2021 post season #1 seed in NBA!

[url]https://www.deseret.com/2021/5/27/22451334/analysis-jazz-improve-in-just-about-every-area-to-beat-grizzlies-in-game-2-tie-series[/url]

[QUOTE]Donovan Mitchell is back, and he made an immediate difference. He didn’t try to do too much and was effective with his limited minutes. He finished with 25 points on 8-of-19 shooting, including going 5 of 10 from 3-point range and a perfect 4 of 4 from the free-throw line. He did it all in limited time, playing just under 26 minutes for the night.

[/QUOTE]

3 of 9 from 2 not really effective

[QUOTE]Most of the things the Jazz did poorly in Game 1 they cleaned up in Game 2. They didn’t turn the ball over as much, they kept the Grizzlies off the offensive boards better, they played better defense, they spaced the floor with more intention and they won the game.

[/QUOTE]

the D was a lot worse in the 2nd half and especially in the 3rd quarter. Maybe the worst of the year

[QUOTE]The unselfishness of the Jazz was really impressive. Even with Conley racking up most of the assists, Royce O’Neale, Joe Ingles and Gobert each had three apiece. The Jazz were looking for the open man and doing what they do best when the defense collapsed.

[/QUOTE]

except for their two ISO specialists anyway

[QUOTE]The Jazz’s third quarter was not good. They were outscored 43-29 with Morant and Brooks combining for 24 points. They didn’t get stops, the offense got stagnant, and they let the Grizzlies dictate everything. Memphis had five of its nine offensive boards in the third quarter. More than anything though, the Jazz just looked flat and disinterested in the third quarter. File this under a silver lining. The Jazz can do better. The Grizzlies are going to go on their runs, but the Jazz have to match the intensity for 48 minutes, not 36.

[/QUOTE]

they scored 29. Nothing wrong with that

[url]https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/5/26/22456177/utah-jazz-get-decisive-victory-in-game-2-over-the-memphis-grizzlies-nba-playoffs[/url]

[QUOTE]Having Mitchell on the floor does so much more than get inferior defenders in foul trouble, though. Mitchell is the catalyst to everything the Jazz do on offense. He is what bends the defense more than anyone else on the floor. His penetration forces defenses into rotations and because he makes the right play, it creates much more open, comfortable looks for his teammates than they would get otherwise.

[/QUOTE]

you watched a different game than me. Memphis had no answer for the pick and roll and ball movement. Not Mitchell's strong suit

[QUOTE]But on top of that Mitchell brings an intensity and fire that this team was seriously lacking without him. That courage and leadership was palpable to start the game and you could see the swag was completely taken out of the Grizzlies from the beginning of the game. The Jazz need to be a tougher team. There are too many instances where they get lackadaisical on defense watching Rudy, or pull their foot off the gas with big leads. Having Mitchell come on the floor and lead them emotionally is something that doesn’t get enough credit. The incredible scoring and facilitating obviously is the most important part, but his demeanor is invaluable.

[/QUOTE]

yeah thanks for your D!

[QUOTE]Rudy Gobert was god-like at times tonight. He was 9/11 from the field for 21 points, 13 rebounds, 4 block and 3 assists. There are so many times that Gobert changes everything. He comes in and the Memphis offense just stalls. But that’s what happens every game. The only thing you could complain about with Gobert is that he didn’t play enough, but that’s not his fault. For the game, Gobert played just under 36 minutes and that was having played the entire 4th quarter. Gobert has to be on the floor more and Snyder has to recognize that. Derrick Favors has looked really solid this series, it’s a great sign, but even good Favors pales in comparison to what Gobert is doing this season. You play your stars in the playoffs, and Quin Snyder needs to play Gobert more, especially if they want to steal games in Memphis.

[/QUOTE]

But they don't lose anything with Favors! Rudy shouldn't have to play huge minutes against this team

[url]https://thejnotes.com/2021/05/27/utah-jazz-best-9-man-rotation-display/[/url]

[QUOTE][h=1]Utah Jazz: NBA’s best 9-man rotation now on full display[/h][/QUOTE]

unfortunately not the Jazz's best 9

[url]https://sports.yahoo.com/donovan-mitchell-sparks-jazz-past-051120742.html[/url]

[QUOTE]Beyond [URL="https://nba.nbcsports.com/2018/02/16/overlooked-no-more-donovan-mitchell-ready-for-his-time-in-all-star-spotlight/"]swagger[/URL], Mitchell (25 points in 26 minutes) provided much-needed offensive creation. Utah’s system is designed for him to be the centerpiece. His presence allowed everyone to move back toward more-comfortable roles.

[/QUOTE]

actually it's not as we saw with the pick and roll and ball movement

The Utah Jazz have banned three fans indefinitely for their behavior at Wednesday’s playoff game against the Memphis Grizzlies. [URL="https://dailymemphian.com/section/sportsmemphis-grizzlies/article/22227/three-fans-banned-by-jazz-after-grizzliess-playoffs-game-2"]At least one of the fans was ejected from the arena for making an offensive sexual comment directed at Ja Morant’s mother, a source said Thursday[/URL].
– via [URL="https://dailymemphian.com/section/sportsmemphis-grizzlies/article/22227/three-fans-banned-by-jazz-after-grizzliess-playoffs-game-2"]Drew Hill @ Daily Memphian[/URL]




Tim MacMahon: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]The banned Jazz fans made separate vulgar or racist comments to Ja Morant’s parents, his father Tee Morant told ESPN. “I know heckling,” Tee Morant said. “But that’s different than heckling. That’s straight up disrespectful.”[/URL]
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/espn_macmahon"]Twitter espn_macmahon[/URL]

Adrian Wojnarowski: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]A Utah judge tossed out a $100M suit against Russell Westbrook and the Utah Jazz filed by two fans banned from Jazz games after taunts toward Westbrook in a March 2019 game, per court documents. Shane Keisel and Jennifer Huff claimed defamation and infliction of emotional stress[/URL].
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/wojespn"]Twitter wojespn[/URL]





Tim Reynolds: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Utah Jazz announce they banned three fans for incidents at their game last night[/URL].
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/ByTimReynolds"]Twitter ByTimReynolds[/URL]

[url]https://www.ksl.com/article/50175036/donovan-mitchell-says-he-felt-better-than-i-anticipated-after-return-in-game-2[/url]

[QUOTE]"I feel good," the All-Star guard said. "I have put myself in kind of treacherous situations to come back to be ready for playoff intensity. I felt better than I anticipated."

