David Locke here, the host of the daily Locked On Jazz podcast, with your daily Locked On Jazz newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Jazz and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Locked On Jazz
Locked On Jazz
EMPTYING THE NOGGIN - Jazz shot lights out till turnovers doom outcome
· Some good things, some bad things. Not sure the Jazz were in control of the night. The Bucks had lost 6 in a row. Giannis was coming back from an injury. They are a flawed team but they are trying to win a chip and if they come with desperation they are going to dictate how the night goes. So the Jazz staying in this game and leading at the half really was pretty impressive.
· The Jazz stayed in this game with 14 of 28 three point shooting in the first half. I am most impressed by the 28 attempts. In the first game of the year they couldn’t figure out how to get a three. Then in night two Will basically demanded they took threes and they squeezed them off, but they were so forced looks. These looks were reasonable and out of offensive execution.
· You can’t turn the ball over against the Bucks. They are the #1 offensive team in the NBA after a turnover. They are not a good offensive team after a make. The Jazz keep the turnovers under control in the first half and then it got out of control. The Jazz turned it over 21% of their possessions. On the season the Bucks are the lowest turnover forcing team in the NBA at 10%. This allowed Giannis to play in the open floor and the Bucks had an obscene 33% of their possessions in transition. 13 of the turnovers were live ball turnovers.
· You will never win a game when your opponent has 33% of their possessions in transition. Fastbreak points were 24-2 at the half and 39-7 at the end of the game in favor of the Bucks
· The turnovers are coming from guys feeling a burden to score and guys being asked to play a role that is a bit beyond their rightful role. So it is hard to harp on the guys or really criticize but I do think if everyone relaxed a bit and trusted the other guys would make plays.
· Johnny Juzang was in the rotation over Brice Sensabaugh tonight.
· Giannis is really relentless. He plays with incredible energy. He takes 82% of his field goal attempts as layups or dunks and everyone knows it. Yet, you can’t stop it. He is really smart. One of the most impressive plays of the night was in transition and the Jazz built a three man wall and he stopped and looked to pull back and the 3 man wall spread out a bit and he hit the crease and got on the rim. So smart. His footwork is also unprecedented. He has been in the top 4 of the MVP vote each of the last 4 years.
· The Jazz were trying to make Damian go right in the first half and then in the third quarter he keep getting left where he is a much better driver and pull up shooter.
· The Jazz were leading at the half. They played with really good offensive precision. They kept the ball moving. They were a bit stuck to start the game, but were impressively able to fight through it and find a rhythm. The first half was a really good offensive half, not just because shots went in, but how they were getting shots.
· The three ball went away in the third when they went 1 for 11. But they also got stagnant again like they did to open the game and never broke through to find that pattern.
· Doc Rivers also changed his rotation and kept Giannis and Dame in together. The Bucks have really struggled this year when one of them is off the floor and the Jazz took advantage of that in the first half.
· Isaiah Collier made his NBA debut but was not part of the 10 man rotation.
The Nuggets did it (Nikola Jokic did it), the Warriors did it (the death lineup and defensive efficiency), the Celtics did it (switching one through five, pre-switching, neutralizing open lanes), and now the Thunder are doing it.
It’s been described as pestering, smothering, swarming, but I‘d like to put “car wash” into consideration. That’s the set up awaiting opponents. The car (the opposing team) gets locked into those self-driving tracks and the gauntlet begins. Lu Dort and Alex Caruso appear as those cylindrical spinning brushes, stripping the ball outright and early or else funnelling players into the next wave of guards. Pressure continues from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jaylen Williams but it becomes more targeted, thinking of the jet streams of water now being directed at the car from every angle — and those spinning whirlwinds of Caruso and Dort haven’t relented.
