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New Orleans Hornets @ Utah Jazz - Game Thread

Slcdunklogo_tiny by Basketball John on Comment 301 comments

New Orleans @ Utah


This is arguably one of the biggest games of the year so far and not necessarily for the reason you might think.

Let's get this out of the way - Any time it's Williams v. Paul, it's big.  Deron likes to say it's just another game, but at the same time he says that he likes going up against the best.  So there's always that extra motivation for him.  But the matchup isn't the main reason why this is a big game.

The Hornets just did the rest of the Western Conference a favor last night, knocking off LA in LA and closing the gap for everyone a bit.  NOLA is 7-3 in their last 10 games and have won 5 of their last 6.  So they're playing pretty well right now.

This game will be a good barometer whether the Jazz are serious contenders at this point in the season.  We're facing a Western Conference power, at home, after they just knocked off the conference leader on their home court.  So if the Jazz win tonight, it will show a few things,

  • It would put a significant stamp on the season so far when the Jazz have been wishy-washy at best.  We've alternated wins and losses for too long now.  We have to start putting something together.  A win would be two in a row and perhaps start a streak similar to last January.
  • If we beat NOLA without Boozer, we'll be that much better off when he returns.
  • Maybe the front office reconsiders making any moves.  They're not going to be rushed or forced into anything anyway, but a win here would have to be encouraging for them knowing that the team as constituted is pretty good.  If there was a significant upgrade, they'd make it.  A loss though might prompt them a little to make a trade though.
Right now, the Jazz seem to be playing like the 2005-06 team.  That team finished 41-41 on the year.  The team was still trying to adapt to each other and that's kind of what we have now and that's how they've played.

That could be the biggest reason we need Carlos back.  The 20+ & 10+ are obviously great, but the sense of normalcy could put everyone a little bit more at ease and we'd finally have the team we envisioned at the beginning of the season that was suppose to be close to leading the west at this point.

The big guns for NOLA are of course Chris Paul and David West.  They're almost the Bizarro Deron & Carlos, except they're not the opposite.  I don't know where I was going with that.  Anyway, we'll have Deron v. Paul, Millsap v. West, Memo v. Chandler Bing, and AK against their defense.

And as always,

8-3
Other blogs,

 

 

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I'm here and I'm wearing my 8>3 t-shirt right now.

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

by clarkpojo on Jan 7, 2009 7:08 PM MST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Sweet

I’ve been meaning to email you about that. How does it look?

SLCDunk.com, The Utah Jazz on SBNation

by Basketball John on Jan 7, 2009 7:10 PM MST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It looks good.

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

by clarkpojo on Jan 7, 2009 7:12 PM MST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Millsap got away with a travel.

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

by clarkpojo on Jan 7, 2009 7:15 PM MST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

No wait. This just in.

It was a hermit crab dribble.

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

by clarkpojo on Jan 7, 2009 7:15 PM MST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Maybe.

But even in the last 3 games I can think of 6 and ones that Miles has given up. That’s not just a coincidence

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

by clarkpojo on Jan 7, 2009 7:21 PM MST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

everyone's to blame

with dwill back in the starting lineup there’s no more excuses for these slow starts

by moni on Jan 7, 2009 7:22 PM MST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Not solely.

But he’s a big reason. He doesn’t play with energy and he doesn’t run the first team offense. I mean his guy has 7 points so far and did you see that awful left hook shot? I also think we have sort of mentally embraced the slow start thing.

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

by clarkpojo on Jan 7, 2009 7:23 PM MST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I am displeased thus far

hopefully it’s just jitters.

HOLY CRAP RONNIE B. Okay. I feel better.

Uh, do you think you could draw me like a ninja?

by Shums on Jan 7, 2009 7:26 PM MST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Miles problems boil down to two things and they are very fixable.

1. Be more active on defense and don’t let your defender get open layups and dunks

2. Cut to the basket without the ball and never stop moving on offense.

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

by clarkpojo on Jan 7, 2009 7:28 PM MST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

maybe he thinks that he already is active on defense

and is moving on offense.

isn’t that what it boils down to? he and jerry have different definitions of what constitutes “working hard”

by moni on Jan 7, 2009 7:31 PM MST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

With that said. He looks more active now.

I mean even going after the offensive rebound allowed Memo to get that putback.

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

by clarkpojo on Jan 7, 2009 7:29 PM MST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'm excited to see how Knight guards Paul.

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

by clarkpojo on Jan 7, 2009 7:31 PM MST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Five TOs for Jazz already

about four too many.

Uh, do you think you could draw me like a ninja?

by Shums on Jan 7, 2009 7:32 PM MST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

David West got away with a huge offensive foul. He pushed AK's hand away.

I like AK on West though.

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

by clarkpojo on Jan 7, 2009 7:32 PM MST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

lol

Boler: “Hornets shoot free throws at 80% as a team.”
Booner: “80% as a team… and… that’s good…”

Uh, do you think you could draw me like a ninja?

by Shums on Jan 7, 2009 7:33 PM MST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Memo is ballin'

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

by clarkpojo on Jan 7, 2009 7:34 PM MST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I guess lots of dunkers have directv.

