Upper Bowl Jazz Fan

Jazz take the lead in the series 2-1 against the Denver Nuggets

// April 24th, 2010 // No Comments » // 2010 Playoffs, Game Summary

Game 3 is probably one of the easier games for the home team.  I don’t have stats or something on that but it makes sense.  When the Jazz lost to the Spurs and Lakers in 5 games the past 2 seasons the only games the Jazz won was Game 3.

Thankfully, the Jazz didn’t disappoint…except for the 1st quarter.  A slow start had every Jazz fan fearing dropping one at home which would have been devastating.

Carlos Boozer had a rough night missing his first 5 shots and finished making only 6 of his 18 shots.  He also only grabbed 8 boards which is pretty crappy especially for an above average rebounder like Boozer.  He settled for a lot of outside shots and while they fell for him in Game 2, the tide turned the other way in Game 3.  This is exactly why Booze needs to go inside a LOT more inside of relying on his jumper.

Paul Millsap got the Memo and found himself open and often during the 2nd quarter and throughout the game.  Millsap made 8 of 8 shots in the 2nd and finished making 11 of his 14 shots scoring 22 points and pulling down 19 boards.  Both are career highs for him.  It was a treat to watch him.  We have Millsap to thank, in part, for the Jazz play in the 2nd and their lead going into the half.

I’ve been most pleased with CJ Miles’ play in this series.  Despite getting very lucky in Game 2 by not being called out of bounds just moments before Carmelo Anthony committed his 6th foul, Miles has played well.  He has contributed in getting Melo in foul trouble in both of the last 2 games.  While he hasn’t been stellar on offense he has been solid on both ends of the floor.  TrueHoop reported on a number of players who had performed admirably up until this point in the season and Deron Williams and CJ Miles were both mentioned.  You can read that article here.

I cannot stress how important Game 4 is.  The Jazz have an opportunity to take a 3-1 series lead.  In the history of the 7 game series only 8 teams have recovered from being down 1-3 to win the series.  Basically, it means the series win is in the bag.

The Nuggets know this too so they’ll be playing with probably more heart than the Jazz will.  They know it’s a must win because if they can take the game, they’ll have regained their homecourt advantage.

Jazz beat Warriors in 2nd to last game of the season – 4/13/10

// April 14th, 2010 // No Comments » // Game Summary

The Jazz won.  It was a must-have win and the Jazz did it.  All that matters now is beating the Suns.  If they Jazz beat the Suns the guarantee homecourt for at least the 1st round by nabbing the 3 seed.  They could even get to #2 if Dallas loses.

The Suns will be missing Robin Lopez who has been a valuable contributor to that team.  However, the Jazz will play without Boozer, Memo, and Ak…that hurts.  I’m not confident about this game because Phoenix has give us a run for our money in every game this year.

I can’t think of a more important single game for the Jazz in the regular season in the history of the franchise.  Everyone pray to the basketball gods that the Jazz close an exciting season on a high note.

Jazz are embarrassed by Houston Rockets – 4/7/10

// April 7th, 2010 // 4 Comments » // Game Summary

I feel the need to warn you.  I’m not in the greatest of moods after seeing the Jazz get destroyed by the lowly Rockets tonight.  This post could be a little, um, critical.  Ok, I’ll be honest: this will likely be my most cynical column yet.  I feel the need to vent and I will do so here.  So if you want a warm fuzzy feeling then go here.

I knew that the Jazz were going to be a little tired after playing an intense game last night but nothing prepared me for the utter lack of effort the Jazz showed up with.

Was the entire Jazz team not aware that there are only 3 games left in the season and our position as #2 in the West would only last if they won the game?  Showing up was not enough.  And with Phoenix, Denver, and Dallas all winning tonight, our perch at #2 was short-lived…again.

As of late, the Rockets have been a terrible defensive team. They’ve given up more than 110 points in 3 of their last 5 games.  In fact, the last meeting between the Jazz and Rockets the Jazz scored 133 on their way to an easy victory.

Would it kill Carlos Boozer to try and disrupt a shot or even try for some blocks?  I mean, HONESTLY!  There is no one in the league with worse help defense.  When you can hear what the players are saying on the court you can always hear Booze barking little commands to other Jazzmen.  That could be a good thing if it weren’t while Boozer was standing there with his hands at his sides allowing the opposing team to give him a wedgie while scoring easily.

Deron Williams was definitely off.  He pushed harder last night than I’ve ever seen him play but he was not getting it done very well tonight.  It didn’t help that he constantly was guarding Aaron Brooks who is significantly faster than DWill.  Why did Sloan not go w/ a smaller lineup to deal with the Rockets fast guards?  WHO THE HELL KNOWS.

