Utah Jazz Fan Show

By Utah Jazz fans, for Utah Jazz fans.

You are here: Home / Archives for Postgame Takeaways

Postgame Takeaways

Takeaways – Utah Jazz vs Portland Trailblazers Preseason Matchup

by Leave a Comment

utah jazz vs portland trailblazers preseason

Utah Jazz vs Portland Trailblazers Preseason Matchup

Jazz use late rally to stay perfect on the preseason.

The Utah Jazz vs Portland Trailblazers preseason matchup took place Saturday night in Portland, Oregon. The Jazz struggled early, but used a late fourth quarter rally to get the win and move to 3-0 against NBA teams this preseason.

CLICK HERE to see a summary of the Utah Jazz vs Portland Trailblazers preseason matchup.

Takeaways from the Utah Jazz vs Portland Trailblazers Preseason Matchup

Listed in no particular order…

#1 | Jazz Team Depth (or lack of Blazers Team Depth)

It’s no secret that Portland has one of the best, high-scoring backcourt duo’s in the NBA. This was an issue for the Jazz last year, and seemed to be continuing theme through the first 2.5 quarters of Sunday’s game.

However, it was apparent that whenever bench players found themselves in the game, the tide would quickly swing well in Utah’s favor. In fact, Utah used a HUGE 4th quarter to ultimately win the game. The quarter saw the Jazz mostly playing their third team against Portland’s, and the competition wasn’t even close.

The real question remains: are the Jazz incredibly deep, or are the Blazers incredibly weak on the bench?

My vote is both.

#2 | Donovan’s Ankle

In the third quarter, Donovan Mitchell was switching to defend Damian Lillard when he slipped and went down noticeably in pain. He eventually walked off the floor and returned, looking basically unharmed.

Prior to the game, social media lit up with the newly-designed shoes the young star would be wearing (BE HUMBLE). So my first thought when I saw him going down was something along the lines of “IT’S THE SHOES!”

Should Donovan continue trying out new pairs of sneakers, or should he stick with what he knows (that he won’t get hurt in)?

#3 | Blazers Always Looking Up

Every single call. Every single possession.

No matter what the outcome of the possession was (it literally happened once after a wide open 3-point make), it seemed like every Portland player would roll their eyes and complain to the official.

Obviously I don’t know exactly what’s going on out there on the court, but EVERY SINGLE POSSESSION?!

I’m mostly concerned for the players because everyone knows if you roll your eyes too much, they can get stuck upside down or completely eject from your skull (anyone else a 30 Rock fan?).

#4 | The Junior Jazz circuit was good to Niang

Georges Niang spent all summer on a massive road trip visiting young Junior Jazz players across the state of Utah. Something must’ve clicked for Niang during that trip because he was light’s out in Portland.

Niang’s 3-point shooting was critical to the Jazz winning that game in the 4th quarter. And after seeing his performance, it made me wonder if we’ll see Niang as much as we saw Jerebko last year?

A lot of Jonas’ minutes were due to injury, so logically, I hope we don’t.

However, if we find ourselves in a similar situation injury-wise this year, I’m not as concerned.

About The Jazz Fan Show

The Jazz Fan Show is a podcast and blog focusing on all things Utah Jazz. Founded by Ryan Van Dorn and Kelby Jones in September of 2018.

You can hear the show on Sunday mornings from 9:00 – 10:00 AM MST on 1280 AM and 97.5 FM The Zone. If you’d like to be notified when articles and podcast episodes are released, subscribe below!

Takeaways From The Utah Jazz vs Toronto Raptors Preseason Matchup

by Leave a Comment

Takeaways From The Utah Jazz vs Toronto Raptors Preseason Matchup

Utah Jazz vs Toronto Raptors – Jazz Go 2-0 in Preseason

The Toronto Raptors and their newly-acquired superstar Kawhi Leonard came into Salt Lake City on October 3, 2018 to face the Utah Jazz in a preseason matchup. The Utah Jazz won their second straight game of the preseason by a final score of 105-90.

CLICK HERE to see the summary of this game.

Our Takeaways From The Utah Jazz vs Toronto Raptors Preseason Matchup

In no particular order…

#1 | Grayson Allen (yet again)

The guy came back to reality a little this time around. But what I did like was the fact that it was his second straight game committing a foul within the first ten seconds of coming in off the bench.

#2 | Kawhi’s in The League Again

The guy looks like he’s back. There were a few and-one plays where I was genuinely impressed at how not-rusty the guy looked.

I honestly could see him having a huge year this upcoming season. He”ll be a free agent next summer and he’s gotta prove to the league that he’s worth the max deal.

