Utah Jazz/LA Lakers: Some Wins are a Bit More Rewarding

Posted by: David J. Smith on November 8th, 2012

The author's views are entirely his or her own and may not reflect the views of the Utah Jazz.

After losing three consecutive games, any win is a welcome sight. Now, should that win come against the Los Angeles Lakers, that is magnified many times over. Such was the case Wednesday night as our Utah Jazz earned their most impressive win of the (five-game) season. As always, here is my article for the Deseret News from last night.

Other things I’ve noticed:

• I know the ESPN stories from the game have focused on the startling 1-4 LA start, but it was nice for the national types to show some Jazz highlights, while doling out some well-deserved praise for a strong performance. The Jazz won this game–the Lakers didn’t lose it.
• The rotation continues to evolve, with Jamaal Tinsley coming back into the fold after a DNP-CD against Memphis (he responded with a nice floor game of four assists and two steals in 14 minutes). Alec Burks played a solid nine minutes. It looks like Tyrone Corbin is continuing to try a ten-man line-up. Not sure how long that will work, but hopefully he can find the rotations that are the most effective.
• Enes Kanter is going to be just fine. It was nice to see him play a game that more mirrored his strong preseason performance.
• I thought entering the season that the Lakers’ bench was solid. After all, they added long-time scorer Antawn Jamison and underrated sharpshooter Jodie Meeks (for minimal contracts) to Jordan Hill, Steve Blake, and Devin Ebanks. Perhaps I was wrong. Jamison looked washed up and for some reason Meeks did not see the court, despite LA’s woeful shooting. And it’s not his fault, but Steve Blake is not a starter and if he is starting, that hurts both your starting lineup and bench.
• It was kind of shocking as I realized that Metta World Peace is in his 14th season.
• Take out that scintillating third quarter (where LA outscored Utah 16-14), the Jazz scored 81 points in the other three quarters. This team has immense offensive potential. The Jazz are only shooting 44.3 percent from the floor this season thus far and are sporting a 97.6 ppg average. My guess is that once we get a better feel for things, we will just see those number go up.
• Anyone doubting the Randy Foye addition right now? His outside shooting performance in that fourth quarter was among the most impressive in recent Jazz history. I know there were a lot of concerns from Jazz fans in the preseason, but we’re looking at a guy who is second on the team in scoring (13.6 ppg) and who is MAKING 2.6 three-pointers per outing (on a 46.4 percent clip). His offense has been a welcome, welcome addition off the bench.
• Again Foye, Mo Williams, and Marvin Williams >>> CJ Miles, Devin Harris, and Josh Howard (not to mention Raja Bell).
• He may not keep it up all season, but Mo Williams is looking fantastic, playing like an elite point guard: 19.8 ppg, 6.8 apg, 49.4 percent FGs, 36.8 percent 3s, and is top in the NBA in free throw percentage (a perfect 16-16). Moreover, his leadership and attitude has infused a different spirit into this team.

For Jazz talk 24/7, follow me on Twitter at davidjsmith1232.

Replies: 2

 

Views: 545

2 Responses

1. L.K.Anderson says:

   November 8, 2012 at 4:28 pm

   Great post as usual David. You are old enough to remember Steve Kerr of the Spurs. Would love to see Foye become this kind of “Dagger man” in games. Nothing is more drepressing to a team to get clobber with a “Rain of threes.”Kerr was very much responsable for a couple of Spurs rings..
2. disco says:

   November 8, 2012 at 10:11 pm

   I dont think the spurs were the only team that Kerr rained three’s for