First Round Opponent: Utah Jazz or Phoenix Suns

[Legacy]

At first I wanted Utah, but now I'm really starting to crave Phoenix. I'm luvin' all The Suns Hate on the boards. I think I might jump on this tasty bandwagon.

[ace3g]

Marc J. Spears
Also In All Sports

Utah Jazz forward Josh Howard will return tonight from a knee injury in big game against the Phoenix Suns. Howard has averaged 8.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 23.4 minutes in 41 games with the Jazz this season. He underwent surgery on March 22 in New York City to clean up a chip in the lateral femoral cartilage of his left knee.

[Robz4000]

Thought Howard was out for the rest of the season?

[Obstructed_View]

I don't want the Spurs to be pressured into having to play all their players in the last game of the year, especially against Phoenix. I've watched Florida State miss field goals against Miami long enoungh to know that it's just tempting fate.

[spursince#99]

i just want to get them back bad for their "skunker".

+1

[spursince#99]

I wanted PHO because of the sweep but now I don't know. I kind of want Utah now because it'd be interesting. Besides, I want to see the overrated Hayward kid blow games and stink it up

[dylankerouac]

Any ideas if we will play on Saturday or Sunday and what day the second game may fall on?

[mando6599]

Utah.

If they win tonight, which they should since they're in SLC, that would put it out of reach and then we could go ahead and win our 49th and 50th games with our reserves. Not that Pop would play the Big 3 big minutes, but that way I'd like to keep our 50 game streak alive without the worry of injuries. It's just like a playoff game for PHX tonight and I don't think they pull off the W. Just my thoughts.

mando

[objective]

Utah would be bad news.

in no particular order:

1. They are physical and will beat the Spurs up and increase the risk for injuries going forward. They foul in the regular season more than anyone except Toronto and in the playoffs the refs will just allow them to get away with more.

2. They play hard and won't quit. Corbin has that team giving full effort. Phoenix on the other hand have a lot of quit in them. But the Jazz will give everything they've got.

3. Al Jefferson is a poor man's Zach Randolph. He can get his shot on the block. Nobody for PHX can do that in the frontcourt.

4. Derrick Favors is becoming a defensive beast that has the Jazz people raving. He's big and alters shots but is quick enough to move on the pick and roll and to give help to Jefferson's bad defense.

5. Gordon Hayward has been blossoming into an incredible player. His end of year April numbers in the playoff push have been incredible: 11 games, 17.7 points on 52.5% shooting (*and 52.4 from 3 !!!!) to go with 4 boards and 3.5 assists. He has become incredibly efficient, he's nailing jumpers off screens, knocking down threes, and he's great at the free throw line. Throw in to all of that how he's a really good defender, and that's bad.

6. Devin Harris has Turned it On. People don't realize just what kind of month he's had. This isn't February Devin Harris guys. For April he's scoring 18 a game and shooting 43% from 3. He's worked himself into shape and become one of the leaders of the team, and just playing very well.

7. The Jazz home crowd. Was it a big deal in 07? No. But compared to the lifeless, Sarver-hating somber crowd in PHX, it can affect the way the refs call games in Utah.

8. The Jazz big line-up of Jefferson-Favors-Milsap in the frontcourt. Milsap at the SF has caused teams problems of late. The sample size isn't gigantic against good compe ion (only 2 full games I think, and a big chunk against Orlando's torn up front line), but the differential between what that lineup allows and what it scores is worrisome. The Spurs have guys like Jackson and Leonard and even Diaw at SF against Milsap so I don't think it would be all that devastating but it's more worrisome than what PHX can offer.

9. PHX is just done. They're banged up, they're old, they can be made to quit, and their home crowd is easy to snuff the excitement out of. They have no match-ups to truly hurt the Spurs other than the Spurs just giving the Suns the Nash-Gortat pick and roll and handling the rest. Even Channing Frye, the Bonner Kryptonite, messed his shoulder up and probably won't be able to double up and humiliate Bonner like last time. And without Dragic off the bench, the Suns compared to the Jazz should be a breeze.

[dylankerouac]

Utah would be bad news...

Then I guess it just depends on who wants it more between the Suns and Utah. This may be tough yet again.

[eric365]

I'm so glad the playoffs are coming

It may sound like a spoiled fan but I'm tired of the blowout every game. We haven't seen an interresting 4th quarter in a looooong time

[Girasuck]

Its a win-win situation but I'd prefer the Jazz.

