How good are the jazz, really?

[candrew]

If we can continue to hold our home court, then our playoff hopes depend on whether we can be these teams on the road. If so, then my 36-30 prediction looks pretty good.

I predicted 36-30 too.

I like it.

Although last night was the first time since the game in San Antonio where The Jazz looked lazy on defense. They turned up the heat when they had to; but there were very few deflections, most of the turnovers were due to offensive fouls by Cleveland and most of the 3 point attempts were uncontested. Against many teams, last night's effort would have been a loss.

The problem with many young teams is when they find out they can get by with just a "B" effort, they tend to coast with that mentality until they're shocked back into reality and get blown out by 20+. I hope that isn't the case tonight

 

[orangello]

I really like what I am seeing out of the Jazz. They have better ball movement, they are pushing the tempo even on made buckets and Jefferson is less of a black hole. All of that has me encouraged.

What concerns me is no Eric Gordon, no Andrew Bogut, no Zach Randolph, no Stephan Curry and the Cavaliers. Nuff Said.

 

[franklin]

Al Jefferson was definitely looking pass first and Millsap killed them thanks to Al. The Jazz actually looked like they had a set offense for the first time this season. Jefferson stuffed the box even better and had 3 assists to boot! I'm hopeful him looking to pass will continue opening up his inside game and increase offensive flow. Let's see how they do against a real defense though.

 

[Stoked]

They are good enough to go 6-3 with a 5 game win streak.

 

[Thee Jazz Fan]

The Jefferson I saw last night was unstoppable. I waited for the Cavs to start doubling Al every time he touched the ball, it just never happened. On the few times he was doubled he did pass out. Al isn't going to go 13 for 17 in every game but if he plays like he did last night, the Jazz will be just fine this year. This is the Al I thought we were getting last year. Anyone who thought we were getting a stud defensive player are kidding themselves, with that said he brings better interior defense then any starter we've had in at least the last 5 or so years.

Now on to something else....

The biggest grip I have about this team is they can't make a free-throw to save their lives! The Jazz have a hard enough time making 70% at the line. I don't care how hot Al and Millsap are on offense, we aren't beating the elite teams if we can't make a fee throw. Wasn't Al around 80% last year. Harris I always thought was a good not great shooter at the line, but consistent. The only guy hitting with any consistency is Howard of all people. If this team expects to make the playoffs they need to make their ft's. That might explain why all their wins are close, it's why we didn't blow out the Cavs. We should've beaten the Cavs by 15-18 points. Ft. shooting is becoming the Jazz biggest weakness.

 

[DutchJazzer]

The Jazz beat the Sixers who are the best team in the league right now probably right behind the Heat.
Other than that, there haven't been any quality wins and the wins themselves haven't had a huge point differential.

if the refs were not trying to cover the spread jazz would have blown out cavs

 

[DutchJazzer]

Seriously?
You believe the Sixers are better than OKC, Chicago, Lakers, Portland - even Atlanta?

Yes, I know they're 7-2. But Philly's record has to be viewed the same as Utah's; they've fattened up mainly at home against the dregs of the league. Their 6 game win streak: @GS, @NO, Det, Tor, Ind, Sac. Only 1 quality win...home against Indiana. They've lost at Utah and Portland and also won at Phoenix. Roster is good from 1-7 with some decent young players, but also some declining vets. Are they a playoff team? Yes, and in the EC may even get a 3-4 seed. But they are NOT the 2nd best team in the NBA - not even close!

one thing you are forgetting sixers is built for a lockout.

they have the same core 8 guys which really helps a lot.
and they are pretty young team

 

[DutchJazzer]

We need more from Favors and Kanter

really
they are giving us pretty much all they can give in limited minutes?
what mre do you want from them?

 

[NCJazz]

really
they are giving us pretty much all they can give in limited minutes?
what mre do you want from them?

Yeah, when Millsap and Jefferson are playing well Kanter will not be receiving many minutes. Glad Howard has been playing decently lately, but that also is going to reduce Hayward and Burks minutes as well.

 

[SojoDave]

I predicted 36 and 30, and that was my most optimistic possibility at the beginning of the season. No way did I have them at 5/3 at this point. I think this team is fun to watch. They are definitely a lot more fun than last years team at this point in the season. I don't have any illusions of grandeur with this team. I would be surprised if they finished above .500. As long as they stay healthy, I think Ty could keep them competitive.

 

[jazzfan1971]

I predicted 36 and 30, and that was my most optimistic possibility at the beginning of the season. No way did I have them at 5/3 at this point. I think this team is fun to watch. They are definitely a lot more fun than last years team at this point in the season. I don't have any illusions of grandeur with this team. I would be surprised if they finished above .500. As long as they stay healthy, I think Ty could keep them competitive.

I doubt anyone had us 5/3 at this point.

 

[jope]

I doubt anyone had us 5/3 at this point.

Aren't we 6-3?