I see him destroying it this year in the weak eastern conference (barring injury, of course).

#3 | Turnovers and the Single Bad Quarter

Last season the Jazz always seemed to have one bad quarter per game. Fortunately, in most cases we were able to overcome these awful stretches.

I was really hoping we’d see less of this in the upcoming year. So you can imagine my concern when the Jazz seemed to be on different levels that entire second quarter.

#4 | Red Shoes

I don’t really have a reason for being curious about this other than the fact that Donovan Mitchell’s shoes were the exact same color as the Toronto Raptors jerseys.

Takeaways From The Utah Jazz vs Toronto Raptors Preseason Matchup

#5 | Do The Jazz Win if The Raptors Play Starters After Second Half?

This is the ultimate question.

With a lead at the half, Toronto decided to sit Kyle Lowry and Kawhi Leonard for the duration of the second half. During that time, The Jazz made their huge run and eventually went on to win the game.

I can’t wait to see how this team responds to those nights when they’re down like they were tonight.

Hopefully we’re able to see similar results to those from this otherwise meaningless matchup.

About The Jazz Fan Show

The Jazz Fan Show is a podcast and blog focusing on all things Utah Jazz. Founded by Ryan Van Dorn and Kelby Jones in September of 2018.

You can hear the show on Sunday mornings from 9:00 – 10:00 AM MST on 1280 AM and 97.5 FM The Zone. If you’d like to be notified when articles and podcast episodes are released, subscribe below!

Takeaways From the Utah Jazz vs. Perth Wildcats Preseason Matchup

by Leave a Comment

Takeaways From the Utah Jazz vs. Perth Wildcats Preseason Matchup

Utah Jazz vs. Perth Wildcats goes exactly as you’d think.

Tonight’s Utah Jazz vs. Perth Wildcats game kicked off the 2018-2019 preseason schedule for the Jazz. While the game went exactly as everyone predicted, the game atmosphere surprised me.

As I looked around the arena, I noticed around 75 percent of the seats were filled.

…for a preseason game.

Against a team from Australia who I genuinely thought may not score a point in the first quarter.

Once again, Jazz fans represent better than any in league. It’s beginning to feel like people are noticing…

My Takeaways – Utah Jazz vs. Perth Wildcats

#1 | Grayson Allen (duh)

After doing so well last season, the Utah Jazz were forced to select late in the first round of the NBA Draft.  Looking at the level of talent that is typically still available at that point, drafting Grayson seemed like a no-brainer.

Fast forward to tonight’s preseason opener against Perth.

Allen checks into the game in the first quarter and has a foul within ten seconds.

“Hmm,” I said.

He then goes on to hit his next five 3-point attempts and finishes the game as one of the leading scorers with 19 points in 22 minutes.

It may not be a performance we come to expect from Grayson as his career settles, but for now, it seems he fits in with the team.

At this point, and with this team, I’ll take it.

#2 | Alec Burks and His Passing Game

During last season’s playoff push against OKC, Alec Burks came off the bench as a surprise contributor to the Utah Jazz victory.

Now, AB seems like he’s been around for a long, long time. But for some reason, it feels a little different this year.

I don’t know exactly what it is. He’s always been quick, a slaher and able to score. Obviously, injuries have played a major role, but up to this point I’ve never seen him make the passes he’s making.

Alex looks healthy. He looks like his swagger is slowly but surely making its way back. But this time, it doesn’t seem like it will overtake AB along with the rest of us.

He’s older, more experienced, and seemingly humble.

Is 2018-2019 the year we finally see AB make the improvements we all know he’s capable of making?

#3 | Early Look at Season Rotation

A few notes: Joe Ingles sat out during the Utah Jazz vs. Perth Wildcats game, which left Royce O’Neale as the starting 2.

It looks like Dante Exum is backing up Ricky Rubio entirely and no longer sharing the backup PG role.

Similar to the end of last year, Derrick Favors sits first and is replaced by Jae Crowder. Late in the first quarter, Rudy Gobert sits and Derrick Favors replaces him at center.

Favs anchoring and first AND second teams. I love it.

Another surprise was the fact that Greyson Allen replaced Donovan Mitchell, and it worked extremely well. Will we see Greyson as the primary backup to Spida all season?

#4 | Talent Gap of Basketball World

All props to the Perth Wildcats.

They knew they’d be massacred by the Utah Jazz (the team’s starting center was 6′ 9″)… and they were.

My experience at the Utah Jazz vs. Perth Wildcats game just reaffirmed the level of talent NBA must have to compete in any way at all.

We’re lucky to be able to witness it first-hand.

