Well, that’s not quite how I thought the Jazz would go out.  I didn’t have  high hopes for this game, but I didn’t think it would be decided in the first 5 minutes of the game.  When I said in the title of my last post, “Could game 5 be over before it even gets going,” I was referring to Williams and Fisher maybe being out.  Carlos Boozer said after the game that some guys were already on vacation.  Now he didn’t name names, but it didn’t take much to realize who he was talking about.  Deron Williams also said that some of his teammates didn’t have heart.  Could this lead to some big changes in the offseason?  The only ones I see that aren’t going anywhere are Williams and Boozer.  Are AK and Okur on their way out?  AK is going to be pretty tough to trade with his contract.  Okur’s is a little better.  Here’s the breakdown:

Utah Salaries

I’ll post more on possibilities later.  But getting back to the series, there were two words that describe all of the Jazz’s losses, one quarter.  In games 1&2, they had poor second quarters.   In game 4, they crapped in the fourth.  And in last night’s game 5, the first quarter, heck, the first few minutes did them in.  Sloan even knew they were done as he put in the reserves in the second quarter and most of the third.  He could tell already that he didn’t have the team that was going to fight back.  Deron wasn’t full strength and Fisher didn’t come until half-time.  No one else even looked like they wanted to be there to me.  And after Boozer’s and Williams’ comments, now I know.

And here’s what makes the Spurs so good even though taent-wise on paper, they’re not as good.  The role players know their role.  Finley and Barry will come in and give you threes.  Bowen will give you defense and threes.  They know that Duncan, Parker, and Manu are the core of the team.  They’re just happy to contribute and they’re satisfied with that.  Maybe because they’ve been in the league a long time they don’t have the desire to be alpha dogs.  We even saw that with David Robinson when Duncan came along.  Even though he was the face of the franchise for so long, he let Duncan become alpha because he knew that was his best shot at getting a championship.  And the rest of the Spurs on this team now know that these three are their meal-tickets.  And they’re fine with that.  They want the rings.  But I don’t think AK and Okur have accepted the fact that they’re not the go-to guys.  They’re putting themselves before the team.  AK needs to be the defensive stopper that he is.  Is it one-dimensional?  Yes.  But that’s when he’s at his best.  And Okur was the go-to man because Boozer was out.  He was a hero so many times early in the season because he played his role.

And this is all sad because it looks like we’re heading towards the days of Stockton & Malone as the two core players and surrounding them with with so-so players.  I still think AK and Memo and the other supporting cast are very good, better than what John and Karl had.  But the players that played with them knew their place.  But maybe AK and Okur need to go visit the Wizard.

Anyway, it was a great season.  One that exceeded everyone’s expectations.  Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer are now on the national map.  It’s been one of the most memorable seasons that I can remember.; all of the comebacks, Deron breaking defenders’ ankles, Boozer’s dunks over girly men, the emergence of Paul Millsap, Williams putting to rest the notion that he was a mistake pick, and finally bringing Utah basketball back to life and winning new fans (not just here in Utah).

They’re not going to surprise anyone next year.  I think Williams brings with him a little flash and attitude that hasn’t been seen in Utah in well, never.  Boozer is a poor-man’s nobody.  I  think when all is said and done in 15 years, we’ll be talking about the next Williams and Boozer.  That’s provided we can hang onto them for that long.  I think they’re going to be pretty vocal this offseason and will probably get the people they want on the team (and off).

As for Basketball John, I’m not going anywhere.  The draft is coming up, the Rocky Mountain Review not too far behind, and what looks like a busy offseason will keep me posting frequently.  There will be some changes to the site as I keep getting more readers.  And when I’m famous, I’ll remember all the people who first started reading!

And finally, a couple of game notes:

1.  What was Clyde Drexler doing there to congratulate the Spurs?  Huh?
2.  Is the NBA providing any brain-cleaning CDs to get the Pussycat Dolls out of my head?
3.  What’s the over/under as to when the Jazz will win in SA again?
4.  Is there a more appropriate owner than Peter Holt for the Spurs?

Thought I’d get this up before the inevitable last game post, and the Jazz just lost 109-84.  Anyway, Rose and Smith why they’re two of the best in the biz.  How long do you think Rose was working on his Saran Wrap comment?

No offense to the rest of the Jazz team, but if Williams can’t go tonight and definitely if both him and Fisher can’t go tonight, they might as well book those family vacations starting this weekend. ESPN is reporting that Williams didn’t practice because of a sprained foot/ankle. And Fisher is in NY again with his daughter. Although Derek is expected back, Williams is a game-time decision. Not sure where Williams injured his foot/ankle. I don’t remember reading anything about it until now. And they don’t mention how he did it. And outside of Boozer, the Jazz haven’t had anyone who can score with any consistency. Could be a long night. Sloan had this to say:

“I can’t count on anybody until we get in the building and they put their uniform on,”

He should have stopped at anybody [except Williams and Boozer].

Weird thing is that I thought it would be Jacque Vaughn and Bruce Bowen who had injured ankles.

