LAKERS -vs- JAZZ - 10-6-15 - Thoughts and :-(( Ratings

[DancingBarry]

Intensity… “It was kind of amazing,” Byron Scott said. “Our two oldest guys kind of set the tone on that end of the floor and then our younger guys started to pick it up.”

Kobe and Metta picked up the intensity on both ends and the rest of the team followed. Perhaps, none more than Julius Randle, who turned his game up a couple notches and had a couple of jaw dropping plays. At times he moved as fast and fluidly as guards.

While Randle was imposing his will on the game, D’Angelo Russell was nursing a hard fall that sent him to the locker room before he could break a sweat in this one. Thankfully, he appears to have just bruised his tailbone.

The trio of Hibbert, Williams and Bass all showed their strengths in this one. Hibbert played with edge to his game and dropped a double-double. Williams led the team with 20 points. And Bass muscled his was to a strong two-way, 12-point, 2-steal game.

The Lakers have picked up their three shooting this season, launching 26 in this one. Although, not their three making…yet. They could have used some of those threes late in the game as they eventually fell to the Jazz 117-114 in OT. Lou Williams had a chance to win it in regulation, but couldn't knock down the three or later tie it up at the buzzer in OT with another three. Hopefully, they get their legs under them.

“I’m not necessarily worried about guys having tired legs in the preseason,” Scott said, saying the benefits will come as they get better conditioned. We’ve been through this last year. Wayne Ellington, for instance, couldn’t hit anything in preseason and was one of their designated snipers when the season hit. Of course, some of the young guys trying to make the team don’t have the luxury of an NBA resume. It’s do or die.


Kobe -- -- More aggressive from Kobe on both ends. He’s deadly with that turnaround jumper and used that a couple of times. Again, he’s moving very fluidly out there. The better highlights were the passing sequences in the second half. He hit Randle with a no-looker on the baseline for a score. Then, he set up Hibbert on a couple of screen-rolls after Hibbert got into that Booker ejection. Love that he went right to Hibbert after that. Scott said he and Kobe had different numbers in how much he’d play this game. Scott’s was lower than Kobe’s, and that’s what they went with. He played him in short half-quarter stints before resting him later in the second half. He was gambling a bit on D. I’m not sure if he’s doing that because he feels Hibbert has his back, but he was coming up empty quite a bit. Loved the aggressive sequences with him and Randle on D, however. Good progress and very effective tonight. “He was very lively getting up and down the floor,” Scott said. The Stats: He scored 13 points on 5-9 shooting (2-5 from three, 1-2 from the line) to go with 2 boards, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover and 2 fouls in 21 minutes. He was a -4. The Action: He swished a wing jumper off the chin series down screen for the Lakers first score. He drained a wing three in transition. He airballed a deep three on a heat check. He missed a fallaway off an offensive board. He swiped a pass under the hoop. Sloppy underhand full-court inbounds outlet that was picked off. He missed a forced three against the shotclock on a set that took too long to develop. He swished a baseline pull up after spinning away from the D. He missed a wing jumper. He made a tech FT. He was called for a foul going for a steal. He sank a turnaround jumper backing his man down in transition at the midpost. He had 10 points on 4-8 shooting. Second Half: He attacked and kicked to Clarkson for three. He no-looked a one-handed baseline pass to Randle under the hoop for a score. He missed a tech FT. He worked the two-man game and fed Hibbert for the slam (right after the ejections and techs, way to set up your big, Kobe.). He setup Hibbert again with a sweet bounce pass, Hibbert missed, but finished it a few seconds later. After his man hit a three on him, he drilled a three in his face on the other end.

Clarkson -- -- “He’s playing like a vet,” AC Green said prior to this one. Some of his moves and probes in the D do seem well above his age and experience. The Lakers really could have used that steadiness in OT when we had the Young/Williams attack. I liked the chemistry that Kobe/Clarkson seemed to have in this one. Kobe was looking for him and clearly has a lot of trust in Jordan. Good job hitting half of his three’s tonight. That perimeter shooting from the Lakers starters is huge for their success. The Stats: He scored 12 points on 5-10 shooting (2-4 from three) to go with 2 boards, 2 assists, 2 turnovers and 3 fouls in 28 minutes. He was a -1. The Action: Clarkson attacked off the high screen out of the chin series and scored a layup (I love this play, by the way, for him and Russell…lots of room to attack with the floor spread). He missed a baseline floater. His pass was picked off for a dunk the other way. He missed a pull-up wing jumper in early offense. He missed a three. He drained a long three straight away on a kickout from Hibbert. He hit Bass on the high screen and roll for FTs. Second Half: He got a step on his man in the paint and flipped in the layup. He sank a corner three on the kickout from Kobe next time down. He missed a pull-up wing jumper out of the horns. He probed off the high screen, got into the bigman’s body and hit the short one as he knocked him off balance. He missed a three in transition off a feed from Julius. He drew a moving screen call on the D, aggressively fighting through it. His pass to Hibbert from 40 feet out was picked off. He probed and found Hibbert for FTs.

