COLUMN: Now that’s the Jazz team I wanna see
Wow, what a difference one week can make. In the space of just a couple days, the Jazz totally redeem themselves from a forgettable week one.
Week one for the Jazz went a little like this: Shoot 38.6 percent and commit 22 turnovers to get creamed by division-rival Denver in their first game. Then get outscored 50-16 in bench scoring to get beat by the not-so-great Phoenix Suns. Not a very promising start after a perfect preseason, if you ask me.
But like I said, a single week can make all the difference. Last Sunday, something clicked for Utah and they destroyed a young, talented Oklahoma City team 120-99. Williams, Millsap, and ‘Big Al’ all had double-doubles for the Jazz, Millsap leading the way with 30 points and 16 boards.
Utah followed up that performance with a dominating show against the Raptors, scoring 41 in the first quarter before cruising to a 125-108 win. Deron Williams had a monster game with 22 points, 14 assists, and 8 rebounds.
For many Jazz fans it was a moment of “where was that kind of play in the first two games?!” And they’re right, these Jazz don’t even look like the same players we saw in the first week. The bench is stepping up and Deron is back to being arguably the best point guard in the league.
But hey, wait a minute. This offseason was a busy one for Utah as well, and they underwent a pretty serious makeover. After all, they lost Carlos Boozer, Wes Matthews, and Kyle Korver and added six new guys including Al Jefferson, Raja Bell, and rookie Gordon Hayward.
I mean, come on, for all the changes they’ve had, the Jazz are playing pretty dang good!
Crushing the Raptors doesn’t mean much, but beating the preseason MVP favorite Kevin Durant and the Thunder by 21? That’s impressive at any point in the season, not to mention the third game.
The only thing that worries me about the Jazz so far? Their lack of defense. Utah’s defense has allowed nearly 107 points per game – way too many for a team looking to challenge in the West.
I know those first two losses got all the Jazz fans a little on edge, but don’t worry, if Utah is playing this good – when they still haven’t “figured it all out” – everybody better watch out.
You know who else has been making headlines? Yep, you guessed it, the Heat. After their opening night dud against the Celtics, who have also been very impressive, Miami has turned on the burners and reeled off four straight wins, the last three of which have been by 20+ points. Miami is killing teams with their stingy team defense, holding their opponents to 84 points and only 34 percent shooting in the last three games.
Easily the Heat’s most impressive win of the week came last Friday when they destroyed the Magic by 26, but don’t jump on the wagon just yet, as their other three wins came against perennial bottom-dwellers; the Nets, 76ers and T-Wolves.
Meanwhile, the Celtics – Rajon Rondo in particular – have been a sight to behold. Rondo has been absolutely unstoppable as he has racked up 82 assists in his first 5 games, including an NBA record 67 through his first four.
Rondo’s play has propelled the Celtics to a 4-1 start, but a loss to lowly Cleveland and only a 4-point home win against the Knicks shows that the other players need to step up, especially with a four-game road trip coming up that includes Oklahoma City, Dallas, and a rematch with the Heat.
The surprise of the season so far has got to be the Hornets. I mean, c’mon, who honestly thought that the Hornets would go 4-0 in their first week and a half? With a rookie coach and disappointing 2009 (in which they went 37-45) the Hornets have come into this season on fire and ready to play. But are they for real? Who knows, but we should have a better idea tonight as they take on LeBron and the Heat.
The only other undefeated teams as of Nov. 3 are the Hawks and the defending champion L.A. Lakers. The Hawks are 5-0, but their schedule so far has been laughably easy, with their first real test coming this weekend as they take on the Suns and Magic on back-to-back nights.
The Lakers are undefeated also and are averaging almost 114 points a game and playing some of the best team ball in the league. Kobe is just Kobe; Gasol, in my mind, is the most skilled big man in the league, and I think the Lakers are still the definite favorites to repeat as NBA champs.
Buckle up, because this is going to be one wild and fun ride.
Mark Israelsen is a freshman majoring in mechanical engineering and a lifelong Jazz fan. Comments can be sent to mark.israelsen@aggiemail.usu.edu.