Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Login-facebook
Around SBN: Knicks Beat Lakers With Familiar Strategy

Toronto Raptors @ Utah Jazz - Game Thread

Toronto Raptors at Utah Jazz, Dec 5, 2008 8:30 PM MST


I thought I was going to miss this game due to prior arrangements.  But due to it being on ESPN, it got pushed back to 8:30.  So I should still be able to catch the second half.

We're still in injury limbo.  Boozer is still out.  AK is probably out should play.  Deron is playing but still rehabbing.  It's too bad that the real life players don't come with the health meters their video game counterparts do.  You can say you're 80% or 90% or whatever.  But was does that even mean?  Aren't 53% of statistics made up on the spot?  Has Deron even dunked since he's been back?  He's driving a lot more.  But he gave up a couple of open dunks to RonnieB and CJ - which is fine.  When you see him throw one down, then we can say he's back.

So if AK is back, all we're missing is Boozer for a mostly complete team (you can count Harp and Collins out if you want).

It's just hard to evaluate the team yet.  One night they look amazing only to have them look flat the next.  We all know what kind of team they'll be when everyone is healthy.  I just want everyone back so we can stop talking about it.

Anyway, on to the Raptors.  They just fired their COY from two years ago, Sam Mitchell.  It came as a surprise to me.  They were at about .500.  But after reading up on it more, looks like the writing has been on the wall for a while.

So Jay Triano coaches for Toronto tonight.  He apparently tried out for the Jazz but was beat by some Stockton guy.  We'll if he sparks anything in the Raptors tonight.  Everyone is worried about LeBron leaving Cleveland, but is their a bigger candidate to leave than Bosh?  If the team is doing well, he might want to stick around.  But he's going to get paid and might want to leave the northern franchise.

But somehow, having AK back gives me the warm fuzzies.  He seems to have been the most consisten force we've had this season.  I don't think the team will suffer from a lack of energy with him on the court.  I don't know if you could ever accuse AK of giving anything less than his all.

ESPN will be parked outside the ESA with their NBA crew.  If anyone heads down there, I'd like to see some pics.  Speaking of ESPN, they sent out a preview of their new site today,

2uh0cj9_medium

Looks pretty good.

And if anyone would like to call during/after the game and yell out their frustrations or excitement, please do at the Dial a Dunk number (801) 618-3336.  Best message of the night gets a free 8>3 t-shirt.  To win, you'll have to leave your SLCDunk.com username on the voicemail otherwise I won't know who you are.  I'll post the .mp3's and let everyone vote.  And if anyone would like to record a new voicemail greeting, let me know.

Dialthedunksidebar_medium

 

Comment 134 comments  |  0 recs  | 

Do you like this story?

Comments

Display:

For your consideration...

Boston closed the half on a 13-0 run and is now up 49-36 on Portland at halftime. Looks like we have a chance to gain a game on the division leaders tonight, coupled with Denver’s blowout loss last night.

"SHOCK THE WORLD!! AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!"

by Shums on Dec 5, 2008 7:17 PM MST reply actions  

Considering all of the injuries

I think we’re in a pretty good spot only being 2 games back (as it stands now) of the division lead.

by Vromanite on Dec 5, 2008 7:36 PM MST up reply actions  

here we go

let’s see how the ESPN announcers are tonight, or if I go back to Boler and Booner.

"SHOCK THE WORLD!! AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!"

by Shums on Dec 5, 2008 8:41 PM MST reply actions  

ugh

Hubie Brown. Not a strong argument to keep watching on the Worldwide Leader.

"SHOCK THE WORLD!! AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!"

by Shums on Dec 5, 2008 8:52 PM MST up reply actions  

LOL

He mentioned Harp as a key player twice.

by Vromanite on Dec 5, 2008 8:53 PM MST up reply actions  

9-0 run

not bad, kids. Keep it up.

"SHOCK THE WORLD!! AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!"

by Shums on Dec 5, 2008 8:47 PM MST reply actions  

MEMO

Ballin early. Making up for losing last game practically by himself.

"SHOCK THE WORLD!! AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!"

by Shums on Dec 5, 2008 8:53 PM MST reply actions  

hmm

I’m the only one with nothing better to do than watch the game on a friday night, eh? (Stupid work schedule.)

"SHOCK THE WORLD!! AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!"

by Shums on Dec 5, 2008 8:54 PM MST reply actions  

me

and Vromanite, apparently.

"SHOCK THE WORLD!! AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!"

by Shums on Dec 5, 2008 8:54 PM MST up reply actions  

WOOO

running the floor, baby. This is lovely.

