Didn't I tell you that we DO NOT want to play the Jazz?

Seriously, I think our of the playoff teams, the Jazz is the most formidable matchup for us. I said that from the very beginning, even when most everyone here clamored for a rematch. Yes we were one of the 5 teams to beat them at home, but the playoffs is a different beast.
They are just way too deep, and although we've improved our depth, the majority of our bench consists of rookies, some old geezers (no offense, B-Jackson & Mutumbo), and finally, a worthless piece of crap in Head.
The fact that Tmac was able to average 27 points is a testament to his playoff performance year and year out. But the Jazz just had too many fresh bodies-Matt Harpring, Gayrilenko, Giricek , and now Brewer-coming one after another to defend Tmac. And even though Tmac could've done better in the first two games in the 4th quarter, I've realized now that it was easier said than done. The Jazz's help on Tmac (ie 2-3 defenders swarming him) was too much on him, and would've been for anyone else (Kobe stunk up there during the regular season too)

Second of all, I've always felt that Deron Williams was the hardest point guard to match up against for us, even more so than Chris Paul. First of all, he is just way too strong for any of our point guards.


Therefore, long story short, we had no shot against them from the very beginning, especially with Yao out. But the fact that we went this far, with pratically every game being so close down the stretch speaks to the heart of this team (yes including Tmac, when it came to elimination time). But alas, the gayness of Mehmet "I secretly carry man-bags around" Okur and Andrei "I like touching arms with men" Kirilenko overwhelmed us.....too bad, Rudy Gay could've helped us ....So I really don't feel that desperate, I feel like we are truly headed on the right path with our personnel...we just need to draft a Chase Budinger or Brandon Rush now.

Thanks for a memorable season Houston Rockets!

 

I agree I've always felt that way. Hell even when I'm watching them on TV I feel suffocated......no wonder they only had 5 losses during the regular season. The fact that we have two wins at their place is true testament to our grit.

 

Here are the regular season splits against the playoffs teams during the regular season:

Now this may not say much, but I believe that some teams are built for the playoffs and some for the regular season (ie Mavs and Nuggets). I think the best matchup(s) for us would've been Denver (obviously), Dallas, and maybe New Orleans.

 

Omg I forgot to mention perhaps the biggest reason Utah usually owns us-offensive rebounding. They even out-hustled our scrubs for rebounds.....although it usually entailed pushing/shoving/blatant elbows that the refs don't bother to call.

 

This is simply my opinion and what I've always felt ever since we lost to them WITH a HEALTHY Yao & Tmac. Now some of your guys/gals may think differently than I do of who is the better/worst matchup for us in the playoffs; but to say you WANT to play the Jazz is ridiculous, which was part of my point. I remember a couple of days before the playoffs started everyone wanted to play the Jazz, even with Yao out. Now, I knew that was easier said than done. Because without Yao, the Jazz were able to use their one of their strong points -which is their offensive rebounding-against us.

Ever since we lost to them last year and after seeing the Jazz advance all the way to the Conference Finals, putting up a good fight against the Spurs, I realized that even with Yao, we were no match for them. But that wasn't because we weren't good enough, it was because the Jazz were too good. Same story this year, except Yao was out.

I think we would've been better matched with the Lakers or Hornets. They aren't as tough or as physical as the Jazz and they don't have as much depth as the Jazz. All of this would've played in favor of Tmac, who obviously doesn't like to play against a lot of contact.

 

Are you being sarcastic?...