Jazz 120 – Thunder 99: Utah rights the ship on the road.

October 31st, 2010 by Salt City Hoops

And just like that, all is right in Jazzdom. Copyright 2010 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images)

After opening the season with lackadaisical play and two frustrating losses, the Jazz put their world back in order with an impressive 120-99 win in Oklahoma City against Kevin Durant and the Thunder.

It’s clear that as Deron Williams goes, so go the Jazz. Williams got the Jazz off to a quick start and showed the kind of leadership that fans and media called for after his public spat with Gordon Hayward last week. Tonight Deron seemed determined to put every teammate in a position to succeed. Andrei Kirilenko hit shots early, CJ Miles got going, Al Jefferson had his first double-double, and Paul Millsap was an absolute beast. Millsap poured in 30 points to go along with 16 rebounds and brought the kind of energy and intensity that the team was missing in the first two games.

It’s amazing what making shots will do. On a night the Jazz shot 53% from the field and 63% from 3-point land, the entire team seemed energized by the strong play on the defensive side. Kirilenko matched up with Kevin Durant and seemed to keep him off balance most of the game. Durant is still a beast, however, and seemed to knock down a long three or get loose for a short jumper every time Kirilenko relaxed. It speaks to Durant’s virtuosity that scoring 28 points feels like an off night.

The Deron Williams / Russell Westbrook matchup was fun to watch as well. Deron had 16 points and 15 assists while Westbrook scored 22 but passed out just 5 assists. Williams was able to negate some of Westbrook’s speed by staying in front and getting strong team help.

The Thunder are fun to watch and will win a lot of games, but they don’t yet elicit a fear factor. No one is scared to play the Thunder. They need one more dose of nasty before they take it to the next level. Cole Aldrich does reasonable Ostertag-if-he-were-in-shape performance and had a nice moment with a put-back dunk. Serge Ibaka and Nenad Krstic were simply pounded by Millsap and Jefferson.

The inevitable Thunder rally in the third quarter showed some heart from the home team, but the Jazz absorbed the blow and responded with strong play down the stretch. It was a very complete game from everyone and will give the Jazz a lot of good things to build on before hosting the Toronto Raptors at home on Wednesday.

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Point – Counterpoint: Who needs an attitude adjustment? D-Will? Or the rest of the Jazz?

October 29th, 2010 by Brian Henderson

Sorry, fellas. My bad. (Photo: 2010 Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)

D-Will needs an attitude adjustment – Brian Henderson

We get it. Deron Williams is frustrated that after two regular season games, his teammates do not yet know the offense that he’s been comfortably running for years now. As a fan interested in the team’s success, I do not want to make a mountain out of a mole hill. But Deron’s bullet pass and public berating of rookie Gordon Hayward needs to be discussed, because it was completely uncalled for and has the potential for getting out of hand quickly unless D-Will nips himself in the proverbial bud. As the leader of the team, Williams has the responsibility to instill confidence in his teammates by how he teaches them to improve their game. As most of us with professional work experience know, one of the most ineffective ways to make a point with an eye toward improving performance is to publicly undress a colleage. It’s bad form. It almost always backfires. Most importantly, though, it diminishes the willingness to follow of those being led–a crucial element for every successful leader.

I sincerely hope Deron patches things up with this kid or that tension can quickly stretch until it’s so taut that even a wayward glance can snap it. I’ve seen it happen many times before. If it really is just a process of learning the offense, if there really is no cause for alarm after two games, then D-Will better act like it. Problem is, he’s not. Williams’ response to a slow start of two games seems to be an overreaction to the situation, if that’s really all that’s going on. As the Tribune is reporting, just a day after he asserted that to be the case, this is quickly becoming a bigger deal, which makes me wonder what’s really going on.

Anyway, Deron’s leadership must start with acting like a teammate and not an enemy. How many times last night could D-Will have rocketed the ball at Al Jefferson because he didn’t pop the ball back out of the post, or make the right read on a defense? Last I checked, Williams hasn’t been performing at his level best, either. I feel bad for Hayward. He was one of the only Jazz players playing with all-out hustle last night. Nevermind that Hayward finished the give and go play by making the basket. And yet he bore the brunt of D-Will’s ire, which was severely misplaced. Kiss and make up, boys. Otherwise, the wire you’re walking will only get higher. And if we think this is ugly, wait until it really snaps. Let’s all hope D-Will takes a breather on this one, which I’m confident he will. Oh, and Gordon? Next time, make that cut.

