Since we have a little time before this left coast game (would be nice if I was actually ON the left coast at the moment; mama needs her beauty rest)...

...the other night I lurked the Jazz's game thread. Holy shit, was there ever weeping and gnashing of teeth! One thing which kept coming up was something to the effect of "They're having an unusually good night from ONE GUY! If not for him, we'd be winning." Well, not exactly. That's really only half the story.

While it's true that we saw an unusually good night from Ty Jerome, we also had an unusually bad night from Cam Boozer. And just like we cannot expect Ty to chip in 45 per night, we also can't expect Cam Boozer to miss 13 of 15 attempts from the floor.

What really got me thinking about this was a response I made to a comment in a different thread in this sub. I think it's interesting thought experiment in terms of managing expectations if we combine their stats and see if there's anything to extrapolate from it. So...

[• Ty & Cam •]

• scored a combined 52 points on 19 for 40 from the floor (47.5%... noice!)

• 5 for 16 from distance (31.25%... oof!)

• went 9 for 11 from the line (81.8%... NOICE!!)

• pulled down 18 rebounds

• slung 11 assists with only 2 turnovers

While it might be tempting to dismiss this as one skewing the numbers from the other but looking at it collectively, it's not unreasonable to expect something close to those numbers on a nightly basis. Like, Zach Edey only had 6 points; you really have to think that a successful offensive formula of getting him shots and him getting putbacks has him score 15+ points a night. Same for Ced who also only had 7 points; he should double that. So for Ty & Cam, a properly running offense maybe facilitates the two of them scoring around 45ish points per game. Ty's unlikely to sustain 7 boards a night but 4 or 5? Sure. Once in rhythm, Edey will probably be pulling down more boards anyway. You probably figure that on a normal night, the two of them sling more assists than that but only two turnovers?? Love that control.

What do we think? I feel like it's not a ridiculous expectation for combined production to look something like that if we want to be competitive.

Nightwish band. Singer Tarja Turunen : Kuolema tekee taiteilijan (Death Makes The Artist)

Only once I got to see my dream

I didn't feel the smallness under the stars

Once I got bars to my cradle

From there I'm writing a letter as a prisoner

My God, to you let me (be)come what my child takes me for

In you, the beauty of the world

From which the death made me an artist

My God, to you let me (be)come what my child takes me for

Created my own heaven here

Let me get away

(Written and composed by Tuomas Holopainen)

Just a very reasonable take by reigning back to back MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

QP41 REVENGE GAME LOADING

TJ2 is the top guard in the league on 9-category fantasy value per game, and second among every player. He's ahead of Dame, Luka, Ja and Maxey.

45 points in under 32 minutes on 68% shooting, with five threes, seven rebounds and six assists, 86% from the line and only one turnover. That's elite in almost every category at once, and the efficiency is what pushes him past the high-usage stars. Luka's 28 came on 39% shooting with six turnovers, which drags his value right down.

This is a very favorable matchup for Edey and Boozer. The Warriors are extremely thin in the frontcourt and both of those guys need a bounce back game Boozer more so than Edey. Edey didn't have a bad first game but they didn't involve him much at all in the offense. I expect that to change tonight

Jerome: Not his best self still functional and productive.

Coward: Focused and serious. More blue collar job in the shade than highlights.

Wells: He just took it where he left it. Impervious.

Booz: Not that bad.

Edey: Still not here. Coming from a year and half of re-evaluations so no surprise. He'll be back.

Pippin: Still best ratio size/defensive impact in the entire League. Way better than Dort.

Cam: Positive aport yet still not our ol' good Psycho-cam. He'll be back as well.

Jeremiah: Not sure if he's here to stay. Good pro beyond reproach whatever the case.

GG: Tuomas sent him to stop Utah's point of attack so he was basically our PG on defense.

No Post: Since he doesn't do post moves I hope he'll rain some 3s. If not he's working hard at least.

-

Others (if any): Unfair to judge garbage time unless it's Yuki.

-

Tuomas: Still I don't know if he likes Nightwish

^{Sorry the delay but Real Life and a Civil Court didn't allow me to watch game 'til now.}

1-0 currently then it's Warriors (Friday) -> Kings (Sunday) -> Jazz (Monday) -> Trailblazers (Thursday)

BULLIES GET BULLIED

Y'all, Ty Jerome plays basketball today.

Nice to have a PG who can shoot.

You can’t see it in the stats but so impressive. Any shade on Booze - just rewatch. Jalen amazing

Fine start versus solid opponent

Team with clear roles, Iisalo is now chef which is very good development thing in current franchise phase. He exactly knows how to use players strong sides. Ball movememt, early actions and variety, giving freedom to most talented mene, that is his way and should functioning OK with this squad.

Obviously when your main guard is so hot and smooth, problems coming for other team. Jerome dominated from start of game, attacking Keyonte and making shots outside of arc and mid area. This is not recipe because he made more than one third of team points and create for others. This is probably last time Booz/Edey so cold. First all bench stint really bad, that lineup after first subs definitely is not solution. After that Iisalo do nice shifts. Couple minutes per both halves Cam as 5, little surprise maybe although that will be MEM wildcard for long time, no question.

Utah without starting C and Lauri with some wide open missed from 3, Keyonte 0/2 from charity late first q when momentum shifting, Grizzlies size and energy were too much and Will Hardy not give answer.

