Utah Jazz @ Minnesota Timberwolves 12/22/10 6PM MST

[Nate505]

One spectacular fourth quarter saved what was really an awful game. That being said, this is a game the past 3-4 season Jazz teams would have lost, so it was nice to see them win it.

Al was a monster in the 4th. Sap and Deron were just solid all the way around, although the line really saved Deron's rear in this game in the first half. He spent a little too much time trying for fouls that I like to see but he knocked that off more in the 2nd half. Thought AK had a very good game as well, even though he still takes that jumper a little too early IMO. Hayward was fine too, and I must say I jumped out of my chair when he got that and 1 to clinch the win. Hayward makes great post passes, which may sound simple but I've seen enough players screw it up to know that there is a bit of an art/skill to it.

Overall a fine game, even with CJ struggling in it (that being said that layup he had on the break was just a spectacular shot). Typically this team doesn't win when he is struggling, although 8 points isn't all that awful.

 

[VINYLONE]

Nate, did you really jump out of your chair?

 

[Nate505]

It was nice to see Sundiata Gaines on the Wolves' bench, I hadn't realized he ever got picked up by anybody. Can't hate that guy.

After that shot he hit against Cleveland, I wish him a career of at the very least him just riding an NBA bench and collecting a nice paycheck.

 

[Nate505]

Nate, did you really jump out of your chair?

You got me, it was more of a, uh, "sprung." I do gotta say it was exciting, even though I had a feeling that they could come back against these guys. The Timberwolves would have a decent record if the game were three quarters long.

 

[TheMulletMutilator]

This was a lazily played game throughout 3 quarters and they should feel lucky they pulled it out in the 4th. Some people will say this is a sign that this team is legit. I think this is just a sign that this team is still very weak in certain aspects. If this game was played by any team that had more than 6 wins at this point then we would have lost by a large margin. Terrible effort in the first 3 quarters and terrible as far as the energy level goes. They need to wake up and stop lazily jogging past screens.

 

[NUMBERICA]

If this game was played by any team that had more than 6 wins at this point then we would have lost by a large margin. Terrible effort in the first 3 quarters and terrible as far as the energy level goes. They need to wake up and stop lazily jogging past screens.

Yes and no. The Jazz have had problems with the Timberwolves, relatively speaking. I wouldn't be the least bit shocked if the Jazz had one of the worst records against the Timberwolves over the previous 3 years.

 

[prodigy]

Yes and no. The Jazz have had problems with the Timberwolves, relatively speaking. I wouldn't be the least bit shocked if the Jazz had one of the worst records against the Timberwolves over the previous 3 years.

I remember us faltering in the 4th quarter in some of those games the past 3 years. But we are a 4th quarter team this year and if that means more wins i'll take it.

OKC lost that means we are sitting alone atop the division. A lot of games left but it feels good.

 

[candrew]

Really? Guy played 2 minutes, committed 2 fouls on help defense we actually needed him to commit, and sunk 2 free throws. Extremely solid 2 minute performance as 2 minute performances are concerned.

2 of those fouls were dumb - one of them a touch foul on and and 1 where he should have at least stopped the ball.

He blew two offensive rebounds and the when he was fouled it was off a point blank shot that he missed.

the guy hit a couple free throws - spectacular

The guy sucked - totally unprepared to play.

 

[honz]

I think we had cut it to 6 when Fes came in. It ballooned up to 11 within a couple of possessions of Fes checking in...and it was mostly his fault for not defending or rebounding well.

 

[Qman]

I thought there were few important things in this game.

Price was afraid of deep shots and they played off of him. Also he energy level wasn't as high as other games. So that is why Sloan when to Hayward and put CJ at the 2.

Hayward brought energy to the team. He fought over screens. He was able to get to the loose balls the T-Wolves had gotten in the first 3 quarters. He was in the right spots on the offense and made a few nice passes. He scored on the fastbreak.

Deron struggled against the "soft" double teams they put up against him all night. He did make some big plays but he was inefficient.

Millsap struggled with foul trouble again all night, but besides that he was awesome.

Big Al gave a total effort. He just seemed like he was pressing too hard in the 1st half. 7 blocks is something we would never have gotten from Boozer or Memo last year.

AK came up with several big plays and when he as gassed Sloan got him out.

Earl Watson is a much smarter player than Price.

In the end, I hope this leads to Hayward steal Price's minutes next game. I hope when Memo comes back.

 

[Cece]

The Kouf makes bad baklava (not donuts), bitches!

