Deseret News | Three for all — Jazz fire away from deep

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Three for all — Jazz fire away from deep

Sinan | 1:03 a.m. Feb. 5, 2008

I always pointed out that this team (Jazz) has very efficient players. They read the game, they read the opponent and they play. If the need is from paint they do, if the need is 3 pointer they do too.
Deron or Boozer, Korver or Memo. They know how to do and by who to do. GO JAZZ.

Larry Bird | 2:49 a.m. Feb. 5, 2008

Someone better check the width of the rims down at the Energy Solutions Arena - cause wow the Jazz couldn't miss. They appeared to be twice the size of normal.

Great game, fun to watch, seems like the Jazz have caught their stride.

Minerman | 3:23 a.m. Feb. 5, 2008

Here's one for all you stat geeks...the Jazz have 3 of the top 33 shooters (percentage wise) in the NBA. That's nearly 10%. That's consistency. That's coaching. And that's why the Jazz were so hard to stop in the playoff last year, and the run the last month plus (p.s. since December 25, the Jazz have the best record in the entire NBA). Don't know what they've been eating for breakfast, but keep doin it! Go JAZZ!

Comments continue below

Anonymous | 6:49 a.m. Feb. 5, 2008

I imagine people still want sloan fired and Giricek back right....

Jimmy's Sneakers | 6:51 a.m. Feb. 5, 2008

As New Orleans proved last season, without CP3 they are not even a playoff team. Jimmy thinks that Jazz did well to get him in foul trouble early.

DenverJazzFan | 7:53 a.m. Feb. 5, 2008

Glad the Jazz are on a roll. I sold my second row, midcourt seats at the Pepsi Center for Wednesday night. I can't stand to watch the Jazz stand around and watch the Nuggets go off on them, which is what they do every time they come to town. (The Nuggets should have charged the Jazz admission last time in town cuz they were just spectators...??) Let's see, which one of the Nugget bench warmers can they make an allstar on Wednesday night like they did Klieza the last time in town. Come on Jazz, please, show up on Wed night. Bring your oxygen masks if you need to, but if nothing else, bring some backbone.

Poor Brewer | 8:30 a.m. Feb. 5, 2008

Is it just me or does Ronnie Brewer get the shaft when it comes to calls more than any player in the league? That technical after getting floored by Paul was a joke. In the end it doesn't matter because they won, but if I was a player I would be super frustrated. Shows how good of a person he is.

Predictions Come True | 8:35 a.m. Feb. 5, 2008

Hey,
Where are all of the CP3 lovers?

Those "ignorant" DWill fans sure got their due, eh?

I'm talking to you John Rambo.

Re: DenverJazzFan | 8:48 a.m. Feb. 5, 2008

I don't know if you realize this, but the Jazz are the hottest team in the league right now! I guarantee you that the Jazz will shut Iverson, Carmelo, and Kleiza down. Korver will step up once again, and the Jazz will easily walk outta Denver with at least a 10 point win! Boozer had a terrible game last time they played, and I guarantee that will not happen again! Korver will stick Kleiza, so I'm predicting that all his points will come when Korver is out. He's only gonna finish with 12! Iverson will have a good game because he's much quicker then DW, but still won't be enough to win because Carmelo will hog the ball and miss 75% of his shots!! So go Jazz!

PS: I find it hard to believe you're a Nuggets fan.. spell Kleiza right!

Tom | 9:03 a.m. Feb. 5, 2008

It's great to see Williams play hard to prove he belonged in the all star game. But one has to wonder, if he thought he should have been selected, why didn't he play like that earlier this year?

Huh? | 9:10 a.m. Feb. 5, 2008

I tuned into see a great match-up between two elite point guards. What happened to Paul? He just looks scared out there. What is it now 7-1 for Williams over Paul. I guess Paul does well against smaller point guards, or a weak defense, but against someone bigger than him, or a team that cuts his drives off to the basket, he just gives up and fades away. What a disappointment, what a wimp.