[/QUOTE]

you and your private staff thought you were ready for weeks. Which is it?

[QUOTE]"Any time you've been out for a significant period of time, I think there's a tendency to try to really put a stamp on the game," coach Quin Snyder said. "I thought he really let the game come to him. He was patient. He got a few catch-and-shoot 3's early where he got good looks, got off the ball and kind of made a simple play.

[/QUOTE]

started that way anyway before delving into his old ways

[URL]https://kslsports.com/460223/breaking-down-the-grizzlies-third-quarter-against-the-jazz/[/URL]

[QUOTE]The Jazz were burned on three consecutive possessions when they went under the screener.

[/QUOTE]

that was the game plan I imagine. Memphis isn't a good 3 point shooting team though Morant was hitting it down the stretch

[QUOTE]These are the types of plays defensively that make it look like Mitchell’s ankle isn’t at 100 percent.

[/QUOTE]

seriously? When has Mitchell ever played D? His personal staff says he's ready so he's ready! :roll:

[QUOTE]With Bogdanovic going under the Valanciunas screen, Morant hits Jackson Jr. for a good look from three. Jackson Jr. is shooting 28 percent from three in the series, so this is a look the Jazz can probably live with.

[/QUOTE]

another negative defender

[QUOTE]Mitchell’s help here (he does have to be mindful of Morant) makes me wonder how much he actually trusts his ankle right now. [URL="https://t.co/jf0EbNOcyL"]pic.twitter.com/jf0EbNOcyL[/URL]

[/QUOTE]

:facepalm

[QUOTE]Morant easily displaces the flatfooted (injured) Mitchell of the dribble in isolation, forcing Gobert to rotate as the helper.

[/QUOTE]

can't wait until he's 100% and making defensive stops again!

[QUOTE]On another Valanciunas pick and roll, Conley gets caught up on the screen as Derrick Favors switches onto coverage against Morant.

[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE]Valanciunas posts up against Favors again and hits a tough contested turnaround baseline fade away with the shot clock expiring.

[/QUOTE]

maybe stick with Gobert when the D is struggling?

[QUOTE]Off a missed Valanciunas, Conley fails to put a body on Morant who corrals the long rebound and easily finishes at the rim.

[/QUOTE]

no PF

[QUOTE]The Grizzlies have now gone at Favors on five straight sets. As soon as Gobert subbed out of the game, Morant attacked Favors for a push shot, then Valanciunas tried a hook shot, before making a mid-range fade away. Valanciunas then attempts a top of the key three, and finally another hook shot.

[/QUOTE]

same old story. But it was all Bradley's fault! :lol

[QUOTE]Brooks kicks the ball back to Anderson to steps back for a three as Ingles fights to recover on the closeout after defending the rim.

[/QUOTE]

not a great shooter. Live with that one

[QUOTE]First, while Morant was dominant, scoring 11 points on 5-5 shooting, he was matched identically by Brooks who also had 11 points on a perfect 5-5 shooting. That’s the payoff Taylor Jenkins got for leaving Brooks in the game even after he picked up his fourth foul early in the second half.

[/QUOTE]

good gamble. Jazz needed to go hard at Brooks during that time

[QUOTE]Ultimately, the Grizzlies’ rare and impressive run resulted from a perfect storm of defensive errors by the Jazz, strong execution by Morant, Brooks, and Valanciunas, and hot shooting from the entire lineup.

[/QUOTE]

looks like a lot of it was their bad defenders Mitchell, Bojan and Favors being left on the floor because COTY won't bench them no matter what. As I've said for the past month plus they are a better defensive team without their best player Mitchell as they were in the bubble last year without their difference maker Bojan

[url]https://www.deseret.com/2021/5/27/22454934/utah-jazz-donovan-mitchells-relaxed-approach-in-nba-playoffs-just-what-team-needed[/url]

[QUOTE]Reserved and unselfish attitude made Mitchell’s transition back into the rotation seamless for the No. 1 seed Jazz

[/QUOTE]

0 assists! Very unselfish to force your way back on to the court!

[QUOTE][URL="https://www.deseret.com/sports/2021/1/13/22217489/utah-jazz-donovan-mitchell-rudy-gobert-nba-max-contracts-pressure-expectations"]Donovan Mitchell[/URL] is capable of scoring 50 points in the playoffs. [URL="https://www.deseret.com/sports/2020/8/17/21371976/utah-jazz-donovan-mitchell-57-points-denver-nuggets-nba-playoffs-jamal-murray"]We’ve seen it before[/URL].

[/QUOTE]

no more bubble. He can certainly help give up almost 50 outside the bubble

[QUOTE]It would have been understandable if Mitchell, frustrated that he didn’t play in Game 1, came out of the gate guns blazing, looking to beat every man in front of him. But the Jazz are at their best when they are playing team basketball and not relying on one player to win in isolation.

[/QUOTE]

yes they are. Too bad Mitcehll and Clarkson don't understand that

[QUOTE]He would go on to score 25 points in just under 26 minutes — a restriction made by the Jazz medical and training staff — including shooting 5 of 10 from 3-point range.

[/QUOTE]

lucky he and his personal staff agreed!

[QUOTE]The Jazz’s spacing and ability to swing the ball to open shooters improves just by having Mitchell on the court. Additionally, the trickle-down effect of having Mitchell back in the rotation, gives Conley more options and allows some relief for Joe Ingles.

[/QUOTE]

all true but he has to give up the ball. They looked great when Conley brought the ball down, ran the pick and roll and the ball moved. Mitchell go wide open looks. Much better than Mitchell or Clarkson bringing it down and no one else involved in the play

[QUOTE]It’s no secret that the Jazz are a better team with Mitchell on the floor, but that doesn’t mean that he has to score 50 in order for them to win. Sometimes, with Wednesday’s game serving as the perfect example, it’s smarter for him to play with a slower and more deliberate approach.

