2021 post season #1 seed in NBA!

Eric Walden: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Donovan Mitchell: “I feel good. Always gonna be soreness. I feel good, I’m ready to go tonight.[/URL] No pain. I’m excited to get going.” Declines to say “for game-planning purposes” if he’s on a minutes restriction.
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/tribjazz"]Twitter tribjazz[/URL]




Eric Walden: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Donovan Mitchell echoes Quin Snyder’s prior comments about the Jazz going 3-0 vs. Memphis in the regular season: “Throw away what happened [in the 3 games] months ago. Just forget that happened.”[/URL] Said the Grizzlies seem to have figured a lot of things out in the past few weeks.
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/tribjazz"]Twitter tribjazz[/URL]

Ben Anderson: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Donovan Mitchell on potential minutes restriction in his first game back for the @Utah Jazz. *”I won’t say, just for game plan purposes.[/URL] l won’t say.” @kslsports | #TakeNote
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/BensHoops"]Twitter BensHoops[/URL]




Ryan McDonald: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Dillon Brooks said he now has Mike Conley’s old locker in Memphis[/URL]
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/ryanwmcdonald"]Twitter ryanwmcdonald[/URL]






Ben Anderson: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Dillon Brooks on the @Memphis Grizzlies mindset: “Guys are happy to be here, but not satisfied.[/URL] So, we’re just going to come out there, play hard, play our game.” @kslsports | #TakeNote
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/BensHoops"]Twitter BensHoops[/URL]






Ryan McDonald: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]“Quin Snyder’s a great coach who always is going to have something up his sleeve,” Dillon Brooks says[/URL]
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/ryanwmcdonald"]Twitter ryanwmcdonald[/URL]

[url]https://saltcityhoops.com/lineups-tweaks-quirks-that-could-shape-jazz-grizzlies-series/[/url]

[QUOTE]The downside to pulling Gobert early in halves and re-entering him in the 2nd and 4th quarters is that Favors is put out there earlier to defend starting units for a bit. These are typically Utah’s roughest units but they’re still overall positive on the season.

[/QUOTE]

Gobert and Conley


[QUOTE]Those +/- numbers are totally insane. Interestingly, Clarkson at the other guard spot is Utah’s 8th most-used lineup (215 possessions), and is -0.1 points per 100 possessions, one of Utah’s rare common units that is negative. Add Favors instead of Gobert (163 possessions), and that figure plummets to -23.4. Snyder should avoid these!

[/QUOTE]

Clarkson sucks. Favors isn't Gobert

[QUOTE]As I mentioned in [URL="https://saltcityhoops.com/jingles-or-jc-sixth-man-debate-centers-on-utah-bench-duo/"]my Sixth Man of the Year musings[/URL], one of Clarkson’s valuable roles was soaking up minutes and shots during tired nights of regular season basketball, even though he was quite inefficient in the process. I don’t think you’ll see as many “dead legs” possessions where the Jazz [I]need [/I]Clarkson isolation scoring. That potentially reduces the need for him being out there at all. If the starters’ minutes get stretched, Clarkson’s minutes look to be the first (or second, to Niang) on the chopping block.

[/QUOTE]

nice idea but I doubt it happens

[QUOTE]The more Clarkson is out there, the more opponents will both (1) target him on defense as Utah’s weakest defender and (2) force the ball into his hands over other, more efficient options.[/QUOTE]

not sure he's the weakest defender. Certainly the weakest offensive player

[QUOTE]As opponents similarly shore up their rotation, teams will absolutely play lineups emphasizing speed and shooting to a degree that a very non-traditional center is manning the 5 spot. Think Marcus Morris for the Clippers or Dario Saric for the Suns (side note: Saric at center has been seemingly mothballed by Monty Williams as of late, but was really effective during the season). Gobert can hang with these lineups, but Favors has lost enough of a step that Snyder might match up his own smaller lineups that shoot and pass better than the opponent. Niang has really blossomed as a one-on-one defender this year in that I could see him as the center, or maybe Snyder goes nuts and puts O’Neale at center.

[/QUOTE]

Ersan or STFU

[QUOTE]If Favors or (gulp) Gobert is out, Utah is incredibly thin behind them. The Jazz don’t have a reasonably capable NBA-quality center on the deep roster, like an Ekpe Udoh or Ed Davis. Not to say those players are great, but if you need to eke out a game or three shorthanded, those guys could fit the bill. This year, Utah is left with Ersan Ilyasova (short and slow shooter who takes eleventy billion charges but doesn’t have the same rebounding edge as in his prime), Morgan (woefully undersized but knows the role and screens well), and Udoka Azubuike (athletic rookie who will foul a ton and struggle to keep up). All are bad options.

[/QUOTE]

Morgan has good size and length for small ball center as does Brantley. Along with Ersan they are good options


[QUOTE]However, this team construct is not dissimilar to Utah’s 2017 playoff squad against the Clippers, in which Gobert missed 2 games. Instead of playing (very bad) bench center Jeff Withey, Snyder usually just rolled with Boris Diaw at center to give Favors a break. I could see Snyder trusting Ilyasova a bit for spacing and guile, probably more than Morgan and definitely more than Azubuike. Snyder could also just try the center-less lineups described above. I don’t trust Azubuike either, and he has only recently returned from an ankle injury that sidelined his development for several months, but I like the idea of the variance he can provide as a wild young colt going after bench units. If the opponent has a big bench center that will simply overwhelm Ilyasova, Morgan, or Niang (like Ivica Zubac for the Clippers), I wouldn’t be afraid to let Azubuike go commit shitload of fouls in order to retain a critical rim protecting and rebounding edge.

[/QUOTE]

Whitey wasn't bad. Diaw was at that point. Udoka isn't playing


[QUOTE]Miye Oni will not play if the team is fully healthy, but he is the only capable defender that fits size-wise between Utah’s undersized starters in Mitchell and Conley and its forward rotation. O’Neale and Ingles are solid defenders but can struggle against quicker, smaller, skilled ballhandlers (see, e.g., 2020 Jamal Murray). Snyder can be stubborn in this respect and trust his regular defenders (especially with Gobert behind them), but Snyder has also surprised us this season by slotting Oni to defend the highest-tier talent of the NBA whenever he got minutes. Oni’s mild ascension in this regard is partly why the Jazz decided to cut ace defender Shaq Harrison. Oni fouled a ton, partially due to officials going on reputation, partly due to…Oni genuinely fouling a ton. If Oni is needed, he’ll be put squarely in the spotlight as a premier defender.