 

[moevillini]

I can still root for the kid, right? I only remember Troy talking him up so I don't know what GVC has to do with this. But I don't care. He might have been a little soft and gawky and ugly and weird and uncoordinated but he was lovable. I just want him to have a good life and I'm standing by that.

and he absolutely killed in that dance contest!

 

[write4u]

I'm not sure if Jerry went to Hayward instead of AK because of fatigue, though it's possible. I thought it was more of an attempt by Jerry to instill some confidence in Hayward against a weak team and it worked. I don't think he would've done it against a play-off caliber club.

Also, I can't believe how bad Darko is, and I also can't believe that KK is even worse, and that Minny is fielding two 7-footers that are so bad.

 

[candrew]

Also, I can't believe how bad Darko is, and I also can't believe that KK is even worse, and that Minny is fielding two 7-footers that are so bad.

Quite a strange moment when Koufos' shot attempt went behind the back board. There was about 5 seconds of very awkward confusion. Jefferson had a look like "I didn't touch it" the ref had a look like "he didn't foul him" and Koufos had a look like "God, someone bail me out"

 

[Joe Bagadonuts]

The Kouf makes bad baklava (not donuts), bitches!

Have you got something against donuts?

 

[YB85]

Such inconsistency doesn't cut it against contenders, as Dallas and Miami and San Antonio (and the first Denver game) have shown.

And the first Miami game, Orlando, and Lakers games. Or don't they fit into your rant?

 

[Shad]

Quite a strange moment when Koufos' shot attempt went behind the back board. There was about 5 seconds of very awkward confusion. Jefferson had a look like "I didn't touch it" the ref had a look like "he didn't foul him" and Koufos had a look like "God, someone bail me out"

hahaha I was thinking the same thing. Kosta definitely got it handed to him that game.

 

[LifeOnaPlate]

Rev9, how about that line from AK? Especially compared to your boy, CJ?

 

[InGameStrategy]

And the first Miami game, Orlando, and Lakers games. Or don't they fit into your rant?

Um, I said that that the Jazz were inconsistent, not incapable. That's a key part of my "rant": with better game management, they could be a 5-loss team right now instead of a 9-loss team. They've had some good wins, though. Although still having only 9 losses is good, it's still only 4th place in the West if the playoffs started now.

Even the examples you suggest aren't as impressive as they may seem.

The Lakers' loss vs. the Jazz was part of a 4-game Laker losing streak, and L.A. has the absolute lowest strength of schedule right now.
https://espn.go.com/nba/stats/rpi/_/sort/SOS

In the next game after losing to the Jazz, the Magic lost to the Raptors, and they are now 16-12--certainly not as good as their early record suggested when they met up with Utah.

It's hilarious that you mentioned the first Miami game, even though I mentioned the second Miami game, which was an entirely different story. Miami was clearly still figuring things out when the Jazz beat them, and they have lost only one game in all of December. While the Jazz's loss to them might be overestimating their ability, the Jazz's win was against a new Heat roster underperforming to their potential--and a far bigger transition than simply adding AJ (and a returning Raja).

 

[YB85]

Um, I said that that the Jazz were inconsistent, not incapable. That's a key part of my "rant": with better game management, they could be a 5-loss team right now instead of a 9-loss team. They've had some good wins, though. Although still having only 9 losses is good, it's still only 4th place in the West if the playoffs started now.

Even the examples you suggest aren't that impressive.

The Lakers' loss vs. the Jazz was part of a 4-game Laker losing streak, and L.A. has the absolute lowest strength of schedule right now.
https://espn.go.com/nba/stats/rpi/_/sort/SOS

In the next game after losing to the Jazz, the Magic lost to the Raptors, and they are now 16-12--certainly not as good as their early record suggested when they met up with Utah.

It's hilarious that you mentioned the first Miami game, even though I mentioned the second Miami game, which was an entirely different story. Miami was clearly still figuring things out when the Jazz beat them, and they have lost only one game in all of December. While the Jazz's loss to them might be overestimating their ability, the Jazz's win was against a new Heat roster underperforming to their potential--and a far bigger transition than simply adding AJ (and a returning Raja).

It's hilarious that you say the Lakers' loss was "part of a 4-game losing streak" rather than "the Jazz ended the Lakers' 5 game winning streak". But whatever it takes for you to downplay the fact that any win for the Jazz against the Lakers, especially a great comeback win, wasn't impressive. It's also hilarious that the Heat were making adjustments and trying to figure things out, but the Jazz "simply" added AJ (and Raja).