[/QUOTE]

it's debatable

[url]https://www.deseret.com/2021/5/27/22456657/would-the-utah-jazz-prefer-the-dallas-mavericks-or-la-clippers-in-the-2nd-round[/url]

[QUOTE] [h=1]Would the Jazz prefer the Mavericks or Clippers in the second round?[/h]
[/QUOTE]

Mavs certainly

[url]https://kslsports.com/460332/donovan-mitchell-says-ankle-feels-better-after-game-two/[/url]

[QUOTE]“It’s good,” Mitchell said of his ankle Friday after the team arrived in Memphis. “It’s gotten better since I played, these things can go one of two ways and I feel like it’s going the right way.”

[/QUOTE]

good to hear since you forced your way on to the floor

[url]https://kslsports.com/460320/jazz-head-to-memphis-for-game-three/[/url]

[QUOTE]Though the Jazz shot just 25 percent in their series opener, they’d gladly welcome 40+ attempts for the remainder of the series, especially with the quality of look they are getting.

[/QUOTE]

as long as Clarkson isn't taking too many and of course he will be

[QUOTE]In addition to creating open looks, the Jazz have punished the Grizzlies with their pick and roll play. Mike Conley is averaging 13 assists per game through two games and surgically picked the Memphis defense apart, including an eight-point, eight-assist fourth quarter on Wednesday.

[/QUOTE]

sadly we'll see less and less of that as Mitchell comes back

[QUOTE]Conley doesn’t have to outscore Morant for the Jazz to win in Memphis, but he’s got to keep his shooting percentages up and keep his team from panicking while playing in front of the fan base that once worshiped him with the Grizzlies.

[/QUOTE]

might be able to pick it up defensively as he goes back to spotting up in the corner while Mitchell goes 1 on 5

[url]https://kslsports.com/460306/four-takeaways-from-the-jazz-and-grizzlies-so-far/[/url]

[QUOTE]First, the team was without their leading scorer Donovan Mitchell who was a late scratch from the opener under bizarre circumstances.

[/QUOTE]

no excuse

[QUOTE]Second, the team may have been a bit rusty, having had a full week off while the Grizzlies had played two high-leverage games in preparation for the game one. The rust resulted in 14 turnovers, including 12 steals by the Grizzlies leading to easy transition baskets.

[/QUOTE]

maybe but it was pretty typical

[QUOTE]Third, the Jazz shot [URL="https://kslsports.com/459991/twenty-open-threes-the-jazz-missed-against-memphis/"]bizarrely poorly[/URL] in their opener, connecting on just 12-47 of their three-point attempts, their second-worst shooting performance of the season.

[/QUOTE]

yeah but Gobert fouled out was the main reason and as usual they aren't very good without him

[QUOTE]As good as Ja Morant and Dillon Brooks have been through the first two games of the series, Memphis needs more firepower if they want to keep up with the Jazz hot shooting.

[/QUOTE]

or better D. Jazz certainly need better D

[QUOTE]And, he’s doing this against Jonas Valanciunas, one of the better seven-footers in the league. Not only has Gobert been impressive statistically, he’s had several eye-opening highlights including a massive block on Morant who challenged him at the rim, and an unstoppable offensive performance in the fourth quarter of game two.

[/QUOTE]

blocked Morant in game 1 as well

[QUOTE]Jazz fans have been singing the praises of Gobert for several years now, though the nuances of his game don’t lend themselves to more casual NBA Fans.

[/QUOTE]

some. Others chant MVP for Mitchell :facepalm

[QUOTE]If the Jazz want to end this series in short order, they’ll have to avoid full quarter letdowns.

[/QUOTE]

been a problem all year. Despite their #1 D they rarely do it for 48 minutes which is more a statement on today's game than anything else

[url]https://www.deseret.com/2021/5/28/22458411/utah-jazz-vs-memphis-grizzlies-game-3-preview-ja-morant[/url]

[QUOTE]The Jazz are their own worst enemy when it comes to the offense slowing down. At times the ball can stick, making off-ball movement and drive-and-kick plays more difficult. This was a particularly egregious problem in the third quarter of Game 2, when the Grizzlies outscored the Jazz 43-29.

[/QUOTE]

only going to see more of it as Mitchell comes back

[QUOTE] [URL="https://www.cleveland.com/cavs/2021/05/what-about-koby-altman-kevin-love-the-future-terry-plutos-cavs-scribbles.html"]Two NBA people I respect suggest the Cavs trade Sexton. One likes him a lot, one is lukewarm. But their point is the team should only sign Allen (a restricted free agent) to a $100 million deal.[/URL] Because of the Love contract, the Cavs can’t pay Allen and Sexton tons of cash without crushing the salary cap.

– via [URL="https://www.cleveland.com/cavs/2021/05/what-about-koby-altman-kevin-love-the-future-terry-plutos-cavs-scribbles.html"]Terry Pluto @ Cleveland Plain Dealer[/URL]

[/QUOTE]

similar numbers to Mitchell but two years younger and cheaper. Can't be any worse defensively

[QUOTE] After struggling to find a consistent rhythm throughout much of his first season in Utah, Conley appears to have found the groove in his second campaign that helped make the Jazz the No. 1 team in the Western Conference all season. [URL="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/31536252/mike-conley-leads-utah-jazz-victory-surreal-return-memphis"]He went 7-of-10 from the 3-point line on Saturday, tying his career high for 3-pointers in a game. “I think the biggest thing is he’s just locked in,” Mitchell said. “He just has a different look.[/URL] And that’s one of the things that I saw from him in the bubble, and I’ve seen it at an even higher level now. He understands it. He loves — he played for Memphis, what, 13 years. At the end of the day, there’s still love. You can see it. And there’s also love in competing against them. And I think it is impressive, because it’s easy to be distracted …

– via [URL="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/31536252/mike-conley-leads-utah-jazz-victory-surreal-return-memphis"]Nick Friedell @ ESPN[/URL]





Ben Anderson: Mike Conley on playing against Memphis: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]“Sometimes you just live long enough to become the villain and I’ve become that for the Memphis Grizzlies now so, you’ve just got to take that in stride.”[/URL]

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






Eric Walden: Mike [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Conley, on facing Ja in Memphis: “It’s surreal — him wearing the jersey I’m so used to wearing, getting the cheers I’m used to hearing.[/URL] You live long enough, you become the villain — and I’ve become that for the Memphis Grizzlies.”