[/QUOTE]

Brantley and Forrest defend with size


[QUOTE]The issues faced by the Favors-Gobert frontcourt in the past were a little overblown, mainly due to the Jazz defense being incredible when the two shared the floor. Favors’ declining athleticism, the league’s continued downsizing, and the dominant offense with O’Neale and Bogdanovic at forward means Utah has essentially scrapped the Favors-Gobert combo for the entire season. Favors also needs to be kept on ice to be productive in his short stints. This is probably a Lakers-only card and the end of the day; if the Lakers insist on playing Anthony Davis with a traditional center pairing (Andre Drummond or Marc Gasol), and are successful against Utah to a great degree, Snyder might dust off this pairing for a few minutes.

[/QUOTE]

we better not see it but probably will

[QUOTE]Neither of Brantley or Morgan will see the floor unless there are injuries. However, both fit as 2/3/4 tweeners (with Morgan also capable at center). Brantley has more variance, talent, and athleticism, but Morgan is exceptionally bright and aware for a young player. If Utah faces a paucity of healthy forwards, look to see who Snyder trusts first in light of Brantley’s relative improvement against Morgan’s wit and previous playoff experience.

[/QUOTE]

both could help but when you got Forrest around why would they! :facepalm

[url]https://www.ksl.com/article/50172249/donovan-mitchells-ankle-saga-looms-over-utahs-game-1-loss[/url]

[QUOTE]"It was a big surprise," Gobert said. "I try to stay out on this; it's just gonna give me a headache. Hopefully he's good for next game; that's what I'm worried about. Obviously when you wake up you get ready for a game and you find out that your star player is not going to play, it throws you off a little bit. But at the end of the day, as long as he's healthy and ready for the next game, that's what matters."

[/QUOTE]

what matters is that he's 100% and it doesn't linger. They should win this round regardless

[QUOTE]"He is our leader and best player, but I don't think that played a big role because we played the last 20 games without him and without Mike, and we were playing great," Bogdanovic said. "Of course we missed him, especially in the playoffs — we all know how good he is. I don't know what happened, honestly, with the decision for him and medical staff to keep him out so you should ask him."

[/QUOTE]

:roll:

[url]https://www.ksl.com/article/50172196/grizzlies-shock-jazz-to-steal-game-1-of-playoffs[/url]

[QUOTE]"Turnovers. We gave them way too many easy points in transition," said Rudy Gobert, who had 11 points and 15 rebounds. "When they have to play against our half-court defense, it's a different story."

Especially when Gobert, himself, was back there. Due to foul trouble, however, he only played 25 minutes. with 9:03 left in the third quarter, Gobert went to the bench with his third foul; he eventually fouled out midway through the fourth quarter.

[/QUOTE]

yep everything was fine despite Bojan and Clarkson until he got his 2nd foul

[QUOTE]"I thought Mike's foul trouble hurt us during that one stretch where he was out because he controls the game for us," Jazz head coach Quin Snyder said.

[/QUOTE]

he and Gobert were out was the bigger problem. They are a lottery team without them

[url]https://kslsports.com/459958/grizzlies-steal-game-one-from-ice-cold-jazz/[/url]

[QUOTE]While the starters finished a reasonable 11-32 from the three-point line, the Jazz second unit shot just 1-15 from deep, including 0-8 from Jordan Clarkson in the loss.[/QUOTE]

thanks COTY


[QUOTE]Bogdanovic and Clarkson combined for eight turnovers, far too many for a team that relied extra on the two shot creators without guard Donovan Mitchell in the lineup.

[/QUOTE]

thanks COTY

[QUOTE]While it was a question mark how the Jazz would use Mitchell in his return, it was clear the team missed having him in the lineup in their game one loss to Memphis.

[/QUOTE]

not really clear

[url]https://www.sltrib.com/sports/jazz/2021/05/23/triple-team-jazz-look/[/url]

[QUOTE]• The turnovers. The offensive execution was the Jazz at their worst. Whether it was open shots or open lanes to the rim, [URL="https://www.sltrib.com/sports/jazz/2021/05/23/unfazed-by-utah-jazzs/"]the Jazz passed up opportunities to instead pass the ball to the Grizzlies[/URL]. Some of these turnovers were just inexplicably bad ball-handling, like this:

[/QUOTE]

Bojan bringing the ball into the front court. Who's brilliant idea is that I wonder?

[QUOTE]For the first time all season, Jordan Clarkson didn’t make a three. Georges Niang went 1-6 on some really quality looks. Mike Conley missed two threes in the fourth that would have changed the game. And Bojan Bogdanovic hit some big shots, but missed the potential game-tying one.

[/QUOTE]

Clarkson playing 30 minutes was the biggest problem

[QUOTE]You look at tonight’s box score, and there’s one player who stands out as having an especially bad game: Jordan Clarkson. Bogdanovic ended up stepping up late, Gobert and Favors both played relatively well, Conley kept the Jazz in it, even if he shot poorly. Royce O’Neale and Georges Niang had tough nights too, but on relatively few shooting attempts.

[/QUOTE]

The sad part is he doesn't stand out. It was a typical game except for the 0 3's

[QUOTE]Clarkson, though, was miserable. What a huge sequence this was: the Jazz get a steal are heading the other way, Miye Oni is open and about to get a dunk, and Clarkson never passes it to him.

[/QUOTE]

anyone expect him to pass?

[QUOTE]The result is a three the other way. You know, maybe you give Clarkson the benefit of the doubt and say he didn’t think he could get the pass through the Memphis long limbs, but then shooting over those long limbs is not a better decision. There were two reasonable options on the play — pass to Oni, or pass to a trailer — and Clarkson chose option C: [URL="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YOLO_(aphorism)"]YOLO[/URL].

[/QUOTE]

He will almost always choose the option that ends up with him shooting

[QUOTE]In general, I just thought there was too much Clarkson YOLO. Here, the Jazz clear out one side to run a Clarkson/Favors pick-and-roll. The Grizzlies help a lot, which means Conley is open for an easy pass, but Clarkson never sees it. Instead, Clarkson attacks the left side, then the baseline, until either losing the ball or trying an insane behind the back bounce pass to nobody.

[/QUOTE]

Clarkson only sees the rim. Conley and Oni were wide open

[QUOTE]You just can’t make these kinds of decisions in the playoffs. Clarkson will shoot better from three, but the Jazz can’t have the turnovers or the such-a-bad-shot-they’re-essentially-turnovers plays from Clarkson.

