Jazz, Sloan, and Lebron

For the first time I've decided to write about my thoughts going into a game. Game 5 is tonight and I am praying the Jazz aren't thinking they have this in the bag and can afford to lose a game. I hope they can pull it out, and get some rest before facing either the Lakers or Thunder.

Espn.com has a little headline that reads, "Nuggets turn to Billups to stop Utah's Williams." The article goes on to say how, now it is Chauncey's time to step up and guard Deron Williams. Um....I'm kind of confused. I realize that Dantley has put Aaron Afflalo on D-Will to start the game, and that is supposed to be the match up on defense for Denver, but anyone who has watched the series sees that Billups has been guarding Williams at least half the time already. I really have a hard time thinking this is going to make any difference. Chauncey is probably going to pick up a couple of quick fouls and we will see Lawson early. Before game 3 the Nuggets had supposedly come up with a master plan to stop Williams, by trapping him when he came into the half court. I was a bit worried because it was said to have been put in place by George Karl. He made an appearance at practice before Denver flew to SLC for game 3. We saw how that worked. The bottom line is Chauncey is a step slower, and Deron Williams is playing confident and aggressive. I don't think Billups on Williams is going to solve Denver's problem. The key is just going to be whether or not the Jazz play with urgency and energy like they have been, or if they play lackadaisical like we have seen at times.


Sloan has has many great quotes throughout his career. One regarding CJ miles was great. He said, "I don't care if he's 19 or 30. If he's going to be on the floor in the NBA, he's got to be able to step up and get after it. We can't put diapers on him one night, and a jockstrap the next night. It's just the way it is." Another classic was when he was asked about being more physical with Carmelo, he said that the Jazz "couldn't let Carmelo play in a tuxedo all night." Regarding the Coach of the Year award, maybe when Sloan retires without having won it, the league should name the trophy after him. That would be sweet. The Jerry Sloan award.

That brings me to Lebron James. Poor guy has a numb elbow. Did you watch that last night? Am I the only one that thinks he is trying to be dramatic, much like Paul Pierces fake knee injury that saw him leave in a wheelchair? Here is my thought. He shoots a free throw, perfectly, it goes in. That gives them a 4 point lead with seconds left and the game is basically over. He decides to milk his elbow injury, and exaggerate that he cannot shoot the ball right handed. He uses his right arm fine in his routine before the shot, then throws up a left-handed, wounded duck, that looked like one of Kyrylo Fesenko's free throws. My personal opinion (and I could be wrong) is that he decided if he could hit a left-handed free throw, he would get so much coverage, as being so amazing and gifted, and doing whatever it takes to win. Everyone would be talking about his heroic left handed free throw. Unfortunately, he botched it and missed it terribly, which led to him having to answer questions about how serious his injury was. Instead of looking stupid and letting anyone know that it really wasn't a big deal, he had to cover up. AGAIN, I could be way off, but that is just my feeling. After all, is there a guy in pro sports that is in the spotlight more, and knows it, than Lebron? We know he loves the attention. (Openly admitting wanting to be a billionaire, global icon, and business man. Not to mention all his annoying pre-game antics, the dancing, the posing, the singing, the chalk thing, etc.)
Sean

Trivia:
Name the 3 NBA players in history to have a triple-double with 0 turnovers.
Come on, if you read this, at least guess!
Hint: one Rockets, and two Jazz players.