Post by Mephi on Oct 12, 2004 18:42:39 GMT -5
Utah -- The Jazz have taken over. Everything. From the leader boards, to every court, to the entire league. Jazz names appear 16 times on the leader boards, and there are only 14 categories. Team captain Karl Malone appears 7 times, including 1st in PPG (29.5), 7th in RPG (10.2), 4th in MPG (39.7), and 9th in FG% (.525). One of the biggest questions is, how has he not won any Player of the Week awards?
Karl Malone is one of the top candidates for MVP thus far. Leading the league in scoring, and 7th in rebounding, he captains the leagues top team. The Jazz are in the top 3 in PPG, RPG and APG, and rank 6th in SPG and BPG. In shooting, they lead in FG%, are 2nd in FT% and rank number 7 in 3PT%. In terms of defence, they lead the league in oPPG and oAPG, while ranking 3rd in oRPG.
"I think we're doing great," says Malone. "How can you not be pleased with 1st in the league? We're shooting well, and our defence is shutting down our opponents. Perfect home record, and 6-3 on the road. It's awesome."
Sometimes the best move is to not make a move at all, as the Jazz have proven. With no trades thus far, the only activity has been in the free agent pool. The additions tot he roster are C Michael Shirley, SF Mitchell Anderson, SGs Dudley Bradley and Elston Turner, and PG Frank Johnson. Johnson is the only player out of these who has received any playing time., posting 2 points and 1.6 assists in 12.5 minutes.
The Jazz are running a triple post offence, starting all three of Mark Eaton, Thurl Bailey, and Karl Malone. The backcourt is also formidable with Darrell Griffith and John Stockton. Stockton, a pass first point guard, runs the offence perfectly, posting 10.7 assists per game, good for 3rd in the league. The offense is headed by Malone, Bailey (20 ppg) and Griffith (18 ppg). Eaton (13 ppg, 10 rpg, 2 bpg) also does his part, shutting down opposing centers. Although their bench can be called weak, Erick Leckner, Mike Brown, Blue Edwards, Pace Mannion and Frank Johnson all do their part.
At 18-3, the Jazz are on pace for a 72 win season. Although that is highly unlikely, no doubt they will finish among the top teams.
Karl Malone is one of the top candidates for MVP thus far. Leading the league in scoring, and 7th in rebounding, he captains the leagues top team. The Jazz are in the top 3 in PPG, RPG and APG, and rank 6th in SPG and BPG. In shooting, they lead in FG%, are 2nd in FT% and rank number 7 in 3PT%. In terms of defence, they lead the league in oPPG and oAPG, while ranking 3rd in oRPG.
"I think we're doing great," says Malone. "How can you not be pleased with 1st in the league? We're shooting well, and our defence is shutting down our opponents. Perfect home record, and 6-3 on the road. It's awesome."
Sometimes the best move is to not make a move at all, as the Jazz have proven. With no trades thus far, the only activity has been in the free agent pool. The additions tot he roster are C Michael Shirley, SF Mitchell Anderson, SGs Dudley Bradley and Elston Turner, and PG Frank Johnson. Johnson is the only player out of these who has received any playing time., posting 2 points and 1.6 assists in 12.5 minutes.
The Jazz are running a triple post offence, starting all three of Mark Eaton, Thurl Bailey, and Karl Malone. The backcourt is also formidable with Darrell Griffith and John Stockton. Stockton, a pass first point guard, runs the offence perfectly, posting 10.7 assists per game, good for 3rd in the league. The offense is headed by Malone, Bailey (20 ppg) and Griffith (18 ppg). Eaton (13 ppg, 10 rpg, 2 bpg) also does his part, shutting down opposing centers. Although their bench can be called weak, Erick Leckner, Mike Brown, Blue Edwards, Pace Mannion and Frank Johnson all do their part.
At 18-3, the Jazz are on pace for a 72 win season. Although that is highly unlikely, no doubt they will finish among the top teams.
. Should be a good run. And to think neither of us was mentioned among the elite teams during preseason.