[/QUOTE]

Yeah he might make 2 of 8!

[QUOTE]It has to be communicated to Donovan Mitchell, who is the team’s star player. Upsetting him is a terrible thing to do, and surprising him in this way is unfair, especially after he’d been insisting all week he was going to play. This is a big deal: Kawhi Leonard’s relationship with the San Antonio Spurs soured in large part because of team-player injury disagreements, and the discord there set the franchise back a decade. I’m not saying that will happen, but making Mitchell angry is something the Jazz should take big steps to avoid.

[/QUOTE]

him asking out would be the best thing for the franchise

[QUOTE]In the end, it’s hard to know how much risk Mitchell was at by playing today. But if he plays in Game 2 (and I think he will, but I’ve obviously been wrong before) it’s hard to imagine that sitting him on for Game 1 was worth all of these negatives — including, but not limited to, an ugly loss.

[/QUOTE]

it's worth it if it helps his ankle last through the next round

[url]https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/5/23/22450816/utah-jazz-lose-game-1-to-the-memphis-grizzlies-nba-playoffs[/url]

[QUOTE]Whatever was the reason, Utah looked terrible to start the game. Bojan Bogdanovic couldn’t stop turning the ball over and was kept out of the game for a good part of the first half being replaced by Miye Oni. At halftime Bogdanovic had 0 points. He also had a flagrant foul that gifted Memphis two points and was passing up open shots. He turned it around in the second half but this bad of a performance for an entire half is difficult to overcome for a team missing its best offensive player.

[/QUOTE]

and Oni gave them nothing. Don't know if Ersan was available but he should have played and if not him Morgan or Brantley

[QUOTE]Jordan Clarkson’s line tonight was the worst case scenario for Utah. For the game Clarkson was 5/16 from the field, 0/8 from three and had 4 terrible turnovers. What was puzzling was him playing 30 minutes tonight. Quin Snyder made multiple puzzling moves tonight. This was definitely one of them. Clarkson killed the offensive flow tonight and on a night where Joe Ingles was shooting 3/7 from three, he sat in the corner for way too many possessions without seeing the ball. It feels like Snyder is waiting for Clarkson to turn it on in these games sometimes but it just never turned on for Clarkson tonight and it was a big reason the Jazz could never get over the hump.

[/QUOTE]

nothing puzzling about it. Typical COTY. Kept Bojan in too

[QUOTE]Probably the biggest mistake in this game was when Quin Snyder decided to sit both Rudy Gobert and Mike Conley with 4 fouls. That was the moment that really galvanized the Grizzlies. Let’s be clear, Derrick Favors was not the reason the Jazz lost tonight. In fact, he was one of the reasons the Jazz weren’t completely blown out. But when Snyder sat Gobert and Conley with 4 fouls, and had them sit for an extended period, the Grizzlies went on a run that Utah never overcame. What’s even more frustrating is that when Gobert eventually came back in he still fouled out. So by sitting Gobert for foul trouble, the Jazz gave up the run and you didn’t prevent him from fouling out of the game. So not only did you not prevent the run, you didn’t gain any advantage with keeping fouls in check at the end. Lose, lose. Oh and the Jazz lost the game so it’s a lose, lose, lose.

[/QUOTE]

hard to say sitting Rudy was a mistake when he fouled out. Conley played 33 minutes after being on a minutes restriction so I'm not sure that was a big deal either. Bojan, Clarkson and Oni was

Eric Walden: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Asked what his favorite part of this season has been, Jordan Clarkson replied, “Winning.”[/URL]
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/tribjazz"]Twitter tribjazz[/URL]




Eric Walden: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Clarkson: “This team is just amazing, how we bonded together. I know it sounds cliché, but … You don’t get an opportunity like this but once or twice.[/URL] This organization, this team definitely has a different feel.”
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/tribjazz"]Twitter tribjazz[/URL]







Eric Walden: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Jordan Clarkson: “It’s been a journey. I’m really excited. It came as a surprise to me.” Thanked former Lakers teammate and 6MOY winner Lou Williams for helping to guide him[/URL].
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/tribjazz"]Twitter tribjazz[/URL]






Eric Walden: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Clarkson, talking about his relationship with Joe Ingles: “He’s one of my closest teammates. … We should come out with a beer company soon, for how many beers we drink together on our off days.”[/URL]
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/tribjazz"]Twitter tribjazz[/URL]

[URL="https://www.gq.com.au/fitness/sport/joe-ingles-on-the-nba-playoffs-and-his-reputation-as-a-trash-talker/news-story/bf9a6ddc90f063a0cbebd843d0c870e4"]Joe Ingles: I’ve never been with a coach that can motivate you and make you feel so confident. If he told me I could teleport back to Australia from my living room right now I would believe there would be a way to do it. I would believe him so much.[/URL] It’s something special so I’m lucky to have these people that I’ve been coached by.
– via [URL="https://www.gq.com.au/fitness/sport/joe-ingles-on-the-nba-playoffs-and-his-reputation-as-a-trash-talker/news-story/bf9a6ddc90f063a0cbebd843d0c870e4"]Charlie Calver @ GQ Australia[/URL]




Joe Ingles: I’ll never forget in the bubble. It was the first time in my career playing without fans and usually with fans, you can’t hear what Coach is saying when he’s trying to yell at you. It’s like “yeah, yeah, cool, I don’t know what you’re saying.” But [URL="https://www.gq.com.au/fitness/sport/joe-ingles-on-the-nba-playoffs-and-his-reputation-as-a-trash-talker/news-story/bf9a6ddc90f063a0cbebd843d0c870e4"]with no fans, I caught the ball, and I didn’t shoot it for whatever reason and he yelled out, “Joe shoot the F-ing ball” and I turned around in the middle of the game because I didn’t know what was happening[/URL].
– via [URL="https://www.gq.com.au/fitness/sport/joe-ingles-on-the-nba-playoffs-and-his-reputation-as-a-trash-talker/news-story/bf9a6ddc90f063a0cbebd843d0c870e4"]Charlie Calver @ GQ Australia[/URL]







