Pretty special night for Al Jefferson, who dedicated last night's game to his grandmother who passed away the day before. You would have certainly given the guy a pass, if he had come out and played poorly with all that going on, but I was really really happy that it wasn't the case. Al Jefferson had one of his better shooting nights of the year. Thirty-three points on 14-18 shooting, with 12 rebounds, while going 4-4 from the free throw line.
Al Jefferson post game interview.
[Ed. Note: removed picture of Big Al posting up on Greg Monroe]
You would would be hard pressed to find 5 more likeable personalities in the NBA than Al Jefferson.
Al Jefferson also hit his first 3 pointer of his career, having missed his previous 23 attempts before hitting one last night. I think it's about time we start drawing up plays for him. It got me thinking about other Jazz players who Al Jefferson has now passed on the all time 3 pointers made list.
Utah Jazz Players to never hit a 3 pointer list (not comprehensive)
Kyrylo Fesenko
Mark Eaton
Curtis Borchardt
Jarron Collins
Utah Jazz Players who have surprisingly hit a 3 pointer (not comprehensive)
Greg Ostertag
Adam Keefe
Antoine Carr
Jose Ortiz
Carlos Boozer, although he never hit one as a Jazzman
Last year at this time, I wrote a couple of pieces on looking at lottery picks in the March Madness Tournament. I'd like to do that again, but don't know if I'll be able to.
For primers, I will just make a quick list of games this weekend with implications to the Jazz's draft prospects.
Thursday, March 15
4:40 PM ET Harvard at Vanderbilt
player to watch for:
- Jeff Taylor, 6-7, SF, Vanderbilt
6:50 PM ET TBA at Kentucky
players to watch for:
- Anthony Davis, 6-11, C, Kentucky
- Michael Kidd-Gilchirst, 6-7, SF, Kentucky
- Marquis Teague, 6-0, PG, Kentucky
- Terrence Jones, 6-8, F, Kentucky
7:27 PM ET South Dakota State at Baylor
players to watch for:
- Perry Jones III, 6-11, PF, Baylor
- Quincy Miller, 6-8, SF, Baylor
9:20 PM ET Connecticut at Iowas State
players to watch for:
- Andre Drummond, 6-11, C, UCONN
- Jeremy Lamb, 6-5, SG, UCONN
9:45 PM ET NM State at Indiana
player to watch for:
- Cody Zeller, 6-10, C, Indiana
9:50 PM ET Loyola at Ohio State
player to watch for:
- Jared Sullinger, 6-9, PF, OSU
Friday, March 16
12:15 PM ET Texas at Cincinnati
Player to watch for:
- Myck Kabongo, 6-0, PG, Texas
2:10 PM ET Virginia at Florida
players to watch for:
- Bradley Beal, 6-4, SG, UF
- Patric Young, 6-9, C, UF
2:45 PM ET St. Bonaventure at Florida State
player to watch for:
- Andrew Nicholson, 6-9, PF, St. Bonaventure
4:10 PM ET TBA at UNC
players to watch for:
- Harrison Barnes, 6-8, SF, UNC
- Tyler Zeller, 6-11, C, UNC
- John Henson, 6-10, PF, UNC
- Kendall Marshall, 6-1, PG, UNC
7:15 PM ET Lehigh at Duke
player to watch for:
- Austin Rivers, 6-5, SG, Duke
9:57 PM ET Detroit at Kansas
player to watch for:
- Thomas Robinson, 6-8, PF, Kansas
Talk of the draft gives me an excuse to highlight Bismack Biyombo, who I love and would have liked to have seen the Jazz draft at #3 last draft.
How many players in teh league can make the highlight of the night on a defensive play? And notice his technique. He jumps up and doesn't even make a play on the ball. He just blocks the rim with both hands. Awesome.
Wanna beat me at something? Come join theutahjazzblog bracket contest.
