Watch the Jazz.
If they beat Phoenix, they will clinch a spot in the playoffs as the 8th seed, which will put them up against either the Spurs or the Thunder. Even if they don't make it through the first round, we need this playoff appearance. For starters, getting to the playoffs would be a huge accomplishment for this team, whom experts did not anticipate would make the playoffs. We are young, and the confidence we would gain from making the playoffs would be a great reward for this season, and would start us off on the right foot next season. Also, playing either the Spurs or the Thunder would be great experience for this young team. That is not to say I believe we wouldn't make it out of the first round. I believe anything is possible in the playoffs, especially in this lockout shortened season. We have a young, deep team. I believe we could be the Spurs, and I have seen up close and personal, how the Jazz can handle the Thunder. The important thing is that they make it. They need all the positive karma they can get, and I don't care how irrational it is, but they need us watching and cheering for them. That is why there will be nothing more important for me than to be watching their game tomorrow. 8:30 P.M. Be there.
Go Jazz!
See you in the playoffs.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Quick Thoughts:
1. I’m glad the Jazz are keeping their nickname. I wouldn’t have minded if we would have received cash, draft picks, and maybe Eric Gordon from the Hornets for the name, but all in all, I’m glad we’re keeping it.
2. I really hope the Jazz make the playoffs.
3. If they make the playoffs, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them make it into the 2nd round.
4. If my life were a movie, they would win the championship this year in memory of my late grandpa, who instilled my love of the Jazz in me.
5. I watched a hockey game the other day, it was actually pretty fun.
6. I’m finally realizing blogging is completely different than writing a column. Hopefully with the knowledge I only have to write a hundred words or so, I will write more.
7. I’m thankful for all those who support Doug and I in this, even if we are so inconsistent.
8. Go Jazz!
1. I’m glad the Jazz are keeping their nickname. I wouldn’t have minded if we would have received cash, draft picks, and maybe Eric Gordon from the Hornets for the name, but all in all, I’m glad we’re keeping it.
2. I really hope the Jazz make the playoffs.
3. If they make the playoffs, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them make it into the 2nd round.
4. If my life were a movie, they would win the championship this year in memory of my late grandpa, who instilled my love of the Jazz in me.
5. I watched a hockey game the other day, it was actually pretty fun.
6. I’m finally realizing blogging is completely different than writing a column. Hopefully with the knowledge I only have to write a hundred words or so, I will write more.
7. I’m thankful for all those who support Doug and I in this, even if we are so inconsistent.
8. Go Jazz!
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Dunkage Rate
I invented a new stat.
In an effort to help the #letjeremydunk campaign, a campaign to get a very deserving Jeremy Evans into the 2012 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, I invented a new stat to help his cause. It is a stat that shows what percent of the time any given player spends dunking while he is on the court. It's simple: Dunks per game, divided by minutes per game, multipled by 100. Jeremy Evans Dunkage Rate is 16%. The previous dunk contest winner, Blake Griffin? Only 7%. Jeremy Evans deserves to be in that contest.
#letjeremydunk
In an effort to help the #letjeremydunk campaign, a campaign to get a very deserving Jeremy Evans into the 2012 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, I invented a new stat to help his cause. It is a stat that shows what percent of the time any given player spends dunking while he is on the court. It's simple: Dunks per game, divided by minutes per game, multipled by 100. Jeremy Evans Dunkage Rate is 16%. The previous dunk contest winner, Blake Griffin? Only 7%. Jeremy Evans deserves to be in that contest.
#letjeremydunk
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Why are we as a Society, so Emotionally Invested in Sports?