[URL="https://www.gq.com.au/fitness/sport/joe-ingles-on-the-nba-playoffs-and-his-reputation-as-a-trash-talker/news-story/bf9a6ddc90f063a0cbebd843d0c870e4"]Sixth man of the year? You or [Utah Jazz’s] Jordan [Clarkson]? Joe Ingles: I didn’t even know that I was in the running. I never thought about it. I’ve never talked about it. I’ve never prepared for it. If I happen to get it, cool. If JC got it, I would be so happy for him[/URL] because he’s been a sixth man a lot of his career. It’s the role he’s embraced. Myself and him, we’ve taken pride in coming off the bench and trying to make an impact. I couldn’t care less if it’s me. I kind of hope it’s him because he does deserve it. So we’ll see what happens.
– via [URL="https://www.gq.com.au/fitness/sport/joe-ingles-on-the-nba-playoffs-and-his-reputation-as-a-trash-talker/news-story/bf9a6ddc90f063a0cbebd843d0c870e4"]Charlie Calver @ GQ Australia[/URL]

[url]https://*********.com/2021/05/21/utah-jazz-rudy-gobert-nba-news-underrated-defensive-player-of-the-year/[/url]


[QUOTE]According to research from [B]Owen Phillips[/B], only [B]Nikola Jokic [/B]has had more calls not in his favor later confirmed as incorrect by the NBA Officiating Last Two Minute Reports ([URL="https://thef5.substack.com/p/youd-complain-too"]via The F5[/URL]):

[/QUOTE]

give him the respect he deserves!

[url]https://www.ksl.com/article/50172814/utahs-jordan-clarkson-wins-nba-sixth-man-of-the-year-award[/url]

[QUOTE]"I kind of took it like, 'Man, he don't think I'm good enough. He gonna play me off the bench? I got to prove him wrong,'" Clarkson said.

[/QUOTE]

he was right

[QUOTE]Clarkson credited Quin Snyder for his belief in him and allowing him to play his game and for his teammates for making "winning" the best part of the season.

[/QUOTE]

certainly couldn't have happened without a coach that allows you to suck most of the time

[url]https://www.ksl.com/article/50172713/this-time-for-sure-jazz-announce-donovan-mitchell-will-be-available-for-game-2[/url]

[QUOTE]So did Mitchell's sprained ankle suddenly completely heal overnight? Unlikely.

The much more plausible scenario is Mitchell — who admitted that he was less-than-pleased with the late scratch from Game 1 — was able to convince the organization that he was playing. And, frankly, that was that.

[/QUOTE]

if true they are making a mistake. You don't let players dictate the franchise. We can go back to Hayward saying he'd play with Rubio

[url]https://kslsports.com/460040/jazz-guard-jordan-clarkson-named-sixth-man-of-the-year/[/url]

“Growing up watching Manu, he’s one guy that I really watched growing up and he really made this role, really cool to me,” Clarkson said.

I wish you played like Manu

[url]https://kslsports.com/459991/twenty-open-threes-the-jazz-missed-against-memphis/[/url]

[QUOTE]Jordan Clarkson had the worst shooting night of any Jazz player, going 0-8 from the three-point line and snapping his streak of 94 consecutive makes from downtown.

[/QUOTE]

usually the worst

[QUOTE]It’s difficult to knock Miye Oni for missing his lone three-point attempt as his season average would indicate that he would.

[/QUOTE]

can knock coach of the year for playing him 10 minutes

[QUOTE]Again, it’s hard to criticize Joe Ingles who was the Jazz most efficient shooter on Sunday, knocking down 3-7 from deep for 42 percent.

[/QUOTE]

I'd criticize him for not doing more

[url]https://www.deseret.com/sports/2021/5/24/22452203/utah-jazz-jordan-clarkson-named-2020-21-nba-sixth-6th-man-of-the-year[/url]

didn't Thurl win it?

[url]https://www.deseret.com/2021/5/24/22444656/utah-jazz-get-punched-alec-burks-goes-off-other-takeaways-from-the-2021-nba-playoffs-first-weekend[/url]

[QUOTE]The 12th pick of the 2011 NBA draft by the Jazz, Burks never reached the potential many thought he had thanks in large part to injuries, but he has proven on a number of big occasions that he can get things going.

[/QUOTE]

too bad COTY never let him play his game like he has Clarkson. Much better player

[url]https://www.deseret.com/2021/5/24/22450850/derrick-favors-was-the-lone-bright-spot-in-the-jazzs-game-1-loss-to-the-grizzlies[/url]

[QUOTE]On the other hand, he’s certainly an upgrade over Tony Bradley, and it’s really hard to look like you’re playing up to the level of the starter in front of you when his name is Rudy Gobert, a two-time (most likely soon-to-be three-time) Defensive Player of the Year.

[/QUOTE]

debatable. Tony was cheap, young and improving. Favors is expensive and declining. Rather have Bradley and the 10 million for the starting PF they need or just to be under the tax even

[QUOTE]On a night when the Jazz were upset in the opening game of the postseason, there was a lone bright spot and a silver lining. The Jazz will need Favors through these playoffs, and if he delivers like he did on Sunday night, he’ll have done his job.

[/QUOTE]

the D was still bad with him

[URL]https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/5/24/22451437/making-sense-of-last-nights-game-1-playoff-debacle[/URL]

[QUOTE]What was going well early and how did it all fall apart?

[/QUOTE]

Gobert went to the bench with his 2nd foul

[QUOTE]“Rudy Gobert couldn’t play due to foul trouble” - This an extension of the first. While he picked up his 4th foul early in the 3rd quarter, Rudy Gobert should have stayed on the court. At the very least, when Utah trimmed the lead to 3 points in the middle of the 3rd, that was the time to come in and retake the lead. That was the most critical moment of the game. If he comes in, maybe the Jazz don’t fall behind by 17 points in the 4th.

[/QUOTE]

Hard to say he should have been on the floor more when he fouled out

[url]https://www.nba.com/news/without-mitchell-jazz-find-few-answers-against-gritty-grizzlies[/url]

[QUOTE]So what happens to a team built around a star player and 3-point shooting when that star doesn’t play and those shots don’t fall?

[/QUOTE]

the team is built around Gobert. First paragraph and I already know it's a bad article

[url]https://sports.yahoo.com/report-donovan-mitchell-furious-jazz-155156869.html[/url]

[QUOTE]He [URL="https://nba.nbcsports.com/2021/03/11/donovan-mitchell-and-rudy-gobert-friends-after-relationship-perceived-to-be-unsalvageable/"]got over his feud[/URL] with [URL="https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/5197/"]Rudy Gobert[/URL], after all. Mitchell has generally shown a [URL="https://nba.nbcsports.com/2019/01/08/donovan-mitchell-adjusting-to-elevated-expectations/"]great attitude and professionalism[/URL]. Locked into a [URL="https://nba.nbcsports.com/2020/11/22/report-donovan-mitchell-signing-max-contract-extension-with-jazz/"]max contract extension[/URL] for the next four years, Mitchell has only so much recourse, anyway.