Time to step up, Gordon (and everyone else) – Jeff Lind

Deron Williams is typically a pretty level headed guy. It’s one of his greatest strengths as a basketball player. He seems to be able to control his competitive rage and dole it out appropriately when he needs to. So last night when Williams dressed down Gordon Hayward on national TV, was I surprised? Yes. Was I angry? Nope.

I love Hayward. I’m glad he’s our guy. He’s a heady basketball player, he’s smart, and he’s talented with the ball. But I trust Deron. He’s the sole team captain for a reason. Yes, the Hayward confrontation was ugly and it seemed mean spirited, but you know what? Sometimes people need a wake up call. If Deron went after him, he did it for a good reason. To me it seemed like a message to Hayward and the rest of the team. I don’t know why he picked Gordon as the delivery method… maybe because he knew he would A) accept it, B) learn from it, and C) could take it like a man, but this was a message to the team… This was the “PULL YOURSELVES TOGETHER!” moment.

You know who thought the confrontation was a big deal? Media members on the sidelines, bloggers, and fans. You know who didn’t? Jerry Sloan, Reggie Miller, Deron Williams, and anyone that has ever played a professional sport. So, sorry Gordon. That sucks that you’re the whipping boy… but you know what? Welcome to the NBA. This isn’t kid stuff. This isn’t a job at your dad’s law firm where your “boss” pulls you aside and tells you you’re doing a bang-up job. This is professional basketball. The game is bigger, faster, and stronger than you are. Millions of dollars, jobs, and fan’s hopes are living and dying by your success. If you can’t handle a vet giving you a public shout, then get a job elsewhere. This is where the big boys come to play. People are going to get frustrated, and you’re going to get yelled at from time to time. Deal with it.

Hayward knows this. He can take it and he’s gonna be good. Deron knows it too. Let the captain lead his team.

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What’s Wrong With The Jazz?

October 29th, 2010 by Salt City Hoops

ESPN asked Spencer Hall, our Editor and Chief, to weigh in on the Jazz’ early season struggles over on the Daily Dime (#9). Here’s what he had to say…

An 8-0 preseason with all kinds of great chemistry seems like a distant memory for the 0-2 Jazz. Just last week all the talk centered around a new kind of leadership from a revitalized Deron Williams. The players were taking each other to lunch and making plans to start a multi-year dynasty together.

The pendulum swings both ways. The goodwill and camaraderie have been replaced with frustration, confusion, and lack of effort. It all boiled over in the fourth quarter when Williams fired a bullet baseball pass to rookie Gordon Hayward, who was standing only a few feet away. The angry gesture from the newly named team captain seemed to shock the crowd and fueled the boo birds.

Hayward put on a good face after the game, but had to cover for his captain when asked about the incident. “With time it will all be fine. I just need to learn what he wants me to do. Next time I’ll be in the right place. Once I stop rushing and just slow down it will all be fine. I keep telling myself to slow down.

“You know, in warmups I can’t miss, and then I get out there and the shots won’t fall. I just need to shoot. I’ve been a shooter my whole life. It starts on defense though. If we can get some stops, we’ll be fine. We’ll be fine; I have confidence in us.”

The players tried to say the right things, but after the game, the tension was palpable in the locker room. A frustrated C.J. Miles tossed a crumpled roll of athletic tape and missed the trashcan by a few feet, proving that too much pressure doesn’t help with crisp play. So what happened between the end of the preseason and the start of the 82-game grind? Williams talked about players not knowing the offense. Miles thought the team got caught up in the euphoria of being the preseason champs.

“The Lakers started the regular season with a ring ceremony,” Miles said, “and I guarantee you they didn’t go 8-0 in the preseason.”

