Can I tell you how sick this picture makes me? The Jazz go into New York to take on the Knicks team with out Amare Stoudamire (who has our condolences), and just minutes into the game lose Carmelo Anthony to a groin injury. When Carmelo went out I thought for sure this was going to be a "W" for the Jazz. How could I be so gullable?! I should have known 2 things were going to happen. I should have known that with Carmelo out, the Knicks would run wild and allow everyone to shoot the ball. Funny how teams play better without Melo in the game. The other thing I should have known was going to happen was the Jazz were going to let another person have career nights against them. On this night however, they let 3 players have that night: Jared Jeffries, Jeremy Lin, and of course someone who hasn't played the last 12 games in Steve Novak. By the way, is he Mormon? He looks like he would be one with the pale white skin and the farmers tan.
My disappointments for this game are:
1- Paul Millsap. Where were you the entire game? You got out hustled by Jared Jeffries. Maybe we can blame your teammates, but Novak spent a lot of time on the floor tonight and he guarded you and you did not take advantage.
2- The Jazz Bench. To have one of the top benches in the NBA you sure came out flat. You appeared to have NO energy. It seemed like Coach Corbin kept you guys off the floor for a long time and had to have the starters play a lot of minutes just so we could try and keep the game close.
3- Jazz Defense. Once again, you looked horrible on the road. It was an absolute bomb fest out there on the floor as the Knicks hit 3 after 3 after 3. Every time we were able to get within just a few to a couple points, they would come down and hit a 3. Sooner than later, the Jazz need to get this figured out.
4- Dick Bavetta (Head Official). Can this guy please retire? Yeah he's been one of the best officials ever, and he's in great shape as he proved to Charles Barkley, but this guy is old. Sure, he can run up and down the court, but maybe the NBA should have someone check his eye sight. His favorite call in the NBA is Offensive Foul and most of time the man who draws the foul is still moving. Get him out of here!
Why do the Jazz lose games? I'll tell you why. They lose games because the other team gets paid too. I grew up a Jazz fan but now live in Portland. It is nice to follow the Blazers as an observer more than a fan. You realize that all fans have a few screws loose. Just as in Salt Lake, the fans here will call in after every loss and want the coach fired. After every win they will sing the praise of some roll player that deserves more minutes. They will call into the talk shows all summer long dreaming up impossible trade scenarios that will never happen.
ReplyDeleteThe reality is that there is a lot of talent in the NBA and anything can happen. It doesn't mean your team sucks, that they played without effort, or that your head coach became an idiot overnight.
Teams lose because as Rasheed Wallece once said: "Both Teams played Hard". His comment was actually quite profound if you ask me.
I will say that the Jazz need a legitimate Super Star that can take over games. They have talent but who is the leader of the team. You saw when they played the Clippers that Chris Paul was not going to let them lose to the Jazz in the closing minutes. Who is that guy for the Jazz?
I welcome any comments.
CBB
It's easy to say the Jazz need a Super Star, but that will never happen. The Jazz ahve plenty of talent, but they don't look for the mismatches. DO the Jazz need a Super Star to realize that there is no way Steve Novak cannot guard Paul Millsap? When the game is close, and you have a guy like Jeremy Lin getting to the hoop when he wants, that's when Jerry Sloan would call a time out and tell someone to know his on his back side. The Jazz need someone to send a message that it's not going to be that easy when you get that close to the rim. Raja Bell only seems to have the tough guy attitude when they play the Lakers. Where is it the other games?
ReplyDeleteIs Deron Willaims a Super Star? If so, he didn't really do much about closing games. The Jazz just need to get an identity and I hope its a dirty one.
It is always upsetting to me to see a point guard beat us. As I watched the game and saw Lin beating us every time down the floor I started to watch how he was being defended. I have to say "not very good". I don't know why we can't stop the pick and roll.
ReplyDeleteMillsap was not posting up or at least they were not getting him the ball. He had 13 rebounds which is good but not many points to go with it. They need to get him involved early in the game.
Hayward is playing good and I have high hopes for him. He needs to be a goto shooter.
Jazz always get beat by the 3 point ball. Who do we have that is able to hit that consistantly. I think NOBODY. Where is Jimmer when we need him?
The Jazz offense is not made for 3 point shooting. It's always been that way. Their offense is ran to get as close to the rim as possible. And honeltly, I don't think they need a 3 point shooter. The Jazz are athletic enough where they can get to the rim, their problem is they can't make their free-throws. They miss way too many every game.
DeleteYes, the Jazz DO need a 3-point shooter. Jess, most of your takes are spot on in my opinion, but the Jazz absolutely need someone like they have had in the past (Okur, Korver) who can help spread the floor and keep opposing defenses from jamming up the paint and that is exactly what happened against the Knicks. Even still, yes, free throws must be made, and Harris and CJ must STOP SUCKING!!!
DeleteWHo do you have in mind? No way the Kings are going to get rid of Jimmer. You'd have to give up a lot for them to do that. Maybe the Jazz should go and get Steve Novak. A white guy from the Big East (Marquette), you know he's a shooter. I'm going to have to do some research to see who the Jazz could pick up because I can't think of anyone out there.
DeleteWill we ever see another 1997 - 1998 run again? Probably not. I wish we would, however.
ReplyDeleteThe NBA should be like the Mo Tab choir - once you're 70, your out. (For the Refs).
ReplyDeleteHaven't seen popularity contests like this since 1988.
ReplyDelete