Downbeat #2012 - Get off the ledge

Your pep talk to get off the ledge, and get back on the Utah Jazz hype train.

Okayer, first of all, the Utah Jazz are still going to make the NBA Playoffs and have a fun season. Going 1-2 in October isn’t the end of the world. Frankly? I feel like Utah would have gone 1-2 even if they were at full strength. Previous to last night’s game, the Los Angeles Clippers had defeated the Jazz 14 times out of 15 tries. Now it’s 15 of 16. And the Portland Trail Blazers have been historically great in their gym against Utah. Furthermore, it was their home opener game -- something they have won for 15 straight years. Sure, that game was closer and Gordon Hayward makes everyone on the team better -- but that probably means Joe Johnson isn’t having his Timemachine game dropping almost 30 on like 6 shots.

I’m not upset about the 1-2. I’m not going to be upset with the record this team has until, perhaps, the All-Star break. Utah travels to face their big bros the San Antonio Spurs tomorrow. Then they have a two game home stand hosting the Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs (which will be the 3rd game in four nights). And after a breather they go out for their first Eastern Conference road trip of 2016-2017:

• Sunday (11/6/2016): @ New York Knicks
• Monday (11/7/2016): @ Philadelphia 76ers
• Tuesday (11/8/2016): —
• Wednesday (11/9/2016): @ Charlotte Hornets
• Thursday (11/10/2016): —
• Friday (11/11/2016): @ Orlando Magic
• Saturday (11/12/2016 @ Miami Heat

The Jazz are going to be fine; even if the first part of this season looks a little choppy out there without Gordon Hayward and Alec Burks. The beginning would have been choppy even with them.

Man, that Miami game is the second night of a back-to-back set; the third game in four games; and the fifth game in seven. So . . . can we have Paul Millsap back for that road trip?

Or maybe that’s just when Derrick Favors goes nuts and is no longer on his minutes restriction? This is what he did last season with Rudy Gobert out of the line-up on their early season East trip.

#BeastOfTheEast

So far this season after three games it’s clear who is doing their best to help this team win — #3: George Hill.

Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports

With G-Time out he’s been taking control. And in 35.3 MPG he is averaging 20.0 ppg, 4.0 apg, 2.3 rpg, 1.3 spg, 1.7 3PTM, and 0.7 bpg. If you play fantasy basketball you may find him going very late in most drafts. If you are a Utah Jazz fan, you know this season would be a nightmare without him.

So, Brian Scalabrine is still something. And he explains something important. And he does it in a very bad way.

Our Jazz are still primed for a breakout year, mind you.

Today is Halloween. You may know it by it’s more formal name: Kyrylo Fesenko ‘s Christmas.

Don’t ask, don’t tell.

Are you dressing up tonight? Did you go out on the weekend? Pics or it didn’t happen. Also the Jazz just posted this.

Awesome!