Tracy McGrady: So emo.

I can’t believe the Jazz pulled it off. Two wins in a very hostile environment to open the series (and basically close it, since we’re headed back to Salt Lake City for Games 3 and 4). I was so worried coming into the series that the Jazz would choke, that the Rockets would be so fired up in search of revenge that we would get blown out on the road, that McGrady would finally throw off the doubters and win through. None of these things have happened, or are going to happen. The Jazz will win this series. It’s done.

And it’s on the broad shoulders (and bruised body) of Deron Williams that it is done. At first glance, his numbers don’t overwhelm — 22 points, five assists, two blocks, one rebound, three turnovers — but when you consider the injuries he’s been fighting, the swarming Rockets defense (which has been much better than advertised, and it was advertised as pretty damn good), AND the cheap shot moving screen/shoulder from Aaron Brooks that sent D-Will to the locker room… well, his performance has been nothing short of impressive. I love the way he plays the game of basketball. There’s no other way to put it.

I’ve been impressed with the whole Utah team, mostly because they’re playing AS A TEAM. Boozer hasn’t been on his A-game, but has still found ways to make a difference. Memo was a monster tonight (16 and 16), including a pretty monstrous foul on a driving Luis Scola (surely nothing worse than Scola had been doing all game, but I still don’t like to see it.) Ronnie Brewer bounced back with a nice outing. Kirilenko’s point production went way down, but he made up for it with eight boards, four assists, and one heck of an acting job on the key play of the game, negating Bobby Jackson’s tying 3-pointer.

(Yes, I admit — AK flopped. He flopped big time. But I don’t feel bad. Because flopping was the only way to get the attention of this officiating crew, who was letting murder go on both ends. Terrible job all around, boys. Hope you enjoy the game tape.)

And I think this cements, for good and all, the fact that Tracy McGrady, for all his amazing gifts, lacks that killer SOMETHING that all truly great players have, that takes them to another level when they really need to. Kobe has it. LeBron has it. Sheed has it when he feels like it. Dirk may or may not have it — the jury’s still out. T-Mac? Not so much. And that really is sad, because I have nothing against him as a player — his game is beautiful, he tries to get his teammates involved, he’s not a chest-thumping idiot. I’d like to see him get further into the playoffs. Maybe he’s just been unlucky. Maybe in later rounds of the playoffs, he would dig deep and find that SOMETHING (I don’t know what else to call it) and put all doubts to rest. But I just don’t think he has that. Not any more.

Ah well. Game 3 in SLC on Thursday. Bring the noise.

Recaps:
Deseret Morning News
Salt Lake Tribune
ESPN/Associated Press (with video highlights)
Houston Chronicle

Blogness:
My Utah Jazz
Basketball John
Biased Fan
Ross Siler/SL Trib
The Dream Shake

Welcome back, Andrei. We’ve missed you.

And so, UtahJazzBlog emerges from its exams-induced hibernation, just in time for the playoffs. And what a glorious start it was. The Jazz played great team basketball. There were issues, yes — too many turnovers in the first half, too many free throws given up, too many ill-advised shots — but overall, there’s not a whole lot to complain about for the Jazz. Deron controlled the tempo and showed no signs of injury (in fact, his somewhat reckless drives made me a little relieved, since he obviously feels good enough to take those cheap shots from Houston). Booz was his usual beastly self. Korver had an up-and-down game, but hit several key shots. Overall, the bench was really great. And the real kicker is the Jazz took a vital Game 1 on the road, after all the doubters kept saying we couldn’t. I don’t think I can understate the importance of that one.

But the number one thing to take from this game is the amazing play of Andrei Kirilenko. After the horror of last year’s roller-coaster Houston series, I have to admit I was nervous about how he would play in the Toyota Center. I needn’t have worried. Andrei impressed me in so many ways. He played great face-up defense, especially on McGrady (who again proved his un-clutch-ness). He sniped from the weak side for blocks. And he seemed to make everything, inside and out (with the exception of one or two ridiculous attempts — he’s still Andrei, after all.) If he can play this way through the whole playoffs, I don’t see anyone stopping this team.

Anyway, had to post my first thoughts after tonight’s huge win. Much more to come during the playoffs, including discussions with other blogs and major linkage. It begins.