Hang on to the rope, NJ
Opponent File
Utah Jazz
The Jazz play in the Energy Solutions Arena in Salt Lake
City, Utah. Their 2006 - 2007 record was51 - 31 ( in the Northwest). Here's
the Utah Jazz
Roster
Local Papers:
The Salt Lake Tribune
| Jazz
Team Pages:
CNNSI.com
| Jazz
ESPN.com
| Jazz
FoxSports
| Jazz
NBA.com | Jazz
Sportsline.com
| Jazz
Head Coach: Jerry Sloan.
2007 Draft: G Morris Almond (#25), Rice; F/C Herbert Hill (#55), Villanova (traded to Philadelphia).
New Players: C Kyrylo Fesenko (Trade); G Jason Hart (Free agent); G Ronnie Price (Free agent).
Season Goal: Scratch, claw and hustle their way to a Conference Finals appearance - with Deron Williams et. al., this shouldn't be a total stretch.
Record vs. Nets: 1 - 0
G11: Jazz 102, Nets 75
Other Opponent Files
Utah Jazz
(44 - 23) - Saturday, March 15, 2008, 7:30PM EST - Izod Center
Rope Burns
Ah, yes, the Jazz. The team that should be permanently burned into your mind for the now infamous "we're too quick to let go of the rope" speech given by Jason Kidd that essentially was the beginning of the end of the Kidd era. Such high expectations at the beginning of the season (Kidd called the Nets the most talented group he'd been with as a Net) until the Nets went belly up early and often, and well, Kidd's in Dallas and Devin Harris is in control. The Jazz are the kings of fundamentals, and if you look at their record, you see that it doesn't always hold true on the road. Utah is a 16 - 20 team away from Salt Lake (which can only mean they are an amazing 28 - 3 at home), so if the Nets can put forth an effort like they did on Wednesday night against Cleveland, well, it'll be competitive. Deron Williams is the point guard of the future (along with NO's Chris Paul), and with the addtion of Kyle Korver, they have threats both inside and out. Of course, more than half the Nets roster has turned over since the first matchup, so who knows what to expect from these Nets. Should be fun to watch, though...
Why
Should You Watch? How does Devin Harris match up to Deron Williams? More importantly, is the Nets defense up to the challenge of defending all over the arena? This could be a good time for Vince Carter to stop disappearing, and make something happen. I can remember a few good games by Carter against Utah. The Jazz hammered the Celtics at home last night behind Deron Williams, so maybe the Nets can catch them tired. Moving the ball seemed to work against Cleveland, why no give it a shot against the Jazz and beat them at their own game? Again, this is a Lawrence Frank moment - can he keep his Nets from letting go of the rope again against a much, much better team?
- Joe
Utah Jazz Cheat Sheet
The Story From Salt Lake: From
the Desert Morning News: Oh, oh, look at these comments from various Jazz after their big win in Boston: "I definitely was looking forward to this game," (Deron) Williams said. "They were the last team to beat us at home (last Dec. 29) ... and I definitely wanted to avenge that."
"Those are games you circle on your calendar, when you're playing against the best teams," (Carlos) Boozer added with regard to an already postseason-qualified Celtics club that by virtue of Toronto's loss Friday at Denver clinched an Atlantic Division title. "Because you know in the playoffs you're going to be playing against the best teams."
The Jazz — winner of Game 7 at Houston in their opening-round playoff series last season — also know the virtues of being able to win away from home in the postseason. And now, perhaps, they have a driving plan for how to do just that. "For us to win a championship, or advance in the playoffs," Boozer said, "we're going to have to win some games on the road."
Pain Game: The Jazz and the Nets report no injuries of significance.
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