"SHOCK THE WORLD!! AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!"

by Shums on Dec 5, 2008 8:56 PM MST reply actions  

ye gods

I hope so.

"SHOCK THE WORLD!! AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!"

by Shums on Dec 5, 2008 8:57 PM MST up reply actions  

Mo............

Please finish that next time

by Vromanite on Dec 5, 2008 8:58 PM MST reply actions  

D-Will

ten points already. Clarkpojo’s fantasy team will be pleased.

"SHOCK THE WORLD!! AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!"

by Shums on Dec 5, 2008 8:59 PM MST reply actions  

I know it.

Finally I might be able to catch back up.

The more you try to erase me, the more that I appear.

by clarkpojo on Dec 5, 2008 9:58 PM MST up reply actions  

3 fouls

on J. O’Neal already. We may be getting a bit of the old home court treatment tonight. (about time.)

"SHOCK THE WORLD!! AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!"

by Shums on Dec 5, 2008 9:05 PM MST reply actions  

Harpring

I guess he’s back too

by Vromanite on Dec 5, 2008 9:11 PM MST reply actions  

imagine if you will

a time when the Utah Jazz are fully healthy, and we will have players like CJ Miles, Brevin Knight, Paul Millsap, Andrei Kirilenko, Kyle Korver and Kosta Koufos… ALL OFF THE BENCH. Our depth is going to be delightful later this season.

"SHOCK THE WORLD!! AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!"

by Shums on Dec 5, 2008 9:14 PM MST reply actions  

oops

I got carried away. He will probably still start.

"SHOCK THE WORLD!! AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!"

by Shums on Dec 5, 2008 9:18 PM MST up reply actions  

KK

where the Danielle is at?

"SHOCK THE WORLD!! AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!"

by Shums on Dec 5, 2008 9:19 PM MST reply actions  

sloan'

Pants Off, Game On!

by MTN on Dec 5, 2008 9:20 PM MST reply actions  

Millsap

8 points, 5 boards, 4 assists: looking for that triple double

by Vromanite on Dec 5, 2008 9:21 PM MST reply actions  

missed layup by Harpring

in other news, the sky is still blue.

"SHOCK THE WORLD!! AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!"

by Shums on Dec 5, 2008 9:24 PM MST reply actions  

opa

Pants Off, Game On!

by MTN on Dec 5, 2008 9:29 PM MST reply actions  

beautiful move from Deron

and what is “opa?” Is that like the Brazilian exclamation thing?

"SHOCK THE WORLD!! AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!"

by Shums on Dec 5, 2008 9:30 PM MST up reply actions  

Hey guys,

So, I’m not really watching the game, but I guess it’s going well. I’m trying to ‘build’ a car online. It’s hard.

by DaniellelovesKK on Dec 5, 2008 9:32 PM MST reply actions  

"build" a car?

like, reassemble?

"SHOCK THE WORLD!! AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!"

by Shums on Dec 5, 2008 9:35 PM MST up reply actions  

No,

like trying to figure out what kinda car I want.

Duh, like I would reassemble a car!

by DaniellelovesKK on Dec 5, 2008 9:36 PM MST up reply actions  

well, how was I supposed to know?

"SHOCK THE WORLD!! AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!"

by Shums on Dec 5, 2008 9:37 PM MST up reply actions  

uh-oh

did you see D just now? He got stuck on the ground. Is he hurt?

Pants Off, Game On!

by MTN on Dec 5, 2008 9:34 PM MST reply actions  

I saw what you saw

but he looks fine now.

"SHOCK THE WORLD!! AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!"

by Shums on Dec 5, 2008 9:34 PM MST up reply actions  

Halftime

16-point lead. I’ll take it.

"SHOCK THE WORLD!! AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!"

by Shums on Dec 5, 2008 9:38 PM MST reply actions  

I just realized

Koufos didn’t play in the first half. I thought he’d be needed more in this game to match Toronto’s big front court.

by Vromanite on Dec 5, 2008 9:57 PM MST reply actions  

Apparently,

they decided to go with ‘toughness’ instead. That’s the only justification for Matty to have played.

by DaniellelovesKK on Dec 5, 2008 9:58 PM MST up reply actions  

Bosh can't wait

to go home.

Pants Off, Game On!

by MTN on Dec 5, 2008 9:57 PM MST reply actions  

I was out to dinner for my wife's birthday, but the restaurant had ESPN.

I was trying not to watch too much, cuz you know, I should pay attention to my wife. They looked good, but I would like to see some more lock down defense, just for practice’s sake.