The Suns are another team that didn’t go undefeated in the preseason. The powerful display by the aging trio of Steve Nash, Grant Hill and Jason Richardson as well as eye-opening play from Hakim Warrick and Goran Dragic bode well for the Phoenix squad that looked completely overmatched several times in the preseason. It should be noted that Warrick threw down one of the most ferocious dunks in the history of the world in the third quarter.

Somehow the Jazz need to get their hands on whatever alchemy the Suns medical staff is performing. They’ve not only rejuvenated 90-year old Hill, they’ve also created a Slovenian clone of Steve Nash in Dragic.

Jazz fans will have to wait until Sunday to see if a matchup against Kevin Durant and the Thunder in Oklahoma City reveals a new demeanor. The pendulum has to swing sometime.

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Jazz 88 – Nuggets 110: High Notes | Low Notes

October 28th, 2010 by Salt City Hoops

(AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)


For those who endured all four quarters of the Opening Night Debacle, I salute you. You showed more intestinal fortitude than most of the Jazz players in the 110-88 shellacking in Denver by the Nuggets.

In similar fashion to the infamous Phoenix game at the end of last season, the Jazz played their poorest when the emotion and hype were highest. From a fan perspective, it’s madding to watch lethargic play on opening night, hot on the heels of the best preseason in club history. I can only image what it feels like for the ownership group, knowing they have $187,680,671 committed in player salaries, only to watch Andrei Kirilenko, CJ Miles, Al Jefferson, and Kyrylo Fesenko combine for 10 points.

With AK alone, that’s $217,353.66 to score only two more points than I did. Those same two points were a downright bargain from CJ Miles – his point total only cost a paltry $45,121.95. Al Jefferson, for his part, pulled in $158,536.59 to go along with his 6 points and 7 rebounds.

To their credit, the Nuggets came to play on night when off-the-court trade rumors surrounding Carmelo Anthony seemed to overshadow the game. Melo’s quote was spot-on: “The fans, they want to see basketball,” Anthony said. “They don’t want drama. I don’t want drama.”

The only drama from Melo was a 23-point soliloquy as the Jazz opted to watch from the gallery.

Luckily for Utah, tonight’s home opener against the Phoenix Suns offers the chance to bounce back and re-discover the chemistry that fueled the strong preseason.

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Notes: Our own Jeff Lind joined me on the ESPN Daily Dime Live chat Wednesday afternoon. You can check the transcript here.

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High Notes | Low Notes

by Mychal Lowman

"Help I've fallen in a 20 point deficit and can't get up!"

Low Notes

Rebounding

The Jazz should have had the clear advantage on the glass with Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap and Nuggets playing without Kenyon Martin and the Birdman. Instead, Denver backup Sheldon Williams had 16 rebounds and Al Harrington had 7.

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Points in the Paint

36 points in the paint for the Jazz won’t win many games. When the offense is humming it looks like a layup drill — easy baskets abound for everyone. On this night, the Jazz looked confused on offense and rarely made cuts made to the basket when someone was working in the post.

On the other side of the ball they allowed 42 points in the paint. Teams shouldn’t feel safe going to the basket with bigs like Jefferson, Fesenko, or Elson roaming the middle. Games that make fans miss Jarron Collins are an indictment on the current roster. Hard fouls, guys.

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Turnovers

A rare photo of AK in the wild. He was barely on the court.

22 turnovers. The timing on the D-Will to Jefferson pick-and-roll was out of sync. Most of the team seemed surprised at the passes going their way.

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Tweet of the game:

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High Notes

Paul Millsap

He didn’t have a dominant game or lead the Jazz to a comeback, but it was nice to see the same old Paul who doesn’t quit on a game no matter how dire the circumstances. Also of note, while everyone was picking up fouls in this game (seriously, the referees were giving out fouls like Oprah gives away cars), Millsap didn’t get called for one. I know it’s early but it could be possible that Millsap has finally earned respect from the officials in this league to not get called for phantom fouls.

