So, I can't say I'm a big Jazz fun, but I do enjoy watching the occasional game. The team name still kills me. If you had a National survey of which states had the most ties to Jazz music or reminded you most of Jazz music, where would Utah rank?
Let me climb off of my soapbox for a minute to talk about last night's playoff loss to the Rockets. It was a late game, but it kept me up and kept me on the edge of my seat to the very end. Both teams fought hard, and it could have easily gone either way. That's what makes the playoffs great, the players actually play really hard. During the regular season, it seems like everyone is on cruise control. I just have 3 thoughts to share. I was only able to catch the fourth quarter, so they all relate to that.
1. There were 3 or 4 really horrible foul calls against us within a 30 second span at the beginning of the 4th quarter that put us in the penalty with about 9 minutes to go. The free throws added up and contributed to our losing the contest. The call against Harpring was especially puzzling due to the fact that Battier pushed off and then threw his forearm into Harpring's face.
2. Deron Williams last second shot should have been a pass. He made a great drive down the lane and drew two Rocket defenders with him. This left Carlos Boozer wide open on the other side of the basket. It would have been tough to get him the ball from where Williams was, but we've all seen him do things like that. Fake a shot then scoop it underneath to Boozer for an easy dunk. Instead, he went for a fade away layup that was blocked. He at least could have attacked the basket and drawn a foul with a chance to win on free throws. That being said, he played a great game, and hind sight is always 20-20.
3. Can we not find a better color commentator than Ron Boone? He's had 15 years or so to get acclimated to his job, and I think it's clear he's not improving. Everything that came out of his mouth was either extremely obvious or completely wrong. "The Jazz need a stop here," Boone says as the Rockets bring the ball upcourt with a 4 point lead and 38 seconds on the clock. Ya think? Ron, your job is to tell us how the Jazz should tactically go about getting the stop that everybody knows we need. After the Jazz lose, "This gives the Rockets home court advantage." No it doesn't. The Jazz won two games in Houston, meaning that if the Jazz win their remaining two home games, they win the series. Houston will have to win another game in Utah as well as both their games at home to win the series. So, let's review - who has home court advantage for the remainder of the series? Surely there's a former player or coach that we can convince to take part in our broadcasts that can add some real insight, isn't there?
3 comments:
That game last night about shattered me. Those two three pointers in the closing seconds made me scream out loud (as Hallie was trying to sleep) and then boy was I let down.
If Williams could have pulled off that pass you hypothesized about I would have been surprised. But what surprised me even more was why he did drove straight toward the basket and then ran away from it for the fade away jumper???????? Like you said, he could have easily drawn the fowl by going straight to the basket and then won the game on the free throw line.
This game was definitely lost on the Jazz's free throw line. No question about it. I can only imagine the lecture/beating they got from Sloan after the game-and rightly deserved.
With all that being said, at least we're not relying on Malone and Stockton anymore. Those were glorious days, but I think they hurt the team a lot. This is the most well-rounded and talented Jazz team I can ever recall seeing. And if they can pull things together, tighten their game and play hard, I think they have a real shot this year.
Loved your post.
...maybe the team name should be The Utah Saltzz
I'm a somewhat reluctant Jazz fan (and a great disappointment to my housemates) but I get really excited about the Playoffs, too.
I'm sure Ryan and Christian will enjoy reading this post!
I don't know if you've ever heard the replay, but there was one time that John Madden was asked by his co-commentator, "Why do you think the ___'s won tonight John?" "Well Jim (or whatever his name was) I think it's because they scored more points."
Seriously, who hired these people?
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