Jordan ClarksonApproached with a platinum-toothed smile Rudy GobertFriday night’s overtime ended in the last seconds. Gobert and the Minnesota TimberwolvesTwo makes were required from the free-throw lines, Utah JazzA bucket is better than nothing. One miss and there would be no hope. Two missed shots would place the Wolves in danger of losing 17 players.
Clarkson cheered. He screamed “yeeeeahhhhhhh,” letting Gobert know in zero uncertain terms what was at stake with the two foul shots. It was evident that the eye contact between them was strong. Gobert laughed and smirked. Both were missed by Gobert. The Jazz won a 132-126 road game that they didn’t deserve to win. Just like that, the Utah Jazz are an unlikely team of 2-0 for the young season. The wins came over Minnesota, and the Denver Nuggets.
“Rudy will always be my brother,” Clarkson said. “But, I needed him to miss those two free throws.”
What do we know about Jazz? What did the experts miss? Two games out of the 82 is a very small number. The Jazz are still fun. They’re making 3-pointers. They are very competitive defensively and hustle. They fight for every ball. They play offensively. They are closing down teams.
This is sustainable? It is unlikely. The season will begin to deteriorate. The season’s initial excitement will soon fade. And it’s all but impossible to play as hard as the Jazz have played over 82 games. The Jazz played great basketball this week. It’s clear Will Hardy knows what he’s doing as head coach. This team is playing like the team everyone thought they were going to lose before Wednesday’s first jump ball.
Jazz are making noises that many didn’t expect. If you thought that the Jazz would open the season, raise your hand. Nikola JokicThe Nuggets and then continue on to the road to beating the Timberwolves. If you have your hand raised, you’re fibbing. Get it down.
If you thought the Jazz were the more difficult team in Minnesota, raise your hand. Karl-Anthony TownsIn the money possessions that overtime brought when it was most important. Or, raise your hand if you could’ve foreseen the Jazz being the better team down the stretch against Denver and Minnesota.
A classic performance from JC: 29 Points, 7 Threes, 6 Assists☮️#TakeNote | @ZionsBank pic.twitter.com/MKlySdpT2J
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) October 22, 2022
This is how the Jazz were this week. It could wear off. Everyone thinks it will eventually wear off. It is hard to believe how much joy this team has brought to its fans by just the act of giving their all on both ends of a floor. Two games by the Utah Jazz team were refreshingly refreshing against the background of last season’s drama, offseason trades and playoff apathy. There will be some melancholy that Friday night’s conquest came at Gobert’s expense because the Jazz took advantage of him in multiple ways when it counted. But, even with Gobert being one of the most beloved players in Jazz history, Friday’s win still represents a feel-good moment.
“I’m happy for the guys in that locker room,” Hardy said. “They have all heard the noise of what they are supposed to be. This is a team that cares for one another and plays for one another.”
Gobert’s first game against his old team was vintage Gobert in a number of ways. He scored nine points and grabbed 23 rebounds. In 38 minutes, he blocked a pair shots. He protected the rim and anchored Minnesota defensively. His screen action sprung D’Angelo RussellAnd Anthony Edwards for big games.
But the Jazz were able get open shots after open shots down regulation. It was simple: Get Gobert into screen and roll action, create an initial advantage, then swing the basketball to make the Timberwolves scramble. You can then make the open jumper.
Utah made 20 3-pointers Friday night. The Jazz managed to make 50 3-pointers Friday night, which shows how effective they were at spreading Minnesota out on the perimeter. Six Jazz players reached double figures. Their ball movement is evident in their 39 assists on 49 made baskets. As he did in Wednesday night’s win over Denver, Hardy mixed and matched lineups until he found combinations that worked. The Jazz bench outscored all its counterparts, just as it did against Denver.
The Jazz don’t have an all-star on this roster. They do have a solid roster of players. They can shoot from any spot on the court and have playmakers that can make good decisions with the ball in their hand.
It is possible for a team to be difficult in the regular season if they are playing as hard as they are projected to play. Why? Because it is difficult to prepare and scout for more than four or five games per game during a regular season schedule. This is especially true when the legs are still nimble and teams are hungry to play. It’s one of the reasons the Jazz were able to sneak up on Denver and Minnesota.
“It can certainly give you an advantage,” Utah point guard Mike Conley said. “When you move the basketball, pass it to the open man and take good shots, it really helps towards winning.”
This is what the Jazz will do going forward. It’s what makes them exciting. What happens in terms of wins and losses isn’t important. Establishing how Hardy wants to play, establishing the culture Hardy wants in his program, that’s important. On Friday night, Utah’s locker room blared hip-hop amidst excited yells. Malik BeasleyConley was instructed to keep shooting. Clarkson spoke to everyone who would listen.
This group enjoys one another. This group believes in Will Hardy. This group plays for one another. These are all wins for Utah Jazz.
(Photo by Jordan Clarkson: Nick Wosika/USA Today)
