SALT LAKE CITY - We had computer glitches back in the office earlier tonight during the game, so most of my in-game blogs failed to post. It's probably just as well. The Kings' performance was even more disturbing in person.
What ever happened to the team that started the season 3-1? The one that actually passed the ball once in a while, actually moved body parts once in a while, set screens, occasionally even scored in transition?
Anyway, now that the computers are humming along, here are a few post-game thoughts, starting with congratulations to Jerry Sloan on his 1,200th career coaching victory:
- Paul Westphal wants to take advantage of Carl Landry in the low post. We get that. But this feed-the-post obsession is contributing to the stagnant offense. Landry is most effective when he attacks quickly or faces up for a jumper. Too often, though, he holds the ball, giving defenders time to react. Then, instead of passing out of the double-team and finding an open teammate, he tries to split the defenders, getting his shot blocked or resulting in a poor possession. In his last five games, he has failed to contribute a single assist. Zero. Zip. None. Not even Kevin McHale (Mr. Black Hole himself) got away with that. That is simply bad basketball.
- While chatting with a member of the Jazz coaching staff before the game, he reminded me that Sloan is a stickler for players driving to the basket instead of pulling up for the jumper on the fastbreak, as is so common today.
- The Jazz are 10-5, and Memo Okur (Achilles) hasn't even played yet. The sense is that when the veteran center returns, he'll come off the bench behind Al Jefferson.
- No practice Tuesday. Westphal, who works his players hard (and often), gave them a break after the back-to-back games.
- Not only did the Kings shoot only 35.8 percent, they converted 5 of 16 three's. So why keep shooting from long range? The Jazz were 3 of 9 from beyond the arc, further suggesting that moving, cutting, passing, setting screens, reversing the ball, etc., leads to easier shots and higher percentage shots. Too much one-on-one, and too much off the dribble.
- DeMarcus Cousins has been wildly inconsistent of late, but it is interesting to note that the Kings were 3-1 when he was in the starting lineup. He doesn't provide Dalembert's defensive presence, of course, but offensively, he played with more poise and seemed more intent on muscling to the basket and/or looking for teammates. Tonight, he again floated outside and too often looked to score. His two missed jumpers in the second quarter helped fuel Utah's break. Can't dump the offensive malaise on a 20-year-old, but would love to see more of that passing.
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