Round 2!

[El Kabong]

https://sports.yahoo.com/danny-ainge...130028023.html

There would be a couple of possibilities if Ainge were to come to Utah. One is that Lindsey moves on to another franchise to run its organization, and Ainge steps into Lindsey’s role. The other is Ainge takes on more of a Jerry West-style consultant role advising new owner Smith and having a voice in the Jazz front office, but not the final say.

Can't say I expected to hear that!

[Xiao Yao You]

Can't say I expected to hear that!

I would guess he'd be more of an advisor at this stage. Hr had a heart attack which is the main reason he left Boston I think

[Xiao Yao You]

https://www.ksl.com/article/50181698...s-ready-for-it

Mitchell offered up a pretty simple explanation for the lack of assists that night: He was too excited to be back. He described it like being "a kid in a candy shop" — the rim was the alluring chocolate bar and everything else seemed to just vanish.

what is your excuse the rest of the time?

That's the superstar version of Mitchell. Not the assist numbers, mind you, but the ability to analyze the game and know just how to manipulate a defense. He played 120 minutes in the first round and scored 114 points — all after missing nearly six weeks.

only the last game was. Can he play D now too?

Gobert can't punish smaller players in the post, though he should be able to feast on the offensive boards — or at least he must for the Jazz to be competitive. Utah's guards will then be tasked to break the paint themselves, and that means all eyes will be on Mitchell, especially if Mike Conley is forced to miss time.

He will punish guys if they get him the ball

The Jazz have seen switching defenses all year, including against this Clippers team, and they still finished with the best record in the league. Oh, and Mitchell is starting to be like the LeBrons, the Stephs and the Kawhis of the league — the playoff experience is starting to add up. He's been in the second round, faced defenses centered around stopping him, and been to a Game 7. That's all going to help as he stares down Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers.

let's put him up with 3 of the best ever!

[Xiao Yao You]

https://www.deseret.com/2021/6/7/225...e-league-needs

If the Jazz make it to the Finals with Donovan Mitchell leading the way or the Suns make it with Devin Booker scoring at historic levels, there will be lifelong fans forged in those runs.

their top two players aren't leading the way?

[Xiao Yao You]

https://www.deseret.com/2021/6/7/225...-the-utah-jazz

Almost immediately after it was determined on Sunday that the Utah Jazz will face the LA Clippers in the second round of the NBA playoffs, a major question that arose was how the Jazz will deal with the potential of the Clippers playing large stretches with no traditional big men on the floor.

they're going small to deal with Gobert. If Snyder was great he might put Ersan in and really make them pay but he won't

[Xiao Yao You]

https://www.deseret.com/2021/6/7/225...chups-analysis

The Jazz’s All-Star guard has grown and become more efficient with each season, with each playoff series, with each game. Mitchell finished with an incredibly efficient 30 points and 10 assists in the series-winning Game 5 rout of the Memphis Grizzlies, but can he reach an even higher level as the competition level increases through the postseason? All eyes will be on Mitchell, wondering what else he can do to elevate himself and his teammates. This series against the Clippers, should the Jazz prevail, could end up being a defining moment for Mitchell’s career, catapulting him from star to superstar.

can he defend?

• The health of Mike Conley is going to be a huge factor in this series. If he can play and play effectively, despite dealing with a strained hamstring, the Jazz will have a much better shot. If he’s not able to play or is hampered by the injury, the Jazz will need to be even better to pick up the slack.

no chance without him

Slow starts, letting go of leads, streaky bench play

selfish play from Mitchell and Clarkson. Too much Bojan and Favors. COTY

Just as Gobert is a strength for the Jazz, not having a comparable center is a problem for the Clippers — a 7-foot-2, rim-running, shot-blocking problem. The Clippers just don’t have someone on their roster that can go toe-to-toe with Gobert in the paint.

Zubac is pretty good. Hopefully they play Demarcus!!!

This series is not going to be easy, but if the Jazz can take care of business at home, and own things on the defensive end, they could wear the Clippers down and frustrate them into bad shot selection. The Jazz have what it takes to win this series and I think that they will.

Conley not even a factor!

[Xiao Yao You]

https://www.deseret.com/2021/6/7/225...-marcus-morris

If the the Clippers were to have a “Big 3,” Morris would likely have the best argument to be included. A versatile defender who is called upon to defend nearly every position, Morris has legitimate 3-point range — he shot 47.3% from being the arc this season — and the ability, when absolutely necessary, to become a primary offensive option. A nine-year pro out of Kansas, Morris didn’t have the best series against the Mavericks, but he is a key cog in what the Clippers do.

why does everyone have to have a big 3?

