Mavs Moneyball - MMB Gameday Stream 2/7: Dallas Mavericks vs. Utah JazzRick Carlisle approved.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50869/mmb-fav.png2014-02-08T14:00:01-06:00http://www.mavsmoneyball.com/rss/stream/51541352014-02-08T14:00:01-06:002014-02-08T14:00:01-06:00Mavs 103, Jazz 81: Afternoon thoughts and gifs
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<figcaption>Ronald Martinez</figcaption>
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<p>A "secondary recap" of last night's 22-point win over the Jazz, featuring lots and lots of Dirk goodness.</p> <h2><span><b>Some thoughts from the morning after</b></span></h2>
<ul>
<li><span>The <a href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Mavericks</a> have won five of six, and Dirk's shot over 50% in each game -- all while averaging 28.2 points a game. The stretch he's in right now is truly, truly incredible. I don't know how much more time we'll have to enjoy it -- hopefully four or five more years -- so enjoy it while you can.</span></li>
<li>Is Dirk the best "roll man" in the league? As the big in a pick and roll, Dirk is shooting 53.3 percent from the field and 45.7 percent from downtown, and 1.17 points per play. FIFTY THREE AND FORTY FIVE (stats via MySynergySports).</li>
<li>Dirk's been involved in 168 pick and rolls, but his bread and butter is still in the post -- 320 times, or 33% of his offense. He's shooting 51 percent there, but is actually more efficient than his work as a roll man because he's drawing fouls 10.9 percent of the time.</li>
<li>Another fun fact, this time on defense: Dirk is only allowing 0.7 points per play defending the post, per MySynergySports. He's still a decent man defender, as he's shown throughout his career. His weakness is help defense (which doesn't really show up on MSS) and allowing spot-up shots (1.02 points per play).</li>
</ul>
<h3>If you like GIFS...</h3>
<p><b>If you're going to miss a shot, make up for it seconds later. </b><b>But seriously, this looks like me just goofing around at the rec center. The confidence this man has in his shot...</b></p>
<p><b>This gif becomes way funnier if you just watch <span>Gordon Hayward</span>.</b></p>
<p><a href="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/3976507/2-8Josemissmake.gif" target="_blank"><img alt="2-8josemissmake_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/3976507/2-8Josemissmake_medium.gif"></a></p>
<p><b>I could watch this for hours.</b></p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3976523/2-8DIRK3.gif"><img src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3976523/2-8DIRK3_medium.gif" class="photo" alt="2-8dirk3_medium"></a></p>
<p><b>And when you know Dirk will pull up and make it from anywhere, this happens:</b></p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3976531/2-8DIRK.gif"><img src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/3976531/2-8DIRK_medium.gif" class="photo" alt="2-8dirk_medium"></a></p>
<p><b><span>Brandan Wright</span> and <span>Vince Carter</span>? GOLDEN.</b></p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3976547/2-8VinceWrightPnR.gif"><img src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3976547/2-8VinceWrightPnR_medium.gif" class="photo" alt="2-8vincewrightpnr_medium"></a></p>
<h3>Some light reading:</h3>
<ul>
<li>This isn't reading as much as it is "looking," but you should know <a href="http://instagram.com/mavsmoneyball">we have an Instagram and we are prepared to use it</a>. I broke it out at last night's game and it went well, if I do say so myself.</li>
<li><span>Friend of Mavs Moneyball Bobby Karalla <a href="http://www.hickory-high.com/?p=12065">breaks down how the Mavericks bench has come into its own</a> with the return of <span>Devin Harris</span>.</span></li>
<li> <span>Comparing Monta Ellis to a character from The Wire? </span><a href="http://www.thesportsfanjournal.com/sports/basketball/2014-monta-ellis-dallas-mavericks-past-perceptions/">Sure, I'm down.</a> </li>
<li>The new dunk contest is weird, but <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2014/2/6/5388168/nba-slam-dunk-contest-2014-rules">I think the free-for-all dunking part is going to be cool</a>. Also, I'm going to be there. So yes, I guess I'm a little excited.</li>
</ul>
<div><font size="2"><span><i>(manager's note: Did you like reading this? Would you want to read similar articles in the future? It wouldn't be every game, but this may become a go-to feature post after big games. Give me your thoughts!)</i></span></font></div>
https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2014/2/8/5392914/aftermath-of-mavericks-103-jazz-91-enjoy-dirk-because-hes-magicalTim Cato2014-02-08T08:00:04-06:002014-02-08T08:00:04-06:00Carlisle: "Don't trust happiness."
