Despite a middling start to the NBA season, the Jazz remain steadfast in their belief that they are championship contenders. Utah is currently 13-10 and seeded at No. 6 in the tough Western Conference. The Athletic’s Michael Lee appraised Jazz stars Donovan Mitchell and Mike Conley‘s feelings about the team’s underwhelming start to the season.
Conley exuded confidence, saying, “It’s great to have pressure. Great to have expectations.” Though frustrated with a recent 1-4 road swoon for the Jazz, Mitchell stressed patience. “We’re all making adjustments,” he said. “We’re all finding ways to get to know each other. And when you’ve got guys who are unselfish, it makes it easier.”
Here’s more from out of the Northwest:
- Chris Hine of the Minneapolis Star Tribune assessed rookie shooting guard Jarrett Culver‘s uneven start for the Timberwolves. Culver is shooting 36.9% from the field, 25.9% from three-point range, and just 43.5% from the free throw line. At 10-11, Minnesota harbors legitimate playoff aspirations in the West, where the team is currently seeded seventh. Improvement from Culver could make a significant difference in a playoff push, and he remains optimistic that his shooting would stabilize. “I’ve put in a lot of work,” Culver said, “so I trust it and I know it’s going to fall.”
- Thunder head coach Billy Donovan spoke with reporters about the likelihood of a Danilo Gallinari trade this season. “I’ve had no conversations with anybody about that,” Donovan said, per Joe Mussatto of The Oklahoman. “My feeling has always been that all these guys that are here, that they’ll be here… If you’re focused on things that are out of your control, you’re not gonna necessarily be able to do anything well.” A free agent in 2020, Gallinari is a versatile stretch forward on the last season of a three-year, $64.8MM contract.
- New Trail Blazers starting power forward Carmelo Anthony spoke with reporters after a Tuesday shootaround at the Staples Center. ESPN’s Baxter Holmes reports that Anthony was enthused about his fit with Portland, and the early returns have backed up Anthony’s sentiments. “Man, when you feel wanted,” Anthony said, “it settles a lot of things.”
How in Gods name do you play college and pro BB and not shoot over 50% ft’s? That is pathetic. Timberpuppies traded UP for this guy…..improvement better be very clearly in the horizon!
Yep so far Culver is been very disappointing, Minny is having to rely, as always, massively in KAT… & finally they are getting some back from Wigs. Roco is balling good too. Maybe they can swop Culver for someone that will contribute more towards the playoff push. I mean for a guard to shoot 43% FT it really is embarrassing, no other way to put it.
So far he gets a 3/10 from me, probably he is the 15th best rookie so far, which is not good for a guy picked at #6.
Anyway, I know he can still turn good, but he needs to improve massively.
All the guys picked after #3 RJ, this year are disappointing big time, Hunter, Garland, Culver, White… Hachimura should have been the #4 he is sooo good!
White isn’t much of a defender but has scored so,well. He is just what he was predicted as a rookie. Garland is playing right within his limited role. As a 3 and D hunter has been solid. He’s just struggled scoring from within the three point arc … They are not disappointing big time.
Free throws can be learned, and rookie guards usually don’t play at a high level.
I like how Melo warned CP3 to “just be careful” after the Rockets got rid of him. Apparently they want to win a championship so they don’t have room on their roster for a couple of washed-up has-beens like them.