As I was walking out the the Jazz's preseason win vs Portland I made a comment that I know has been made hundreds of thousands of times, "It is amazing that millions of people pay millions of dollars to watch grown men play a game." Why is that? Why does our happiness ebb and flow with the win-loss records of our favorite teams? Why do Doug and I spend our free time writing a blog that to our knowledge, is only consistantly read by each other? To me, it's because it makes me feel like I'm a part of something larger than life. It's better that movies, or T.V., or books because it's REAL. It's unscripted. Anything can happen. And when you have a professional sports team that like that Jazz that you grew up with, a team that your grandparents, or parents, or whoever spent their hard earned money on tickets, you become even more invested. Basketball gives us an escape from life, but it is in itself, a represenation of life. We connect with it because we all want to be the best. We have people who are trying to keep us down and when we prevail against them, it is extremely rewarding. We know what it's like to work hard for every minute of playing time even when nobody expected us to amount to anything. We also know what it's like to be the best at something, anything, and have people try to emulate us or try to take us down. Basketball is symbolic of life, whether we realize it or not, and because of that, we become emotionally tied to it, because when our team succeeds, it is a representaion of us suceeding and beating the odds. Why else do we refer to our teams as, "us." That makes no logical sense. I have never had anything to do with the Utah Jazz or their organization other than purchasing tickets. Yet, the only logical(to me) way of referring to them is by saying, "us," or, "we."
One of the happiest moments of my life was when John Stockon hit the game winning shot against the Rockets to send us to our first ever NBA Finals. That is one of the few memories I have vividly etched into my brain. I can still hear the announcer. I can still see John Stockon jumping out of pure joy, the only emotion I ever recall Stockon displaying. That memory is important to me because of what it represents, which could be completely different from what it may or may not represent to you. To me it shows that hard work pays off. That if you dedicate your life to something, certain moments can become transcendent. The simple fact that it has influenced me shows that you can have an influence on people without even realizing it and by doing what is expected of you.
Maybe to you, Basketball is just a game. But to me it is much deeper than that. And that is why when the Jazz beat the Bucks tonight, when a group of men did something as basic as putting a ball through a net more times than another group of men, a smile came to my face.
One of the happiest moments of my life was when John Stockon hit the game winning shot against the Rockets to send us to our first ever NBA Finals. That is one of the few memories I have vividly etched into my brain. I can still hear the announcer. I can still see John Stockon jumping out of pure joy, the only emotion I ever recall Stockon displaying. That memory is important to me because of what it represents, which could be completely different from what it may or may not represent to you. To me it shows that hard work pays off. That if you dedicate your life to something, certain moments can become transcendent. The simple fact that it has influenced me shows that you can have an influence on people without even realizing it and by doing what is expected of you.
Maybe to you, Basketball is just a game. But to me it is much deeper than that. And that is why when the Jazz beat the Bucks tonight, when a group of men did something as basic as putting a ball through a net more times than another group of men, a smile came to my face.
Monday, January 2, 2012
What we’ve learned thus far…
Through four games, the Jazz have looked less than impressive. Watching their sloppy, lethargic play has been more like a punishment than the privilege it should be. The lack of energy and effort has led to a dismal 1-3 record, including 3 embarrassing blowouts, and the honor of being the 8th worst scoring team and 2nd worst defensive team in the NBA. So what have we learned about this team thus far?
C.J. Miles is a waste of 3.7 million dollars. Yes, he came straight out of high school and is still young at 24 years old, but for six years we’ve waited for him to have a “breakthrough” season, and for six years all he’s given us is inconsistent, subpar, and chaotic offense and defense. The only thing consistent about his game is he will turn the ball over, miss easy shots, and be a disappointment every night. Unless he starts using his athleticism to his advantage and actually puts some effort and energy into his play, he must go!
Is it any surprise the only game the Jazz won this season was the game Al Jefferson didn’t play? No. Other than his weak showing against the Lakers, Al has played decent in regards to statistics. Scoring isn’t the issue; the Jazz can count on Big Al to consistently score in double figures night in and night out. The issue is the effect Al has on the game and on the rest of the team. He’s a black hole. The moment he gets the ball, you can count on the rest of the Jazz team to simply stand around the perimeter. Why? Because Jefferson can’t and won’t pass. Whether he has one, two, or three defenders on him, he’s going to shoot it, regardless of the quality of shot. His style of play and lack of energy sucks the life right out of the Jazz. Watching them play when he is on the court is almost unbearable due to the lack of effort. He doesn’t fit in the Jazz’s system. He must go.
