Houston Rockets 83
Final
The first half of the game was an U-G-L-Y !!! It was nice to see the Jazz come out the 2nd half and look like the Jazz back in January. The ball was moving from side to side, and other players were getting involved. I like having Josh Howard in the starting lineup. Listening to sports radio before last nights game about how Corbin wants to make some changes in the rotation, and one observation was to start Bell when he get back, and have Hayward come off the bench. I don't like that idea. I know a lot of Jazz fans want Hayward to score more, but he does a lot out on the floor. He is smart with the ball, and doesn't try to force anything and he's a good defender. He literally tries to block every shot he can if he's close enough to the guy, especially on a fast break. It was good to get this win, because Houston has been playing some pretty good ball as of late. I know it was a home game, but it showed others on the Jazz team are ready for more playing time (Favors, Burks). I still think Kanter needs to get more minutes as well, and wish Corbin would play Kanter and Jefferson at the same time.
We had great performances from Devin Harris, who had to leave the game with flu-like symptoms, and CJ Miles. Funny how they both had huge games after all the trade talk involving their names. I still think they will both be traded by the deadline. It just sucks to see how CJ Miles can play so well and how athletic he is, but it also sucks how those glimpses come every 5th or 6th game. Maybe Harris will start to play well knowing that he is outta here, and wants to leave. Who knows really?
http://www.nba.com/games/20120229/HOUUTA/gameinfo.html
http://www.nba.com/games/20120229/HOUUTA/gameinfo.html
http://www.nba.com/games/20120229/HOUUTA/gameinfo.html
SIDE NOTE: Every time the Jazz play the Houston Rockets, I can't help but remember a great experience I had. I had the opportunity to talk to Hakeem Olajuwon, who is one of the top 5 centers of all time in my opinion. I came home and had a message on my answering machine ( I was on my mission) from Hakeem inviting myself and my mission companion over for dinner (see pic). I also met Steve "Franchise" Francis. |
| The Young me with Hakeem outside the practice facility |
 |
| Dinner at Hakeem's home. Spaghetti w/ meatballs and Fish |
 |
| Steve Francis. He said he likes Mormons |
Let's pull a deal together to get Dwight Howard. We could use C.J. Miles, Milsap, even Al Jefferson, and draft picks to leverage the deal. I'm certain Dwight would sign a new deal with the Jazz after his contract expires. True, traditionally Utah has not exactly been a mecca for All-Star free agents, but Dwight just strikes me as a guy that would love the down-home, quirky ambiance of Salt Lake City. What do you think?
ReplyDeleteOk..so delusional? Insane? Just plain moronic statement? All of the above.
John, that wouldn't happen in a million years. The Jazz need to do what the Spurs do and find the right guys that would fit in the right system. Also, have you seen how the Jazz have shot free throws (last night is an exception)? Adding Dwight would make them even worse.
DeleteOlajuwon was a class player...pretty cool you got to meet him and Francis!
ReplyDeleteIt will be interesting to see what happens in the coming weeks with the Jazz.
So here's the deal from my perspective. I love Millsap because he has heart like nobody else on the team but I have a lot of heart too and I'm not playing in the NBA any time soon. Millsap plays very well when he is going up against another Power Forward that is undersized or a run in the mill player but the second he goes up against a PF the can play even decent defense he is nowhere to be found (although he should probably get a few more calls his way from the refs. He has value and he is a good player in the NBA. If he could come to grips with being a 6th man he would be in the running every year for a 6th man award, but Favors and Kanter absolutely have to get more playing time especially when there is a big true Power Forward on the other team because they make up their lack of offense with there shut down defense. It was proven last night against the Rockets. Millsap was out and the bigger longer PF for the Jazz played much better against Luis Scola. Yeah he had a good game but he wasn't dominate and that seems to be the Jazz specialty lately, letting someone or anyone having a career night. Love ya Millsap but if an offer comes in for you giving us a knock down shooter then it was nice knowing ya, take the deal. Side note, If the Jazz had a knockdown shooter it would open up everything for everyone. AL won't be getting triple teamed and Harris will get to the middle whenever he wants like he did with Dallas and New Jersey. Harris isn't a bad point guard, he's got no shooters to pass the ball too. Imagine if a player like Ray Allen played for the Jazz, there's 5-7 more assists per game right away because Ray would hit a few shots and it would open up the middle for Al and it would probably be another 6 points a game because he would be able to drive the middle. That would put him at 16 pts and 8-10 assists a game. Keep Harris, get rid of Millsap and get a knockdown sit in the corner and hit threes player (Jimmer Fredette).
ReplyDelete