Official Game Thread: Suns at Jazz, Tuesday, 4/24, 8:30 MT, TNT

[r_u_s_t_b_u_c_k_e_t]

Favors development over this year has been nothing short of astounding. He gets my game ball. Sap was awesome, Al was a stud down the stretch, but Favors play in the first half was simply incredible. Can't wait for Saturday.

Favors was great, but how about a game ball for the guy who scored four straight baskets during the most important 2 minutes of the season?

 

[GVC]

The key to this game was Al and Devin's improved defensive play against the high screen and roll. It may not have been the best in the world, and Steve Nash was being unusually timid, but the Suns were banking on easy buckets and got very few. If Al can play like that more consistently, the Jazz defense will be much better (20th in the league per possession this season).

Derrick and Al wrecking the Polish Hammer was pretty ****ing entertaining as well.

 

[LifeOnaPlate]

I thought Al did better on defense last night, too. But man, his offense was struggling until that big streak in the 4th. He was 4 of 18, then hit 4 straight.

 

[candrew]

The key to this game was Al and Devin's improved defensive play against the high screen and roll. It may not have been the best in the world, and Steve Nash was being unusually timid, but the Suns were banking on easy buckets and got very few. If Al can play like that more consistently, the Jazz defense will be much better (20th in the league per possession this season).

Agreed. However, I don't think a light switch went off in Al's head - it's all about effort. The guy just played hard on both ends of the floor; which quite frankly is something he doesn't do all that often during the regular season.

 

[7StraightIsGreat]

Not alot of people know this, but the polish word "Gortat" actually translates to "Favor's personal bitch" in english.

 

[zman1527]

I understand that he had to try, but why the hell does Howard do that? A couple of them were nice shots within the offense, but two of them were just ridiculously bad shots.

I have been seeing this all year, although last night was worse than usual. He is at his worst on the fast break, he won't pass it to an open teammate. I think he is very selfish and his push to get back for the last 2 games was also selfish, just wanting to show other teams he could play so he can get another contract. I actually hope that works out and he gets a contract with another team.

Great win though and hats off to the team for fighting through the end of the season. It will be interesting to see what they can against the Spurs, although I suspect it will be another demonstration of Pop's coaching prowess.

 

[NAOS]

Agreed. However, I don't think a light switch went off in Al's head - it's all about effort. The guy just played hard on both ends of the floor; which quite frankly is something he doesn't do all that often during the regular season.

This.
This is why I get so frustrated with the guy. If he were even an average defender, then we'd be a serious threat. As it is now, he causes everything on that side of the floor to unravel. He's skilled enough to average 16 points without too many touches. I just wish he'd emphasize defensive effort, getting 2-3 more rebounds (~12/game), and passing (which he's done much better at). Let the offensive spark plug be Millsap, who can dish to Jefferson at the right time.

 

[zman1527]

This.
This is why I get so frustrated with the guy. If he were even an average defender, then we'd be a serious threat. As it is now, he causes everything on that side of the floor to unravel. He's skilled enough to average 16 points without too many touches. I just wish he'd emphasize defensive effort, getting 2-3 more rebounds (~12/game), and passing (which he's done much better at). Let the offensive spark plug be Millsap, who can dish to Jefferson at the right time.

Sounds like a role Favors could fill much better.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

The key to this game was Al and Devin's improved defensive play against the high screen and roll. It may not have been the best in the world, and Steve Nash was being unusually timid, but the Suns were banking on easy buckets and got very few. If Al can play like that more consistently, the Jazz defense will be much better (20th in the league per possession this season).

Derrick and Al wrecking the Polish Hammer was pretty ****ing entertaining as well.

Yeah, Al was giving Nash the mid-range shot all day, but Nash never took advantage besides one running 15 footer.

 

[LjJazzman]

Has anyone made a highlight video of this game yet? There were so many great plays.

 

[Revolution 9]

Who would you rather see than Carrolle? Howard almost single handidly cost us the game. When he was in during the 2nd quarter I'm not sure he made a single pass. Not even the normal kick the ball in passes he's supposed to make. I'm not a fan of Carrolle but I'd much rather him play than Howard or Bell.

Favors was spectacular last night. Millsap and Jefferson were really good as well. Harris and Hayward had tough starts but both made big plays in the 2nd half. Carrolle was invisible, which is not always a bad thing. Burks and Kanter were okay. Tinsley played really well, he'd have had 3-6 more assists if the Suns were not fouling evey guy he got the ball to that was wide open. Harris played really good defense on Nash and Tinley was better than I expected in his limited play against him. Howard was the very definition of terrible. Did not run the offense, did not pass the ball, and took every shot he could get up whether he was covered or not.

Last thing. Burks got abused by the ref. Redd was pushing him off and flopping all over the place and they gave him at least 2 fouls that were not fouls.

I would rather see Harris - Hayward - Sap - Big Al - Favors start the game. In no way shape or form does Carroll belong in the starting line up of the playoffs.
If Bell is back I'd rather him in there over Carroll. Not a huge Bell fan, but he is more playoff worthy than Carroll.

Not to completly knock Carroll. He had some nice moments for us, but then again so did Ronnie Price(in the past). They are end of the bench type energy guys though.
You cannot go with them as starters.

 

[theNBAnerd]

as much as i'm NOT on the carroll bandwagon, paul made an interesting point. he said that demarre knows his role and that there have been several games where everybody was playing too mechanical in first quarters, and that demarre was the guy who broke them out of that. he actually went so far as to say carroll is the reason the jazz got past their 1st quarter woes because he plays with energy that is contagious.

it made me think of the @houston game when the carroll came up with 3-4 early deflections and suddenly the jazz were off to the races.

not everybody in your starting 5 has to be a threat to score 30.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

as much as i'm NOT on the carroll bandwagon, paul made an interesting point. he said that demarre knows his role and that there have been several games where everybody was playing too mechanical in first quarters, and that demarre was the guy who broke them out of that. he actually went so far as to say carroll is the reason the jazz got past their 1st quarter woes because he plays with energy that is contagious.

it made me think of the @houston game when the carroll came up with 3-4 early deflections and suddenly the jazz were off to the races.

not everybody in your starting 5 has to be a threat to score 30.

I think your 5th best player should either be a defensive minded player or a 3pt shooter, preferably both and someone who can play off the ball.

 

[gregbroncs]

I would rather see Harris - Hayward - Sap - Big Al - Favors start the game. In no way shape or form does Carroll belong in the starting line up of the playoffs.
If Bell is back I'd rather him in there over Carroll. Not a huge Bell fan, but he is more playoff worthy than Carroll.

Not to completly knock Carroll. He had some nice moments for us, but then again so did Ronnie Price(in the past). They are end of the bench type energy guys though.
You cannot go with them as starters.

Fair enough. I would actually prefer that lineup as well. However I think Bell is the end of the bench type of player moreso than Carroll is. Carrolel brings energy, hustle, Defense and enough offense to remain a threat. Bell brings the occassional outside shot, and not much else. His defense is actually worse than Carrolle. Also allows Hayward to play more at SG. I prefer him at SG. With Bell back Burks gets fewer minutes, With Carrolle there Burks plays more as Carrolle demands less minutes than Bell.

 

[sepanol]

Can we give you a negative reward for your Kanter predictions?

my prediction is written under dalamons signature, so i missed it just with 1 rpg. Thats not very bad considering you were predicting Jefferson will be a God.