Randle -- -- Goodness, he had some moments tonight. “I was just aggressive. Wasn’t thinking, wasn’t hesitant,” Randle said. Two of the best came from aggressive D and pushing the ball up court full speed. He had a switch onto a guard that he just went after with his hands to knock the ball loose, push it out with speed and slam that was sensational for man his size. You just don’t see that from someone his size. He just overwhelmed a ball handler and took his lunch money. Randle really seemed to turn up the intensity in this one. I’m not sure what impact Metta had on that, but when MWP stepped on court, it elevated everything. Randle looked like he picked up on that energy later and carried it through to his game. He had some excellent attacks and putbacks on the offensive glass. “He was attacking,” Scott said. “He played with the intensity we wanted him to play with. He played hard on both ends of the floor. That’s something we’ve been talking to him about.” He got into the post and was able to scratch a few points early on, then just throttled it up later. Quite a range of skills on display tonight, but not range in his shot yet. “Lamar Odom in a Zach Randolph body,” Kobe said. Loved seeing Hibbert have Randle’s back on that shove in the second half. “Sky’s the limit. I’ve never seen anyone like him,” Hibbert said. The Stats: He scored 16 points on 7-12 shooting (2-6 from the line) to go with 5 boards, 4 assists, 3 steals, 1 block, 3 turnovers and 2 fouls in 26 minutes. He was a -5. The Action: He missed an open 20-footer. He was stripped, but smothered his man in transition to get a stop (great help on the secondary attempt by Hibbert, too). He missed a baseline jumper on a drive to his right. He attacked bad spacing and was picked for a layup the other way. He posted up and hit the jumphook in the paint. He drew FTs on another post attempt over Lyles, he made one. He posted up and swished a stepback-fade in the lane, very nice. He missed a short one on a baseline spin move. Second Half: He scored a layup on the no-looker from Kobe. He pushed out a steal off a trap with Kobe (at first I couldn’t tell who this was he was moving so fast) and he hit Nick with a kickout for the three. Quick attack off the FT line to his right and he powered in a layup at the front of the rim. He missed a tip in attempt. Wow, impressive D jumping out on a smaller guard, hounding him like Metta, swiping the ball and taking it for the dunk…wow. Back in to start the fourth, he crashed the glass from the top of the key and follow slammed a Hibbert hook miss. He grabbed an offensive board in a crowd and drew FTs, he missed both, hustled after his miss and knocked if off the defender to regain the possession. He attacked from the wing, spun on a nice drop step getting his pivot foot around the defender, missed the layup but bounced immediately back up to tip it in. He swiped a ball, pushed it out but fed a pass too hot to Hibbert, turnover. Sweet, no-look drop pass to Lou on the move for the And-1. He attacked to his right with speed and drew FTs, he made one.

Russell -- -- “I fell wrong and landed on my tailbone,” Russell said. He came down hard on his backside on a challenge on help D under the hoop. After staying down a while, he was helped into the locker room early in the first quarter. The Lakers grounded him for the rest of the game. Thankfully, it appears he’ll be okay. Laker fans everywhere were saying, “Not again!” Russell asked to return to the game, but the Lakers were being cautious. Hopefully, he’ll be back for the next one. “We’ll take care of it the right way and I’ll be all right,” Russell said. He didn’t get a chance to do much in this one. He was setting up the offense and not forcing anything. Then the fall. “I was just hoping there wasn’t anything broken,” Scott said. Kobe said he had the same injury his rookie year and it put him out for a couple of weeks. The Stats: He didn’t score or shoot and had 1 foul in 4 minutes. He was a -7. The Action: Nothing to report.

