GVC
Well-Known Member
Did you miss Al's defense tonight? Maybe his worst performance all year. And Favors went for 8, 9 and 2 in 15 minutes, without having plays run for him. It's hard to score when you don't have the ball.
Game Thread: Utah Jazz Vs. Phoenix Suns April 4th @ 7:00 PM
- Thread starter GoJazz
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Brown Notes
Well-Known Member
I agree Al had a poor game. But if Favors can't beat Robin he won't be effective vs Gortat. Better against PnR obviously but then again the Suns didn't hit shots late in the 4th till Nash's two clutch ones.
It's frustrating and Al wasn't good but it is not a clear and obvious conclusion that Favors would have won the game for us. If Favors had been owning all over the place playing against Robin or even if he just forced Gortat back on the court I'd be with you.
GVC
Well-Known Member
So Favors has to be dominant to deserve more than 15 minutes, but Al can **** the bed all game and deserve 37? Foolish.
What more could Favors have done with the opportunities he was given? Again, you can't score without the ball in your hands. With all that said, his defense alone makes up for any offensive shortcomings (and Al was nothing special on O tonight). He was clearly (CLEARLY) the better option tonight, and Ty gave Al more minutes than usual. Hard to understand.
Brown Notes
Well-Known Member
My point is he couldn't outplay Robin Lopez at the 5. If he's in there against Gortat he probably gets bullied under the basket and commits fouls. JMO. Jefferson sucks almost all the time vs PnR but he can at least keep these huge dudes out from under the rim. Pick your poison.
Now, Gortat also did a really great job denying AJ the ball in the 4th. So to me it's kind of a wash. Maybe Favors could have won us the game closing, but I don't think it's cut and dry obvious as you are making it out to be. A big reason Favors didn't have big minutes was Sap's huge game. Maybe going big was the answer, but I don't know if that works with Favors out covering a 3pt shooter.
Now, Gortat also did a really great job denying AJ the ball in the 4th. So to me it's kind of a wash. Maybe Favors could have won us the game closing, but I don't think it's cut and dry obvious as you are making it out to be. A big reason Favors didn't have big minutes was Sap's huge game. Maybe going big was the answer, but I don't know if that works with Favors out covering a 3pt shooter.
GVC
Well-Known Member
Uh, how so? Lopez was 1-5 tonight. Favors DID outplay him by a wide margin. Were you watching some other game?
Brown Notes
Well-Known Member
He couldn't force Gortat back on the court. Robin had a good game too. I suppose you were in the bathroom for all those blocks, boards and FTs. I don't know how much you watch the great Robin Lopez but I would personally not expect this good a game from him especially playing against talent like Kanter and Favors.
Yes, I would expect Favors to dominate Lopez. Since he didn't I do not expect he would have done better vs Gortat.
Yes, I would expect Favors to dominate Lopez. Since he didn't I do not expect he would have done better vs Gortat.
D
Deleted member 365
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Brown notes... Just stop... You're digging a deeper hole...
Jefferson's defense tonight was Boozerisk... It was... mind... Bogglingly... Horrible...
However, this entire team's energy level and intensity was missing. Anyone catch the two games on ESPN tonight? They had playoff physicality, energy, and intensity. Both games had techs, players getting into each others faces, hard fouls, and emotion.
Tonight's game looked like an exhibition for the most part. In fact, I haven't seen this Jazz team play with much intensity SINCE that 4 OT loss to Atlanta.
Of course, that's just my opinion.... But I think this team is either:
A. Running out of gas. Their lack of consistent PG and wing play is taking its toll.
B. Mentally weak. Tonight, they needed to come out like bats out of hell. They showed up in tuxedos.
You never can outscore Nash and his Suns... The only way you beat the Suns, is to beat the hell out of them.
Jefferson's defense tonight was Boozerisk... It was... mind... Bogglingly... Horrible...
However, this entire team's energy level and intensity was missing. Anyone catch the two games on ESPN tonight? They had playoff physicality, energy, and intensity. Both games had techs, players getting into each others faces, hard fouls, and emotion.
Tonight's game looked like an exhibition for the most part. In fact, I haven't seen this Jazz team play with much intensity SINCE that 4 OT loss to Atlanta.
Of course, that's just my opinion.... But I think this team is either:
A. Running out of gas. Their lack of consistent PG and wing play is taking its toll.
B. Mentally weak. Tonight, they needed to come out like bats out of hell. They showed up in tuxedos.
You never can outscore Nash and his Suns... The only way you beat the Suns, is to beat the hell out of them.
GVC
Well-Known Member
You realize Favors was only matched up against Lopez for a grand total of 2:22, right? Lopez was 0-1 with a foul over that period.
The rest of the game Lopez was matched up against Kanter and (gasp) Al. One each of his O-boards came matched up against Kanter and Al. The 3 shooting fouls he drew were called on Kanter, Burks and CJ. Only 1 of his blocks was on Derrick.
And this is ignoring how irrelevant the point you're making is. Al didn't outplay Steve Nash. He didn't outplay Michael Redd either. Most importantly, he didn't outplay Derrick Favors.
Do you really think the Jazz's chances at winning that game would have been lower had Favors been given 5-10 of Al's minutes?
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Stifle Tower
Punch Bowl Re-Filler
Brown Notes
Well-Known Member
This is a good post.
This team is so close to being a real competitor. Even if the team misses the POs this experience over April is almost the same thing. Not really, but close. Tonight Utah had 2 players that knew what kind of game this was and what it would take to win it, Hayward and Sap. Nobody else on the court tonight had that kind of experience. Hayward played in that champ game as a major factor and gets it. Sap's been there and was on the conference finals team. The other guys don't quit but also don't really understand that next level of competitiveness and that includes Jefferson.
This is why I said if Harris and Howard were playing Utah wins. Those guys want it.