Comments on: The Great Race! http://www.jazzbots.com/web/2009/02/23/the-great-race/ Utah Jazz Official Fan and Team Blog Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:58:33 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: J R Stewart http://www.jazzbots.com/web/2009/02/23/the-great-race/comment-page-1/#comment-7655 J R Stewart Thu, 26 Feb 2009 23:55:41 +0000 http://www.jazzbots.com/web/?p=3035#comment-7655 The Jazz hit the Timberwolves on a back to back and injured. How many times has that happened in the last month? Despite that, the starters played lazy defense and almost blew the game. If it hadn't been for the bench and Brewer stepping up, they could have easily chalked up a loss to a tired, undermanned, non-playoff team. I hope Boozer will be back to his offensive level and an improved defensive level before that Eastern road trip. 4 losses separate 4-9. The Jazz have gotten lots of help, but must not lose. Jazzaholic The Jazz hit the Timberwolves on a back to back and injured.
How many times has that happened in the last month?
Despite that, the starters played lazy defense and almost blew the game.
If it hadn’t been for the bench and Brewer stepping up, they could have easily chalked up a loss to a tired, undermanned, non-playoff team.
I hope Boozer will be back to his offensive level and an improved defensive level before that Eastern road trip.
4 losses separate 4-9. The Jazz have gotten lots of help, but must not lose.

Jazzaholic

]]> By: canadajazz http://www.jazzbots.com/web/2009/02/23/the-great-race/comment-page-1/#comment-7637 canadajazz Thu, 26 Feb 2009 18:30:56 +0000 http://www.jazzbots.com/web/?p=3035#comment-7637 Thank you, Celtics. After losing to the Jazz, they easily knocked off Phoenix and Denver. That's the same as head-to-head wins against the Suns and Nuggets. Last night's loss to the Clippers proves Boston is only human -not unlike the Jazz, losing to Washington or Oklahoma earlier in the season. All this drama does make you pay attention to match-ups across the league. For example, can the lowly Raptors upset Phoenix this weekend? I'll be pulling for Toronto for extra reasons. Stay tuned. 6th seed isn't out of the question. A month ago, just getting in the playoffs seemed far-fetched. Thank you, Celtics.
After losing to the Jazz, they easily knocked off Phoenix and Denver.
That’s the same as head-to-head wins against the Suns and Nuggets.
Last night’s loss to the Clippers proves Boston is only human -not unlike the Jazz, losing to Washington or Oklahoma earlier in the season.
All this drama does make you pay attention to match-ups across the league. For example, can the lowly Raptors upset Phoenix this weekend? I’ll be pulling for Toronto for extra reasons.
Stay tuned. 6th seed isn’t out of the question. A month ago, just getting in the playoffs seemed far-fetched.

]]> By: J R Stewart http://www.jazzbots.com/web/2009/02/23/the-great-race/comment-page-1/#comment-7569 J R Stewart Wed, 25 Feb 2009 06:12:55 +0000 http://www.jazzbots.com/web/?p=3035#comment-7569 Trail Blazers and Mavircks lost tonight. That puts the Jazz and the Mavs with 23 loses, 1 up on the Suns, 1 behind the Hornets, 2 behind Portland and Houston, 3 behind Denver. So, the Jazz are getting help, but they can't lose! Jazzaholic Trail Blazers and Mavircks lost tonight. That puts the Jazz and the Mavs with 23 loses, 1 up on the Suns, 1 behind the Hornets, 2 behind Portland and Houston, 3 behind Denver.
So, the Jazz are getting help, but they can’t lose!

Jazzaholic

]]> By: Linda McFarland http://www.jazzbots.com/web/2009/02/23/the-great-race/comment-page-1/#comment-7562 Linda McFarland Wed, 25 Feb 2009 04:19:13 +0000 http://www.jazzbots.com/web/?p=3035#comment-7562 I'm glad we have you guys to debate and figure this out!!!!!!!!!! How Complicated!! I’m glad we have you guys to debate and figure this out!!!!!!!!!! How Complicated!!

]]> By: J R Stewart http://www.jazzbots.com/web/2009/02/23/the-great-race/comment-page-1/#comment-7545 J R Stewart Tue, 24 Feb 2009 22:27:30 +0000 http://www.jazzbots.com/web/?p=3035#comment-7545 Brian: The Jazz CAN do it! I guess my point is Portland and Denver, and many of the rest, control their own destiny, as far as the Jazz are concerned. The Jazz have to have some help. Head to head games allow the Jazz that control, if they are separated by 1 loss or less. Winning the tie-breaker is worth another loss. But, if you are behind, and both teams win every game, you're still behind, despite playing great. I hope the other teams have injuries, like the Jazz have had, have bad games, run into hot teams etc, to allow the Jazz to get to the #2 seed, but they have to get some help and continue to win, on the road, where they've had little success in the past. Jazzaholic Brian:

The Jazz CAN do it!

