New location...

Come join me now at http://www.basketballjohn.com . I needed more flexibility with Worpdress.

Recap 3/20/2007 - Golden State @ Utah - Free throws

9-9 & 24-30. The Jazz went 9-9 in the fourth quarter and 24-30 overall for the game from the line. This was the biggest factor in the win. Also, it seemed like AK was back to his normal defensive self. This helped offset the unbelievable 14-28 3-point shots from the Warriors. Ironically, the clincher was a trey from Millsap in the waning seconds, the first of his career.

The man of the game was Boozer with 25&21 and was the beneficiary of many of Williams' 17 assists.

Next game:
Friday, March 23rd @ LAC, 6:30 MDT.

Preview - Golden State @ Utah - 2/20/2007

These two have split the season series so far, with both visiting teams taking the loss. I expect that to stay the same tonight. I think the Jazz shake off the four-game skid and beat the Warriors convincingly. This team seems to have the ability to bounce back.

Marc Stein's Power Rankings

The latest Power Rankings are out from Stein, and despite the last 0-4, the Jazz only slipped to #6. I thought they might drop a bit further. Preview for tonight's game later today.

0-4 road trip

It's a good thing I didn't have an internet connection over the weekend. I wouldn't have even known what to write. I thought the last road trip would be rough, but not like that. They were all so ugly. I haven't seen the offense that horrible for a long time and certainly not with Deron Williams leading them. They played some teams that have been playing really well of late, but it's no excuse.

One note about the Cavs game, if the Jazz could have got a defensive rebound, they could have won. Get Millsap in there if no one else is going to pull them down.

Well, the next three games against the Warriors, Clippers, and Grizzlies should help. And forget about overtaking the Spurs. The Jazz are in full fend-off mode. They have the Rockets breathing down their necks for the fourth spot and home court during the first round.

Next Game: Tuesday, Mar. 20, 7:00pm

vs. Warriors

TV: KJZZ, NBALP

They keep coming...

These are great. Anyone know when these were taken? They have to be Illinois days, right?

Dee Brown is diverse

I didn't look hard enough through the pictures. I wish these were geo-tagged.

Um, this isn't going to end up on the internet is it?

Lots of pictures of NBA players with random white chicks at flickr. Williams, here though seems to prefer having a couple beers rather than a couple of roadies.

Is Cherokee Parks still considered an NBA player?

Recap 3/14/2007 Jazz @ Magic - Big let-down

Ugh. The final score of this one, 101-90 Magic. Take away three late threes by Okur & Fisher and this game isn't even close. Those did put them within four, but the Magic put it away after that with a couple layups. If you look at the stats, you would guess that this was a lot closer. And outside of rebounds, you would almost think they won. But the biggest thing for this game seemed to be that they couldn't get back on defense for fast breaks.

Complete Box Score

The Jazz are off tomorrow and play again @ Philly on Saturday. They're coming off a heart-breaker to the Bulls. The Jazz will have to put them away early as it's a young, confident team.

Recap Jazz @ Heat - "We choked, plain and simple,"

Not much more to say than what Deron Williams did. I couldn't watch the game on TV so I had to "watch" on ESPN's gamecast. It seemed like every bucket for the Heat in the final 5 minutes were layups. Okur came put the Jazz up late with a 3, 86-85, but they couldn't score again. I think the biggest issue, which seems to happen a lot during losses, it the bad free-throw shooting. The went 24-36 last night. I wonder how much they have to run in practice for that.

Complete Box Score

I can see tonight's game at Orlando as a let-down game. Let's see what they're made of.

Utah @ Orlando preview 7 p.m. ET

Does the sun set in the east now?

It seems as likely as this article where Sloan says that he's not going to get any more technicals for the rest of the season. What fun would that be? Even more alarming is that Kirilenko has just one in his six seasons. I can't see AK getting that upset, he loves everyone.

Stein's Power rankings - #4

In the only true power rankings, Marc Stein has the Jazz listed fourth. Hard to argue with that position with the Mavs, Spurs, and Suns above them. The good news is that the Jazz's record against those teams is 6-2. Where's the love?

Recap 3/10/2007 - Hornets @ Jazz - DWill v. CP3, pt III

In the much played-down competition between Deron Williams and Chris Paul, Williams came away from the game with a slight edge in overall stats with 10 pts & 13 assists. Neither shot the ball well:

Complete Box Score

But most importantly, the Jazz came away with a win, one they were expected to get. A lot of people will say that this six game win streak has been against lesser opponents, but as a championship-type team, aren't these the ones you're suppose to win? Losing any of these would have been huge considering the damn Spurs have one 12 straight.

This was a typical Jazz game this year as they started out slow, trailed 47-45 at the half, then pulled away in the third, and maintained the lead in the fourth.

The Jazz were led again by Okur and Boozer with 29 and 20 respectively.

Next up, a four-game eastern road swing starting Tueday @ Miami. Should be a test as they play Miami, Orlando, Philly, and wrap it up in Cleveland. Miami has been playing well despite Wade's absence. The Jazz have also had a time with Orlando. I don't expect them to lose this one though. After playing a resurgent Philly team, they'll finish up at Cleveland where LeBron awaits.

Four games in five nights on the road. Tough stretch coming up.

Carlos Boozer, back with team USA

Boozer reportedly received the call from Jerry Colangelo to play for Team USA.

"He said, 'We want you there,' and I told him I'd be thrilled to play," said Boozer,

Team USA needs an inside presence like Boozer. Hopefully it doesn't wear him out for next season, or the season after that because of the Olympics.

More @ AOL

Recap 3/7/2007 - Pacers @ Jazz

Now's a good as time as any to start up a blog on the Jazz. Look for more things coming...

In the midst of one of their easiest stretches, the Jazz pulled away in the fourth quarter to beat the Indiana Pacers. They did it again with a different leading scorer, Deron Williams.

Williams had 17 points & 6 assists while Carlos Boozer contributed 14 points and 16 boards. Their efforts helped offset Mehmet Okur's off night of 1-8 shooting.

Complete Boxscore

The Pacers closed out the third with 7 straight points to cut the Jazz lead to 5, which is closer than it should have ever gotten. All of this occurred while William was on the bench. The last two losses the Jazz have suffered has been when Williams didn't play. What is now the Nash rule for MVP, shouldn't this put Williams up with Nowitski and Nash? I'm sure Dirk will win, but I can't believe Deron doesn't get much mention. He should contend as early as next year I would think. And as long as a championship comes this year, it won't matter.

Next game:
NOOCH @ Utah, 10 March, 2007 @ 7:00 p.m.