[/QUOTE]

He can ask out. Could be the best thing for the Jazz. Get some players that fit better around Gobert and Conley while getting rid of some other bad contracts and maybe getting under the tax and having more flexibility

Joe Mullinax: Coach Jenkins was asked about Donovan Mitchell’s impact: They’ll understand Utah’s depth, [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]while also knowing how great of a threat he is as a scorer, shooter, and playmaker[/URL].
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/sbnGrizzlies"]Twitter sbnGrizzlies[/URL]




Joe Mullinax: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Coach Jenkins is here. @Drew Hill asked him about making sure they play with that edge through physicality. It’s talked about, and physicality’s got to increase in these situations. Focus has to remain on them, and they got to keep an edge and focus[/URL]
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/sbnGrizzlies"]Twitter sbnGrizzlies[/URL]






Ben Anderson: Mike Conley on the @Utah Jazz crazy last few days [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]“It’s been up and down thirty six hours, a lot going on not having Donovan there and losing, but then to see a guy who is so deserving of an award in JC and even Joe being the one to present it to him says a lot about who we are.”[/URL]
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/BensHoops"]Twitter BensHoops[/URL]






Joe Mullinax: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Jonas Valanciunas is up next. @Meghan Triplett asked him about their togetherness and how much they’ve grown here. Achieving the playoffs has helped them grow as a team, because it’s fun to reach your goals. Job’s not finished yet though, and they’re looking forward to it[/URL]
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/sbnGrizzlies"]Twitter sbnGrizzlies[/URL]






Joe Mullinax: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]I asked JV about the fixes and details into game 2. He does not want to give too much away, but he expects better shooting from Utah, so they got to close out and not rely on them missing shots[/URL]
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/sbnGrizzlies"]Twitter sbnGrizzlies[/URL]






Drew Hill: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Jonas Valanciunas on playoff basketball: “It’s not about stats now. It’s not about making nice plays. It’s a battle.”[/URL]
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/DrewHill_DM"]Twitter DrewHill_DM[/URL]






Joe Mullinax: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Grayson Allen is here for post-practice. I asked him about adjustments they’re expecting from Utah into game 2. He said they’ll continue to look at 3’s – they gave up some open looks that they usually hit[/URL]
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/sbnGrizzlies"]Twitter sbnGrizzlies[/URL]






Meghan Triplett: Grayson Allen said playing in SLC doesn’t bring back too many memories since he is 2 seasons removed from playing there his rookie season. [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Grayson said, “..I’ve been in Memphis longer than I was in Utah”…and he doesn’t think about it that much[/URL].
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/Meghan_Triplett"]Twitter Meghan_Triplett[/URL]






Meghan Triplett: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]When asked about Donovan Mitchell, Grayson Allen said everyone is expecting Donovan Mitchell to play and be ready…Allen said that none of them are betting on his ankle being sore and even if it is, they know Mitchell won’t play like it is[/URL].
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/Meghan_Triplett"]Twitter Meghan_Triplett[/URL]






Joe Mullinax: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Xavier Tillman is up next. @Drew Hill asked him about thriving in physicality and trash-talking, and keeping that edge. “We are a team that focuses on us, so if we see someone try to attack one of our guys, that’s the last thing you want to do.” They become more focused/lethal[/URL]
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/sbnGrizzlies"]Twitter sbnGrizzlies[/URL]







Joe Mullinax: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]I asked Tillman about the road environment and his Game-2 adjustments. He wants to be dialed in on screening and PNR coverage. Called the road environment great with them being nearly full[/URL]
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/sbnGrizzlies"]Twitter sbnGrizzlies[/URL]

[url]https://www.ksl.com/article/50174041/a-look-at-the-stuff-the-jazz-need-to-figure-out-ahead-of-wednesdays-game-2-with-memphis[/url]

[QUOTE]Utah struggled with four key things on Sunday: turnovers, rebounding, fouls and 3-point shooting — which, not so coincidentally, lines up pretty close with what the NBA calls the four factors.

[/QUOTE]

and often the things that cause them to lose games. Bench guys when they suck! 7 of the 10 turnovers in the first half were by Clarkson and Bojan and they were also shooting them out of the game at the same time. They are bringing you nothing at that point. Ersan should be playing period! I don't know if he was available but Morgan and Brantley should play ahead of Oni. That helps with the rebounding and Ersan and Morgan shoot better than Oni. Thomas is also an option when shots aren't falling. Quit settling for 3's. Drive and kick at least. As far as fouls that isn't usually a problem certainly not from Gobert and Conley

[QUOTE]How can the Jazz counter? It sounds simple, but just make smarter decisions. Mitchell coming back probably helps the Jazz here more than anywhere. Jordan Clarkson and Bojan Bogdanovic both had four turnovers apiece — some of those possessions now will go to Mitchell.

[/QUOTE]

And? Mitchell doesn't make great decisions and turns it over too

[QUOTE]How can the Jazz counter? It sounds simple, but just make smarter decisions. Mitchell coming back probably helps the Jazz here more than anywhere. Jordan Clarkson and Bojan Bogdanovic both had four turnovers apiece — some of those possessions now will go to Mitchell.

[/QUOTE]

again less ball movement with Mitchell. How again does he help there?

[QUOTE]"One of the keys for us has been all year, and it continues to be, and it's something that we really have to focus on is to defensive rebound," Snyder said. "Particularly when Rudy's tied up with Valanciunas. We've got to have other guys that are even more determined on the boards."

[/QUOTE]

How about you playing bigger guys?

[QUOTE]Gobert, though, may have had a point. A couple of his fouls were suspect and Conley's blocking call at the end of the first half was pretty egregious, and ended up changing Utah's rotation (not to mention the game), in the second half. That said, Conley and Gobert finished as the league leaders in plus/minus this season — they have to find a way to stay on the court.

[/QUOTE]

not worried about their two best players. As always it comes down to Clarkson, Bojan, Mitchell, Favors and COTY

[url]https://www.ksl.com/article/50173571/dillon-brooks-is-now-the-most-hated-man-in-utah-but-the-jazz-have-other-concerns[/url]

[QUOTE]Conley said Utah has to match Brooks and Memphis' physicality. But there's a caveat: He doesn't think the Jazz need to necessarily engage in the talking or any of the other extracurricular stuff that only seemed to flip the game toward the Grizzlies.

