Pregaming: Spurs vs. Jazz
No longer Stockton-to-Malone, not even Williams-to-Boozer, the Utah Jazz continue on a stable organization with another promising core of young players. Now in what is essentially the third iteration of the Jazz since John Stockton and Karl Malone, San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich sees no difference in the culture of the Jazz.
“Utah is always going to be Utah to a certain degree,” Popovich said. “Always a fine organization that’s really disciplined. Their teams have always played hard, played unselfishly, and this is another edition of the same.”
The San Antonio Spurs look to bounce back from a blowout loss on the road to the Houston Rockets, well rested after a day off, the team should be prepared for this new edition of the Jazz. A few pre-game notes:
- While the Utah Jazz no longer have Karl Malone, they do have a promising, if raw, group of long athletic big men. But for all their athletic ability, length, and potential, this is still a frontline that can get lost on defense. Looking to take advantage tonight is DeJuan Blair, who was seen working on a quick, high arching hook/floater that should be useful in dealing with second-year big man Derrick Favors.
- Tim Duncan was moving much better in shoot around before the game than the other night in Houston, showing better lift and consistency in his shot and a little more sharpness on his cuts in pregame pick and roll drills.
- Injured Utah Jazz center Al Jefferson was working out before the game to see if he can give it a go on his inflamed right ankle. Jazz head coach Tyrone Corbin said Jefferson will start if he is cleared to play, to prevent his ankle from stiffening up on the bench.