I guess my point is Portland and Denver, and many of the rest, control their own destiny, as far as the Jazz are concerned. The Jazz have to have some help. Head to head games allow the Jazz that control, if they are separated by 1 loss or less. Winning the tie-breaker is worth another loss.

But, if you are behind, and both teams win every game, you’re still behind, despite playing great.

I hope the other teams have injuries, like the Jazz have had, have bad games, run into hot teams etc, to allow the Jazz to get to the #2 seed, but they have to get some help and continue to win, on the road, where they’ve had little success in the past.

Jazzaholic

]]> By: Brian McCann http://www.jazzbots.com/web/2009/02/23/the-great-race/comment-page-1/#comment-7537 Brian McCann Tue, 24 Feb 2009 17:33:46 +0000 http://www.jazzbots.com/web/?p=3035#comment-7537 I agree that it is an uphill battle, but actually, to get the fourth seed, Utah just needs to beat out Denver and Portland. They have two games left against Denver-both must wins, and one against Portland. There are way too many games left to say the Jazz will most likely be a sixth/seventh seed. For one they are healthy and playing well, and for two, there are a lot of teams right now that are dealing with injuries and momentum swinging the other way. I agree that it is an uphill battle, but actually, to get the fourth seed, Utah just needs to beat out Denver and Portland. They have two games left against Denver-both must wins, and one against Portland. There are way too many games left to say the Jazz will most likely be a sixth/seventh seed. For one they are healthy and playing well, and for two, there are a lot of teams right now that are dealing with injuries and momentum swinging the other way.

]]> By: Boondock Saint http://www.jazzbots.com/web/2009/02/23/the-great-race/comment-page-1/#comment-7528 Boondock Saint Tue, 24 Feb 2009 15:46:24 +0000 http://www.jazzbots.com/web/?p=3035#comment-7528 I have been looking at the standings and agree with both your takes on this. How can I do that? Its simple, yes its close like Trueblue says but J.R. is right....other teams need to lose and we need to win. Bottom line...the Jazz can get the 4th seed but it isn't going to be easy. Denver, currently on a 3 game losing streak without Nene, need to continue losing and the Blazers need to drop a few. Meanwhile, the Jazz need to keep winning under historically tougher circumstances for the Jazz (i.e. road games and back to backs). So here is to hoping for the 4th seed :). I have been looking at the standings and agree with both your takes on this. How can I do that? Its simple, yes its close like Trueblue says but J.R. is right….other teams need to lose and we need to win. Bottom line…the Jazz can get the 4th seed but it isn’t going to be easy. Denver, currently on a 3 game losing streak without Nene, need to continue losing and the Blazers need to drop a few. Meanwhile, the Jazz need to keep winning under historically tougher circumstances for the Jazz (i.e. road games and back to backs). So here is to hoping for the 4th seed :) .

]]> By: J R Stewart http://www.jazzbots.com/web/2009/02/23/the-great-race/comment-page-1/#comment-7520 J R Stewart Tue, 24 Feb 2009 05:59:00 +0000 http://www.jazzbots.com/web/?p=3035#comment-7520 Also, you have to lose less than they do. You can play better than they do, but if they don't lose more than you do, you don't gain any ground. But, the Jazz are playing the best they have all year. Can they carry it to the road games and the back-to-backs where they have had a miserable record? GO JAZZ! Jazzaholic Also, you have to lose less than they do. You can play better than they do, but if they don’t lose more than you do, you don’t gain any ground.

But, the Jazz are playing the best they have all year. Can they carry it to the road games and the back-to-backs where they have had a miserable record?

GO JAZZ!

