New Kids On the Block - Utah Jazz 30-Team MyLeague

[JazzMan]

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Jazz Blow Out Pistons as Jennings Goes Down

November 9, 2014

Well, that was impressive. The Jazz held Detroit to just 40% shooting tonight, while shooting 51% from the field themselves en route to a blowout victory. Surprisingly, it was Ian Clark that led the Jazz offensively, as he put in 18 points in just 14 minutes off of the bench. Clark commented on his hot start to the season:

"I'm just glad that I'm getting an opportunity out there. Last year I didn't get much of any playing time, and I'm just out here to prove myself now. I'm out to prove that I belong here in the NBA."

And belong he does. Clark is averaging 10.6 points per game in 10 minutes thus far in 5 appearances for the Jazz this season. He's shooting a blistering 76.5% from behind the arc, as he's only missed 4 of his 17 attempts from three point land. Though that's going to come down as the season winds on, it's still impressive, given that the Jazz do need a scorer off of the bench to pair with rookies Dante Exum and Rodney Hood, as well as defensive anchor Rudy Gobert.

Clark wasn't the only Jazzman to get it done tonight, as Rudy Gobert had TWENTY REBOUNDS in TWENTY-SIX MINUTES! Unreal! He accomplished this against one of the best rebounding frontcourts in Josh Smith, Greg Monroe, and Andre Drummond! Derrick Favors added 13 to the rebound total, as the Jazz outrebounded Detroit 52 to 36.

Unfortunately for Detroit, Brandon Jennings was knocked out a minute into the game. Literally, knocked out. Word is that he has concussion-like symptoms, so he might be held out of action for a while.

The Jazz continue their Eastern road trip with a game against Indiana tomorrow night. Indy is 3-4, while the Jazz are comin' in hot at 4-3.

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[JazzMan]

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Jazz, Burks Agree On Extension, Kanter Odd Man Out?

November 9, 2014

The Jazz and shooting guard Alec Burks have come to an agreement on a contract extension that will keep Alec in town until the 2018-2019 season. The deal is a 4-year deal beginning next season, and is a total of $41M. The 23-year-old averaged 14 points per game last season off of the bench, is a gifted scorer. Is he worth the contract?

Meanwhile, Enes Kanter and the Jazz failed to reach an extension, making Kanter a restricted free agent next summer. Kanter is still a bit of a mystery for the Jazz, as he has issues defensively yet, but has shown flashes of being a dominant low-post scorer, as well as a guy who can spread the floor for other big men and slashers, as well. Rumor is that the Jazz were offering $10M a year, but Kanter and his camp were looking for $12M a year. If Kanter receives a deal in that range next summer, should Utah match it?

Only time as well, as Kanter could have a breakout season this year in Quin Snyder's new offense.

[JazzMan]

Matchup Preview | November 10, 2014
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Utah Jazz (4-3, 2-1 Away)		Indiana Pacers (3-4, 2-2 Home)
Stats Comparison 100.1 Points Per Game 90.0 48.3% Field Goal % 41.1% 37.1% 3-Point % 35.6% 74.6% Free Throw % 78.3% 42.3 Rebounds 46.0 7.0 Steals 7.0 4.3 Blocks 4.7 9.4 Turnovers 12.0 98.4 PPG Allowed 89.3 Projected Starters Trey Burke Point Guard George Hill Alec Burks Shooting Guard Rodney Stuckey Gordon Hayward Small Forward CJ Miles Enes Kanter Power Forward David West Derrick Favors Center Roy Hibbert Injury Report No Injuries Paul George - Leg Season (Out) Ian Mahinmi - Shoulder 1-2 Weeks (Out)

[JazzMan]

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Hayward Drops 24 as Jazz Win 3rd Straight

November 10, 2014

Gordon Hayward returned to his home state of Indiana with his Utah Jazz and pummeled the hometown Pacers. In a game where it seemed like the Pacers only had two players that could spark any sort of offense, the Jazz cruised to an easy 113 to 78 victory. Hayward dropped 24, while teammate Derrick Favors had 18 and 13 in just 25 minutes. Dante Exum continued to play well, as he scored 12 points and had 4 assists in 18 minutes, and shot 2-2 from deep.

With Paul George absent for the season for Indiana, and Lance Stephenson moving on to Charlotte, the Pacers just had no offensive attack in this one. George Hill led the team in scoring with 18, and Rodney Stuckey was close behind with 16, but they were the only two Pacers in double-digit scoring. All-Star center Roy Hibbert was a miserable 1-9 from the field in 29 minutes.

