The Utah Jazz don't deserve to be in the Western Conference finals, and thankfully they aren't.
When the series was tied at 2-2, I thought the Jazz maybe had a slight chance of winning this series, despite not really playing that good.
And lets face it, the Lakers were definitely the best team and deserve to be going to the conference finals. The Jazz somehow scrapped together two wins at home, and Jazz fans thought their prayers might be answered.
Wrong.
The Lakers won at home in game 5 and did what few other teams have done this season: win in Utah to take the series.
The stats comparing Utah's regular season and playoffs speak for themselves.
During the regular season which the Jazz won 54 games, they averaged 106.2 points per game on 47% and gave up 99.3 points.
During the playoffs, their shooting percentage dropped to 45%, and as a result only scored 98.4 points per game. They also gave up 98.4 points per game.
Carlos Boozer has to be one of the most disappointing players in the playoffs. He has struggled offensively in nine of the 11 games, but has dominated on the boards.
Getting rebounds just isn't good enough. The Jazz desperately needed him to be there on offense, but he failed to show up. His points per game dropped from 21.1 points during the regular season to 16.4 points during the playoffs.
The main reason for this is his massive drop in his shooting percentage. Throughout the regular season Boozer was shooting 54%, hitting mid-range jump shots and barely missing close to the basket.
The playoffs are a different story.
Missing open jump shots and easy layups, Boozer only shot at 42%. If it wasn't for Deron Williams, the Jazz could quite possibly have been swept by the Lakers.
I was really worried that the Jazz might pull something out and win the series. But at the end of the day, the better team came out on top.
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about 1 month ago
Yes I agree, totally! Utah are only a good home team. And I really hate that people categorize the Jazz as one of the league's elite teams. All they do is say, "Oh, we just lost on the road and we're back home, so it'll be alright." Well..if you're playing against the unstoppable player for the Lakers, Oh I dont know..you might heard of him..KOBE BRYANT, you will never have that plan go right.
Nice article, really appreciate your opinion.
from about 1 month ago
You have to admire their amazing home record, but your right about not being an elite team. to be one of the elite teams in the league you have to be able to win at home and away.
about 1 month ago
Utah didnt deserve to even win two games. if not for deron williams they would have been swept. Bozzer had a terrible time during the playoffs.
from about 1 month ago
Deron Williams did play very well and was really the main reason the jazz got to game 6. if boozer played well if could have been a completely different series.
about 1 month ago
Despite slow back line defense, and a lack of athleticism, Utah still managed to keep plugging away, run thier offense (not offence)---especially their flex offense where they would run low screens in each box and then have those players set screens for curlers coming off---destroy the weaker Lakers on the glass, play admirable help defense, and show a lot of heart.
Carlos Boozer disappointed, but lets face it, the Lakers were the better team. What's with the random shot at the Jazz?
from about 1 month ago
I'm so glad nobody caught me correcting a guy for spelling offense incorrectly, while I misspelled their.
about 1 month ago
I dont know how random it is... it did just happen. It looks like he was just venting for a Jazz fan. lol
Erick, you are pretty right on, the help defense was superb.
about 1 month ago
You all are wrong the Jazz are way better that the lakers. The lakers just got all the calls they wanted and the Jazz got SCREWED. LAKERS SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!
from about 1 month ago
lol, looks like somebody took the Game 6 loss a little hard...
from about 1 month ago
Is anyone else sick of the Jazz fans blaming the officials all of the time? Its beyond a joke. You lost, you didn't deserve to win, and the Lakers played the better basketball.
from about 1 month ago
I will say first that the Lakers were by far and away the superior team, especially without booz playing well. I will also say that there should be no excuses if the Lakers don't win the championship. After watching this series I am thoroughly convinced that they are the best team in the league, there is no way that they should win the championship.
But, having said that, not one of you can admit that any game in this series was fairly called. And don't freak out, I'm talking for the Jazz too. For the first five games whoever had homecourt, also had the refs, I thought it would be the same for 6, but the Lakers got that one too. Disappointing.
about 1 month ago
I thought games one, two, and great were very well officiated. I only noticed two terrible calls in Game 3 and both went in favor of the Jazz. That's not a horrible deal. Game 4 I thought was a different story, but hey those are the breaks.
Teams usually play more fluidly at home, and fluid teams get the majority of the calls. One reason for a team's home court advantage with the refs.
Teams usually play more aggressive at home and aggressive teams also get the majority of the calls.
Since Utah doesn't have a quick-moving front back line defense, the Jazz often have to foul to prevent layups. And since Los Angeles isn't a particularly strong team, they often have to foul the bigger stronger Jazz when Utah runs their off-ball cuts and gets their offensive rebounds.
Plus I'm sure the refs have an unconscious bias when refereeing in home gyms because of their connection with the court, the fans, and the home team.
In the playoffs though, the best teams overcome their flaws (and the referees) to win, something Los Angeles did exceptionally well in Game 6.
from about 1 month ago
You make good points, I agree with all of them, but I still think that it would have been a bit more enjoyable to watch had the refs just let them play. I don't think they need to be calling all of those ticky tac fouls during the playoffs.
about 1 month ago
LOL, with a team as rough as the Jazz, most of those fouls are anything but tickytac!
from about 1 month ago
haha.
about 1 month ago
GO SPURS
from about 1 month ago
Spurs ain't going to win mate. they could but i don't think so.
http://www.bleacherreport.com/articles/24268-Do-The-Spurs-Really-Have-a-Chance-in-The-Finals--190508
about 1 month ago
Erick do you live on this website?????
about 1 month ago
let's just wait and see
from about 1 month ago
Get out of my house, Jazz!
And yeah, BR's an awesome site, I check it several times a day. Where else do I get to sit on my ass and voice my opinions and analysis on the world of basketball with such a fervent group of basketball fanatics?
about 1 month ago
MAKe ME and please pick you words carefully
8 days ago
You guys are retarded. Unlike most teams in the Western conference, the Jazz have a bright future. Here's what i mean:
Los Angeles Lakers - The Lakers won't win another championship with Kobe. He just can't do it by himself. He had his chance this year and couldn't get it done.
San Antonio Spurs - Let's face it, the Spurs are washed up. Their team average age is just about 30. Enough said.
Dallas Mavericks - The Mavs are definitely on their way down. I don't even think they will make the playoffs next season. Things just keep getting worse and worse down in Dallas.
Phoenix Suns - The Suns are also on their way down. Just like the Mavs, the Suns made one of the worst trades this season. They took on a washed up Shaq for an unbelievable contract. Steve Nash is getting old and his numbers keep going down each season.
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