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






Marc J. Spears: Grizzlies say [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Ja Morant is the fourth player in NBA history to score 100+ points over his first three playoff appearances[/URL] and the first since 1970. He joins Wilt Chamberlain (116 points in 1960), George Mikan (107 points in 1949) and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (102 points in 1970).
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/MarcJSpears"]Twitter MarcJSpears[/URL]







Eric Walden: Quin [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Snyder, on Donovan down the stretch: “He’s such a competitor, and he’s thinking about winning.[/URL] When you have a guy that believes in himself that much, believes in his teammates, has that competitive fire, he’s going to make things happen.”
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/tribjazz"]Twitter tribjazz[/URL]


[/QUOTE]
He's going to keep gunning anyway





[QUOTE] Meghan Triplett: Coach [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Jenkins said the Jazz were really physical w/ Jonas Valanciunas and put a lot of attention on him.[/URL] Jenkins said he was glad he found a way in that 3rd qtr but they will have to go watch film & see what they need to do for Game 4.

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


[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE] Eric Walden: Rudy [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Gobert, on Mark Eaton: “It’s tough. He’s someone I really appreciated. He was a great guy. I texted him a few days ago.[/URL] … He had a great career, but he’s an even better person. Definitely gonna be missed.”

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





“I know that if he was here I would have got a text after the game saying, ‘way to protect the paint big guy,’” Gobert said with a smile after the Jazz’s 121-111 Game 3 win over the Memphis Grizzlies. [URL="https://www.deseret.com/2021/5/30/22458906/rudy-gobert-played-for-mark-eaton-on-saturday-game-3-utah-jazz-memphis-grizzlies"]“I know he’s watching, and I know he’s going to be watching through the rest of the playoffs and everything else. I feel his presence.”[/URL]

– via [URL="https://www.deseret.com/2021/5/30/22458906/rudy-gobert-played-for-mark-eaton-on-saturday-game-3-utah-jazz-memphis-grizzlies"]Sarah Todd @ deseret.com[/URL]







That’s what keeps coming up when talking to people about Eaton. Over and over you’ll hear those that knew him say that he was a great listener, a superb friend, and unendingly kind to everyone he encountered. “Obviously he had a great career, but as a human being as a person, he was someone that I related a lot,” Gobert said. [URL="https://www.deseret.com/2021/5/30/22458906/rudy-gobert-played-for-mark-eaton-on-saturday-game-3-utah-jazz-memphis-grizzlies"]“I learned a lot just from being around him. He’s definitely going to be missed, and not just by me but in the community, with all the great things that he’s done and all the people he’s been inspiring his whole life.”[/URL]

– via [URL="https://www.deseret.com/2021/5/30/22458906/rudy-gobert-played-for-mark-eaton-on-saturday-game-3-utah-jazz-memphis-grizzlies"]Sarah Todd @ deseret.com[/URL]







Snyder added that he always appreciated the rare occasions when Eaton would speak to the team. “He would come in the locker room occasionally; he was always very sensitive to his presence and what his purpose was, and you almost had to encourage him to come in, because every time he did, he touched players, he touched coaches,” he said. [URL="https://www.sltrib.com/sports/jazz/2021/05/29/mark-eaton-remembered-by/"]“He had a way about him that would [make you] want you to open up, and he motivated in very specific ways and also in very subtle ways depending upon the situation and what was needed. The subtleties of all that, I think, speak to the compassion, with which he lived.”[/URL]

– via [URL="https://www.sltrib.com/sports/jazz/2021/05/29/mark-eaton-remembered-by/"]Salt Lake Tribune[/URL]






“He was always at games early in my career, and he just used to always come up to me and give me advice about certain things,” Favors said. “You know, we just used to talk, and he’d tell stories.” Favors, who stands 6-foot-9 and weighs about 265 pounds, recalled how Eaton was one of the few people he’d ever come across who could make him feel small. [URL="https://www.sltrib.com/sports/jazz/2021/05/29/mark-eaton-remembered-by/"]“I mean, he was how tall — 7-3, 7-4? Yeah, 7-4. The only other player that I played against that was taller than that was Yao Ming, my rookie year,” Favors said. “He was a big guy, he was a big guy. There was a reason why he was one of the best shot-blockers in the NBA at his time.”[/URL]
– via [URL="https://www.sltrib.com/sports/jazz/2021/05/29/mark-eaton-remembered-by/"]Salt Lake Tribune[/URL]


[/QUOTE]
Boban





[QUOTE] “God could not have put a gentler, kinder soul in a big body than Mark Eaton,” Bailey told The Athletic. “I have a lot of great basketball memories because his story is so unique. [URL="https://theathletic.com/2621589/2021/05/29/he-was-the-rudy-gobert-of-our-time-those-who-knew-mark-eaton-speak-of-the-player-and-man-he-was/?source=rss"]He worked his tail off to be one of the best. He learned how to protect the paint, and he saved his teammates. We relied on him sometimes too much.” “He was the Rudy Gobert of our time.”[/URL]

– via [URL="https://theathletic.com/2621589/2021/05/29/he-was-the-rudy-gobert-of-our-time-those-who-knew-mark-eaton-speak-of-the-player-and-man-he-was/?source=rss"]Tony Jones @ The Athletic[/URL]






“He had an effect on winning with us,” Bailey said. “Before Mark came, we didn’t have that much success as a team. But he was always mentoring me. He was always optimistic. We just developed a really great relationship. The moments that mark and I had, we would just go have a beer and talk about life. That was the [URL="https://theathletic.com/2621589/2021/05/29/he-was-the-rudy-gobert-of-our-time-those-who-knew-mark-eaton-speak-of-the-player-and-man-he-was/?source=rss"]difference. We talked about family, about things we wanted to do during the summer. We talked about music. We had very intellectual conversations. Mark was like a family member to me.”[/URL]
– via [URL="https://theathletic.com/2621589/2021/05/29/he-was-the-rudy-gobert-of-our-time-those-who-knew-mark-eaton-speak-of-the-player-and-man-he-was/?source=rss"]Tony Jones @ The Athletic[/URL]

[/QUOTE]

[url]https://www.ksl.com/article/50176612/i-know-hes-watching-rudy-gobert-honors-mark-eaton-on-and-off-the-court[/url]

[QUOTE]Wilt's advice? Eaton never will be able to catch or keep up with those athletic guards.

