Utah Jazz Podcast: Houston Rockets game preview, and improved defense matters

I was a guest again on the Phil Naessens' show, and it's always fun to talk to a national radio guy about the NBA, who cares each week about the Utah Jazz. For a while now we all felt like the Jazz would flip the switch and just start playing the type of basketball that this young collection of players were capable of. Having now won 8 of their last 10 games the Jazz seem to be doing precisely that. Phil and I got to talk about a number of Jazz topics, and you can catch it all -- plus his write up -- over at his site here. It's a great episode this week were his other guests talk about the Western Conference playoffs, fantasy basketball advice, the lack of depth in the East - but how the top teams can compete, and more more more!

Check it at his site or just listen to it here:

As for the Jazz, I lead off the show, and here are some of the topics:

• The obvious Phil Naessens jinx #BlamePhil
  
• Why the Boston Celtics game probably doesn't count
• Since Feb the Jazz are the best defensive team in the league
• Early returns on the Enes Kanter / Steve Novak trade
• How rare it is to have a young team play defense
• Rudy Gobert is a big deal on defense, but it's a team effort
• Perimeter defense has made huge strides with Dante Exum, Joe Ingles, and Elijah Millsap out there
• Quin Snyder deserves a lot of credit for where the team is now, and where it is going
• Comparisons against Tyrone Corbin are both valid and invalid, but must be made
• The Home stand -- Houston Rockets, Detroit Pistons, Charlotte Hornets, and Washington Wizards
• James Harden is playing very well, he's a hard cover for our guards
• Gordon Hayward's injury could be a deciding factor even before the game starts
• In a perfect world he is one of the most valuable players, in terms of actual value over replacement for that specific team
• Mo Williams revenge game, but how do things change with the Kemba Walker return
• Stan Van Gundy looking at the big picture

Thanks again Phil for having me on the show, and giving me a chance to talk about the team I love every week! Hope the Jazz keep rolling with a win tonight!