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Utah Jazz: Williams not about to let Jazz panic
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DWILL vs CP3 | 7:53 a.m. May 6, 2008
is getting interesting. Watching the hornets and CP3 demolish the spurs so far
is interesting. I love DWILL's game, but after watching CP3 do what DWILL
could not I am starting to think that DWILL is not even in the same league as
CP3. KOC and Sloan made the wrong pick, but at least we still got a good player
and not Bogut or Marvin Williams in the draft. Go Jazz and Go Sinan and Memo
Just knock down the shots | 8:09 a.m. May 6, 2008
The Jazz played a good game Sunday. The dominated the boards and had some good
looks. They just were not hitting them. Hit some of those short jumpers that no
one was hitting and we would have at least made it a one shot game. Wednesday
will be a different game now that we have our legs under us a bit and have
adjusted to the lakers style of play. If Booz would just step it up that could
be the difference alone.
RE: DWILL vs CP3 | 8:23 a.m. May 6, 2008
"DWILL is not even in the same league as CP3. KOC and Sloan made the wrong
pick"
This is a flawed assumption. For one thing, D-Will IS in the same league as CP3, in fact he is even in the same conference! :) For another thing, it is a mistake to assume that if the Jazz had picked Paul that he would have been as dominant here as he has been in NO. Different teammates, different coach, different systems = you cannot just take CP3 out of one system and plug him into another and expect the same results. Same goes for D-Will.
I will agree with you on one point, however: CP3 has taken his game to a higher level and D-Will needs to follow if the Jazz are going to get past the Lakers (it CAN happen!). D-Will has played extremely well but he needs to take it up one more notch in the playoffs against a team like LA. Boozer needs to take it up about five more notches!!
This is a flawed assumption. For one thing, D-Will IS in the same league as CP3, in fact he is even in the same conference! :) For another thing, it is a mistake to assume that if the Jazz had picked Paul that he would have been as dominant here as he has been in NO. Different teammates, different coach, different systems = you cannot just take CP3 out of one system and plug him into another and expect the same results. Same goes for D-Will.
I will agree with you on one point, however: CP3 has taken his game to a higher level and D-Will needs to follow if the Jazz are going to get past the Lakers (it CAN happen!). D-Will has played extremely well but he needs to take it up one more notch in the playoffs against a team like LA. Boozer needs to take it up about five more notches!!
Comments continue below
Take It inside Boozer. | 8:29 a.m. May 6, 2008
i have noticed that boozer is not having sucess because he is not making a move
toward the basket like he did all of last years playoffs. i only saw one dunk
from him sunday and he should get more than that he can still take the little
jumpers but instead once and a while pump fake and go slam it down in someones
face.
Big Al | 8:42 a.m. May 6, 2008
When D-Will and CP3 have been on the same court at the same time, D-Will has
usually had the best game. CP3 would not fair near as well under Jerry Sloan.
D-Will was the right pick. I would like to see that match-up in the conference
finals.
TheHOYT | 10:04 a.m. May 6, 2008
It's not William's fault - it's Boozer's. William's
never steps down, he always steps up - he just had an off night. Boozer on the
other hand has taken a huge step backwards during this playoff run. Heck, even
the "softy" Okur understands what needs to be done, and has stepped up
his game. The Jazz would be so very good if Boozer would man-up and be the
superstar that he was during the regular season. He is small for a
power-forward, but he can beat most people to the basket - he's quick.
And, when he does go to the basket he is difficult to stop because he can go
strong - right or left.
CP3 v. DW (8-2 for DW) | 10:04 a.m. May 6, 2008
Head-to-head is not even close. Dwilly dominates Crystal Paul the 3rd. 8 wins
to 2. That is utter domination.
Cp3 is great. DW is great. It's tough to compare stats and team records. Head-to-head is a pretty good comparsion since they both guard each other and have to face each other. Dwilly dominates wins and the stats in the head-to-head.
Cp3 is great. DW is great. It's tough to compare stats and team records. Head-to-head is a pretty good comparsion since they both guard each other and have to face each other. Dwilly dominates wins and the stats in the head-to-head.
Both great | 10:09 a.m. May 6, 2008
I think both of these point guards are the real deal. I agree that Paul is, so
far, having a great series, but DWILL is also a fine player. They both belong on
the Olympic team instead of Jason Kidd. Deron has had his way with Paul in most
of their head-to-heads. It is a shame that Deron was not an all-star. Given the
draft pick, I would take Deron because he is bigger and stronger -- and pretty
quick, which makes hiom a defensive threat as well as offense.
