Meet
Season In Review: Part 1
Posted by: Jason Michael Crannell on February 5th, 2012
The author's views are entirely his or her own and may not reflect the views of the Utah Jazz.Jazz record – 13-9 (currently fifth in the western conference)
Because of the lockout, this particular NBA season has been reduced to a 66 game schedule. As a result, I will post my “season in review” columns after each 22 game set is completed.
The Jazz have now completed 1/3 of the 2011-2012 NBA season. As least for me, it’s flown by rather quickly.
For the most part (as Ron Boone would say), the Jazz have remained fairly healthy (the recent road contest at Golden State being the lone exception), and have benefited from a large number of home games. In fact, the Jazz have played 15 home games (a record of 11-4), and only seven road games (a record of 2-5). The Jazz have taken advantage, and have played very well at ESA. What may be more impressive then the nice winning percentage at home however, is the fact that the four games Utah has lost on it’s home floor, are by a COMBINED 13 points (and involved three overtime sessions). Bottom line: If your going to beat the Jazz in Salt Lake City, you better bring your “A” game. Some of the best wins at home have come against the Lakers, Blazers, Clippers, and Sixers.
The Jazz haven’t faired as well on the road. But on closer inspection, the 2-5 record may not be as terrible as it first seems. Four of the five road losses have been to the Lakers, Spurs, Nuggets, and Mavs. If that’s not a KILLER road schedule, I don’t know what is. One concern I do have however, is that the Jazz have lost by such large margins in most of those games. During the next third of the season, the Jazz will play 14 of 22 on the road, and we will get a much better idea of what kind of a road team they actually are. The road win at Denver gives me some hope that maybe they can at least be competitive on the road.
The Jazz rank 12th in the league at field goal percentage, but are dead last in 3pt shooting percentage. This is Utah’s biggest weakness…hitting the 3pt shot. I don’t see this changing much, as the season goes on, unless the Jazz make a move, and bring in some help. The Jazz are also in the lower half of the league in free throw percentage. We have lost at least two games this season, in my opinion, due to poor free throw shooting. This is a problem that can be corrected, however, with guys putting in extra time in practice. Devin Harris, Derrick Favors, and Earl Watson, in particular, need to raise their foul line shooting percentage.
Utah is shooting 45% from the floor, while their opponents are shooting 44%. While Utah is shooting a dismal percentage from three point land, they are doing a good job of holding the opponent to a low three point percentage (32%). Utah is shooting 73% as a team from the foul line, while the opponent is shooting 76%. Utah is out rebounding their opponents (43 rebounds per game to 41 rebounds per game). The stats overall are close, which is a reflection that the Jazz have been in a number of close games in the first part of the season. This team is going to have to continue to “gut out” wins, because they simply are talented enough to steamroll most teams. The Jazz are third in the league in block shots, and are one of the best teams at taking care of the ball (third to last in turnovers).
Al Jefferson – !8.5pts, 47%fgp, 9.2 rebs, 1.9 assists, 1.6 blocks.
Al has had some ankle injuries, and started off the season slow, but for the most part, has put up near all-star numbers, and has improved in both his defense, and learning to pass the basketball. He is less selfish, and seems to be in better shape then past years.
Paul Millsap – 16.8 pts, 52% fgp, 9.5 rebs, 1.9 assists.
Paul has been tremendous, and had one stretch of games where he looked as good as any power forward in the NBA. He does have stretches where his shot leaves him, but he always hits the boards hard, plays solid defense, and leads by example, with grit and determination.
C.J. Miles – 10.1 pts, 38% fgp.
Miles is not a well rounded player, and shoots a poor percentage from the floor (in particular behind the 3pt line). But, he does average 10 points in just 19 minutes a night, and seems to have learned that he’s better off driving the ball to the rim, and playing inside out. I see progress with Miles, but he needs to start contributing more in other areas of the game, besides scoring.