#5 | Jammin’ While We’re Jammin’

This is random, but it seemed like the facilities played music over the PA system during literally every Utah Jazz possession.

I know it’s becoming more and more common to hear the jams play during live in-game play, but this seemed like a little much.

Was this just because it was a preseason game, or should we expect this to become the norm moving forward?

My suggestion (because you’re all dying to know)?

Pump the jams. Lose the Jazz dancers.

About The Jazz Fan Show

The Jazz Fan Show is a podcast and blog focusing on all things Utah Jazz. Founded by Ryan Van Dorn and Kelby Jones in September of 2018.

You can hear the show on Sunday mornings from 9:00 – 10:00 AM MST on 1280 AM and 97.5 FM The Zone. If you’d like to be notified when articles and podcast episodes are released, subscribe below!

Takeaways From the Utah Jazz Meet The Team Event

by Leave a Comment

Takeaways From the Utah Jazz Meet The Team Event

Kelby’s takeaways from the Utah Jazz Meet The Team Event.

The Utah Jazz Meet The Team event went off without a hitch Friday evening. The beginning-of-year fan night experience sees small changes in format year to year, but this season’s event was one for the books.

For an overview of the Utah Jazz Meet The Team Event, CLICK HERE.

First Thing’s First – Utah Jazz Meet The Team Event.

First off, I know it’s a bit of a stretch to try and find takeaways from the friggin’ FAN NIGHT, but that’s the kind of thing we do at The Jazz Fan Show.

Without further adieu, my takeaways:

#1 | SO MANY Utah Jazz Fans

I arrived at Vivint Smart Home around 3:30 PM to record some segment for an upcoming episode of The Jazz Fan Show. I miraculously found free street parking next to the steps on the northwest corner of the arena.

As I came around the corner, I was surprised to find a line of people waiting for the doors to open… at 5:00 PM.

Now, I know an hour and a half isn’t actually that long, but this wasn’t for a game. This was a FAN NIGHT.

Pretty impressive.

As the night moved forward, the entire lower bowl of the stadium filled up. To my surprise, the first few rows of the upper bowl were also full.

We love this team, plain and simple. They work hard, win games and never back down.

But I think a lot of that love lies in how the team interacts with each other. We’re all friends when it comes to our Utah Jazz.

That will never change.

#2 | Still Looking Good in Purple

It was rumored ahead of the Utah Jazz Meet The Team Event that players would be showing off their new Classic Edition Purple uniforms.

Even though I knew the purple was coming, it was still almost overwhelming to see the jerseys in person. I felt it my chest.

It literally gave me chills.

“We look good in purple,” Jazz coach Quin Snyder said.

I think all of here at The Jazz Fan Show agree.

#3 | Offseason (of Nothing) Was Good To Us

When Jae Crowder was acquired from the Cleveland Cavaliers for Rodney Hood, I have to admit I had my concerns. He just didn’t look good in Cleveland, which was surprising following his time in Boston the previous year.

Again, as happens so often in my life, I was forced to admit I was wrong almost immediately.

After seeing what Jae did during the final stretch of last season, I could see some serious potential.

“Give him an offseason with the Jazz coaching staff and I think he’s gonna make a big improvement,” I’d always say (mostly to people who didn’t want to be talking to me about basketball).

It already looks like that offseason is paying off. Jae is noticeably thinner and moving around better. I can’t wait to see how his role evolves throughout the year.

Derrick Favors also came into camp in even better shape than his already surprising transformation last season. Could it be that chasing kids around the house all summer is better for you than we thought?

#4 | Taking a Shot In The Dark (Hey-oh)

There were a few things I wanted to see improvement in almost immediately this upcoming season. One of those things was the shooting of one Dante Exum.

Coming off shoulder surgery last season following an injury-plagued career, Dante’s shot looked like the rust may have done permanent damage to those shooting mechanics.

But I’m happy to say he was absolutely lighting it up during the 3-point shooting competition, along with Ricky Rubio, who has improved his shot exponentially since arriving in Utah.

Can’t wait to see how Dante improves after an offseason of health.

#5 | Watching Grown Men Dance Badly

I hate this, and that is a MASSIVE understatement.

I literally had to turn my head and pretend it wasn’t happening.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Rookie dance off

A post shared by David Locke (@dlocke09) on

This gives me no joy.

About The Jazz Fan Show

The Jazz Fan Show is a podcast and blog focusing on all things Utah Jazz. Founded by Ryan Van Dorn and Kelby Jones in September of 2018.

You can hear the show on Sunday mornings from 9:00 – 10:00 AM MST on 1280 AM and 97.5 FM The Zone. If you’d like to be notified when articles and podcast episodes are released, subscribe below!