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

by clarkpojo on Jan 7, 2009 7:34 PM MST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Slc Dunkers, I mean.

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

by clarkpojo on Jan 7, 2009 7:35 PM MST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

what's OTA?

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

by clarkpojo on Jan 7, 2009 7:36 PM MST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

over the air

actually, the HD is better because it’s not compressed.

SLCDunk.com, The Utah Jazz on SBNation

by Basketball John on Jan 7, 2009 7:37 PM MST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

over the air

Uh, do you think you could draw me like a ninja?

by Shums on Jan 7, 2009 7:37 PM MST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

what a huge bench drop-off for NOLA

from West and Chandler to Armstrong and Ely. Ouch city.

Uh, do you think you could draw me like a ninja?

by Shums on Jan 7, 2009 7:41 PM MST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Mark my words.

No team can be considered a contender when Marvin Ely is your backup power forward.

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

by clarkpojo on Jan 7, 2009 7:43 PM MST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Oh, no. Harpring.

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

by clarkpojo on Jan 7, 2009 7:43 PM MST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

HARPRING!

WIth the sweet dunk.

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

by clarkpojo on Jan 7, 2009 7:48 PM MST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Even without Boozer...

Our second team is about 3 times better than the Hornets’ second team.

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

by clarkpojo on Jan 7, 2009 7:50 PM MST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

at least.

Everyone thought Posey would strengthen their bench, but he’s been a non-factor.

Uh, do you think you could draw me like a ninja?

by Shums on Jan 7, 2009 7:51 PM MST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Korver

something is wrong with that boy.

Uh, do you think you could draw me like a ninja?

by Shums on Jan 7, 2009 7:51 PM MST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

West is getting the Kobe treatment tonight.

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

by clarkpojo on Jan 7, 2009 7:51 PM MST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Harp being Harp

drawing crap calls away from the ball.

Uh, do you think you could draw me like a ninja?

by Shums on Jan 7, 2009 7:52 PM MST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

haha, Korver

best. rebound. ever.

Uh, do you think you could draw me like a ninja?

by Shums on Jan 7, 2009 7:53 PM MST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Here is my wife's quote on that rebound.

“Wow. He’s really lucky the Hornets didn’t stick around.”

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

by clarkpojo on Jan 7, 2009 7:54 PM MST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

'bout frakkin time, Kyle.

Uh, do you think you could draw me like a ninja?

by Shums on Jan 7, 2009 7:53 PM MST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Your nerd meter just went through the roof.

Now I know, it’s battlestar galactica.

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

by clarkpojo on Jan 7, 2009 7:54 PM MST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

what, like it wasn't through the roof before?

Uh, do you think you could draw me like a ninja?

by Shums on Jan 7, 2009 7:59 PM MST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Harpring's ballin'

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

by clarkpojo on Jan 7, 2009 7:55 PM MST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

elsewhere...

houston beat boston
and peskywolves up on okc by 40

by moni on Jan 7, 2009 8:02 PM MST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

You have to think

That the Jazz should be able to pull away with their bench and with the Hornets finishing up a road trip and having played last night.

SLCDunk.com, The Utah Jazz on SBNation

by Basketball John on Jan 7, 2009 8:03 PM MST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

AND only having 2 FGs in the quarter

sorry to keep harping on about it but i find it hard to believe the game is this close considering that

by moni on Jan 7, 2009 8:04 PM MST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

If we just keep attacking, yes.

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

by clarkpojo on Jan 7, 2009 8:05 PM MST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

that possession

was very Paul-like from D-Will. lots of dribbling, a little penetration, and then a kick-out for a jumper. Deron could do just about anything Paul does if he set his mind to it.

Uh, do you think you could draw me like a ninja?

by Shums on Jan 7, 2009 8:03 PM MST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Paul is putting up tons of points...

but other than the first four minutes of the game, he isn’t getting any teammates involved. This is how SA beat them last year. They let Paul get his, but not anyone else.

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

by clarkpojo on Jan 7, 2009 8:04 PM MST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

remember

this is the dude who nailed a guy in the nuts in the NCAA tournament.

Uh, do you think you could draw me like a ninja?

by Shums on Jan 7, 2009 8:07 PM MST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

you are correct

I stand corrected.

Uh, do you think you could draw me like a ninja?

by Shums on Jan 7, 2009 8:09 PM MST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Bench points.

17-2. We would own these guys in the playoffs. Just sayin’.

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

by clarkpojo on Jan 7, 2009 8:07 PM MST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Miles, Brewer and Korver all had exactly 12 minutes played.

Well done, coach. That’s impressive. And even I have to admit, Harpring played well.

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

by clarkpojo on Jan 7, 2009 8:12 PM MST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yeah

a Harpring on a different team.
In the interim, a Harp that can make his shots is always good. And one that doesn’t totally suck it up on any given day (especially against a fast-paced team).

The Utah Jazz

by UtesFan89 on Jan 7, 2009 8:19 PM MST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yep

He still sounds pretty good on the radio. It would be sad to see him have to skip games.

