Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Draft Money

It's awesome that the Jazz possess the Knicks pick and we can enjoy the fruits of pursuing a playoff run while also looking forward to the reward of having a high lottery pick (due to someone else's agony). Truth be told, however, I don't think our 2010 Knicks pick will be an all-star caliber player... unless we somehow win the lottery. The top 2 picks, Wall and Turner, will be surefire All-stars. The next three players (Cousins, Favors, and Johnson) could become potential All-stars. And yet, the next tier of players from #6 to the back end of the lottery will produce a combination (or "hodge-podge") of solid role players, European unknowns, and boom-or-bust projects. That's indeed probably what we'll get... Aminu, Aldrich, Monroe, or Patterson? Solid role players. Jan Veseley? Donatas Motiejunas? Perhaps the second coming of Andrea Bargnani or Nicolas Tskitishvili. What about Hassan Whiteside? Perhaps it might be safer to go with the Cinderella sweetheart of the SLC regional, Gordon Hayward from Butler. My point is... we may not be getting a great pick afterall. On another note, at least we have Boozer to provide us with some good reading material. Booz to the Knicks? Well, if they have cash money, then there's always a chance Boozer will be seriously interested. That's news to me! Thanks Booz. Thanks Knicks.

Monday, March 29, 2010

So Hot Right Now


Kyle Korver is so hot right now. He's always had that sort of appeal off the floor, but now on it, he's shooting 56% from three-point range for the season. That's pretty incredible.
I just wonder if the Jazz will bring back Kyle Korver for next season. He's a one-trick pony... but he offers an essential trick to a team that desperately needs his skill. I suppose just based off of fan appeal and jerseys sold, Korver could probably justify his return regardless of his on-court performance. I don't think both he AND Boozer will be back though. That would be too much of a salary commitment. So we'll have to see what happens this summer. I can't imagine Korver NOT playing in a Jazz jersey.

Sunday, March 28, 2010

The Final Countdown

The Jazz are coming to the finish line of the NBA regular season, and eight games remain on the schedule. We're currently sitting pretty good in 4th place, tied with Denver for 3rd, but losing out on the head-to-head tie-breaker. I believe we have an opportunity to surpass Denver down the stretch and give a good run to Dallas. Here's the remaining schedule to the Jazz season...

New York
Golden State
@ LA Lakers
Oklahoma City
@ Houston
@ New Orleans
@ Golden State
Phoenix

Of these eight games, I believe we'll win 5 and lose 3. The home games ought to be automatic, especially considering the teams we'll be playing. Road games versus LA, Houston, New Orleans, and even Golden State could be difficult and tricky. Denver has nine games to play and seven of those games appear to be challenging. In like manner, Dallas has nine games remaining and five of them could be difficult. It's quite possible for the Jazz to place 3rd and even battle for 2nd. If that's the case... We've got to stop losing to teams like Indiana! Let the countdown to the NBA Playoffs begin... 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Sweet 13

I got to attend the Jazz versus the Celtics game last night. It was a tale of two halves with the Jazz prevailing by 13 points in the second half. It was exciting to see the Jazz play an intense 2nd half to finish off the Celtics. Here were my 13 observations for the night...
1. It's amazing how good the Jazz can be when they get balanced scoring from multiple scoring options. DWill, Boozer, Memo, and Miles were all terrific.
2. For as much criticism as CJ receives from fans, he was actually awesome last night. CJ is starting to play some great basketball, with consistency. He has benefited the most from the Ronnie Brewer trade (and AK injury).
3. Deron Williams has a knack for taking over games. When he's playing well, he's virtually unstoppable to contain. The 3rd quarter was explosive.
4. Kosta Koufos played some important minutes. He had 4 points and 3 boards. I believe he'll eventually be a solid contributor for us.
5. We miss the versatility of AK47. He brings another dimension to the game.
6. Our bench is especially light right now. The Jazz are only a couple of guys away from seeing Othyus Jeffers playing significant minutes.
7. Memo for 3! Boozer block and fast-break stuff!
8. The Celtics aren't the same anymore. They're getting older and more broken down.
9. Michael Finley... the Jazz destroyer. Only the Jazz can make a 50-year vet like Michael Finley look good.
10. It's an absolute joy to watch Wes Matthews play. He brings the hustle, defense, and intensity to the game.
11. Othyus and Sundiata!... Let's give the D-Leaguers some mop-up duty.
12. See ya later, Doc.
13. High fives and finger points all around. I had some great seats last night close to our most passionate fans.

Sunday, March 14, 2010

29

Shorthanded and only playing 8 guys, the Jazz made the most of their game against the Thunder, and unfortunately, came up short and lost 119-111. However, the silver lining was the play of Deron Williams and Wesley Matthews. Sometimes we come to expect DWill to go "off" for 27 point games and 14 assists. However, when Wes Matthews does it... It's a whole different story! Check out his line... 29 points on 9-11 shooting and 6 three-pointers. Wow! This guy is an undrafted rookie. It's no wonder we got rid of Ronnie Brewer.

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Let The Games Begin!