Jazzaholic

]]> By: J R Stewart http://www.jazzbots.com/web/2009/02/23/the-great-race/comment-page-1/#comment-7519 J R Stewart Tue, 24 Feb 2009 05:53:25 +0000 http://www.jazzbots.com/web/?p=3035#comment-7519 You're right they are all close, but they do have to lose more games than the Jazz do. The true test will be when they hit the road. The last month and a half of the season is the toughest of the entire year. If Denver continues to get injuries, like Nene, the Jazz could easily overtake them, but you also have Portland in the same Division. So...again, it's not just one team! I hope they win out and those teams in front of the Jazz lose, but until April 14th, it's still a crap shoot. Remember how the Rockets had Yao go down last year and we all thought they were done, just get the fork? They just kept winning and winning, despite the injuries. Remember how the Jazz had a big lead and folded two years ago and the Rockets moved into home court with the 5th seed? What you need to do is bookmark this blog and on April 15th come back and give me a back alley beating, which I'd be happy to receive, because I'd love to be wrong, in the right direction, with a better seed. Jazzaholic You’re right they are all close, but they do have to lose more games than the Jazz do. The true test will be when they hit the road. The last month and a half of the season is the toughest of the entire year. If Denver continues to get injuries, like Nene, the Jazz could easily overtake them, but you also have Portland in the same Division.
So…again, it’s not just one team!
I hope they win out and those teams in front of the Jazz lose, but until April 14th, it’s still a crap shoot.
Remember how the Rockets had Yao go down last year and we all thought they were done, just get the fork? They just kept winning and winning, despite the injuries.
Remember how the Jazz had a big lead and folded two years ago and the Rockets moved into home court with the 5th seed?

What you need to do is bookmark this blog and on April 15th come back and give me a back alley beating, which I’d be happy to receive, because I’d love to be wrong, in the right direction, with a better seed.

Jazzaholic

]]> By: TrueNBAfan http://www.jazzbots.com/web/2009/02/23/the-great-race/comment-page-1/#comment-7518 TrueNBAfan Tue, 24 Feb 2009 04:53:57 +0000 http://www.jazzbots.com/web/?p=3035#comment-7518 JR- Well, when they are all basically tied, its not as hard as it seems. You just have to play better than them...its not like ten games divide them. JR- Well, when they are all basically tied, its not as hard as it seems. You just have to play better than them…its not like ten games divide them.

]]> By: J R Stewart http://www.jazzbots.com/web/2009/02/23/the-great-race/comment-page-1/#comment-7508 J R Stewart Tue, 24 Feb 2009 00:46:53 +0000 http://www.jazzbots.com/web/?p=3035#comment-7508 As I pointed out, it's not just one team you're behind for home court. You have to leap frog #7, #6, #5, #4 and keep #9 from overtaking you. Add them all up to get your answer. Jazzaholic As I pointed out, it’s not just one team you’re behind for home court. You have to leap frog #7, #6, #5, #4 and keep #9 from overtaking you.

Add them all up to get your answer.

Jazzaholic

]]> By: BasketballDan http://www.jazzbots.com/web/2009/02/23/the-great-race/comment-page-1/#comment-7507 BasketballDan Tue, 24 Feb 2009 00:42:17 +0000 http://www.jazzbots.com/web/?p=3035#comment-7507 Right On Trueblue! + 1 Let's hope the Jazz can keep winning and get one of the top 4 seeds in the West. I think we could catch Denver for the division crown. It feels good to be a Jazz fan right now (apart from losing LHM of course). Right On Trueblue! + 1 Let’s hope the Jazz can keep winning and get one of the top 4 seeds in the West. I think we could catch Denver for the division crown. It feels good to be a Jazz fan right now (apart from losing LHM of course).

]]> By: Trueblue http://www.jazzbots.com/web/2009/02/23/the-great-race/comment-page-1/#comment-7503 Trueblue Mon, 23 Feb 2009 23:31:55 +0000 http://www.jazzbots.com/web/?p=3035#comment-7503 I dont agree with this post. To me the Jazz are three games in the loss column out of homecourt advantage in the playoffs. You don't need to add up all of the losses that need to happen in the western conference for the Jazz to be able to get homecourt. They are just three out in the loss column. Everything is going the Jazz way right now with the recent win streak and Boozer coming back. Confidence is at the highest level its been this year. At the same time, Phoenix and Houston just lost arguably their best players, the Hornets have struggled as of late, Dallas is bassically holding serve, Denver has stumbled a bit, and the Blazers have a fairly tough schedule remaining. There are 26 games left! Homecourt in the west is up for grabs, and the Jazz are clicking at the right time. If they can win some games on the road, there is no reason why they cant make up ground-They have 1/3 of the season to make up three losses!!!! I dont agree with this post. To me the Jazz are three games in the loss column out of homecourt advantage in the playoffs. You don’t need to add up all of the losses that need to happen in the western conference for the Jazz to be able to get homecourt. They are just three out in the loss column. Everything is going the Jazz way right now with the recent win streak and Boozer coming back. Confidence is at the highest level its been this year. At the same time, Phoenix and Houston just lost arguably their best players, the Hornets have struggled as of late, Dallas is bassically holding serve, Denver has stumbled a bit, and the Blazers have a fairly tough schedule remaining. There are 26 games left! Homecourt in the west is up for grabs, and the Jazz are clicking at the right time. If they can win some games on the road, there is no reason why they cant make up ground-They have 1/3 of the season to make up three losses!!!!

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