Last Hope for the Galaxy
Right now we are all down deep in the heart of basketball season. We’re in it up to our armpits, and doesn’t it feel great? College, high school, and pro-basketball is happening every day of the week! It’s this gym rat’s dream time of year!
I wasn’t able to watch the recent Hawks vs. Jazz match-up but was given a report. Something was mentioned that ties right in to the basketball I’ve been watching lately; high school ball. At a recent boys tournament, there were a few kids who unrelentingly tried to draw charging fouls by doing the flop. It really didn’t work for them, and thankfully its not working as much in the NBA as it used to.
The two Jazz games prior to the Pistons game were really kind of underwhelming. Well, the Hawks game was; the Clippers game was actually nauseating. Now, I’m sure the Jazz have worked out the kinks, and it’s gonna be nothing less than spectacular from here on out. I only have a word of caution, call it a plea if you will. This is an open letter to my newest favorite Jazzman Kyle Korver.
“Kyle, may I call you Kyle?” After hearing a game recap from a couple of different Jazz fans, I got the news that you’ve been flopping a little bit. I can’t say that it doesn’t hurt. I feel just a little betrayed. Kyle, don’t go breakin’ my heart.
It may seem really “cool” or “neat” to flop around like the rest of your friends in the NBA, but when it comes down to it, the only one and true way to “draw” an offensive foul is to not try to make the guy look like he fouled you. In other words, play defense. Good, honest defense. Your stats in other areas of your game will improve too. That’s just how it works. Have you noticed your game slipping a little as of late? Kyle, when you play good defense, it leads to good offense, every time. I know you’ve heard Coach Sloan say it, but maybe coming from someone else, the message will get through to you. Help us, Obi-Wan Kenorver, you’re our only hope. The entire Jazz system is relying on you. Without your outside shooting, the Imperial troops will just pack it inside with a zone, and you know how well December turned out!
The force is strong in you. Please don’t turn to the darkside. Don’t follow Emporer Ginobli. Be our Luke, not our Anaken!”
I guess you can tell when I grew up! Kyle’s last hair cut does make him look more like Hayden Christensen than his old Mark Hamill. Tell me you don’t see the connection! But seriously folks, Jerry Sloan, as I have said before, knows of what he speaks. Just play good defense, and everything falls into place. It’s how the force (universe) works.
6 Comments to “Last Hope for the Galaxy”
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It’s nice to see the reffs NOT falling for the flop as much as they have in the past. Yet it remains one element of the game and can be used effectively now and again.
It’s a tool, not one you need every day, but remains in the box for stubborn nuts and the like.
Some of these superstars are totally untouchable, so encouraging an offensive call now and again is a good time to use it. As long as reffs are part of the game, so is some acting.
But of course playing hard clean ball is Job #1
First of all, I wouldn’t base your ‘plea’ to Kyle on recaps from friends…….LOL I haven’t seen any more than the occasional ‘flop’ from Kyle, which is what any player does to ’sell’ the call now and then. In fact, Kyle gas gotten the call several times as of late, taking good, solid charges. So, be careful what you wish for…..
Second, Kyle’s game isn’t slipping…… Sloan’s use of him is what is slipping…. much to the dismay of Jazz fans who would like Kyle to continue to keep shooting that beautiful shot, and providing the energy and effort that has made him such a positive addition to the team! The past few games, something seems to have changed in Korver……… more hesitant to shoot the ball, NO plays run for him whatsoever….. just a whole lot of running him on the weak side of the ball, creating offense for others, just not for Kyle……. and less minutes. Why is he being yanked early, especially in a game against the t-wolves where he’s very likely to be able to catch fire and start nailing three’s?? He was on the bench during the last half of the 4th quarter in that one): I’m at a loss……
Sorry, I just don’t think Kyle is deserving of a lecture……. I think he’s working his tail off, trying to please Sloan, and after giving the fans a little taste of what is actually possible when players are allowed to play to their strengths, and shoot the outside shot, he seems to be snatching it back, trying to squelch the perimeter shooting, and along with it, the energy and intensity that came along with it. Sad…… hope it doesn’t last. I hope fans make themselves heard on this one.
ps. I meant Sloan seems to be ’squelching’ the perimeter shooting…… not Kyle!
mkbelle, thank you for your response! I agree with you about being too judegemental using 3rd hand knowledge. It just tied in so well with what I have been seeing lately in all types of basketball, and since I love to watch, talk about and write about Kyle Korver, he just so happened to fit into my post. You say lecture, I say lovingly nudging advice. Besides, how else could I get yet another post in talking about Kyle’s hair????? But seriously, thanks again for reading and taking notice, and never ever take me too seriously!!!!! AW
From what I heard when the trade went through, we were getting a very one-dimensional player in Korver. So I have been pleasantly surprised by KK’s defense and passing. I was thrilled with the trade when I thought all he could do was shoot. I’m even more thrilled now that I see he has other skills too (though shooting is obviously the strongest.)
Last game, Korver played about 14 minutes and was 1-4. The game before, he was 2-3. And the game before that, 3-6. That’s not bad, he’s just not getting (or taking) the shots he was.
When Korver first got to Utah, it seemed like he was throwing it up every chance he got. I admit, I cringed a little because I expected Jerry to pull him with every shot he took. Last game against NO, he played 27 minutes and shot 7-14 (6-8 from downtown). I’m hoping to see that from him again tonight. It does look like he has been more hesitant. No need to be hesitant!
I can’t remember where I read the quote, but I remember seeing where Korver said that he was going to assume he had the green light to shoot until he was told otherwise. I’m hoping he didn’t get a yellow light from Coach.
Annie….. I know I’m late in following up on this, so I hope you see it. I laughed when I read your comment to mine. You should have just said you wanted an excuse to talk about Kyle(: I may have jumped the gun, rushing to defend my new fav Jazzman……LOL Seems people forget what shooters go through….. ups and downs, and everyone is watching Kyle so close, wanting his shots to go in, so it seems they pay more attention to those that don’t. It’s disappointing when he has a great night, hits a bunch of 3’s, and everyone is excited, but then he has a night where they don’t all fall (which is going to happen, that’s just the way it is, some nights they all go in, others…. not so much), and people start whining, saying he shouldn’t shoot the ball so much. Wish people would think more before they come up with such silliness…… he needs to keep shooting the ball, that’s how a shooter stays in rhythm, and some nights he’s going to hit a bunch and some nights, they won’t all fall. Either way, I think we should support him, he’s only going to hit a lot of shots if he keeps shooting. Not sure why this is a difficult concept for some……. I know, this doesn’t have anything to do with your original post…… I’m just moving on to more current happenings(:
Thanks for replying to my post!
jams…… like you, I can only hope that Kyle didn’t get the yellow light): He’s had some great games of late though (though last night, the 3’s weren’t wanting to fall), so hopefully things will get back on track….. and Kyle will be taking those shots like he was when he first got here! The last thing we want is for Kyle to have a yellow light on shooting. That would be a mistake (in my humble opinion, of course). I would really like to see more plays run for him. I know the Jazz offense isn’t built around the three point shot, but it would be nice to see them utilize it some now that Kyle is here. Hopefully as time goes on, teammates will be better at getting the ball to him when he’s open as well. One thing I’ve noticed, and it might just be me…….. but Memo doesn’t seem to EVER pass the ball to Kyle. Even if Kyle is wide open, right near him……. Memo will always take the shot himself (even if he’s forcing it). Could it be that Memo’s ego is a little bruised, not being the big 3 point guy on the Jazz? Hmmmm……
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