Get your brackets ready! The NCAA tournament is just around the corner, and March Madness is officially upon us. I've enjoyed watching the conference tournaments this week. They've been full of upsets, buzzer beaters, and cinderellas. The greatest part of the upcoming tourney is we all know that heros and superstars will be born during these forthcoming weeks. And even better, as a Jazz fan, I can only watch intently to witness these college stars perform on the greatest stage and know that one of them will eventually be playing for us. Keep on losing, Knicks!

If I were to make a Top 5 "tourney-watch" list, it would look something like this...

1. Evan Turner, Ohio State
The consensus #2 pick in this summer's NBA Draft, Turner will soon be nominated as the college player of the year. He's led Ohio State to a terrific season. The Buckeyes will be on the look-out for a Final Four appearance with Turner leading the way.
2. John Wall, Kentucky
As a true freshman, Wall has guided Kentucky to the #1 seed. We'll see if Wall can carry the Wildcats on his back to the promised land, similar to how Derrick Rose did for Memphis.
3. Wes Johnson, Syracuse
Syracuse could be a force in large part because of Wesley Johnson. Like Carmelo Anthony, one shining moment could be in his future. He's an incredible athlete and shooter, very reminiscent of Danny Granger.
4. Cole Aldrich, Kansas
Aldrich will be controling the paint for the best team in the country. His defense is makes Kansas tough inside. If there was a team expected to win the champioship, it'd be Kansas.
5. Greg Monroe, Georgetown
The versatile forward is playing some incredible ball during the tourney season. He's the best passing big-man I've seen in a long time. Bogut-esque.

NBA Draft BIG Board (Hopefully we'll be drafting within the Top 8):
1. John Wall, PG
2. Evan Turner, SG
3. DeMarcus Cousins, PF/C
4. Derrick Favors, PF
5. Wesley Johnson, SF
6. Al-Farouq Aminu, PF/SF
7. Greg Monroe, PF
8. Cole Aldrich, C

Sleeper:
The one you won't be able to see during the tournament is Hassan Whiteside from Marshall. The freshman is leaping the board. Soon we'll see him inside the Top 8 (I watched him versus Jerome Jordan of Tulsa). Young and athletic... Is he a young Marcus Camby or a project, Javale McGee?
Go Cuse!

Friday, March 12, 2010

Whaley Arrrested in Salt Lake County

This is the best news I have heard in a while. So Robert Whaley (former 2005 Jazz star) was arrested last night at 4:30 am in Salt Lake City, and the police found marijuana "between his buttocks."

I bet that would make for some good smoking!

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Kyrylo Fesenko & Chuck Norris



Ross Siler of the Salt Lake Tribune has done an excellent series of a day in the life of a Jazz beat reporter.

The highlight for me was a Chuck Norris joke that Fesenko told Siler:

"Amazing Chuck?" Fesenko said. "Haven't you heard the jokes? He uppercut a horse and that's how a giraffe was made."

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Driven


Available only at your local Deseret Book starting May 1st.

Monday, March 8, 2010

Koufos to D-League


The Jazz have re-assigned Kosta Koufos to play in the D-League. Koufos has sat the bench virtually the entire season and hasn't gotten much chance to play this season. Kyrylo Fesenko has taken whatever remaining minutes have been given to the center position, and has left Koufos as the third-center on the team.
I think it's a great decision to move Koufos to the D-League. You can't improve your game unless you play in games! Sometimes, the waiting process is proof that a player should have stayed in college to improve his game before declaring for the draft and sitting on the bench in the NBA. It may not seem fair, but Koufos needs to prove himself. I'm still unsure whether Koufos will make it in the NBA. Maybe the D-League will offer him the chance to increase his confidence and improve his game. We ought to be able to use him in the future.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Othyus!

The pride of Robert Morris University and the NAIA, Othyus Jeffers has signed a 10-day contract to be with the Utah Jazz. Welcome to the team, Othyus! With a name like his, Jeffers must be ready for NBA super-stardom.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

The Lovable Losers


The Jazz have fallen into the trap of losing to the bad teams and winning against the good teams. For some reason, we have trouble playing against the lovable losers. First, it was the Kings on Friday. Now it was a loss to the Clippers last night. Somewhere in between, we played a glorious game against the Rockets, absolutely dismantling Houston with an offensive explosion. What then happened to us?
Something is wrong with Deron Williams. As great as he is, he hasn't played a consistent game for awhile. Bigger and stronger opponents have given him fits. Tyreke Evans had his way against him on Friday night, scoring 22 and dishing out 7. Deron only managed 10 with 13. Evan's length and strength were huge disrupters to him. Again last night, Baron Davis had a terrific game. While... Deron couldn't seem to find his rhythm, as evidenced by his late game miscues. Somewhere in between though, Deron exploded for 35 against Houston, displaying an unmatched arsenal of shots and scores that completely overwhelmed the Rockets. Smaller and lighter Aaron Brooks really had no chance. Deron blew up for 20 points in the first quarter alone. It's just too bad that the Jazz can't balance out the inconsistencies of our Star. As Deron goes... so go the Jazz. Hopefully the Jazz can get things back together. We can't afford to continue our losing ways against the lovable losers.