Hibbert -- -- Love the fiery attitude and effort tonight. In the second half, Booker shoved Randle off of him and Hibbert was having none of that. He got in Booker’s face, who then took a swing at him. Booker was ejected and young Randle was over calming Hibbert down. How about Kobe, though, on the very first play off of that sequence? He ran the two-man game with Hibbert and fed him for the dunk. These guys have each other’s backs and seem to really be playing for each other. A lot of time on the floor for Hibbert tonight and he was playing with continuous effort. Crashing the glass, drawing fouls, intimidating and altering shots in the paint. He is looking superb out there and in great shape. Some very nice moments covering ground as they switched ends. “I like what I saw tonight,” Hibbert said of his team. “If we can play as a team, I’ll have everybody’s back.” The Stats: He scored 16 points on 4-11 shooting (8-10 from the line) to go with 11 boards (6 offensive), 1 assist, 2 turnovers and 2 fouls in 32 minutes. He was a -6. The Action: Nice hustle back in transition to block a shot after Julius also made a nice challenge (good seeing the bigs back fast like that…and it led to a Kobe three in transition). He grabbed an offensive board, up-faked and scored a layup. Lazy inbounds pass and it was picked off. He missed a follow jam. Aggressive attack and he kicked out to Clarkson for three. Second Half: Good effort in transition to crash the glass, draw a foul and regain the possession. He slammed off the two-man game with Kobe. He missed a layup off a sweet bounce pass from Kobe, Randle kept it alive and Hibbert tipped it in. He missed a hook in the post, but Julius follow-slammed it down. He missed a chippy in a crowd. He drew FTs fighting for post position, he made both. Quick spin from the high post and he earned FTs, he made both. He crashed the glass, grabbed the board and slammed it down. He was knocked down on the defensive glass for FTs, he made one. Clarkson probed and found him under the hoop for FTs, he made one. He was blocked on a reverse jam, then didn’t hit rim on a follow jumphook. Great job crashing the glass after a screen-roll and he drew FTs on the miss by Lou, he made both. He was blocked trying to finish on a dump off from Lou.

Williams -- -- He led the team in scoring, getting to the line 12 times, but missing all 5 of the three’s he took. The Lakers took another 26 threes in this game. They are shooting three’s at more than double the pace of last preseason – a much higher percentage of our offense so far in two games. I imagine with this roster, that trend will hold. Hopefully, Lou doesn’t have too many more 0-5 outings. We could have used that one at the end of regulation to pull out the win. The team looks like they will be in the fight when Lou is on the court. Like having that come off the bench. Asked what the team got out of Hawaii, “I didn’t see Hawaii,” Williams said. He went from the gym to the hotel and back. The Stats: He scored 20 points on 4-13 shooting (0-5 from three, 12-12 from the line) to go with 5 boards, 1 assist, 2 steals, 3 turnovers and 3 fouls in 34 minutes. He was a -6. The Action: He drew FTs on a drive and dish, he made both. He drew FTs on a three on his next attempt, he made all three (he doesn’t take long from the line). He missed a corner three. He pushed out a steal and was fouled, he made both FTs. He hit Bass in transition for a score. He missed a floater. He was called for a charge on a drive in the paint. Second Half: He was blocked on a drive. He sank a wing jumper on a catch and shoot coming to the ball. His pass in the lane was picked off. Horrible read when we had a man advantage, threw it right to the D and it led to an And-1 the other way. He scored an And-1 off the nice drop pass from Randle on the fly, he made the FT. He missed a floater on a drive, but Hibbert slammed it down. He missed a wing three. He missed a jumper from the top of the key. He drew FTs on a reach 35 feet from the hoop, he made both. He missed a good look at three on a pull-back dribble. Overtime: He sank a wing jumper off the two-man game. He missed a wing three. He attacked with speed to his left, hung and scored a layup around the defender. He was intentionally fouled down by 3, he made both FTs. He missed a tough forced corner three trying to get it off before a foul.