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<figcaption>Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Mavericks flipped the script on those late second half collapses and shut down the Jazz -- as any team with playoff aspirations should.</p> <h4>Some game notes</h4>
<ul>
<li> <span>A <span>Monta Ellis</span> injury update: "</span><span>Monta Ellis has a strained right hamstring. He limped to the locker room late in the fourth quarter and his status is unknown. He didn't say much after the game, but he was walking pretty slowly. He said more will be known tomorrow."</span> </li>
<li><span>With the way he was walking, it wouldn't shock me if he missed a game or two. But he's also a tough guy and hasn't missed a game all season -- one of two <a href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Mavericks</a> to do that (<span>Jae Crowder</span> is the other, which is hilarious).</span></li>
<li><span>If he is out? Things get pretty interesting, especially if <span>Devin Harris</span> starts and does well. But it also wouldn't surprise me to see Ellington in his place.</span></li>
<li><span>A shameless site plug: We have an Instagram! <a href="http://instagram.com/mavsmoneyball">Here's the link </a>-- one night in, and we already have a couple of quality posts if I do say so myself. Another reason: Rebecca and I will be at All-Star Weekend next weekend (!!!) and we will have full Instagram coverage. It's well worth a follow if you are a IGer.</span></li>
<li><span>Dirk is a magician -- there's no other way to explain 20 points on nine shots.</span></li>
<li><span>As I mentioned on Twitter, the most important stat of the night was Dirk's 26 minutes. The funniest stat of the night? Utah attempted a FRANCHISE RECORD 35 three pointers. They made 12 and still only scored 81. Oh my goodness. That's seriously the best.</span></li>
</ul>
<h4><span>Rick Carlisle</span></h4>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/vmM-g3NR0Us" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p>On the team's rebounding</p>
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<p>I'm not happy about anything. At this point, we're shoring it up, we're doing better with it. We can't start feeling to good. Chuck Daly, one of his favorite sayings was, 'don't trust happiness.' Especially in the NBA because it can get you quickly, you can start feeling good about yourself.</p>
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<p>On slowing <span>Marvin Williams</span> and the rest of the <a href="https://www.slcdunk.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Jazz</a> down after 23 early points</p>
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<p>We changed our whole defense. We played zone whenever we could. The matchup was hard and they were doing some things to loosen him up. We had to change. We did and the guys did a good job with it. A guy's not going to make every shot -- even though it seemed like he was going to at the beginning. I don't think he scored in the second half, so that was good.</p>
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<p>On Monta's injury</p>
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<p>Yes, there is concern. Any time a player walks out early, there is concern, but we'll get it chcked out and we'll see what's what. ... I'm not going to talk about it right now until I get an official thing. I think it's a hamstring, but beyond that, I don't know.</p>
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<h4><span>Dirk Nowitzki</span></h4>
<p>On upcoming road trip</p>
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<p>Always before you hit the road before an extended period of time, you want to win that last game. We head on the road, so we did a good job there in the second half. Not so good in the first, they got off smoking. I got Williams nice and hot there, especially in the first quarter. But then I thought we did a good job there defensively. I thought 'Trix did a great job on Hayward all night, chasing him around, making it hard on him. And he's obviously on of their key guys.</p>
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<p>On why they're "an awesome rebounding team" (and Sefko was using some sarcasm)</p>
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<p>I wouldn't say awesome. You know, I think when we hold our own on the glass, we have a chance to be in games and win games, on the road as well. But if we get pounded constantly by 10 and 20 on the glass, it's going to be a challenge with the offense on the other end to produce and make shots all the time. If we can be a little more consistent defensively and rebounding wise, I like our chances going into the last 30, 31, 32 games.</p>
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<p>On the rhythm the bench is getting into (asked by yours truly because why not)</p>