And now, The best links in all the world, in all the NBA, in all the universe…

Link to ESPN.com: Jazz starting backcourt one big ‘if’ for Game 5
Utah Jazz v. San Antonio Spurs = Ratings Disaster - Although I bet there’s a bigger stinker coming in the finals.
Carlos Boozer almost a Laker? - In the whole Kobe Bryant trade demand fiasco, this little tidbit came out. Boozer wanted to go to LA.
Steve Luhm weighs in on the free-throw mess from Game 4 - Boozer doesn’t go the line once during the whole game and 27 of the game’s last 29 free throws are for the Spurs. Hmmmm.
Karl Malone & LaTech to make announcement about his new position - Audio of the press conference here: http://www.latechchamps.com/media/
Why the Jazz-Spurs series has been one of the best in the playoffs - Even if no one is watching.
Eva Longoria wears blue? - I was at the game and didn’t see her in Blue. I saw the Jazz Bear trying to give her a Jazz shirt, but she was in black. Maybe she’s a closet Jazz fan?
Jerry was calm when he got called for his technical fouls. “All I did was ask him a question.” Would it have anything to do with his Mom or sexual preference?

Technorati tags: utah jazz, san antonio spurs, eva longoria, karl malone, jerry sloan, nba playoffs, deron williams

I have to admit I turned off the game when Ginobili was fouled on his three point attempt. I really couldn’t take watching the Jazz lose and Manu going to the free throw line, again. The Jazz, who have been great in the fourth quarter, got Manu’d. I’ll never understand how one team goes to the line more than double the other with their SG going an astounding 15 times. Of course this is a bit of sour grapes, but if you have the mild-mannered Derek Fisher seeking you out, you’ve done something. I think Manu has cemented himself as a Jazz fan’s enemy #1. And I don’t see anyone else challenging for that position. Even Timmy’s bug-eyes are bearable. And even the Jazz crowd went out of control. It’s the loudest and most raucous crowd in the NBA, but I think this is the first time I’ve heard of arrests made in this situation. And for those that aren’t LDS (Mormon), the church has basketball leagues with players and families that would make football hooligans looks like saints. Now not every Jazz fan is LDS of course, and not all fans are like this, but when it comes to basketball, a lot of LDS throw any Christ-like teachings out the window. So am I surprised by the fans’ behavior still? Yes. There are always warnings it seems from the PA guy, but usually that’s enough. It had to take quite a bit to put them over the edge and that bit was Manu and the refs.

Well, even though it’s not over, it’s over. The Spurs will have left another team and respective fans in their wake. Had the Jazz won last night, then this would have been a series again. I would love nothing more than to be disproved by the Jazz coming back and at least pushing this to a game 7. But to do that they’ll have to win in SA, a place where the Jazz pile up losses. But it looks like we’re heading towards another Spurs/Pistons final that has no one interested except for SA/Det fans.

Is David Stern going out of his way this year to disprove any alleged conspiracies? You would have to think for marketability the last thing he would want would be a SA/Det final. And then the NBA lottery sends the top two picks to the west? The one to a team who had a 5% chance of winning and another to Seattle who might not even be in Seattle in a couple years? Would he want them to go to Boston and other high-profile markets? I think we’re seeing him conspiring to create the least-likely scenarios so conspiracy theorists would start second-guessing themselves. Dallas losing in the first round with MVP Dirk? The Heat not making it out of the first round? He’s willing to tank one year to have the heat off him for a bit. And to think I almost bought it.

Anyway, back to the Jazz. I will be there routing for them tomorrow night (in front of the TV of course). Something I have to add here even though I’ve jinxed it from now on. The Jazz are now 5-0 for games I’ve seen in person. This dates back to 1988. That may not be a large sample size, but if the Jazz want to send me to their next 82 games to test this theory out, I’m game. Let’s hope that Jazz can pull one out at SA and come back home so I can buy another ticket and put the Jazz into game 7.

(I haven’t been putting up videos lately because my DVR has been weird. It’s working now and I should be able to put more up.)

Technorati tags: utah jazz, san antonio spurs, playoffs, manu ginobili

Welcome home men.  The Jazz had to have felt great to only be down 4 at the break after being down a combined 35 points in the previous two games.  The Jazz have outplayed the Spurs in the third and fourth quarters in the first games of the series and game three was no different.

Williams drove to the hoop all night and got great results and was lethal from downtown.  In fact the Jazz shot better behind the three point line than at the free throw line; 66.7% compared to 65.6% respectively.  Ouch.  They also blew out the Spurs despite getting 0, that’s right, 0 from Okur.   Boozer was unstoppable again as he schooled Duncan several times.  And once Duncan was in foul trouble it was all that more easy for Boozer.  It’s amazing that from my upper bowl seat that I could still see Duncan’s eyes pop out after each foul.  And the Jazz finally got some offense from someone wearing another number besides 5 or 8.  Millsap had a nice night and a sweet spin and dunk.