Bass -- -- He banged his knee on a dive on the sideline and grabbed it. He’s been an iron man, not missing games. Hopefully, he does that here, as well. He walked that off, but they let him rest it. Scott ran him at the C spot in this game and he put together a quality outing. We certainly looked better with him as backup C vs. how Sacre and Black looked in the last one. Bass had 10 points to help lead the team in the first half. Some strong moments powering up for scores under the hoop. He also got in on some steals and defensive stops. Very good two-way effort and strong outing for the Lakers trio of free agent signings this summer. The Stats: He scored 12 points on 4-4 shooting (4-4 from the line) to go with 3 boards, 2 steals, 1 block, 2 turnovers and 1 foul in 16 minutes. He was a +6. The Action: He attacked in early offense, spun and drew FTs on the layup attempt, he made both. He drew a moving screen foul on D trying to get around a man and challenge. He gathered a pass in transition and powered it in for the score. He follow-slammed back a missed Kelly reverse. He was called for a charge backing down a smaller man. He drew FTs on a screen-roll with Clarkson, he made both. He stripped a man on help D on one end, then follow tipped in a missed layup on the break on the other. He had 10 points on 3-3 shooting and 2 steals. Second Half: He took an inbounds under the hoop and muscled up a layup.

Young -- -- We had to rely a little too much on Nick and Lou late in the game and in OT. With Nance, Sacre and Frazier out there, can’t fault Nick or Lou for having to maybe chuck a little more. He had a couple of scores in OT, getting fouled on a three to start the overtime. He missed two of those FTs, however, and that seemed to come back to haunt them late in the game when we had to take fouls and couldn’t quite reel the Jazz in. The Stats: He scored 13 points on 4-13 shooting (2-7 from three, 3-5 from the line) to go with 2 boards, 1 assist, 1 turnover and 3 fouls in 23 minutes. He was a -3. The Action: He did not play in the half. Second Half: He missed a turnaround on an inbounds pass. He drained a three in transition off the kickout from Julius. He ball-faked and missed a three. He forced up and missed a baseline jumper. He missed a wing three. He sank a step-back wing jumper. He was held on the floppy sequence, he made both FTs. He drained a long pull-up bomb with a couple minutes left. He missed a corner three. Nice help D to disrupt a shot. Overtime: He drew FTs on a wing three to start the OT, he made just one, however. He missed a baseline jumper. He missed a jumper in the paint. He attacked off a double screen for the layup. He missed a three out of a timeout, forcing it a bit. Another missed three from the wing, not a good look with 10 left and we had to foul.

World Peace -- -- Some contagious defensive energy out there by Metta. He flew over the Laker bench chasing a loose ball on that end of the floor shortly after entering the game. “The defensive intensity level was high and a lot of that was because of him,” Scott said. I really felt that carried through to Randle, who had moments on D where he looked like a young Ron Artest. Metta had some moments on offense. He missed a couple of threes, but created well around the hoop. Hard to say how effective he will be, but he’s moving great and you felt his presence on court. Scott likes his smash mouth ball and Metta certainly brought that today. Big points in his favor after this one. The Stats: He scored 7 points on 2-5 shooting (0-2 from three, 3-3 from the line) to go with 4 boards, 2 assists, 3 turnovers and 4 fouls in 21 minutes. He was a +5. The Action: He stripped his man and went over the Laker bench chasing after it. He was called for a loose ball foul trying to post up. He missed a wing three on a kickout. He attacked on iso and kicked out to Frazier for the three. He faced up, attacked, spun and hit the turnaround in the paint. He attacked from the wing and scored the And-1 layup, he made the FT. He missed a layup on the break. He had 5 points on 2-4 shooting and 3 boards. Second Half: He posted up a smaller man, spun and drew FTs, he made both. He dribbled a ball off his foot, layup the other way. He missed a three straight away.

Kelly -- -- Nice to see him get some PF action tonight. We ran a smaller Bass/Kelly lineup and they ended up with a team high +6 each. Kelly has been very aggressive off the dribble. He needs to finish better around the rim. His one three attempt was a running buzzer beater shot. He had some opportunity there to set and fire from three in this game, but wasn’t thinking shot like he should be. The Stats: He scored 2 points on 0-3 shooting (0-1 from three, 2-4 from the line) to go with 1 board, 1 steal, 1 block and 2 fouls in 16 minutes. He was a +6. The Action: He drew FTs on a baseline drive and made one. Not close on a running three at the buzzer. Nice help D challenge to alter a shot. He missed a reverse on a drive, but Bass slammed it back down. Aggressive attack and spin in the paint but not close on the finish. Second Half: He drew a couple fouls on one offensive set and drew FTs, he made one.