[/QUOTE]

never was

[url]https://www.ksl.com/article/50176471/hes-going-to-make-some-things-happen-donovan-mitchells-late-surge-lifts-jazz-over-memphis[/url]

[QUOTE]Up to that point, Utah's All-Star shooting guard had struggled to find his shot. He was 7 of 21 from the field for 19 points and looked to be playing through some pain. He seemed to forget all of that pretty quickly.[/QUOTE]

there can't be pain. He and his team said he is ready!


[QUOTE]The plays a superstar makes. Morant is on his way there — Mitchell has already arrived.

[/QUOTE]

I guess. I'd take Morant anyday

[url]https://www.ksl.com/article/50176444/sometimes-you-live-long-enough-to-become-the-villain-conley-helps-break-memphis-fans-hearts-as-jazz-go-up-2-1[/url]

[QUOTE]But it was clear on Saturday: Conley has been Utah's best player in the series — and, therefore, one of the main reasons the Grizzlies are two losses away from their season being over.

[/QUOTE]

him and Gobert anyway. That must've been tough. Mitchell is usually the only guy the media wants to fawn over

[url]https://www.ksl.com/article/50176282/utah-jazz-legend-mark-eaton-64-dies-following-apparent-bicycle-crash[/url]

[QUOTE]"As much as Stockton and Malone were the face of the Utah Jazz, so was Mark Eaton — everyone associated him with the Utah Jazz," said former Houston Rocket guard and TNT analyst Kenny Smith.

[/QUOTE]

:facepalm

[url]https://kslsports.com/460445/mitchell-conley-carry-jazz-over-memphis-in-game-three/[/url]

[QUOTE]Conley dished out 26 over the first two games of the series, repeatedly abusing Memphis in the pick and roll largely as a result of the Grizzlies’ willingness to go over the top of Rudy Gobert screens above the three-point line.

In game three, Memphis generally preferred to dip under the screen, limiting Conley’s ability to get into the paint, so he punished them from the three-point line instead.
[/QUOTE]

the fact that the Jazz are running anything other than pick and roll is stupid. Memphis has no answer. Got to get Mitchell, Clarkson and Bojan their looks though!

[QUOTE]The Jazz acquired Conley with the hopes that he would relieve the ball-handling and playmaking pressure off Mitchell for stretches during the playoffs, and they’re reaping the rewards of that move in this series.

[/QUOTE]

Conley and Ingles should do all the ball handling

[QUOTE]Jordan Clarkson may have broken out of his shooting slump to open the series in the second half, scoring eight points on 3-4 shooting including 2-2 from downtown, but was just 2-7 from the three-point line on the night and was a team-worst -7 for the night.

[/QUOTE]

but the big news is COTY actually cut his minutes!

[url]https://www.sltrib.com/sports/jazz/2021/05/29/triple-team-jazz/[/url]

[QUOTE]Regardless, he was a hero to the Jazz. Not only did Conley brush the weird feelings off, he thrived in his unusual scenario, performing as the Jazz’s best player once again in a 27-point, eight assist, six rebound performance in which he shot 8-16 from the floor, and 7-10 from 3-point range.

[/QUOTE]

as long as D isn't considered

[QUOTE]Here, he does it perfectly: Clarkson’s not really in good position, so he picks up the ball for safekeeping, takes two steps, and lobs it to Rudy Gobert.

[/QUOTE]

If ytou mean Clarkson isn't in good position because he can't shoot than yeah! :lol

[QUOTE]And he’s right, sometimes. Like, you can see what he’s talking about here: the Jazz are in panic scramble mode defensively, so Kyle Anderson can just sneak down to the paint. I suppose the box-out should be Jordan Clarkson’s, but Clarkson is busy boxing out someone else after all of the rotations.

[/QUOTE]

but Clarkson sucks

[QUOTE]Sometimes, it was the perimeter players who didn’t show enough urgency. Bojan Bogdanovic has to know what the situation here is: if the shot misses, Valanciunas is going to get 2 points. So push, fight, grab, and battle before and while the shot goes up. If it’s a loose ball or defensive foul, that’s a much better outcome than JV getting the easy 2.

[/QUOTE]

Yeah Bojan is going to fight for boards! :roll:

[QUOTE]The Jazz have to clean this up: their whole defense is predicated on forcing tough shots and getting the rebound. They force next to no turnovers. If they want to be good defensively, they have to complete the play.

[/QUOTE]

Play Ersan, Morgan and/or Brantley or play guys that don't rebound. There is a choice

[QUOTE]The Jazz have been limiting Mitchell’s minutes over the last two games; tonight, he only played in 30. I think it’s something to watch moving forward, Mitchell’s energy level. He had two days off before Saturday and still felt like he needed to conserve energy in Game 3. How will he look with one day off in between games in Game 4?

[/QUOTE]

only 30? He's pretty much back to full minutes

[QUOTE]Regardless, the Jazz were lucky to have him tonight, no doubt. His presence has changed this series. They’ll just also want him at full strength — and full energy — by the time the second round comes along.