Joshua Lance | 9:20 a.m. Feb. 5, 2008

Go Jazz!

Ol'pro | 9:23 a.m. Feb. 5, 2008

As I said . . . D-Will is a HEAD above CP3 , a BIG head above,in this game .Very,very astounding played game by all.

SlowN's comment in the post game,"I am disappointed that they did not run the pick and roll more ,they shoulda ran it more"! Leave it up to Mr Negativity to come up with another basher!

The T on Brewer,they should fine this ref for calling that .

Cp3 gave up | 9:47 a.m. Feb. 5, 2008

Was it just me or did Chris Paul give up last night? He had 4 fouls in the 3rd quarter and deliberately picked up his 5th foul. I am not just saying this to be a smar allic because I am a D Will fan, but I think Paul gets intimidated by D Will and wanted to get off the court after D Will made him look ridiculous time after time. It amazes me that D Will leads the Jazz along with Boozer to the Wester Conference Finals last year, then is having another great year and Brandon Roy makes it over him. I see why Paul did even though D will is better but Roy? Yeah Portland is having a Cinderella season but D-Will has been solid the last 2 years including leading his team to the WCF and then doing great against San Antonio. Good win Jazz and mark my word all you CP3 lovers D Will is the better player and you will see when their careers are over. Remember Steve Francis? Got all the hype and look at him now. Not saying CP3 is Francis, but don't judge so early. CP3 you got worked!

Game notes | 9:49 a.m. Feb. 5, 2008

Chris Paul ended up guarding Korver for much of the second half because the Hornets realized that he can't match up with Williams defensively. Williams is too big for Paul and he takes him in the post and abuses him.
The biggest compliment I can give Brewer is that after the horrible technical foul call against him he went out of his way to shake Paul's hand and explain what he was doing. He did that right before he shot his foul shots. That's the kind of player I want my son watching and emulating.

re: Predictions come true | 10:21 a.m. Feb. 5, 2008

I am a Deron fan and longtime jazz fan, but I also have good sense to know that Chris Paul is at the very least Deron's equal.

CP3 is an MVP candiate, he was selected by every Western Conference coach to be in the All Star game.
Before the draft, ESPN reported that 29 out of 32 GMs would have taken Paul ahead of Williams. He was the unanimous rookie of the year(boone) There is a lot of evidence showing that Paul is a GREAT player. Why be so defensive when the coaches and stats show that Paul is a rare talent.

Don't forget the extremely difficult circumstances surrounding the Hornets the last few years, spliting time between OKC and NO.

During his rookie year, why bench Willimas behind 2 abosolute scrubs????

Jazz | 10:18 a.m. Feb. 5, 2008

Please Jerry.....please do not reinsert Hart back into the lineup. Please realize that the Jazz are winning because we have a solid backup point guard!!!! (and thank you for finally not playing Collins)

Statement Games | 10:30 a.m. Feb. 5, 2008

When the Jazz were in their recent funk they were criticized here as being "young". When they play hard to "make a statement"like in this game, that is a symptom of immaturity. A pro plays hard for personal pride, even when CP3 (or fill in the blank) is not in the house. On the road, at home, its all the same to a pro.

Benching rookies | 10:33 a.m. Feb. 5, 2008

Sloan realizes that playing pro ball like a pro requires maturity, also the expectations that a high first round pick come in and immediately contribute like a veteran are difficult to deal with for young guys (they make millions and they look like grown up men, but they're only in their 20's inside). I think benching rookies is Sloan's way to protect them from the public and let them adjust to the league. Playing Williams his first year wouldn't have gotten us that much farther along, and every game you play at this level breaks your body down a little more. So why not take it slow and give the guy one more year of earning potential when he's in the big bucks? It seems downright Fatherly.