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<p>Yeah, I think ever since Devin came back, he gave us another punch off the bench. He can create, he can shoot a little bit. He's a very good defender for us. That's a nice change of speed from when Jose's out there. Vince has been in a great rhythm, he's money again every time he shoots now. The bench is playing well. We missed B-Wright early in the season, but he's been solid finishing in the paint.</p>
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<blockquote data-partner="tweetdeck" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>What was the key to slowing down Marvin Williams? Dirk: "taking me off him."</p>
— Tim Cato (@tim_cato) <a href="https://twitter.com/tim_cato/statuses/432009811626975232">February 8, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
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<h4>Devin Harris</h4>
<p>On what the Mavs have done well over the winning streak</p>
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<p>Defensively, we're locked in a little bit more. Helping each other more, really trying to protect the paint. Obviously offensively, we feel like we can score every night. Defensively, we've really honed in our mistakes and trying to get better at that end of the floor.</p>
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<p>On the six out of seven on the road upcoming</p>
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<p>We're a veteran team, we're kind of used to it. We've just got to take them one at a time. Trying to make up some ground. Obviously, it starts on Sunday [against Boston].</p>
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<p>On what would happen if Monta misses time</p>
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<p>It just leaves opportunity for other people. Obviously, you can't replace what he does -- you have to do it by committee. He's been playing great for us, so hopefully he doesn't have to miss any time -- but if he does, you've got to depend on other guys.</p>
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<p>On whether the All-Star Break is good or bad for Harris, since he's recently returned</p>
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<p>A little bit of both. I definitely could use the rest, kind of regroup a little bit, but I don't want to lose what I've built on so far. I just take it with a grain of salt and try to come back ready to go.</p>
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<h4><span>Jose Calderon</span></h4>
<p>On overall performance</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Tonight, these are the kind of games you have to win. I think everybody had that in our minds before we started the game and, as I said, we came ready to play. Everyone who stepped on the court did a great job tonight.</p>
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<p>On his performance</p>
<blockquote>
<p>I have some tough nights and other ones are better. Some nights the ball wants to go in, and other nights you don't feel as comfortable, like the night before, and there is nothing you can do. You are tired, too, because you are trying to get that break.</p>
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<h4>Utah coach <span>Tyrone Corbin</span>
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<p>On what Dallas did well</p>
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<p>They were the aggressive team. They had the most energy. Give them credit, they executed better than we did. They made the shots when they did, they got all the 50/50 balls and they got second opportunities. One thing we can't afford to do against anybody right now where we are as a team is have guys outwork us. They outworked us tonight.</p>
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https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2014/2/8/5391996/video-quoteboard-mavericks-bury-utah-with-a-sharp-defensive-secondTim Cato2014-02-07T22:10:41-06:002014-02-07T22:10:41-06:00Dallas cruises over Utah
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<figcaption>Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Mavericks don't let up against the worst team in the league, at home, and roll on for a relatively simple victory.</p> <p><i><b>INJURY UPDATE: </b>Monta Ellis has a strained right hamstring. He limped to the locker room late in the fourth quarter and his status is unknown. He didn't say much after the game, but he was walking pretty slowly. He said more will be known tomorrow.</i></p>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.slcdunk.com/">Utah Jazz</a> exploded out of the gate, scoring 21 points in the first six minutes. They managed just 60 points the rest of the game, and only 14 in the final quarter, fizzling out and making this another "restful" game for Dirk Nowitzki and some of the other veterans.</p>