[/QUOTE]

lucky? The game would have been over long before if not for Clarkson and Mitchell keeping Memphis in it with their bricks

[url]https://www.deseret.com/2021/5/30/22459020/donovan-mitchell-wants-to-win-the-mental-battle-through-the-nba-playoffs-utah-jazz-memphis-grizzlies[/url]

[QUOTE]The Jazz would close the game on a 21-11 run that included 11 points from Mitchell, seven points from Mike Conley, and a string of defensive stops that put the game out of reach for the Grizzlies.

[/QUOTE]

no need to mention who made those :facepalm

[url]https://sports.yahoo.com/nba-gm-player-empowerment-worst-220020973.html[/url]

seeing it with Mitchell right now forcing himself into the lineup when it sounds like his ankle isn't really ready

[QUOTE] Joe Mullinax: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Quin Snyder says he expects a combination of Grizzlies adjustments as well as staying with their initial gameplans. Points out the offensive rebounds and the Grizzlies making Jazz pay for mistakes with fastbreak points[/URL]

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


[/QUOTE]

play Ersan/Morgan/Brantley

[url]https://kslsports.com/460491/jazz-can-take-commanding-lead-over-grizzlies-in-game-four/[/url]

[QUOTE]It’s been no secret that Donovan Mitchell and Mike Conley have been the key to the Jazz success in games two and three.

[/QUOTE]

Mitchell has mostly sucked after forcing his way onto the court but ok I guess :facepalm

[QUOTE]In fact, Morant and Brooks have combined to score 182 of the Grizzlies 352 points throughout the series, more than 51 percent of the team’s production. And, they’ve done it at an efficient rate.

[/QUOTE]

who cares about efficiency eh Mitchell and Clarkson!

[QUOTE]Tonight’s key matchup will pit Mitchell against Brooks in a rivalry that has been brewing throughout the season. The players had two competitive battles during the regular season which carried over in the opening-round playoff series.

Fortunately for the Jazz, Mitchell has gotten the better of the Grizzlies’ standout defender.

In [URL="https://www.nba.com/stats/team/1610612762/matchups/?Season=2020-21&SeasonType=Playoffs&Matchup=Offense&sort=OFF_PLAYER_NAME&dir=1"]24 possessions[/URL] when Brooks has been Mitchell’s primary defender, the Jazz All-Star has scored 19 points on 5-7 (71 percent) shooting, including 4-6 (66 percent) from the three-point line, while earning seven trips to the free-throw line.

In roughly 49 possessions against all other Grizzlies defenders, Mitchell has scored just 35 points on just 12-35 (35 percent) shooting from the floor and 3-14 (21 percent) from three, while earning eight trips to the free-throw line.

Brooks has however continued to punish the Jazz offensively. The fourth-year wing is averaging 27 points per game, the second-most of any player in the series while shooting 53 percent from the floor and nearly 36 percent from three.

[/QUOTE]

good thing Mitchell is carrying them! :lol

[url]https://www.deseret.com/2021/5/31/22461787/game-4-preview-utah-jazz-need-to-stop-relying-on-rudy-gobert-in-order-to-beat-memphis-grizzlies[/url]

[QUOTE]“Sometimes we are looking at the ball instead of hitting our guys,” Bojan Bogdanovic said.

[/QUOTE]

too bad they don't have a coach that will put guys in the game that want to hit guys like Ersan

[QUOTE]Additionally, the Jazz would make things a lot easier on their centers if they would put more pressure on the ball and make things more difficult from the perimeter. It’s obviously the Jazz’s defensive scheme to funnel things into Gobert’s orbit, but that doesn’t mean they can’t try to slow things down before it gets to Gobert.

[/QUOTE]

If you're Mitchell, Clarkson and Bojan it means exactly that

[url]https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/5/31/22462238/utah-jazz-seek-a-commanding-lead-over-the-memphis-grizzlies-nba-playoffs-donovan-mitchell[/url]

[QUOTE]Game 3 also showed that the Jazz have a multitude of weapons that can beat you on any given night. If Bogdanovic or Ingles are having a sub-par game, Conley and O’Neale are capable of stepping up like they did. But it’s not as possible without Mitchell. Mitchell’s presence means every piece on offense is in its rightful spot. You aren’t asking Jordan Clarkson to play 30 minutes, or Joe Ingles to take on too much of the playmaking load. Everyone is tasked with the right amount of weight and nothing is too reliant on any single role player.

[/QUOTE]

you should be asking Ingles to step up as a playmaker when Conley isn't in the game

[QUOTE]Having Mitchell back puts Ingles back with the bench unit and keeps his minutes down, which is a good thing in the long run if you can keep Ingles fresh, but the Jazz need Ingles’ ultra efficient production when he’s on the floor to win these games. His shooting and playmaking can decimate defenses and lighten the load for Mike Conley and Donovan Mitchell. Ingles having the ball in his hands also makes Jordan Clarkson more of an off ball player and can get him more efficient shots rather than constantly having to create something out of nothing. Clarkson’s ability to create something when everything breaks down is a nice advantage for the Jazz, but things are better when the team is moving the ball and creating advantages. That’s where Ingles makes his biggest impact. He takes the right shots or creates better ones for his teammates. The Jazz just need that to happen when he’s on the floor.

[/QUOTE]

Clarkson will have as many iopen looks as he wants. Too bad he doesn't want them and can't shoot anyway

[QUOTE]The Dillon Brooks villainy has been one of the main storylines of this series. The thing is, he’s not a supervillain. Since Donovan Mitchell has returned the Jazz have torched Brooks. He simply can’t stop Donovan Mitchell in the slightest.