Cory | 10:42 a.m. Feb. 5, 2008

To DenverJazzFan, I share some of your concern. I just hope that the Jazz's play of late has given them enough confidence and energy to carry that on the road. Their road play in December was just horrible and the road teams they have played since then haven't been all that impressive, they only quality teams they have played on the road lately were Portland and Denver, both losses (if anyone wants to argue that Houston and Washington were quality just remember how many of their starters were out when we played them). Here's hoping the Jazz show up tomorrow and continue the streak.

re:re predictions come true | 11:00 a.m. Feb. 5, 2008

It is not so much about being defensive as it is that Williams is the better player. He is stronger, can get to the rim and finish better, can shoot better and play better defense. I think what Paul does so well is he sees the floor very well and sets up his team mates. I mean Paul is always at a disadvantage on defense because he is so small and his defense is average at best how many times has D Will just blown right by him? Just wait 5 years and then you tell me who is better. Besides if you are a Jazz fan, stick up for your player, quit trying to play espn analyst. D Will all the way.

jazzy | 11:02 a.m. Feb. 5, 2008

i love kyle korver. love him.

playoffs | 11:03 a.m. Feb. 5, 2008

One more comment here: D Will has proven he can play under pressure and perform well in the playoffs, that remains to be seen with Paul. D Will baby! All the way.

KOrver for THREE! | 11:08 a.m. Feb. 5, 2008

Now don't that sound purdy!

re: re predictions come true | 11:13 a.m. Feb. 5, 2008

Ok let's talk about GM's buddy. What about the GM's that took Bogut and Marvin Williams over D Will and Chris Paul? How about the GM (the great MJ) taking Kwame Brown number 1. Let me repeat that cause it bares repeating, Kwame Brown as #1 pick. What about the GM that took Michael Olowakandi number 1. Or the GM that took Sam Bowie and Hakeem Olajuwan over Michael Jordan. Who cares what 29 of 32 GM's think, that was when the draft happened. Let's just wait and see cause all that hype means nothing, it is about performance, and D Will is the better player and time will show that. Especially the way he handled Mr. Paul last night. Paul is afraid of him.

Phil | 11:15 a.m. Feb. 5, 2008

3 pt. field goal %

Miles 43
Korver 40
Williams 40
Okur 38
Kirilenko36
Price 36
Hart 26

According to Jimmy's Sneakers I don't know too much about basketball and shouldn't post. However, I can read, write, and do math.(in my opinion) C.J. is a good spare tire to have with on the road to a championship.GO JAZZ!!!

!2th man | 11:46 a.m. Feb. 5, 2008

You know your team is deep when your 12th man starts and you beat the western conference leader by 22 points.

Jerry's attitude! | 12:18 p.m. Feb. 5, 2008

it never ceases to amaze me how Jerry can take a great game (such as last night), and pick it apart and make it seem like we lost! Good Lord Jerry, the boys were hot from 3 point land last night. Give them some Props!! Why must you find negative in everything they do. 9 game winning streak, and you make it sound like we're in last place. Between that and Hot Rod's mis-pronouncing of KYLE KORVER'S NAME (IT'S NOT CAL KOVER!!), I'm goin nuts here. Love the Jazz regardless!! NICE WORK GUYS, LETS GET NUMBER 10 IN A ROW TOMORROW NIGHT!!

GO JAZZZ!!

KYLE IN SANDY

10 Hi in Mile Hi | 12:26 p.m. Feb. 5, 2008

Go Jazz! Hottest team in the league!

Mesa | 12:30 p.m. Feb. 5, 2008

As I recall and I could be wrong but it seems that when the Jazz or at least some of the Jazz players step it up they blow people out. Why cannot they do that every game, on the road or at home. Isn't that what is expected, that each player will show them not on one night but all the time that they can play.

Boy I would like to earn a million a year and only have to be there only 40% of the time!

