So... I loved this game and kept it on my DVR. I just watched it again in preparation of the season. It was a GREAT game. Do ya'll remember the second quarter when Jingles came in to guard Lebron? He poked a ball off of Bron Bron and out of bounds. The turnover was one of a 1/2 dozen plays where Jingles frustrated Lebron during the game. Not only that, but I watched Jingles pretty much shut down Korver as he later repeated in the playoffs. Point #1...It will be good to have him back.
I made a few observations from this game. Observation #1 based off of the re-watch... I won't miss Hill that much. I was a Hill homer last season, but he disappeared for long stretches. When he was on he was brilliant. But that lasted about 20 of the 80 games tbh. He was injured for 40 games and he disappeared completely during the playoffs. 60 games from Rubio where he acts like the motor to our offense will be a HUGE upgrade from a 'here today, gone tomorrow', $57 million Hill. Bravo DL for having the guts to let him walk and for bringing in a true upgrade.
Observation #2. Hayward did a TON to setup our offense. He was truly critical to how we operated. He helped create the space on the floor that we needed to hit around 50% from the 3 point line that night. With him gone, Rubio (who teams don't respect his shot), and Hood being streaky... I am going to be very interested in how the Jazz create space on the floor. I think that will be one of the most critical questions for the year as far as the offense goes.
Observation #3. When Hayward sat, we moved the ball a LOT MORE than when he was on the floor. I watched Hood catch the ball and immediately differ to Hayward multiple times. Hayward set Hood up a couple of those just 3 seconds later... but when Hayward sat, Hood spotted up while Joe Jesus, Jingles, and Favors all moved the ball really well. We moved away from ISO play to a much more interactive style on the offensive end. I have to believe that Rubio will lead that style better than Hill and that without Hayward we are going to have to build trust in each other in a big way. Again, it will be fascinating to see how much ISO goes to Team Ball with the group we have.
Observation #4. Quin's comments are the best! I loved hearing them again. He really is detail oriented and helped Hayward grow from Teen Girl Squad 'The Ugly One' to 'Dem Olda Boys'. They asked Quin "how good is Gordon Hayward?" Quin said something along the lines of 'Hayward was great in a few games last year. But this year he is on a higher tier in more games and for longer stretches during games'. I agree with that a ton. A lot of people on this board say that Hayward isn't a game changer. It's because two years ago and beyond he rarely reached that level. It really was only the last 18 months that he started to get to that place and stay there for stretches longer than a final 3 minutes. Getting there required Quin and his staff. I have faith in Quin's Staff like I have faith in the Churro.
Observation #5. Lyles was promising when he could shoot. Too bad he didn't make a basket at an important part of any game from the All star break on. Remember how we traded him to get Donovan Mitchell in the 'it's impossible to trade into the 2017 draft'? Bless you Denver. It's the best thing Denver sports has done since 2013 at least *cough-GoBert-cough*.
Observation #6. Gobert is Hellalong!
Observation #7. The Jazz defense was fun to watch last year and that was with Mack, Hood, Lyles, and an unhealthy Favors. We are going to be tough as Chuck Norris' water tight Anis.
Re-watching that game just got me pumped about the year again. Go Jazz!
