Archives For Pacific Division

SCH Division Preview Hub

Jefferson —  October 26, 2010 — 1 Comment

New Season - New Logo

The Salt City Hoops staff has been hard at work previewing each of the contenders in the NBA.  Sure the season starts today, but come playoff time, only 16 teams will get to play in the second season – and have a shot at the Larry O’Brien trophy and a place in the hall of NBA champions.  Add the Utah Jazz to this list, and there are 19 teams fighting for 16 spots.  Who will be left on the outside looking in?

We’ve evaluated the key matchups, sounded the high notes and the low notes, revisited (sometimes painfully) the history between the franchises, scrutinized the players and coaches, and given you an outlook for the coming season.  Here, then, to kick of the 2009-2010 NBA season are links to each of those previews:

Atlantic Division: Boston Celtics |  NY Knicks

Central Division: Chicago Bulls |  Milwaukee Bucks |  Indiana Pacers

Southeast Division: Atlanta Hawks |  Charlotte Bobcats |  Miami Heat | Orlando Magic

Northwest Division: OKC Thunder |  Denver Nuggets |  Portland Trailblazers

Pacific Division: LA Lakers |  LA Clippers |  Phoenix Suns

Southwest Division: Houston Rockets |  San Antonio Spurs |  Dallas Mavericks

Be sure to check back during the season to see how we did in our prognosticating!

In Divisional Previews, Utah Jazz , , , , , , ,
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Division Previews: Phoenix Suns, Pacific Division – Western Conference

Jefferson —  October 26, 2010 — Leave a comment

In the final days leading up to regular season action, SCH will be posting divisional previews of the top teams in all six NBA divisions. Come back early and often for updates.

The Once and Future PG Kings

Key Matchups

Steve Nash v. D-Will

This matchup showcases two of the very best point guards that play the game.  Steve Nash is a senior citizen by NBA standards – he’s 36 years old and his résumé includes a 14 year tenure in the league.  If you watch the guy napping on the sidelines while he rests, you’d think he was preparing for the stretcher to come haul him away. Despite his aching back and limited minutes, Steve Nash continues to impress.  Last season, he averaged 16.5 points and 11 assists.  Sure, running mate Amar’e Staudemire bolted for the Big Apple and a huge payday, but in the uptempo Suns’ offense, Nash will literally run circles around opponents and put up huge numbers for such a little guy.  Though Deron Williams and the Utah Jazz run a much more structured offense, D-Will in the open court looks an awful lot like a young Steve Nash: great decision making, court vision, a deadly pull-up J, and the ability to make his teammates better.  Despite the age difference, Grandpa Nash vs. D-Will is always fun to watch.

Robin Lopez v. Big Al

With the departure of Amar’e, Lopez will be forced to play more minutes than last year (he only logged 24 mins/game last year).  This just may be the season that Robin Lopez emerges as one of the better big-men in the West.  In his limited court time last year, Lopez put up more than 11 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 block.  Lopez might be an inch or two taller than Jefferson, but Big Al is much stronger.  Al Jefferson ought to have his way with Lopez in the paint – and should be able to score and rebound at will.  Where Utah wins this matchup, though, is with its bench.  Currently, the depth chart for the Suns at center is anemic – actually, it’s just Lopez (although 6’11″ power forward Channing Frye can play some minutes at center).  Utah’s bigs ought to overwhelm the Phoenix front line, especially once Okur returns from his injury.

High Notes | Low Notes

Although Phoenix watched its team dwindle in free agency, it received some pretty nice pieces to fill out its roster.  Setting Suns include the aforementioned Amar’e, Brazilian speedster Leandro Barbosa, and Louis Amundson.  In return, Phoenix acquired Hedo Turkoglu, Hakim Warrick, and Josh Childress.  While the additions appear to offset the key off-season losses, Phoenix is an injury or two from missing the playoffs.

History

Phoenix leads the all-time series 81-71, including a victory over the Jazz in the season finale last year (heartbreaking for Jazz fans).  Recall that the winner of the final game of the regular season would clinch home court advantage and the third seed in the Western Conference.  The loser would be relegated to fifth, opening the playoffs on the road.  In that ever-so-important game, Utah’s leading scorer and rebounder, Carlos Boozer, watched from the sidelines with a strained oblique – the same injury that you get after too many Halloween sweets.  You know the rest.  Paul Millsap and Mehmet Okur got into foul trouble, and the Jazz struggled to find their rhythm.  Phoenix went on to win the game, clinch the third playoff seed (and home court advantage) – and fight their way into the Western Conference Finals (only to be ousted by the juggernaut Lakers).  Anyone else wish Al Jefferson was playing in that game instead of Boozer?

Player/Coach Notes

Phoenix’s roster includes four players drafted in the top ten:

  • Jason Richardson – 5th overall by Golden State in 2001.
  • Grant Hill – 3rd overall by Detroit in 1994.
  • Channing Frye – 8th overall by the New York Knicks in 2005.
  • Josh Childress – 6th overall by Atlanta in 2004.

Steve Nash has missed just 10 games in the past 3 years.