<p>Dirk continues an extremely impressive run of efficient offense, scoring 20 points on 5-of-9 shooting. As mentioned, he got some rest, playing just 26 minutes tonight. I don't think you could have drawn up a better plan for him as the All-Star Break looms.</p>
<p><span>Monta Ellis</span> led all players with 22 points, but according to the broadcast, left to go to the locker room before the end of the game. This may be nothing, but if more information surfaces we will provide an update.</p>
<p>Though the game wasn't exactly a blowout most the way through, Dallas led comfortably from the end of the first quarter on, and blew the game open in the fourth. There really wasn't a facet of the game where Dallas didn't play better, and frankly, this is the sort of outcome playoff teams should get when facing a young, inexperienced roster and a franchise clearly in rebuild mode.</p>
<p>Dallas plays Boston Sunday on NBA TV, with just three games remaining until the break. After a minor slump recently, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Mavericks</a> look about as good as they have all year, and are really starting to build momentum.</p>
<p>A third straight blowout (and fourth straight win overall) means that, in the last three games, the Mavs have outscored their opponents by a total of 55 points.</p>
<p>Marvin Williams led the way for Utah with 21 points. 14 of those came from that early barrage when it looked like Williams was going to put up a Mirza Teletovic-type game on Dallas. Williams cooled off from there, and not to pile on the good folk from the beehive state (also, I had no idea Utah's nickname was "the beehive state"), but he didn't get much of any help from his Jazz teammates.</p>
<p>(What cooled Williams off in the second half? "Taking me off him," Dirk said.)</p>
<p>The Dallas offense also sputtered a bit at certain moments, but Dirk managed to keep the engine going by getting to the free throw line nine times -- as in true <span>Jerry Sloan</span> fashion, Utah was not afraid to hand out fouls.</p>
<p>One of Jose Calderon's four made three pointers ballooned the lead up over 20 points halfway through the fourth quarter. To that point, Utah had connected on just one field goal in the final frame, and though Dallas has had an unfortunate number of blown leads on their ledger this season, you didn't get the idea the Jazz had had that kind of run in them.</p>
<p>The Mavs three-headed monster ("monster" might be a bit strong; they're more a large but relatively benign Harry and the Hendersons-type monster) at center combined for 24 points and 15 rebounds in 40 minutes.</p>
<p>A win is a win, but we will see if Dallas gets a slightly sturdier test from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">Boston Celtics</a> Sunday. One doesn't want to look ahead, but a six game winning streak would be nice heading into the final game pre-All Star Break against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.indycornrows.com/">Pacers</a>.</p>
<p><span>Jazz vs Mavericks coverage</span></p>
<p><a href="http://www.slcdunk.com/">SLC Dunk</a></p>
<p></p>
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<th class="td-left"> <span>Final - 2.7.2014 </span> </th> <th>1</th> <th>2</th> <th>3</th> <th>4</th> <th>Total</th>
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<td class="td-name"><span class="loss"> <a href="https://www.slcdunk.com/">Utah Jazz</a> </span></td>
<td>23</td>
<td>20</td>
<td>24</td>
<td>14</td>
<td class="highlight">81</td>
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<td class="td-name"><span class="win"> <a href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Dallas Mavericks</a> </span></td>
<td>28</td>
<td>26</td>
<td>28</td>
<td>21</td>
<td class="highlight">103</td>
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<p class="foot clearfix"><span class="link-more"><span>Complete Coverage ></span></span></p>
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https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2014/2/7/5391824/final-score-mavericks-cruise-against-jazz-103-81Ian_Miller2014-02-07T18:31:02-06:002014-02-07T18:31:02-06:00GAME THREAD: Mavericks vs. Jazz
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<figcaption>Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Mavs look to build on the success of their road win in Memphis with the Jazz coming into town.</p> <p><strong>WHO:</strong> <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Dallas Mavericks</a> vs. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.slcdunk.com/">Utah Jazz</a></p>
<p><strong>WHAT:</strong> A chance to add to that win column.</p>
<p><strong>WHERE:</strong> American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas</p>
<p><strong>WHEN:</strong> 7:30 p.m. CST </p>
<p><strong>HOW:</strong> FSSW</p>
