Los Angeles Lakers 90, Utah Jazz 87
I did not watch this game, and not just because I had a feeling it would end like it did. I am going to watch this game on Synergy as soon as it is up. It's going to be a long night for me, and the Jazz players -- and the rest of the Jazz fans. When you lose such a close game there are countless things that race in your mind, yet still manage to linger there. The box score suggests that we left a number of points at the line, the Lakers missed only 3 free throws while we missed 5. Two more made free throws means this game doesn't even go to overtime - or at least that's the assumption that'll drive you crazy. No single play exists in a vacuum. And similarly, no single win or loss does either.
The young, inexperienced, under sized Jazz, with no zone buster, took the Lakers to Overtime, and almost won. These are the same Lakers that are on schedule to win (at least) two playoff rounds this season -- while we're supposed to go in the other direction.
It looks like it was an ugly shooting game, and it's hard to accept a moral victory. But it is just that kind of victory we deserve until we earn a real win against a quality contender. Not everyone had a bad game, and not everyone had their worst game either. This team has a way to go still, and things will get better.
Full recap later on, probably tomorrow morning. I think we all need to take the night off and move forward. In a way, this recap post is probably in some ways similar to the post game speech Corbin is giving his guys.
Remember, Kobe and the Lakers are our momentum c-c-c-c-combo breaker.
Shout out to Raja Bell, Paul Millsap, and Josh Howard. Two of those three guys have been vilified at different times during the last few months. This would have been a blowout in a bad way if it wasn't for their individual and team contributions.
This one loss doesn't end the season; similarly, a win tonight wouldn't excuse poor play later on either. Jazz held tough, but didn't make the best decision on every play. Did you expect us to? Or did you expect Tyrone Corbin, in his 37th game as a head coach, to be able to be perfect as well?
It's a stealth-rebuilding year for us. Three point loss in overtime to a contender isn't as bad as losing by a lot to a horrible team. We got the New Jersey Nets coming up. Our players will be ready.
0 recs | 12 comments
Yeah, but it still hurts to lose to the Lakers
Fortunately in this compressed season, we’ll get another game soon. D-Will anybody?
socaljazzfan - January 11, 2012
start another 5 ame win streak on saturday!
EcERyda69 - January 11, 2012 via mobile
I was at the game
But it was so annoying how Laker fans chanted MVP for kobe and its not even half way through the season. Also when they threw freebies one threw a deck of jazz cards down to the lower bowl, I didn’t want to tell cause I didn’t want to get jumped after haha
Mexican Jazz Fan - January 11, 2012 via mobile
If the Jazz get up for the Nets game
like they got up for the Fake Show, they’ll win by 50. Awesome ball movement, great hustle, just came up a bit short.
DWest - January 11, 2012
Totally different team than who showed up against the Lakers for the opener.
The team tonight actually cared and put forth an effort to win the game. The home court had something to do with it of course, but this team has already grown in just this short of time.
hamfist - January 11, 2012
Weak comments by Kobe
I hate when athletes whine about fans like that. Called us “nasty” or something like that.
IDJazzFan - January 12, 2012
I think it was sort of a veiled compliment for what it's worth.
clarkpojo - January 12, 2012
As much as I would've rather this moral victory come against any other team
I’m still impressed by how we played overall last night. Still no idea why Sap wasn’t the one shooting that last shot though…
Bebop - January 12, 2012
Nothing has changed
I still think Corbin isn’t coaching well, and I still think Bell and Howard should never play more than 15 mins in a game. Sure, they played well today, but the youngsters would have played just as well or better if they had been getting as much playing time as those two have this season.
Also, Favors didn’t get enough minutes.
We’ll still get a good lottery pick, because this team will be awful again when Bell and Howard get back to playing like two of the worst wings in the league, but we won’t be able to develop our young players in the process. The future of this team is looking worse with every game.
AirPascual - January 12, 2012
You are crazy
Howard has been our most consistent scorer off the bench and returning to his all-star form. I hope they sign him for at least 2 more years
action1jackson - January 12, 2012
All-star? Really?
I mean he has played pretty good. Way better than I personally thought. But all-star? One of the best 24 or so players in the NBA? No way.
hamfist - January 12, 2012
His allstar form, not his being an allstar.
There’s a difference, he most likely will not be an allstar again, but he’ll show why he was an allstar at one point.
jazzyman - January 13, 2012
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