OKC Thunder @ Utah Jazz: ESPN/Root Sports @ 8:30PM MST

[candrew]

Another dnp for Burks on a night cj and howard sucked a**

This is exactly what I feared when the Jazz signed Howard.

When you're winning, having a guy like Howard is great because he gives you veteran minutes. When you're losing and, in fact rebuilding like The Jazz are, Howard is more like an obstacle.

 

[Gyp Rosetti]

We were outrebounded by 14. Unacceptable.

 

[Dr. Jones]

We were outrebounded by 14. Unacceptable.

but predictable ..

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

but predictable ..

Also a little inflated because of the last 4 minutes when the team basically gave up and starting taking bad shots and not rebounding anything.

The game was lost in the fact we couldn't stop fouling them, and we couldn't get to the FT line.

 

[chawx]

Also a little inflated because of the last 4 minutes when the team basically gave up and starting taking bad shots and not rebounding anything.

The game was lost in the fact the refs kept calling BS fouls on us, and we couldn't get call to save our lives.

fixed.

You knew it was going to happen, but just once I'd like to see an evenly called nationally televised game. Haven't seen one yet.

 

[mellow]

You do know what a role player is right? A guy that excels in one area and can do nothing else. Does that sound like Hayward?

I think he meant "player that is not and will never be an all-star"

Except... Nevermind.

Sorry, I guess I was using the term "role player" with wreck-less naivety. What is the proper term for a player who is skilled and plays, plays hard and might even on rare and infrequent occasions carry his team? One who makes the rookie challenge but is not an all-star? Do I call him Ronnie Brewer?

I like Hayward, and he had a nice stat line against OKC. I was just trying to point out that he can't be compared to Westbrook or Durant. I wouldn't even compare him to Harden or Green but I see where maybe the argument could be made.

 

[Hantlers]

Sorry, I guess I was using the term "role player" with wreck-less naivety. What is the proper term for a player who is skilled and plays, plays hard and might even on rare and infrequent occasions carry his team? One who makes the rookie challenge but is not an all-star? Do I call him Ronnie Brewer?

I like Hayward, and he had a nice stat line against OKC. I was just trying to point out that he can't be compared to Westbrook or Durant. I wouldn't even compare him to Harden or Green but I see where maybe the argument could be made.

My goodness, it's his second year, he's still adjusting from playing primarily a front court position to a forward/guard position and he's only 21! Recently, outside of his 3 point shot he has been playing very well, averaging almost 14, 3 and 3 while shooting 48% overall. What more are you expecting from a 2nd year player? Maybe there are some jaded people there saying he's our savior, he most certainly isn't, but saying that he can't compare to Harden or Jeff fricken Green (who isn't even that good btw) is just a ridiculous statement.

 

[Grandpa Jazz]

Until then, I'm not going to worry too much about possible trade chips getting playing time.

But what if the trade chips play so poorly that they drag their value down further than it already is? Two weeks ago was completely aghast at Bell and Harris, they have played marginally better (Harris does not fit with this team) but sadly that improvement corresponds with Big Al tailing off and Paul going AWOL. Went went from"firing on 2 cylinders" to firing on a "half a cylinder" (Hayward)

 

[kabenac]

That was a good game last night. We didn't play bad, but we lost. OKC is going to be what the Spurs were - they're going to be good for a lot of years - they play hard, are coached well, and don't fall apart when things don't go their way. Although they're super young, they don't cry when a call doesn't go their way (or isn't called) and it was a dramaless game (minus Raja annoying Harden). I'm hoping we take the good things we did last night (passing, hustle) and continue on. Last's night's effort would have resulted in a win against some teams, but not OKC.

 

[northeast]

T, they don't cry when a call doesn't go their way (or isn't called) .

that's not true. prove it, i challenge you.

 

[Gyp Rosetti]

but predictable ..

Why?

 

[Qman]

Why?

Jefferson is a poor rebounder and Millsap is small. Hayward is a poor rebound SF. So against teams with length at the 3 and 4 and power at the 5. I.E. the Thunder we get punished on the boards.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Why?

Because Perkins + Ibaka > Jefferson + Millsap when it comes to defense and rebounds.

 

[kabenac]

that's not true. prove it, i challenge you.

You're the one who's refuting my point, so you can prove it. I challenge YOU...

 

[InGameStrategy]

We are following the Jerry Sloan model. Play the vets, and make the rookies earn their time sitting through painful film sessions watching them.

Except that apparently, Sloan didn't even do film sessions (enough).

At least that's what D-Will thought.

Williams says his relationship with Corbin is a good one, and he's looking forward to longer practices and more film sessions.

"We'll definitely watch more film than we have in the past," said Williams. "But you can't just go and change everything you're doing just like that."
https://www.abc4.com/sports/story/Williams-says-he-didnt-force-Sloan-out/pC9vjwfzokeTBEwfc7tUWQ.cspx

Still not enough if the coach isn't constantly reevaluating for the most optimal combination on the court at all times. And against OKC, that combination most likely didn't include Millsap and Jefferson together. At least one of the young bigs should've been out there more. While Corbin's pragmatism in distributing the minutes is a step in the right direction vs. Ol' Jer, I continue to be puzzled by Ty's resistance--deliberate or not--to pair a defensive young big (Favors or Kanter) with a scoring ves (AJ or Paperboy) more often.

 

[freakazoid]

This is exactly what I feared when the Jazz signed Howard.

When you're winning, having a guy like Howard is great because he gives you veteran minutes. When you're losing and, in fact rebuilding like The Jazz are, Howard is more like an obstacle.

I agree with this.

For now, I'm reserving judgement until March 15. I think it's quite possible Howard could be involved in a trade, in which case it makes sense to give him playing time.

 

[The Thriller]

fixed.

You knew it was going to happen, but just once I'd like to see an evenly called nationally televised game. Haven't seen one yet.

I think Jazz fans often mistake aggressiveness with "the refs."

Often... Wayyy too often... Our players settle for jumpers. Often, other teams don't settle... They attack.

Guys like Lin, Collison, and Westbrook attack.

It's no shame giving a lot of fouls, points, and FTs to a guy like Westbrook or Durant. There's a reason why OKC has the #1 record in the league.

I think what Jazz fans ultimately need to be concerned with is:

#1 How we're competing. Are we the aggressors or not? Are we running our sets? Are our sets effective or does the coach need to change them?
#2 How is the development going with the youngsters? We have drafted a lot in the lottery the last few years and thus far I've only seen 1 of our many picks get consistent minutes and touches.

 

[northeast]

You are not making sense. You can't be aggressive if the refs don't give you calls. Our players don't settle for jumpers, they score more in the paint than most teams. OKC wouldn't have as a good record and be as aggressive if they didn't get calls.

 

[northeast]

example: Durant was not called for the foul on the reach in on Harris. That was a critical play at a critical time. Take the names off the jerseys, and the offensive player will get that call more than 50% of the time.

 

[Dr. Jones]

Predictions for tonight?