Official Game Thread: Hawks at Jazz

[lethalweapon3]

“Ssssssmokin’! Okay, okay… vapin’, but still!”

 

One of the most significant draft picks in Utah Jazz history returns to Salt Lake City tonight, as the Jazz prepare to face the Atlanta Hawks (9:00 PM Eastern, Fox Sports Southeast, ROOT Sports Utah) at whatever Vivint Smart Home is Arena.

That’s right, you know who I mean.

Welcome back to Salt Lake City, Kris Humphries!

There wasn’t an NBA draft lottery back in 1984, when the Jazz took a little-known John Stockton from a little-known Gonzaga. Utah didn’t even need the inaugural lottery the next season, when they took a barely-known Karl Malone out of barely-known Louisiana Tech. Thanks mostly to those two future Hall-of-Famers, and superb coaching by Jerry Sloan, the Jazz would not have to resort to Lottery Fever for 19 years.

The first season without either of Stockton or Malone, the 2003-04 Jazz surprised NBA pundits but, by just two games, missed out on playoff qualifying for the first time since 1983. With the final lottery selection, they took a fresh-faced 19-year-old big man out of Minnesota.

Humphries was taken one pick ahead of Boston’s Al Jefferson, a decision Utah would come to rectify six seasons later. While he was no SLC Punk, Humphries was never going to live up to the shadow of The Mailman, and perturbed Sloan with a tendency to look for his own shot ahead of all other options. Hump was traded two seasons later to Toronto for the great Hoffa Araujo, who lived up to his nickname by disappearing off the face of the Earth.

Three weeks after trading away Humphries in 2006, the Jazz had back-to-back second-rounders. After selecting Dee “Not the Dude with the Pump” Brown from Deron Williams’ Illinois, Utah decided to draw from the La-Tech well again. This time, they brought in collegiate uber-rebounder Paul Millsap.

In the time between the Jazz being D-Will’s Team and becoming Al Jefferson’s team, Millsap developed and ably filled in the gaps. Utah reached the postseason for four straight seasons from 2007 and 2010, Millsap coming alive off the bench in a first-round series win over Carmelo Anthony’s Nuggets. Paul then helped right the ship after the Sloan-Williams implosion left the Jazz barely missing the playoffs in 2011. After making the 2012 playoffs as an 8-seed, Utah fell short in 2013, and watched Millsap leave via free agency to Atlanta.

The Jazz never got to see either Millsap or Humphries playing on their team while reaching their individual NBA career-peaks. Tonight, Jazz fans may get to see them on the floor in tandem, as Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer seeks out the optimal frontcourt pairings to offset Utah’s newest young stars, Derrick Favors and Rudy Gobert.

Acquired on Draft Night 2013 from Denver for the low-low price of second-rounder Erick Green and cash, Gobert (4.6 Defensive Box Plus/Minus, 1^st in NBA; 6.2 Block%, 2^nd in NBA) has blossomed into one of the most fearsome defensive players in the league, at just 23 years of age. Meanwhile, the heir-apparent upon Millsap’s departure, the 24-year-old Atlanta native Favors (51.7 FG%, 12^th in NBA; post-Break 18.1 PPG and 8.9 RPG) is enjoying arguably his best season.

With Gordon Hayward (career-best 20.1 PPG) and now his former Butler teammate, Shelvin Mack, in tow, coach Quin Snyder and the Jazz are cultivating a mix of youthful but experienced players, and even younger talents possessing superstar potential.

Utah’s “The Kids Are Alright” roster-building plan would be even more obvious if they had guards Dante Exum (out for season, ACL surgery) and Alec Burks (sprained ankle, back in a couple weeks) healthy. Another Draft Night 2013 acquisition, Hawks pick Raul Neto, and 2014 first-rounder Rodney Hood (87.0 FT%, 16^th in NBA) have filled in ably in Exum’s and Burks’ absence. Favors and Gobert have missed significant time as well.

Jazz GM Dennis Lindsey would never admit to trying to rub it in, but last month he brought in Green, waived earlier this season by the Nuggets, to join the team for a pair of 10-days, before replacing him with Mack. It’s not the only way that Utah (29-33) hopes to organizationally stick it to their Northwest Division foes.

