The Downbeat - 30 December 2009 - #133 - The Pesky Edition

by Basketball John on Dec 30, 2009 10:28 AM MST in The Downbeat

1_medium So just how pesky are the Timberwolves for the Jazz? Well, in total head-to-head meetings between the teams, the Jazz are actually 57-30 (.655). That's Utah's third-best winning percentage against any team.

In 18 meeting ADW (after D-Will), the Jazz are 11-7 (.611). However, the Jazz have lost 3 in a row to the TWolves after having won 4 straight.

So they seem to be pesky, but only when we lose to them.

2_medium On the flip side, the Jazz have struggled against the OKC/SEA team in all-time meetings between the two teams. We have the third worst winning percentage against them compared to other teams.

However, we have done quite well against them in the AD (after Durant) era going 7-2.

What does that mean for this two-game roady? I've probably jinxed them. But does an intentional reverse-jinx work? If that's the case, then did I jinx them again by saying that? Does the jinx/reverse jinx now go on into infinite? What about a jinx on an infinte jinx/reverse jinx jinx?

8_medium Probably not a coincidence that the Jazz waited until last Tuesday to trade Maynor and Harpring. The first day that teams can sign 10-day contract players is Jan 5th which is a day before the 2-week period they have to sign a 13th player.

I wonder how many 10-day contracts we'll see or if they'll sign someone for the rest of the season.

Or, could we see a trade after a couple of 10-dayers that brings back an extra player? Or maybe, we see a trade before then?

4_medium Speaking of which, yesterday marked 2 years since Kyle Korver entered the Wasatch Front. I thought there might be a population boom because of it (not from Kyle directly of course) but from couples that were Jazz fans because their wives became a little more amorous from watching KK play.

I checked the stats for 2008 though and there wasn't a significant jump in births in 2008. However, that was just a mid-year estimate. Since he came at the end of December 2007, we wouldn't see the fruit of this theory until Sept+. So maybe.

But, could the end of this December be when KK leaves Utah?

5_medium In case you don't click through for the comments (and why wouldn't you, they're the best part of any post here) for yesterday's DB, I'm lifting MTN's comment and putting it here. Too good to be missed.

Best wishes to Maynor. For some reason, I like the players who work their way into a draft after four years of toil more than I like players like John Wall who would have been drafted out of 11th grade if it were legal. I just think I’d rather have a guy like Maynor running my team than John Wall. Call me crazy. AAU, the internet, shoe companies and agents have ruined the mythos of "the basketball player." Twenty years ago, the NBA was full of guys who rigged make-shift lighting for their back yard hoops so they could stay up until midnight practicing their shot or their moves; who had a father-son relationship with their coaches; who were poor until the day they were drafted; who survived because of their competitive spirit. Nowadays, stars are coddled from age 14, secretly gifted luxuries, carted around from camp to camp, and none of them can hit a jump shot like Steve Alford. There will be no more Birds, Magics, Jordans, Sloans, Stocktons, Alfords, Alex Englishs, or Sabonises because instead we have only AAU-pampered head cases with 50-inch vertical leaps, AND1 handles, and a jumpshot that would make Allan Houston reconsider another comeback.

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Some doors might best be left closed...? :)

I thought there might be a population boom because of it (not from Kyle directly of course) but from couples that were Jazz fans because their wives became a little more amorous from watching KK play.

Did john notice a higher incidence of intimate sessions with his own wifely material over this time?

Inquiring minds want to know. :)

SLC Dunk #1 Jazz Site in the world!

by RRR on Dec 30, 2009 10:47 AM MST reply actions

Whoa.

SLCDunk.com, The Utah Jazz on SBNation

by Basketball John on Dec 30, 2009 11:08 AM MST up reply actions

"whoa" is not an adequate response to RRR's inquiry.

bahahahaha…

by moni on Dec 30, 2009 5:45 PM MST up reply actions

This inquiring mind DOES NOT want to know!

by P_Dizzle on Dec 30, 2009 11:18 AM MST up reply actions

5. I agree with MTN on this. Excellent comment.

by P_Dizzle on Dec 30, 2009 11:19 AM MST reply actions

I'll be at the game tonight

Sitting right behind Boller and Booner, so you’ll be able to see me on the TV. Last year I ate injured Boozer’s head during the 3rd quarter sit down. I’ll be wearing my DWill Jersey next to my Millsap wife.

by ahoapap on Dec 30, 2009 11:22 AM MST reply actions

1. Likewise, I only dislike the pesky highway patrol when they give me a ticket.
2. ESPN sportscenter comment last night suggested that “one day” KD will be the MVP. That looks more and more probable as the season goes on. I think his game is most analogous to Tracy McGrady’s….but 6’10" with 8’ wingspan. I think most people would have expected his game to mirror Kevin Garnett because that’s who he resembles physically. Regardless, how do you guard that?
3. I’m available for 10 days. Put me in coach!
4. meh… like the Jazz Dancers, the closer you look, the less appealing. (Talking about his game, not his hair or lips or cheekbones or…)
5. Extraordinary.

I'll make it coach.

by MTN on Dec 30, 2009 2:03 PM MST reply actions

Once upon a time...

they said AK47 will be MVP.

by iLoveBooks100per on Dec 30, 2009 3:34 PM MST up reply actions

2. You can’t triple-stamp a double-stamp, Lloyd!

Uh, do you think you could draw me like a ninja?
SLCDunk.com: Bringing you ninjas, The KOOFs and anti-jinxes since 2008.

by Shums on Dec 30, 2009 2:26 PM MST reply actions

1. Well, I think the T wolves have beaten the Jazz twice in a row. They say that once is a fluke, twice is a trend, and three times is “owned”. The jazz can’t become “owned” tonight. I think they play well and win. I know its a road game, but cmon man. They need to beat teams they should beat.

2. OKC reminds me a little bit of the young SAC team that burst onto the scene a decade ago. All they need is a pure shooting foreign player and skilled foreign power forward.

3. I’m kinda warming up to MTN’s Allan Houston coming back deal …

4. My wife likes my turn around 18 footer just find thank you :-)

5. Good job MTN. well played!

by brock38 on Dec 30, 2009 2:52 PM MST reply actions