Are the new look Jazz mentally tough enough to buckle down and play so good defense? That is the golden question that we all at the cave are wondering. Sure I agree that we have had some stellar defense on the road and going 4-0 for the first time since the mid 1970’s in great news for any Jazz fan…but what happened on Monday night?
Before I get to ahead of myself let me set the stage. The Jazz were home for the first time in a week and considered the hottest team in the league. Our legs finally had time to rest and we were ready to defend the court at ESA.
The Thunder on the other hand had everything to prove. They were embarrassed by the Jazz on their home floor by 21 at the end of October, just came off a loss to the Spurs and needed a break through game.
At the beginning of the game Deron was leading the team with an electrifying 13 point first quarter, but then the look of the old Jazz defense began to start showing its ugly face. Now I understand that we didn’t have Bell, and started the rookie (Hayward) in his place but that is no excuse to let Ibaka go for 22 points. That was the game killer not to mention the Thunder shooting 97% from the stripe and 51% from the field.
Boys its time to get back to basics and get down in the defensive threat position. We have New Jersey, San Antonio, Portland, Sacramento and New Orleans to tune up and see if our offseason trades and improved players have what it takes to defend the house in another big game against L.A. on the 26th .
1 comment:
2 points:
1- That Thunder game was just about un-winnable. We shot over 50%, and they missed 0NE free-throw!
ONE!
We played just under what almost always be a win... It was not going to happen.
2- I think we can be tough enough. When you pull out as many come backs as we have, you develope that skill.
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