A win is a win. Milwaukee was playing tired, and without Andrew Bogut, Mike Dunleavy, and Beno Udrih. That’s 33.6 points, 15.8 rebounds, and 9.3 assists the Bucks did not have at their disposal. I’m sure they would have made a difference, especially with Bogut doing all the dirty work inside on defense against our bigs, and guard penetration. But they couldn’t go, and we got the win. And a win is a win.
With Andrew not on the court, our own Al Jefferson had his own little party in the paint. And he invited all of his friends. The Jazz scored 48 points in the paint (+12 advantage), which defrayed some of the missed opportunities due to turnovers. The Jazz had 24 assists, and 24 turnovers tonight. It was a sloppy game, but the Jazz mostly ran away with it due to the energy of the second unit led by Earl Watson’s pure point tendencies, and Alec Burks and Derrick Favors vigor.
Statistically speaking Al was the big dog, scoring 26 points, pulling down 10 rebounds, and adding 5 combined steals and blocks to his tally. Paul Millsap also had a double double (13/12) with 2 assists, and 3 combined steals and blocks. The Jazz had to battle underperformance from Raja Bell, and on court injuries to Devin Harris (only 17 minutes), Josh Howard (only 4 minutes), and Millsap (got hurt but played through it); yet still seemed more fresh out there than Milwaukee – who squandered a great performance by Drew Gooden (24 and 12). Stephen Jackson was his usual inconsistent self (1-7 from deep), and Carlos Delfino and Brandon Jennings essentially shot the Bucks out of this game (a combined 4 for 26).
Our younger guys (Gordon Hayward, Derrick Favors, Alec Burks, Enes Kaner, and underused Jeremy Evans) combined for 34 points, 17 rebounds, and 8 combined steals and blocks. Not bad for a group of guys with hardly any experience.
I didn’t think the Jazz would win this game, but they did. Props to @MyHandle26 for being stronger in faith than me. He knew the Jazz would win, and he said so hours before we even learned about the Bucks’ missing three rotation guys.
0 recs | 22 comments
Thanks for the recap
I couldn’t watch tonight.
MTN - January 3, 2012
no prob
the game was not watch-able even for those of us who did catch it, ha ha
AllThatJazzBasketball - January 3, 2012
good game
I watched the 3rd and the early 4th before leaving.
Team looked good. Al played well and Millsap is still our best guy IMO
The young guys need more playing time and experience. It was obvious when they were constantly charging and taking silly fouls, but that will correct in time. The youth movement is something to be excited about for sure.
EvilG - January 3, 2012
Just a guess, but by the end of the season, I think we are all agreeing that Favors is the best Jazzman presently.
clarkpojo - January 4, 2012
Noticed the Jazz came out running
Played a good first quarter and actually lead through out.
softdrinks - January 3, 2012
missed the game. How did Burks look?
saw he got a lot of playing time! and then read that howard and harris got injured lol
Bryan Chang - January 4, 2012
He looked good. Plenty of rookie mistakes, but lots of drives and drawn fouls to more than make up for them.
JazzHype - January 4, 2012
as painful as this game was at times
i LOVED seeing burks play so much. he looked solid, and got others involved with ease. I dont remember who said this, but I really am itching for kanter to shoot a jumper. I know he can, that was one of his big qualities. Lets see it! burks/kanter pick and pop, burks/favors pick and roll!!!! good win tonight
TBKIII - January 4, 2012
Burks looks like he can be a superstar.
Just need solid defense.
RockyMountain - January 4, 2012
Hey, no credit to me? I called this game a W on your January preview.
JazzHype - January 4, 2012
I dont get it...
We win a game and most everyone is now excited. It’s because as Jazz fans we’re used to winning but for me winning and reaching the playoffs doesn’t mean all that much. I’d rather we play our young guys to develop and give them confidence in order to build a team that can be successful and compete for a championship.
It’s clear what the goals for the Jazz organization is for this year. Another mediocre team and try to squeeze into the playoffs for more ticket and television sales.
If Bogut had played tonight the Jazz would have lost here at home.
I didn’t watch the entire game but what I saw pissed me off and worried me. I’ve been down on the Howard signing because I thought it would take away playing time from our young guys (especially Evans). He played OK the past 2 games but these were mainly as someone else pointed out in a great sarcastic masterpiece a few days prior “stat-stuffing games” to give him a bigger paycheck next year from some other team.
There was a play early on where Hayward runs a fast break and gets cut off at the rim by 1 defender; Josh Howard ran the break with Gordon and he runs to the side of the rim kind of halfway between the 3 point corner. At this point I’m thinking to myself: “Hmm why is he going over there instead of helping Gordon attack the single defender beneath the basket..”. Hayward is blocked off at the basket and passes the ball to Josh Howard who takes the open jump shot and misses it. I facepalm then and whisper to myself: “ladies and gentlemen JAZZ basketball”.
Some people here are praising Jefferson tonight for not “sucking” and scoring somewhat efficiently tonight. Like I said if Bogut had played we wouldn’t have gotten 10+ rebounds that we did and Jefferson wouldn’t have scored half the points he did. People often use the term “Basketball IQ” I don’t know who came up with that term but I don’t like it and I think it’s just a way of insulting people’s intelligence.
