Game Thread Nov 18, 2025 08:30PM MT: Utah Jazz @ Los Angeles Lakers

[David Hume]

Watched the highlights on NBA TV this morning and all they showed was about 15 minutes of LeBron, Luka, and the other Lakers scoring. Did not even hear them mention who their opponent was. Not a single Jazz basket shown.

 

[Tremendous Upside]

I’m not even complaining about this specific game because the Jazz have been FT merchants all year as well. But the league’s decision to shift officiating to more FT’s is just insanity. Nobody wanted this.

I don’t even think defenders can “stop fouling” because an offensive player just needs to run into them. It’s hard to get completely out of the way, but I guess that’s what they want defense to be. Get out of the way as quick as you can or it’s 2 FTs.

Exactly. It took like two years to go from this:

"That was not your normal shooting motion!! Here, have this flopping tech"

to this:

"Congratulations, you succesfully cracked the defender's ribs by ramming into him. Two free throws, plus a tech to the guy because he shrieked in pain"

 

[George W]

If we still had Kessler the Jazz would be firmly in the playoffs.

Been saying this since the preseason

- George

 

[SoberasHotRod]

The good thing about trying to win games is that we can see where our true gaps are. If we are going to try and be good next year it is important to understand what holes we need to try and fill in the offseason.

- I love Keyonte, but he's a guy you have to try and hide on defense, and we don't have enough good defenders to do that. We need to put +++ defenders around him and Lauri or we're going to struggle against good offensive teams.
- I love Collier, but if teams scout him at all they'll just play off him. The offense is super rough when he's not surrounded by shooters.
- I love Cody, but the dude clearly needs some more time in the G-League to practice getting shots up. He needs to be taking 18fga/game without any fear of consequences.

 

[HadAnEffectHere]

The Jazz are giving up 125 points... per game.

But the bottom five teams in the league are so bad that they're somehow worse than the Jazz on defense by a decent bit.

 

[Step-Back Lauri]

Watched the highlights on NBA TV this morning and all they showed was about 15 minutes of LeBron, Luka, and the other Lakers scoring. Did not even hear them mention who their opponent was. Not a single Jazz basket shown.

You know things are upsetting, when good sir David Hume resorts to modern English w/o any rarely used words and expressions. Look what you've done, NBA TV! You bastards!

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

I always have an internal struggle with Sensabaugh.

 

[David Hume]

Forthright, society, dwell upon my proclamation! These vacuous Lakers and their minions in the press denigrate our Jazz. I lament that the pernicious press traffics in sophistry and metaphysics.

You know things are upsetting, when good sir David Hume resorts to modern English w/o any rarely used words and expressions. Look what you've done, NBA TV! You bastards!

 

[SoberasHotRod]

Has anyone mentioned that Hendricks was a healthy scratch? I thought he was available?

Hendricks is the one guy that I'm ok giving free minutes to. That guy just needs as many reps as possible.

 

[fishonjazz]

He just played a game in SLC tonight.

Exactly. He needs to stop playing in those games and play for the jazz instead.

 

[fishonjazz]

Lebron so pumped to be out there.

I was pumped to see him again. Dude is still really good even at his age and coming off injury. Such a great and willing passer with an insane bbq.

 

[TheGoldStandard]

Watched the highlights on NBA TV this morning and all they showed was about 15 minutes of LeBron, Luka, and the other Lakers scoring. Did not even hear them mention who their opponent was. Not a single Jazz basket shown.

Verily, I must protest the late account of the contest betwixt the Lakers and the noble Jazz as rendered by the scribes of ESPN. For in their oration, one would deem the struggle naught but a triumphal procession of Los Angeles alone. The feats of Utah were cast aside, as though performed in some distant shadow unworthy of remembrance. Such partiality doth not only confound the lover of sport, but offends the very principles of just representation; for when one side is exalted and the other scarce named, the tale ceaseth to be history and descendeth into mere flattery. I beseech these chroniclers: if ye would relate the contest, relate it whole or naught.

 

[David Hume]

Thy GoldStandard, I am humbled by your incisive words.

Verily, I must protest the late account of the contest betwixt the Lakers and the noble Jazz as rendered by the scribes of ESPN. For in their oration, one would deem the struggle naught but a triumphal procession of Los Angeles alone. The feats of Utah were cast aside, as though performed in some distant shadow unworthy of remembrance. Such partiality doth not only confound the lover of sport, but offends the very principles of just representation; for when one side is exalted and the other scarce named, the tale ceaseth to be history and descendeth into mere flattery. I beseech these chroniclers: if ye would relate the contest, relate it whole or naught.

 

[fishonjazz]

Ayton must've lost a bet. The dookie corn rows are a choice.

My wife and I were laughing at that
Kyle Anderson hair is worse though. WTF is he doing? Just shave your head bro

 

[fishonjazz]

Lebron looks old

He is

 

[fishonjazz]

Note sure if that game had more fouls called than normal but it felt like it to me

 

[fishonjazz]

If people want it, I can start posting my tablo recording of the games afterwards for download.

What is tablo?

 

[KqWIN]

Has anyone mentioned that Hendricks was a healthy scratch? I thought he was available?

Hendricks is the one guy that I'm ok giving free minutes to. That guy just needs as many reps as possible.

I'm assuming they're still being cautionary with him even though he's available. Collier was available and in uniform two straight games before he actually played.

WCJ on the other hand....never been on an injury report so that's a healthy scratch.

 

[fishonjazz]

Time to trade him

Nah.
If Lauri was 22 years old and playing like he is then literally not one single person would consider trading Lauri.
I know you were joking but there is a big difference in Key or Ace or sensabaugh or whoever playing like an all star and Lauri playing like an all star.

 

[fishonjazz]

I’m not even complaining about this specific game because the Jazz have been FT merchants all year as well. But the league’s decision to shift officiating to more FT’s is just insanity. Nobody wanted this.

I don’t even think defenders can “stop fouling” because an offensive player just needs to run into them. It’s hard to get completely out of the way, but I guess that’s what they want defense to be. Get out of the way as quick as you can or it’s 2 FTs.

Ya I have been a hold out on hating the modern NBA (seems like a lot of people hate today's NBA, especially older fans like myself) but I find myself liking it less this season.
Seems like there are fouls called on almost every possession and the ones that don't have a foul called have players/coaches/fans whining about a non call.

And I really hate the extreme flops. I don't mind subtle slightly exaggerated flops but the big time exaggerated flops really turn me off.

****ing luka man. Foul merchant, flopper, extreme exaggerator, no defense...... Like many others have said in this thread so far, he is a tough watch.