Making the playoffs for the first time since Millsap’s 2011-12 season would likely come at the expense of either Houston (1.5 games ahead) or Portland (3 games ahead), each of whom owe a lottery-protected first-rounder to Denver this summer. They’d really love to make Denver wait a little longer for the Houston pick to show up, especially if doing so includes a couple extra visits by the Warriors to the Beehive State in late April. It helps that, of their remaining road schedule, just one of Utah’s remaining opponents is presently playoff-bound.

They’d also love to be humble-bragging about that other Draft Night 2013 trade, the one with the Timberwolves that netted them guard Trey Burke. Sadly, Burke’s development seems to have cratered again (post-Break 34.4 FG%, 29.6 3FG%, 6.5 PPG and 2.0 APG), justifying the Jazz brass’ search for a postseason-tested and well-rested guard that could quickly acclimate himself to Snyder’s gameplans ahead of a playoff charge. It’s Mack, the former third-stringer Hawk, that is filling the bill.

Shelvin has started for Utah in the last seven games at the point, and has averaged 11.3 PPG (44.3 FG%, 30.0 3FG%) and 3.8 APG. It won’t be much of a stretch for Snyder, a former lead assistant under Budenholzer, or Mack to prepare a game plan for Atlanta’s Jeff Teague and Dennis Schröder.

Both of Atlanta’s lead guards did just a fine job of leading on Saturday night against Chris Paul’s Clippers in Los Angeles, absorbing the Clippers’ best offensive punches in the opening quarter before stifling them the rest of the way. Teague (22 points, 3-for-4 3FGs, 7 assists, 2 TOs @ LAC) played smart defense and hit big shots at the other end, while Schröder (6-for-10 FGs), moving right up the list of the league's top sixth-men, provided offense that kept L.A. on their heels for much of the night.

Helping to keep their hosts at arm’s length, Schröder and the Hawks’ starters missed just one free throw while taking advantage of Clipper center DeAndre Jordan’s Achilles’ heel (7-for-17 FTs). Will we see a similar Hack-a-bert approach by the Hawks (35-28) tonight against Utah? It’s quite likely to happen, albeit to a more judicious extent.

Gobert (78.2 FT attempts per 100 FG attempts) gets roughly the same proportion of his scoring (28.8%) as Jordan (27.9%) from free throw line trips. While DeAndre’s 43.2 FT% pales in comparison, Rudy’s 59.1 FT% (post-Break 51.6 FT%) is still fourth-lowest in the league among shooters with 100 or more attempts. Favors’ 71.0 FT% (10^th-lowest among current NBA qualifiers) is just slightly better.

The Jazz big men are at their competitive best when opponents allow them to camp around the rim in search of dunks, swats, and putbacks. A rested and more acclimated Humphries should help Atlanta keep the likes of Gobert, Booker (10^th and 9^th in NBA for O-Reb%, repsectively), Favors and Jeff Withey at bay. Edy Tavares is in Austin with the Lil’ Spurs, putting off the possibility of the league’s longest-limbed competitors for another day.

The Hawks’ offense will try to spread out the Jazz defense, with pick-and-pop jumpers from Al Horford and Paul Millsap dragging Gobert and Favors out of their comfort zones. Help from Hood and Hayward will further open up Atlanta’s wing shooters, as Kyle Korver and Kent Bazemore (each 2-for-5 3FGs @ LAC) continue to comb out their offensive kinks. Persistent penetration by Teague and Schröder, and weakside cuts by Thabo Sefolosha and Bazemore, should have Utah’s defensive bigs in pick-your-poison mode for much of the contest.

Despite their youthful energy, Utah is the league’s slowest-paced team by far (93.4 points per 100 possessions; 8.2 fastbreak points per 100 possessions post-All-Star-Break, 29^th in NBA), and it will be up to the Hawks to get the lead out. Hayward, Burke, Favors and Mack will soak up as much of the shot clock as they can, so Atlanta defenders need to pressure them into hurried shots and unwise decisions whenever they put the ball on the floor.

The Hawks (51.6 eFG%) are a shade-behind Cleveland and the East’s most-accurate shooters from the floor, but rank last in the NBA with four or fewer seconds to go on the shot clock (33.9 eFG%; 11.9 TO% 2^nd-worst in NBA), which is right where Utah wants them.

Halfcourt discipline by Teague and Schröder should lead to wise first-shot opportunities early in the possession, and fastbreak options are available when Utah’s bigs get caught cherry-picking too frequently. Learning to dictate the tempo in Utah will be good practice for the Hawks, who face similarly deliberate yet more seasoned and successful teams (Toronto and Memphis) in their next two games.

