Is this the year...

[franklin]

The problem the Jazz have is they have to get better while the Lakers don't. LA has to not get worse/old. I didn't see any of their top 6 slow down last year. I think Fisher is the best candidate for showing some age, but I didn't see it happening last year. He has kept himself in great shape, which will offset the coming decline some.

The triangle system run by 5 veterans will lift all boats. It'll be harder to pinpoint a declining player. You could make the argument that Ron Artest is going downhill, but I chalk his lower numbers up to who he's playing with. He didn't need to make 1000 dribbles and *** pumps per possession like he did on his previous two teams. Add a new system with veterans and splitting a spot with other guys and declining numbers isn't too hard to predict. @ 27 ppg last year, Kobe proved he still has it. Gasol isn't anything less than he has been in the past--just sweatier. The last hope is Odom getting mixed up in a breakup with the great white Badunkadunk.

 

[chemdude1232]

With too many elements either not playing (Deron) or not at 100% (Kobe) or playing non-representative minutes that they'd play in an actual series (all the starters on both teams basically), then this game is not an indicator for jack squat.

 

[JohnnyClutch]

At least we aren't dealing with this anymore!

 

[Purch]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoMiFlcfDi8

 

[Jazz Spazz]

We will meet the Lakers in the Conference Finals, and sweep them. Actually we will crush them in the first 3 games, and they wont even show up for the 4th game. They will send "the Machine" as their representative to let everyone know they forfeit. The big quote after game 3 will be "Fesenko, Fesenko...Fesenko, Fesenko!" Gasol will be so mad he will get a haircut, shave his beard, move back to spain, shut the door to his cave, and never be seen again.

 

[Chad Feldheimer]

Espn should have the Jazz Quest for 72 instead of Miami obviously.

 

[unluckyseventeen]

Nope. The only way we get out of the West is if somebody else beats LA, and frankly I don't see who possibly could.

 

[Harcher]

With too many elements either not playing (Deron) or not at 100% (Kobe) or playing non-representative minutes that they'd play in an actual series (all the starters on both teams basically), then this game is not an indicator for jack squat.

Actually it is more than Jack Squat. (But not much...) I think we saw that AJ is a very different player than Booze and better against Lakers. I think Fes is better this year than last. but the lakers starters are pretty darn good still. but what it did do is give me some hope... a little hope.

 

[Marty McFly]

We can definitely compete with them better than we ever have.

Jefferson is flat out better against tall/long players than Boozer is. Look at the above picture. Boozer plays 3 inches smaller than he actually is. Jefferson plays really big and isn't intimidated by length at all. Whenever Pau guarded him last night, Al wasn't phased at all. The only time Boozer could score on Pau was on the pick n' pop or if LA missed an assignment. They were NEVER easy buckets. Always jumpshots. This is a huge plus for us. Jefferson also played better D on Pau than Carlos ever has.

In CJ, Hayward, and AK we now have THREE wings who can run the offense, slash to the hoop, and shoot. They all 3 have fairly complete games except for maybe AK's shooting. Our wing rotation is more legit than ever.

With Evans we may have the next Millsap. He will totally take teams by surprise all year long, especially on the glass.

Fes is obviously progressing and while he isn't there yet he has already been making an impact in the preseason. I don't think he's ever put up multiple solid games in a row before this season. He just needs consistent minutes throughout the season -- hopefully coach Sloan doesn't quit playing him once Okur is back. That would be awful.

I'd love for them to either keep Thompson or Nichols. Nichols shooting touch would be nice.

 

[Scat]

Aye! I see your armpits and they stink!! Sadly I'll just have to take it like the bitch that I am... I can't wait to get out of the Western Conference and away from Cece!! Maybe in Chicago I can look at Howard's pits as a nice change of pace!! My name is Carlos Boozer and I am Cece's bitch... as well as any player with heart!!!

 

[jazzmanian devil]

Nope. The only way we get out of the West is if somebody else beats LA, and frankly I don't see who possibly could.

I see OKC having a shot to do that, the bad thing is that they are also very likely to be our next headache, as KD seems to have a knack on how to own us as of late.

 

[Purch]

Averaged 19\11 on 51% in 32 minutes in 2 games last year.
Averaged 27\13 on 41% in 41 minutes in 2 games the year before that. Doesn't seem to struggle at all.

And he was facing much more double teams against L.A Back then.

Jefferson's never had a problem scoring against Height just look at his 30+ games against Yao.