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Jeremy Evans

He got most of his minutes in garbage time but the kid is fun to watch. His crazy jumping ability and hustle is making a splash like Millsap in his rookie year (if Millsap was forced on a diet consisting of only bread and water). Also, I think Golden Corral or Chuck-O-Rama needs to sponsor this kid. They could do a before and after picture like they do with Jared from Subway with inverted results

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Just One Game

Deron Williams knows it's just one game.

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Top 14 reasons for Jazz fans to be excited for the season

October 27th, 2010 by K.Malphurs

Copyright 2010 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE/Getty Images)

In honor of former Jazz great Jeff Hornacek  (and because 10 seemed too few and 20 seemed too ambitious) below are the top 14 things I am excited about with the upcoming season and how it relates to the Utah Jazz.

1. Al Jefferson playing with a real point guard. Jonny Flynn, Sebastian Telfair, Marko Jaric and Delonte West are some of the better point guards that have been passing Big Al the ball. Now one of the best low post scorers in the NBA will be playing with one of the best (if not the best) point guard in the NBA.  Jefferson is now happy, motivated and in a great situation for him to succeed.  I can’t wait to see his first 30 point 16 rebound game.

2. The potential of Jeremy Evans. I have never seen Evans play even one minute of basketball. In fact if he walked past me on the street I don’t know if I would even recognize him.  Still it is hard not to be excited about the potential that Evans will be  a really good player. I know it is just preseason, but have you seen his preseason stats?  There is a great wages of wins article about rookies which predicts his WS/48 (.211).  Or what my fellow Salt City Hoops writer Mychal wrote about him when he wrote “Jeremy Evans will be the steal of the draft?”  Or the fact that the Jazz seem to know what they are doing in the 2nd round since they have drafted Mo Williams, Paul Millsap and CJ Miles in recent years.  I am very excited to see Evans play to see if he is even 1/10 as good as the hype.

3. LeBron James and the rest of the Miami Heat. Come on it is hard not to be excited about watching this team play basketball. I know I am supposed to not like them, but it isn’t like they are in the Western Conference. Also, I didn’t grow up in Cleveland. In my mind there is nothing to dislike about the Heat until the Jazz (possibly) face them in the NBA Finals. In the meantime I am excited about watching to see whether or not this season will be a success.

4. The downfall of the Denver Nuggets. Just the possibility of this happening with all of the off-season turmoil is enough for this Jazz fan to get excited.

5. Deron Williams winning his first of many assist titles. He has finished in the top three in assists per game over the past years, so it isn’t much of a stretch to see him winning the APG title this year. In Vegas his odds of winning the assists per game title is 2/1, which is tied with Steve Nash and just behind Chris Paul.

6. Paul Millsap winning the rebound title. A lot of people might think Big Al is the pick here of any Jazz player who stands a chance of winning the rebound title, but my best guess is Millsap. He won three of them in college and I think the possibility is there thanks to the next point on my list.

7. No more Boozer. Boozer was a great player for the Jazz and someone who provided Jazz fans with some memorable moments. I am a Boozer fan and while it was a good signing at the time it was time for Boozer to go. There should be no more trade rumors or speculation on what is going to happen with Boozer. I don’t know how much it matters, but even the most ardent Boozer fan has to concede that he might have been a slight distraction the past couple years. The Jazz can now move on with Okur, Jefferson, Millsap and no more distractions.

8. The emergence of Gordon Hayward. Since the Jazz normally make the playoffs they don’t normally get lottery picks. The last one they did they used (with the help of Portland) on Deron Williams. That worked out well.

9. Coach Sloan winning the Coach of the Year. Unbelievable that Sloan has never won the award, but this should be the year. I guess I shouldn’t be complaining that much since six of the past seven COY winners (all but last year’s winner Scott Brooks) are no longer coaching the team they won the award with. That might be the most crazy fact I have come across in awhile. Seriously check out the list.

10. The best home court advantage in the league. I don’t know how to make this objective besides pointing out that the Jazz had the 6th highest attendance and 6th best home record. I guess that might point to them having the 6th best home court advantage, but like Raheem Morris of the Bucs said “stats are for losers.” So I’m still calling the ESA the best house in the league.

11. Watching Wes Matthews make $5.7M for the Blazers as their backup. It was fun watching him play last year, but I have no idea why the Blazers signed him for so much. I am on the record for thinking that he isn’t worth the contract he signed.