 

Let’s Go Hawks!

~lw3

 

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[Guest]

Awesome thread as usual lw3!!! I hadn't heard the name of Rafael, or Hoffa as you say..Araujo in many years. I remember I hated him for body slamming Marvin about 10 years ago...lol I thought it wasn't necessary to send the duck flying. Big Edy with Lil Spurs gave me a good chuckle. Love the way we played against the Clippers, we need to keep it going. Defense defend defense. Speaking of defense, why is the over/under at 191 tonight. If Vegas is right about the total I hope we prevail 96-95. BTW the line is Utah -1.5.

 

Im worried about Hood, Booker and Mack more than Hayward, Favors and Gobert, call me crazy. Utah is an up and coming team that we shouldn't take lightly. I'm back at the ps4....here's the prediction. LETS GO HAWKS!!!!

[Guest]

I just realized Trey Burke had a career night against me. 20 dimes! Oh my...:-|

[benhillboy]

I foolishly thought Gobert fell off a bit .  4.6 DBPM is cray.

I like watching the contrast in styles over the next 3 games.  Good playoff training.  Baze keeps his momentum from the Clippers game, Hawks by MC Eiht.

[AHF]

2 minutes ago, benhillboy said:

I foolishly thought Gobert fell off a bit .  4.6 DBPM is cray.

I like watching the contrast in styles over the next 3 games.  Good playoff training.  Hawks by MC Eiht.

Gorbert's problem this season has been more health than production while on the floor.

[Dnice]

Yay a  not so late game!

[lethalweapon3]

2 hours ago, Spud2Nique said:

I just realized Trey Burke had a career night against me. 20 dimes! Oh my...:-|

 

I'm guessing @Alex wouldn't be a fan of that outcome (Burke, Hardaway) for either team.

~lw3

[lethalweapon3]

A couple of tidbits I neglected to add earlier:

* The Hawks and Jazz went neck-and-neck at Thrillips back on November 15, with Utah prevailing 97-96 on the strength of Alec Burks (18 points off the bench) and Rodney Hood (20 points, 4-for-9 on threes, rest of team 3-for-12). Despite a pair of long bombs late from Al Horford, Utah got a couple long 2s from Derrick Favors to seal the deal. Thanks to Burks, and Dennis Schröder starting in place of an injured Jeff Teague, Atlanta's bench (led by Shelvin Mack's 7 points) was outscored 34-14.

* Kyle Korver, of course, was also a Jazzmanian Devil, for three seasons (2008 to 2010) before leaving in free agency for Chicago. He was acquired from the Sixers in exchange for Gordan Giricek (who, similar to D-Will, had a very public falling out with Sloan) and a 2010 first-rounder. That 2010 pick was sent to Minnesota in a 2008 deal and eventually became... Trevor Booker. While Steph Curry may be the new Threak-holder, he won't approach Kyle's all-time in-season record of 53.6 3FG%, established during his final season in a Jazz uniform.

~lw3

[capstone21]

Another great defensive showing!

we have played well on this trip including getting screwed in Golden State.

Jazz could not contain Teague tonight

after the game Bud usually just waves at the other coach.  Glad he went over to see Quinn.

5 hours ago, Spud2Nique said:

I just realized Trey Burke had a career night against me. 20 dimes! Oh my...:-|

Considering how horrible a point guard he is ... That is impressive

[Spursfanpeacemaker]

Good win

Hawks great defense has been really consistent, and their offense showing  some improvements since Humphries came in the team. He really help Hawks with the rebounding, and he's contributing in the offensive end with his mid range shots, he's a good shooter and fits in Bud's system really well.

Teague did a great job controlling the hawks offense once again, and Dennis/baze are always aggressive. Sap/horf did a great job setting screens,helping on board and defense. Thabo defense was really good. Korver team defense was good.

Hawks showing a lot of good signs, i think when they got humphries, their confidence came back knowing that they have now a good solid backup big.

Looking forward to next game against toronto. 

Let's go Hawks!!!

Edited March 9, 2016 by Spursfanpeacemaker

[Gray Mule]

Defensively, the 1st quarter:  Ugh!

Defensively, the final three quarters, outstanding !!

When Humphries plays, Atlanta is 3-0 !

