"You see? He's not a man! He's a machine!"; Jazz Take It To The Mavs In The Fourth, Win 104-92
by Basketball John on Feb 2, 2010 10:14 AM MST
in Game Recaps
20 comments
No, I didn't mix up that quote from Rocky IV. AK is a machine. Screw the fans. You're not the X factor, AK is the X factor. He's playing out of his mind and right now you could ask any Jazz fan, "Should we give AK another $15M a year after his deal is up?" and they would all say yes.
He sealed the win almost by himself last night in the fourth quarter. After AK's put-back with a little under 11 minutes still in the period, the Jazz led 83-77. The Jazz would then go on to score only 3 points over the next three minutes yet still had a 6-point lead as they held the Mavs to the same.
That's when the Jazz pulled away in large part to AK. After a CJ Miles drive gave them a bit of a cushion, Andrei was on Dirk while Nowitski came out to set a pick on Williams. They ended up switching men. As Barea attempted to get the ball to Dirk, AK anticipated the pass perfectly, stuck out those long mitts, and raced for the layup while drawing the foul from Barea.
The next trip up the court for the Mavs was another turnover after Terry got stripped and the ball came to Millsap. Deron pushed it and got the ball to Matthews for the layup and another AND-1. That was the ball game.
The icing on the cake play just a short time later when Millsap blocked Terry on one end and as the Jazz brought it back up, Deron found a trailing AK for the one-handed hammer dunk.
Andrei stole the next two Jason Kidd passes for good measure and the Mavs pulled most of their started shortly after.
When the night was done, Kirilenko had 13 & 8 to go along with 3 assists and 4 steals. 7 of those points and 3 of the steals came in the fourth. He would have had 15 points but one of his dunks was waived off after he grabbed a Matthews airball under basket and just had the ball on the tips of his finger as the shot clock hit 0. The man had the biggest, goofiest grins afterward and it was great.
If AK was the closer, then Millsap was the starter who went 8 1/3 innings. He was killing it to start the game. He had 12 points in that first quarter on 4/4 shooting from the field and 4/4 from the line. At the break he had 16 & 3 and finished the game with 25 & 9. His 3 blocks in the were huge defensive stops. The first one came with the Jazz up just 5, 85-80 when a Drew Gooden shot got sent the other way. The second was the spark that led to AK's dunk and foul. He then blocked Gooden again after the starters had checked out for good measure.
I don't know if we can appreciate Millsap right now. I don't know if we appreciate having both Millsap and Boozer. They're both beasts. They really do need to be playing together more and for now that looks like reduced minutes for Memo.
Deron looked a bit rusty to start the game shooting-wise, but he still finished 7-15 on the night for 18 points as well as 15 assists. He nearly had a triple-double with 7 rebounds. It's a good thing when 18 & 15 seems common place and when his play doesn't even get top billing in a recap.
CJ and Wes Matthews contributed well last night. CJ had a couple of shot selections that were questionable. What wasn't questionable though was his +19 and Matthews' +24. Matthews locked down Terry in the fourth quarter after the Jet looked like he was going to go on a scoring spree with 8 third-quarter points.
Finally, a lot of credit has to be given to Sloan for his lineups and matchups that he's had on the floor. Korver didn't play this entire game. You would never have guessed that Kyle would get a DNP-CD or that Memo wouldn't see any PT in the fourth. That's what's happened though and it worked. He's making all of the right calls and instilling some confidence in his players. Jerry's never going to be a rah, rah type of coach but he's motivating them in his own away.
Despite the individual accolades mentioned here, this is one of the best stretches of a team effort that I can remember from this squad. Even in past Januaries where they've gotten hot, and my memory has faded a lot since then, I don't remember them having this much fun and playing this well meshed. Deron and AK are giving each other man hugs. Everyone is playing well and contributing.
The fourth quarter last night was something to behold. After getting burned by Dirk in their first meeting of the year in the fourth quarter, this was about as opposite as you can get. The Mavericks had only 16 points in the fourth and only 10 when their starters were subbed out. The Jazz held them to 5 field goals and 3 of those came from the garbage time players. That is remarkable. They completely took Dirk out of the game in that quarter and everyone else for that matter.
I hope you're enjoying these games. It's hard not to when they're winning. They're playing the game with that unselfish and college basketball-type enthusiasm that you don't see often. Not only are they winning, but they're creating a hundred highlight reels in the process with AK getting about 95% of them. When the next loss comes I hope they still play the game with the same fervor that they are now. I hope they don't dwell on the loss and instead look forward to the next game as another chance to be great.
0 recs |
20 comments
|
Email
Print
Comments
It’s really great to see AK47 back to his old self again. Like you mentioned, his numbers are not always off the charts, but he finds ways to contribute with his defense and hustle. Also, when the Jazz are at home, AK finds a way to get the crowd on their feet, and he is instrumental in shifting the momentum back to the home team. I think that’s why they have been so tough at home this season.
By the way, I just started a Utah Jazz blog over at the Fansided Network. If you want to check it out, click here. An add on your JazzLinks would be greatly appreciated.
Love your work, keep it up! (Especially those Rocky/Drago references!)
My highlight of the night was watching Deron and AK celebrate after AK's and-1 on JJ Barea.
