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Jazz Bags - Post Game Thoughts and Notes 1-28-12
Ben Bagley - January 28th, 2012
Tags: Jazz, Pro, NBA, Basketball, Bags and Parks
Jimmer!
I get the excitement surrounding Jimmer, I do. And I always hesitate to tell fans how to act or what to feel (except when it comes to rushing the field), but tonight was bizarre in so many ways.
Every time Jimmer touched the ball he was cheered and booed at the same time (more cheers). But in the 4th quarter after Isaiah Thomas had almost single handedly brought the Kings back into the game fans began to chant “We want Jimmer” in the closing minutes of the game.
I get it, you came to see your college hero, the phenom who captivated college basketball last year and that’s fine, but Jimmer doesn’t deserve that. The “We want ____” chant has always been reserved for the 13th guy on the bench in a college basketball game. That’s not Jimmer! That’s a slight to Jimmer.
Hayward Gets Confident
I spoke with Gordon Hayward after the Toronto loss about his confidence and how he could increase it. I don’t know what happed between that night and this, but he had it in spades tonight.
It was obvious from the beginning. In one of the first possessions of the game, Hayward misfired on a three point shot and the Jazz got the offensive rebound. The ball found it’s way back to Gordon and with out hesitation he fires again. (At this point I really didn’t care if it went in or not, just Gordon quickly firing was a good sign in my book.) Bang, three is good and Hayward is on his way to a 21 point performance.
If Hayward has indeed found his confidence this is outstanding for this team because……
Good Things From Wings
It’s a fact that Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson will not be able to carry this team every night. Tonight was one of those night. Some of this is because it’s got to be exhausting to do it night in and night out. Millsap for example has played 115 minutes in the last 3 games, plus another 33 tonight.
I’ve said for a week that the Jazz need a perimeter player to step up and take some of the pressure off the two bigs. Tonight they had two.
Hayward stepped up early and often as mention before, but CJ also had a good night. If either of these two wings or Harris, Watson, Bell ect… can have a big night on occasion it relieves the pressure Millsap and Jefferson have on their shoulders.
Kanter and Favors Play
Numbers don’t tell the whole story here. Between Kanter and Favors there were only 12 points, and 9 rebounds about 30 minutes of play. Outside the box score, both played what I think was there best game of the season together. Both looked very comfortable and in sync with the offense and defense while on the floor. Both look like they have improved on their post moves. Both made a handful of fantastic plays. Both gave us a glimpse of how bright the future might be with these two young bigs.
Watch the Clock
Ty Corbin has done a fantastic job early this season in watching the minutes guys were getting. Earlier this year, only Al Jefferson was averaging over 30 minutes a night. At this point in the season, Millsap has joined him in the 30+ club.
But in the last 3 games especially we are seeing minutes increase as the team has struggled to secure victories or struggled in general, and we are beginning to see it take it’s toll.
There is no proof that anything I’m about to type is fact, but it is my opinion.
As the minutes have increased for guys like Jefferson and Raja (some of the older vets) we have seen injuries pop up. Raja who has been averaging about 24 minutes this season hasn’t played less than 27 in the last 3 games, and played 38 in the loss to Toronto. After that game, Raja was covered in ice and looked uncomfortable. Tonight, Raja left the game in the first half with a strained right adductor and did not return (listed as day to day).
Al has not looked right since his ankle was inflamed.
Paul looked exhausted tonight, but battled his way to 14 rebounds (a testament to who he is as a person and a player). Yet his offensive game struggled as he was only 2 for 10.
As the Jazz begin this brutal stretch called February and March, it may be worth watching how Ty continues to manage minutes and how the team’s health responds.