Of active NBA players, only Kurt Thomas and Shaquille O’Neal are older than 38 year old Grant Hill.

Outlook

The Jazz will get an early look at the Suns for the Utah home-opener on October 28th.  Unfortunately, this comes on the second night of a back-to-back (the Achilles Heel for past Utah teams).  That first home game has the potential to set the Jazz on course for another solid season at ESA, and start off the back-to-back record on the right foot.  Utah gets its second and third (and final) looks at Los Suns just before the All-Star break with a home and home set.  Phoenix is a bit of an enigma to me.  If they stay healthy and cohesive, they can run with anyone in the league – thought to be outside the playoff race last year, the Suns made a unlikely run to the Western Conference Finals.  One injury to a key player, though, and Phoenix will have to re-tool to compete in a pretty tough Western Conference.

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Contact Jefferson W. Boswell at jeffersonboz [AT] gmail [DOT] com

In Al Jefferson, Deron Williams, Divisional Previews, NBA, Utah Jazz , , , ,
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Division Previews: Los Angeles Clippers, Pacific Division – Western Conference

Mychal —  October 22, 2010 — 4 Comments

In the final days leading up to regular season action, SCH will be posting divisional previews of the top teams in all six NBA divisions. Come back early and often for updates.

You think this is a comic? This was just the Clipper's Media Day. (Credit: Gabriele Dell'Otto/Marvel Comics)

Key Matchups

Gordon Hayward v Eric Gordon

Will this matchup determine the outcome of the game? No. Yet this is an important matchup to watch. Eric Gordon is the kind of player that the Jazz want Gordon Hayward to emulate. Though many people like to say Hayward is a poor man’s Korver, he might just be Korver 3.0 (you see what I did there? I skipped a generation and went straight to the 3.0). Eric Gordon is a great 3 point shooter and gets to the charity stripe often. Korver is a spot-up shooter who doesn’t draw a lot of fouls. What use is a great free throw shooter if he never gets to the line? We saw glimpses of Hayward’s ability to get to the line in the Jazz’s first preseason game against L.A. Even though Gordon was a revelation during the FIBA championships this summer, Hayward’s size and exception ball handling skills for his position mean his upside is, well, ridiculous. Hayward is big for the SG position at 6’9″. Eric Gordon is undersized for a SG at 6’3″. So watch Eric Gordon during this game and you’ll get a glimpse of what Gordon Hayward can be.

Advantage: Eric Gordon

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Paul Millsap v Blake Griffin

Blake Griffin is what you get if you were to pour super soldier serum into Paul Millsap’s blood stream. He does everything Paul Millsap does but a little better. You know that part at the end of The Incredible Hulk (The good one) where Abomination, an even stronger incarnation of The Hulk, and the Hulk fight? It’s an epic battle of extreme proportions. That will be the Millsap vs. Blake Griffin matchup. Griffin is everything Paul is – just better and beast-ier. (If you enjoyed my hyperbole, you’ll love the fantastic work by JE Skeets: “Makes omelets like a young Jacques Pépin, only fluffier.”

Millsap has never been one to back down so look forward to these two battling it out for rebounds and fighting for position on the low block.

Advantage: Who cares?! This is going to be awesome!

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History

Utah leads the series 94-59; 3-1 last season.

The Jazz may have beaten the Clippers 3 out of 4 times last year but this paragraph from a recap of their loss the Clippers late in the season that encapsulates the Jazz’s entire season:

The Jazz (38-22) have lost seven games this season by margins of four points or less. Had they won those games, they would be only one game behind the Lakers for the Western Conference lead — and just 2½ behind Cleveland for the NBA’s best record. Instead, they find themselves trying to hang onto fourth place and secure home-court advantage for the first round of the playoffs.

The Jazz average 104.7 points a game against the Clippers. 4th most out of any team the Jazz play against.

Player/Coach Notes

Vinny Del Negro steps in as the Clippers’ 14th coach since Jerry Sloan began his tenure with the Utah Jazz.

Outlook

This kid is going to be good.

If this were any other team not named the Clippers I’d be predicting them to be a 50 win team. Look at their starting five: Baron Davis, Eric Gordon, Ryan Gomes, Blake Griffin, and Chris Kaman. It’s a solid starting five! In fact, it’s a really good starting five. With shaky seasons possible from Phoenix and Denver, it’s not unreasonable to imagine the Clippers playing in the postseason again. But this is the Clippers. If they can forget about the name that is stitched on the front of their jerseys for 82 games, get man-child play from Griffin, and if Baron Davis can play with just a hair bigger heart than the Grinch then this is a playoff contender and a team that will be a tough matchup in the playoffs.

Follow Mychal on Twitter!

In Divisional Previews, Gordon Hayward, NBA, Paul Millsap, Utah Jazz , , , ,
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Division Previews: Los Angeles Lakers, Pacific Division – Western Conference

Jefferson —  October 22, 2010 — 3 Comments

In the final days leading up to regular season action, SCH will be posting divisional previews of the top teams in all six NBA divisions. Come back early and often for updates.

