Utah Jazz: Triumphant return
Williams delivers a home-court win for banged-up Jazz
Then again, he also wasn't counting on playing so many games without his words "a full deck."
And even after point guard Deron Williams re-joined the hand Wednesday night, dishing a game-high 15 assists in a 117-100 win over the Memphis Grizzlies at sold-out EnergySolutions Arena, the Jazz remain a few cards short.
One still-injured All-Star power forward Carlos Boozer is relative royalty.
Others are lesser cards, like also-hurting reserve point guard Brevin Knight, backup shooting guard Kyle Korver and bench big Jarron Collins.
But Williams who afterward said "I felt pretty good out there" is Sloan's ace in the hole.
The Jazz coach acknowledged as much after his max-money point guard logged 28 difference-making minutes in just his third game this season and his first in two weeks, when an attempted return from a sprained left ankle sustained in the preseason was deemed decidedly premature.
"But that's the difference (when) we talk about a 'point' guard," Sloan added. "He (Williams) has the ability to hit people in the open court, half-court, wherever you want to put 'em. And that's why he's such a great player."
Williams singlehandedly boosted the otherwise lacking spirit of a team that not only lost at the buzzer to Chicago on Monday, but also had dropped four of its seven outings since his first comeback bid ended after a split back-to-back road set in mid-November.
He had six assists in the first half, when the Jazz built a commanding 59-46 lead, and another half-dozen in the third period alone, a quarter the Jazz took 36-25 to assure they would beat the struggling 4-11 Grizzlies for the second time in five nights.
"He's a great player, an Olympic gold medalist, a hard worker, and he's the general of the team," Grizzlies rookie O.J. Mayo said of Williams, who struck gold with Team USA this past summer in China.
"He's been out most of the season, but with the general back he can generate energy in most of his teammates and he did a great job with that."
Williams opened the third quarter feeding Ronnie Brewer for a layup.
He later found C.J. Miles for a 3-pointer, then delivered two passes to Mehmet Okur for back-to-back baskets midway through the period.
Recent comments
@ Jazzsmack
Oh I read your whole post, read it twice in fact, just...
magnus | Nov. 28, 2008 at 7:34 p.m.
One thing that be pointed point out about the trade for Garnett:...
BigJazzFan | Nov. 28, 2008 at 6:08 p.m.
RE: Magnus:
Maybe you should read what I wrote, a shooting guard...
Jazzsmack | Nov. 28, 2008 at 5:30 p.m.
- RSL will play for MLS Cup tonight 3:06 a.m.
- Jazz outlast Pistons in overtime 3:06 a.m.
- Utah Utes whip SDSU 3:05 a.m.
- BYU records with win 3:05 a.m.
- RSL dancing with soccer stars 3:04 a.m.
- Cougars turn focus to dreaded rivals 3:04 a.m.
- Dixie State campus briefs 3:03 a.m.
- Weber State campus briefs 3:02 a.m.
- UVU campus briefs 3:01 a.m.
- BYU campus briefs 2:59 a.m.
- Glenn Beck to enter politics?
- Can BYU throw vs. Air Force?
- BYU records with win
- Police link alcohol to murder
- Huntsman blasts media over trip
- Cougars cruise to victory in Hawaii
- Christian leaders not backing down
- Religion cited in deportation fight
- Orem man acquitted in tot's death
- 4A: Timpview wins 4th in 4 years
- Buttars wants to limit gay rights laws
192 - Palin plans tour stop in Utah
173 - Glenn Beck to enter politics?
129 - Palin's book shows she's unqualified
122 - Officer cleared in Cardall Taser case
103 - BYU cuts Women's Research Inst.
100 - Jazz finally win in San Antonio
98 - BYU records with win
95 - Utes knock off rival Aggies
93 - Huntsman pleased with Obama
87
Beck is extremely smart, he is selling books and is very popular on TV. All...
@Mick, the Federal Govt is run by corporations through contributions and...
Lets bond together and hope for a REAL celebration SUnday night, can hardly...
I was on the playground too and some teachers came out and called us all to...
B.Y.U. has been a consistent a top 25 ranked winner under Max Hall. Hall has...
Did Timp win four in a row or 4 in 4 years?
You have a lot of growing up to do, It seems like you have not cxperienced...
The proposed ethics law puts roughly the same burden on a legislator that a...
Hall ACTUALLY broke the all timme wins record vs WYO last week. I guess...
Sounds to me like Kraig Powell may be a candidate for resignation. So long,...