If, somehow, an opposing player finds a sliver of daylight in the so-small-its-micro-ball switching scheme the Thunder are playing, if they manage to get out from the many hands reaching in, pressuring, forcing turnovers, then they will meet Chet Holmgren at the rim. Holmgren is like those long, slapping shammy tentacles that come down on the hood, sides and roof of the car from every angle, though his reach and hands are much more expertly deployed. The Thunder have a defensive rating of 96.5 (for context the Warriors, at second best, seem light-years behind with a respectable 103.8) and lead the league in steals (13.4) and blocks (7.3). The cars are coming out spotless, utterly worked.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Watch Defense wins games? Here’s an insightful breakdown of OKC’s defensive schemes. (Thinking Basketball)
Must Read The Influence of Sedona Price: Take a fascinating look at the domino effect of NIL on college athletics, women’s sports, social media and athlete health. (The New Yorker)
Replay Utah Jazz fall to the Milwaukee Bucks after a blowout second half, highlighting areas needing improvement for future matchups. (SLC Dunk)
Analysis Evaluating the Utah Jazz’s performance so far, experts weigh in on strategic adjustments for better outcomes. (Deseret)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Basketball Impact of Miles Bridges’ Injury
Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges (0) holds his knee after a collision at the basket against the Detroit Pistons during the second half at Spectrum Center.|Photo by Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
With only three games on Thursday, there was ample time to delve into the latest injury news and its implications for fantasy managers.
Injury Updates and Their Impact
Miles Bridges’ knee injury is a significant concern. After initially returning to play, he’s now sidelined for at least two weeks with a knee bone bruise. This situation opens up opportunities for other players. With Nick Richards and Mark Williams also out, Taj Gibson steps in as the starting centre. Grant Williams, who has been getting centre minutes, will likely shift to playing more at the four, alongside Tidjane Salaun. This reshuffling could push Williams into a more prominent role, making him a potential pick-up in 12-team leagues.
The absence of Bridges also means increased usage for Brandon Miller and LaMelo Ball. Tre Mann is another player to watch; holding onto him could be beneficial as the team adjusts to these injuries.
Ja Morant’s hamstring injury is another blow, with expectations of a two-week absence. Memphis’ injury reporting is notoriously vague, so fantasy managers should prepare for an extended period without Morant. Tyrese Maxey’s situation is similar, with the Sixers indicating a reevaluation in a week, but realistically, it could be longer. Kyle Lowry is a suitable replacement in the meantime.
POSTCAST - Hot three point shooting overwhelmed by Giannis and turnovers
The Utah Jazz’s offensive execution shines with red-hot three-point shooting, yet turnovers against the Milwaukee Bucks lead to a 123-100 defeat. David Locke, radio voice of the Utah Jazz and Jazz NBA Insider, and Ron Boone dissect the game, noting the Jazz’s impressive first-half performance with 28 three-point attempts, a franchise milestone. Keyonte George and Jordan Clarkson provided sparks off the bench, but Lauri Markkanen’s struggles were evident, possibly due to lingering back issues. The Bucks’ pressure defense and the Jazz’s ball movement were pivotal, yet the turnovers, especially from veterans John Collins and Jordan Clarkson, proved costly.
Cody Williams emerging for Utah Jazz. Offensive changes. Milwaukee Bucks preview
Will Hardy’s offensive changes are giving Cody Williams a chance to shine, transforming his role from a corner shooter to an active playmaker. David Locke, radio voice of the Utah Jazz and Jazz NBA Insider, breaks down Williams’ recent performance against Chicago, highlighting his strengths in movement and athleticism. With insights into the Jazz’s strategic adjustments, Locke explores how these changes are impacting the team’s dynamics and Williams’ development. Can Williams overcome his shooting struggles and become a key player for the Jazz?
Utah Jazz Squad - Utah Jazz Travelling Party talks hoops, stories, backpacks and laughs
Join David Locke, radio voice of the Utah Jazz and Jazz NBA Insider, as he hosts a lively discussion with a star-studded lineup, including Craig Bolerjack, Ron Boone, Joe Krueger, Lauren Green, and Jeremy Brunner. The episode kicks off with a humorous debate over Chicago’s best deep-dish pizza, setting the stage for a dynamic conversation. The group shares insights on the Utah Jazz’s recent performance, highlighting standout players like John Collins and Walker Kessler. With a mix of basketball analysis and behind-the-scenes stories, the episode offers a unique glimpse into the world of NBA broadcasting.