Against Golden State, Hawks were playing five against eight.  Couldn't get that one.  Since then,

Atlanta assures themselves that they will have a winning road trip, already winning 3 of the 5

and still one to go.

GREAT WIN !!

[Lurker]

HAHAHAHAHA I love it the Jazz fans on RealGM are already sick and tired of Shelvin Mack. There was one guy that said he's quickly turning into Trey Burke and another said that it's no coincidence they started losing when he came in. I won't be able to post about it as I'll be doing it in bed, but I'll check SBNation to see more.

[cam1218]

Another good win for us! The first quarter had me worried but we came back again. Winning is great but we can't keep starting like that.

Defense was great, Teague was awesome and Mack is still playing for the Hawks. I love Mack but that was pretty painful to watch. They need to try and put together a 48 minute effort this weekend against Toronto and Memphis.

[Peoriabird]

Bud is starting to realize what we already knew about this team which they are a poor shooting team that needs to find other ways to win basketball games.  His Focus and rightfully so has been on defense since the allstar break i.e. playing fewer offensive line up in favor of more more defensive line ups.  Which means more Thabo and less Korver and no 2 point guard line ups at all. Or Milsap at center.  Hopefully in the off season, will get some some rebounding @ the 5 and 3.  If we can rebound and play killer D, this team would be hard to deal with in next year's play offs

[TheFuzz]

4 minutes ago, Peoriabird said:

Bud is starting to realize what we already knew about this team which they are a poor shooting team that needs to find other ways to win basketball games.  His Focus and rightfully so has been on defense since the allstar break i.e. playing fewer offensive line up in favor of more more defensive line ups.  Which means more Thabo and less Korver and no 2 point guard line ups at all. Or Milsap at center.  Hopefully in the off season, will get some some rebounding @ the 5 and 3.  If we can rebound and play killer D, this team would be hard to deal with in next year's play offs

I think we'll be a handful this year, but I'm an optimist. I got ECF for us.

[hazer]

6 minutes ago, TheFuzz said:

I think we'll be a handful this year, but I'm an optimist. I got ECF for us.

Gotta climb to 3rd to avoid Cavs in 2nd round though. Or drop to 6th...

[benhillboy]

I'd like to see the B-Ball Breakdown guy analyze Bud's present defense.  If I'm not mistaken there was a member here who made a couple great vids. 

The defense goes to the next level when Playoff Teague puts forth the effort.   But our third-most used 5-Man lineup (127 minutes total) is now Dennis-Tim-Thabo-Molly-Al.  They have a whopping, team best +11 FGM and +.133 FG%. per 100 possessions.  

We've been playing the Thibideau Strongside Wall as well as his Celtics or Bulls teams ever did right now. 

Let's Go.

[NBASupes]

Our defense is elite. We hold everyone to extreme lows. Even better than last year but offensively, we need some more talent.

[Diesel]

4 hours ago, hazer said:

Gotta climb to 3rd to avoid Cavs in 2nd round though. Or drop to 6th...

I don't think the game is to avoid the Cavs.  They may get the wrong matchup in the first round.  They are an imploding team right now.  I would rather see them than to see a confident Raptors group in the second round.    Not being the face of the League is going to be hard for Bron.  I don't think he will get the ref support that he wants.   Moreover, if we continue to be the defensive Juggernaut  that we look like,  it will make beating them look fun. 

 

[JTB]

Great win for our Hawks! Defense was great again!

But I'm surprised by one thing after this game and that's that I can't believe the Jazz didn't go harder after one of our pgs. Of course I much rather keep them but I'm shocked at how bad their pg situation is....I like Mack but he's definitely a backup. They have no real starting quality pg and if they are going to run a similar offense like ours one is needed badly!!!

again im not trying to make a case for them to go after one of ours pgs I wouldn't suggest anything to make another team better. Im just a bit shocked because I remember reading that the Jazz wasnt willing to trade any of their core players and they were a bit stubborn about the whole idea.....after watching that game I'm scratching my head asking why?

Jazz need a pg worse than we need a SF. I know Baze isn't really a SF and Thabo can't really play starter minutes at this point of his career but they are extremely serviceable until bud can fetch him another good talent. But the Jazz...man they have no business holding on to every key player. Their pg situation will continue to be one until they decide to trade a core player imo.

 

*On a side note I don't like Rudy Gobert in this offense he looks very off to me playing this style of ball movement offense! I would much rather keep a smaller center like horford is my point....bigger ain't always better.