Kobe's back looked real bad. He looked like the TMac of early 06-07. No elevation on his shot. What I don't get is why they don't utilize Pau Gasol more when Kobe doesn't have it. He should be expected to carry the team during times like that. Do the coaching staff and Kobe not view him as capable? Maybe the problem is Pau is content in just being the second banana. I just don't get it. It should make Rocket fans more appreciative that we have two first options.
I just don't understand NBA officiating. Boozer is allowed to put his elbows out and then push with his hands after contact is made. I saw at least 8 possessions today when Boozer should have been whistled but we've got blind refs or refs who are paid off or both. If Yao did 1/10 as much as Boozer did on screens, he'd foul out before the second quarter.
it's just one game. hurt back or not, kobe's better dont try to argue. he didn't show it this game but he will in the rest of the series with a hurt back and a broken finger.
Glad someone else besides me has finally seen this on a regular basis. When I went back and slo-mo'd some of the Rockets-Jazz games it was amazing how much there is to see. You can even catch multiple Jazz fouling on the same play. Pushing, elbows in the back, grabbing arms, moving picks with elbows thrown. And it goes on every play! Every play!
Kobe's back must be hurt bad. He looked like Ryan Bowen out there. He had no life, he looked like he was 60 years old. Man he is a true warrior to even stay in the game. That is what an MVP does. Looked like a bad injury to me, hopefully he won't miss too many games.
I think you just answered your own question. The Jazz have a very simple strategy: 1) Foul on every possession(at both ends of the floor). 2) Have multiple guys commit fouls at the same time. Regarding #2, look at how 3 Jazz defenders routinely hammer whoever is driving to the hoop(T-Mac and Kobe in particular this postseason). The end result is the refs get tired of blowing the whistle and let them get away with it and/or they can't decide who to call the foul on(since all their players committed one) and let it go. That's why the Jazz suck so bad on the road and play so well at home. Their entire gameplan is based around playing the referrees. When the whistles start blowing, they start losing. And they have a hard time playing their style away from Salt Lake.
No kidding. I think this year's regular season and playoff games between the Rockets and the Jazz proved that we can beat them in any building IF we're at full strength(or at least not missing more than one key player).
pwnt! haha, sorry to call you out bro. i couldn't resist though. you weren't the only one however, so don't feel bad.
Nothing is easy in West. Utah Jazz is a good and though team. And they will try to reach West finals. But Lakers is favorite.