Gordon Hayward – 9.5 pts, 3 rebs, 3.2 assists, 40% fgp.
Gordon is coming along, though he has peaks and valleys. He always plays a nice overall floor game, rarely takes a bad shot, and plays hard nosed defense (though sometimes he is overmatched). I believe his shooting, and overall consistency will improve with time. He’s being asked to do a great deal for such a young guy.
Josh Howard – 9.4 pts, 3.2 rebs, 39% fgp.
Josh has battled injuries, and doesn’t shoot the ball all that well, but he gives the Jazz a different type of player then what they have had before (a nice athlete, who can put the ball on the floor, and is a slasher). For the small salary he commands, he has made a significant contribution. A nice off season pickup by KOC.
Devin Harris – 8.9 pts, 4.5 assists, 41% fgp.
Harris has been a disappointment, practically the entire season. He’s being outplayed by his “backup” and at times seems lost as to what he should do in any given situation. I know some fans want him gone…like yesterday. I however, am cheering for the guy. David Locke has suggested that after a player has played so many years in the league, that he is the back of his basketball card. I believe that to be true also. That being said, Harris is playing well below his careers numbers in every category. If you believe in law of averages, Devin will improve in all areas as the season goes along. He is the key to our team. Even with Devin struggling, this team is still 4 games above .500. Can you imagine how much better we might be, if this former all-star finds his game again? I’m praying for him…because if he starts playing better, this team can go to a different level.
Derrick Favors – 8.o pts, 6 rebs, 48% fgp.
Slowly but surely, Favors is making strides. Sometimes, I get impatient with him, because I see how talented the kid is, and how good he has the potential to be. He’s developing a good inside game offensively, and he always plays solid defense, and rebounds pretty well. In time, I think this kid might be something special.
Raja Bell – 5.6 pts, 40% fgp.
After a terrible start of the season, Bell has fought back, and has become an important part of this Jazz team. We saw how badly we miss his defense recently, when Monta Ellis, and Chris Paul lit us up, with Raja out due to injury. He brings toughness, and leadership. Two things, a young team needs.
Earl Watson – 4.1 pts, 4.8 assists, 47% fgp.
If there were ever a player, where the stats just don’t tell the story, it’s Earl Watson. This guy is a tenacious competitor, and a natural leader. He makes good use of every possession, and is an excellent veteran for the young players to learn from, and emulate. I hate to think where this team would be this season, without all the intangibles Earl brings to the court each night.
Enes Kanter – 5.3 pts, 5 rebs, 47% fgp.
This is one tough hombre. Kanter is a terrific rebounder, and does so much in his limited time on the floor. I hope fans are patient with this kid, as he continues to develop. He and Favors are both likely to be double double guys someday. If you ever start missing Deron Williams, remember neither of these guys would be here if D-Will was still on the roster.
Alec Burks, Jeremy Evans, and Jamaal Tinsley – These three guys have all played limited minutes, but all have shined in different situations. I think Burks, in particular, has a very bright future. He can score, he can pass, he can rebound, and he can handle the ball. I can’t see how he can fail.
Replies: 3
Views: 260
3 Responses
Nice post. And your assesment seemed pretty fair. I would like to see the last three get more minutes. Pretty solid team though. Sure beats the likes of Collins and Fess for backups..
Extensive analysis, Jason. Nice job. I will keep it at the birds-eye level by simply saying this: If you’d told me at Christmas that the Jazz would be 13-9 after the first weekend in February, I’d be thrilled. Here’s hoping the Jazz keep it up as the road gets rough.
Nice analysis. I’ve been very impressed with Hayward’s game myself as well. He doesn’t seem afraid anymore like he was last year when he’s on defense (when he would just let Carmelo and Kevin Durant walk past him), and he just looks more comfortable. I really wish he would be more aggressive and just go into attack mode sometimes. He still has those moments where he has a shot and instead defers to someone else, especially when he’s on the fast break. That really needs to change.