One Hit Wonder

Posted by Johnathan Kendrick on October 30, 2008

Opening night, Arena upgrades, Williams injury, successful debut for Kirilenko as the sixth man, close game, the Jazz Nuggets contest had many storylines. One of the biggest factors in the Jazz win however might just be the non story.  The story that never happened.

When last season began, most NBA fans had no idea who Linas Kleiza was. Personally I thought he looked more like a lost member of the British pop band Right Said Fred than a Jazz Killer (technically Right Said Fred could be considered a Jazz Killer too – musically speaking). Judging by the collective defense the Jazz threw at Kleiza last January, they didn’t know who he was either. Linas Kleiza absolutely torched the Jazz. He carried the Nuggets, he was half the box score and all the headlines. He was the story. Last night the fact that the Nuggets were missing Carmelo Anthony might have helped the Jazz focus defensively on Kleiza. They kept him in check, out of the headlines, out of rhythm, out of the game.

Compare the Lines.

The Jazz had a hard time in the 90’s against guys like Eddie Johnson, Vernon Maxwell, and other talented but not superstar players who routinely had thier best games vs the Jazz and started to carry the tag “Jazz Killer.” It’s nice to see that for now Linas Kleiza is not on that list, and his game last year is still just a one hit wonder.

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