The Jazz have so much young talent, yet 35 year old Raja Bell is still the starting shooting guard. The point and purpose of a shooting guard is to score! Raja’s 29% shooting from the field including 14% from three-point land just isn’t cutting it. His poor shooting combined with his lackadaisical defense (his bad defense isn’t a lack of skill, he was all-defensive 1st team and 2nd team in 2007 and 2008 respectively, but a lack of effort) is a definite sign age. Coach Corbin, it’s time to give Alec Burks and Gordon Hayward more minutes at shooting guard.
Is there any hope for the Jazz?
Yes.
Paul Millsap continues to be a solid scorer, rebounder, and defender.
Derrick Favors has showed signs of greatness, including a 20 point 11 rebound outing in the Jazz’s only win.
In the words of the legendary Matt Harpring, Enes Kanter “eats glass!” The Jazz’s #3 draft pick has already shown he can battle down low. As he continues to develop he will be a force to reckon with.
Alec Burks is an energy machine. As he gets more minutes his hustle will be a big contributor to this team.
We know Devin Harris and Josh Howard can play. Both are former all-stars. As they continue to learn the Jazz system, they will be the veteran leaders of this team!
Gordon Hayward is the next Jeff Hornacek.
The Jazz will get better, there is no doubt about that. We just need to hold on through this painful time...
GO Jazz!!!
C.J. Miles is a waste of 3.7 million dollars. Yes, he came straight out of high school and is still young at 24 years old, but for six years we’ve waited for him to have a “breakthrough” season, and for six years all he’s given us is inconsistent, subpar, and chaotic offense and defense. The only thing consistent about his game is he will turn the ball over, miss easy shots, and be a disappointment every night. Unless he starts using his athleticism to his advantage and actually puts some effort and energy into his play, he must go!
Is it any surprise the only game the Jazz won this season was the game Al Jefferson didn’t play? No. Other than his weak showing against the Lakers, Al has played decent in regards to statistics. Scoring isn’t the issue; the Jazz can count on Big Al to consistently score in double figures night in and night out. The issue is the effect Al has on the game and on the rest of the team. He’s a black hole. The moment he gets the ball, you can count on the rest of the Jazz team to simply stand around the perimeter. Why? Because Jefferson can’t and won’t pass. Whether he has one, two, or three defenders on him, he’s going to shoot it, regardless of the quality of shot. His style of play and lack of energy sucks the life right out of the Jazz. Watching them play when he is on the court is almost unbearable due to the lack of effort. He doesn’t fit in the Jazz’s system. He must go.
The Jazz have so much young talent, yet 35 year old Raja Bell is still the starting shooting guard. The point and purpose of a shooting guard is to score! Raja’s 29% shooting from the field including 14% from three-point land just isn’t cutting it. His poor shooting combined with his lackadaisical defense (his bad defense isn’t a lack of skill, he was all-defensive 1st team and 2nd team in 2007 and 2008 respectively, but a lack of effort) is a definite sign age. Coach Corbin, it’s time to give Alec Burks and Gordon Hayward more minutes at shooting guard.
Is there any hope for the Jazz?
Yes.
Paul Millsap continues to be a solid scorer, rebounder, and defender.
Derrick Favors has showed signs of greatness, including a 20 point 11 rebound outing in the Jazz’s only win.
In the words of the legendary Matt Harpring, Enes Kanter “eats glass!” The Jazz’s #3 draft pick has already shown he can battle down low. As he continues to develop he will be a force to reckon with.
Alec Burks is an energy machine. As he gets more minutes his hustle will be a big contributor to this team.
We know Devin Harris and Josh Howard can play. Both are former all-stars. As they continue to learn the Jazz system, they will be the veteran leaders of this team!
Gordon Hayward is the next Jeff Hornacek.
The Jazz will get better, there is no doubt about that. We just need to hold on through this painful time...
GO Jazz!!!
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