Aljaz Kunc Appreciation Thread

[JimDogRock]

Jaz is a darling of analytics while also being tough, versatile, smart, and unselfish.
I honestly can not think of a more ideal role player and teammate.

 

[VeloClone]

The Jaz Game!
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I know I am opening a can of worms here but I thought Rob offensively played within what the defense was giving him. He was only credited with one assist but he had a few good passes out of the post that resulted in great shot opportunities and I don't recall him forcing it when double teamed. He also hit the only shot he took and in a game when two of our players had 5 or more TOs he only had one.

 

[cyfan92]

I know I am opening a can of worms here but I thought Rob offensively played within what the defense was giving him. He was only credited with one assist but he had a few good passes out of the post that resulted in great shot opportunities and I don't recall him forcing it when double teamed. He also hit the only shot he took and in a game when two of our players had 5 or more TOs he only had one.

Ideal game for BRE, more points than shot attempts, 1:1 A/TO ratio, and equal rebounds to fouls.

If we get that combination for the rest of the year, both our ceiling and floor improve

 

[BryceC]

He got screwed on that blocked shot they called a foul on him.

There were a LOT of clean blocks called fouls in this game.

 

[8bitnes]

There were a LOT of clean blocks called fouls in this game.

On late whistles at that

 

[MyNameEhJeff]

I know I am opening a can of worms here but I thought Rob offensively played within what the defense was giving him. He was only credited with one assist but he had a few good passes out of the post that resulted in great shot opportunities and I don't recall him forcing it when double teamed. He also hit the only shot he took and in a game when two of our players had 5 or more TOs he only had one.

This is one of the first games I can recall where Rob passed the ball out of the post, and good things happened when he did.

 

[SaraV]

 

[CyPunch]

I wasn't sure if the eye poke was necessarily a flagrant foul, but whatever. I could see that being considered a basketball play, guy got there late and airborne. He didn't swing at him that is just where his hand was. Wouldn't be upset with it called either way as long as it is consistent.

But admit it, you immediately thought of Adam Woodbury when the announcers were discussing it and said that nobody ever intentionally pokes someone in the eye. I know I did.

By the letter of the rule book, it is a flagrant foul per @brentblum. It seems pretty soft though and something that would definitely go against us on the road. I believe the rule is based on any type of contact to the face even if it is unintentional.

 

[CyPunch]

While we’re on the topic of rules/officiating, the enforcement of the new flop rule is atrocious. Seemed like the right idea in theory but the execution and enforcement is terrible for the game. The flop rule is becoming basketball’s version of targeting.

 

[GetAwesome]

If Jaz can shoot 70% every night, natty here we come!

 

[MeowingCows]

Jaz literally is the do-everything player. He can shoot close, shoot deep, shoot FTs. He can dribble, drive, and pass out. He can defend in space and on the ball. He gets steals and charges. Not afraid of contact. Isn't a foul magnet. His headspace is clear and he's fearless. Has a solid handle and makes good decisions. He can play out with guards or in with posts.

He's just got the whole toolbox, all the little pieces you need for a multi-faceted, great contributor are all there in a single package. He's ready to go. Feed the man minutes and watch good things happen.

 

[markshir]

This might sound stupid but I almost wonder if Jaz has the best shot at the NBA of anyone on the roster.

 

[cyclones7]

This might sound stupid but I almost wonder if Jaz has the best shot at the NBA of anyone on the roster.

We don't have an NBA player on our team. Just shows how good they play together and coaching.

 

[CyHans]

Every game I see our opponents flopping all over the place and I thought they got rid of the flop rule. Go figure, it still exists and they call Jaz for it and he is a very convincing flopper for a big guy.

So nice to have his help on the press too.

I honestly thought when he got poked in the eye that he flopped a little and the one he got called for he legitimately got knocked off balance. I was surprised they called a flagrant on the eye poke but I'll take a 6 point trip down the floor any day!

 

[Marcelason78]

We don't have an NBA player on our team. Just shows how good they play together and coaching.

Agree.
Right now TJ’s biggest coaching challenge is to get Grill’s head right. We‘ll need Caleb’s defense and 3 point threat down the stretch. We can’t afford to have more zero point outings.

 

[Psiclone]

It was tough losing him for a month, but it's invaluable to have him back and with fresh legs too.

I think we would have won some of the close games we lost if he hadn’t gotten hurt and would at least be tied for first. Let’s see how we do on the road with him going forward.

 

[Psiclone]

Agree.
Right now TJ’s biggest coaching challenge is to get Grill’s head right. We‘ll need Caleb’s defense and 3 point threat down the stretch. We can’t afford to have more zero point outings.

Grill still might not be fully recovered from his back injury.

 

[JimDogRock]

This might sound stupid but I almost wonder if Jaz has the best shot at the NBA of anyone on the roster.

Yes, I think he has the best odds to make the NBA. It's an outside chance, but he's more likely to enjoy several years across some of the European leagues.

For him to get an NBA shot it's all about 3pt shooting and improving his foot speed. He would need to be able to serviceably switch onto NBA guards on defense. I would love to see him improve and carve out a Niang-esque role for himself in a few years.

 

[CYDJ]

I know I am opening a can of worms here but I thought Rob offensively played within what the defense was giving him. He was only credited with one assist but he had a few good passes out of the post that resulted in great shot opportunities and I don't recall him forcing it when double teamed. He also hit the only shot he took and in a game when two of our players had 5 or more TOs he only had one.

From what I can remember Rob passed out of the low block infinitely more times last night than the rest of the year combined.

He had 2 nice passes out of the block that were REALLY GOOD. Maybe this has been the plan all along. Rob bulls his way to the basket steadfastly, damning the torpedoes, until the TCU game when he starts throwing dimes all over the place. All while teams keep crashing 2 or 3 players at a time on him and don't notice his skills until the final four when it is too late to overcome and we win the Natty!

TJ is a genius and Rob is his master plan. 4D chess my friends.

 

[ZRF]

You can't put much into the season stats. Like someone else already said, the majority of his competition this year were cream puffs.

With that said the game he had last night was (IMO) the best singular performance we've seen this season. We've seen better (points) offensive performances. We've probably seen a few defensive performances that were better. But I don't think we've seen a player shoot that well, be that efficient, rebound well, defend (cleanly) that well, shoot FTs, hit 3s, basically do everything you'd want out of a position so perfectly WHILE being our clear go to player in a particular game. It was not just an elite performance, but an efficient elite performance.

It was easily the best game of Jaz's career at a time we needed it. If Gabe and Grill can get (mostly right), Lipsey cuts down on the TOs, and guys lay off the stupid fouls, we have can have 6 guys (Shoon, Grill, Gabe, Lipsey, Holmes and Jaz) that can lead the team in scoring and have a solid double digit threat guy in King (edited). We lack athletes and shot creators, but the balance can help mitigate those deficiencies. It's tough though when only 1 or 2 guys are being reliable/efficient, which was the case last night.

TBH, I expected Jaz to be a lot rustier than he has. Not only is he not rusty, he's probably been our best player these last 2 games (definitely last night). While the sample size is flawed, last night makes me think Jaz has taken his game up a notch. Couldn't have come at a better time.