GAME NOTES:
Such a solid game all around on multiple facets. Firstly, we were able to hit shots consistently, throughout the whole game. 54/51/71 shooting as a team tonight off of 32 assists. Everybody was getting involved, and we never looked back after outscoring the Grizzlies 42-19 in the first quarter. Big rebounding night, and although we had 21 turnovers, our shooting and defense made up for it.
Let’s start off individual performances with the biggest question mark this season: Walker Kessler. After a dominating performance last game, he came out slow, sluggish, and just off with everything. He was the only starter with a - plus/minus, with -13 in 18 minutes. 1-4 shooting, 2-4 from the line, 3 rebounds 2 blocks 4 points. He was going up super weak around the rim, and got blocked or just straight up missed easy “gimme” shots. He’s just a sophomore, so I’m giving him a lot of slack. But I was really hoping he’d get back to his last season form after last game
Next, let’s talk about the best player tonight in my eyes, Kelly Olynyk. A staggering +38 in 26 minutes. 14 points, 8 rebounds (3 oReb) 5 assists 1 steal. He was looking to score, hitting 5-7 & 3-4 from 3. He’s always shifty with his passes, and just looked so good out there. I said this a few games ago, but I think it would be best if Olynyk started at C. It would free up Collins to not just sit in the corner, and help Markkanen with floor spacing. It would move Kessler to the bench, where he can play C with one of Olynyk/Markkanen/Agbaji/Collins at PF. I would like to see it happen, but I don’t want to shake the confidence of Kessler even moreso.
Lauri tonight just showed he is a top 25 player in the league. Although he didn’t do anything too crazy, all of his looks came super easy to him. It didn’t look like he was bothered by Memphis at all. 19 points, 11 rebounds, 6-11 shooting 4-6 from 3, all in 28 minutes.
John Collins continues to look good. His 3pt shooting has been a surprise, as it was the biggest worry for me when we traded for him. 2-5 from 3 tonight, 5-12 shooting with 16 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals. His double-double streak ends at 4 straight. He did have a nice alley oop from Clarkson in the first, and I believe another in the third. Great game from Collins. If he can continue being a 16-8 guy, that trade is going to look great.
Clarkson bounced back majorly after his terrible 2-10 outing last game. 8-13, 4-6 from 3, 20 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, all in 26 minutes. 3 turnovers were his only negative marks in my eyes. He looked great, especially considering the absolutely dreadful game he was coming off of.
Talen Horton-Tucker. I still don’t know how to feel about him. 23 minutes tonight, 9 points on 4-8 shooting (4-5 inside the arc, 0-3 from 3), 5 rebounds, 7 assists, but 5 turnovers. It is so intriguing how much of a rollercoaster watching him is. One minute he hits a nice handing reverse layup, then he chucks an ill-advised stepback 3 which he bricks. He always looks like he is trying to do too much out there which is frustrating. He did have some nice moments though, but overall I’m still not impressed.
Sexton had a big game. Hopefully this is his catapult game to propel him to normalcy. 23 points, 6 assists, 3 rebounds in 22 minutes. He was also a +22 tonight. He shot well, going 8-10 (4-6 from 3), nailing all 3 free throws. He was looking to attack, and his two turnovers weren’t an issue with how well he played tonight. This is an outlier performance for him, but if he can go back to 16p/5a I’m happy.
Agbaji needs some offensive consistency. 2-5 shooting, all of them from deep for 6 points 3 rebounds in 18 minutes. 2 turnovers. I really hoped he would take a step this year and be our head defensive stopper with serviceable offense, but it just hasn’t happened. Again, just a sophomore, but I want to see more from him.
Keyonte George took a nasty fall off an alley oop attempt, but got up fine thankfully. He finished with 9 points, 3 assists in 23 minutes. 4-8 shooting, 1-4 from 3. Although his 3 didn’t fall this game, it was encouraging to see him attack the rim and shoot 3-4 from inside the arc.
Dunn seems to be losing the guard ratrace, playing just 13 minutes all in garbage time. 5 points 3 assists (0 TO).
No Hendricks, no Sensabaugh in a blowout victory.
Hardy played the zone a bit after we built the lead up, and I’m actually starting to come around to it. The scheme seems sound, the execution not so much. It is a 3-2 zone, which is surprising in the modern NBA, but we are having Markkanen be the top perimeter defender, and he easily switches out to the wing on screens or off-ball movement. In theory, his length will disrupt passes, but in execution not so much. I actually hope we stick with it and pull it out when needed. In watching the Spurs/Suns game last night, it looked like Popovich did the same thing with Wemby. a 3-2 zone with Wemby at the top perimeter defender. I don’t have the stats for it but it’ll be interesting to see how it progresses for us.
Another interesting note, coming into tonight we were the worst ranked half-court team in terms of differential at -21.4. However, tonight our halfcourt offense and defense was insane. I’ll try to pull the stats in time for next game.
2-3! Big team & morale victory.
EDIT: It appears Hendricks and Sensabaugh were ineligible to play due to them being on G-League assignment per Andy Larsen
If Joe Ingles shows up in dreadlocks tomorrow I might actually die
Kessler needs some Ted Lasso level tactics to get him out of this mental funk. So sad to see him with such negative body language. I have a feeling hes gonna go absolutely ham once he figures things out
What a big time win.
The stars tonight were the Kelly Sexton connection. What do you think of that name?
Is Sexton still consider trade fodder if he continues to perform efficiently with some 3pt shooting and around the perimeter playmaking, or could he be something big when have more building blocks to compete? Let’s not forget this man was out for like a season and a half with injuries. Easy with the bashing, ok?
I think Hardy put Sexton in garbage time cause of the scare George got in that fall, and probably to help Sexton have more reps commanding the offense.
Olynyk team high +37 plus minus. Lauri double double. Clarkson coming back. THT tho back to turnover Horton Tucker.
Oh well… onto vs Orlando
Solid game. Took my kids there, two of them had never been to a Jazz game before. We all had a blast.