Game Thread Oct 29, 2025 07:00PM MT: Portland Trail Blazers @ Utah Jazz
- Thread starter Game Threads
- Start date
Added to Calendar: 10-29-25
Shad
Well-Known Member
And they will be terrible the entire contract
I know people here don't like when I harp on Clayton going under the basket on defense for that sweet rebound or steal. But there was a play at 1:38 left in the 1st that just made me irrationally mad. WCJ suddenly abandoned his man in the corner, went under the basket and decided to stay there for good, even when there were Nurk, Lauri and Hendricks at the same time. Another Blazer player ran past Clayton to the corner: now there were TWO wide open players. But Clayton did not budge. Instead, he directed Svi to abandon his man and cover his own former defensive assignment, while Hendricks had to run away from under the basket to cover the second wide open player.
Svi, of course, was late, and Clayton's guy shot a wide open three - but all of that did not matter because by then WCJ finally achieved his goal of being the main potential rebounder (instead of Hendricks). It just baffles me why Clayton is repeatedly doing stuff like that: he usually plays really smart.
Svi, of course, was late, and Clayton's guy shot a wide open three - but all of that did not matter because by then WCJ finally achieved his goal of being the main potential rebounder (instead of Hendricks). It just baffles me why Clayton is repeatedly doing stuff like that: he usually plays really smart.
Shootings not great but 29 points on 14 shots is outstanding. His ability to get to the line is elite. How’s he looked so far? The Jazz media pushing the “he’s matured” narrative in a united front has me skeptical but his numbers do look better.
Basketball Novice
Well-Known Member
Don't want to take away from Key and his performance but it's misleading to say 29 points on 14 shots, the free throws also use possessions. 15 FTs is ~7 shots. 29 points on 21 possessions is still great but a bit more informative.
Peter_Mentor
Active Member
What a fun game! And absolutely non-existent defense for the first three quarters..
Really promising game from Ace although those quick transition jumpers were somewhat questionable choices. Otherwise solid decision-making and he seemed to be unfazed with the ball in his hands. I trust he will take Svi's place in the starting five pretty soon.
EJ was a beast. Along with Dunn, that was the best PnR defense I have seen from a Jazz player for years. The circumstances were on his side as Portland tried to slow the game down and he was allowed to play as if his name was Caruso, but he also made the most out of it. Jazz needs more players who are willing to do multiple efforts and not to relax after the first rotation. Unless the goal is to tank.
Referring to Harkless, I just wish Hendricks would show some kind of defensive presence..
Really promising game from Ace although those quick transition jumpers were somewhat questionable choices. Otherwise solid decision-making and he seemed to be unfazed with the ball in his hands. I trust he will take Svi's place in the starting five pretty soon.
EJ was a beast. Along with Dunn, that was the best PnR defense I have seen from a Jazz player for years. The circumstances were on his side as Portland tried to slow the game down and he was allowed to play as if his name was Caruso, but he also made the most out of it. Jazz needs more players who are willing to do multiple efforts and not to relax after the first rotation. Unless the goal is to tank.
Referring to Harkless, I just wish Hendricks would show some kind of defensive presence..
Reddit is a cesspool for NBA, especially the Jazz. I tried telling dudes there last season Harkless was legit and everyone laughed and said he was ***.