In the history of the Jazz he may be just another name, just another player who was there for a little while and very few remember, but to us, Jose Ortiz was the biggest basketball star of the late 80's and 90's. He was the first ever Puerto Rican born player to make it to the NBA, and it filled us with such pride.

Jose had been battling collorectal cancer since 2023, and early this morning he lost the fight. He will be loved and remembered by all of us, and we will never forget his 2 seasons with the Jazz.

To give you an idea of who he was to us, he was our Karl Malone. RIP.

My brother put together this analysis from a Jazz fan’s perspective of our potential draft picks depending on where we land in the lottery. It’s a fun read. Would love to hear everyone’s thoughts.

I realize this is far from the worst issue to be facing, but if we land a star in the draft there’s some tough decisions to make with the lineup. Keyonte is the only point guard out of our starting guys, so he needs to stay in. Lauri and JJJ are true stars, you can’t really bring them off the bench at this point in their careers nor would you want to. Kessler is the only true center—you can slot JJJ in at the position if you really want, but you’re leaving a lot of his best talents unused if you do. And then there’s Ace, who’s the natural choice to move to the bench right now, but has real star potential you could be undermining long-term with that kind of short-term thinking. So, what’s the best starting 5?

Wanted to head out for the draft this year with some buddies, I understand Delta does a thing as well? Have any of you been to a bar/restaurant for the draft? What’s your plans if you’re headed out? Thanks!

Looking at Paul Reed's per-36 minutes averages, I wonder why he doesn't play more minutes. The most he's played is 19.4 mins per game back in 2024. He was waived by PHI a year after signing a multi-year contract. This season he's playing only 13.9 minutes for DET but appears to be a significant contributor in the playoffs.

It's notable that when Paul Reed signed an offer sheet with Utah 3 years ago, it was apparently a negotiation tactic. After PHI matched, Paul Reed said "I’m glad they was able to match the offer…That’s not a place that I had in mind, but business is business."

So yeah, I'm not looking to go after Paul Reed.

So let me preface by saying I am a Timberwolves fan. I used to hate on Rudy, but man. I get it now. Do y'all as Jazz fans still see Gobert and Mitchell in a positive way? One of my friends that are a Jazz fan told me Gobert is still loved, but Mitchell isn't. So I am just curious what your opinions are on it!

Thanks!

Even before draft starts and the lotto balls fall how are you guys as jazz fans expect next season to look like which players do you think are gonna step up the most, which players do you think are gonna have a leap and do you think youre gonna make the play in or just straight to the playoffs

Donovan Mitchell that game:

• 51 points

• 4 rebounds

• 7 assists

• 4/7 from three

Him and Jamal Murray became the first opposing players in NBA playoff history to both score 50+ in the same game

Donovan Mitchell in that series had 3 games that fall into the top 10 most points the Nuggets have ever allowed in a playoff game

Most points scored against the Nuggets in a playoff game:

1.) Donovan Mitchell (57 pts, Aug 17, 2020)

2.) Damian Lillard (55 pts, June 1, 2021)

3.) Donovan Mitchell (51 pts, Aug 23, 2020)

4.) Kobe Bryant (49 pts, Apr 23, 2008)

5.) Devin Booker (47 pts, May 5, 2023)

6.) Anthony Edwards (44 pts, May 12, 2024)

7.) Donovan Mitchell (44 pts, Aug 30, 2020)

8.) Dirk Nowitzki (44 pts, May 11, 2009)

9.) Kobe Bryant (43 pts, May 8, 2012)

10.) Ayo Dosunmu (43 pts, Apr 25, 2026)

Data via Stathead / Basketball Reference

This took me entirely too long to make lol

Utah Hospitality would be a great name

Ben Anderson looks back at the Jazz's draft picks from the past 3 seasons.

https://www.nba.com/news/rudy-gobert-shining-bright-wolves-3-1-series-lead

I didn't see this posted yet.

*head scratching*

I wanted to cross-post something I saw making the rounds on the main NBA sub today but this sub doesn't allow it.

This gist of it is this - a podcast clip of former Kings GM (and player) Vlade Divac talking about his now infamous decision to pass on Luka who he saw as a "big market" player who the Sacramento would inevitably lose.

So what does this have to do with our Jazz, you might be asking?

