Beat the Blazers

[OregonDucks]

Big game tonight Jazz fans. Although I root for Portland, their playoff hopes are dead and Utah's is hanging on the line, anyone,. ANYONE but Lakers. You gotta win tonight to take back that 8th spot!

GO UTAH

 

[MHSL82]

Thanks, OD. BECAUSE I HAVE NO INFLUENCE ON THE GAME, I am a bit torn on what I want to happen in regard to us making the playoffs. If I were a player or coach, there'd be no question. I have never felt this way, even last year, but I feel this year is hopeless. I don't see a point. We'd get some experience but that was what last year was for and we will be replacing many of our players. I'd rather have the lottery draft pick... but I say I'm torn because I don't want them to lose any game. So, I will root for them to win and just see what happens. I would like to see more games, so playoffs would be a good thing.

If this were like the NFL where the worst gets the highest pick and so on, screw it, I want the playoffs. We're too good to get that great of a pick if that were the method. But when 9th place in the conference could, in a long-shot, equal first overall pick or close, then it gets tempting. In a way, I dislike this arrangement because it puts the interests in cloudy waters.

BTW, I would HATE if any player or coach or GMer, tanked like the Spurs did. I don't care for any argument against that, they tanked to get Duncan. No one will ever convince me otherwise.

 

[nuraman00]

I think these next two games upcoming soon against Portland will be a road-road split.

 

[OregonDucks]

I understand where you are coming from as far as either be the 8th seed and bumped in Rd 1. or get a shot at a decent lottery pick. But think of it this way. Wouldn't it be GREAT to knock the Lakers out of the playoffs???? That is something to hang your hat on.

Also, maybe Utah makes playoffs are looks to build team from trades and FA? IF they got the cash for it. But as Utah is a young team the extra playoff experience would be great for the young guys.

 

[MHSL82]

I understand where you are coming from as far as either be the 8th seed and bumped in Rd 1. or get a shot at a decent lottery pick. But think of it this way. Wouldn't it be GREAT to knock the Lakers out of the playoffs???? That is something to hang your hat on.

Also, maybe Utah makes playoffs are looks to build team from trades and FA? IF they got the cash for it. But as Utah is a young team the extra playoff experience would be great for the young guys.

True, I may be just being impatient. It just didn't seem they learned anything from last year's first round out and many of them will not be here next year. But I'm not a big college basketball or draft guy, so I don't know if there is that great guy out there. Plus, the Jazz would have to do other stuff to keep him or else we get another Deron Williams pouter. DW was good but when we were struggling, he didn't get better or get others going, he pouted, making threats of not resigning, going against Sloan, and eventually being traded because it was clear he wasn't going to sign and we wanted something from someone who was being difficult. I understand his reasons but he flatlined, to me. And now, he's gotten worse, some due to injury and surrounding cast. Then, he says later he liked our offense here to get Avery fired...

 

[OregonDucks]

True, I may be just being impatient. It just didn't seem they learned anything from last year's first round out and many of them will not be here next year. But I'm not a big college basketball or draft guy, so I don't know if there is that great guy out there. Plus, the Jazz would have to do other stuff to keep him or else we get another Deron Williams pouter. DW was good but when we were struggling, he didn't get better or get others going, he pouted, making threats of not resigning, going against Sloan, and eventually being traded because it was clear he wasn't going to sign and we wanted something from someone who was being difficult. I understand his reasons but he flatlined, to me. And now, he's gotten worse, some due to injury and surrounding cast. Then, he says later he liked our offense here to get Avery fired...

Well at least you guys can make the playoffs with your "young" team...That is all we hear around up here. Is how "young" the Blazers are. Seems like this Blazer team has been young for 8 years. That is the excuse every year and the excuse for not making the playoffs.

 

[nuraman00]

True, I may be just being impatient. It just didn't seem they learned anything from last year's first round out and many of them will not be here next year. But I'm not a big college basketball or draft guy, so I don't know if there is that great guy out there. Plus, the Jazz would have to do other stuff to keep him or else we get another Deron Williams pouter. DW was good but when we were struggling, he didn't get better or get others going, he pouted, making threats of not resigning, going against Sloan, and eventually being traded because it was clear he wasn't going to sign and we wanted something from someone who was being difficult. I understand his reasons but he flatlined, to me. And now, he's gotten worse, some due to injury and surrounding cast. Then, he says later he liked our offense here to get Avery fired...

Avery got himself fired by not keeping Reggie Evans in the lineup. Look at the # of games that Reggie started under Johnson, then when Carlesimo started him. Johnson started Reggie briefly but went away from Reggie. Boom, he's fired.

The difference for the Nets has been a large part due to Reggie. Brook isn't a good rebounder nor defensive player, so starting Reggie who's a great rebounder and ok defensive player compliments the frontcourt well.

The Nets are 28-18 when Reggie starts, and 14-10 without.

(Ok those records are pretty close, in terms of %, but I think they're better).



As soon as Carlesimo took over, he started and kept Reggie in the lineup.

The PG hasn't been as much of a factor as Reggie Evans in determining the Nets success.

 

[nuraman00]

Well at least you guys can make the playoffs with your "young" team...That is all we hear around up here. Is how "young" the Blazers are. Seems like this Blazer team has been young for 8 years. That is the excuse every year and the excuse for not making the playoffs.

I agree, they're not that young. Aldridge has been around. Plus the past few years, older guys like Camby, Przybilla, and Miller were also key members who were older.

 

[Sackataters]

Do my eyes deceive me or did Tye start Al and Derrick to start the third????

 

[nuraman00]

In a matchup of two teams that struggle with defense, the disadvantage seems to go to the team with Hickson and Lillard (small), instead of Jefferson, Millsap, and Williams.

 

[nuraman00]

Do my eyes deceive me or did Tye start Al and Derrick to start the third????

Corbin had a religious awakening during Good Friday.

 

[Sackataters]

Corbin had a religious awakening during Good Friday.

I hope it was a Jerry Sloan fist up the ass

 

[Sackataters]

A win would be huge. Tye says timeout.

 

[Sackataters]

Al forces a turnover ....shite, Paul is back in

 

[Sackataters]

Hayward too streaky on the road

 

[Sackataters]

Did D dissolve when Paul came in???

 

[Sackataters]

Great passing there !

 

[Sackataters]

Mo actually a factor tonight

 

[Sackataters]

Jazz look better overall WITH Favors, regardless if with Al or Paul.

 

[Sackataters]

Millsap 4 fouls though. Favors a foul prone player. Could they even stay on the court if played as starters together?