Utah Jazz: Untapped Potential

[Clusterfudge]

JEREL MCNEAL READY TO PROVE HIMSELF

By Mark Hudson

Jerel McNeal had all the accolades, a star out of Marquette, McNeal was certain he would hear his name called on draft night. 60 names were called in the 2009 draft, and none belonged to Jerel McNeal. McNeal had a tumultuous path up to this time in his career. He played internationally, before playing in the D-League and also being named the MVP of the league under his team the Bakersfield Jam.

McNeal hasn't given up, he was signed by the Utah Jazz on March 2013 to a 10 day contract, and was signed for the rest of the season. Even though he was signed for the rest of the season, he didn't see a minute of playing time under the Jazz. After showing himself to be a high energy guy with decent defense under the Summer League and Pre-season, McNeal was signed to a non-guaranteed deal for this season.

The Utah Jazz have good luck with undrafted Marquette players, (see: Wesley Matthews), and they hope McNeal is another gem, having played with Matthews during their time in college. McNeal keeps in touch with Matthews during his time playing basketball, and Matthews is ecstatic for his former teammate.

"Jerel deserves it, he is a hard worker, and he just needs a chance to prove himself, and he will stick in this league."

That chance may just show itself, with teammate Ian Clark out for 2 weeks, McNeal looks to take the spot in the rotation for himself, he will see time tonight against the Memphis Grizzlies on the road. Only time will tell if McNeal is a keeper for this Jazz team.

[wiseg_3]

Following. I like the articles on the players. Adds a layer.

[Clusterfudge]

Thanks for the follow, I would've had a game update out tonight but it was a played game and not a simmed game, and I had things to do, so 2-4 game updates should be out tomorrow, (with 1 played, 3 simmed). The games this week were pretty intense.

[illWILL8455]

I really like the format so far! The articles add so much to this association. I am really looking forward to seeing how the Jerel McNeal storyline plays out. He should have a great chance to showcase what he can do on your roster, especially now that Ian Clark is hurt.

Great work so far! I'm looking forward to updates!

[Clusterfudge]

GAME 4: Hayward Goes Off
November 5th 2013, The Jazz (2-2) beat the Grizzlies (1-2) 101-98

By Tyler Warren

In a game that many had pegged the Jazz to lose, it seemed to be heading that way with only 3 minutes left in the game. The Jazz were down eight, and the Grizzlies had firm control of the game. The Jazz bench were to blame for the disadvantage with a few minutes remaining. The Jazz bench all had plus-minuses in the minus zone.

With only a few minutes left, the Jazz needed answer, and Gordon Hayward provided just that. The Jazz commenced a 17-6 run led by Gordon Hayward scoring 11 points in that span. The Jazz survived a bullet with a missed three by Mike Conley, and won the game 101-98.

When asked what won the game, Coach Tyrone Corbin gave credit where credit was due. "Oh man, Hayward was big for us in that 4th quarter, without him we probably would of lost the game."

Gordon Hayward was the MVP of the game, besides his clutch performance in the fourth quarter, he also led the teams in scoring with 24 points on 9-11 shooting. The 4 other starters also scored in double figures.

Mike Conley led the Grizzlies with 22 points and 8 assists. Zach Randolph also had a double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds. Jerryd Bayless was perhaps the least valuable player on their team, with 10 points and 3-14 shooting.

The Jazz play the Lakers in two days on the 7th, the Grizzlies play the Milwaukee Bucks on the same day.

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES
JAZZ
-G. Hayward: 24 Pts, 4 Ast, 9-11 FG, 2-3 3PT
-D. Favors: 18 Pts, 6 Reb, 2 Blk, 6-8 FG
-T. Burke: 10 Pts, 6 Reb, 6 Ast, 4-10 FG
-B. Rush: 13 Pts, 4 Ast, 2 Blk, 3-4 3PT
-E. Kanter: 12 Pts, 6 Reb, 1 Blk

GRIZZLIES
-M. Conley: 22 Pts, 8 Ast, 5-6 FT
-Z. Randolph: 19 Pts, 10 Reb, 9-12 FG
-K. Koufos: 10 Pts, 9 Reb, 5-6 FG
-M. Gasol: 10 Pts, 6 Reb

[Clusterfudge]

GAME 5: Blown Opportunity
November 7th 2013, Jazz (2-3) lose heartbreaker to Lakers (2-3) 98-96

By Tyler Warren

The Utah Jazz led 13 at the half, they led by 9 at the 4th quarter, and midway through the 4th they led by 11. Kobe Bryant was having an offnight, and Enes Kanter was imposing his will on Chris Kaman. With all of these things in mind, it seemed like the Jazz would win the game.

The Lakers went on an 11-0 run to tie the game with 40 seconds left on the clock. The Lakers went to Kobe Brant, even though he had shot only 2-12 for the night. Bryant was clutch, and made the Lakers lead by 2 with a fadeaway jumpshot.

The Jazz went to Kanter, who missed a shot close to the rim after being heavily defended. Favors rebounded the shot however, and gave it to Burke. Burke dribbled out the clock, and took a final shot that would have sent the game into overtime. The shot missed, and the Jazz went from 13 up to losing the game to a rival team.

The MVP of the game would have to be Pau Gasol. Gasol had 22 points, 12 rebounds, and 2 blocks, imposing his will as a seasoned veteran. Chris Kaman and Nash played well, and Kobe Bryant won the game for the Lakers even though he had a rough night.