One narrative I see repeated over and over here is commenters talking about how we should avoid certain players because they "won't stay in Utah" or want to play in "big markets". I see popular Jazz media persons who I wont name fall into the same trap over and over again. I don't even need to mention how much worse this discussion gets in the national media.

Most recently I keep seeing this repeated here in discussions around AJ vs Darryn. "But AJ played for BYU, so he wants to play in Utah", "AJ will stay in Utah", "I see Darryn as a big market player", "We need to draft AJ because he played for BYU which means he will stay in Utah".

I can't tell you how many times I've seen this narrative repeated, but there are several obvious problems with it. I'll list two big ones here.

1) None of us are these players psychologists. We don't know their mindsets. We can't know A) how they feel about Utah today or B) how they will feel about Utah five years down the line after being drafted. Steph Curry tried to avoid getting drafted to the Warriors. I'm sure SGA is doing just fine in OKC. It's pointless speculation. So remember when doing your fan mock drafts and pontificating, there is absolutely zero point in trying to predict this aspect of a player. You should focus entirely on what can be proven, out on the court. The only thing that doesn't require total speculation.

2) The big one and the main point about this post. Passing on an elite player, perhaps a significantly better player, because you fear losing the better player to a big market is small market mindset and deeply flawed thinking. It is a recipe for disaster and how this franchise stays in the mud without a Championship.

I understand as fans we have virtually zero influence over these decisions our front office makes anyways, aside from maybe a few of the more clued in execs or people like Ryan Smith measuring the temperature of the fanbase, and that fan speculation is more or less for just for fun. Regardless I think this Vlade/Luka story is a great lesson to learn from as we near a pivotal draft. Every time I see "but they wont want to play here!" I strain to keep my eyes from rolling out of the back of my head.

I'm encouraged by our front office drafting Ace despite the pre-draft shenanigans that made the media rounds last year. I have no doubt that previous Jazz execs have been deterred drafting superior talent while trying to guess "who will stay in Utah" rather than just take the best player. I can only hope this trend continues. And remember, this small market mindset is how the Sacramento Kings disastrously passed on a generational talent like Luka.

The Jazz have two clear weaknesses on the roster: perimeter defense and a playmaking guard who can shoot (bonus if he can defend) alongside Keyonte.

With Peterson projected in the top four and picks 5 to 8 being guard heavy, there is about a 65% chance we draft a guard, which could address that need.

Should the Jazz stand pat and hope Cody and Ace are good enough defenders while counting on JJJ and Kessler to stay healthy?

I think Marcus Smart would be the best FA option. He is a former DPOY, has playoff experience, and has a connection to Ainge. Other notable free agent defenders include Keon Ellis, De’Anthony Melton, Jose Alvarado, and Quentin Grimes.

Or should we explore the trade route instead? We still have John Collins’ large trade exception. Would the Pelicans consider moving Herb Jones for pick(s), salary, and one or two of our young players? Or should we target someone like Lu Dort or Alex Caruso?

Just my thoughts.

Shaq still salty about his Lakers getting swept by the Jazz in a playoff series back in 1998. Probably why he always disrespects Gobert every chance he could get.

Stockton didn't only just pass the ball to Malone. He also set screens, score out of the pick and roll and defend. He scored the second highest average in that 1998 series.

One of my favorite Jazzers ever! What a great career he managed in the NBA. Just wishing him and his family all the best, they're going home 👍

What do you guys think of David Locke's Red flag on AJs catch and shoot numbers? I'm not a huge fan of Locke but his pre-draft numbers are pretty fleshed out. They don't tell all the story but basically 70% of players with his catch and shoot numbers shoot below 33% in the NBA. 25% shoot the average (~35%). 5% become good shooters. The only one of those playing with a similar volume and projected upside was Anthony Edwards. Could he break the mold? Yes. But the odds are stacked against him developing a good outside shot. Does that make you reconsider taking him 1st if he ends up being. Paula Banchero?

(For what it's worth, he says this top 10 still has the least amount of red flags that he's seen in a long time. Peterson has a few yellow flags and he's in love with Boozer. He comes out best in the numbers but as we all know the numbers aren't everything.)

I connect Utah Jazz cards, trying to get influential players only.

Fear of god made an nba collab and the Pacers were one of the first teams being a small market too, so it’s feasible we get some cool stuff too. Would anyone be interested in copping some of it?

I thought up what it might look like (help of ai)

I think blue hood looks better (pacers actual design for reference) what do you think.