So the Jazz still have a long ways to go, but if they can win again on Monday, then anything is possible. 

Now as my for my personal experience at my first Jazz playoff game, here’s a few highlights:

• I haven’t been to another NBA arena, but I can’t imagine another arena able to get louder than the ESA.  I had to shout in my wife’s ear to be heard for most of the night. 
• The Jazz Bear is absolutely bonkers.  He has no fear.  During one of the timeouts or between quarters, they brought out a huge ladder.  I would put it at 40 feet?  I’m not sure, but I know he could almost touch the jumbotron hanging from the rafters.  Anyway, he climbed to and stood on the very top.  I could only think about those warning on normal ladders that say don’t stand above this step.  And not only did he stand on the top, he did a hand-stand.  And all the while the ladder shook like the Wasatch Fault had just slipped.  And all of this was without spotters or mats below.  I would have taken a picture, but I got nailed at the entrance and had to take it back to my car.  I saw plenty others in the game so I guess I wasn’t sneaky enough.  Anyway, he’s nuts.  He also did a great routine where he took a Jazz shirt to Evan Longoria.  When they showed it on the jumbortron, the place let the boos fly.  She also got personal escorts at the half and after the game.  I have to say she was pretty into the game until the Spurs were out of it.  Got to love those Jazz fans! 
• We had some drunk guy come running up and sat in the seat next to us for the entire first half.  High comedy.  He couldn’t stay with any of the cheers.  He couldn’t say D-fence correctly.  And at some points when it was quiet, he would just yell out, “Go Jazz.”  I later saw him harrassing security at half time.  We didn’t see him after half time.  My theories are: 1.  He was taken out by a security guard.  2.  He didn’t really have a ticket and snuck in some how.  (When he first got there, he made a proclomation “I’m here finally.  Here’s my seat).  And 3.  He couldn’t remember where he was sitting anyway and found another seat somewhere else. 
• My first experience using the men’s room during high traffic.  There were about 15-20 urninals with three people lined up behind each one, plus people out the door.  Just about 50 or so men watching each other take a leak.  Then people bring in the beers or other drinks and put them on the shelves above the urinal as they go.  I think that would be the last place I would want any open containers that look like urine.  I didn’t think I was going to be able to go with everyone lined up behind me,  Thought I’d get stage fright.  But I pulled it out. 
• And many more things, but finally, the picture for the post isn’t the best, but the reason I used it it because if you look really closely at the end of  the row to the right of Boozer’s forearm pad, you can see the 2 pixels that represent my face.

Derek Fisher is spent
Robert Horry and Bruce Bowen using a little reverse-reverse psychology?
The Jazz get some Flash
John Kerry coaching the Utah Jazz?
A lesson in Jazz appreciation
AK sits down for an interview.  Can you tell me what the hell he is talking about in the last paragraph?  I can’t even tell in the context of the interview:

You don’t need to pretend if you are good or bad. If you are bad, stay bad. You don’t have to do something. You should be yourself.

OK, so here’s a few more thoughts on last night’s loss…

I posted the recap at halftime because the Jazz had just blown up again in the second and couldn’t hit jack.  The stats were almost identical.  They got outscored by the same amount and they might as well have just shown all of Okur’s shots from game 1 on the jumbotron and let them count for this game as well.  Then we could have fast-forwarded through the first half.  Also, Deron wasn’t driving to the basket at all.  I don’t know how many times I screamed on fast breaks for him to take it to the hole. He would just back it out.

Other thoughts
- When did the Jazz forget how to play defense? How many layups were there in that game?
- Where was Hoffa?
- Derek Fisher looks like he’s not even there mentally.  I can’t blame him with what he’s going through with his daughter.  But if that’s the case, let him go be with his daughter.

The Jazz have been just one good game from another player not named Boozer or Williams from making these games a lot closer.  Fisher, Okur, Harpring, Giricek, and even AK for the most part have been non-factors.  The Jazz haven’t played well on the road for most of the year and should get back on track at home.  It goes without saying that they have to win all their games at home.  If they drop even one, it’s pretty much over.

That said, I can’t wait for the game on Saturday night.  As I mentioned before it’s my first live playoff game and it will be roudy.  I like Utah’s chances if they can win the next two at home.

Is it too early to just say ditto to last game’s recap?  Done.  I’ll save my self from typing and some pain from having to watch the second half.  Recap:

http://www.basketballjohn.com/2007/05/20/recap-utah-jazz-san-antonio-spurs-they-are-who-we-thought-they-were/

Reasons to hate the Spurs
Carlos Boozer and Karl Malone talk about delivery routes
Maybe all the Jazz players should eat at a French restaurant? 
Are any conspiracy theories laid to rest by the teams remaining?
Matt Harping, “He’s always trying to bang people”

They finally put up the MP3 of Deron Williams’ interview.  Don’t call him Slick!  This was originally recorded on about 4/17 but hasn’t been put up until just a little bit ago. 

 Download the Deron Williams MP3 here. (12 minutes)