[/QUOTE]

while not having your two best players in foul trouble

[url]https://kslsports.com/460109/jazz-look-to-even-series-against-grizzlies-in-game-two/[/url]

[QUOTE]The Jazz will be at full strength as [URL="https://kslsports.com/459723/donovan-mitchell-returns-to-practice-for-jazz-expects-to-play-game-one/"]Donovan Mitchell[/URL] is back in the lineup for the first time since April 16.

[/QUOTE]

that's assuming Mitchell is at full strength and not just playing to appease him. Still on a minutes restriction I'd think?

[QUOTE]Though Mitchell may be under a minutes restriction, he’ll likely draw Brooks as his primary defender, freeing the Jazz other guards to facilitate the Jazz offense.

[/QUOTE]

I doubt they'll have the ball much when Mitchell is in

[url]https://kslsports.com/460069/history-of-utah-jazz-end-of-season-award-winners/[/url]

[QUOTE]The league’s most prestigious award so far has been reserved for the greatest player in Jazz history.

[/QUOTE]

I'd take Stockton anyday

[QUOTE]Jordan Clarkson etched his name into Jazz history by becoming the first player in franchise history to earn the Sixth Man of the Year award.

[/QUOTE]

amazing Thurl didn't win with the numbers he put up in starters minutes

[url]https://kslsports.com/460070/jazz-excited-for-game-two-after-tumultuous-weekend/[/url]

“We’ll go into game two probably a bit more relaxed,” reserve center Derrick Favors said. “The situation with Donovan, I’m pretty sure JC had the award thing on his mind, just a lot going. So I think going into game two, everybody will be a little bit more clear-headed.”


[QUOTE]“We’ll go into game two probably a bit more relaxed,” reserve center Derrick Favors said. “The situation with Donovan, I’m pretty sure JC had the award thing on his mind, just a lot going. So I think going into game two, everybody will be a little bit more clear-headed.”

[/QUOTE]

even more reason to bench Clarkson! :(

[url]https://www.deseret.com/2021/5/25/22452925/utah-jazz-jordan-clarkson-accepted-role-becoming-the-sixth-man-of-the-year-nba-playoffs-memphis[/url]

[QUOTE]“I love him, I love him. Write it down. I love him,” Snyder said of Clarkson on [URL="https://www.deseret.com/sports/2020/1/31/21115545/jordan-clarkson-utah-jazz-loss-denver-nuggets-donovan-mitchell-quin-snyder-37-points"]Jan. 30, 2020 after he dropped 37 points against the Nuggets[/URL]. “Sometimes a system needs to be malleable. He’s unselfish, he attacks the rim, he gets to the line. If the system is defense, he’s embraced that, and I think he’ll continue to learn.”[/QUOTE]

unselfish! :roll:

[url]https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/5/26/22454866/utah-jazz-look-to-tie-up-series-vs-memphis-grizzlies-in-game-two-donovan-mitchell-ja-morant-gobert[/url]

[QUOTE]If nothing else, Game 1 of this series has given Utah ample opportunity to evaluate their shortcomings and adjust to those issues accordingly. In taking the “silver linings” approach to that game, the Jazz played without their best offensive player, had one of their worst shooting performances of the season, had their best player in foul trouble all night, and still only lost the game by three points. Obviously, while none of that makes the loss any better, it does show that with only a little bit of improvement, the Jazz can even out this series before it goes to Memphis. To do that, here are where they need to improve upon:

[/QUOTE]

Leading scorer not best offensive player

[QUOTE]First, they can go under on every screen. This season, Morant only shot around 30% from downtown. So, the likelihood of him singlehandedly winning the game through three pointers and long two’s isn’t very high. Another option is to hedge/trap him on every screen. In doing so, Utah would force the ball out of his hands and make players like Jaren Jackson Jr. and Kyle Anderson beat them through perimeter shooting. Finally, the last option (and most important one) is that the Jazz do a better job of staying in front of Morant when going 1 on 1. Simply put, in the fourth quarter, Utah’s perimeter players were being cooked by Morant off the dribble. In Game 2, the Jazz just need to provide more resistance off the bounce.

[/QUOTE]

He shot the 3 good to end the year but I'd make him hit a couple first. Same with several other players.

Joe Mullinax: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Jaren Jackson Jr. is here for shootaround. @Evan Barnes asked him how they shake off the newness of the 1st game. He knows Utah is gonna come out hard, and they’re a good team that’ll have that fire. They want to come ready and have that same energy[/URL]
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/sbnGrizzlies"]Twitter sbnGrizzlies[/URL]




Joe Mullinax: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]I asked JJJ what he saw from an individual standpoint from film. He wants to stay aggressive during back-and-forth stretches and earlier in the game – make sure to find his rhythm on his shot. He also wants to avoid the fouls where opponents barrel into his body[/URL]
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/sbnGrizzlies"]Twitter sbnGrizzlies[/URL]

Joe Mullinax: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Desmond Bane is here. @Evan Barnes asked him if he feels like they’re rolling with confidence. “For sure” – added that they’ve grown a lot and they’re handling it all really well for a young team[/URL]
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/sbnGrizzlies"]Twitter sbnGrizzlies[/URL]




Drew Hill: I asked Desmond Bane if Dillon Brooks is as crazy as he seems. [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]He said he has energy all the time, he’s loud on the team plane and loud playing cards. He even said Brooks and Gorgui Dieng used to get into it in the plane because he was so loud Gorgui couldn’t sleep. [/URL]

– via [URL="https://twitter.com/DrewHill_DM"]Twitter DrewHill_DM[/URL]







Joe Mullinax: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]I asked Bane about what he’s looking to take from film on game 1 into the rest of the series. He wants to stay locked in and physical defensively, while also spacing the floor offensively to give Ja and Brooks the space to operate[/URL]
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/sbnGrizzlies"]Twitter sbnGrizzlies[/URL]

[QUOTE] [URL="https://wwos.nine.com.au/basketball/joe-ingles-utah-jazz-mike-cannon-brookes/2826cc4a-f657-403d-9518-7cf1ee5aca98"]Joe Ingles hopes billionaire part owner of the Utah Jazz, Mike Cannon-Brookes, can add more Australians to the organisation after securing minority ownership with the team.[/URL] The Aussie tech entrepreneur, who has an estimated net worth of around $14 billion, is understood to have paid hundreds of millions alongside friend and US venture capitalist Ryan Smith, to become a part owner of the team.