The Jazz improve to 5-3 on the year, and win their third straight game. Let's see if they can keep the momentum going on this Eastern Conference road trip, as they play in Atlanta on the 12th, New York on the 14th, and Toronto on the 15th. Indiana falls to a 3-5 record.

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[JazzMan]

Utah Jazz Sign Aussie Joe Ingles

November 10, 2014

During tonight's game against Indiana, Jazz GM Dennis Lindsey made a few transactions. First, he waived forward Brock Motum, and signed a fellow Aussie Joe Ingles. Ingles is a veteran talent from Down Under, and is actually one of Dante Exum's biggest idols. The two roomed together during the 2014 FIBA World Cup tournament.

When asked about brining Ingles on board after the game, coach Quin Snyder stated that he was "ecstatic" and that he couldn't wait to get Ingles with the team in Atlanta. Snyder said that Ingles will indeed be part of the active roster on Wednesday night against the Hawks, however, he most likely won't receive much playing time due to the lack of practice with the team.

The 6'8" forward had this to say about his NBA opportunity: "It's a dream come true. The NBA is the biggest basketball league in the world and I'm just glad that I'm getting a shot. I can't wait to work with Dante again, and all of the other guys as well. I'm proud and thankful to be a member of the Jazz organization."

It appears that Utah is doing all that it can to make Dante Exum comfortable with the Jazz and to groom him into a star.

[JazzMan]

Matchup Preview | November 12, 2014
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Utah Jazz (5-3, 3-1 Away)		Atlanta Hawks (3-3, 2-0 Home)
Stats Comparison 101.8 Points Per Game 103.7 49.0% Field Goal % 47,8% 38.9% 3-Point % 39.8% 76.2% Free Throw % 77.0% 43.1 Rebounds 44.7 6.9 Steals 5.3 4.2 Blocks 4.8 9.6 Turnovers 14.0 95.9 PPG Allowed 101.0 Projected Starters Trey Burke Point Guard Jeff Teague Alec Burks Shooting Guard Kyle Korver Gordon Hayward Small Forward Demarre Carroll Trevor Booker Power Forward Paul Millsap Derrick Favors Center Al Horford Injury Report Ian Clark - Sore Knee Day-to-Day (Doubtful) No Injuries Game Notes Trevor Booker will be making the start in place of Enes Kanter. Kanter has been moved to the 2nd unit, as Quin Snyder feels that a Kanter/Gobert tandem off of the bench could be dominant. Ian Clark is also being held out of tonight's game due to knee soreness. New Jazz signing Joe Ingles is on the active roster.

[JazzMan]

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Jazz Continue Winning Ways, Improve to 6-3

November 12, 2014

I don't care who you are, I don't think anybody could have expected this. The Jazz are just half a game out of first place in the Western Conference. They're currently tied for 2nd with Golden State, San Antonio, and the Clippers.

Wow.

The story of tonight's game was the Jazz defense. The team was able to get stops at the rim nearly all game, and held Atlanta to just 17% on three-pointers. Meanwhile, Utah themselves shot a hot 51% from the field, as well as 40% from behind the arc.

Enes Kanter thrived coming off of the bench, scoring 12 points and grabbing 8 boards in just 20 minutes, while Trevor Booker was a steady 8 and 4 in his first start of the season. Gordon Hayward and Alec Burks led the team with 17 points each, while Hayward was just 2 assists away from a double-double. Good game for the Jazz tonight, and they continue this Eastern Conference road trip with a game in New York on the 14th.

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[JazzMan]

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'Melo Injured In Knicks Win

November 14, 2014

Carmelo Anthony went down late in the 1st quarter after a layup over Jazz center Rudy Gobert. Anthony was helped to the locker room by some teammates, and Knicks fans feared the worst. Unfortunately, Anthony tore his MCL and will more than likely be out for at least a month. However, the Knicks were able to salvage the victory without their star player, as Samuel Dalembert was the unlucky hero, as he finished with 20 points and 11 boards.

Utah had a big game from Derrick Favors, as he finished with 22 and 18, but the Jazz just struggled to defend against the Knicks, as New York shot a blistering 56% from the field. Utah finishes this Eastern Conference road trip with a game tomorrow night against the Raptors. They fall to 6-4 on the year, while New York improves to 5-5.

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