-As a team, Utah needs to learn how to handle the halfcourt trap. Under Sloan we'd space the floor then hit the 4-man running up the middle of the court, turning the press into a 3-on-2 fastbreak drill. Evans obviously can't handle and pass as well as a Malone, Boozer or Millsap, but tonight Evans was far too slow up the court (not sure if that's on Evans or Corbin's strategy to break the trap) and we couldn't even get the ball past the timeline. Need to clean that up asap.
-Last 3 minutes aside, impressed w/our PG play. Harris did a much better job getting us into our halfcourt sets earlier. Watson provided a spark as usual and if someone goes down, we'll lose a little but I don't think our offense will completely tank w/Tinsley moving up to the #2 spot.
-Kanter may not be able to score alot this year, but he'll give you maximum effort on the glass. Needs to clean up a few transition defensive laspes, but he can definitely contribute as a rebounder this year.
-Memo's going to have his liabilities but if he's right physically, his ability to make shots will be welcome because this team is going to go through 2-3 min stretches where we struggle to score.
Jefferson led the team in assists. Let's hope that was the first and only time that happens.
-Was impressed with Al's lowpost passing tonight. In the first quarter he found CJ out of a double-team that drew a foul at the rim and in the 2nd-qtr he was doubled on the left block, Evans flashed to the middle and Big Al hit him for a dunk. All part of the learning process and I'm not overly concerned, but I think it shows he's not going to seemlessly step into a starting spot without a few hiccups.
-We'd all like to see Hayward play 30+ min a night but if he's not ready defensively he won't be able to stay on the court. Alot of the calls were touchy, "rookie calls" imo, but if you can't stay on the floor you can't play.
-I know people want Evans to bulk up, but for the time being I love what he brings as a 195-pound PF off-the-bench. Last year I called him "Bo Outlaw with hands" and he creates a ton of things at the rim (on both ends) as a PF. Some nights there will be matchup problems where he won't play - but think about how Monday Batum hurt us at PF w/Portland's 2nd-unit (previously Portland played Travis Outlaw at PF and he caused us a ton of problems). Evans can be effective in that role - as well as against teams like Portland who go small w/their bench.
-Sidney Lowe all over Evans. On the game's final play Evans was guarding the inbounds pass, then backed off to play in the lap of a Portland player, then sorta moved up in no-man's land where he wasn't pressuring the ball nor defending an oncourt player. At the buzzer Lowe went right out onto the court and had some stern instruction for Evans. Glad to see Lowe using these teaching moments while it's still fresh in everyone's mind.