The more you try to erase me, the more that I appear.

by clarkpojo on Dec 5, 2008 10:00 PM MST reply actions  

lol

I can totally see you doing this. And I can totally see her calling you on it.

"SHOCK THE WORLD!! AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!"

by Shums on Dec 5, 2008 10:01 PM MST up reply actions  

5.

The more you try to erase me, the more that I appear.

by clarkpojo on Dec 5, 2008 10:02 PM MST up reply actions  

WIlliams looks so smooth out there.

The more you try to erase me, the more that I appear.

by clarkpojo on Dec 5, 2008 10:01 PM MST reply actions  

So guys.

It is about time to start thinking of what game we can all go see together.

The more you try to erase me, the more that I appear.

by clarkpojo on Dec 5, 2008 10:02 PM MST reply actions  

Rhymes With Satan is grateful

That’s my fantasy team. I forgot you didn’t know that.

"SHOCK THE WORLD!! AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!"

by Shums on Dec 5, 2008 10:06 PM MST up reply actions  

Bueller?

The more you try to erase me, the more that I appear.

by clarkpojo on Dec 5, 2008 10:06 PM MST up reply actions  

I'm scheduled to work

alas.

"SHOCK THE WORLD!! AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!"

by Shums on Dec 5, 2008 10:07 PM MST up reply actions  

Are you working on Monday, the 29th?

The more you try to erase me, the more that I appear.

by clarkpojo on Dec 5, 2008 10:08 PM MST up reply actions  

I don't think I'll be able to make any games this year

I live in Tucson and I’ll be in California for Christmas.

by Vromanite on Dec 5, 2008 10:07 PM MST up reply actions  

You know what really bugs me...

Most of the people you see in the lower bowl look like they could really care less about the Jazz. I think that only true fans should be allowed in the first 20 rows.

by DaniellelovesKK on Dec 5, 2008 10:10 PM MST reply actions  

Um,

Isn’t Jason Kopono supposed to be the #2 3 pt shooter in the league right now?

by DaniellelovesKK on Dec 5, 2008 10:20 PM MST reply actions  

you're complaining?

oh yeah, he’s on your fantasy team. Because he’s hot. I forgot. :)

"SHOCK THE WORLD!! AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!"

by Shums on Dec 5, 2008 10:24 PM MST up reply actions  

No,

I took him off and added someone else because a certain someone told me it was a good idea.

by DaniellelovesKK on Dec 5, 2008 10:25 PM MST up reply actions  

So,

Is Price not there tonight? Or has he just been on the bench?

And, why haven’t we seen KK2.0?

by DaniellelovesKK on Dec 5, 2008 10:26 PM MST reply actions  

good questions, both

I don’t have answers for either.

"SHOCK THE WORLD!! AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!"

by Shums on Dec 5, 2008 10:27 PM MST up reply actions  

I'm not magic

my “sources” are at the game right now.

"SHOCK THE WORLD!! AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!"

by Shums on Dec 5, 2008 10:29 PM MST up reply actions  

I saw Price on the bench with D-Will

Not sure why he hasn’t played yet (or Kouf for that matter)

by Vromanite on Dec 5, 2008 10:27 PM MST up reply actions  

This game should help our defensive numbers.

The more you try to erase me, the more that I appear.

by clarkpojo on Dec 5, 2008 10:30 PM MST reply actions  

and our margin of victory

hello, Hollinger rankings.

"SHOCK THE WORLD!! AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!"

by Shums on Dec 5, 2008 10:32 PM MST up reply actions  

Oh Brevin

how could you miss that?

by Vromanite on Dec 5, 2008 10:36 PM MST reply actions  

just life

you have to take the bad with the good

"SHOCK THE WORLD!! AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!"

by Shums on Dec 5, 2008 10:37 PM MST up reply actions  

Not complaining

but maybe he could look for the open guy instead of trying to bounce a behind the back pass between 2 defenders.

by UtesFan89 on Dec 5, 2008 10:38 PM MST up reply actions  

The Koof

in the house.

"SHOCK THE WORLD!! AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!"

by Shums on Dec 5, 2008 10:40 PM MST reply actions  

Here it is.

David Gary,IN [via mobile]: Why do u think John paxson is not willing to trade any of his 1st round draft picks (T.Thomas J.Noah) for a quality inside player like Paul Millsap from Utah?I think this guy could b an allstar if given the minutes,its clear as day with the boozer injury

 J.A. Adande: So why, then, would the Jazz want to get rid of him to get one of Paxson’s busts? Really, sometimes you guys could answer your own questions with a little more thought

The more you try to erase me, the more that I appear.

by clarkpojo on Dec 5, 2008 10:44 PM MST up reply actions  

lol

Gotta love fans of other teams.

