http://www.sbnation.com/2015/8/5/91...-exum-injury-utah-jazz-australia-spurs-pacers The NBA's relationship with international hoops is once again becoming an issue after Dante Exum's knee injury in an international exhibition. Playing an intense sport like basketball can lead to an injury at any time. If confirmed, Exum could miss the entire season.
Assuming Exum is out for the year with a torn ACL; yes it sucks for Utah but its an injury with a likely 100% recovery, unlike say an Achilles. I don't know if I'd say the Jazz are done; Exum was a very young 2nd year player who was going to have struggles next year. They have cap space and can pick up a veteran PG in a trade to help if they want. They were one of the best teams in the league after the allstar break when they traded away Kanter for basically nothing. Gobert, Favors and Haywood were their 3 top players. I still think they could sneak into the playoffs. I think its kind of odd how these players can have so much money guaranteed to be paid to them from NBA teams. If NBA contracts were only half guaranteed I bet more of these guys sit out summer competitions. Exum is different because he is on a rookie contract a few years away from being paid but in general its something I'd think about changing if I was an NBA owner.
This is really a problem in the NBA. At first glance, you feel for the kid. Then with the history PDX has had with injured "Stars" it makes me wonder..How about a constant stream of young guys every season or two..treat them like plug and play hardware. No attachment. When you can upgrade, do so.
They still have plenty of talent that fueled their second half run. They probably still finish better than us.
They didn't just trade Kanter and get better. They moved Exum into the starting lineup and benched Trey Burke. Exum probably has more to do it with than trading Kanter, IMO.
http://m.bleacherreport.com/article...jazz-to-prioritize-dante-exum-over-trey-burke Here is an article explaining why Exum is more valuable. He is critical to that team.
Funny their local media is talking about this likely kills their chance to make the playoffs next year. They had a chance?
Yes because they'd be going against teams with major issues themselves. No it wouldn't have been a guarantee they make anything but they are most certainly in the playoff picture. The top 6 teams in the west are juggernauts; the rest of the conference all have major problems.
Really sucks. I was looking forward to see him play some more this year after all the draft hype. After all the Blazers injuries, I can feel Utah's pain.
Exum will eventually be pretty good. And him missing a whole year will delay that. But just for this upcoming year, I don't think it will effect the Jazz one way or another. He was bound to improve, but was he going to make a giant leap from how he played last year? The kid turned 20 three weeks ago. I doubt he would have been the difference maker this year. They will find a short term replacement that can match what he would have given them this season. Still sucks for them though.
OT: Anyone else notice that Batum is NOT playing for team France this summer? Tony Parker and Gobert are though...
He's still trying to get back to being Nic Batum...sort of an early mid life crisis but hey...good luck Nico!
