Postgame notes and quotes: 'I'm learning D-Will'
Published on Nov 3, 2010 11:27PM 0 Comments
Postgame notes and quotes following the Jazz's 125-108 home victory over the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday.
Deron Williams on Al Jefferson: "He had the one in the first half where I gave him a layup and he decided to shoot a 20-foot jumper. We let him know about that one. [Laughs] But other than that, he's getting it. He'll talk to you out there on the court once he does something good. 'I'm learning, D-Will.' He's great to work with, man. Because he knows he can improve just like the rest of us. We all know we can improve. We can get better."
Defensive turnaround: "A lot of it [is communication]. Realizing that we had to do a better job. We talked about some things in practice and worked on some pick-and-roll defense, which still can get better. But the effort's there. We're helping a little bit more. We're still making mistakes. But as long as we're playing through those mistakes, we're fine."
Potential new weapons: "That's what we expected the first two games. It just didn't click; just didn't happen right away. So, we've still got a long season and a lot of games to play. We're going to have some rough patches and some great patches."
Ronnie Price: " … Sometimes I gamble and it gets me in trouble sometimes. But that's kind of what I bring when I'm on the floor. I try to make some things happen defensively; play in the passing lanes a little bit; and maybe take some risks — things that you're not supposed to take. Sloan knows and he gets on me about it constantly. But sometimes I can see a play and try to make one happen. Sometimes it goes my way, sometimes it doesn't."
Price and Earl Watson's roles were reversed tonight, with Price receiving the main back-up minutes and Watson playing just 6:47. Price and Miles keyed a fourth-quarter stand during which the Jazz outscored Toronto 125-108.
Utah hit 88 percent (22 of 25) of its foul shots.
The Jazz held a 2.1 turnover-to-assist ratio, dishing out 30 while committing 14 turnovers.
Paul Millsap: "I'm in a positive attitude right now, hoping everything will be all right in the morning."
Playing Friday: "Absolutely. I'll be ready to go in practice [Thursday]."
All of Utah's starters save for Raja Bell shot at least 50 percent from the field, while six Jazz players hit double figures in scoring.
Jerry Sloan on Price: "Ronnie's got a big heart and he plays hard every day. He works hard every day. We're trying to settle in and see who we are, so we can try to play whoever we think will give us the best chance to win. He hadn't played for a little bit. But I thought he handled himself well. Had a couple big plays for us."
— Brian T. Smith