Back-to-Back!

Posted by J R Stewart on February 08, 2009

For only the second time in 13 back-to-back games, the Jazz won (just barely, but they won!).

Why should the back-to-backs be such a problem for teams?

Yes, it’s not just the Jazz. We’ve seen several teams come into the ESA and crumble on the 2nd night of a back-to-back. The Mavs were the most recent victims, coming off a win over the Blazers and sitting a couple of games better than the Jazz in the standings.

Despite the chartered jets and luxury hotels, the late arrivals, sleep disruptions and altered time zones seem to have a considerable effect, despite their youth and excellent physical condition.

I flew coach to Europe a couple of years ago, and lost a couple of days of a river cruise to jet lag. Last year we were able to get a 1st class upgrade, what a difference, but still, travel, even by 1st class, takes something out of you. Yea, I’m an ol’ duffer and you’d expect that, but even when I was young and great shape, it still caused problems.

They don’t practice. Their night’s sleep is shortened. Their naps are mistimed or interrupted. Their meals are different. The arena is different. The fans are hostile. The refs, and for that matter, the whole world is against them.

The NBA is a little more competitive and demanding, than slogging through a couple of days on a river cruise. If you are not at your peak and ready to go, somebody is going to slap you down and get a lay-up. There are not a lot of deck chairs on the court. The game is so fast and athletic, even the slightest edge is enough for a good old butt kickin’.

We fans shell hundreds of bucks to attend games. As much as we love to see the Jazz win, we’d prefer to see ‘Dirty Dirk’ a little less glassy eyed, when he comes to town.

Why does the NBA even allow back-to-back games?

It dilutes the product!

(Any ideas, or email addresses to complain to, would be appreciated.)

Jazzaholic

2 Comments

justonechampionship on February 08, 2009 said:

I agree with you. I like seeing the Jazz blow out another western conference team as much as the next guy, but I don’t care for back-to-back games because it’s always the team with a 2 or 3 day layoff that always wins.

Linda McFarland on February 09, 2009 said:

Hadn’t thought of it that way but you have a legitiment thought. I doubt that any of us have any idea what it takes out of a person to play a hard game. That can’t be used in the equation in last night’s game but I can see lots of games when it would. This team is going to drive me to the looney bin (short drive). How can they look so full of energy, desire, and talent one night and then look like they did last night? They were terrible. The game wasn’t even fun to watch because I hate the type ball that Golden State plays but other times we have been able to slow it more to our game. No one was good last night. They just didn’t care. WHY??? I wish I had some way to figure it out for my own sanity!! I think (and any more it is just a guess) that DWill trys hard but he simply gives up when he gets no help from the rest of the team. We have tickets to the Lakers game this Wednesday. Nothing, not hospitalization, not slick roads, not a foot of snow will keep me away. It will either be a terrific game or one where we will want our paper sacks.

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