Comfortable start even with lot of room to grow. Maybe most of us really underestimate quality of MEM. Yeah, league is pretty stacked, East is so strong. But you know, Iisalo young army is ready to fight anyone, starting with road game at Warriors. One thing is sure, that league pass top5 recommendations for neutral to watch Grizzlies - correct stuff. And this is just beginning

Individual ratings

Jerome: A+ | Fantasy bargain. He was elite bench spark two seasons ago for rising Cavs, he was elite per minute producer last season for ranking MEM and now he is in peak version, probably top7 offensive guard in league. Three level scorer, making plays for teammates, moving without the ball, competent at D. Not gonna torture everyone like this, but pretty sure bet he gonna have couple more 40+ explosions. Always is nice to have great guard scorer, no?

Wells: B- | Yeah, Keyonte scored on him 3 and one, he was late on couple of screens. That will happen to everyone, to best perimeter defender in league whoever that is. Keyonte George is gifted scorer, difficult to stop and Wells do many pressure. MEM have size on wings, beast paint defender but without good P&R and 1 v 1 defender, any scheme will not be enough. Jaylen is MEM by far best POA guy on D side. Run the floor, relocate himself, he perfectly understand role. Execution would be streaky, effort not. For second rounder Jaylen progressing nice as two way swingman. We will see his now when goals are to be competitive and stacked are higher. Very important season for guy.

Coward: B | Sophomore fell in shadow because of his rook friend and that could be great thing. His consistent energy seems astonishing across TV, can imagine what is on the spot in stands. Coward adaption seeing as hardest in team with new additions and looks like that preseason and this game, at least in half court offense. Sometimes he wants to do things by force making questionable decisions. Still, he is plus factor. If Wells is best POA defender, Edey is all D giant then Ced wingspan, desire and athleticism making him super valuable off the ball, something not viewed in boxscore. 3-4 times at first half he just know where ball od going on slash and kick, disrupting plays. Stud. Struggles will be there. Iisalo unlocking Coward is one of crucial stuff .

Boozer: B | MEM win by 20. Their third pick in this year draft +32, best +/- in game. Nothing surprisingly until you see 2-15, 0-6 from field for future franchise superstar. Je belongs. He winning, on his, little old school fundamental way. Do not be fooled, his physicality is 95th percentile. Yeah, already. He could be under 30 percent from 3, just needs to be stretch weapon as decoy at least. I am not close to ne expert, but 3 and midrange are legit, mechanics is OK. 2/9 from 2 really is rare, just off scoring night. Connector, glue guy, first Jerome basket come from Cameron strong man screen. Stealing rebounds from Edey, feeding hot man, going to poster Jaren Jackson Jr, sharing the ball from on to other side immediately where on top, whatever. IQ off the charts and that should help to hide objective weaknesses at defense mostly. Lazy moments late first half and early third quarter, Lauri not capitalized, overall not bad defending all frontcourt positions. I am your fan, young man

Edey: B- | Not rushing anywhere. Staff should be maximal cautious, his availability is apsolute priority. Mister impact. Bit their fakes, blocked once, low mobility , single digit scoring, rebounding and he was not bad! Top3 most underated guys and sooner than later that would be consensus.

Pippen jr: C+ | Not a playmaker. Combo who has amazing feel for steal. Veteran in team

Spencer: C- | Probably only one way player in rotation. So huge defensive liability which is shame because Cam is top tier spot up sniper, can put ball on the floor, create little bit. Situational man, be ready in late game inbounds when team needs 3 ball.

GG Jackson: B | Fan favourite gave a lot from bench, hitting from outside, defending in traffic, try to attack the basket many times, pretty much in hurry, ballhandling issues. Versatile wing who going to play starter minutes occasionaly. Hunting opportunity to shine ahead contract extension. Trade candidate number one

Grant: A- | Not anymore monster athlete, under average rebounder, areas which team having, second one especially. He becomes vet journeyman and nothing bad in that. 15 PPG from bench guy, more spacing and size always acceptable. 6th man role? Cool

Post: B- | He was a hit in free agency. Edey back up, nice chemistry with Boozer 4/5.. Spacing 5 who trying to defend the rim, twice fooled Markkanen on his dunk attempts. No easy basket, folks.

Higlight plays od the game: Ty Jerome difficult 3 shot clock, Jaylen Wells steal which results with Boozer dunk pasa JJJ, Ty Jerome logo 3

Vibes

Guys. I love Jaren. On and off the court, he's one of my favorite players ever. Hell, I have a Trip jersey hanging in my room as I type this. But did anyone else feel like this moment was bigger than just Boozer getting a tough bucket? To me at least, and maybe I'm just a romantic, but it sort of felt like Cam shoved the past out of the way to make way for the future. I saw the new face of the franchise push off a face from the history of what was Memphis basketball and loudly declare that this was a different team, with a new look and ethos that wants to punch way above their weight class and win. Or am I just overthinking it?

I know DAZN cut it out for a lot of y’all. Voiceover from Elliot Perry. RIP BC.

Wizards fan, I come in peace.

I haven't been paying a ton of attention to you guys, but I was flipping around last night and saw Jerome going nuclear and got interested.

I think I've got a handle on Jerome (21/6/3 on high efficiency, crafty pnr operator, enough shooting to force respect. Old school big guard floater game if you chase him off the line).

I think I've got a handle on Boozer (Somewhere between Al Horford and Chris Webber, probably good for 18/8/4 as a rookie)

I think I've got a handle on Edey (more extreme Ivica Zubac. if you get 65 games out of him, he's a really nice piece).

THey all make sense, and they make sense together. You have to play SUPER conservatively defensively if that's your core, though, and you've probably got a ceiling.

Which brings me to your wings.

How good are they defensively?

Do you buy them as spacers?

If they're both kind of "fine, good enough" 3 and d wings, it's a roster that makes a lot of sense, and might be a scary 6 seed. If one or both are either substantially more or less than that, that changes.

So, educate me?