Nance -- -- “It’s something I will never forget,” Nance said of checking into his first NBA game in the purple and gold. We brought Nance in for part of the fourth quarter and left him in for OT. He looked a little lost on offense at times and was unable to make any impact on D. The Jazz had him on his heels quite a bit. He’s the kind of player where I wish we’d have some set backdoor lob play or something that we run to tear down the rim. The Stats: He didn’t score and had 3 boards, 1 assist and 3 fouls in 11 minutes. He was a -4. The Action: He did not play in the half. Second Half: He gave up an And-1 on a drive. Overtime: Nothing to report.

Sacre -- -- After sitting all game, Scott dusted him off for the 5 minutes of overtime to run along side Nance. Winning a preseason game wasn’t a priority as you can see from that move. One thing to note, however, was that we ran Bass as our backup C for most of the game tonight and that was much more effective than Sacre or Black were in the last one. Still no Upshaw yet. The Jazz really went after the paint in OT with Sacre in there. The Stats: He didn’t score or shoot and had 1 block and 3 fouls in 5 minutes. He was a -3. The Action: He did not play in the half. Second Half: Overtime: He was called for a double dribble, ugh. He gave up big FTs on a loose ball foul on the offensive end. Nice rejection on a drive switched onto a smaller man on iso.

A. Brown -- -- Some minutes out there, but nothing worth noting. That’s rare. The Stats: He had no stats in 5 minutes. He was a +5. The Action: Nothing to report.

Frazier -- -- He let the game come to him and didn’t force anything. He did get blocked on a huge shot with 45 seconds left. Steady minutes from him on both ends, but he didn’t really make an impact on the game. The Stats: He scored 3 points on 1-3 shooting (1-2 from three) to go with 2 boards, 1 assist, 1 turnover and 2 fouls in 23 minutes. He was a +2. The Action: He got tapped on a corner three. He sank a wing three on the kickout from Metta. He telegraphed a pass and it was picked off, he compounded that with a clear-path foul. Second Half: He was blocked on a big three with 45 seconds left. Overtime: Nothing to report.

Scott -- -- Lakers D got a Jazz shotclock violation on the first defensive stand. Good start… Lou in for Russell who went to the locker room in pain after falling down hard on his backside… Midway through the quarter, he brought in Metta, Frazier, Kelly and Bass for Kobe, Clarkson, Hibbert and Randle. A small lineup with Bass at the C… Jazz having their way with the Lakers up 31-15 with 3 minutes left… The Lakers trailed 35-24 after the first quarter… He started a Hibbert, Randle, Kobe, Clarkson, Frazier lineup to start the second quarter… He sat Frazier, Hibbert, Randle for Williams, Kelly and Bass down 8 midway through the quarter... Kobe out for Metta… A. Brown in for Clarkson… Clarkson back in for Williams with a minute left… Some good energy by Metta out there and the Lakers took a lead after finally digging out from a 19-point hole in the half… The Lakers trailed 49-48 at the half… He started Nick for Russell in the second half… Lakers extended to an 8-point lead after the Booker ejection… After a brilliant steal and dunk against a guard by Randle, the Lakers forced a timeout with a 9-point lead… Up 6, he brought in Bass, Metta, Williams and Kelly for everyone but Nick… The Jazz took the lead… The score was tied 78-78 heading into the fourth… He started a Hibbert, Randle, Metta, Williams and Clarkson unit… Nance in with the score tied midway through the quarter… Hibbert, Nance, Young, Williams, Frazier… The Lakers led by 4 when the timeout came with 3 minutes left. Last timeout, the Jazz sank a three. The Lakers held this time… Up 4 still with a minute left when the timeout came again. They got a short one in the paint… Iso for Lou to close the game and he missed a three. Overtime: Sacre in for Hibbert who clocked a ton of time. Nance, Young, Williams and Frazier… They quickly trailed by 5. Scott called a timeout with 2:10 left. They got Nick a layup turning the corner on a double screen. They can’t stop dribble penetration on the other end, however… Nick missing a couple of three’s set up on the wing out of timeouts. Lakers have to take a foul down 1 with 8 seconds left… Down 3, timeout with 8 seconds left… They ran an elevator screen for Williams, but inbounded to Young, who the Jazz used a foul to give. Reset with 7 seconds left. Same elevator play and the Jazz took a foul for two FTs. Lakers down 1 with 5.8 seconds left. Foul, more FTs… Down 3 with 4.7 left, timeout Lakers. Lou missed a corner three…

[Omar Little]

First

[Omar Little]

Two four strikes again!