Now the Clippers’ starting point guard — he was a reserve as recently as Game 2 of the Dallas series — Jackson was a pickup on the buyout market (during the 2020 season) who has become an integral part of LA’s success. Jackson played in 67 games during the regular season and shot a career-best 43.3% from 3-point range. A one-time max player with the Detroit Pistons, Jackson was excellent against the Mavericks, averaging 15.4 points a game, and could be a wild card against the Jazz.

didn't use to hit the 3 or defend and now does both?

This is where the line between starter and reserve begins to blur a little. For much of the season, Batum was the Clippers’ sixth man, but he shifted into the starting lineup against the Mavericks after LA fell behind in the series. A 12-year pro out of France, Batum has been a key piece on a good Portland Trail Blazers team, an overpaid disaster on a horrible Charlotte Hornets team, and now a solid-to-good forward on the Clippers. Like Morris and Jackson, Batum shot well from behind the arc during the regular season (40.4%), but dropped off a bit in the series against the Mavericks. His all-around versatile game and ability to guard every position makes him a plug and play type of player.

Imagine if the Jazz had got him instead? COTY might not have even played him though

For much of the season, Zubac was the Clippers’ starting center and a good one at that. The four-year pro out of Croatia played in all 72 regular season games and was largely the Clippers’ main option in the paint. He started the first three games of the Dallas series, before the adjustment was made to shift him to the bench. Against the Jazz and Rudy Gobert, though, Zubac will likely have to make a significant reappearance (he played only three minutes in the Clippers’ Game 7 win over the Mavs).

now he's a good one?

The former Sacramento Kings and New Orleans Pelicans star has bounced around the NBA in recent seasons, after injuries upended what was once one of the most promising careers. Cousins could see spot minutes if the Clippers decide to go big as an answer to Gobert, but he didn’t play a single minute against the Mavericks.

Please play him. I want to see Gobert frustrate him and bring him to tears like the old days!

[Xiao Yao You]

https://saltcityhoops.com/key-factor...-jazz-matchup/

We’ll start by getting the obvious out of the way: the Jazz need Mike Conley Jr., and his availability is very much in question. How much he plays may be the biggest factor in the series.

Even if he plays if he's hurt they have no chance

With Serge Ibaka ruled out of the series opener with back spasms, Gobert will face off against Ivica Zubac and, when the Clippers go small, Marcus Morris. This matchup could dictate the outcome of the series. Ty Lue tipped his hand in the third Jazz-Clipper game of the regular season, playing Morris at center for the last portion of the game. This move was successful, ultimately leading to a Los Angeles win. But Morris played exceptionally well in the fourth quarter, and Kawhi Leonard stole some key offensive rebounds. The Jazz were likely a bit surprised in the moment. But now they have plenty of time to prepare for that matchup. If Gobert can leverage his lob threat and dominate the offensive glass he can make the Clippers pay.

it paid off because COTY won't counter with any changes of his own

Zubac has looked sluggish and saw reduced minutes in the Mavericks series. Since he can’t spread the floor, Lue may not want to play him against Gobert. If he does play, look for the Jazz to hunt him on defense.

one of the best pick and roll defenders in the league

This is a big stage and the perfect opportunity for Gobert to shine and prove doubters wrong. He won’t be tasked with shutting down Kawhi or Paul George, but his defensive scheming will be key to shutting down the paint, allowing perimeter defenders to aggressively guard the most accurate 3-point shooting team in the league.

He will be tasked with stopping them and the rest of the Clippers. How much help he gets is the question

The Jazz will have a significant rest advantage, spending over a week without travel before the second round starts. That extra time is especially important for Mike Conley’s hamstring and Mitchell’s ankle.

Mitchell's ankle? After forcing himself on to the floor that better not be an issue at this point

Mitchell’s ceiling has always been the biggest factor is Utah’s ceiling, and he can elevate his game at the same rate Kawhi can, the superstar advantage LA has claimed may be moot.

Conley is

Beyond the keys above, there are so many smaller questions. Can Joe Ingles return to form and get under George’s skin? Who does Lue give guard minutes to between Rondo, Beverly, Luke Kennard, and Reggie Jackson? Can Quin Snyder outmaneuver Ty Lue from a tactical standpoint? Will a full capacity Utah crowd shake the experienced Clippers? Can Utah’s plethora of ball handlers beat a heavily switching defense? Will Utah scheme allow or scheme against mid-range shots? Will Bojan be targeted on defense?

COTY maneuvering? They'll target Mitchell and Clarkson first

To be honest, this matchup may just come down to who shoots best, as simplistic has that sounds. These are two of the best shooting teams in the league, and as evenly matched as they are, it may boil down to a make-or-miss matchup.

it will come down to D. Jazz have to be a lot better than they were in the last series

[Xiao Yao You]

https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/6/6/225...-kawhi-leonard

Kawhi Leonard is probably the consensus best player in the series but the next three players there’s definitely room for debate. How do Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert stack up compared to Paul George.