Boozer? | 10:16 a.m. May 6, 2008
Boozer isn't taking it inside because he doesn't want to get stuffed,
as he has been doing all playoffs. He needs to get some aggression and be tuff,
because he has not been at all. Also, when he isn't playing good, Sloan
needs to put Milsap in there. Milsap did good against the Lakers. One more
thing Sloan needs to do, keep AK in the game more often with more minutes. AK
did get his triple double against the Lakers in the season and he was doing
great in game 1. AK showed that he was there to play, and play hard. AK did
that, so then Sloan takes him out and puts in the biggest detriment on the Jazz
team this year, Matt Harpring. Harpring is a Sloan fave, it doesn't matter
if he fouls 4 times in a row and gets you in the bonus, throws the ball away 4
times in a row, or misses 10 times in a row, Sloan always puts him in for AK and
splits their game. GET A CLUE SLOAN!
magnus | 10:47 a.m. May 6, 2008
I'm not sure you guys where watching the same game I was. In the game I
saw Boozer made some incredible post moves in the second half, they were strong
moves to the basket and unbelievably quick for a man his size.
He was also getting after it on the boards, I mean you don't get 14 boards, 6 offensive, just standing around waiting for the ball to come to you.
Defensively I thought he did a decent job he was stepping over to help with penetration and doing a pretty good job keeping his man in front of him, he does have a tough time getting out to guard Vlad on the perimeter but perimeter D is not exacly the strength of any PF.
There where two things I saw that Boozer needs to fix right now but neither of them have to do with his effort, first is turnovers and second is his jumper. The problem with his jumper is not that he is shooting it, it's that he is fading, leaning, and rushing it even when he is wide open. Now that he fixed the free throw problem he needs to fix that jumper.
He was also getting after it on the boards, I mean you don't get 14 boards, 6 offensive, just standing around waiting for the ball to come to you.
Defensively I thought he did a decent job he was stepping over to help with penetration and doing a pretty good job keeping his man in front of him, he does have a tough time getting out to guard Vlad on the perimeter but perimeter D is not exacly the strength of any PF.
There where two things I saw that Boozer needs to fix right now but neither of them have to do with his effort, first is turnovers and second is his jumper. The problem with his jumper is not that he is shooting it, it's that he is fading, leaning, and rushing it even when he is wide open. Now that he fixed the free throw problem he needs to fix that jumper.
Jtm | 12:06 p.m. May 6, 2008
If the Jazz lose this series please don't turn your hatred toward Boozer.
Your used to blaming the refs, the other teams players and in the end you turn
on your own just to blame someone!.
PurplePeopleEater | 12:17 p.m. May 6, 2008
The D-Will/CP3 comparisons crack me up. Head-to-head, D-Will wins most of the
time. That's why if the Jazz can get by the Lakers and N.O. gets by the
Spurs, the Jazz will be facing Boston in the finals, where they won an away
game, BTW!
Expect the Jazz to play an entirely different game Wednesday night because of two factors: 1) D-Will will be ready (he never has two bad games in a row), and 2) the team will have had time to properly prepare.
Look at how well the Jazz played in the second half. That 2nd Qtr flop was directly related to a lack of preparation time and rest. The lack of rest had a lot to do with so many missed shots (no legs).
Unless Kobe and one other Laker player have a REALLY great game, I expect the Jazz to take game 2. (It'll take two of them--Kobe by himself can't do it.)
Expect the Jazz to play an entirely different game Wednesday night because of two factors: 1) D-Will will be ready (he never has two bad games in a row), and 2) the team will have had time to properly prepare.
Look at how well the Jazz played in the second half. That 2nd Qtr flop was directly related to a lack of preparation time and rest. The lack of rest had a lot to do with so many missed shots (no legs).
Unless Kobe and one other Laker player have a REALLY great game, I expect the Jazz to take game 2. (It'll take two of them--Kobe by himself can't do it.)
Re:CP3 v. DW (8-2 for DW | 12:43 p.m. May 6, 2008
"It's tough to compare stats and team records." That comment
might be the dumbest thing I have ever read on this board. What else do you
want to compare??? Dwill is a nice player, CPS is a franchise by himself.
nobody | 12:51 p.m. May 6, 2008
Booz needs to use his quickness in the post and not try to shoot over the 7
footers. he is faster and stronger he just need space.