<p><strong>THE STORY:</strong> Well, that win in Memphis was certainly nice, wasn't it? The Mavs will look to build on that win with a Utah team coming into town that they should be able to beat. <span>Derrick Favors</span> has missed the past few games with a hip injury and should be out again. <span>Enes Kanter</span> is on my fantasy team, but I guess I'll sacrifice rooting for him for a night. No injuries of significance for the Mavs, as Marion returned the other night. Should be W tonight, but as our own Jonathan Tjarks noted <a href="http://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2014/2/7/5389884/four-pointer-previewing-the-utah-jazz/in/5154135">in his preview</a>, anything can happen with these Mavs.</p>
<p>Check out our <a href="http://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2014/2/7/5390094/mmb-gameday-stream-dallas-mavericks-vs-utah-jazz">fancy pregame coverage</a> if you are so inclined, and as always, comment away below and goooooooo team go!</p>
https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2014/2/7/5391204/game-thread-dallas-mavericks-vs-utah-jazzRebecca Lawson2014-02-07T13:25:03-06:002014-02-07T13:25:03-06:00Q&A: AllThatAmar talks Mavs-Jazz
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<figcaption>Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>AND WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT MILES DAVIS.</p> <h4>1) You look at <span>Gordon Hayward's</span> stat line and it looks pretty solid, until...OH GOD THOSE SHOOTING PERCENTAGES HURT MY EYES. Is he just being asked to do too much?</h4>
<p>Yeah, Gordo is having a pretty strange season. It's probably not the season Jazz fans, coaches, or players were expecting from him. But let's look at where Hayward comes from. At Butler (2 seasons), he shot 47.0 FG%, 36.9 3PT%, and 82.4 FT%. At the NBA level (4 seasons) he's shooting 43.9 FG%, 37.8 3PT%, and 81.7 FT%. Aside from the FG% drop, he's *right there* to where he was as a college player. If you factor in the larger sample size, the better scouting, the more games played, and the higher talent level at the NBA it's not hard to see Hayward drop a few points at FG%. But these are just his career numbers. This season, well, this season things look bad. His FG% has gone down every year in the league (48.5 FG% as a rookie, to the 40.8 FG% mark this season, in a contract year). Not surprisingly, his FGA has gone up every year in the league too. Similarly, his USG% has gone up every year as well. He is increasingly becoming a bigger part of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.slcdunk.com/">Utah Jazz</a> offense, and responsible for more and more. Perhaps there is a point where there can just be too much of Gordon Hayward, as you suggest?<br><br>Or perhaps, maybe there are other facts that influence his shooting woes this year? Hayward used to be that 4th option guy in the starting lineup. He benefitted from playing with guys like <span>Deron Williams</span>, <span>Devin Harris</span>, <span>Mo Williams</span>, <span>Al Jefferson</span>, and <span>Paul Millsap</span> his entire NBA career. As a result there was always a post up guy and a guy who could drive on the floor with him, and he was super open when the ball rotated off to him. This season the spot up attempts are down, and more of his shots are a product of dribble hand offs and things he does with the ball in his hands in a pick and roll situation.<br><br>Of course, the biggest issue here is that the Jazz lost shot doctor Jeff Hornacek, who was Hayward's favorite coach on the team. <span>Tyrone Corbin</span> isn't able to get the best out of Gordon, and I think part of that is based on communication and Xs and Os. But that's just a hallmark of Corbin's coaching career - no one thrives under him. Cases in point: Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap are having great seasons this year.<br><br>In another system, that uses him and gets him shots in different ways, I suppose you could be happy with Hayward taking 14 shots a game and having a 23.8 USG% and 22.8 AST% on his club. I don't think he's being asked to do too much, he's just not being used correctly.</p>
<h4>2) Have the young big men, Kanter and Favors, developed like Utah hoped they would this season?</h4>
<p><br>In a word: no. I'm a big proponent of the idea that younger players have a critical learning period. If they don't get something to ‘click' within the first 2-3 years in the league they could be a lost cause. I feel like they need to be on the floor, because a huge factor of learning is performance based. Few people learn to tie shoelaces by just watching their older sibling do it, after a while you have to learn to do it yourself with the laces in your hands. The more frequently you get a chance to tie laces the better and better you get at it. So it's about experience, and experience isn't practice. Because you are evaluated on how you play in the game. And there's no substitute for game experience. With the Jazz forward/center <span>Derrick Favors</span> has gone from 