I saw Gordon Hayward leading 2 Milwaukee defenders through a screen at the top of the free throw line with Jefferson holding the ball at the top of the three point line looking for a cutter to pass the ball to… there he was Gordon Hayward the cutter ready to receive the ball. What does Jefferson do? Fake the pass to Hayward and then pass it off to someone else standing 3 feet from him behind the 3 point line. I have to reference a game a week ago where instead of passing the ball out to and open 3 point shooter behind him when quad teamed he passes it to a Hayward in between 5 defenders for a turnover. I just can’t let plays like that slide. Jefferson is a terrible team player who on top of not being able to get his teammates involved offensively doesn’t box out defensively, doesn’t stop cutters and does not rotate to players defensively. Whenever he gets double or triple teamed Jefferson sees that as an opportunity to come up with a bad shot instead of giving up the ball. I have to ask; Is that Basketball IQ?
I’m glad I didn’t watch the whole game last night would have been such a disappointment seeing Evans only play 1 minute.
I realize we’re stuck with Jefferson but like everyone here has been saying he needs to be teamed up with guys that aren’t allergic to defense and needs to play with people that can create offense for the team like Gordan Hayward did in the first half with a sweet penetration move and then a dish to Jefferson for an easy dunk. Devin Harris is not a good play maker :|
The quotes from Favors and Kanter about focusing on rebounding and defense give me so much hope for the future. The golden ray of sunshine at the end of a dark dim tunnel after so many years of Millsap, Jefferson, Boozer and Memo being our “defenders”.
Ty, Let Evans play (more)!!
utahspazz - January 4, 2012
Why Evans?
I agree that Howard using so many minutes is at times counter-productive to the cause, and Jefferson is obviously an awful passer out of double-teams, or even single-teams for that matter. Howard has played the 3 this year and Jefferson has played the 5. Neither player takes minutes away from Evans. But even assuming that they did, what I’m most interested in is what Evans could contribute given more playing time. You do a good job of breaking down Howard’s and Jefferson’s games; I would like to know what you think Evans could do better than those, something more in depth than “let Evans play more”. My take is that given extended, meaningful minutes, Evans would have trouble defending because opposing 4’s could simply overpower him, and offensively, I don’t remember Evans ever giving more than alley-oops or tip jams.
CJ's Smokehouse - January 4, 2012
I’d like to see Evans come in when our guys quit playing hard and the game slows way down. Instant energy for brief spurts. He could come in for either wing or big. He needs to learn to move and slash to be most effective on O. Learn to just stay with his guy on D. Asto not become a liability during those brief spurts. IMHO
neds - January 4, 2012
D-league
I think Evans could really use time with the Stampede once the 13 active player rosters end in February. Or even before then. But once there, I hope they use him to do the things you suggest (work on slashing, staying with quicker guys on defense).
CJ's Smokehouse - January 4, 2012
I'd rather not see Evans in D-League...
He’s way too good for the D league. His play this summer proved it. He’s an NBA talent – the things he has to work on such as better range and gaining weight so he won’t be knocked on his behind with every block attempt he won’t learn playing in the D-League.
utahspazz - January 4, 2012
I like Evans because..
even in garbage time with nothing to prove the game before last night he was rotating defensively to cover penetrating guards. Evans has such enthusiasm for the game and energy whenever he comes in that I love watching him and think he’s an exciting player. You say he has some nice dunks.. I say he has more than just that. He blocks shots, plays defense, is exciting on the offensive end and you ask me what more reasons I have for wanting to watch the Jazz develop this young guy?
As far as Evans playing PF yeah he is way too skinny to cover most of the PF’s in the league and even some “Small Fowards” like Odom or Anthony. I think Evans would be great at guarding most SF’s though and even some SG especially with penetrating and scoring SG’s where Evans shows he is quick enough to rotate to cover.
I really hope his lack of playing time is because the Jazz realize how much of a stud Evans is and are keeping his stock down in this his last contract year.
utahspazz - January 4, 2012
I am happy because I see improvement.
Wins are always nice. Even against a mediocre team without their best player, and key cogs. But the big thing for me is how much playing time Burks got, and how Bell got limited minutes. Hopefully that is a trend that continues but I want to believe that the young guys are proving they deserve bigger roles, and the coaching staff or FO see this too. I feel like I have been focusing on the negative too much, so I am trying to be positive and not focus on the fact that Favors still got less than 25 minutes.
hamfist - January 4, 2012
TL - DR.
JasonInPG - January 4, 2012
Yeah lol..
I typed all that in 5 mins. I think not bad grammar wise.. I’ve done worse.
utahspazz - January 4, 2012
Fan entitlement, plain and simple.
Wins aren’t enough now. It’s about how they win, and who gets them the win. It’s not good enough to make the playoffs, it’s about winning championships (multiple) and being amazing and dominant.
Good luck with that.
JazzHype - January 4, 2012
yeah a dream..
I guess the second best thing would be watching players grow and develop over time on a team that I’ve enjoyed watching and followed for 18 years. I have a difficult time caring and rooting for Journeyman players that I know won’t be here next year. Like someone else said: “NBA: soap opera for men”.
utahspazz - January 4, 2012
I actually think CJ's the least likely to be back other than Raja & Tinsley
I’d say the order of likelihood of being on the team in 3 years would be as follows:
Favors, Burks, Kanter, Hayward, Watson, Millsap, Evans, Jefferson, Harris, Howard, CJ, Tinsley, Bell
I hope Corbin plays the young core enough minutes as they show they can handle them. I feel that most of the players on the Jazz right now really want to be on the Jazz long term, as long as they’re getting better and showing potential, even career journeymen like Watson, Howard, and Harris. I’m sure Tinsley would love to stick around too.
JazzHype - January 4, 2012
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