Three thoughts on the Utah Jazz’s 130-107 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder from Salt Lake Tribune Jazz beat writer Andy Larsen.
1. OKC a defensive example — though not one Jazz will find easy to follow
Oklahoma City’s defense is pretty generationally good. They’re not only the best defense in the NBA, but by 3.8 points per 100 possessions over the second place team, the Orlando Magic. They’re also the best defense in the NBA over the last five seasons — even though offenses have generally become more efficient over that time.
Watching their games in person really emphasizes how solid they are. Every player on their roster, to a man, does a great job of keeping opponent attackers in front. Then they’re also remarkably connected — when the pass or ugly shot inevitably comes when a drive fails, the Thunder pounce on the ball. They had 10 blocks and 10 steals tonight; the NBA’s average in each category is five and eight, respectively.
I think there’s a lot the Jazz could learn from that example. You’d love it if the Jazz’s current players could do the same thing, but Will Hardy raised a good point about that, when asked why the Thunder’s defense was so good:
“I think number one, they’ve been very selective in who plays for them — like the types of players that they’re bringing into their program, the types of players that make it in their program,“ Hardy said. ”Their team has elite hands, and I’m sure a bunch of that is being coached. I also am sure that part of that is identified. … You can rattle off six or seven guys that you’re scared when they’re around the ball, that if you’re not secure, that they’re going to take it from you.”
I think that’s one criticism I have of the Jazz’s drafting strategy to this point — the kind of athletic defensive players the Thunder have drafted and acquired are not the kinds of players the Jazz have drafted and acquired. (With the exception of Taylor Hendricks.) Instead, they’ve drafted more skilled players who might grow into reasonable defenders.
Maybe that makes sense with Walker Kessler controlling the paint! But there is something significant to be said for the Thunder’s approach. Making everyone a strong defender seems to be paying synergistic dividends.
2. Cody Williams plays against his brother
Jazz rookie Cody Williams finally got to play in the same NBA game as his brother, after being out for Utah’s first two matchups against Jalen and Oklahoma City.
It was, in many ways, a very cool moment. The Williams family was here, wearing split Jazz/Thunder jerseys:
Because Jalen is four years older than Cody, they knew that if they were ever going to be able to play against each other in real competition, it couldn’t come in high school or in college… it would have to in the NBA. That it has come to fruition is a real success story for their family.
“I could tell she was crying, her eyes were a little red,” Cody Williams said about his mother. “I think they realize the situation and just how blessed we are. It’s just an awesome moment, to have family out here.”
And ultimately, the Jazz would prefer if Cody is known as more than just Jalen Williams’ little brother. While it was a terrific moment, Williams really struggled in tonight’s minutes, going 1-4 from the field with a turnover.
It seems clear at this point that the Jazz are going to feed him minutes to see if they can force real development there — and he’s got 27 games left to redefine his rookie season, which has been pretty darn abysmal.
“I think it’s time to graduate,” Hardy said (of the rookies generally, to be clear). “I don’t think the rookies are rookies anymore. They’ve had a lot of experience.”
3. Debuts of Jaden Springer and KJ Martin
Two new Jazz players made debuts tonight.
First came Jaden Springer. If you were surprised to see him enter the game in the first quarter, you’re not alone: I certainly didn’t anticipate him being the Jazz’s seventh man on a largely healthy roster. He was recently signed on a 10-day contract, and will be able to play in five home games on that deal. I essentially anticipate the Jazz will sign him to a second 10-day contract after this, barring a change in circumstances.
Then came KJ Martin, who the Jazz acquired in all of the trade machinations leading up to deadline day. That was a significant deal to Martin. His father — former NBA No. 1 overall pick Kenyon Martin — came to the game and sat in the arena’s family section, wearing shades all game long.
While they’re very different players (Springer’s a more solid, ground-bound wing defender while Martin is a hyper-athletic four), the Jazz hope for essentially the same thing from both: defensive energy. Hardy said he wants both Springer and Martin “to be good individual defenders, and also sort of model what being a competitive defensive player looks like.”
That’s another pretty clear statement to the Jazz’s youth: if you want to play minutes for this team, you have to compete on the defensive end. Second-year player Brice Sensabaugh, for example, didn’t play at all today, a DNP-CD. That’s got to be a significant wakeup call, when players signed on a 10-day or dumped by other teams play over you.
I’ll be curious if the Jazz continue that strategy, bringing in more defensive tone-setters in order to incentivize the youth to raise their level on that end.
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