12. Kosta Koufus as a Minnesota Timberwolves player. Some things just go well together.

13. The new uniforms look great. I can’t wait for my wife to comment on their “outfits”

14. Andrei Kirilenko in a contract year. There seems to be nothing wrong with this situation as the Jazz finally are finally off the hook from paying Kirilenko $10M+ ($17.8M this year). The Jazz hopefully should get a productive player and if not at least he could possibly be used as trade bait.

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SCH Division Preview Hub

October 26th, 2010 by Jefferson

New Season - New Logo

The Salt City Hoops staff has been hard at work previewing each of the contenders in the NBA.  Sure the season starts today, but come playoff time, only 16 teams will get to play in the second season – and have a shot at the Larry O’Brien trophy and a place in the hall of NBA champions.  Add the Utah Jazz to this list, and there are 19 teams fighting for 16 spots.  Who will be left on the outside looking in?

We’ve evaluated the key matchups, sounded the high notes and the low notes, revisited (sometimes painfully) the history between the franchises, scrutinized the players and coaches, and given you an outlook for the coming season.  Here, then, to kick of the 2009-2010 NBA season are links to each of those previews:

Atlantic Division: Boston Celtics |  NY Knicks

Central Division: Chicago Bulls |  Milwaukee Bucks |  Indiana Pacers

Southeast Division: Atlanta Hawks |  Charlotte Bobcats |  Miami Heat | Orlando Magic

Northwest Division: OKC Thunder |  Denver Nuggets |  Portland Trailblazers

Pacific Division: LA Lakers |  LA Clippers |  Phoenix Suns

Southwest Division: Houston Rockets |  San Antonio Spurs |  Dallas Mavericks

Be sure to check back during the season to see how we did in our prognosticating!

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Division Previews: Phoenix Suns, Pacific Division – Western Conference

October 26th, 2010 by Jefferson

In the final days leading up to regular season action, SCH will be posting divisional previews of the top teams in all six NBA divisions. Come back early and often for updates.

The Once and Future PG Kings

Key Matchups

Steve Nash v. D-Will

This matchup showcases two of the very best point guards that play the game.  Steve Nash is a senior citizen by NBA standards – he’s 36 years old and his résumé includes a 14 year tenure in the league.  If you watch the guy napping on the sidelines while he rests, you’d think he was preparing for the stretcher to come haul him away. Despite his aching back and limited minutes, Steve Nash continues to impress.  Last season, he averaged 16.5 points and 11 assists.  Sure, running mate Amar’e Staudemire bolted for the Big Apple and a huge payday, but in the uptempo Suns’ offense, Nash will literally run circles around opponents and put up huge numbers for such a little guy.  Though Deron Williams and the Utah Jazz run a much more structured offense, D-Will in the open court looks an awful lot like a young Steve Nash: great decision making, court vision, a deadly pull-up J, and the ability to make his teammates better.  Despite the age difference, Grandpa Nash vs. D-Will is always fun to watch.

Robin Lopez v. Big Al

With the departure of Amar’e, Lopez will be forced to play more minutes than last year (he only logged 24 mins/game last year).  This just may be the season that Robin Lopez emerges as one of the better big-men in the West.  In his limited court time last year, Lopez put up more than 11 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 block.  Lopez might be an inch or two taller than Jefferson, but Big Al is much stronger.  Al Jefferson ought to have his way with Lopez in the paint – and should be able to score and rebound at will.  Where Utah wins this matchup, though, is with its bench.  Currently, the depth chart for the Suns at center is anemic – actually, it’s just Lopez (although 6’11″ power forward Channing Frye can play some minutes at center).  Utah’s bigs ought to overwhelm the Phoenix front line, especially once Okur returns from his injury.

High Notes | Low Notes

Although Phoenix watched its team dwindle in free agency, it received some pretty nice pieces to fill out its roster.  Setting Suns include the aforementioned Amar’e, Brazilian speedster Leandro Barbosa, and Louis Amundson.  In return, Phoenix acquired Hedo Turkoglu, Hakim Warrick, and Josh Childress.  While the additions appear to offset the key off-season losses, Phoenix is an injury or two from missing the playoffs.

