‘An Improved McGrady’ (Melissa Majchrzak - NBAE/Getty Images)

Were the Jazz awful last night? Answer, Yes they were. Did they run their 1/2 court offense? Answer, Really only early before Boozer got his 2 fouls in the first 1/4, otherwise it was one pass and a shot. Late in the game, everything was just Pick and Roll over and over again. The Jazz P&R has always been effective but especially when the game is close or they are ahead. Otherwise its takes a lot of time off the clock and just lets other guys just stand around. Did they do a poor job in guarding McGrady? Probably not the best BUT when a great offensive player gets it going, school is usually out no matter what your game plan is.

Is Houston a better team this year? Yes they are! They have maintained the basic tenets of Jeff Van Gundys defense plus Rick Adelman has them moving around a little bit more on offense. PLUS and most importantly, they have have added more TALENT! A healthy McGrady, improved Yao plus a more mentally stable Bonzi Wells, more mature Mike James and one of the best players in the world in Luis Scola. What a job he did last night! The Rockets are going to challenge in the West! Mark it down!

What does this mean for the Jazz? It was a little humbling but just a little bump in the road. Continue to work hard, get better, maybe talk a little less about how good we are, just show it. Still think they are a top four team in a loaded at the top West.
A little smarter play on both ends this weekend and they come away with 2 wins. A letup against these two bottom of the pack but very well coached teams and its a bad week for the Jazz.