Kyrie Goes HAM in First Game for Jazz ; Team Not Done Making Moves

[Ocons]

Welcome to Utah, Mr. Irving!

Salt Lake City, UT - After little to no activity for half the season, with simple-minded rumblings of the team tanking the season. . . the Utah Jazz front office made a big splash. In his first game as part of the team, Kyrie Irving showed why the team bankrolled nearly all of their future assets to bring him on board the ship.

38 points, 50% shooting, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals. 29 point victory.

"I really felt wanted by this club. Based on the quick and pointed offer to acquire me, with the pieces they were willing to move - it meant a lot to me. I needed to return that favor and let the city know that I wanted to be here too! I have nothing but respect for Cleveland and don't blame them for the move, they'll always have a special place in my heart. That said, I can't be more excited to be in Utah and play with these guys. This front office is looking to stay busy and that makes me feel great. I expect a lot more games like this." - Kyrie Irving

The offer; three first round picks, Stephen Curry, Traveon Jackson and Evan Turner, was essentially the first one made by Utah and ultimately where the two teams landed. Most of the league has picked the winner of the trade based on their own personal opinion of the draft. The point is, it's a pretty good haul but the end result is yet to be seen.

Now, with Kristaps Porzingis, Bryce Cotton, Gorgui Dieng, Mo Bamba and some talented young depth the Jazz are primed to make a run at the playoffs - albeit a very against all odds run.

"Listen, we were never tanking. Regardless of what some clowns in this league thought. How could we? WE were playing our best guys and I consulted with three other self proclaimed masterminds to see if they could do any better with the team. Everyone failed. I don't have it in me to tank or, clearly, the patience to rebuild. It's laughable to call Kyrie old at 30. He's got a ton left in the tank and it's going to be fun around here for awhile with him and KP. That's a tough inside-outside duo to stop. I'll be honest, nobody else is safe and we might make another big move or two. At least we're trying to, seems the appetite to trade is wearing down before the deadline. A lot of guys seem to be focused on their little test league, which is fine. We're going to make a run at it. You watch, we'll get in. Book it." - GM OCons

To have any chance at all the team will have to win at least 75% of their games moving forward. Is the addition of Kyrie enough to make that happen? Will they make any more significant enough moves to improve the overall chemistry of the roster? Time will tell but get your popcorn ready!

[hardenwithnod]

Impressive debut for sure, but man it's going to be tough to make it back into the playoffs race this late into the season, but then again we have seen teams like Portland who have made insane 2nd half runs before, so anything is possible.

[Ocons]

No doubt. It's going to be absolutely impossible and might not even be close. We have to be the best team in the league to get there by winning 23 of our last 28 games. That's an .82% win percentage - bananas. Also assumes everyone else plays the same - which they won't. New Orleans looks like they might deal AD and there's no way they're a better team afterwards so the 8th spot might be juuuuuuust within reach as a result.

Either way, it will be fun!

[emplep7]

The self-proclaimed masterminds.

I think it was a great trade, just wish it was sooner so that you had more of a chance to make the playoffs. You're in a deep hole that you 'might' be able with a miracle to sneak into the 7th or 8th seed, but its going to be an uphill battle. GOod luck as I'm hoping you pull it out and find a way to do it.

[Stockton12]

Good luck trying to make the playoffs ..go jazz

[Marcos_Beck]

I have a feeling Kyrie will make Cleveland pay for dealing him by sending Utah to postseason and ruining the pick.

[Myles]

1/10 article, no flat earth or “I’m a basketball genius” references in the Kyrie quote. Not woke enough

[Ocons]

hahahah. This is a new Kyrie. The Mormons in Utah have already gotten to him.

[Dylan]

You played us so he wasn't exactly playing the highest of competition lol.

But it's looking good. I think getting Kyrie was a good move for you, regardless of your current record. If you can get a guy of that caliber, you do it.

[drumr]

I have a feeling Kyrie will make Cleveland pay for dealing him by sending Utah to postseason and ruining the pick.

If they win 82% of their games they deserve it. Their schedule is pretty easy there's a chance. But it wouldn't ruin anything for me as my rebuild is not solely based on the draft. I have many options and the play I like isn't even projected to go lotto right noe.

[Ocons]

Considering we are 1-1 already. . . it's not looking good. LOL

[KW]

Moist Monk sends his condolences

[drumr]

Moist Monk sends his condolences

Actually it's Kemba. There are 5 maybe 6 guys who give Kyrie absolute fits and I usually gameplan around them. He's never had a good game against Kemba. I learned that facing Detroit in the P.Os. ,but you already have the solution I found. Find a true PG so you can float him around.

[WillyJakkz]

Yeah he went ham bacon and sausage in his debut