Front Page

The Jazz RMR team played the Hawks again Thursday night, but even though with many of the same players, it was a much different team that took the court. Confident, sure of their roles, the Jazz ran their offense with much aplomb and plenty panache. I think that means something good, sort of like peanuts, or pistachios.

The Jazz started a different five Thursday night, once again giving the opponents a new look. It must get boring for Ty and Scott as well, I’d like to hear one of those hurried meetings.

Scott: “Who we gonna start tonight? Fess and Koof again? You gotta be kidding me.”

Ty: “Oh sure, you want to look good for Coach? Make me start with Fuller and Paulding? Sit one of the big guys down? Are you nuts?”

Scott: “I know about things like this. Personnel decisions are my bag.”

Ty: “Ok, but if it doesn’t work, I’m replacing you with Zeke.”

Scott: “You saw how that worked. Trust me.”

You know something? Scott was right. It worked. Ty Corbin said after the game that the Jazz were thinking that Koof and Fess were getting in each other’s road, and Koof was trying too hard to pick up a new position to feel comfortable. He was right. Fess started, and looked more comfortable and quicker with the added spacing. Fuller supplied the beef, well done, and Paulding gave some added quickness and athleticism at the shooting guard position. Mo was Mo, looking for his shot, driving at the first minute opening, and living at the foul line. Earl Calloway is closing the gap on being an NBA player, and one of these days will play for an NBA team. He’s lightning fast, handles the ball very well, runs the offense to a “T”, and the shot is coming around. It’s about all that’s keeping him from making a living in the NBA.

The added day of rest must have helped Fess, as he looked much quicker and stronger from the get go. I think the Jazz were quite pleased with what they saw, and let him rest for much of the game. It certainly wasn’t because he was playing badly, and they needed to replace him. Even with limited minutes, he still blocked three shots and generally made a pest of himself on the defensive end, counting coups on several occasions and dominating the paint on both ends. Good grief, he’s huge. Looking at Koof and Fess, Koof is a legit inch over seven feet, but Fess is another inch taller, and an easy 40 pounds heavier. He must be close to three hundred big ones, and very little of it fat. He looks to be in great shape, or getting there fast. It’s very easy to see increased tone in his muscles, but he still has a way to go.

The Jazz led from the start of the game, only giving up the lead for a very short time, and then regaining it and guarding it jealously. When Koof came into the game for Fess late in the first quarter, it was immediately obvious how much more comfortable he was on both ends of the court. I do think Koof will eventually be able to play PF, and play it well, but he looked terrific at the center spot, guarding the paint, running the court like very, very few seven footers are ever able to, and rebounding far better than the first four games. I was frankly thrilled with what I saw, even though I’ve been touting this kid from draft day on. He’s a keeper.

I’ve been hearing about Mo Almond as the black hole, a ball hog, and other not-so-nice appellations directed at him, but I honestly think Mo is working very hard to prove to the Jazz that he’s athletic enough, and scorer enough, to win a spot on the regular roster. I think he’s done it.

Does he need to work on some facets of his game? Surely. He has yet to record an assist, as has been pointed out by some very knowledgeable Jazz fans, but a large part of that stat is because his teammates have bungled some very nice passes, and some not-so-nice passes as well. He’s learning. My reporter partner in crime Pat, who knows whereof she speaks, pointed out that he plays much the same as Corey Maggette right now, in finding a way to get to the line. What’s more, Mo is a much better outside shooter, and the rest of the teams in the RMR are watching him more closely than guards watching politicians touring Fort Knox. In truth, he’s getting hammered every time he touches the ball. So far, it’s not working, as he scored a very efficient 29 points, and could easily been close to 40 if the Jazz were really trying to win the game.

One player for the Jazz that I’ve been very interested in is the Russian Kid Korolev, who’s showed some nice minutes in previous games. Not so this game. He looked horrible, missing two very easy layups, fumbling passes, and generally looking like he was hungry for a good cabbage dinner in Moscow. Beats the heck out of me what’s up with the kid, as he came out before the game, and swished three after three after three like I make layups. During the real game, he was nowhere to be found. I think he just played himself out of any further consideration with the Jazz. It’s a shame, because there is a player there, I’m just not sure where it’s hiding.

The Jazz led for much of the game, and rode Mo for basket after basket, until the Hawks finally fell out of the air. Fairly easy win, for a team that I thought might lose every game by a large margin. Shows what I know.

Kevin Lyde, Brian Jackson, Hirum Fuller, Earl Galloway, Ricky Paulding and Brian Greene all had some nice moments.

All of those kids should be able to play somewhere, but not in the NBA right now. Earl Galloway has the talent, but right now needs to work on a few skills, beginning with his jump shot.

Good game for the Jazz, and I fully expect them to win tomorrow night. We’ll see how my crystal ball is doing.

A Few Notes From the RMR:

Watched the Nets play the Mavs before the Jazz game. Jaycee continues to impress, even on an off shooting night, with a very nice all around game. He might be one of the best rebounding combo guards in the summer leagues, and certainly one of the best shooters. He can play in the NBA, and if he doesn’t, he will make a very nice living overseas. I really like the kid, like his game, his athleticism and his moxy. He’s a tough kid. There were two occasions in the second half where Jaycee played absolutely great defense on Gerald Green, who's six inches taller, and has a reported 48 inch vertical. Green scored on one of those possessions, but it took a circus shot to accomplish the fact.

Sean Williams looked much better tonight, scoring on some really nice turnaround jumpers and had about as spectacular a block as I’ve seen in years, coming from backcourt on the break and swatting a dunk attempt away that should have been down, down, down. I still have the same questions about his game, as he doesn’t look to be as tall as listed, and he’s just not big enough to play center, not even close.

Brook Lopez is a terrific shooter for a seven footer, showing a gorgeous turnaround jumper from fifteen and then twenty feet out in the same half. He has wonderful form on his jumper, but once again I question his foot speed and athleticism. He looks slow, Fess is much quicker and stronger. He did look a lot improved, perhaps he’s suffering from some kind of injury, and getting better. I hope so, or the word bust will be used quite a bit in NJ.

CDR can play. He’s very unconventional, but the kid is just a basketball player, and finds ways to score. He’s also very, very quick and a good defensive player, quick enough to guard PGs, and strong enough to guard SFs. I like the kid, a lot. Nice pick for the Nets.

Gerald Green is looking a little less selfish and is playing more in the offense, and made some really nice plays for the Mavs, who stomped the Nets in the second game of the night.

A fun night in the RMR, and a very good win for the Jazz.