I think we should trade Morris Almond for Greg Oden. He could be an allstar if he’s not hurt…

by UtesFan89 on Dec 5, 2008 10:46 PM MST up reply actions  

And this. Where is Erda, Utah?

Mark (Erda, Utah): Im getting worried about the Jazz? Are they going to be alright?

 J.A. Adande: Worried? Your squad’s 4 games over .500 with limited production from Deron Williams, now Boozer and AK are out and you’re still worried? Yes, it’s alarming to watch them drop so many home games, but with the full roster they will be fine. People forget this has been the best playoff team in the West besides the Spurs over the past 2 postseasons, and they’re still in that sweet zone where they’re gaining experience without getting too old.

The more you try to erase me, the more that I appear.

by clarkpojo on Dec 5, 2008 10:48 PM MST up reply actions  

That's okay. Those are the teams we struggle against.

The more you try to erase me, the more that I appear.

by clarkpojo on Dec 5, 2008 10:49 PM MST up reply actions  

truth

we get up for the big games.

"SHOCK THE WORLD!! AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!"

by Shums on Dec 5, 2008 10:49 PM MST up reply actions  

Koufos is on a 96 pts/48 mins pace.

The more you try to erase me, the more that I appear.

by clarkpojo on Dec 5, 2008 10:49 PM MST reply actions  

we seriously lucked out

Millsap = Boozer-lite plus defense
Koufos = Memo plus inside presence (minus 3-pointers)

I’m excited.

"SHOCK THE WORLD!! AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!"

by Shums on Dec 5, 2008 10:52 PM MST reply actions  

I know it. I love him as a back up.

The more you try to erase me, the more that I appear.

by clarkpojo on Dec 5, 2008 10:53 PM MST up reply actions  

and Kouf is only 19

Imagine how he’ll develop in a couple of years.

by Vromanite on Dec 5, 2008 10:53 PM MST up reply actions  

I can't wait

He’s fun to watch too… even without the fancy dunks and all.

by UtesFan89 on Dec 5, 2008 10:55 PM MST up reply actions  

yeah

just seems like he’s got a nice energy to his game. He takes high percentage shots and plays intelligently. I can’t believe he fell to us so late in the first round. He’s going to make a lot of teams feel stupid for passing on him.

"SHOCK THE WORLD!! AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!"

by Shums on Dec 5, 2008 10:56 PM MST up reply actions  

very satisfying

well done, gents. To borrow from Herm Edwards, “LET’S BUILD ON THAT!!!”

"SHOCK THE WORLD!! AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!"

by Shums on Dec 5, 2008 10:57 PM MST reply actions  

Herm Edwards

hopefully that line is all you borrow from him.

by UtesFan89 on Dec 5, 2008 10:59 PM MST up reply actions  

say what you want

the dude is entertaining.

"SHOCK THE WORLD!! AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!"

by Shums on Dec 5, 2008 11:00 PM MST up reply actions  

Entertaining, yes.

Good coach though… not so much.
Especially his playclock management.
And his special ability to completely blow games after having huge leads.

by UtesFan89 on Dec 6, 2008 5:45 AM MST up reply actions  

Or to borrow from Jim Zorn...

I want 3 hips and a hooray. Hip hip…

The more you try to erase me, the more that I appear.

by clarkpojo on Dec 5, 2008 11:00 PM MST up reply actions  

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recent FanPosts

Bb_image_small
KOC is on the clock
Dwill-jail_small
More Trade Ideas
Small
Karl Malone had to buy a scalped ticket to see his former team play
Thereisawar_small
Fan Commandments!
Pistonsfwlogo_small
Herein lies the problem...
Green-bay-packers---nfl-2011-champions_small
The Choice
12068_small
Worth taking a look?
Bigpapi1_small
The Jazz Fan Wave!
3822995_small
Watch Jazz games in SLC?
Small
Who the Jazz will get in return for Harris

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

Uf_medium 

More great SB Nation Blogs


Stockton to Malone

Utahjazz_small clarkpojo

Allthatamar_wip_small AllThatJazzBasketball

Starters

Jerry-b_small moni

Ppr-3_small prodigal punk

Myprofile_small Yucca Man

2012-01-03_21-25-16_231_small dianaallen

Bench Threats

New-player-of-utah-jazz-enes-kanter-2011-06-24_v_small UtesFan89

John-stockton-300b0518_small TazzJazzFan

Jackpotting HOF

Megajazznew_small Shums

Slcdunk_logo_three_colors_small Basketball Kris