Utah Jazz Playoff Preview
What a huge victory for the Utah Jazz last night as they defeated the Houston Rockets 86-83. If the game last night was a preview of what is to come for the Jazz in the first round of the NBA Playoffs, then I have some complaints. First of all is there any team out there who is as painful to watch as the Houston Rockets. I mean they make UCLA look like the Phoenix Suns. They provide a very difficult matchup for the Jazz and after watching the game last night here is what I suggest Jerry Sloan do to help win the series.
First attack Yao Ming early. At the begining of the game last night the Jazz looked afraid of the 7'6 Bruce Lee look-a-like. I mean he is huge, but you still need to attack the hoop. By the end of the game the Jazz finally realized that Yao does not have the lateral quickness needed to guard the pick and roll. If I was Jerry Sloan I would run the pick and roll against Yao all game long. If Yao is guarding Boozer, then run the mid pick and roll and try to get stuff going to the hoop. Just like they did on the Carlos Boozer dunk that changed the momentum of the game last night. If Yao is guarding Memo, which Van Gundy does not want, run a high pick and roll and get some long range jumpers.
Next on the defensive side of the ball, our bigs need to put their bodies on Ming at about the 3 point line. He does not have the stamina to handle they extra work this will cause him. To often last night, our bigs let him walk down to within six feet of the hoop. Start pushing on him early, he will get tired and frustrated. Also, do not ever double team off of Battier. He is the one guy the Jazz can not afford to have a big game.
At this point it is 99% probability that the Jazz will face Houston. If they can game plan around these two items, I think they have a great shot in winning this thing in 5 games. If not, the Jazz could be going home early.
First attack Yao Ming early. At the begining of the game last night the Jazz looked afraid of the 7'6 Bruce Lee look-a-like. I mean he is huge, but you still need to attack the hoop. By the end of the game the Jazz finally realized that Yao does not have the lateral quickness needed to guard the pick and roll. If I was Jerry Sloan I would run the pick and roll against Yao all game long. If Yao is guarding Boozer, then run the mid pick and roll and try to get stuff going to the hoop. Just like they did on the Carlos Boozer dunk that changed the momentum of the game last night. If Yao is guarding Memo, which Van Gundy does not want, run a high pick and roll and get some long range jumpers.
Next on the defensive side of the ball, our bigs need to put their bodies on Ming at about the 3 point line. He does not have the stamina to handle they extra work this will cause him. To often last night, our bigs let him walk down to within six feet of the hoop. Start pushing on him early, he will get tired and frustrated. Also, do not ever double team off of Battier. He is the one guy the Jazz can not afford to have a big game.
At this point it is 99% probability that the Jazz will face Houston. If they can game plan around these two items, I think they have a great shot in winning this thing in 5 games. If not, the Jazz could be going home early.
posted by Tim Ormond @ 9:49 AM
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