Comments about ‘Utah Jazz: Al Jefferson likes big-game feeling’

Big Al's appreciation of the Jazz and the fans is such a breath of fresh air!

I feel like the city is falling back in love with the team for the first time since Stockton and Malone.

While the past few years have been fun, it was tough to get fully invested in a team when key player(s) weren't invested the Jazz or it's fans.

Pretty good game for Al Jefferson, but he needs to go up strong more and, like CJ and Memo, he is a rebound tipper and not a two hand grabber like Milsap or even Hayward. Ideally, the Jazz play Fes more...he gives Pau fits. Lakers got a couple too many inside calls that shouldn't have been whistled, but they also missed way more shots than they usually do from outside.
I still see Jefferson backing up Milsap and Fes eventually, but Fes must keep working on his foul shooting in practice if he wants big minutes, because Jefferson is hitting in the +80% range now. Interesting how Jefferson always mentions Okur and doesn't mention Fes much.

Because maybe Fes is already there. So the only change is going to be when Memo get's back. You got to love big Al though. They must teach english different in the south.

I hate this feeling the Jazz are giving me. I didn't think they could play with this team, boy are they proving me wrong. For the first time in a long time, I am enjoying Jazz basketball. When they are down, they don't give up and they are learning to finish basketball games which has been an achilles heel for them for so long. Al Jefferson has come to play, there is no doubt about that. Good job Jazz, I hope you can keep it up.

Big Al has been great so far, his defense is better than expected, but he needs to do a better job rebounding if the Jazz are going to contend.

Fess was much more effective than Elson, again. I don't get why Sloan appears to be the only one who can't see this. Maybe Elson is just a beast at practice?

Beating the Lakers is great -- but it would be better if we didn't act like we had just slain the Giant.

It makes us look small.

It seems that in the last 2:12 when the Lakers were up 96 - 91, that if they hadn't gone completely cold then we sure as heck may not be celebrating right now.

Even though we made some big baskets towards the end, the Lakers missed a heck of a lot of very make-able shots. Basically, we dodged a bullet.

I watched the game with a lot of people from Texas who hate the Lakers -- but they pretty much thought that the Lakers didn't so much get beat -- as it looked more like they just lost it for themselves.

After the first quarter -- the Lakers really didn't have it, and fortunately missed a bunch of normally very make-able shots.

So, I guess it just all depends on the point of view that you see the game by.

Hopefully we can see how we match up when we get another shot at them. If we can beat 'em 3 out of 4 then we are really good.

they beat the lakers last year. one game means nothing.

I will defend Elson, he has improved his scoring a bit and has created problems for opponents on defense, and length is important. He does not foul like Fes that is the main issue

Seems like I was watching an entirely different game than some of you. First of all, Kobe made some pretty ridiculous shots to keep the Lakers in the game at the end & get up by 6 points with a couple minutes to go. If anything they just stopped getting the ball to Gasol & that may have greatly diminished their chances to win. Secondly, Fesenko did not outplay Elson--if he was playing that hard or had any reliable skills he'd be getting all the playing time right now. I think he does have a ton of upside, but that's the problem it's all up there somewhere out of his reach. Playing Elson & Fesenko together seems to be working though; a lot like Price & Watson in the game at the same time.

I love Fes but until he stops getting dumb fouls, it is hard. At least he is contributing more to the team, getting some chances. As much of a critic over the years of Sloan, he has to me coached and well and manuevered this roster better since the mid and late 90s.

Elson will never be a stat stuffer. By the way Jarrod Collins rarely plays for the Clippers, but he was a great guy and did what was asked and glad he is still employed in the league. He is helpful giving insights and mentoring the younger players...

and who all thinks fes is gonna be a stat stuffer. raise yo hands. exactly. he cant jump. He cant sit down and play defense. (therefore the fouls) He obviously cant score. He cant get up and down the floor. He cant dunk. so... that leaves . . . passing? oh no. he cant do that. hmm. oh yeah! he stuffs the middle. sorta. well at least he can do one thing. woooo. Memo, Big Al and even Elson. At least Elson can jump and shoot a jump shot.

At first didn't really like AJ and thought the only purpose he served was to distract people from Millsap but he's coming around now and looking good. even his defense was good in this game. Glad to have you here Big Al keep it up!

Excited about this win. You say one game doesn't mean anything, and in a way that's true; however, to beat them at this point in the season with all of the new players we have...it's very encouraging.

I'd love to see a win over the Lakers in L.A.

todd is right about Elson...he is contributing very nicely...but Fess has a place also...maybe in a more limited role some nights...but he is a VERY BIG MAN! That seems to plug things up and shut down the paint...in some games, two or three stops is all the difference needed.