talent for the Mavs garbage.
While I agree Martin may not want to play in Utah, Salt Lake City is not much different than Denver. And there are really only three teams willing to offer Martin the max (Utah, Denver and Atlanta). That leaves the Hawks as the only team Martin could play for, being Atlanta is like the NYC of the South. That said, a part of Martin wants to leave the Nets because he can't win. Atlanta will not offer him the chance to win. So Martin's only choice MAY be going back to the Nets. But if he signs the Jazz offer, and the Nets don't match.....he's stuck. But then again, winning should be everything in this game. And if Utah lands Martin, they start to compete again.....even more than they did the years after the NBA Finals. Martin signs and becomes a member of the Jazz, and I wouldn't be shocked to see Utah in the WCF........just imagine a Jazz-Rockets WCF again! That'd bring back memories..... But this is all happening because like you said, a lot of the major players last year in the NBA are losing a bulk of their roster. Now I have no doubt the Spurs will be competitive because they have Duncan. But if they continue to lose out on the FA market, they're not going to have as good of a year. The only teams that have actually DONE something this offseason (at least in terms of building a better squad) are the Jazz, Rockets, and Nuggets. Oddly enough, those three teams finished close to each other record wise. Just imagine the Jazz, Rockets and Nuggets being western powerhouses......it could happen if all the talent is sucked away from the once 'top' teams. That said, even without Martin the Jazz still have a pretty solid team that they can build around. Last year they missed the playoffs by only two games, even though their coach's wife was dying and they lost their best player (who'd of thunk a team with Harpring as their best player could compete for the playoffs?). With Harpring coming back, Okur playing the possible 5 spot and the rookies putting some in....the Jazz can make a little noise next year. I'm just glad the Spurs and Lakers will not have a monopoly on the WC anymore.
Sean, While I agree that a Jazz/Rockets WCF would bring back some good memories and renew a fierce rivalry, which would be great for the game........let's not get the hopes up just as yet. Realistically, both teams might not make it this far next season. Why??? For one, the dreaded "I" word (Injuries) could decimate one or both teams. (Let's hope not...) And lets not discount the West's current best. While they (LA, Sac, Minny, SA) will lose some key players to free agency, they aren’t exactly "lottery bound" just as yet. They will all still be contenders until they are eliminated. And we know Denver will be too. They are virtually assured to make a splash of there own this off-season. I feel Phoenix will also make some noise as Nash's presence will make the team overall better. Imagine how Nash's leadership at the point guard role could improve the games of Amare, Marion, and Joe Johnson. This team could be a surprise out of the West, just like they were two seasons ago. Point is......dont count yo chickens before the eggs hatch.
Well I never said that those teams would head toward the lotto. But I fully believe that Utah CAN possibly make a run at the WCF, notice I never said would. Things happen, things change.....but I wouldn't totally discount that from happening.
