Coach Q was out coached? Huh?
IMO quite the opposite. We were playing without our front line for the entire game and without our best slasher for 3 quarters of the game. You could even say that we were without 3 starters if you want to include Exum. Basically we were -3 starters and -our 6th man.
How would the Malone and Stockton teams done without Tag, Malone, Stockton, and Eisley? Or the D will teams -Okur, Boozer, D Will, and Harpring?
How we led for so much of this game against a title contender adds to coach Q's greatness.
Here's what I've observed this year:
Our defense lacks at times because we have to work so damn hard on offense. Seriously. If Hood, Burks, or G don't initiate the offense, we usually get absolutely no where. This is the problem with playing without a PG or a 3 pt specialist. Teams have figured this out. Especially with G. Don't let him create. Trap him. Force him to take a bad shot or turn the ball over (as he's done in crucial times this year).
This puts immense pressure on the defense which eventually cracks due to mental or physical fatigue.
if anything, these losses only prove that DL and bad luck are what's dooming the Jazz. I wish DL had added some depth. What he could have added? I don't know. I wish he could've added Steph Curry...
Let's be honest, Few teams are going to remain competitive with their starting frontline, PG, and best slasher out for extended periods of time. The mere fact that last night's game was competitive was a win for us.