It seems like it's been months since we had a Jazz game. What has it been, 3 days? The Jazz will resume play after their extended vacation to host the lowly Cleveland Cavaliers. What is that you say? The Cavaliers aren't so lowly? Well, I guess that makes tonight a battle of two overachievers.
The Cavaliers are a surprising .500 team, but when you look at their schedule, it is a little more understandable. Two of their wins were at home against the Nets and Bobcats, two of the worst teams in the NBA this season. The other two wins were on the road against the pretty terrible Detroit Pistons and the up and coming Minnesota Timberwolves. So only one of their wins is very impressive, although when you are the Cavs, a win is a win.
One of the reasons the Cavs have been successful is due to rookie phenom Kyrie Irving. I loved Irving coming out of college and he has looked spectacular at times even at the age of just 19. Irving has the ability to get to and finish at the rim, along with an ability to hit pull-up jumpers and 3 pointers. As soon as Irving figures out how to mix his offensive arsenal to keep his defender off balance, he may become fairly unguardable in a few years. Irving is averaging 15 points and 5 assists in just 25 minutes a game.
As a team the Cavs are the 9th best 3 point shooting team. With players like Anthony Parker, Boobie Gibson, Antawn Jamison and Irving, the Cavs are able to make 37% of their 3 point attempts. And the Cavs still have Anderson Varajao, the floppy-haired Brazilian who is best known for his flopping and his terrific defense. I love to watch Varajao play on the defensive side of the ball.
The Jazz are so hot right now, with the second longest current win streak in the NBA behind the Philadelphia 76ers. And who was the last team to beat the 76ers? That would be the Utah Jazz. By my calculations the Jazz would play in the BCS championship, if the season ended right now and the BCS was used to determine NBA title contenders. You know the rest of the deal with the Jazz. They are balanced, they are deep, they have improved defensively and often their bench outplays the starters. But the home has been good to the Jazz and they will be there often this month.
None so far this season.
1 recs | 18 comments
Kyrie Irving
He’s another CP3 clone. We need one of those on this team. He is playing way better than last years number one pick John Wall.
EcERyda69 - January 10, 2012
John Wall is an AI clone. Take that for what you will.
JazzHype - January 10, 2012
AI like Allen Iverson or AI like Big Al?
Because I have to be honest, I first read that as Big Al and thought there aren’t 2 more different player in the NBA than Wall and Big Al.
BobbyD31 - January 10, 2012
Yeah, Eh Aye
The Answer
JazzHype - January 11, 2012
excited for this game
anxious to see how our guys do at containing irving. Defend the three and we should win.
BigBenSportsGuy - January 10, 2012
Excited to see Irving play
wish we had had the number one pick so we could’ve got him. Looking forward to a good match.
Bebop - January 10, 2012
Hopefully the Jazz get a convincing win here
They’re near the very bottom of the Hollinger rankings, primarily due to point differential. A big win here over the higher ranked Cavs could boost that significantly.
BJInIndiana - January 10, 2012
Great job Clark!
I haven’t followed the Cavs at all this year, but was wary of their record. I guess it’s easy to put up good team numbers (and wins) against poor comp. We, on the other hand, probably look worse than we actually are because of three blowout losses in the first week of the season.
AllThatJazzBasketball - January 10, 2012
When you are the Jazz, a win is a win.
DWest - January 10, 2012
I thought this exactly when Clark said that about the Cavs
Both teams are in similar situations, as far as this year’s performance is concerned. The records are surprisingly good, but there are the things about the wins that make you say “hmmmmm … are they really as good as that record says?”
Yucca Man - January 10, 2012
Nope, it'll even out and both will end up under .500
But I will take and celebrate any and all wins and try not to project how good I think the Jazz are until after that brutal stretch at the beginning of February.
JazzHype - January 10, 2012
This game will be a good test of our revamped D
Will be interesting to watch how we deal with Irving, and how many blocks/altered shots that Swat Lake City cause.
TazzJazzFan - January 10, 2012
drib penetration defense . . .
we should let kanter flatten him one time.
i’m more worried about the face up games of jamison and tristan vs. our lightly less mobile PFs
AllThatJazzBasketball - January 10, 2012
Yep, that's what Ill be watching for when I get to view the game
How well we guard/help/force middle the faceup on the block
TazzJazzFan - January 10, 2012
Wait, what? Force middle?
JazzHype - January 11, 2012
As far as Jamison and Thompson are concerned
I think Millsap will be a good matchup for Jamison, he is mobile and can guard him out to the three point line, but we have been getting murdered by bigs in the mid-range.
And I hipe Thompson scores all of Clevelands points because he is on my fantasy team. Just don’t foul him Jazz, or you’ll murder my FT %.
Kfunk - January 10, 2012
The bigs should dominate.
But the backcourt could be a pain, as well as the wings. The possibility of the 3pt barrage makes me cringe
prodigal punk - January 10, 2012
I think we have the advantage at every position.
As long as we can prevent them from going crazy outside, our domination in the paint should carry us to victory.
DWest - January 10, 2012
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