When their guard rotation is Kevin Martin, Aaron Brooks, and Kyle Lowry-all of whom are under 6’4-it would do well to either exploit those matchups like crazy on offense.  Since the Jazz couldn’t do that, at the very least they should have put in Price or Gaines to guard some of those smaller faster guys.  But, Sloan couldn’t be bothered by such things and remained his old stubborn ass-self.

Fesenko missed yet another game for the most BS reason: sore throat and migraines.  I cannot count how many games he has missed for ingrown hairs, tummy aches, sore throats, headaches, and who the hell knows what else!  Can you not give the kid some pills?  Some Halls lozenges and and a freakin’ oxycotin would have solved his problems tonight!  Why do I get the feeling that all his “injuries” are just synonyms for “hangover.”  Give me a break!

Why, in the name of all that is holy, can Kyle Korver not dribble a basketball?  He knows he’s a professional basketball player right?  He can only catch and shoot?  The only times I’ve seen him catch and then do something else, it either ends up in a travel or 3 or 4 dribbles and then an awkward pass.  If he worked on the rest of his game as much as he works on his shooting he’d be incredible.  But no, apparently he is fine NOT expanding his game.

Why can Ronnie Price NOT shoot the basketball well?  He, amazingly, went 4 for 6 tonight from the field but on the season he’s putting up an incredible 29% from 3 point range and under 40% from the field.

Ugh, just 3 games remain, and 2 on the road.  The Hornets are up next.  Thankfully, they’ve been a train wreck lately and Chris Paul is out for the rest of the season with a mysterious thumb injury.  However, that sounds like just the recipe for the Jazz to not show up again and lose to a bad Hornets team.

Ok, my rant is done.  I love the Jazz but can’t stand it when there is a lack of effort.  If you just get outplayed by a better team, that’s another story.  Sadly, this was not the case tonight.

Jazz squeak by Thunder in OT for #2 in the West – 4/6/10

// April 7th, 2010 // No Comments » // Game Summary

Ok, let’s get this out of the way.  Kevin Durant is a pretty good basketball player.  What…that’s it.  Was there something else?

Seriously though, I’ve been saying this since the beginning of the 2008-2009 season.  Kevin Durant will be as good or better than Kobe Bryant. Last night was evidence that he is so very close to that point already.  Did I mention that he is 21 years old.

Oh, and yeah, he got fouled on that 3 point shot last night.  Tough cookies OKC.  Remember when we played you on New Years’ Eve and Paul Millsap got called for breathing on Nick Collison and he sunk 2 free throws that won the game for you guys?  Karma comes around.

I saw some interesting Tweets about that last shot that are worth sharing:

@KelubOnSports Keep in mind, the Jazz lost a CHAMPIONSHIP because refs don’t call fouls at the end of big games.

@johnhollinger Note to Kevin Garnett: Michael Jordan gets that call.

In a way, Michael Jordan DID get that call because he wasn’t whistled for an offensive foul against Bryon Russell.

Anyways, what a thrilling game!  The final score was 140-139.  The score of that New Year’s Eve game was 87-86.  Quite the different game.

A career high of 42 points from Deron Williams and 45 points from Kevin Durant made sure that the score would be run up.

Even in the 1st quarter, DWill had a chip on his shoulder that said, “there is no way that I’ll let my team lose this game.”  He didn’t.

Williams only had one turnover which came in the last minute or so when his pass was stolen and returned for an easy layup and you could see that DWill was kicking himself for it.  He missed a potential game-winning shot with just a couple seconds left at the end of regulation and when he had the chance again in OT he wasn’t going to miss again.

Boozer couldn’t find rhythm in the first half but someone finished very well with 28 points, 15 rebounds, 5 assists (including the one to the game-winner), 2 steals, and no fouls. Couldn’t believe he didn’t foul anyone ever.  It might have something to do with Collison and Kristic being semi non-factors on offense.

I kept feeling like Boozer should have dominated the Thunder’s frontcourt but Nick Collison’s defense is not to be underrated.  He didn’t shut Booze down completely but I was surprised and his effectiveness.

My love-hate relationship with CJ Miles found plenty of ammunition for both sides towards CJ’s performance in this game.  He was virtually invisible for the 1st half.  He contributed more in the 2nd but also hurt the Jazz more as well.  He shot only 42% from the field but one was a big 3 pointer in the final minutes of the game.  4 turnovers added some pain.  Oh, and don’t forget about fouling Durant on the last play of the game and receiving a gift from the basketball gods by not getting called for the foul.

What’s tough is this is the first game of a back-to-back for the Jazz and after playing SO hard they face the Rockets less than 24 hours after finishing this game.  AND, everyone pushed themselves so hard (especially Deron Williams) combined with arriving in the middle of the night in Houston, this next game will be tough…to say the least.