"You Gotta Love It Baby" Official Jazz thread

[falafel]

This is a great photo.

[MarkGrace]

This is a great photo.

I swear the majority of his more athletic plays are left-handed. Dunks, blocked shots, etc. Kind of odd.

[falafel]

I swear the majority of his more athletic plays are left-handed. Dunks, blocked shots, etc. Kind of odd.

He's wearing one of those magnetic body balance blood ionizer voodoo bracelets on that hand. That's probably the difference.

[BGRTHNUMEGO]

He's wearing one of those magnetic body balance blood ionizer voodoo bracelets on that hand. That's probably the difference.

So was Kobe. Didn't save him from shooting like crap and fumbling the ball. Or from looking like an idiot munching on his jersey while shooting.

[Blueintheface]

This is a great photo.

Pau is preparing to give a rectal exam in that photo.

[Jacob]

So was Kobe. Didn't save him from shooting like crap and fumbling the ball. Or from looking like an idiot munching on his jersey while shooting.

Seriously. What an idiot. But hey, Salty sweat is tasty!

[BGRTHNUMEGO]

Hayward is building up a solid resume of nice plays:

[San Juan Sun]

He's wearing one of those magnetic body balance blood ionizer voodoo bracelets on that hand. That's probably the difference.

It's amazing what people (normal people, not just big salary NBA players) will waste their disposable income on.

[smokymountainrain]

Not to nitpick since I know you're giving the guy props, but this is where I've never seen whatever it is that you guys see. Why shouldn't he be good? He's got good size for a wing, a good looking stroke, a great handle, good hops, a good first step, sees the floor well, etc. I stated even when he was struggling that to me his problems were never physical, they were always mental. In my mind he's always had good physical talent.

I guess I've never thought of him as a guy with an above average handle (probably wrong there) and I don't see him as a good shooter - there's been an accuracy issue and I don't like his form a lot; he's a good athlete (good enough), but not an exceptional or explosive athlete, I don't think he's a great passer, not a good rebounder, not a strong player...

Either way, while I disagree on his overall game/potential, he's starting to prove he can do some very good things on both ends of the court, make plays and generally help a team as a very good starter - perhaps even all-star some day. I'm incredibly excited about him after watching that half quarter last night.

[happyone]

Since the AS break G-Hay is shooting 53% from 3, and 57% from the FT line.

That reminds me of a little of Darrell Griffiths, how anybody with such a pretty 3 point shot could not shoot free throws more consistantly is beyond me

career stats 33.2% 3 point 70.7% free throw

[Donuthole]

I think of all the great things Hayward did last night--and there were many--the most impressive thing he did was actually what he didn't do: bite on Kobe's pump fake on the last play. AK, Ronnie Brewer, Bryon Russell, Devin Brown, and every other adequate perimeter defender in recent Jazz history would have left their feet and allowed Kobe to jump into them and draw the foul. Props to G-Hay for the foresight to force Kobe to hit a jumper rather than give him two freebies to win the game.

In re-watching the play a few times last night, it appeared like Kobe was a bit surprised G-Hay didn't bite. As a result, Kobe was caught off guard, thus causing him to fumble the ball away. He didn't have a contingency plan for "what if he doesn't take the pump fake." And who can fault him, really, because every Jazz perimeter player in the recent past takes that fake.

[smokymountainrain]

I think of all the great things Hayward did last night--and there were many--the most impressive thing he did was actually what he didn't do: bite on Kobe's pump fake on the last play. AK, Ronnie Brewer, Bryon Russell, Devin Brown, and every other adequate perimeter defender in recent Jazz history would have left their feet and allowed Kobe to jump into them and draw the foul. Props to G-Hay for the foresight to force Kobe to hit a jumper rather than give him two freebies to win the game.

That's exactly what I'm talking about when I say he "gets it". It's all the little things (that are huge during the course of a game) he does that make him a guy you want on your team and help the team win. I'm not a huge +/- guy, but I'd be willing to bet he'll be on the positive side of that stat for most or all of his career because he does so many little things that impact a game for the good.

[hostile]

I think of all the great things Hayward did last night--and there were many--the most impressive thing he did was actually what he didn't do: bite on Kobe's pump fake on the last play. AK, Ronnie Brewer, Bryon Russell, Devin Brown, and every other adequate perimeter defender in recent Jazz history would have left their feet and allowed Kobe to jump into them and draw the foul. Props to G-Hay for the foresight to force Kobe to hit a jumper rather than give him two freebies to win the game.

In re-watching the play a few times last night, it appeared like Kobe was a bit surprised G-Hay didn't bite. As a result, Kobe was caught off guard, thus causing him to fumble the ball away. He didn't have a contingency plan for "what if he doesn't take the pump fake." And who can fault him, really, because every Jazz perimeter player in the recent past takes that fake.

The SL Trib game report mentioned that during the final time out several guys told GH to not bite on the fake. As you indicated, knowing to stay down and actually doing it are different things.

[cougjunkie]

I was very impressed with Gordon and Favors last night. First of all Kobe has clearly lost a step and could not keep Hayward in front of him. Gordon is awkward and unorthodox but he gets the job done. I think he will only get better as he gains confidence.

Favors is a beast the two man game with him and Hayward was fun to watch. The Jazz are a few years away but this reminds me of the core they started building around Deron 4 years ago that made the Western Conference Finals. Time will tell if these guys continue to develop.

[HBCoug]

I was very impressed with Gordon and Favors last night. First of all Kobe has clearly lost a step and could not keep Hayward in front of him. Gordon is awkward and unorthodox but he gets the job done. I think he will only get better as he gains confidence.

Favors is a beast the two man game with him and Hayward was fun to watch. The Jazz are a few years away but this reminds me of the core they started building around Deron 4 years ago that made the Western Conference Finals. Time will tell if these guys continue to develop.

Time will also tell if the 1 seed gets miraculously knocked out by the 8 seed enabling them to reach the WCF again.