Jazz vs Bobcats

Jazz 99   Bobcats 93     FINAL

http://www.nba.com/games/20120307/UTACHA/gameinfo.html

http://www.nba.com/games/20120307/UTACHA/gameinfo.html

Jefferson continues to play well on the offensive end by passing the ball as he ended the game with 31 points, 9 rebounds and handed out 5 more assists.

       Players who need some recognition vs the Bobcats; Josh Howard, Devin Harris, and Derrick Favors. Can't say enough about the way Harris has been playing these last 7-8 games. I love how he's been getting out and pushing the ball. Howard continues to impress after being inserted into the starting lineup. Favors was getting rebounds and was very active.

Hayward continued to look good off the bench, although he didn't score in double figures, he looked good on defense and still got 6 boards and 4 assists.

Jazz vs Cavs

Jazz 109   Cavs 100    Final

http://www.nba.com/games/20120305/UTACLE/gameinfo.html

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap?gid=2012030505

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765557311/Utah-Jazz-Unselfish-Al-Jefferson-becoming-triple-threat.html

 http://www.nba.com/games/20120305/UTACLE/gameinfo.html
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/sports/53653952-77/hayward-jazz-points-bench.html.csp

Jazz vs Mavericks

Jazz 96                                   
Mavericks 102   Final


                                           HOW DO THE JAZZ TURN THINGS 
                                                  AROUND ON THE ROAD?


http://www.nba.com/video/games/mavericks/2012/03/03/0021100544_uta_dal_recap.nba/index.html

There's not much for me to say about the game tonight. I like the effort the Jazz made with the young guys on the floor to get within 10, but I think Corbin brought the starters in too early. The young fellas were getting it done defensively and I like when the Jazz get out and run.

What I can't stand is watching Dirk go off for 40 points. Dallas is a team, along with the Blazers and Lakers, when I think the Jazz need put Favors in the starting lineup and let Millsap come off the bench. Dirk is one of those guys who, more than likely, is going to get his points, but I'd rather he only have 20-25 instead of 40. Millsap really put a lot of pressure on Dirk towards the end of the game, but I wish Favors was out there playing against him because he wouldn't be able to shoot over him as easily.

What I also can't stand is watching every team the Jazz play against shoot lights out from 3's. Is Coach Corbin actually trying to address the team to fix this, or is he just keeping it how it is hoping teams just miss more than they make? Also, with so much talent and youth the Jazz have, who actually play significant minutes, I want to know why the Jazz don't let those guys get out and run almost every possession against an "older" "aging" team like the Mavs. Guys like J Kidd and Dirk wouldn't last long.

Now that Lamar Odom is not a Laker, I don't hate him as much, but I hate seeing a Kardashian on tv. I can't help but remember a time when the Lakers were playing on the road and someone had held up a sign that read;  "Hey Lamar, you married the UGLY one!"

Now that's funny!

Jazz vs Heat

Utah Jazz 99
Miami Heat 98  Final

The Miami Heat came into SLC looking to extend their winning streak to 10 straight games. Even without Chris Bosh playing, and considering the Heat played the night before in Portland, you knew this was going to be a tough game for the Jazz.  Talking to a lot of my friends before the game, I got a sense everyone was feeling the same. The Jazz were coming off an impressive game against the Houston Rockets and also receiving a day off, and playing at home, we were expecting a good effort from the Jazz.

  This was a fun and entertaining game to watch. At the beginning, I thought the Jazz were going to be in for a long night considering Shane Battier hit his first 4 3-Pointers (missing only 1 the entire game), but the Jazz were able to hang in there and later were able to get out and push their lead up to 18 at one point. Then in the 3rd quarter LeBron went NUTS! I believe he finished the 3rd quarter scoring 15 points and then carried it over into the 4th where he scored 17 points. No matter what he does he will get criticized for passing the ball to Haslem at the en, but the guy is a FREAK and in this case, he SHOULD NOT have passed it because he hadn't missed. He could have thrown the ball backwards and it more than likely would have went in, but he probably would have been criticized if he were to shoot it and miss.

Its funny to get everyone's perspective on the game afterwards. There are so many different opinions about what the Jazz did well and what they didn't do so well and need to get better at. In my opinion, I loved watching the Jazz bench play and was wanting them to get back on the floor. They looked like the Jazz bench from a couple of months ago. While on the floor, the team showed hustle, energy, grit, and some emotions. Enes Kanter went after every rebound he was close to, and although he took some ugly shots, I'll live with it. He deserves it after how hard he worked to get the ball in the first place. Also, I'm really starting to like Alec Burks more and more after each game. I can't wait to see him next season when he gets bigger. I know CJ Miles had a great game against Houston, and was solid last night against the Heat, but watching Burks, he looks like he has a ton of confidence out there and he doesn't care who you are, and looks forward to the challenge.

Next challenge for the Jazz, take these 2 wins and play the same way on the road starting against Dallas.

Click to Watch:
http://www.nba.com/video/games/jazz/2012/03/02/0021100536_mia_uta_recap.nba/index.html

http://www.nba.com/jazz/video/2012/03/03/20120302postmillsap2m4v-2022734/index.html

http://www.nba.com/jazz/video/2012/03/02/0021100536_mia_uta_play7.nba/index.html

http://www.nba.com/jazz/video/2012/03/02/0021100536_mia_uta_play7.nba/index.html

http://www.nba.com/jazz/video/2012/03/02/0021100536_mia_uta_play7.nba/index.html

Jazz vs Rockets

Utah Jazz 104
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

Jazz vs Kings

Utah Jazz 96
Sacramento Kings 103
Final
















Game Highlights:
http://www.nba.com/games/20120228/UTASAC/gameinfo.html

http://www.nba.com/games/20120228/UTASAC/gameinfo.html

http://www.nba.com/games/20120228/UTASAC/gameinfo.html

Demarcus Cousins absolutely owned the Utah Jazz. I honestly don't mind having a guy who has 1 or 2 loose screws in the head on my team. I hope that the attitude which Cousins plays with, will rub off onto Kanter and Favors for the future. Think of Metta World Peace aka Ron Artest back in his days at Chicago and Indiana. He was crazy, but they guy was an All-Star, and one of the best defensive players the league had. He didn't care who you were, just ask Kobe, he was going to try and get under your skin. This is how Cousins plays. I wish Coach Corbin would tell Favors and Kanter to get in there, and to not worry about being pulled from the game if they just lay someone out for trying to make a layup. Start them while they are young and help them develop, not just their ball skills, but also develop a nasty/dirty/intimidating presence.

All-Star Weekend