History

Phoenix leads the all-time series 81-71, including a victory over the Jazz in the season finale last year (heartbreaking for Jazz fans).  Recall that the winner of the final game of the regular season would clinch home court advantage and the third seed in the Western Conference.  The loser would be relegated to fifth, opening the playoffs on the road.  In that ever-so-important game, Utah’s leading scorer and rebounder, Carlos Boozer, watched from the sidelines with a strained oblique – the same injury that you get after too many Halloween sweets.  You know the rest.  Paul Millsap and Mehmet Okur got into foul trouble, and the Jazz struggled to find their rhythm.  Phoenix went on to win the game, clinch the third playoff seed (and home court advantage) – and fight their way into the Western Conference Finals (only to be ousted by the juggernaut Lakers).  Anyone else wish Al Jefferson was playing in that game instead of Boozer?

Player/Coach Notes

Phoenix’s roster includes four players drafted in the top ten:

  • Jason Richardson – 5th overall by Golden State in 2001.
  • Grant Hill – 3rd overall by Detroit in 1994.
  • Channing Frye – 8th overall by the New York Knicks in 2005.
  • Josh Childress – 6th overall by Atlanta in 2004.

Steve Nash has missed just 10 games in the past 3 years.

Of active NBA players, only Kurt Thomas and Shaquille O’Neal are older than 38 year old Grant Hill.

Outlook

The Jazz will get an early look at the Suns for the Utah home-opener on October 28th.  Unfortunately, this comes on the second night of a back-to-back (the Achilles Heel for past Utah teams).  That first home game has the potential to set the Jazz on course for another solid season at ESA, and start off the back-to-back record on the right foot.  Utah gets its second and third (and final) looks at Los Suns just before the All-Star break with a home and home set.  Phoenix is a bit of an enigma to me.  If they stay healthy and cohesive, they can run with anyone in the league – thought to be outside the playoff race last year, the Suns made a unlikely run to the Western Conference Finals.  One injury to a key player, though, and Phoenix will have to re-tool to compete in a pretty tough Western Conference.

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Contact Jefferson W. Boswell at jeffersonboz [AT] gmail [DOT] com

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Division Previews: Dallas Mavericks, Southwest Division – Western Conference

October 26th, 2010 by Brian Henderson

In the final days leading up to regular season action, SCH will be posting divisional previews of the top teams in all six NBA divisions. Come back early and often for updates.

Overview

No Mark, you can't play in the games.

The Mavericks are a head-scratching bunch. 50 plus wins in each of the past ten seasons, and a first round exit in three of the past four, despite being perennial favorites to advance deep into the playoffs after their NBA Finals appearance against the Miami Heat in 2006. Mad Hatter Mark Cuban spares no expense to assemble the most talented roster he can buy, but the Mavs have suffered some chemistry problems, it seems, despite having done so. This is Dirk Nowitzki’s team, and he carries the burden of their success, whomever else the team surrounds him with. With offseason acquisitions, nearly half of the team is new. Dallas has only a couple of seasons left with the current core to make a march on the Lakers and return to the Finals. Can they do it? They have the talent. Will they? If the Jazz don’t do it, I’m rooting for these guys.

Key Matchups

Expect to see the following starting lineup this season for Dallas: Jason Kidd – PG, Rodrigue Beaubois – SG, Caron Butler – SF, Dirk Nowitzki-PF, Brendan Haywood – C. The following key reserves will be coming off the bench: Tyson Chandler, Jason Terry, Shawn Marion and DeShawn Stevenson.

Dirk Nowitzki vs. Paul Millsap

Nowitzki may be one of Millsap’s toughest challenges this season. The way he spreads the floor by shooting from anywhere on the court spells trouble for Millsap, who’s much more comfortable in the post. Expect Nowitzki to have the edge in these matchups.

Jason Kidd vs. Deron Williams

Jason Kidd is one of the best point guards to ever play the game. He is top five all-time in assists. At age 37, having developed an outside shooting threat over his career, he shows no signs of slowing down. Old Guard vs. New Guard, these two seem to have parallel skills and dominance on the court.