Boozer Small? | 1:08 p.m. May 6, 2008
I keep hearing the comment about how Boozer is small for a power forward. I
just don't get it - he's almost EXACTLY the same height/weight as Karl
Malone (who is arguably the reason the position is called POWER forward in the
first place). The reason everyone keeps thinking Boozer is small is because he
PLAYS small. Karl would drive on ANYBODY. Watch replays of Malone going to the
basket against every one of the league's big men then, and compare that to
Boozer's "two-step" AWAY from the basket, turnaround, fade-away
jumper, and that's why Boozer will always seem "small", despite
being 6'9" and 266 lbs. Karl? 6'9" and 250 lbs, but it was
all muscle and heart.
headstrong | 1:15 p.m. May 6, 2008
"[A]fter watching CP3 do what DWILL could not I am starting to think that
DWILL is not even in the same league as CP3. KOC and Sloan made the wrong
pick..."
That's a pretty ignorant statement. CP3 is playing against an old and slowing spurs team. When was the last time TParker was accused of playing defense? DFisher was braught in by the Lakers to play defense and run the triangle. DW is just as good if not better than CPaul.
That's a pretty ignorant statement. CP3 is playing against an old and slowing spurs team. When was the last time TParker was accused of playing defense? DFisher was braught in by the Lakers to play defense and run the triangle. DW is just as good if not better than CPaul.
re: headstrong | 1:44 p.m. May 6, 2008
Head to head Williams and CP3 are almost the same player with a slight edge to
CP3 in stats. Either way, both players are phenomenal and will be amazing for
years. Gotta love the NBA!! Of course, I threw in Kobe's stats for all the
Kobe haters. . . Everyone uses stats to show how great DWil and CP3 are but when
you look at Kobe's stats . . . they don't count. No double standards
here - Kobe is amazing too (6 assists / game isn't exactly selfish player
territory). The "selfish-Kobe" hasn't played for a couple years
now - watch a game or two and pay attention.
Playoffs:
DWil = 20P (48%), 8A, 4R, 0.4S
CP3 = 25P (50%), 12A, 5R, 2.0S
Kobe = 35P (50%), 6A, 5R, 1.4S
Regular Season:
DWil = 19 P (50%), 11A, 3R, 1S
CP3 = 21 P (49%), 12A, 4R, 3S
Kobe = 28 P (46%), 5A, 6R, 2S
Playoffs:
DWil = 20P (48%), 8A, 4R, 0.4S
CP3 = 25P (50%), 12A, 5R, 2.0S
Kobe = 35P (50%), 6A, 5R, 1.4S
Regular Season:
DWil = 19 P (50%), 11A, 3R, 1S
CP3 = 21 P (49%), 12A, 4R, 3S
Kobe = 28 P (46%), 5A, 6R, 2S
Anonymous | 2:06 p.m. May 6, 2008
Comparing D-Will and CP3 is comparing Bird and Magic. Each are great players
and I expect both to exceed the next few years. Everyone should be happy we
didn't end up with Bogut (As I recall half of the state was hoping he would
be our pick).
pablo picaso | 2:12 p.m. May 6, 2008
DWill dominates cp3, as good as he is, every time utah plays NO. And the Lakers
don't have anyone that can stop Carlos if he decided to post up or drive to
the hoop. I predict Carlos will come unglued and have the best game of his
career once they study the tape and discover that he can dominate inside. If we
would have shot any kind of decent percentage from the floor we would have wiped
the floor with Kobe and the Lakers.
magnus | 3:13 p.m. May 6, 2008
Comparing CP3 and DWill is cool, and it's an interesting argument. They
came out of the draft together, they are both budding superstars leading elite
quality teams, and they are good freinds, what more could you want in a
comparison?
I think it is interesting that during the regular season their numbers are almost identical in all but two categories, turnovers and steals, and Paul holds a big advantage in both. For a point guard those two categories are huge so I'll give Paul this season, he clearly was the better player...this year.
However, talk that taking Williams was "making the wrong choice" especially if that talk is comming from a Jazz fan, is pointless, embarrassing, and stupid.
