All-Star Break Blues

Since the All-Star Break, the Jazz have played four games. Even though they have won two of those, their level of play has been pretty poor. Both losses came on the road, but against sub-500 teams. Last night they lost to Minnesota – the worst team in the West. They just aren’t playing with the intensity that they were before the break.

With the West as tight as it is this season, the Jazz really can’t afford to lose these games. They are only two and a half games ahead of Denver in the Northwest Division. With two tough games coming up this week – Detroit tonight and New Orleans on Friday – I am hoping the Jazz can find the spark they need.

The Jazz beat the Pistons in November, and that was on the Road. Tonight’s game is here at the ESA where they hold the NBA’s best home record (24-3). I just hope our boys don’t fall into the same slump they were in throughout December. They are a much better team than this.

D-Will's Got SKILLS!

Deron Williams set a new record in the Playstation Skills Challenge, completing the course in 25.5 seconds. What made it even sweeter? In the final round of the competition, it came down to Deron and rival Chris Paul. No matter how much they are compared to each other, Deron is consistently a MUCH better player when the two are competing head-to-head. Take a look at Deron's record-breaking run through the obstacle course :

10 Game Streak!

The Jazz have won ten games in a row for the first time since 1999, and they are showing no signs of slowing down. Let's look at a few factors that have contributed to the Jazz's recent success...

1. The Kyle Korver trade. In my opinion, this was one of the best moves the Jazz have ever made. It has been compared to the trade that brought Jeff Hornacek to the Jazz in February of 1994 (coincidentally, he also came from the 76ers). Kyle is a pure shooter, and he is really starting to find his rythmn with the Jazz. In the last three games, he has scored an average of 20.3 points, including 27 in last night's overtime victory over the Denver Nuggets. He has become one of Utah's top scorers, and he has provided a solution to the difficulties the Jazz were having against the zone defense. Nice work, Kevin O’Connor!
   
2. Deron Williams' improved game. Deron has always been one of the best point guards in the league, but recently he has stepped up his game another level. Over the 10 game win-streak, he has averaged 18.4 points and 11.6 assists per game. He had back to back 29 point, 11 assist games agains New Orleans and Denver. And not only is he consistently putting up big numbers, but he is coming through when it is crucial. His 3-pointer at the end of the 4th quarter sent the game into overtime. Without that shot, the Jazz would have lost to the Nuggets and slipped from the top spot in the Northwest conference. I don't care what anyone says -- he IS an All-Star.
   
3. A balanced effort. The Jazz are playing more as a team. They are consistently getting high production from their bench, and usually have at least 8 players in double figures. Before, the Jazz were seen as a two man show: Williams and Boozer. So the way teams handled us was by packing the defense into the middle to shut down Boozer and force us to take outside shots. But now, with Korver, Okur, and Kirilenko shooting the jump shot so well, our opponents are no longer able to do that. Even when Boozer is having an off night -- which all players do, no matter how good they are -- the Jazz are able to compensate. Boozer has been held under 10 points twice during the win streak, but the Jazz have managed wins regardless.

Those are just a few of many reasons why the Jazz are the hottest team in the NBA right now. I hope all of those fair-weather Jazz fans who jumped off the band-wagon in December are feeling lame now. It will be fun to see how long they can keep this streak going!

Jazz vs Spurs

Well sorry it took so long to post my recap. It was a great game! The jazz won it 97-91. The Jazz are currently on an 8 game win streak, and they will look to make it 9 tonight agains the New Orleans Hornets. Enjoy the highlights!