Skip | 12:34 p.m. Feb. 5, 2008

Boy, I'll tell ya what, those balls were droppin' through hoops like cats on a hot tin roof. I'm really proud of the Jazz! Go Jazz!

re:predictions come true | 12:29 p.m. Feb. 5, 2008

As true fans we should support our team, you are right about that. But if everybody wrote in about how much they love the Jazz constantly it would become quite boring. Also, the Paul-Williams debate is a good one that has interesting points to both sides. My real beef with the whole thing is that Sloan (whom I do not like) made the decision whithout ever seeing Paul in person, which is something O'Conner and others did do. I'll ask again why would you bench Williams behind Keith Mcloud and Milt Palacio???? Both were out of the league the next year.

Many of you will say it helped Williams to sit, which in my opinion and many others, is totally absurd. The Jazz didn't make the playoffs that year but made a strong push at the end with Williams starting. There is a high likliehood that the Jazz would have made the playoffs had Sloan starting Willimas from the beginning. But as always, Jerry has to be the boss and show everyone how tough he is and it cost the Jazz a playoff spot which would have been valuable experience for Williams; much more than watching McCloud and Palacio.

re: Mesa | 12:47 p.m. Feb. 5, 2008

It is a long season (80+ games)and it is physically
demanding even for pro atheletes. Steady, moderate victories are preferable to a few blow outs with possible injuries down the line.

Arizona | 1:03 p.m. Feb. 5, 2008

AZ Jazz Fan here, can't believe how much energy the EnergySolutions Center had last night. How fun it would have been to be there to witness Jazz "history". I too wish all players played the same way every game, except with a bit more defense. Not that the steals weren't spectacular. It got scary at times when N.O. cut the leads quite a bit. Imagine if Kirilenko played?

Anonymous | 1:07 p.m. Feb. 5, 2008

Biggest game of this whole stretch is tomorrow. Jazz already blew the tie break opportunity with the Blazers, can't do the same with the Nuggets. Great to see them shoot well last night, but if those shots don't fall, it could've been a long night as they were getting outplayed down low. I like Okur for what's he's done for the franchise over time (and his impact really can't be diminished), but I still think it's time for us to lose him in favor of someone with toughness down low (and that plays defense).

Okur and the post | 2:01 p.m. Feb. 5, 2008

I was at the game last night, and I didn't get the impression the Jazz were outplayed in the post. All the outside shots enabled us to build a big lead, but even with the outside offense the post numbers were pretty similar for both teams. Additionally, if the Jazz weren't making the outside shots we would have pounded the ball in to Boozer more often and we would have won the inside battle more convincingly.
As for Okur, he's never going to block a lot of shots, but he did a good job last night of being physical with Chandler, Ely and West when they tried to post him up. He had active hands and tried to get steals. He doesn't have to be stellar defensively, if he'll be phisical and not allow himself to get pushed around and get a hand up on shots and then block out for rebounds, he can really help the team on the defensive end. Offensively, he does a lot to help get Boozer free down low because opposing centers can't just sit and clog up the paint.

Moto X | 1:56 p.m. Feb. 5, 2008

Last nights game was alot of fun. Buddy called me with 12th row tickets. Now I am travelling for business--in DENVER!! Did not realize when I scheduled but I may try to find a ticket to go while I am here.

Hopefully the Jazz do not have a let down here in Denver again. It could not be much worse than last time though.

D-Will showed last night against the Hornets that he will be among the elite PG's in this league for years to come. Lots of people say it does not really matter that D-Will is bigger and stronger. Those people should ask CP3 what he thinks about that. He simply could not handle/defend D-Will and if we played them in the playoffs I like our chances given the matchup.

Anyone have any Jazz/Nugget tickets for sale?

re: jerry's attitude | 2:17 p.m. Feb. 5, 2008

You make a great point, Jerry has been that way for years. Jerry has had some success but why does he have to be so negative all the time; I think over time he really wears on players and brings them down. I have never heard a coach complain so much about how much money players make. I'm serious, just pay attention to it and you will know what I mean. The whole "he get paid every 2 weeks doesn't he".

