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Emptin’ the Noggin after the Jazz lost to the Clippers
David Locke - February 2nd, 2012
Tags: Locked on Jazz
Emptying the Noggin
· The same things that have been winning games for the Jazz kept them in the game tonight. However, Chris Paul was too good. He scored 11 of the Clippers final 13 points until the free throw fest. He is remarkable.
· They got the game to become a grinder and tough fight. That is a huge step to be able to dictate the way the game is played. The Jazz are playing hard and they are playing right and they are able to control the game that is a big deal against a team that good.
· This game was very similar to Portland for the 2nd half but the Clippers had a star to win it and the Blazers didn’t,
· The play of the night may have been the Chris Paul coming in from out of bounds to grab the rebound after inbounding with .6 seconds on the shot clock
· I went crazy on the Blake Griffin flop. No question he flopped but Millsap also committed an offensive foul. He drove his shoulder into the chest of Blake thinking Blake would hold strong and he didn’t. Paul is having a hard time figuring out what his go to move is in the post late in a game. Against Toronto he tried to put it on the floor and turned it over twice, then v. Portland he turned it over once and then had an amazing play where he started baseline and came back middle. He is not getting anywhere with his dribble right now. Watch how rarely he is in a better position to shot after he makes his move than he was when he started.
· Al Jefferson is getting better every game. It is really amazing to see. He has become a willing passer. When he holds the ball it seems strange. He is re-posting. He was very good tonight. Defensively, it has been some time since I thought he was a liability.
· The goal for Derrick Favors is to be ready by the end of the year to dominate a quarter. Tonight he came awfully close. It was by far the best offensive game we have seen out of Favors. He made quick decisions. He asserted himself. He was decisive. Ron Boone shared during the broadcast that at shootaround today Tyrone Corbin had a lengthy conversation with Favors about his offense and how to improve and we saw that tonight.
· I was very impressed with a defensive sequence late in the 3rd quarter by Enes Kanter. He slide out on two pick and rolls and defended the ball handler forcing them to give the ball up. He looked more confident tonight on the floor following his performance v. Portland.
· Gordon Hayward may have been the one who changed the game. He got into with Mo Williams and didn’t back down at all in fact he was the one that got the next call. It has become my favorite part of every night when the opponent tries to punk Gordon or take him one and one and they never succeed. It is comical. It pisses Gordon off everyone shots at him and he keeps fired up.
· Tyrone put Gordon Hayward on Chris Paul late and Gordon did a great job on him. He used his length to be able to cut off the drive and then was still able to contest the jumper. Chris Paul just nailed a tough shot.
· Earl Watson injury sucks
· The offense has to find a way to get better. The Jazz shot 5 of 21 in the 3rd and until hitting the two late threes were just 4 of 14 in the 4th quarter. We are not a jump shooting team and so it has to be off crips execution and cuts. This is a tough way to live and it is going to be for most of the season.
· Since coming back from injury Josh Howard has stopped going to the free throw line, he is not an effective offensive player without going to the line
· Defensive rebounding was an issue tonight allowing 12 offensive rebounds in 40 chances. 30% is too much . League average is 26%.
· Devin Harris didn’t take a shot in the entire 4th quarter. We need some play making offensively.
Tough loss but the progress is still taking place and they are playing super hard and tough