Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Game 54: Utah Jazz vs Chicago Bulls

vs
86 - 91
Season Record: 31-23

I'd been excited for this game since i got tickets for it at the beginning of the season. In the end really it was a good game, and really fun to be there, just the biggest bad from this game was the Jazz couldn't win it. After the game and the next day there was much to put a different look on this game for me, but, i will just focus on this particular game for this post and talk about that other sni in a different post.

I did like how the Jazz kept fighting in this one. It did seem like they really wanted it and had the passion to go after it. The really ironic thing is that when the game was over i thought to myself that i was glad this is a Jerry Sloan team, because i knew he wouldn't let them stop fighting. I thought this loss would be ok, the team could learn from it. The Jazz could continue being a Jerry team who would win games purely because they were tougher than the other team. Little did i know... little did i know.

The Chicago Jazz were here in this picture after beating their old team the Utah Jazz. Just sad to me. The Jazz did keep Boozer down and played some serious good defense on that guy, which was nice to see. The crowd did love seeing Boozer fail. And while i don't hate Boozer and never did hate him when he was on the Jazz, i also was happy to see Boozer fail in this game. Mostly for me though, because he is on another team and i'd always like him to feel like he left the best team he will ever play for.

Now lets talk some Deron Williams. Not stuff from after this game yet, but just things i thought while at this game and things i've thought about in recent days and weeks. First of all, in this game: Deron was outplayed by Rose and it really wasn't even all that close. Before i go any farther, i'd just like to say that i do like Deron Williams, and think he's a good player, and want him to succeed with the Jazz. That said, i was not happy with his decisions and play in this game... especially down the stretch. Now i can forgive a guy for some bad play, everybody has times they don't play well, but to me it seems like Deron is not getting better this year. If anything it seems he is going the opposite way.. down. I see less hustle, less pride in the Jazz, less heart, less taking over of games, less, less less.

I like Deron, and thats why i have these worries when i see these things. Maybe i'm wrong, maybe he is getting better and these things really aren't going on, but i just have not really loved his attitude this year. And these opinions are not coming from what happened with Jerry after this game. These thoughts have been in my head most of the season, i've just been trying to ignore them.

I can't remember when it was, i think just before the season or something, Boozer was talking to media or something and said Rose was a great point guard and something like he was the best he's seen. Sorry i can't remember exactly what he said but it was something along those lines. At the time i was mad a bit at Boozer, and thought he was just a dufus. I figured he'd be proved wrong throughout the year and especially when the Jazz face the Bulls. Usually Deron has done well head to head against top point guards in the league. It sucks to say it, but Boozer just might have been more right than i thought. Especially since Rose is just in his second season i believe. Rose was really good out there in this game against the Jazz.

Here's a couple videos i took and then just a recap of the game.

Good defense by the Jazz on Boozer


Deron's turnover pass to end the game... just broke my little heart. The crowd was all pumped and ready for the Jazz to kick butt. It didn't happen the way we hoped.



I'll talk about Jerry Sloan more in another post, but this will be the last game recap ever of a Sloan coached Jazz team. If it had to end, at least i am glad i can say i was able to see Jerry's final game. Its not what i would have wanted in a final game, but like it or not, it was his final game. So i end my post of Jerry's final game with a thank you to Jerry. He was the Jazz, and will always be the Jazz to me.

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