I just got back from the game, I tried not to read too much of the thread so I could give you my untainted observations.
I sat in the 15th row behind the jazz bench near the tunnel with the beat writers. Best seats I have had in years. A very special thank you to the man who gave away his tickets and to the person who invited me to go along.
I think Trey Burkes family was behind me and maybe Rodney Hoods family in front of me. It was strange to realize they are real people. It made me feel worse for Trey. I was so excited when he came here, sad it didn't work out. Strange how it is ending.
Also sad for Brad Jones. Hope he finds a nice place to work with good people. Add those two observations to the one below and I found myself wanting to view Quin as a villain. I used to think of Jerry that way at times.
Jazz played so hard tonight, crowd was the best I've seen in years. It was fun.
Hayward gets fouled a lot, and doesn't get the calls, I think it is because he is just so slow. The ref came over and apologized to Hayward during a timeout for missing the critical no-call in the fourth. It might have changed the outcome of the game.
Rudy got fouled a bunch in the first half and didn't get the calls, he needs to get stronger in his arms and chest so he can power through some of the slighter contact. I think that coach Quin would liked to have pulled Rudy out of the game in the first half because he was so disruptive to the offense, but he was so so important on defense. He took himself out of the game because he tripped a spurs guard after he trailed a play because he was angry about being fouled on the other end, Rudy needs to channel and direct his anger.
Favors at one point saved the game from getting out of hand, I think he scored on two or three possesions, calmed the team down, and forced the spurs to change their defense and maybe their lineup. I was shocked to see Favors only scored 8 points for the game. He is a presence on the court, jazz should be using him more. I don't get Quins offense strategy, or his substation 'pattern' (goals, objectives, reasons)
Quin was super mad at Raul, and I could see why. Raul could not or would not run the play Quin and Hayward were calling--3 or four times down the floor. Quin got Rauls attention and Raul shyed away from Quin. Which reminds me, everyone of the players keeps a cool distance from Quin, and don't hold his eyes for very long. Quin is intense.
Also, the spurs players are constantly talking to each other and especially ginoboli & parker. Jazz players are really good at dancing and giving each other high fives, hopefully that will work its way into talking to each other on the court in the very near future.
Joe INgles talks a bit. Joe ingles was also very physical and really good tonight. So was Trevor Booker, ah man that missed dunk the VSHA would have erupted.
I wish Trey Lyles would have just shot the three balls, rather than faking and duking inside or going to the hoop. Spurs clearly knew to run him off the three point line, and they did.
I saw Burks, contrary to the internet rumours he is not dead, and his foot is not falling off. He looks nice in a suit. I kind of wish that he wasn't there tonight. Everytime Kawai made a play, or punched a jazz player in the face (atleast twice) without a foul being called, I was reminded of the brief moment of excitement I had when I realized he had not been drafted and the Jazz were picking next.
In a game where fractions of inches and fractions of seconds create huge advantages, Kawai Leonard is a prize. I hate Enes Kanter, not the person just that the jazz drafted him, and that he acted like a bone head. Maybe I am more mad at KOC, or Ty Corbin, I don't know but watching Kawai and dreaming about a front line of Gobert, Favors, and Leonard playing for the Jazz makes me crazy.
speaking of Kawai and the spurs really use their elbows a lot, I wonder if that is one of those things the Spurs learned from the old Jazz...I seem to recall Robinson and Malone or something.
Speaking of physical, I forgot how physical the game when viewed up close. Rodney Hood and Gobert need to get tough.
LaMarcus did not want to shoot, he is mentally weak. He doesn't quite fit with the other spurs. I could see David West playing critical minutes instead of Aldridge in the playoffs.
Tim Duncan looked really old. he was really hobbling after he crashed into the floor in the first half.
When Rodney stops thinking and just plays he is amazing. He can get any shot he wants anytime. Jazz need to figure out how to make Rodney happy. Rodney is more fun to watch than Hayward.
I thought the game was lost on the second or third last possession when the Jazz left the spur (Anderson?) open the far corner for a three. The spurs were looking for the corner three for two or three previous possessions, Jazz coaches had told them to guard the corner, the players (Hayward maybe?) sucked in, the pass went out, and the spurs made the shot. Coaches were pretty disgusted.
Tibor was working hard before the game, and at half time. I hope he can learn to play defense, his shot is so smooth, and he has range out to the top of the key that would fit nicely into the Jazz offense.