Jazz should win tonight
I have watched the Jazz and Lakers closely -- obviously -- and I would be surprised if Utah does not win tonight at home and extend the series to Game 7.
The Jazz have gotten better and more confident as the series has progressed. They have proven to themselves that, not only can they compete with the Lakers, but they are equipped to beat them.
The Jazz should be confident, not hopeful, heading into Game 6.
The key to extending the series?
On defense, the Lakers seem willing to give up some open jump shots in exchange for congregating around Carlos Boozer and quickly collapsing to keep Deron Williams out of the lane.
If the Jazz hit those open jump shots, they will loosen things up for Boozer and Williams and force the Lakers to play the Jazz's top two scorers with fewer defenders. One-on-one, I'll take Boozer over Pau Gasol and Williams over Derek Fisher almost every time.
Another key: The Jazz have to rebound, not only to get second chances on the offense end and make the Lakers expend more energy on defense than they prefer, but to also trigger Utah's open-court offense, which hurt L.A. in Games 3 and 4.
Finally, the Jazz have keep Kobe Bryant from having a monster game. Sore back or no sore back, that might be the biggest challenge of them all if Utah wants to play again on Monday night in Los Angeles.
******
It appears Phoenix GM Steve Kerr is serious about hiring an NBA assistant coach to replace Mike D'Antoni.
Along with Utah's Phil Johnson, who we reported on Thursday will talk to the Suns after the playoffs, Kerr will interview Detroit assistant Terry Porter and Houston assistant Elston Turner. Boston assistant Tom Thibodeau is also expected to become a candidate when the Celtics' playoff run ends.
Former NBA player and TV analyst Mark Jackson, whose credentials pale in comparison to all the dues-paying assistants who have been contacted by the Suns, is also a candidate.
In my opinion, Kerr couldn't go wrong by hiring Johnson, who has been Jerry Sloan's top assistant for the last 20 years. Phil has forgotten more about basketball than most people ever know.
The most amazing statistic in his 45-year coaching career?
During Johnson's three years as the head coach at Weber State in the late 1960s, the Wildcats went 39-5 in Big Sky Conference play. Phil remains the winningest coach in the history of a league that has also produced Mike Montgomery, Ben Howland, Dick Motta, Jud Heathcoate, Stew Morrill and others.
******
Speaking of Mark Jackson, he offered an interesting theory on why road teams have having such a difficult time winning in this year's NBA playoffs prior to Game 6 in the Spurs-Hornets series on Thursday night.
"Weak-minded players and weak-minded coaches," he declared.
Wow.
I wonder if Jackson will want to be reminded of his keen analysis when he eventually becomes a head coach and his team loses 10 straight road games?
*******
Former Jazz center Mark Eaton is writing a blog on the official Web site of the NBA Retired Players Association, legendsofbasketball.com.
Eaton's blog entries will be updated every Wednesday and will cover topics including the NBA, his experiences as a player and his life away from the game, including his motivational speaking business and his efforts in the community.
Eaton also operates his own Web site, 7ft4.com.
-- Steve Luhm
The Jazz have gotten better and more confident as the series has progressed. They have proven to themselves that, not only can they compete with the Lakers, but they are equipped to beat them.
The Jazz should be confident, not hopeful, heading into Game 6.
The key to extending the series?
On defense, the Lakers seem willing to give up some open jump shots in exchange for congregating around Carlos Boozer and quickly collapsing to keep Deron Williams out of the lane.
If the Jazz hit those open jump shots, they will loosen things up for Boozer and Williams and force the Lakers to play the Jazz's top two scorers with fewer defenders. One-on-one, I'll take Boozer over Pau Gasol and Williams over Derek Fisher almost every time.
Another key: The Jazz have to rebound, not only to get second chances on the offense end and make the Lakers expend more energy on defense than they prefer, but to also trigger Utah's open-court offense, which hurt L.A. in Games 3 and 4.
Finally, the Jazz have keep Kobe Bryant from having a monster game. Sore back or no sore back, that might be the biggest challenge of them all if Utah wants to play again on Monday night in Los Angeles.
******
It appears Phoenix GM Steve Kerr is serious about hiring an NBA assistant coach to replace Mike D'Antoni.
Along with Utah's Phil Johnson, who we reported on Thursday will talk to the Suns after the playoffs, Kerr will interview Detroit assistant Terry Porter and Houston assistant Elston Turner. Boston assistant Tom Thibodeau is also expected to become a candidate when the Celtics' playoff run ends.
Former NBA player and TV analyst Mark Jackson, whose credentials pale in comparison to all the dues-paying assistants who have been contacted by the Suns, is also a candidate.
In my opinion, Kerr couldn't go wrong by hiring Johnson, who has been Jerry Sloan's top assistant for the last 20 years. Phil has forgotten more about basketball than most people ever know.
The most amazing statistic in his 45-year coaching career?
During Johnson's three years as the head coach at Weber State in the late 1960s, the Wildcats went 39-5 in Big Sky Conference play. Phil remains the winningest coach in the history of a league that has also produced Mike Montgomery, Ben Howland, Dick Motta, Jud Heathcoate, Stew Morrill and others.
******
Speaking of Mark Jackson, he offered an interesting theory on why road teams have having such a difficult time winning in this year's NBA playoffs prior to Game 6 in the Spurs-Hornets series on Thursday night.
"Weak-minded players and weak-minded coaches," he declared.
Wow.
I wonder if Jackson will want to be reminded of his keen analysis when he eventually becomes a head coach and his team loses 10 straight road games?
*******
Former Jazz center Mark Eaton is writing a blog on the official Web site of the NBA Retired Players Association, legendsofbasketball.com.
Eaton's blog entries will be updated every Wednesday and will cover topics including the NBA, his experiences as a player and his life away from the game, including his motivational speaking business and his efforts in the community.
Eaton also operates his own Web site, 7ft4.com.
-- Steve Luhm
10:00 AM
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1 Comments:
The Jazz organization took an unfortunate turn for the worse when Mark Jackson wasn't hired for the N.Y. job.
What would have been a top 5 pick in 2010 is now probably a 15-20 pick.
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