-They lack depth at every position.

WRONG. We finally have depth in the frontcourt, and our backcourt has been fantastic since the all-star break. We're young, but we have depth.

-Devin Harris won't make clutch three pointers

WRONG. I guess you haven't watched any Jazz games over the past two months. Devin Harris is the reason why we're fighting for a playoff spot, in part to his clutch play in 4th quarters and overtimes.

-No consistent scorer outside of big Al.

WRONG. Since the all-star break, Hayward and Harris have been a consistent 2/3 scoring option.

-No defensive aces

WRONG. The lineup of Jefferson, Favors, and Millsap at the 3 has been the 2nd best frontcourt defensive trio this season.

-No consistent 3 point threat.

The only point you're correct on.

I'm not gonna sit here and try to blow smoke up everyone's ass by saying the Jazz have a shot at winning a series against the mighty Spurs, but by god I'm not gonna sit here and read this untrue . Do me a favor and actually watch some games before you spout this ing crap.

[VBM]

I'm not gonna sit here and try to blow smoke up everyone's ass by saying the Jazz have a shot at winning a series against the mighty Spurs, but by god I'm not gonna sit here and read this untrue . Do me a favor and actually watch some games before you spout this ing crap.

I think most of us are looking at that game where Duncan/Parker/Ginobili sat and it took a Devin Harris free throw parade in the 4th quarter to beat SA. Utah won't be a pushover though.

[Girasuck]

Utah would be bad news.

in no particular order:

1. They are physical and will beat the Spurs up and increase the risk for injuries going forward. They foul in the regular season more than anyone except Toronto and in the playoffs the refs will just allow them to get away with more.

2. They play hard and won't quit. Corbin has that team giving full effort. Phoenix on the other hand have a lot of quit in them. But the Jazz will give everything they've got.

3. Al Jefferson is a poor man's Zach Randolph. He can get his shot on the block. Nobody for PHX can do that in the frontcourt.

4. Derrick Favors is becoming a defensive beast that has the Jazz people raving. He's big and alters shots but is quick enough to move on the pick and roll and to give help to Jefferson's bad defense.

5. Gordon Hayward has been blossoming into an incredible player. His end of year April numbers in the playoff push have been incredible: 11 games, 17.7 points on 52.5% shooting (*and 52.4 from 3 !!!!) to go with 4 boards and 3.5 assists. He has become incredibly efficient, he's nailing jumpers off screens, knocking down threes, and he's great at the free throw line. Throw in to all of that how he's a really good defender, and that's bad.

6. Devin Harris has Turned it On. People don't realize just what kind of month he's had. This isn't February Devin Harris guys. For April he's scoring 18 a game and shooting 43% from 3. He's worked himself into shape and become one of the leaders of the team, and just playing very well.

7. The Jazz home crowd. Was it a big deal in 07? No. But compared to the lifeless, Sarver-hating somber crowd in PHX, it can affect the way the refs call games in Utah.

8. The Jazz big line-up of Jefferson-Favors-Milsap in the frontcourt. Milsap at the SF has caused teams problems of late. The sample size isn't gigantic against good compe ion (only 2 full games I think, and a big chunk against Orlando's torn up front line), but the differential between what that lineup allows and what it scores is worrisome. The Spurs have guys like Jackson and Leonard and even Diaw at SF against Milsap so I don't think it would be all that devastating but it's more worrisome than what PHX can offer.

9. PHX is just done. They're banged up, they're old, they can be made to quit, and their home crowd is easy to snuff the excitement out of. They have no match-ups to truly hurt the Spurs other than the Spurs just giving the Suns the Nash-Gortat pick and roll and handling the rest. Even Channing Frye, the Bonner Kryptonite, messed his shoulder up and probably won't be able to double up and humiliate Bonner like last time. And without Dragic off the bench, the Suns compared to the Jazz should be a breeze.

See...this guy actually watches games. Pretty much spot on with every point.

[Girasuck]

I think most of us are looking at that game where Duncan/Parker/Ginobili sat and it took a Devin Harris free throw parade in the 4th quarter to beat SA. Utah won't be a pushover though.

Yeah, I was at that game and saw how lifeless we were until Harris pulled one out of his ass at the end. I know the Spurs will beat us, and we'll be lucky to win one game, but it bothers me when so-called educated fans (which I feel Spurs fans are) put untrue labels on my team, especially without watching any of the games.