20.2 mpg, to 21.2 mpg, to 23.2 mpg, and this season is playing 31.3 mpg. He's never gotten close to the 2,000 minutes in a season that good players get in their first three years in the league. (I've looked at a lot of stats on this to get to that number - almost every All-Star in the last 20 years had at least 2,000 minutes per season in their formative years) Even this season, with no Big Al or Millsap, Favors is still being held back and playing by that "if you get your 5th foul, you foul out" rule that Corbin put on him. It's silly. Minutes aside, Favors looks like he's taken two steps forward this year and two steps sideways. His Per 36 stats tell the story his per game stats do not. He's less efficient, despite doing more things on the court and being a starter. His blocks are down, he gets to the line less frequently, and he's shooting poorer from the FT line. You could argue that there's some regression there. That's the opposite of development.<br><br>Kanter is the whipping boy of this team. And while I love the kid, I'm almost at the point of recognizing that his life would be so much better outside of Utah; I may even entertain thoughts of trading him. He's a #3 pick in his third year in the league, and his front court is just him, Favors, <span>Marvin Williams</span> (somehow starting at PF), and <span>Rudy Gobert</span>. Gobert doesn't even play in games, and Kanter is only playing 25.3 mpg. His previous two seasons had him at 13.2 and 15.4 mpg. He's behind the curve, and it shows most in his confidence.<br><br>The more you tie shoes laces, and tie them with success, the better you feel about it. When you have to tie them, you can now do them without even thinking. And you feel confident in your abilities. Kanter's confidence has been systematically broken down by inconsistent minutes, an inconsistent role (sometimes he starts; sometimes he is the 2nd big off the bench), a very short leash, several public shamings by the coach, and a media campaign against him by the Jazz' own PR department. Really, a play-by-play guy keeps tweeting about how bad the Jazz are when Kanter starts.<br><br>So Kanter doesn't even get on the floor much, and when he's on the floor, he's not confident enough to play his game. Most of his numbers are down, despite playing like 10 more minutes a game. How is that even possible?<br><br>The good news is that both players seem to really appreciate working with Karl Malone. Malone loves them too, and is an assistant bigman coach who is part time. The sooner he spends more time with them, the better the both of them will be. I don't see why you hold off on development until their 4th and 3rd seasons though, that seems like a great way to minimize the returns you get. You still have to pay them #3 pick rookie scale contracts. Why not get the most out of them? Oh, okay, start Marvin Williams over one of them, and play the other guy barely over 30 mpg in a season we're going to the lotto anyway . . .</p>
<h4>3) Nothing much is happening for the Jazz this year, but what does the future look like? What has to happen and how long will that take?</h4>
<p><br>The future could be bright, or it could be very mediocre. There are two large factors which will influence which path the team goes on. The first, of course, is the draft lotto. If the Jazz are able to secure a Top 5 Pick, things could be a lot better, a lot sooner. A young core of <span>Trey Burke</span>, <span>Alec Burks</span>, Gordon Hayward, Derrick Favors, <span>Enes Kanter</span>, <span>Jeremy Evans</span>, <span>Ian Clark</span>, and Rudy Gobert + a Top 5 pick looks like a solid core. If the team drafts another guy at the end of the lotto (and the Jazz are a .500 team over the last 30+ games) then the team isn't really helping themselves. The second, and probably more important factor, is that the team needs to clean house with the coaching staff. There is enough evidence to have them fired, but the Jazz franchise values stability over shake ups. If the Jazz were able to get a Top 5 pick and an average NBA head coaching staff things would be pointed in the right direction. We'll know for sure where we are headed in 2 seasons from now.</p>
<h4>4) Which match-up do you think will be the most important in this game?</h4>
<p><br>This one is easy. No disrespect to your players, or all the All-Star games they've played in over their careers, but the biggest mismatch here is <span>Rick Carlisle</span> and Tyrone Corbin. Carlisle is so damn good that he's even made <span>Monta Ellis</span> a team player, instead of just a volume scorer. Corbin can't even figure out how to play Trey, Alec, Gordon, Enes, and Derrick on the court at the same time. I'm not joking. Those five lotto picks have played together this season for a grand total of 32 minutes this year. Burke missed about 4 weeks of action, and Favors and Hayward have missed a game or two, but these guys should be playing at least 20 minutes together every game. They've only played 32 minutes together this season. It's almost the All-Star break.<br><br>We have an expression at SLC Dunk. "Corb's gonna Corb." You'll see it tonight when Corbin has two point guards on the floor and puts <span>Richard Jefferson</span> at the four spot at times. You're welcome, Dallas.</p>
