First let's be frank. The Utah Jazz are decimated by injuries right now. No Mehmet Okur for the rest of Game 1, and no Andrei Kirilenko. With that being said, the Utah Jazz are in serious trouble. It might be a miracle if the Jazz can take this series to six games, and a flat out miracle if they somehow win this series. It seems like we are seeing the record go round and round and it all starts at the top, Jerry Sloan. I had the Jazz losing in six games in this series but a text message from Ike "The Slinky" Tingey saying the Jazz will win one game is looking more realistic.
I talked with co-workers today before the game that I wouldn't be surprised if Carmelo Anthony went off for 40 tonight, there reply? "No way." Well there's a minute left in the game right now and Melo has over 40. The Jazz have no answer for Carmelo Anthony, with respect to the Jazz though, not a lot of teams do. With that being said, Jerry Sloan threw two different looks at Melo, CJ Miles (I cringed writing that) and a zone defense. A guy like Anthony needs multiple looks thrown at him all game long. As much as I hate to say it, Matt Harping used to frustrate the hell out of Melo. Go look at coaches like Popovich and Jackson, they all throw multiple looks at him. Rarely do you see the Spurs or Lakers give up 40 to one guy, for the Jazz it seems like a nightly issue. Do I think Kirilenko could have done a better job tonight? I'm sure of it. Do I still think Melo would have gone off tonight? I am sure of it.
Didn't the Nuggets look more physical tonight? All night Kenyon Martin, Nene, and Birdman crashed the boards. Rarely this season have I seen our bigs play physical with other teams except for Millsap. The only problem is that Millsap can barely go on the rides at Lagoon because of his height. It seem the Nuggets got to every lose ball tonight.
Have I mentioned the Jazz's defense is how Sam Cassel looks, ugly. I don't think I've ever seen a team with such lapses defensively, the Nuggets put on a layup clinic in the 2nd half. Nene had position all night on Boozer, Melo was taking CJ and Wes out to the woodshed, JR Smith, Chauncey Billups, and the guy selling popcorn in the stands had open looks from 3 all night. Sloan has this thing where he likes to double every guy that touches it in the post. One problem, when Birdman, Nene, and Kenyon Martin get the ball in the post YOU DON'T DOUBLE THEM!!!! I swear my hair goes grey when I see our guards come down and double Chris Anderson. I honestly think if Sean Hartley was in the post, Jerry Sloan would double him. It's baffling to be honest. If history serves us right, Sloan will never change his strategy.
I felt bad for the Jazz tonight, they are basically playing with 8 guys on their bench. Kosta Koufous shouldn't even be in the arena, Sundiata Gaines was a one game hero, and Fesenko hasn't played at all because Sloan hates him. I really am cheering for the Jazz, I love the Jazz, but I'm also realistic. If the Jazz win six games this series, it's nothing short of a miracle.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteCarmello was unstoppable tonight but don't blame it on Sloan. He had Miles, Matthews and the zone D against him but nothing worked. Who else do you want to guard him? Korver or Jeffers? Come on dude, we don't have an answer for him in this series but that is not Sloan's fault. I agree with a lot of what you said about the Jazz chances in this series and really don't think we have a great chance to win. But to say it all starts with Sloan is ridiculous. He is a hall of fame coach and right now with our injuries we have no one else to guard Carmello other than Matthews and Miles. By the way your last line is true, if the Jazz win six games in this series it is a miracle, because it only takes four wins to advance.
ReplyDeleteCarmello was unstoppable tonight but don't blame it on Sloan. He had Miles, Matthews and the zone D against him but nothing worked. Who else do you want to guard him? Korver or Jeffers? Come on dude, we don't have an answer for him in this series but that is not Sloan's fault. I agree with a lot of what you said about the Jazz chances in this series and really don't think we have a great chance to win. But to say it all starts with Sloan is ridiculous. He is a hall of fame coach and right now with our injuries we have no one else to guard Carmello other than Matthews and Miles. By the way your last line is true, if the Jazz win six games in this series it is a miracle, because it only takes four wins to advance.
ReplyDeleteThe Jazz will get swept. Until they get an athletic big, and as you said (something I have said all year) stop double teaming everyone with the ball, a championship will never come to Utah.
ReplyDeleteSorry Mike, I meant to say if the series reaches six games (gimme a break it's late)
ReplyDeleteTaking out the Melo equation because we don't have anyone to guard him. Why double everyone in the post? Why leave JR Smith, Aaron Afflalo, and Chauncey Billups bomb wide open 3's? Jerry Sloan's strategy has stayed the same since 1988, the only problem is that the league has amazing shooters. I mean, we are in a league where 7 footers are now bombing three's to where when he started that was so unheard of. Sloan has been unable to adapt his defensive strategies for today's game. Look at guys that have gone off on us. Goran Dragic, Linas Kleiza and so on have all had career high's in points and 3 pointer's made. I'd bet Mike that if you were on the wing playing against the Jazz that you'd be able to hit atleast 5 three pointers wide open. Teams like Phoenix, Golden State, Orlando all lick their chops when they come play us. You're right to put it all on Sloan is not right, but until he changes up his defensive strategies, they won't contend for a title. A buddy of mine made a comment that is so true about the Suns game on Wednesday. On a fast break, the Jazz got back in the paint defensively but against the Suns, why do that? They are all shooters except Stoudemire. Jared Dudley is in the top 5 in three point percentage and we leave him wide open in the transition game. I appreciate your insight, I agree with you to a point.