The Jazz were led by Kanter with 20 points and 3 steals. Several bench players performed well too, with Burks, Evans, McNeal, and Gobert playing solid in limited time.

The Lakers play the Golden State Warriors on November 9th, The Jazz have back to back games on the 9th and 10th against the Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns.

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES
LAKERS
-P. Gasol: 22 Pts, 12 Reb, 2 Blk, 9-10 FT
-S. Nash: 11 Pts, 8 Ast, 2 Stl
-C. Kaman: 14 Pts, 8 Reb, 2 Blk
-K. Bryant: 13 Pts, 6 Reb, 5 Ast, 3-13 FG
-S. Jackson: 11 Pts, 3 Reb, 3 Ast

JAZZ
-E. Kanter: 20 Pts, 5 Reb, 3 Stl
-D. Favors: 10 Pts, 7 Reb, 1 Stl, 2 Blk
-A. Burks: 11 Pts, 5 Reb, 2 Stl
-B. Rush: 10 Pts, 2 Blk, 2-3 3PT
-J. Evans: 9 Pts, 2 Stl, 3-3 FG

[Clusterfudge]

TREY BURKE STRUGGLING WITH SHOT

By Mark Hudson

Trey Burke was in shoot-arounds, and once another 3-pointer clanked off the rim, he sighed, noticeably disgusted. That's just how it's been in the first several games for the young rookie. Though Burke is averaging a little over 10 points and 5 assists a game, he has not been able to shoot from long range. In the first 5 games Trey Burke has shot 13 3-pointers, averaging to a little over two a game. Of those 13, only 2 have been made.

"I just need to adapt, the NBA is a lot faster paced than college ball," Burke said to us when he was asked about his shooting woes.

Tyrone Corbin had this to say on the matter. "A lot of rookies have troubles and struggles to begin the season. Trey is going to just continue to get better, and he is frustrated at his performance these 5 games, but he is a hard worker and will get better."

Teammates had nothing but praise to say on Burke's work ethic. The other Burk, Alec Burks, had this to say. "Shooting is something you can improve, I wasn't a great 3-point shooter during my rookie year, but I worked on my shot and developed it." Burks rookie year saw him averaging a pedestrian 33% from the 3 point line, it rose 36% in his second year, and this year he is shooting a staggering 46% from beyond. Though that is bound to lower, it is much higher shooting than he was capable of earlier.

Trey Burke is like any other rookie, they are bound to have their struggles, and while Burke is struggling with his shot now, a year or two from now could show tremendous development. With Burke's work ethic, it is certainly possible.

[Clusterfudge]

GAME 6: RIVALS FACE OFF
November 9th 2013, The Jazz (2-4) lose to the Nuggets (3-3) 102-97

By Tyler Warren

The game between the Utah Jazz and the Denver Nuggets is exactly the kind of game you would like to see between division rivals. Both teams don't exactly have star power, with the teams instead having balanced attacks. With the lead changing multiple times, the crowd at Denver certainly got their money's worth.

The Utah Jazz were down 8 by the end of the first quarter, but tied it up at halftime. The Nuggets and Jazz changed leads throughout the final half, but ultimately the Nuggets were just the better team.

The Jazz team led the Nuggets greatly in 3-Point field goals, with the Jazz shooting a scorching 52 percent compared to the Nuggets 28 percent. If not for this, the game could have been extremely lopsided. The Jazz only had 17 assists during the night while the Nuggets had 26. The Nuggets had 20 fast break points compared to the Jazz only having two, and the Jazz were non-existent in the paint. The Jazz only had 24 points in the paint, while they allowed a large sum of 54 to the Nuggets.

Assistant Coach Luther Fox acknowledged the weaknesses he saw during the press conference, and though the game was close, he treated it as if it was a twenty point loss. "I'm frankly disappointed in everyone's effort out there, mine included. We were thoroughly outplayed, and if our shot wasn't falling tonight, then we would've been down by thirty. We need to focus more on passing, and having a balanced attack than just jumpshooting. I'll work with the players along with Coach Corbin and I expect a win tomorrow."

The MVP of the game was J.J. Hickson, who had a double double of 12 points and 14 rebounds, along with 3 blocks. Wilson Chandler also led both teams in scoring.

Gordon Hayward led the Jazz with 18 points on 4-5 3-Point shooting while stuffing the statsheet for Utah. Brandon Rush, Alec Burks and Derrick Favors also stood out for the squad.

The Jazz play the Phoenix Suns tomorrow at home, where the Jazz are currently 1-1. The Nuggets play the Golden State Warriors tomorrow as well, on the road, where they are currently 1-3.

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES
NUGGETS
-J.J. Hickson: 12 Pts, 14 Reb, 4 Ast, 3 Blk
-W. Chandler: 22 Pts, 4 Reb, 3 Ast
-R. Foye: 16 Pts
-T. Lawson: 12 Pts, 5 Ast
-D. Gallinari: 8 Pts, 7 Reb, 3 Ast, 2 Stl

JAZZ
-G. Hayward: 18 Pts, 5 Reb, 5 Ast, 3 Blk, 4-5 3PT
-B. Rush: 15 Pts, 4 Ast
-D. Favors: 12 Pts, 8 Reb, 1 Blk
-E. Kanter: 10 Pts, 7 Reb, 2 Blk, 4 TO
-A. Burks: 14 Pts, 2-3 3PT