Caron Butler and Andrei Kirilenko are evenly matched, as are Brendan Haywood and Al Jefferson. Nevermind the backup center, Tyson Chandler, may be the best #2 center in the NBA.

High Notes | Low Notes

The Mavericks are healthy thus far, which seems to be a good sign. Nearly half the team is new, which normally would be cause for concern. But such is the case with the Jazz, so, if the Mavericks can make it work, more power to them. The primary question that goes unanswered is this: Why does Dallas keep losing in the playoffs with all the talent Cuban has brought to the team?

History

The Mavericks and Jazz have only met twice in the post season, with Dallas sending Utah packing in the first round in 1986 and 2001.

Coach Notes

Head Coach Rick Carlisle had a scare this preseason with a training camp fainting spell. But this 2002 NBA Coach of the Year (with the Pistons) is back in the saddle and ready to go. He’s got an ability to relate to players (himself a former Celtic from the 1986 championship team) and he dials in his player strengths well.

Outlook

Ich werde diesen Ball in die Menge gestellt! (Photo: nba.com)

Utah plays Dallas twice in eight days in early December, followed by a late February road game and a late March home game.

Expect the Mavericks to always be in the mix as long as veterans Nowitzki and Kidd are leading the charge. Few will be surprised at a Lakers – Mavericks Western Conference Finals showdown come springtime. Then again, few will be surprised if the Mavs follow their recent pattern of bowing out to lesser talent in the first round. Which Dallas team will the NBA get this season? I’m expecting the former.

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UTAH FLASH HOST DRAFT PARTY

October 26th, 2010 by Jeff Lind

UTAH FLASH HOST DRAFT PARTY

2010 NBA Development League Draft set for Monday Nov. 1

PROVO, Utah, Oct. 26, 2010 – The Utah Flash are hosting their annual NBA Development League Draft party at Noah’s in Lindon on Monday, Nov. 1 beginning at 5 p.m. MT.

Noah’s, which also serves as a practice facility for the Utah Flash Dance Team, is located at 644 North 2000 West on the East side of I-15 at exit 275 in Pleasant Grove.

The draft is eight rounds and will be conducted via conference call from NBA D-League draft headquarters and at locations in each of the 16 league cities. The ninth-annual event will be streamed on-line (www.nba.com/dleague) beginning at 5 p.m.

The Flash have the eighth selection in the first round and the ninth pick in the second round of the serpentine draft. The unique draft format allows a team who has the last pick in the first round to have the first pick in the following round. The Reno Bighorns have the first overall selection.

Flash fans will be allowed to observe the “war room” where coaches and basketball operations personnel make the final decisions in drafting players.  Fans will also be able to purchase Flash merchandise as well as season ticket and group ticket packages.

Flash head coach Kevin Young will provide in-house commentary on draft picks for fans, giving insight into the thought process behind the player selections.  Flash fans will also have a chance to meet the newest addition to the Flash coaching staff, Gene Cross.

Season and group tickets remain on sale and can be purchased by calling 801-434-HOOP. The Flash opens its season at Reno on Nov. 20, with the home opener slated for Dec. 3 against the Austin Toros.

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Division Previews: San Antonio Spurs, Southwest Division – Western Conference

October 25th, 2010 by Jefferson

In the final days leading up to regular season action, SCH will be posting divisional previews of the top teams in all six NBA divisions. Come back early and often for updates.

Manu and Millsap demonstrate Spurs and Jazz Basketball - If you're not bleeding, you're not playing hard enough. Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images

Key Matchups

Tim Duncan v. Al Jefferson & Company

Tim Duncan (AKA the Big Fundamental, AKA a quiet, boring, dominant MVP) is getting old.  He’s 34 years old and this will be his 14th season in the league.  For his career, he’s averaged 21.1 points per game to go along with 11.6 rebounds.  Much to the chagrin of John Stockton and Karl Malone, David Robinson pegs Duncan as the best power forward ever to play the game (for a extended discussion comparing Duncan and Malone, check out this posting).  Duncan is a lock for the Hall of Fame, for sure.  Last season, his numbers dropped a bit, but he still averaged 17 points and 10 boards.  He may be getting old, but don’t count him out – his fundamentals serve him well, on both offense and defense.