[Dr Cox]

Solid posts Girasuck.

We (spurs fans) are just really excited right now, for obvious reasons.

[angelbelow]

I'm not gonna sit here and try to blow smoke up everyone's ass by saying the Jazz have a shot at winning a series against the mighty Spurs, but by god I'm not gonna sit here and read this untrue . Do me a favor and actually watch some games before you spout this ing crap.

Obviously you know your team better than I do. But what are your corrections relative to? Against sub .500 teams their front line looks great and Devin Harris looks "clutch." Against the Spurs, Lakers, Thunder, and Grizzles you really believe that you guys have depth at every position?

Hayward is playing well, I wasn't aware of that. But you're confident with him as your 2/3 option?

Maybe you took offense because I made general statements but I'm comparing the Jazz and the Suns and how they would match up with the Spurs. I think the Jazz are slightly worse than the Suns and would rather face them.

[z0sa]

Utah would be bad news.

in no particular order:

1. They are physical and will beat the Spurs up and increase the risk for injuries going forward. They foul in the regular season more than anyone except Toronto and in the playoffs the refs will just allow them to get away with more.

2. They play hard and won't quit. Corbin has that team giving full effort. Phoenix on the other hand have a lot of quit in them. But the Jazz will give everything they've got.

3. Al Jefferson is a poor man's Zach Randolph. He can get his shot on the block. Nobody for PHX can do that in the frontcourt.

4. Derrick Favors is becoming a defensive beast that has the Jazz people raving. He's big and alters shots but is quick enough to move on the pick and roll and to give help to Jefferson's bad defense.

5. Gordon Hayward has been blossoming into an incredible player. His end of year April numbers in the playoff push have been incredible: 11 games, 17.7 points on 52.5% shooting (*and 52.4 from 3 !!!!) to go with 4 boards and 3.5 assists. He has become incredibly efficient, he's nailing jumpers off screens, knocking down threes, and he's great at the free throw line. Throw in to all of that how he's a really good defender, and that's bad.

6. Devin Harris has Turned it On. People don't realize just what kind of month he's had. This isn't February Devin Harris guys. For April he's scoring 18 a game and shooting 43% from 3. He's worked himself into shape and become one of the leaders of the team, and just playing very well.

7. The Jazz home crowd. Was it a big deal in 07? No. But compared to the lifeless, Sarver-hating somber crowd in PHX, it can affect the way the refs call games in Utah.

8. The Jazz big line-up of Jefferson-Favors-Milsap in the frontcourt. Milsap at the SF has caused teams problems of late. The sample size isn't gigantic against good compe ion (only 2 full games I think, and a big chunk against Orlando's torn up front line), but the differential between what that lineup allows and what it scores is worrisome. The Spurs have guys like Jackson and Leonard and even Diaw at SF against Milsap so I don't think it would be all that devastating but it's more worrisome than what PHX can offer.

9. PHX is just done. They're banged up, they're old, they can be made to quit, and their home crowd is easy to snuff the excitement out of. They have no match-ups to truly hurt the Spurs other than the Spurs just giving the Suns the Nash-Gortat pick and roll and handling the rest. Even Channing Frye, the Bonner Kryptonite, messed his shoulder up and probably won't be able to double up and humiliate Bonner like last time. And without Dragic off the bench, the Suns compared to the Jazz should be a breeze.

Quality post. +1

Long story short, Jazz probably take it 6 and the Spurs get beat up in the first round, something no Spurs fan should want; OTOH, Suns probably get swept and Spurs' bench averages 40% of the PT with much less grinding in the paint.

[DBMethos]

Give me Phoenix.

[Manu-20]

People on here saying jazz push this to 6 are nuts I would be suprise if they win one game with the way the spurs are playing heading into the playoffs.

[Uriel]

Suns - Jazz game is about to start.

[Manu-20]

alright jazz end the suns playoff push today so they have nothing to play for tommorow

[CGD]

Hopefully this game is better than that Heat-Celtic piece of crap that was on earlier... jeesh.

[VBM]

alright jazz end the suns playoff push today so they have nothing to play for tommorow

Of course if Phoenix wins, both they and Utah have to go all out for one more game while the Spurs rest.

[Uriel]

Why is there barely any background music in Utah's arena?