COLUMN: How ’bout that Jazz!
After five of the most incredible and intense comeback wins I’ve seen in a long time, the Jazz were bound to lose sometime. But I got to say, I like the Jazz as the come-back kids. First of all, they are winning games, and second; the games are so fun to watch.
The Jazz’s amazing streak started way back on Nov. 9, when they came back from 16-down to beat the L.A. Clippers in double overtime. That win was by far their most unimpressive of the streak, but it got the ball rolling and suddenly no lead was safe.
After their close shave with the Clippers, Utah headed east for a road trip that had them playing four games in five nights, and their first victim was the Miami Heat. In what was one of the best games of the year so far, the Jazz, or should I say, Paul Millsap, upset the Heat to win in overtime 116-114.
In the first half of that epic battle, the Jazz sucked. Bad. Miami held them to 32 points, and Utah looked lifeless in all facets of the game. I don’t know what coach Sloan did at halftime, but whatever it was, he should definitely keep doing it, because the Jazz came out of the locker room a different team. In the fourth quarter alone, they put up 42 points. Yeah, 10 more than they had the entire first half.
Oh, and Millsap also played OK. All he had was 11 points in 28 seconds, including three straight threes, and the game tying layup at the buzzer. Just a normal day at work for the big fella.
But the Jazz were just getting started. After all, why stop at two comebacks when you could have five? The Jazz went on to beat the Magic by 10 after trailing by 18, the Hawks by four after going down 11, and finished off their road trip by topping the Bobcats despite being down 16 at halftime.
The most impressive part about their five game winning streak? Not only were they all come from behind wins, they were road games against really good eastern conference teams. Think about it, the Jazz beat the Heat, Magic, and Hawks, all on the road, while coming back from more than ten down every time. That’s pretty legit.
Unfortunately all good things must end, and the Jazz’s streak did just that on Monday night as the Oklahoma City Thunder ruined their welcome home party. Still, the Jazz led at halftime, and remain fourth in the Western Conference.
Every one of their past five games they’ve trailed almost the entire first three quarters and then went on to win. Then in their first game back home they actually lead in the first half and they lose. What’s up with that?! Look, Jerry, I know you’re a better coach than me, but hey, maybe trailing at halftime isn’t such a bad thing after all; I’m just saying.
Ok, so I don’t really think purposely getting behind is a good strategy, but I think that having so many comebacks has definitely helped the Jazz. Their first few games they struggled to find their identity, and now I think they may have found it. Deron is still the unquestioned leader and best player on this team, but he better watch out, because Paul Millsap is coming. Would it be blasphemy for me to compare them to Stockton and Malone just yet? Hmmm, probably, but I’ll tell you one thing, if Millsap keeps playing like he has been, that comparison might become more and more true.
In other news, the Hornets are really good. I know I mentioned New Orleans’ hot start a couple of weeks ago, but I got to give them some more love. Through the first 10 games of their season the Hornets have gone 9-1 and have yet to allow 100 points. Chris Paul has been spectacular, averaging 18 points and 10 assists per game, but what has really been impressive about New Orleans has been their team play. All five starters are averaging double figures and their bench has been solid.
With new coach Monty Williams at the helm, the Hornets are a completely different team than last year. And this year’s team is definitely for real as they have already beaten Denver, San Antonio, Miami, and Dallas.
The other person who definitely deserves some “Love” this week is the man himself, Kevin Love. The Timberwolves big man absolutely exploded a week ago against the Knicks, posting the first 30-30 game in 28 years. That night Love racked up 31 points and 31 rebounds, the first to accomplish that since Moses Malone in 1982. I have only one word to describe that performance: unbelievable.
With the Jazz scoring improbable comebacks, guys like Kevin Love dropping 30-30 games, the Lakers going for a three-peat, and the never-ending Miami saga, this NBA season is starting to heat up and who knows, maybe it will even live up to its hype. No one knows, so stay tuned, otherwise you might miss a little piece of history.
And one more thing – how ‘bout them Jazz!
MARK ISRAELSEN is a freshman majoring in mechanical engineering and a lifelong Jazz fan. Comments can be sent to mark.israelsen@aggiemail.usu.edu.