Recap - Chicago Bulls @ Utah Jazz - L 101-100 - Larry F'in Hughes

"Just one of those games where the Jazz got outscored."

                                                              --Ron Boone

No wiser words could be spoken.

Derrick Rose poured a lot of salt in the wounds of Jazz fans when he helped deliver the only home-court loss for Utah with his 25 points and 10 assists.  He was the hero of the game, not Larry Hughes.  If we were going to lose on a last-second shot, it should have been Derrick's last attempt, not Hughes'.  Rose's shot clanged off the back of the iron and should have been secured by a Jazzman for the win.  Instead, it shot straight to Larry who took a driible to his left, raised for the long two with CJ Miles in his face, and drained it at the buzzer.  And that was pretty much how most of the night went.

The Jazz played consecutive teams that had barely been shooting abouve 40% on the year only to see them shoot above 50%.  There were some open looks for the Bulls, but a lot of them were tough shots that fell.  And having Hughes, someone who must practice those awkward, fall-away, 21-foot two-point shots each day, make the game winner, it kills you.  Had Rose made his shot, not only would the Jazz have had time left to get a shot off, but I could have at least lived with it.  He was hot all night.  This would have been akin to Jordan missing his shot in the 1998 Finals and having Scott Burrell (I know he wasn't on the court at the time.  Work with me.) scoop up the ball and chuck it in.  Instead of a dagger to the heart, this was more like a dull butter knife twisted slowy and erratically through your gut.

So the crappy loss nullified the amazing highlight dunks and big-time blocks from the Jazz.  None of those even matter.  I was going to record some, but couldn't stomach it (sorry UF89).  But Ronnie B's dunk did get the dunk of the night,

But he only gets #6 on the Top Ten (with 4 dunks ahead of him?)  And don't watch #1.

Still down a few hundred men, only the Jazz starters scored in double figures.  AK didn't have a good offensive night, going for only 4 points and 4 turnovers.  He did dish out 8 assists.  Here's the rest of the Jazz stats,

We'll have the second coming of Deron Williams Wednesday night against the Grizzlies.  He stated on the telecast that he should be good to go provided he doesn't have any setbacks.  I haven't heard/read anything yet, but I imagine we could have Boozer and Korver back as well.

Now that the second pre-season has ended, we can finally get things going again.

Other blogs,

• Ross Siler
• Blog a Bull