ICYMI: looking back, here are the keys to the series and grades for game one.

I was taking a Steve’s-Night-Out and found myself at a grocery store. As I perused and meandered, I was soon standing in front a seamingless endless display of

cookies. Feeling good in my decision, I bought a package of Oreos and drove home.

Once I got home, I told myself I’d only eat a few. After twisting and licking my way through some chocolate and cream goodness, I looked down to realize I had already eaten a third of the package. Sizing up the rest of the package, I thought to myself, “let’s see if I can do this” (spoiler alert: I did.)

That’s how the Utah Jazz played in game one verses the Los Angeles Clippers. Eleven seconds in, the anchor goes down like an At-At in Star Wars. Yet, the Jazz only found themselves down two at the end of the first and tied it up by halftime. They looked at the rest of their Oreo package and said, “let’s see if we can do this” (spoiler alert: they did).

Here are some of my questions as we gear up for game two tonight.

How will the Clippers respond?

Doc Rivers admitted he isn’t a very good coach. OK, he didn’t use those words but he did admit that Rudy Gobert going down threw his team a curve-ball. Quin Snyder was also thrown a curve-ball when his defensive anchor went down and guess what? Quin hit a freaking home run, on the fly, and produced a win. Rivers? Not so much.

Snyder made a game-plan without his main man to game-plan around, and the Jazz were able to deliver. Now that both teams know Gobert is out for game two, who will take advantage? By going small, the Jazz spaced the floor, shot 42% from three, and Joe Johnson did all those Joe Johnson things. Having had a few days to think about it, I expect Rivers to counter. I expect Chris Paul to get into the lane sooner and more often. I expect to see more Clippers banging in the paint and drawing fouls (remember: Withey and Favors each had two in the first quarter last game). And, I expect DeAndre Jordan to be more of a factor. He played a usual game by his standards with 10 points and 15 boards but was a +0 on the floor. Jordan needs to be catching lobs and having a hand on the game, especially when it all goes right for the Jazz and the Clippers have to build around him this offseason. 

How will Derrick Favor’s Body Respond?

Speaking of responding, how is Derrick Favor‘s body holding up?  Favors played 32 minutes, the most in a month. He had a few days of rest, but will his legs give the Jazz 32 more, especially now that he’ll probably be playing the majority of minutes (if not starting) at center?

The Jazz have also monitored and taken it slow with Joe Johnson so that he could be effective come playoff time. Game one he was excellent – 21 points, 9-14 from the field, 3 boards, 3 assists, 3 steals, 1 block, 1 turnover – but he played 31 minutes and will now be asked to play more PF, which is where he is most effective.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Johnson eventually gets to start at PF (over Diaw) alongside Favors at center. I see the logic of Johnson’s punch and facilitation off the bench, but Diaw can’t guard Blake Griffin in the post. Regardless, Johnson and Favors will be called to play long minutes, so how long will they be able to last? I have more faith in Johnson’s yoga inspired body than Favor’s old-man knees, but both of their health and stamina will be interesting to monitor as the series progresses.

So Shelvin Mack is the backup point guard?

After the last few games of the regular season, it seemed like Shelvin Mack was taking the backup role as he produced a couple good games and some quality action in garbage time. Snyder’s relationship with Dante Exum has been high school boyfriend/girlfriend as it’s been on and off multiple times throughout the season. Exum is 21, still learning, and hasn’t been in these type of moments before. Mack is 26 and has been in big moments with Butler and Atlanta over the years.

Is it the right choice? Well, yes and no. If Exum was a boy-band, I’d be an Exumeliver. I’m Team Exum all day. He’s young, he’s raw, he’s long, and I believe he could play valuable defense on Paul, JJ Redick, or Jamal Crawford off the bench. Yes, Exum can’t make a jumper, but he could pressure on the opposing guards when needed.

While watching game one, me and my friend were just hoping to survive the stretches when Mack checked in. A possession where he didn’t shoot, success. A possession where someone else scored, success. A possession without a bad pass and turnover, success. A possession where his defender didn’t take advantage of him? Success! We’d look at each other and sigh each time down the floor when we simply survived with him in. And we got 14 minutes out of him! And he didn’t play half bad! Mack finished with a +1 and 0 turnovers, but his shooting were zeros too – o/3 from the floor, o trips to the line, 0 points.

Mack did what was called upon to do. He ran the offense, didn’t make any mistakes, and didn’t get run over on defense.  Based on his play from game one, there’s no reason for him not to be the backup in game two, or going forward. Am I happy with that? Sure, but I do love Exum.

Will the Jazz (and Jazz fans) be content with a 1-1 split?

Going into LA, the most optimistic Jazz fans would be happy with getting one win and taking the home court advantage. Now that we’ve seen the Jazz win one without Rudy, will we be content to head back to SLC 1-1? Or do we crave for more?

The Clips are already ornery making them already angry. I think LA comes out attacking tonight, getting to the line, getting the Jazz in foul trouble, and just frustrating the interior defense and our bigs. At the same time, I see LA firing tonight, adding a few more threes than the eight made in game one. For the season, LA makes 10 threes in 27 attempts whereas game one saw them go 8/24 at 33%. It’s not a big difference, but it is six extra points.

If the Jazz get blown out, or if they lose a close one, will we be OK with a L? We are already heading to Utah knowing we can beat this team without our best defensive player, and on the road, plus that defensive MVP’s knees were best-case scenario as he is in good spirits, walking, even taking jump shots. I doubt the Jazz believe in moral victories. And I doubt they will be content going 1-1, but I think I will be.

 

He’s taking it slow – but this is such a beautiful sight! ? @rudygobert27 pic.twitter.com/vWBDxqak87

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) April 17, 2017

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