SLCDunk.com, The Utah Jazz on SBNation

by Basketball John on Jan 7, 2009 8:23 PM MST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'd have done it

if I wasn’t working. And if I had bought an 8>3 shirt. (I still plan to, I just haven’t yet.)

Uh, do you think you could draw me like a ninja?

by Shums on Jan 7, 2009 8:22 PM MST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

New Orleans Hornets – Utah Jazz

LIVE NOW

http://www.iddaliyim.tr.gg/Canli-Mac-izle-_-salon-2.htm

www.iddaliyim.tr.gg

by milleniumprince on Jan 7, 2009 8:24 PM MST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

miles got a board

that’ll buy him another minute of PT

by moni on Jan 7, 2009 8:27 PM MST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

you think that's the formula?

1 REB = 1 minute?

Uh, do you think you could draw me like a ninja?

by Shums on Jan 7, 2009 8:28 PM MST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Nah...

more like 1 board = 4 minutes (approximately).
At least that’s what it seems like…

The Utah Jazz

by UtesFan89 on Jan 7, 2009 8:29 PM MST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Season stats...

(before today)

803 minutes, 79 boards.
More than 10 minutes/board.

The Utah Jazz

by UtesFan89 on Jan 7, 2009 8:31 PM MST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Miles played a horrible first 3 minutes.

And he has been fantastic ever since.

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

by clarkpojo on Jan 7, 2009 8:29 PM MST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Miles is actually running the Jazz offense.

It looks great. So glad we re-signed him.

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

by clarkpojo on Jan 7, 2009 8:30 PM MST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

and you wanted to bench him.

Uh, do you think you could draw me like a ninja?

by Shums on Jan 7, 2009 8:32 PM MST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Hornets fan here...

We were just wondering the same thing. That was pretty blatant. Were they tied up before that or did Tyson do that unprovoked? We only saw the push.

http://www.hometownhornets.blogspot.com/

by hldomingue on Jan 7, 2009 8:33 PM MST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

And Paul just pushed Williams off of him.

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

by clarkpojo on Jan 7, 2009 8:31 PM MST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yes, he is...

And it hurts us Louisianians all the more since he’s a local boy.

http://www.hometownhornets.blogspot.com/

by hldomingue on Jan 7, 2009 8:33 PM MST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I wish he'd had sucked a little more this year...

…so we don’t have to pay him 8-10 mil/yr in the near future.

by rxmike12 on Jan 7, 2009 8:35 PM MST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Boler

jinxing Millsap at the line again. “It never fails,” he says. Then don’t frakkin’ mention it!

Uh, do you think you could draw me like a ninja?

by Shums on Jan 7, 2009 8:33 PM MST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

From Siler...

The number of Jazz games on KJZZ will increase next season.

Yes!

The Utah Jazz

by UtesFan89 on Jan 7, 2009 8:41 PM MST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Posey

has been taking Bruce Bowen lessons… or Derrick Rose lessons…

Uh, do you think you could draw me like a ninja?

by Shums on Jan 7, 2009 8:47 PM MST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

oh man

the sight of jazzmen being helped off the court is way too famliar

by moni on Jan 7, 2009 8:49 PM MST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

For sure.

No lead is safe and D Will is a gamer.

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

by clarkpojo on Jan 7, 2009 8:53 PM MST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Mo Nuts

Step right up, young soldier.

Uh, do you think you could draw me like a ninja?

by Shums on Jan 7, 2009 9:02 PM MST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

it's my one-man crusade.

Uh, do you think you could draw me like a ninja?

by Shums on Jan 7, 2009 9:05 PM MST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

We are going to be back in the playoffs after tonight's win.

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

by clarkpojo on Jan 7, 2009 9:01 PM MST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

lol

Utah is in 9th place, and 9.5 games ahead of 10th place.

The Utah Jazz

by UtesFan89 on Jan 7, 2009 9:02 PM MST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Brev Brev

flattest jumper for a guard in the whole NBA? Thing has NO arc.

Uh, do you think you could draw me like a ninja?

by Shums on Jan 7, 2009 9:06 PM MST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Not to hijack the thread here...

But the trip BC and I took to Staples Center was a blast. I’ve never been to a road Jazz game and it was pretty fun.

by rxmike12 on Jan 7, 2009 9:12 PM MST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

is he dressed?

I didn’t know if he was inactive or not.

Uh, do you think you could draw me like a ninja?

by Shums on Jan 7, 2009 9:14 PM MST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

please please

get ak out of there before he gets hurt

by moni on Jan 7, 2009 9:14 PM MST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

We have

No Knees & Korver and the starters available.

The Utah Jazz

by UtesFan89 on Jan 7, 2009 9:15 PM MST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

R.P.s hair looks a little funny.. but at least they finally let him play.

by Kelltick not Celtic on Jan 7, 2009 9:17 PM MST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

around the league...

Indy up on Phoenix late…
Denver in a close one with Miami…
Detroit beating Portland…

This could be a nice night for us all around.

Uh, do you think you could draw me like a ninja?

by Shums on Jan 7, 2009 9:18 PM MST reply reply actions actions   0 recs