[TooMuchMajicBuss]

Missed the game - thanks for the excellent as always T&R recap DB!

Although it is preseason, and the Lakers lost. Does that mean it's back to twice a day typing drills for you tomorrow? on a pre-electric old-school Smith Corona?

Seriously - very encouraging to read about the Lakers having some fire out there tonight. Great to read about Randle shining a bit more, Hibbert having Randle's back and Kobe in turn rewarding Hibs. One of dozens of insights into how this game really unfolded - Thanks!

[OregonLakerGuy]

Thanks DB!

[LakerEric]

With the exception of a few players, I really love the roster. I'm concerned that the Lakers played good only when Hayward and Gobert didn't play the rest of the game but we'll see how it plays out. I get frustrated with Russell but I really love the kid and I want him to excel soooo bad!

[ChefLinda]

The game started at midnight here, so it's nice to have a recap. Thanks, DB.

[999]

[Sina]

Thanks, DB. Your recap is much better than ESPN's

[DShotMaker1824]

Thanks DB!


What I got from this game is that Anthony Brown is Wesley Johnson right now. Hopefully he grows out of that or we'd have to cut him.
_________________

"Through the legs to the left, through the legs to the right, we don't run them Laker plays, we just Kobe fadeaway..."

[32]

Thanks DB.
_________________
Nobody in the NBA can touch the Laker brand, which, like the uniform color, is pure gold.

[lakersfreak]

[yinoma2001]

Kobe's passing was so beautiful. What a weapon that can become this year.
_________________
From 2-10 to the Western Conference Finals

[Yumyumcha]

Loved it when Hibbert came over after Booker pushed Randle. I could see where Booker was getting frustrated with Julius strength and finally retaliated only to have someone bigger and taller come over to help. And than he tried to slap him...

I don't like fights but I do like that the boys got each others back. I'll give BS some credit that this team does seem to be pretty tough and hard nosed although it helps that Metta and Kobe are there to set the tone. Always remember the time Matt Barned tweeted something about getting tired having to always protect his fellow Clippers.

[GoldenThroat]

[Lakers#1Team]

Thanks DB!

[Klone_dd]

Had to cringe when Dlo went down. After that downer, I thought MWP amped up the squad with his intensity. Bass, Randle and Hib got the message and played with more fire.

[22]

Thanks DB. I like the mental makeup of this team A LOT

[DancingBarry]

[ChefLinda]

[10scott10]

I was impressed by Nance out there. I hadn't seen his straight line and lateral agility before, he covered way more ground than he should have been able to. Hopefully he can work with Metta to teach him how to really use his tools at a high level


I will say that he has zero confidence in his jumper, he had a lot of good opportunities in OT to take a good shot and always tried to get the ball back to Young immediately

[A Mad Chinaman]

The DB Returneth!!!!

World Peace played like it was War and it definitely set the tone

Sweet Lou was efficient on offense

Swaggy P was efficient when the game was NOT on the line, he went pfffff when he was depended on. Obvious he still is not a consistent and dependable closer during crunch time. He is taking hard shots and not making them

Bass was in "Beast Mode"

Kids are still learning the difference from just playing and winning in the NBA. Bringing World Peace and Sweet Lou off the bench as part of the "Beast Mob" will be exciting to watch. We will see if Upshaw is part of this group.

Scare had a fee moments, like when he blocked the shot. The difference is that Upshaw can exhibit this skill more consistently and at a higher level of production

Looking forward to when the Brazillian Madness makes an appearance at PG

[Laker415.]

I watched the whole game outside of Overtime because it was so late...

We are bad. We got crushed in the first quarter and were getting killed by their guards...Everyone was getting open looks and kobe gambled way too much for no reason. This team defensively outside of hibbert has a very very long way to go.

I think people should look at the game in the first quarter when both gordon and gobert were playing and not the other 3 quarters and ot. Rest of the game, we were up against the Jazz's second team outside of burks, who happened to score 27 points on 14 shots...

Look at the guard play for Utah.

Burks: 27 points 9-14 shooting
Burke: 15 points 6-12 shooting
Hood: 21 points 7-16 shooting

This is really really bad sign, when these scrub guards are scoring so much against us. Even when their top 4 guys were not playing, we couldn't beat the Jazz.....

So, if Jazz is a borderline playoff team, what does that make us.

[10scott10]

[LakersMDGurl]