WILLIAMS IS OUR GUY, and that is no mistake. You wanna be a Chris Paul fan, that's fine, but don't pretend like the Jazz would be sooo much better if they had Paul and don't pretend like you are actually a 100% Jazz fan if you think the best player on the team is a "mistake".
I think it is interesting that during the regular season their numbers are almost identical in all but two categories, turnovers and steals, and Paul holds a big advantage in both. For a point guard those two categories are huge so I'll give Paul this season, he clearly was the better player...this year.
However, talk that taking Williams was "making the wrong choice" especially if that talk is comming from a Jazz fan, is pointless, embarrassing, and stupid.
WILLIAMS IS OUR GUY, and that is no mistake. You wanna be a Chris Paul fan, that's fine, but don't pretend like the Jazz would be sooo much better if they had Paul and don't pretend like you are actually a 100% Jazz fan if you think the best player on the team is a "mistake".
anonymous | 3:33 p.m. May 6, 2008
Watching the hornets and CP3 demolish the spurs so far is interesting. I love
DWILL's game, but after watching CP3 do what DWILL could not I am starting
to think that DWILL is not even in the same league as CP3. KOC and Sloan made
the wrong pick
this is the dumbest thing ive ever heard, if you recall d-will dominated the spurs last year in the playoffs, he was only player to show up for the jazz, he averaged around 26pts 11asts vs the spurs last year, the spurs did everything they could to stop him but couldnt come close to slowing him down, even though the jazz lost hte series 4-1, d-will proved that he is the BEST pg in the nba with how he played, he transcended to another level, remember the facial on oberto, he played game 4 with the flu and dominated and played game 5 with a fractured foot
this is the dumbest thing ive ever heard, if you recall d-will dominated the spurs last year in the playoffs, he was only player to show up for the jazz, he averaged around 26pts 11asts vs the spurs last year, the spurs did everything they could to stop him but couldnt come close to slowing him down, even though the jazz lost hte series 4-1, d-will proved that he is the BEST pg in the nba with how he played, he transcended to another level, remember the facial on oberto, he played game 4 with the flu and dominated and played game 5 with a fractured foot
Utah done in 6 | 3:54 p.m. May 6, 2008
This series is over in 6 games. LA 4 Utah 2.
TheHOYT | 3:57 p.m. May 6, 2008
"I keep hearing the comment about how Boozer is small for a power forward.
I just don't get it - he's almost EXACTLY the same height/weight as
Karl Malone"
Boozer is listed as 6-9, but that is being generous. There is also the difference in body type. Boozer is much more compact than Malone, and Malone had a greater wingspan than Boozer as well. Trust me, Boozer is smaller than Malone. But, like I said, Boozer can beat other forwards/centers with his speed, and he can go right - or left, which is much harder to defend. He just needs to be more competitive.
Boozer is listed as 6-9, but that is being generous. There is also the difference in body type. Boozer is much more compact than Malone, and Malone had a greater wingspan than Boozer as well. Trust me, Boozer is smaller than Malone. But, like I said, Boozer can beat other forwards/centers with his speed, and he can go right - or left, which is much harder to defend. He just needs to be more competitive.
next level | 4:24 p.m. May 6, 2008
I don't understand why anyone would say that DWill hasn't stepped up
to the level Chris Paul is at? this is Chris Paul's first year in the
playoffs and Dwill helped take his team to the conference finals last year and
has a good chance of doing it again. In which case he would likely meet Chris
Paul and he has dominated him head to head. I think it is Dwill that should be
telling Chris Paul "get on my level!"
Anonymous | 4:32 p.m. May 6, 2008
boozer just gotta stop shooting those mid range jump shots. boozer is so much
better when he goes strong to the basket.
rayray (Laker) | 5:02 p.m. May 6, 2008
I like Deron Williams now. I think he is a good kid a top five point guard in
the game and the chosen one to save a great sports franchise from a disaster
called 'From Stockton-Melon to irrelevance'. And now that not many
people laugh at me when I say Chris Paul is better than Deron Willliams I
don't think he is overrated anymore therefore no beef. But there is a thing
about Phil Jackson deffense that is only bad news for people who think
Deron's performance in game one was a product of some basketball world
disorder. No it's Phil's D. The flaw with Deron williams game can be
compared, unfortnately, to the flaw of the Denve Nuggets offense: When the
penetration is stopped the whole system is paralized. Daron is dealing with a
coach on the other side that included in other things he knows how to close the
lanes in front f a penetrating PG. Tony knows it, AI knows it and Deron will
know it when he realizes it wasn't his fault to have an uncharacteristic
game 1.
