Preseason Game 1: Utah @ Portland, Monday Dec 19th, 8pm MST

[Zulu]

Finally a game worth watching. Time to bust out the Jazz attire.

 

[Revolution 9]

Just touched down in the states. Ready for some basketball tonight!

Anyone know if there will be a stream of the game tonight? Has league pass been streaming all televised pre-season games?

 

[NCJazz]

I wonder if we will see any Josh Howard. I think Bell and Hayward will sew up the starting 2 and 3 spots. Unless we have injuries to our bigs I don't see how Evans will see the flow.

Does Evans need contacts?

 

[NCJazz]

No, because Thomas is old as dirt. I mean Stern.

It'll be interesting to see--once again--if Slowkur and Al "I don't do help defense" Jefferson can contain Wallace on the defensive end when the first line breaks down. If the Jazz aren't playing Millsap this is a situation where they might consider trying Evans or even Burks on Wallace (i.e., playing a third "wing") when Matthews-Batum-Wallace are in there. This is the kind of situation where astute coaching (rather than routine Sloanian favor-the-veterans basketball) will help.

I hope that Corbin doesn't play it like a regular-season game, because experimenting with lineups and players is more important for a young team. His choice of starters (Bell? Okur?) speaks of more of tired old tradition, although Bell's performance in the scrimmage might warrant it. As long as Okur isn't in there too long, maybe I'm OK with it. Might as well put him up against Camby and maybe draw Camby out to the perimeter when Utah is on offense.

Give Kanter a chance on Thomas (who might egg him on with "I'm old enough to be your father.")

We should also have an advantage on the offensive side. Time for Okur to bust out his post up moves. Granted just preseason, but kind of glad Aldridge is out if I remember correctly his killed us. The only guy who could guard him is not on the team anymore.

 

[candrew]

The last time Utah played Portland, Jefferson and Favors did a pretty good job shutting down Aldridge.

I think we've seen the last of the Millsap/Aldridge match-up.

 

[NCJazz]

The last time Utah played Portland, Jefferson and Favors did a pretty good job shutting down Aldridge.

I think we've seen the last of the Millsap/Aldridge match-up.

Hopefully, this year we will see a lot less of Millsap in the instances where he simply can not guard the opposing player. Happened a lot last year.

 

[AlaskanAssassin]

Somebody to love?

Can anybody find me.........?

 

[Stifle Tower]

I'm glad somebody made this thread.

I get it.
I actually thought about making a thread yesterday, but knew I couldn't/didn't have the time to do a bunch of graphics.

 

[My2Cents]

Looks like Miles starting instead of Hayward.

 

[MDAV28]

Well that Jefferson/Wallace match-up could be interesting..

 

[Stifle Tower]

Must win for Utah.
If Jazz lose, Kanter will be declared a bust and Hayward a one-week wonder. Chucker Smiles moniker will return, as will the references to Slowkur and Black-Hole Jefferson. AK fans will be back claiming he would have made the difference and the fire Ty and can KOC bandwagons will gain a few new passengers.

 

[NCJazz]

Must win for Utah.
If Jazz lose, Kanter will be declared a bust and Hayward a one-week wonder. Chucker Smiles moniker will return, as will the references to Slowkur and Black-Hole Jefferson. AK fans will be back claiming he would have made the difference and the fire Ty and can KOC bandwagons will gain a few new passengers.

Already had people calling Kanter a bust based on a scrimmage, so your analysis is indeed spot on.