As a part of the Jazz‘s ownership group, Dwyane Wade views it as one of his responsibilities to improve the experience for players and to narrow the “disconnect” between the people in the locker room and the people running the team, Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic writes.
Wade acknowledged that his input into basketball operations decisions is fairly limited for the time being, but he hopes to eventually take on a larger role as he gets more comfortable in his position in the front office.
“My name is probably bigger than the piece I have,” Wade told The Athletic. “As I’m trying to learn this space, I’ll hopefully one day be more involved. But right now I’m sitting back and I’m learning from (general manager) Justin Zanik, I’m learning from (CEO) Danny Ainge, and (team owner) Ryan (Smith) is as well.
“I don’t want that responsibility of trading a guy or signing a guy. That’s not my role. I don’t want anybody thinking that’s my role. My role is to give my perspective if asked. If I feel like, ‘Hey, what are we doing on this and that, these are the players that I see, that I like.’ And things about these players. Just conversations that anybody would have. But I don’t make the decisions. I’m not the decision-maker.”
Here’s more on the Jazz:
- All-Star center Rudy Gobert thought the referees in Monday’s game in Dallas let the Mavericks‘ bench get away with comments that crossed a line, as Sarah Todd of The Deseret News relays. “There were a lot of things being said that wouldn’t be said outside of a basketball court,” Gobert said. “A lot of things that I would never say. I’m not perfect but I don’t say things to guys on the court that I wouldn’t say to their face outside the locker room.” The Jazz and Mavs will play again in Dallas later this month, and could face each other in the postseason — they currently hold the fourth and fifth spots in the West.
- Tony Jones of The Athletic, in considering the Jazz’s long-term future, envisions the team eventually moving Donovan Mitchell to the point guard role on a full-time basis. If and when Mitchell assumes that role, Utah would probably want to complement him with a secondary creator and with a couple long, athletic wings who can shoot, Jones suggests. Mike Conley, the team’s current point guard, is under contract for two more seasons beyond this one, though his 2023/24 salary isn’t fully guaranteed.
- A Louisiana native, Jazz rookie Jared Butler got his first opportunity to play an NBA game in New Orleans last Friday night, logging seven minutes of mop-up time in Utah’s blowout loss to the Pelicans. Speaking to local media, Butler discussed the challenges he has faced this season during a transition period. “This year has been interesting, because it’s brand-new for me,” Butler said, per Rod Walker of NOLA.com. “The coolest thing is I get to learn right now. That’s been a change of pace for me going from playing 30 minutes a night in college to just sitting and learning. So that’s been an adjustment. But there’s also just been the adjustment to the NBA lifestyle.”
Wade is there to keep Mitchell happy.
What do you mean, “keep him happy”? What are you implying?
I Wade believes he is more than just a silent partner. There is always a ‘disconnect’ between labor and management in sports, as unlike other business partners, they have different aims.
The NBA is already by far the fairest League for players, not sure what he thinks would improve that without entirely turning teams over to players.
I think he would certainly like to be more than an ambassador for the team; no one has told him that is the entirety of his role.
While team ambassador is certainly his main role it would be stupid for the rest of team ownership and the front office to at least consult with him. Wade is relatively young and one of the greatest players of all time that would surely give him a unique and valuable perspective.
Does the talent justify being such a whiner Luka D?
(the last Utah@Dallas game being a fine example)
Have you seen the amount of times he gets hacked and getting no calls? Anyone would whine if they got that treatment
Every high volume player gets hacked. Some players whine more than others. Doncic has made it an art form. Lol
P.S. Even the announcers noticed it. It’s more than normal.
For example, Clarkson gets hit in the same game. He complains about the no-call, gets no response or the one he wants, so he moves on.
Doncic, on the other hand, literally freaks out when he doesn’t get his way. He’s always reacting or trying to get reactions from others. He’s what you call a master manipulator. That means he’s a clever whiner. ;)
Gotta say, his antics certainly worked in this game.
Wade had many reasons to join the Jazz ownership group. Donovan and his relationship is only part of that. He was already good friends with his business mentor, and current majority owner of the Jazz, Ryan Smith. Plus, his voice would stand out more than in a larger market team. I’ve been very happy with what he’s already done for the Jazz. Keep it up!
Which is what?
Well, he does lots of visible things and behind the scene things. Even before he was an official owner he was doing what he does on TV, defends Donovan and Rudy. He’s always cheering on Jazz players, like when Rudy made that 360 dunk in the ASG. He’s also quoted in articles positive and informative about the Jazz. He’s quite often seen with his wife, actress Gabrielle Union, on the sidelines at Jazz games. Before, during and after games he’s seen chatting, cheering, or offering advice to Jazz players. It’s like having another championship veteran on the roster. That’s nice to have!
Culturally, he’s helping to bridge the gap between the various possible cultural divides in the community. He’s outspoken about equal treatment for all cultural and racial backgrounds.
We don’t know all the behind the scenes things he does. He did mention that he gives input on players he likes, etc. I imagine he’s talking to players. Whiteside, did mention Wade as one of the reasons he chose the Jazz.
As for the Jazz Dallas game, the Jazz have certain players that go through phases where they’re too shy/nice/timid too shoot. That forces the guys who aren’t afraid to take not as good shots.
I also noticed that the perimeter guys weren’t doing hardly any crossovers and breaking their guys down off the dribble. That means they were either forcing threes, getting shot violations, or going straight to the basket and then forced to make bad passes.
Instead, the Jazz perimeter guys need to make a real focus on taking a lot more midrange jump shots. The Suns aren’t any larger than the Jazz and they’ve consistently stayed on top. Why? For starters, they have two elite midrange jump shooters. The Jazz have superior 3-point shooters, but they could very easily add a lot more midrange. Those become much more important against these long teams. Break your guy down, create a pocket, and shoot when you’re open.
The other problem is their rotation for passing wasn’t very good, nor their screens. Have to wait for the screen to be set first before driving. Rudy is the best at creating a wall for losing your coverage and getting open. They lost sight of that.
The good news is that they figured out the Mavs defense at the end, but there wasn’t enough time left to complete the comeback. Needs to start sooner, that sense of urgency.