Also, this isn't a matter of underrating the Jazz... it's a matter of underrating the Rockets. Something that REALLY should not happen at a Rockets fan site... Say you're not biased or whatever, but NO Rockets fan should have this much trouble believing we have the advantage against that team.
Though Okur spreading the floor, Boozer's offensive rebounds and our inability to stop the penetration of Deron, I think we could take them pretty handidly. Simply put, our defense is much better than their offense. In a close game, they truly don't have a player that can create for himself which is what is needed to finish off playoff games. That and they have NO ANSWER for McGrady. Ray Allen tore them in half as did Arenas as they have no one that can defend these guys. McGrady will do what he wants when he wants to and they won't even be about to double as first of all Sloan never does and second of all we'll have Yao. Yao will dominate anyone they put on him including Okur, Boozer or Collins (if he's still around). I think its up to everyone else to be reasonable. I also think a guy like Bonzi will give them problems as they don't have the ability to guard multiple swingmen. As long as Head and Battier can hit a reasonable amount of 3's, they can't sag too much off these guys and that will give Yao/Tmac space to dominate. I would LOVE to play Utah and smash their dreams as we used to in the early 90's!!
If Derron Williams misses 9 games (missed 2) this season due to injury so far this year, and Boozer misses 22 games (missed 8 this season) due to injury so far this year, a la McGrady and Yao, the Jazz are barely afloat in the playoff race.
The Jazz have an offense that is extremely effective in the regular season because teams are not going to take the time to put in alot of stuff to defend it for one game, but in a series teams will break down alot of tape to minimize their success. The Jazz have no one who can slow Yao or T-Mac and really can't afford the foul trouble those two are bound to get them in.
playing against Jaxx, I am a bit worry about our interior defense against boozer and okur. If we put Yao on Okur, he will pull Yao back for 3s which Yao will lose out his position inside and out of place for rebounds. If Yao staying inside regardless of okur camping at the 3, then Yao will open up lanes for boozer. boozer is faster than Yao and that can cause Yao some trouble. Who will guard AK? he is tall tmac or shane will be guarding him. Now who will be guarding Deron? alston can't. switchup tmac to him? -------------------------------------------------------------------------- on Offense: Alston bring down the ball and Tmac will do the play making. Will alston be use as the person bringing down the ball only? he can't shoot, wouldn't it be better to have Head as out PG? But, then head will have trouble guarding their 2.
i don't understand why yall think we are leaps and bounds above utah because we're not. i think the rockets, jazz, and lakers are in the second tier and the mavs, suns, and spurs in the top tier. if we played the jazz it'll be tough especially if they have home court which i think they will. utah is a damn good team you are all underestimating them because they have no "superstars".
^ we're 2nd tier b/c our 2 stars are NEVER healthy and NEVER play their best ball TOGETHER. if they are, we're easily first tier. again, i have NEVER seen these 2 click together for long stretches yet. i've seen tmac play on another level v. dallas 2 yrs ago but tmac always takes it up a notch in the playoffs. we have yet to see yao do that. when they do, i don't fear anybody.
AK-47 has not been that good defensively this year. He's been lit-up numerous times this season including a couple of 50pt games from Redd and Kobe. We can take this team. We'll have the 2 best players on the court. We also have the better defense. We'll have to keep guys like Boozer off the boards and we can switch on defense during pick and rolls with them since Okur is more perimeter oriented.
because they are the Jazz this is the BEST they can possibly play in the playoffs. . u need a 5th gear they don't have one. . the rockets do Rocket River
This year the Jazz have routinely gotten blasted by teams with a good 2.... T-Mac anyone??? AK has defense but blows at offense, in case you weren't aware the owner was threatening to cut him if he didn't step it up earlier in the season. The Jazz are going to get schooled by WHOEVER they play in the playoffs this year, especially if its the Rox. Rox would win in 5 at worst..
I agree with you. We have to be at full strength to beat them and even then it will be a hard job but it's possible to do it.
Yes, we really can beat Utah. At full strength no team in the league can stop us. Utah's good but were better.
utah may look unbeatable, but i noticed a lot of weaknesses of theirs. Most of their points are from interior passing, we have to really deny them from doing that. we can let them shooting jumpers. Don't forget we have yao inside, he should block a lot of shots. Utah also make a lot of mistakes on defence, a lot of fouls. Tmac should go to the line like 15 times.
if tmac shoots like he did for the majority of the 4th quarter then we're good. counting on theres no lebron james little gay boy holding his shooting hand during the jumpshot
