The Rollercoaster Ride

Posted by The Mueller’s on November 11, 2008

‘Jerry – After His 1000 Win Ride’

I absolutely loved the first half of the Jazz/Thunder game.  However, the second half had me wondering what can a coach do to improve the consistency of the team.  I remember feeling this way last season as well.  When the Jazz are on, I would put them against any team.  BUT, they don’t “stay” on.  We have spurts.  Some longer than others but they all come to an end.

For example, WHY do players miss free throws?  They practice them over and over again.  Many seasoned players have taken hundreds of game-time free throws.  And yet consistently making the shots is a challenge for them.  The skill level is there.  The practice hours are there.  The determination is there.

I watched the Thunder game and the Knicks game this weekend and I just can’t figure out a plausible reason why the Jazz look like an NBA all-star team one minute and like a High School team the next.  This must drive Sloan absolutely crazy.  What does he say to them?

Now that I think about it, I wonder if it is similar to being a parent.  You know when you see that potential in your children but for reasons we all struggle to find, they sometimes let us down.  Do THEY see that potential?  Or, are we as parents/fans just fooling ourselves?

I am not a sports authority (which is not news to anyone who has read my posts before).  But, when I see the team play well, without Williams.  When I see what our bench is capable of doing.  When I see the hustle and the confidence on the court I think to myself . . . ‘we are unbeatable’.  Then I wait on the edge of my seat as the inevitable ’slide’ happens and wonder where did that first team go??  If only I could figure THAT out, then I WOULD be a sports authority.

So my hope for this season is that the Jazz ride the rollercoaster less and play up to their potential more.  I guess when you think about it, we all need to do that.

1 Comment

snowtreemt on November 11, 2008 said:

It’s so hard to watch the second quarter sometimes, I have to turn the channel! If I was Coach Sloan, it would be hard for me to watch! But they have to just dig deep and find a way to overcome past mistakes, not unlike they did tonight against Philly.

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