GO JAZZ GO | 5:40 p.m. May 6, 2008
I think that we can beat the Lakers, the first game wasnt like playing
Denver,for Dwill wasnt tha perfect night but he is the best for the Team he is
the real leader on this team, Bozzer, he needs to go under the basket!!! playing
soft is not working, lets those muscles work and you will see the difference, he
can use both hands= perfect!. AK this guy can play everywhere, he needs to
believe thats a good player, after that will see the real AK!!! Brewer, doing
good and learning, Milsap is strong but sometimes have the foul trouble, he can
do better on offense, he is strong!!!Korver...just keep shooting!!!Okur, out for
3 and under the basket, smart movement!!!JAZZ are a good team, thats the
difference is a TEAM not 2 or 3 guys!!! I know they can beat the Lakers,
hardwork NOT IMPOSSIBLE!!! GO JAZZ
magnus | 5:51 p.m. May 6, 2008
@ rayray
The Lakers did do a nice job of cutting down the lanes on sunday but the Jazz made their job alot easier by not being able to throw the ball in the ocean.
Fortunately for the Jazz the offense is not based entirely on penetration. Much of the Jazz success came from getting the ball to the post on the blocks. Look for them to do more of that in game 2, especially with Boozer, and to rely on movement away from the ball to get guys open near the basket. Also, don't be suprised if DWill lights it up for 25 and 10, he's been known to do that to teams just when they think they have him figured out.
The Lakers did do a nice job of cutting down the lanes on sunday but the Jazz made their job alot easier by not being able to throw the ball in the ocean.
Fortunately for the Jazz the offense is not based entirely on penetration. Much of the Jazz success came from getting the ball to the post on the blocks. Look for them to do more of that in game 2, especially with Boozer, and to rely on movement away from the ball to get guys open near the basket. Also, don't be suprised if DWill lights it up for 25 and 10, he's been known to do that to teams just when they think they have him figured out.
Anonymous | 6:03 p.m. May 6, 2008
You stats on boozer are just wrong, inflated like everything else about the
NBA.
Boozer is 6'8" if that, and somewhere in the 230's
266 what a laugh! 236 is more like it,
But it makes no differnece because like all duke players they make no difference.
He's sucking money that could be going to real star.
Boozer is 6'8" if that, and somewhere in the 230's
266 what a laugh! 236 is more like it,
But it makes no differnece because like all duke players they make no difference.
He's sucking money that could be going to real star.
Anonymous | 7:06 p.m. May 6, 2008
GO,GO,GO JAZZ!!!!
Davo | 7:57 p.m. May 6, 2008
Rayray-
The Lakers did play good defense on sunday, however your argument that the Jazzes offense is based on penetration is no where near correct - it is mostly a motion offense, they do pick and roll, and they post up with their bigger guys. In watching the Jazz all this year and last, it seems like the only time you see penetrate and dish is in shot clock situations or when the Jazz need a basket badly and Deron creates. On Sunday, Deron, along with a lot of the other Jazz players, missed a lot of shots that they typically make. I would look for them to shoot better tomorrow, although you can't count on them to rebound so well,even though I hope they do.
The Lakers did play good defense on sunday, however your argument that the Jazzes offense is based on penetration is no where near correct - it is mostly a motion offense, they do pick and roll, and they post up with their bigger guys. In watching the Jazz all this year and last, it seems like the only time you see penetrate and dish is in shot clock situations or when the Jazz need a basket badly and Deron creates. On Sunday, Deron, along with a lot of the other Jazz players, missed a lot of shots that they typically make. I would look for them to shoot better tomorrow, although you can't count on them to rebound so well,even though I hope they do.
AvoidStern | 11:34 p.m. May 6, 2008
If you are old enough you remember Mike Bibby at Sacramento. He was the next
great pg. We hear it every few years and now it is for CP3. I'll wait a
season or two to see if he sticks or goes away. DWill looks good enough to
stick, but I have been wrong before.
paparomano | 12:59 p.m. May 7, 2008
my man Memo is only one so far up to the task...C'mon Boozer just pusha as
hard and as smart as Memo does.
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Jazz guard Deron Williams drives by Ronny Turiaf of the Los Angeles Lakers during Game 1.
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