[/QUOTE]

the last post says the opposite

Eric Walden: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Rudy Gobert, on the role players: “They’re the difference between us being a very good team and a great team.[/URL] … Having guys like Joe and Jordan, who can give us a big spark off the bench, that’s what makes us special this year. It’s hard for teams to guard us for 48 minutes.”
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/tribjazz"]Twitter tribjazz[/URL]




Eric Walden: Rudy Gobert, on the Jazz responding to Memphis’ rallies: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]“It’s resilience. And the most important part is continuing to trust each other. When it gets tough, we raise our level, and we do it together.”[/URL]
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/tribjazz"]Twitter tribjazz[/URL]






Eric Walden: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Donovan Mitchell: “[The Grizzlies] a team that’s never gonna quit, —up 30, down 30, whatever quarter.[/URL] … Too many times tonight, we get up 9 and get careless. I threw a baseball pass for a turnover. I had another bad pass. Those are the things we have to nip in the bud.”
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/tribjazz"]Twitter tribjazz[/URL]






StatMuse: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Donovan Mitchell is averaging 27.4 PPG in his playoff career. That’s the most in Jazz franchise history (min 25 games)[/URL].
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/statmuse"]Twitter statmuse[/URL]

Meghan Triplett: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Donovan Mitchell walked off the court and gave his kicks to 2 Jazz fans[/URL].
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/Meghan_Triplett"]Twitter Meghan_Triplett[/URL]

[url]https://kslsports.com/460579/full-team-effort-helps-jazz-sweep-games-3-and-4-in-memphis/[/url]

[QUOTE]If you recall, Bojan Bogdanovic missed the entire postseason after undergoing season-ending wrist surgery in May, while Mike Conley missed the first two games of the series to attend the birth of his child. Additionally, the Jazz have replaced the backup center minutes of Tony Bradley and Juwan Morgan with veteran Derrick Favors.

[/QUOTE]

They won one of the games Conley missed and it's debatable rather the rest makes them better

[QUOTE]Now, just as it was when they swept the Grizzlies over three games in four outings in March, it’s apparent the Jazz simply have more talent than the young Memphis roster. If Rudy Gobert isn’t playing well, Favors will. If Conley is having an off night, Jordan Clarkson will be on. If Joe Ingles is quiet, Royce O’Neale will be loud.

[/QUOTE]

No chance without Gobert and Conley playing well. One of the worst teams in the league :facepalm

[QUOTE]After losing game one last season, the Jazz won three consecutive games in Orlando without ever having a home crowd behind them. Then, just as the winds shifted in their favor, they turned once again on the Disney World Campus as the Jazz watched three close games slip out of their hands.

[/QUOTE]

didn't have a home team against them either

[QUOTE]“You get the sense that when he misses, he keeps shooting,” Snyder said of the Sixth Man of the Year award winner. “To that extent, he’s mentally tough enough to take the next shot, but he’s also someone that cares so deeply about that playing well and about helping the team.”

[/QUOTE]

he sucks

[QUOTE]The dedication to maintain bench minutes has led to two rough stretches to open the fourth quarters in Memphis but has left extra gas in the game to close games. In game three, the Jazz closed the final four minutes on a 14-2 run to secure the victory.

[/QUOTE]

not going to work in the next round

[url]https://kslsports.com/460537/derrick-favors-gives-jazz-big-boost-off-the-bench-in-first-quarter-of-game-4/[/url]

[QUOTE]After Dillon Brooks had a dunk on the other end, Joe Ingles and Favors ran their famous pick-and-roll in consecutive plays. Favors has been a massive addition this season for the Jazz after returning to the organization following a one-year stint with the New Orleans Pelicans.

[/QUOTE]

massive?

[url]https://kslsports.com/460532/jazz-finding-new-offensive-balance-in-playoffs/[/url]

[QUOTE]“I like to give those guys the freedom to make some of those decisions on their own. We’ve got smart players, and they’re unselfish and when that’s the case, the ball tends to find the open man.”

[/QUOTE]

for some strange reason Mitchell and Clarkson are open more than anyone

[url]https://www.ksl.com/article/50177282/the-jazz-arent-worried-about-jordan-clarkson--game-4-showed-why[/url]

[QUOTE][h=1]The Jazz aren't worried about Jordan Clarkson — Game 4 showed why[/h][/QUOTE]

they should be

[QUOTE]To be frank, Clarkson had more than struggled in the first-round series. He was 3 of 21 from 3-point range through the first three games and was shooting 37% from the field. The man the Jazz call for instant offense off the bench was bringing anything but that.

[/QUOTE]

he's been awful for months

[QUOTE]It wasn't just his shooting, either. He had four turnovers in Game 1, failed to get a rebound in Game 3, and was making head-scratching decisions along the way.

[/QUOTE]

same decisions he always makes. Shoot, shoot shoot!

[QUOTE]"Not a lot of teams have a guy that can legitimately get you 40 points in 30 minutes or however minutes he plays," Mike Conley said, before adding: "He's gonna win us games."

[/QUOTE]

and make it tough to win a lot more

[url]https://www.ksl.com/article/50177218/jazz-put-grizzlies-on-brink-of-elimination-with-game-4-win[/url]

[QUOTE]"Don (Donovan Mitchell) had done a lot during the game. and was wearing down a little bit so I gave him a couple possessions off," Conley said. "I've been in that position plenty where I feel real comfortable with the ball in my hand later in the game and was able to knock down a couple good ones."

[/QUOTE]

it's ridiculous that the ball isn't in Conley or Ingles hands all the time. Memphis has had no answer for the pick and roll but instead Mitchell and Clarkson are gunning! :facepalm

[QUOTE]Mitchell finished with 30 points and eight assists in the win for the Jazz. His 35 minutes seemed to at least show that his minute restriction from the injured ankle had been raised, if not eliminated altogether. And he looked much more like his normal self, springing off the floor for layups and rebounds, especially one high-rising one in the third.

[/QUOTE]

yep 8-22 he's back! :cheers:

[url]https://www.deseret.com/2021/6/1/22461927/analysis-utah-jazz-3-1-series-lead-memphis-grizzlies-30-points-donovan-mitchell-game-4-nba-playoffs[/url]

[QUOTE]There was a spring in Donovan Mitchell’s step on Monday that we didn’t see in Games 2 and 3. He was turning corners a little faster, getting up higher for rebounds and was more explosive on his drives. His game-high 30 points never felt forced or even overt. He quietly led the game and the Jazz.

[/QUOTE]

8-22 isn't forced?

[QUOTE]Royce O’Neale has been aggressive, kept the ball alive, hit shots, defended well and has been instrumental in the Jazz winning three games in a row against this Grizzlies team. The thing that impresses me the most about O’Neale is that he’s faster than he looks like he might be and is a great rebounder.