Back for his second stint in Utah, Raja Bell has the unenviable task of guarding Kobe. (Jae C. Hong, AP)

Key Matchups

Laker Bigs vs. Utah Bigs

As was all too evident in last season’s playoffs, the Lakers are a nightmare to defend down low.  With Spaniard Pau Gasol, Andrew “Injury” Bynum, and Lamar Kardashian-Odom, the Laker-length has proved to be too much for anyone in the league to handle over the last two seasons.  Without sounding insensitive, though, Bynum hasn’t played a full season since 2006-2007 – so chances are he’ll miss some action this year for the defending champs.

The addition of Big Al Jefferson provides Utah some much needed size in the post.  Okur can stretch a defense, but Al isn’t afraid to rumble in the paint.  In order to truly compete with LA, Utah will need big games from Al, Andrei and Paul, with quality minutes from Fesenko, Elson, and Okur (when healthy).  If the preseason means anything (it doesn’t), Utah looked pretty impressive against LA in two road victories.  Utah’s big men held their own in the post – and Big Al seemed to overwhelm the much skinnier Gasol.

Kobe Bryant vs. Anyone and Everyone

Kobe is one of the best players in the league right now. Any discussion centering on Utah and Kobe will undoubtedly begin with Raja Bell.  While Raja is the designated defensive stopper, his attitude will be contagious with his younger teammates.  CJ and AK will take turns trying to stop the guy.  Deron Williams will have a go against him.  Coach Sloan might even throw a rookie or two on him.  Am I the only one that thinks Jerry Sloan would like a crack at him, too?  Limiting Kobe will be a team effort.  In 4 regular season games against the Jazz last season, Black Mamba averaged 5 fewer points than his average (he still put up 22 points, 6 rebounds and 5.3 dimes on the Jazz).  Not surprisingly, Kobe upped his scoring average to 32 points in a four game sweep of the Jazz in the Western Conference Semi-Finals.  I’m not sure there is any way to effectively “stop” Kobe…the key will be to limit his touches as much as possible and make him make the insane circus shots that he’s famous for.

High Notes | Low Notes

There’s not much vulnerability for the two-time defending champs.  The core from the previous two years is intact, and you can bet that LA will continue to impress come playoff time.  One of its self-perceived deficiencies was perimeter shooting…so LA went out and acquired Steve Blake and Matt Barnes.  Not counting the preseason victories, Utah hasn’t won at Staples Center against the Lakers in 16 tries.  On paper, the Jazz can match-up with just about anyone.  At ESA, Utah can compete with the best in the league.  For some reason, though, LA just seems to have Utah’s number.  Stockton and Malone defeated the Lakers in the playoffs in 1997 and 1998 (a sweep).  Williams and Jefferson and company have the precedent…now they need to get it done.

History

LA leads the all-time series 113-68. Utah went just 1-3 last year during the regular season against the eventual champs.  LA has eliminated the Jazz from the playoffs in each of the last three seasons.  During that run, LA has won 12 times, with Utah winning just thrice.

Not all is gloomy in the outlook vs. LA.  In preseason play, Utah overcame strong performances from both Kobe and Pau Gasol to win TWICE in California against the full-strength (if preseason) Lakers.  Granted, the preseason means nothing, but the Jazz played well against a full-strength Laker-squad.  If that effort can be replicated in the regular season (or, in answer to Jazz fans prayers, in the playoffs), there is hope.

Deron Williams nicely summarizes the feelings of all of Jazz fandom:

I hate ’em, you know…I hate the Lakers. They’re so good. I hate them because they win all the time. They’re a tough team. … We definitely talk about it. It’s not a secret. We hate the Lakers.”

Player/Coach Notes

Phil Jackson wins championships in threes. 1991-1993, 1996-1998, 2000-2002, [2009-2011?].  While history suggests that the Zen Master is due for his NBA record 12th championship this year, I suspect that Coach Sloan would not concede the season just yet. Sloan’s wins outnumber Jackson’s, but Phil has the rings and a better winning percentage.

Michael Jordan’s recent comments placing Kobe in the pantheon of the top ten all-time greatest-guards was just the type of backhanded compliment you’d expect from his Airness.  Wherever you rank those two, they’re both Jazz-Kryptonite.

Raja spurned the recruiting efforts of ‘Mamba, to return to Coach Sloan and the Jazz.

Kobe also underwent arthroscopic knee surgery (the third time on his right knee) this summer.

Outlook

Let’s hope Kobe and company go overboard on Turkey (tryptophan anyone?).  The Lakers first venture to ESA on November 26th (the day after Thanksgiving).  The Jazz next face LA at Staples Center on January 25, 2011 – the first night of road/home back to back with San Antonio on the back end.  With any luck, LA will play the April Fool – in Utah on April 1st.  The Jazz then travel back to Laker-Land on April 5th.  Expect Utah to win at ESA and challenge for a victory in LA.  My realistic prediction? 2-2 split at home.  If the Jazz have any shot at representing the West in the Finals (optimistic, I know), they’ll have to find a way to get past the Lakers in the playoffs.

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Contact Jefferson W. Boswell at jeffersonboz [AT] gmail [DOT] com

In Divisional Previews, NBA, Raja Bell, Utah Jazz , , ,
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