Grayson Allen

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.

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