Game 3: The Phoenix: Philadelphia 76ers @ Utah Jazz (12/30/11, 7pm MST)

[InGameStrategy]

Favors didn't do much to stand in his way ether

This was the drawback of being benched with fouls and starting to think that he has to let up defensively. (Heck, it worked for Boozer for years.) Hopefully Favor can figure out how to be aggressive without fouling as much, but it's helpful if Corbin lets Favors play despite the foul trouble--maybe managing the minutes to spread his play out throughout the game.

 

[Qman]

This was the drawback of being benched with fouls and starting to think that he has to let up defensively. (Heck, it worked for Boozer for years.) Hopefully Favor can figure out how to be aggressive without fouling as much, but it's helpful if Corbin lets Favors play despite the foul trouble--maybe managing the minutes to spread his play out throughout the game.

There are the right moments to strongly challenge a shot or to just keep your hands up. He is going through a learning experience.

 

[InGameStrategy]

When Kanter plays with Favors, he adds to Favors strengths ... that is a huge difference from covering for someone's weakness.

That wasn't really the case in previous games. But they played better together because Philly's 4/5 combo wasn't as tall (Brand) or strong (Hawes). If they can be effective alongside each other, then it provides more options--and makes Al less relevant (unless he steps up) ....

 

[InGameStrategy]

There are the right moments to strongly challenge a shot or to just keep your hands up. He is going through a learning experience.

True, but Corbin didn't give him enough time to do more of that in the first two games. Against the Lakers, Favors could've played more in garbage time, even though he had 4 fouls.

Against the Nuggets, he ended up with only two fouls, so foul trouble wasn't an obstacle in playing him more. And with Jefferson ending up with only 5 RBs in 30 minutes, Favors deserved some of AJ's time--if not from another source.

Sad that an injury (rather than good decisionmaking) is what caused Favors' minutes to go up, but sometimes it's better to be lucky than smart.

 

[jazzfan1971]

My .02.

I was most impressed with Kanter of all people tonight. I really focused on him when he was in the game and his basketball IQ really shined for me. He was rotating well, often times covering 2 players at once. Just smart basketball. Gives me hope for him. He's no dope out there.

 

[Stoked]

My .02.

I was most impressed with Kanter of all people tonight. I really focused on him when he was in the game and his basketball IQ really shined for me. He was rotating well, often times covering 2 players at once. Just smart basketball. Gives me hope for him. He's no dope out there.

Kanter improves just a little bit more with every game.

 

[Thee Jazz Fan]

If Harris continues to play the way he did tonight the rest of the year, we don't need to find another pg. In his post game interview Harris said something interesting. He said something like coach is trying to get me to push the ball more, but it's hard when there are no stops defensively. It's hard to push up court after a made basket. That could explain the first two games.

 

[Stoked]

I prefer a pass first PG on the Jazz and that is not Harris.

 

[TheSilencer1313]

If Harris continues to play the way he did tonight the rest of the year, we don't need to find another pg. In his post game interview Harris said something interesting. He said something like coach is trying to get me to push the ball more, but it's hard when there are no stops defensively. It's hard to push up court after a made basket. That could explain the first two games.

I agree with this......
If the Jazz continue to play defense like this, then they'll have no problem staying in games.
It's just the fact that I hope Big Al can step it up when he comes back.

 

[Nate505]

I'd love to see Harris and Al come off the bench, but in the hyper ego world of the NBA that would never happen.

 

[Thee Jazz Fan]

This was the drawback of being benched with fouls and starting to think that he has to let up defensively. (Heck, it worked for Boozer for years.) Hopefully Favor can figure out how to be aggressive without fouling as much, but it's helpful if Corbin lets Favors play despite the foul trouble--maybe managing the minutes to spread his play out throughout the game.

No excuse for that mind set with under 2 minutes left, and not in foul trouble. I hope Ty recognizes this and points it out to Favors and the rest of the team.

 

[InGameStrategy]

If Harris continues to play the way he did tonight the rest of the year, we don't need to find another pg. In his post game interview Harris said something interesting. He said something like coach is trying to get me to push the ball more, but it's hard when there are no stops defensively. It's hard to push up court after a made basket. That could explain the first two games.

Well, the scoring was great, but he did hardly anything with setting up the team. I didn't recall seeing much screening, astute passes, etc. And sure enough, Harris ends up with just 3 assists--and FOUR turnovers. Even a shoot-first PG needs to be a little more pass friendly.

Watson wasn't a great choice either, though. He played stable but lost a couple of baskets on height vs. Jrue Holliday. I would've preferred to see 6'3" Tinsley out there, especially given that Watson wasn't being outstanding in leading the offense. Did have 4 assists and only 1 TO, but if the Jazz had lost, the decision to play Watson and virtually none of Tinsley is one place that I would've pointed (along with the puzzling preservation of Bell's PT, although it did drop below 20).

Good news: no player played >26 minutes except Millsap and Favors. And Favors is just a pup lol.

Huge props to Corbin for sitting down Harris when he started to suck. That's Coaching 101.