[/QUOTE]

imagine if he didn't have to play out of position!

[QUOTE]After a Game 3 in which Joe Ingles was nearly invisible save a single 3-point shot, the Aussie looked much more intentional on Monday. Not only was he more involved and creating at a higher rate on the offensive end, he was engaged on defense. That’s the thing with Ingles, it’s excellent when he’s firing from 3-point land and hitting, but he’s such an effective creator and so valuable defensively that as long as he is playing within himself it almost doesn’t matter if he’s scoring at a high rate, the Jazz have a lot of people that can score the ball. He just can’t fall off the map like he did on Saturday.

[/QUOTE]

He doesn't have to score but he needs to take open shots, playmake and defend

[QUOTE]Gobert went up for a layup, was fouled and before he even had a chance to hear that the official behind him had whistled the play, he looked at the baseline ref, and was incensed to the point of punching the stanchion multiple times. He was headed to the free throw line but his reaction gave Memphis some free points first. Can’t do that. Just because you think the official closest to you wasn’t the one that called the foul doesn’t mean that you should lose your cool when you are leading a series and about to win to go up 3-1. That’s not the right time or the right reaction.

[/QUOTE]

nothing wrong with playing emotional and getting a T as long as you don't get two

[url]https://www.slcdunk.com/the-downbeat-latest-jazz-news/2021/6/1/22463163/utah-jazz-net-rating-indicates-deep-nba-playoff-run[/url]

[QUOTE] [h=1]The Utah Jazz are primed for a deep playoff run[/h]

At least according to a common advanced stat

[/QUOTE]

struggling with Memphis

[url]https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/6/1/22462610/utah-jazz-take-3-1-lead-against-the-memphis-grizzlies-nba-donovan-mitchell-ja-morant-rudy-gobert[/url]

[QUOTE]Now, as it pertains to Mitchell, this game was both really good and really bad for him. When it comes to the positives, he did a much better job of facilitating tonight, ending the game with 8 assists. He also did a [I]fantastic[/I] job of getting to the line. During the second half in particular, Mitchell was getting some super-star level calls, leading to 13 free-throw attempts for him on the night. At points during throughout the game, I had no idea how the Grizzlies were supposed to defend Mitchell because they kept getting called for any contact they gave him on drives. This, obviously, is a great thing for Utah. I don’t think it can be overstated how important a whistle like this could be for them moving forward. If Mitchell gets James Harden-esque officiating, Utah’s ceiling skyrockets.

[/QUOTE]

3 TO's 8-22

[QUOTE]As for the negatives, it concerned me to see how easily the Grizzlies scored on Mitchell throughout the game. I’m scared that when the Jazz face a better team, one with multiple dynamic offensive threats (like the Clippers), Mitchell will become a big target. While part of this could be his ankle, watching Mitchell die on almost any kind of off-ball or on-ball action tonight was not very confidence-inducing. He simply has to do better than getting easily beat off the dribble by Grayson Allen for the Jazz to beat the Clippers or the Lakers in the future.

[/QUOTE]

seriously going to blame his ankle? When has he ever played D?

[QUOTE]Mitchell also just had a poor shooting night. While ended the game with 30 points, it was mostly thanks to getting a plethora of free-throw attempts. This isn’t at-all concerning because bad shooting nights just happen. However, I will say that I think part of the reason why he shot poorly was because of some bad shot selection. I think Mitchell has to stop settling for contested mid-range jumpers moving forward.

[/QUOTE]

it should be concerning because he's a gunner

[QUOTE]However, per-usual, I think this one has to go to Rudy Gobert. He ended the night with 17 points, 8 rebounds, 2 blocks, and changed the pace of the game in Utah’s favor multiple times. At this point, I think we know the equation pretty well: if Rudy Gobert plays well, the Utah Jazz play well.

[/QUOTE]

he pretty much always plays well. The difference is how much help he gets

[url]https://www.ksl.com/article/50178256/patrick-kinahan-mitchell-on-target-to-become-most-clutch-player-in-jazz-history[/url]

[QUOTE]For all his greatness, Malone was known for coming up short occasionally in the playoffs. But he also had plenty of stellar moments, leading the Jazz to phenomenal success over the years.

[/QUOTE]

When did Mitchell not come up short?

[QUOTE]Only 24 years old and in his fourth season, Mitchell is on pace to shatter every expectation after he went 13th in the 2017 draft. Through his first 25 playoff games, he averaged 27.3 points, trailing Kevin Durant, LeBron James and Anthony Davis as the only active players to average more than Mitchell in their first 25 playoff games.

[/QUOTE]

expectations have been very high since early in his rookie year and he's fallen way short so far

[QUOTE]As the two-time All-Star knows full well, legends are not made in anything but at least the conference finals, a place the Jazz have not come close to achieving recently. At the same time, as their best record in the regular season showed, this Jazz team is the best during Mitchell's four years in the league.

[/QUOTE]

yet 13-6 without Mitchell

[QUOTE]Rather than bore you with a slew of mind-numbing stats, ask yourself one simple question: With the game on the line, who is the Jazz go-to player? Undoubtedly, the basketball belongs in Mitchell's hands.

[/QUOTE]

belongs in Conley or Ingles hands

[QUOTE]Already, at his tender age, Mitchell is the [URL="https://www.ksl.com/article/50176471/hes-going-to-make-some-things-happen-donovan-mitchells-late-surge-lifts-jazz-over-memphis"]team's most clutch player[/URL]. The great thing about this season is the Jazz have plenty of weapons, meaning he is not required to take every big shot and can use his incredible athletic ability to act as a distributor and take pressure off his teammates.

[/QUOTE]

Rudy has made way more clutch plays. No cares about D sadly though

[QUOTE]For sure, Mitchell has a long way to go before cementing his legacy in franchise history. But it's obvious to see he's on the path to greatness, possibly beyond anything his predecessors ever accomplished.

[/QUOTE]

hard to compare eras but he doesn't compare with Gobert or Conley at the moment