– via [URL="https://wwos.nine.com.au/basketball/joe-ingles-utah-jazz-mike-cannon-brookes/2826cc4a-f657-403d-9518-7cf1ee5aca98"]Sacha Mirzabegian @ Nine.com.au[/URL]





Ingles hopes the the addition of Cannon-Brookes will see more Australians come to the club in every capacity, with his last Aussie teammate being former No.4 pick Dante Exum. [URL="https://wwos.nine.com.au/basketball/joe-ingles-utah-jazz-mike-cannon-brookes/2826cc4a-f657-403d-9518-7cf1ee5aca98"]“It’s about time I’ve been begging for an Australian in this organisation for a long time since we lost Dante,” Ingles said. “The only way we could do it is by having someone buy the team.[/URL] Hopefully with Mike on board now and all the other owners there obviously great as well but to have an Aussie own the team hopefully we can bring more Aussie over here.”
– via [URL="https://wwos.nine.com.au/basketball/joe-ingles-utah-jazz-mike-cannon-brookes/2826cc4a-f657-403d-9518-7cf1ee5aca98"]Sacha Mirzabegian @ Nine.com.au[/URL]







[URL="https://wwos.nine.com.au/basketball/joe-ingles-utah-jazz-mike-cannon-brookes/2826cc4a-f657-403d-9518-7cf1ee5aca98"]“He hasn’t been able to travel because of COVID and I haven’t been home for a couple of years now,” Ingles said. “We text a fair bit. He’s a big supporter of our team he watches every game. His children watch every game decked out in Jazz gear.[/URL] “He’s actually building a court on his property with Jazz logos all over it. He’s heavily invested not just financially but also with supporting us.”
– via [URL="https://wwos.nine.com.au/basketball/joe-ingles-utah-jazz-mike-cannon-brookes/2826cc4a-f657-403d-9518-7cf1ee5aca98"]Sacha Mirzabegian @ Nine.com.au[/URL]


[/QUOTE]

time to appease Ingles now

Aaron will portray Mark Landsberger, a hulking, lovable oaf. Gibson is Debbie Allen, A bright young star reaching new heights in her career. [URL="https://deadline.com/2021/05/rory-cochrane-danny-burstein-edwin-hodge-among-7-cast-in-hbos-1980s-l-a-lakers-series-1234764541/"]Hodge will play Ron Boone, a tough, crafty NBA veteran. Davis is Adrian Dantley, a stylish NBA All-Star destined for the Hall of Fame. Cole portrays Ron Carter: A hard-working NBA veteran[/URL].
– via [URL="https://deadline.com/2021/05/rory-cochrane-danny-burstein-edwin-hodge-among-7-cast-in-hbos-1980s-l-a-lakers-series-1234764541/"]Denise Petski @ Deadline[/URL]

[url]https://kslsports.com/460136/ingles-jazz-just-have-to-play-better-in-game-two/[/url]

[QUOTE]“I think that the offensive rebound and turnovers are two things that we can control a little bit,” Ingles said of fixing the Jazz issues from game one. “Obviously, the rebounding is something we need to focus on.”

[/QUOTE]

can ya? Been a problem throughout the year

[QUOTE]“It’ll be exciting to have him out there and getting back into a flow with us,” Ingles said of Mitchell. “Just to have his presence out there his scoring, his attacking, and what he’s done this year defensively as well.”

[/QUOTE]

defensively! :roll:

[url]https://thejnotes.com/2021/05/26/utah-jazz-donovan-mitchell-production/[/url]

hasn't played in over a month. Be happy if he passes the ball and plays hard on D

So, when he gingerly got up and was walking around, hopping up and down in the huddle in the timeout that followed the foul, there was a reasonable amount of concern. That concern mounted when he checked out of the game 11 seconds later and went straight to the locker room. But Mitchell said there’s nothing to be worried about. “It wasn’t anything bad,” he said after the Utah Jazz’s Game 2 series tying 141-129 win over the Memphis Grizzlies. [URL="https://www.deseret.com/2021/5/27/22452074/donovan-mitchell-no-concern-over-ankle-after-first-game-back-utah-jazz-memphis-grizzlies-playoffs?utm_campaign=nbasarah&utm_content=chorus&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter"]“It wasn’t anything to be weary of. I feel good.”[/URL]

– via [URL="https://www.deseret.com/2021/5/27/22452074/donovan-mitchell-no-concern-over-ankle-after-first-game-back-utah-jazz-memphis-grizzlies-playoffs?utm_campaign=nbasarah&utm_content=chorus&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter"]Sarah Todd @ deseret.com[/URL]





[URL="https://*********.com/storyline/donovan-mitchell-injury/"] This rumor is part of a storyline: 147 more rumors [/URL] [URL="https://www.deseret.com/2021/5/27/22452074/donovan-mitchell-no-concern-over-ankle-after-first-game-back-utah-jazz-memphis-grizzlies-playoffs?utm_campaign=nbasarah&utm_content=chorus&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter"]“Just trying to keep it warm,” Mitchell said. “I think that’s the biggest thing. I just haven’t played in five weeks, so all my stuff that I’ve been doing, the ankle is warm.[/URL] Every workout, there’s always a time where you’re warm. There’s never a time where you’re sitting and coming back in.”
– via [URL="https://www.deseret.com/2021/5/27/22452074/donovan-mitchell-no-concern-over-ankle-after-first-game-back-utah-jazz-memphis-grizzlies-playoffs?utm_campaign=nbasarah&utm_content=chorus&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter"]Sarah Todd @ deseret.com[/URL]






[QUOTE] Eric Walden: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Rudy Gobert, on Donovan Mitchell’s return: “It’s been more than a month, so he was really antsy to get back out there. We missed him. We needed his energy, his positivity, his talent.[/URL] Tonight was a great night to have him back.”

– via [URL="https://twitter.com/tribjazz"]Twitter tribjazz[/URL]






Eric Walden: Donovan Mitchell acknowledged it was hard trying not to go all-out early on: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]“I had a moment before the game, I was talking to myself, trying to calm myself. … It’s easy to go out there and try to hit a home run early, but the game isn’t won in the first five minutes.”[/URL]
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/tribjazz"]Twitter tribjazz[/URL]






Eric Walden: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Donovan Mitchell: “Try to impact the game any way I can — tonight it was points. I didn’t have any assists tonight — that’s killing me right now.”[/URL]
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/tribjazz"]Twitter tribjazz[/URL]

[/QUOTE]
bet you're really losing sleep over it!





