Game Thread Feb 07, 2025 08:00PM MT: Utah Jazz @ Phoenix Suns
- Thread starter Game Threads
- Start date
Added to Calendar: 02-07-25
homeytennis
Well-Known Member
Kudos for Lauri and Hardy saving the L for us. This might be yuge in the grand scheme.
I feel like the Jazz won that game without recording the victory. Just miss that 2nd FT next time. No way there's more than a few tenths of a sec. before someone secures a rebound.
SoUjazzfan
Well-Known Member
Just a beautiful tank game. All the fun and no W.
homeytennis
Well-Known Member
In the 4th quarter he hit big shots.
The thing I like most about Collier is his steady, competitive mentality. He looks like he can play all day.
Flip also had a double-double for those keeping score at home.
Now replace John Collins with Cooper Flagg.
That was the best tank loss of the season. People were crashing out before the game was over. Elite tank loss.
When the Jazz desperately needed points they went to their star, Markkanen, and time after time he was unable to create good shots or make a good pass time. Just wasted possessions. This is the preview of future playoffs. When you are a star you are supposed to power your team in those moments. I really don't think that Lauri can be even a second option on a playoff team.
Tanktastic
Well-Known Member
Hardy's in-game management has always been pretty suspect. Not missing the second free throw with 0,9 left, up by 2 is a fireable offense. Just idiotic, incredibly stupid. And that's 0 % on Lauri with Hardy shouting to him "MAKE IT!" just before the free throw. And no, that wasn't some 4D chess tanking move, just extremely bad coaching.
And then he tells the press multiple times "the end didn't matter, it was all about our D on Booker". Yeah, sure, that was the biggest thing, but you just lost the game for your players.
And then he tells the press multiple times "the end didn't matter, it was all about our D on Booker". Yeah, sure, that was the biggest thing, but you just lost the game for your players.
Step-Back Lauri
Well-Known Member
Good for tank, miraculous they lost it.
Good for Collier, he was really nice down in 4th.
Then there's that 40 million reasons to wonder HOW badly could Lauri even play in the overtime. For most of the shots/chances bricked or turned over all of them. I miss confident Lauri. If he finds it, Jazz start winning. If he doesn't, his asset valuation keeps going down both of these tanking seasons (I assume next season might go there as well)
Good for Collier, he was really nice down in 4th.
Then there's that 40 million reasons to wonder HOW badly could Lauri even play in the overtime. For most of the shots/chances bricked or turned over all of them. I miss confident Lauri. If he finds it, Jazz start winning. If he doesn't, his asset valuation keeps going down both of these tanking seasons (I assume next season might go there as well)
Step-Back Lauri
Well-Known Member
You're right, if he's playing like this. It shall be seen can he regain his old level... But the time Jazz will get there being really good, his 3-5 years older so he might be switching even more to the floor spacer role by then. Of course, then he needs to actually start making his shots again. However, if Jazz can't land a trade on him next summer, the next window might be three seasons away unless Lauri recollects himself and starts getting into the line. He either keeps getting stripped or blocked way too much. People who are worried are right,like me. All this tanking thing shouldn't stop us worrying about how bad his on-ball game and drives have been. I know it gets easier when there's more talent around him, but he was able to do **** last two seasons even in games where he was double teamed etc. like all this season.
Add Flagg to Collins
I am not as high on Hardy as many, but it is clear there is a directive this year, and as of late I am happy with the results. Earlier in the year I was more annoyed with the lack of minutes for the young guys, but I can see logic in bringing them along slowly. If the Jazz lose this game this way in a win mode season, you start questioning.
I will say that players seem to like playing for Hardy, and that is a big plus.
We have seen our young guys get some great growth and experience. That will pay dividends if we can score some other talent in the draft or FA. My biggest worry is some of our young guys have started playing so well that tanking becomes much harder, especially when they start playing more consistently.