<p>Of course, the "who guards Monta?" and "who guards Dirk?" are huge match-ups too. But for me it comes down to coaching. And at times this season it appears as though the Jazz are a man down in that regard.</p>
<p><i>Thanks Amar! You can find him on Twitter at @AllThatAmar and of course, check out </i><a href="http://www.slcdunk.com/"><i>SLC Dunk</i></a><i>.</i></p>
https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2014/2/7/5390566/mavericks-jazz-question-answer-dallas-utahTim Cato2014-02-07T10:47:39-06:002014-02-07T10:47:39-06:00Four-Pointer: Previewing the Utah Jazz
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<p>Utah is still rebuilding, but they have enough young talent to surprise teams that take them lightly.</p> <h4><b>What have the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.slcdunk.com/">Jazz</a> done lately?</b></h4>
<p>Utah is sitting in the basement of the Western Conference with a 16-32 record, but that's a bit deceptive. Most of those losses occurred at the beginning of the season, when they were playing without Trey Burke. Utah is 1-11 without Burke, the No. 9 pick in the 2013 draft, and 15-21 with him.</p>
<p>While his stats aren't all that great, he's a legitimate floor general who can run the offense and get guys open shots without turning it over. He is averaging 13 points, 6 assists and 3 bounds a game and his speed could be a major problem for <span>Jose Calderon</span>, especially in transition.</p>
<p>The good news is that, like most young teams, the Jazz have been far tougher at home than on the road. They've beaten Washington, Denver and Oklahoma City (!) in Salt Lake, but their only road win since the start of the new year came at Detroit.</p>
<h4><b>What Utah player might be in for a big game?</b></h4>
<p>The Mavs might have caught another break on the injury front, as <span>Derrick Favors</span> has missed the last three games with a hip injury. The Jazz are 0-6 on the season without him in the line-up and there's currently no news as to whether he will be able to play on Friday.</p>
<p>Never fear, though, as Dallas is probably still at a disadvantage in the paint. <span>Enes Kanter</span>, the No. 3 pick in the 2011 draft, has seen his minutes increase with Favors out. A bull in a china shop at 6'11 250, he broke <span>Dirk Nowitzki's</span> scoring record at the Nike Hoop Summit in 2010.</p>
<p>In his last three games, Kanter put up 15/7 against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/">Warriors</a>, 23/14 against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Clippers</a> and 10/3 against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.raptorshq.com/">Raptors</a>. I'd expect a performance more in line with what he did against Los Angeles, if only because the Mavs don't exactly have the stoutest post defenders in the world.</p>
<h4><b>What's the biggest match-up to watch?</b></h4>
<p>The Jazz have absolutely no one who can match-up with Dirk Nowitzki, which makes them pretty much like every other team in the NBA. That's why I'll stick with the perimeter, where they can throw <span>Alec Burks</span>, their 6th man and the No. 12 pick in 2011, on <span>Monta Ellis</span>.</p>
<p>At 6'6 205, Burks is the kind of long and athletic SG who can give Monta trouble on both ends of the floor. However, like most young guards, he can have trouble with team defense and understanding his responsibilities off-the-ball, so expect to see Monta in a lot of two-man game situations.</p>
<p>Burks is averaging 13 points, 3 bounds and 3 assists on 44% shooting. The Jazz close out a lot of games with the Burke & Burks back-court; unfortunately, with <span>Shawn Marion</span> tied up against <span>Gordon Hayward</span>, the Mavs are going to need Jose Calderon to guard somebody.</p>
<h4><b>What is the key for the Mavs to defeat the Jazz?</b></h4>
<p>Score a lot of points and put Utah away early. The one thing you don't want to do is give a young team on the road any hope they can steal the game in the final minutes. If Dallas can get out to a 10-15 point lead in the first half and extend that at the start of the 3Q, the Jazz might pack it in for the night.</p>
<p>They are the worst rated defense in the NBA, with a defensive rating of 109.8 per 100 possessions, so I guess you can expect a lot of points to be scored on Friday. If the Mavs three-point shooters are on early, they may be able to bury the Jazz. Of course, with Dallas this season, I'm not sure it's even possible for a lead to be "safe".</p>
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