No More Hart and Collins | 2:18 p.m. Feb. 5, 2008

I just want to say I agree 100% with jazz's comment! or plead not to play hart anymore! he is terrible! brings nothing good to the jazz! he cant even keep the offense going! where price can run the offense, score, hit an outside shot! which hart cant do! and price is a good defender! and collins send him 2 the d-league bring up fez!

DWILL MVP | 2:34 p.m. Feb. 5, 2008

If any person had a doubt that Deron shouldn't have been in the all star game, last night he fixed that. The boy was on a mission! Chris Paul looked like Tom Brady in the super bowl! Deron is by far the better pick. The Jazz actually got a draft pick right it looks like.

re: Jerry's attitude | 3:04 p.m. Feb. 5, 2008

Jerry Sloan was just saying after the game that he would rather work from the inside out instead of coming down and shooting outside shots. Last nights game was great cause the shots were falling but the Jazz aren't usually an outside shooting team and they cant come out tommorow and just rely on those shots to fall.

Jerry's Attitude | 7:16 p.m. Feb. 5, 2008

I know what Jerry was saying. It's the same after every game. You could replay the post game from Game 1 thru all 82 games, and they are all the same. Regardless of how much money a player makes, they are still human beings, and should be treated with maybe just a little respect from their Coach. If Jerry was more positive with his players, I guarantee you they would be more productive! Ya, Jerry is old school, but guess what people, it's 2008 now and Jerry needs to adapt to the times!! Jerry, you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar! Try it just once! you might like it!

Elke | 8:21 p.m. Feb. 5, 2008

I hope Sloan doesn't keep holding Price back behind Hart now that everyone in NBA world with eyes that can see knows Price should be the backup point. He will probably go back to Hart just to show everyone that he is in charge and hopefully it won't cost us too many games before he breaks down and gives it back to Price. Like I've said before,When Harts in there we lose a point a minute. (8 to 10 minutes, 8 to 10 points)Price holds his own or gains some. He will improve with playing time, Hart obviously hasn't.I believe Sloan is a good coach, but this ego problem holds himself , the Jazz, and the fans back.

Steve | 8:24 p.m. Feb. 5, 2008

I think Kyle Korver is allowed (or ought to be allowed) to shoot the next one is he makes the first one, and so on. When you look at last night's numbers without Korver's, the Jazz didn't really shoot an extraordinary number of threes. Having Korver is a net gain.

TicketHolder | 9:36 p.m. Feb. 5, 2008

Before we crown the team champions we may need to step back from the basking into reality. During the streak the Jazz haven't beat anybody outside of New Orleans and San Antonio. I can't include Phoenix because they were without Nash and they still pushed us to the limit. In fact outside of these three foes the remainder of the victories have come against the lowly likes of the Clippers, Knicks, Wizard, Kings, Bucks etc etc and rightfully so. Our team defense has improved somewhat but we still rank 22nd out of 30. Wednesdays game against Denver will be a true test for the Jazz. This game has substance and will have a playoff like atmosphere. Hopefully the Jazz prove me wrong and run the Nuggets of the court instead of getting run out of the building like last game.

8to5 | 1:57 a.m. Feb. 6, 2008

I think you will see another statement game Wednesday night,the Jazz are playing with confidence and a little swagger which makes them dangerous.They will be looking to revenge there effort in their last meeting plus prove to the world that the Jazz need more national exposure to win over the people who voted 2 Nuggets on to the starting roster of the Allstar game. Looks like we will be watching 5 games of one on one. The way the Jazz are sharing the ball right now and assisting on 80% of their field goals, I think the Jazz starting 5 could beat West Allstar starting 5.

Re: DenverJazzFan | 10:54 a.m. Feb. 6, 2008

The Jazz may not win in Denver tonight, but you said that this happens every time they go to Denver. Before that debacle in January, the Jazz had won three straight in Denver and 8 out of 12 over the Nuggets overall, so I'm a little confused by your statement. I do hope the Jazz show more heart this time though.

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