How does Mitchell stack up against Conley? He doesn't

[Xiao Yao You]

https://thejnotes.com/2021/06/07/uta...s-mike-conley/

Utah Jazz: Can they beat the Clippers without Mike Conley?

no

However, maybe of almost equal importance, Conley is a far better defender on the perimeter than Ingles and Sixth Man of the Year Jordan Clarkson, who would likely see the most significant uptick in minutes should the Jazz take the floor without their starting floor general.

D is where they will miss him most though he won't be on either of their top two players so not as big as it usually is

[Xiao Yao You]

No need for FaceTime. Nicolas Batum and Rudy Gobert will be seeing plenty of one another during the next two weeks. “It’s always fun to match up against guys from your country, same country in the playoffs,” Batum said after contributing 11 points and five assists in the Clippers’ 126-111 victory Sunday over Dallas in Game 7 of their first-round series. “I’ve faced Tony [Parker] before, but I’ve never faced Rudy. So it’s going to be a very good matchup.
– via Andrew Greif @ Los Angeles Times





“He had a great season. I guess maybe he’s going to be the defensive player of the year. I hope he wins, he deserves it, but now we have to beat him. We have to beat him now. Utah had a great, great season. Great players, great coaching staff, but we want the same thing. We have the same goal.”
– via Andrew Greif @ Los Angeles Times

[Xiao Yao You]

Eric Walden: Quin Snyder, on the role of Joe Ingles: “Joe played the point for about the last month of the season, and that’s a heavy load. I don’t think anyone would call Joe a point guard — he is a playmaker. HE’s also one of the top catch-and-shoot 3-point shooters in the league.”
– via Twitter tribjazz




Ben Anderson: The @Utah Jazz were 8-2 this season when Mike Conley didn’t play but Donovan Mitchell did. The two losses came against the Washington Wizards.
– via Twitter BensHoops

[Xiao Yao You]

Tim MacMahon: Jazz PG Mike Conley Jr. (mild right hamstring strain) is out for Game 1 tonight against the Clippers, per the team.
– via Twitter espn_macmahon





Mark Medina: Jazz coach Quin Snyder on Mike Conley: “Hopefully we get him back as quickly as possibly. But this is hard to predict.
– via Twitter MarkG_Medina






Tim MacMahon: Jazz coach Quin Snyder notes that Mike Conley will be especially missed due to his ability to attack switches off the dribble. He expects Clippers to stay with small lineup to pull Rudy Gobert away from rim defensively. “There’s really no mystery to that,” Snyder said.

– via Twitter espn_macmahon







Eric Walden: Jazz coach Quin Snyder: “Obviously, we’re a matchup that the Clippers felt was advantageous to them.”
– via Twitter tribjazz

[Xiao Yao You]

Eric Walden: Jordan Clarkson, on if the Clippers were targeting a matchup with the Jazz: “If they were losing games trying to come play us, that’s the fate they chose. We’re gonna come out there and lace ’em up.”

– via Twitter tribjazz





Eric Walden: Jordan Clarkson, on the message from Quin Snyder: “We’re really just focused on being ourselves, bro. That’s offensively and defensively. … Our biggest message is being ourselves and being aggressive and doing what we do.”

– via Twitter tribjazz






Eric Walden: Jordan Clarkson: “I gotta make more plays for my teammates. Still stay aggressive, but make more plays for others. I gotta really step into that role.”
– via Twitter tribjazz






Ben Anderson: Jordan Clarkson wore a Lakers Kobe Bryant jersey before they face the crosstown rival Clippers. Take that for what you will. pic.twitter.com/5fotvo5QMe

---

Jordan Clarkson wore a Lakers Kobe Bryant jersey before they face the crosstown rival Clippers.
Take that for what you will. pic.twitter.com/5fotvo5QMe
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) June 8, 2021

– via Twitter BensHoops







Eric Walden: Jordan Clarkson, on Mike Conley’s absence: “It’s just gonna push other guys to step up tonight. … We still gotta stay aggressive, take our shots, stick to the system. It’s a huge void to fill.”
– via Twitter tribjazz

Clarkson likes Kobe. Never would have guessed

[Xiao Yao You]

Eric Walden: Quin Snyder, on the keys for the Jazz: “Attack offensively … push the ball up the court, play with the pass, make quick decisions. And on the def end, Rudy’s unique — we’ve spent all years trying to find the ways to best utilize him. And the Clippers make that difficult.”

– via Twitter tribjazz

time for some other guys to step up and help him for a change

Mark Medina: Jazz coach Quin Snyder described Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard as “the best mid-range player.”

– via Twitter MarkG_Medina







Andrew Greif: Utah’s Quin Snyder starts by saying that “there’s a little bit of pick your poison” on how you defend PG and Kawhi, whose unselfish passing he praised as much as their individual shot-making.

– via Twitter AndrewGreif