Jazz-Clippers March 6

So that game was about how you expect the Jazz to beat those kinds of teams. Nice call Jake.

Just a few little things I thought of during that game.

-As they showed the Western Conference standings up to date, I couldn't help but think to myself where we would be with just a few more wins that we should have had. Here's my thoughts, and Jake I know you hate this, but had the Jazz won just 4 games this year that they lost, and should have won, we would be 1 and 1/2 games behind the Lakers. 1 and 1/2 games! I know what your thinking, 4 games? Here is a few that come to mind, take your pick.
-Jazz lose to Clippers in LA
-Jazz lost to Sacramento in SAC
-Jazz lose to Sacramento at home
-Jazz lose to Denver (without Billups and Melo) at home
-Jazz lose to Minnesota in MINN
-Jazz lose to Minnesota at home

I know there is really no benefit to this, but it's still interesting to think about. I'm sure Denver and Dallas fans feel the same way. It's true though, that just 3-4 more games and we could be playing for home court advantage, throughout the entire playoffs. Is 3-4 more games too much to expect your team to win a year? Maybe.

-One difference I noticed between Williams and Price/Gaines. When Korver is on the floor, Williams always looks for him first in transition to know where he's at. I watched a few times as he was wide open in the corner with his hands up and Price, or Gaines didn't notice. Where if Korver gets open just a bit, Williams knows where he's at and gets him the ball. Watch and you'll notice how often Williams gets the ball and locates Kyle Korver right away, as an option.

-Lastly, the pick and roll for the Jazz hasn't been as effective recently and I think I know why. Williams won't shoot a 18-20 footer off the screen. On one hand, this is good, he isn't settling for jump shots, but at the same time, it allows his defender to go underneath the screen, knowing Williams won't shoot it. I think if Williams were to shoot it just 1-2 times early thats all it would take. All he has to do is hit one or two and the defender will have to go over the top of the screen so Williams can't hit the easy jumper. This opens up Booze rolling to the basket or other options much more when the defender has to chase the ball.

-David James finally said they're going to find out why Carlos Boozer always grabs the ball when he checks in, after every free throw, and every dead ball. I've been wondering that for awhile. Superstition maybe.

Sean

THE JAKE FACTOR

I totally agree with Sean about our pick and roll. That could be a very effective play if Williams would take that shot more often. If I remember correctly, I think Deron hit a step back three against Phoenix in the 4th quarter. John Stockton loved to curl around a pick and knock down a jumper. Good call Sean.

Sean has a hard time accepting losses when it should easily be a win, and obviously I do too, but not as long as Sean does. He's talking about games from months ago. Sean, if we were to go back in time and win those "easy" games do you think the Lakers would have lost all the games they think they should have won?

Rockets at Lakers
Lakers@Clippers
Lakers@Blazers
Lakers@Raptors
Nuggets at Lakers (without Carmelo Anthony)
Lakers@Bobcats
Lakers@Heat

The Jazz have had a lot of let downs this year against teams under .500, but if we were supposed to win all of them, does that mean we were supposed to lose all the games we won against teams with a better record than us? All I am saying is it's not worth looking back on the season. Let's all look forward to the rest of the season and the playoffs. Remember the playoffs don't have any of those crappy teams the Jazz have a hard time with anyway. That's Exciting.

Let's not forget to give Memo some love. 24 pts. against the Suns and 27 last night and a couple blocks. I'd say as long as Memo or A.K. are having a great game we can beat any team, but hopefully they both will be more consistent by the time the playoffs start.

Jake