[QUOTE] SportCenter: [URL="http://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/1397784941522571264"]Only LeBron, Luka, T-Mac and Magic had a 40-point playoff game at age 21 or younger in NBA history. Now Ja’s 47-point game tops the list[/URL] Fire

– via [URL="http://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/1397784941522571264"]Twitter[/URL]






StatMuse: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Ja Morant has set the Grizzlies franchise record for points in a playoff game[/URL]. 47 PTS 7 AST 15-26 FG 15-20 FT It’s only his 2nd career playoff game.
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/statmuse"]Twitter statmuse[/URL]






Tim MacMahon: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Ja Morant’s 47 points in tonight’s loss to Jazz are the most in Grizzlies playoff history and most by a player 21 or younger in NBA history,[/URL] per @ESPNStatsInfo .
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/espn_macmahon"]Twitter espn_macmahon[/URL]







Michael Scotto: Utah Jazz All-Star [URL="https://*********.com/social/tweets/"]Donovan Mitchell on Ja Morant: “Give credit to Ja, he had 50 damn near. He’s a hell of a player. I respect the hell out of his game.”[/URL] (TNT postgame interview)
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/Money23Green"]Twitter Money23Green[/URL]






Eric Walden: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Mike Conley: “We can’t give up 30 points in six minutes, those kinds of runs Memphis is capable of.”[/URL]
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/tribjazz"]Twitter tribjazz[/URL]

[/QUOTE]
horrible!





[QUOTE] Ja [URL="https://*********.com/social/tweets/"]Morant: #ProtectOurPlayers[/URL]

– via [URL="https://twitter.com/JaMorant"]Twitter JaMorant[/URL]


[/QUOTE]

Donovan Mitchell looked into the sea of red and yellow in the stands of Vivint Smart Home Arena. He demonstratively pointed to the ground, then verbally threw the gauntlet down on Dillon Brooks. [URL="https://theathletic.com/2611288/2021/05/27/we-missed-him-donovan-mitchell-re-energizes-jazz-in-game-2-win-over-grizzlies/"]“I’m on his ass,” Mitchell yelled. “I’m on his ass!” This was only the first quarter of what would be a 141-129 Game 2[/URL] win over the Memphis Grizzlies for the Utah Jazz. And the Jazz would have to survive building a 20-point lead and watching it melt to a single basket, a Mitchell re-injury scare, 47 points from Ja Morant and some anxious moments. But it was in this moment, early in the first quarter after a four-point play, when Mitchell showed everyone what the Jazz have been missing most from him with his sprained ankle.
– via [URL="https://theathletic.com/2611288/2021/05/27/we-missed-him-donovan-mitchell-re-energizes-jazz-in-game-2-win-over-grizzlies/"]Tony Jones @ The Athletic[/URL]

[url]https://www.ksl.com/article/50174543/donovan-mitchell-returns-with-25-points-as-jazz-even-up-series-with-grizzlies[/url]

[QUOTE]After mostly a dud of a performance in Game 1, it felt like the Jazz finally showed up for the playoffs Wednesday. The team played with an energy that was completely absent from the series-opener on Sunday.

[/QUOTE]

With their worst defensive quarter and half of the year?

[QUOTE]"They're gonna be wired and geeked up for Game 3," Mitchell said. "We gotta be able to continue to play this way because when we play this way — outside of the few mistakes we made in third to kind of let them come back — we're tough to beat."

[/QUOTE]

129 points :facepalm

[url]https://kslsports.com/460176/jazz-all-stars-outduel-morant-in-game-two-victory/[/url]

[QUOTE]Despite Mitchell’s brilliance, there were several scary moments when the All-Star appeared to favor his injured ankle after attacking the basket.

[/QUOTE]

8-19?

[QUOTE]When attacking the rim, the guard didn’t have his typical bounce near the rim, shooting just 3-9 inside the arc and landing hard on the floor on several trips into the paint.

[/QUOTE]

he's not good around the rim

[QUOTE]Mitchell’s hot three-point shooting was key in his return, but how can he impact the game if his shot abandons him? Does the injured guard have the ability to get downhill and attack the paint, or will he be relegated to the three-point shooter for the remainder of the series?

[/QUOTE]

I'd love to see him spotting up from 3 with Conley and Ingles running the offense like we saw at the first of the game. Ball was moving. Pitck and roll couldn't be stopped. Unfortunately we'll get more of Clarkson and Mitchell ISO

[QUOTE]Those are questions Mitchell and the Jazz will have to find the answer to in the coming days, and they might ultimately determine who emerges victorious from the series.

[/QUOTE]

defense will not how many Mitchell and Clarkson put up

[url]https://www.sltrib.com/sports/jazz/2021/05/27/triple-team-mike-conley/[/url]

[QUOTE]And yet, it hasn’t been the domination you’d expect to see out of a No. 1 seed against a youthful No. 8 seed that they really do match up well against. The Jazz made 48.7% of their threes tonight, for example, and that’ll be difficult to replicate. At one point, the Jazz allowed the Grizzlies to score on 15 straight possessions — is that the mark of an NBA champion? You’d have to say no.

[/QUOTE]

I don't think their D has been consistently great all year yet they were 1st in the league. Says a lot about the league right now

[QUOTE]But I think there are still definite items of improvement that we know the Jazz are capable of. Mitchell’s presence is one of them — he played very well tonight, but only in 26 minutes. What if he plays 36; aren’t the Jazz better? What if Clarkson, to be frank, starts using his brain when making decisions? He’s actually shown himself to be capable of that this season, and he would be really helpful.

[/QUOTE]

less Conley pick and roll and more Mitchell Clarkson ISO will make them better?

[QUOTE]Their potential to win a second-round series looks pretty good right now, too; the Mavs have throttled the Clippers in the first two games on the road, and I think the Jazz actually match up relatively well against Dallas. Yes, stopping Luka Doncic would be a huge challenge, and one they’ll only be able to do semi-successfully, even if they do well. But Kristaps Porzingis has been a liability against the Jazz in the past, and Dallas’ defense hasn’t been strong enough to consistently get stops, either.

[/QUOTE]

Dallas is certainly who they want