In the sweep-clenching game last year, Duncan scored just 14 points (leaving his career point total at 19,999 – he’d pass 20K two nights later against Houston).  In that effort, Duncan went 1-5 against Millsap (for 2 points) and 1-7 against Okur (for 5 points).  Against other defenders, Duncan went 3-3 for 7 points.  Al, Paul, Memo and company will guard Duncan by committee, as usual.  The youth and depth of the Jazz ought to translate to reduced output from the Senior Statesman from San Antonio.

Tony Parker v. D-Will

When healthy, Tony Parker must be included in the discussion of the top five point guards in the league.  Unfortunately, Mr. Eva Longoria watched a good chunk of last season from the bench.  Never finding a rhythm during the year, he posted average numbers – 16 points and 5.7 dimes.  A breakout season may be looming – his contract expires at season’s end and Parker will be playing for a raise. If he stays healthy, he ought to have a pretty decent year.  Playing against Utah in only 3 of the 4 games last season, Parker averaged 21 points and 3.3 assists.  Parker gives up nearly 30 pounds to D-Will, so look for D-Will to work him into the paint and find the open man once the double-team comes.  Deron didn’t dominate him as he could have last year, but he was the far superior play-maker.  If this matchup is decided on the court (rather than by injuries), this should be fun to watch.

High Notes | Low Notes

Age

Like Boston, San Antonio is flirting with the upper-age-threshold for success.  The starting five for the Spurs (Parker, Manu Ginobili, Richard Jefferson, Antonio McDyess, and Duncan) combine for 53 seasons of NBA experience.  Granted, there are still some miles on their collective tires, but the tread is starting to wear thin.  Despite their age (or because of their experience), the Spurs advanced to the Western Conference Semi-Finals last year, only to be swept by Phoenix.

Consistency

This team is good.  The organization is sound.  Coach Pop knows what he’s doing.  The players know that they are on a perennial playoff team that can contend for a title.  Unless their age and/or injuries catch up with them, San Antonio will continue to be a winner.

History

The Spurs lead the all-time series 82-72.  Prior to last season’s four-game sweep on the Spurs, Utah hadn’t won in San Antonio since February 28, 1999.  It was the first season-sweep of the Spurs since 1993-1994.   During that dominance of the Jazz, the Spurs reached Dynasty-Status, winning championships in 1999 and 2003 on the backs of Duncan and the Admiral David Robinson, and ‘chips in 2005 and 2007 with stars Duncan, Parker and Ginobili (“GINOBILI!”).

Player/Coach Notes

Jerry Sloan and Gregg Popovich are the two longest tenured coaches in the league.  Though the coaching carousel continues each season, the benches in San Antonio and Salt Lake City never seem to change.

Tim Duncan was one of three players to post their 20,000th career point last season.  Joining him in the feat were Dallas’ Dirk Nowitski and Boston’s Ray Allen.

Notorious sixth-man Manu Ginobili will actually start for the Spurs this year.  He started only 21 games last season when filling in for an injured Tony Parker.  Much like Sloan, Coach Pop likes to toy with the line-up.  Don’t be too surprised if Manu returns to the bench, but still puts up starter’s minutes.

Outlook

Many think that the window on their dynasty is closed.  With a elite head coach like Pop and quality, veteran talent, they could still surprise some people this season.  My best guess, though, is that age and injuries will keep San Antonio from seriously challenging in the West once the playoffs roll around.  The Jazz only face the Spurs three times this season (twice in Utah).  I’ve got a sneaky suspicion that San Antonio will steal one from Utah at home (maybe on Jan. 26th after the Jazz fly in late from a game against the Lakers on Jan. 25th?).  Utah showed us last year that it is capable of winning in the Alamodome – Utah takes this series 2-1 this year.

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Contact Jefferson W. Boswell at jeffersonboz [AT] gmail [DOT] com

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