Three ideas on the Utah Jazz’s 97-92 loss to the Miami Warmth from the Salt Lake Tribune.
1. Are these good losses?
It is turn out to be a theme just lately: the Jazz are preventing their means into video games…solely to lose them late.
It was the fourth time since Christmas that the Jazz misplaced by 5 factors or much less. That is additionally the second time in as many nights (lose to Atlanta 124-121 on Tuesday).
For a younger workforce, such defeats will not be a nasty factor. Simply ask Will Hardy.
“It continues to underline the sensation that we attempt to have every single day, which is that you simply recognize each minute that you simply’re on the courtroom and you’ll’t take it without any consideration,” the Jazz coach mentioned. “It comes from a private degree, but additionally your duty to the workforce. The margins are skinny.
It is also an indication that the Jazz are enjoying higher after a dismal begin. Since Dec. 26 — when Utah misplaced to Portland by two — they’re 14th in offensive score and sixteenth in defensive score. That places them in keeping with groups like Memphis and Minnesota – not nice enterprise.
Additionally it is significantly better than their season common, the place the Jazz are final in protection and barely higher in assault (twentieth).
Utah’s defensive effort was significantly better towards Miami. The Warmth shot 28% from three and fewer than 40% from two. Miami was beneath 100 factors for less than the second time since November 27.
“I feel we’re simply at some extent within the season the place we’re beginning to really feel some group cohesion,” Hardy mentioned. “Typically you play groups which were collectively, whose core has been collectively, for a very long time. And it looks like on the finish, “Man, they’re actually, actually in sync.” They’ve already completed this. »
But throughout this stretch, the Jazz are 2-6. So that is progress with out hurting draft place.
2. A Warmth plan
With the Warmth coming to city, it may be a great time to assessment the event of Johnny Juzang.
In some methods, Warmth ahead Duncan Robinson is a mannequin of what the Jazz need Juzang to turn out to be: a dependable three-point shooter with size on protection.
“Robinson has type of been the poster youngster for that sort of run within the NBA,” Hardy mentioned.
Juzang arrived in Utah and not using a actual offensive id. At UCLA, he was requested to be somewhat little bit of all the things: mid-range man, dribble creator, iso participant. It labored for Mick Cronin, as Juzang took the Bruins to the Remaining 4 and averaged 16 factors per recreation.
However he was taking pictures greater than 9 two-point makes an attempt an evening and fewer than two threes. This wasn’t going to work within the NBA. No less than not for a participant like Juzang.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Johnny Juzang (33) because the Utah Jazz host the Atlanta Hawks, NBA basketball in Salt Lake Metropolis on Tuesday, January 7, 2025.
“We had a fairly trustworthy dialog about what I assumed he wanted to do to get there,” Hardy mentioned. “He was type of an all-around scorer in school, he had the ball so much. Johnny has two very good presents. He actually is aware of the right way to shoot and he is in actually fine condition. We felt like he was turning into an actual risk from the three-point line, and making him the centerpiece would permit him to remain.
It has been two years, however it’s beginning to work. Juzang is taking pictures 40% from three this 12 months and takes nearly 4 instances as many threes as twos.
If Juzang needs to carve out a job within the league sooner or later, that is seemingly what it is going to appear to be.
3. Rookie minutes
Early within the first half, Isaiah Collier discovered Lauri Markkanen excessive for a dunk. Markkanen was coming off a display screen, and it appeared like a comparatively straightforward bucket.
However for Hardy, it had extra that means.
It was a play Hardy put in in coaching camp, however Collier is simply getting used to it. This speaks to the educational curve of this rookie class, which is beginning to get extra alternatives.
“It typically takes some time to see that really come to fruition in video games,” Hardy mentioned.
The rookies loved an prolonged run this week – and sure will over the following two weeks.
Collier performed 33 minutes and completed the sport. Cody Williams performed 23 minutes and completed the sport Tuesday. Kyle Filipowski performed 23 minutes and had essential minutes all through the streak.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Isaiah Collier (13) because the Utah Jazz host the Miami Warmth, NBA basketball in Salt Lake Metropolis on Thursday, January 9, 2025.
All three have had their ups and downs within the G League this 12 months. However with Jordan Clarkson, John Collins and Keyonte George presently out, that they had their probability.
Whereas with the primary workforce, the Jazz work on particular factors. Collier’s decision-making was hammered. He had 9 assists for the second straight recreation.
“I feel Isaiah understands his teammates higher. I talked to Isaiah so much in regards to the duty that comes with being a senior guard, a choice maker,” Hardy mentioned. “And I feel he does a very good job of recognizing one of the simplest ways to get his teammates concerned.”
Collier mentioned he seemed on the stats on which corners guys shot properly from and watched movie on the place guys favored to catch it.
“You see the performs the place, ‘I’ve to offer the ball to Collin on this scenario as a result of he has the sport,’” Hardy mentioned.
For Williams, it was about growing his physicality on protection and main guys on screens. Plus, he needed to get extra comfy with the ball in his palms – which he did on Tuesday.
“Everybody talks in regards to the pick-and-roll, however for me it was like, ‘OK, what do I learn? I used to be simply enjoying on my instincts and my response. So actually getting these reps and breaking them down,” he mentioned.
Word to readers • This story is offered solely to Salt Lake Tribune subscribers. Thanks for supporting native journalism.
