Sometimes, it is just nice not to have the option to watch the game. Such was the case tonight when Comcast couldn’t get its act together and I, along with several tens of thousands of Jazz fans, were not able to watch the game.
Unfortunately for the Jazz, Comcast was not the only crew having technical difficulties. Without having watched the game, I get the impression that this was the worst game of the season for the Jazz.
After sticking with the Spurs for the first 15 minutes of the game, the Jazz just fell apart. It was tied 35-35 before they were outscored 71-48 the rest of the way. That is just bad. Then you look at the box score, and that is where it gets really ugly. The Jazz were out-rebounded, 47-39. No stat has been more telling of when the Jazz play well. But that is just where the ugliness starts.
The leading scorer for the Jazz was Deron Williams with 11 points. Boozer led the team with 7 rebounds. Worst of all, Jarron Collins was tied for the team lead in assists with four. That is not a misprint, Jarron Collins, Jarron Collins?! and Dee Brown led the team in assists with four a piece. WHAT? Doesn’t this team have Deron Williams AND Derrick Fisher?
Ultimately, I am not surprised. The Jazz have played very mediocre basketball since their hot start, they are much worse on the road than at home, and they were playing at San Antonio, a place they have not won since 1999. On top of that, the Jazz already beat the Spurs at the ESA, wanted payback and had something to prove after losing their last two home games. In this light, the Jazz had no chance.
If anything, the Jazz were lucky to keep it close for as long as they did.
December 29th, 2006 at 5:03 pm
I don’t know how much attention your blog receives but speaking of technical difficulties,last night because I wasn’t able to see most of the Jazz I spent most of my time watching TNT. On Inside the NBA they mentioned that Boozer right now is only 9th place in the All Star balloting for Western Conference forwards. That is absolutely ludicrous. I encourage you guys to post a column encouraging Jazz fans to get online and vote for Booz. I think we should definitely support all of our Jazz players but it is shameful that Carlos is that far down the list right now.
GO VOTE!!!
December 29th, 2006 at 5:40 pm
I probably should have gone easier on the guy at Wingers for them not having the game on. I caught the second half, having DirecTV.
It was sickening at how easy Tony Parker ran through the Jazz defense. One particular play in which SA rebounded a Derek Fisher miss, outletted to Parker, who then turned a 3-on-3 into an easy lay-up was particularly annoying.
The final stats were skewed the Jazz’ way because of extended garbage time. The Jazz were worse than the box score implies.