It looked super awkward and for a moment I thought they might kiss, but they were both so pumped up and you could see Deron sort of validating the need for AK to do stuff like that. I mean, right now it is all good, but it is really fun to see the players be as excited as the fans and genuinely loving each other’s basketball skills.
The more you try to erase me, the more that I appear.
And its genuine
It seems like a lot of the other times the jazz have celebrated the chemistry wasnt there. But this is a team that is really coming together. I love Sloan’s comments last night. “Competing like crazy.” Its fun to watch.
Not to dwell much on the past
But after Gaines’ shot and everyone was running and jumping it reminded me too much of Stockton’s shot. Euphoria all around.
Also, remember a couple of years ago when Deron said he was less likely to get AK the ball? Looks like that’s changed.
by Basketball John on Feb 2, 2010 1:20 PM MST up reply actions
Only thing that could've made that game better...
would have been a loss in Denver. Would love to see those guys lose to the Kings.
by boomgoesthedynamite on Feb 2, 2010 12:19 PM MST reply actions
BTW...
Love the blog… especially as a lifelong Jazz fan living out of state. Great stuff.
by boomgoesthedynamite on Feb 2, 2010 12:20 PM MST reply actions
I was at the game
i got to go to the game last night and I was sitting in the dallas mavericks fan section (they were so obnoxious).
It was great to watch the jazz almost toying with the Mavs in the 4th quarter. It seemed like the Jazz were letting dirk get comfortable for 3 quarters, giving him a lot of easy shots, then in the 4th completely disrupting his game and he never recovered. Not sure if that was Sloans strategy but Jazz have become the team that closes out quarters and closes out games. And in my opinion, I think boozer is a dispensable player. I think he is playing great and the chemistry is ok, but how can you not love a starting lineup with millsap and AK47. That is the defensive combo that will win the jazz a lot of games down the road.
Is it me or are the Jazz actually living up to Hollinger’s hype for once?
Boozer for Brendan Haywood and Deshawn Stevenson? Then buy out Stevenson?
The more you try to erase me, the more that I appear.
my dream come true
Although I would love to see sloan and deshawn reunited. No way the front office does it though (Like most of our brilliant trade ideas) since they won’t part with boozer unless we get an allstar in return.
Fox Sports Power Rankings
Has the Jazz at No. 4 and Sloan was mentioned. “Could this finally be the year he wins CoY”? Ugh, I hear that every year the Jazz make a run and it makes me cringe.
Sloan will never win CoY unless the Jazz have the best record in the league. Voters go for the surprisers. I wouldn’t be surprised if a Grizzlies coach won it over him… AGAIN.
Whats funny is that the Grizzlies nosedived after Brown won CoY and Sloan kept winning. Now here are the grizzlies again, surprising people and saying, “wow good coaching job.”
UGH!
Sloan doesn't want COY
He wants to still have a job next season I presume.
by Basketball John on Feb 2, 2010 1:19 PM MST up reply actions
I love me...
Some AK 47. That swat by Milsap and then hammer dunk by AK made my week. I was overcome with euphoria. The great awakening. I dunno what the hell Gaines did with that shot over the Cavs but something clicked in the demeanor of the Jazz. I love it.
I LOVE, love love love, LOVE seeing Wes Matthews jumpin on the floor for loose balls. That play where he dove on the loose ball and threw it over his shoulder down the court to D-Will was what basketball is all about. HUSSEL and TEAM play is more important than pure skill.
Not only that, we are playing gritty again! Maybe not the Karl Malone and John Stockton house of hardknocks but we are playing gritter than I’ve seen in a looooong time. Ronnie Price threw a couple fouls on Kidd and Terry that made me want to knock people around. If you’re going to foul someone for burning you….. you make sure they don’t make the shot and you make sure they end up on their back. I want hard fouls, hard screens, violent rebounding, and suffocating defense.
You’ve gotta love it baby!
For the Love of the Game
Yes
I’m definitely getting one of these. . .
Hopefully he plays for the Jazz until he decides to hang them up. . .
If you’re going to foul someone for burning you….. you make sure they don’t make the shot and you make sure they end up on their back. I want hard fouls, hard screens, violent rebounding, and suffocating defense.
That’s been one of my biggest gripes about the team for the past year. their soft little fouls that often end up as and-1. it’s great to finally see them playing physical—sloan ball, if you will.
For real!
I’m not saying spear them. This isn’t the NFL, but they damn well better hit the guy hard enough that he’s not finishing the shot. It’ll make them think twice about going back in for a layup if they know they are going to get put on their back.
If we’re going to beat finesse teams like the Lakers. We’re going to have to be able to knock them around a little and make sure they go home sore.
For the Love of the Game
Is there any reason why AK is suddenly really good again?
Please?
"Left hand, right hand, it doesn't matter. I'm amphibious." - Charles Shackleford
"If the NBA were on channel 5 and a bunch of frogs making love were on channel 4, I'd watch the frogs, even if they were coming in fuzzy." - Bobby Knight
"We have a great bunch of outside shooters. Unfortunately, all our games are played indoors." - Weldon Drew
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
Related FanShots on SLC Dunk
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2010 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
