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
· This game was never in doubt. The Suns lead by 12 after 1. The Suns wihtout Kevin Durant and Jusaf Nurkic took control of the game in the 1st quarter. They played with a great deal force and controlled the game. The Suns stayed in control for the entire night. The Jazz battled and never let the game get out of control, but they never really threatened to win the game.
· The Jazz offense continues to have some really nice signs. Tonight they had 32 assists. This follows the trend from the road trip. Jazz threw 376 passes that is near the high of any team all season.
· The Jazz were without Walker Kessler which would have been nice against a team that runs the most pick and rolls in the NBA. The Suns ran 76 picks tonight which is a little below their usual. The Jazz are the 3rd best team in the NBA defending the pick and roll
· Jazz shot 49% and 40% from three. Hard to complain about that for an offensive game.
· Phoenix is committed to denying the rim the Jazz were able to get 25 shots at the rim and hit 80% of them. This is hard to do against Pheonix.
· John Collins and Kyle Filipowski really took advantages of their matchups with Mason Plumlee and Ogo Ighodoro. Collins had 33 matchup v. Plumlee and Filipowski had 34 matchups v Ighodoro.
· John Collins continues to thrive offensively. He is taking advantage of switches. The Suns dared him to shoot above the break 3 point shots. He played in control tonight and put up some big numbers. 29 points and 10 rebounds for his 4th double double in 6 games. John went 3 of 6 from three he was 7 of 23 on catch and shoot 3s so that is why they left him open, but he made them pay
· Kyle really put himself in good spots. He is the right spot to get drop offs. He was open for threes. He makes good reads with and without the basketball. He has a natural knack to the basketball which allows him to put up good box scores on a nightly basis. He had 18 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocks. He had 2 three pointers tonight on 4 attempts.
· Cody Williams looked visibly frustrated tonight. This has been a tough stretch. Hope he gets some confidence moments.
· Keyonte George took 7 shots in the paint non restricted area tonight. He went 3 for 7. He is shooting 33% on those shots, last year he shot 45%. These are not high percentage shots. Not sure how he turns these into pass outs or all the way to the rim or getting fouled but something other than a lot of low percentage shots in the paint non-restricted would help Key.
· Phoenix shot 50% from the field and 42% from three.
· Beal ended the game or any threat of the Jazz with back to back transition threes in the early to mid 4th quarter and then Booker made a ton of shots late. Booker had 31 and Beal had 24
· Plumlee and Ighodoro combined for 21 points and 26 rebounds in 47 minutes.
Klay Thompson’s homecoming to The Bay started well before he hit the floor last night at Oracle with the Mavs and roughly 19,000 fans started waving nautical Captain hats.
It started mid-way through last season, when Golden State didn’t signal they’d immediately be resigning Thompson as the franchise had, up to then, always been in a hurry to. There were shades of it along with Thompson’s frustrations in his game changing, the splashy shots not falling as fluidly as they used to. Clues came in the way the Warriors felt their frustrations as a team: once together, a cohesive unit, and then splintering and individually.
“Even from July, when Klay decided to go to Dallas to us showing up for training camp and him not being here, it was kind of like a slow build to this night for everybody,” Warriors point guard, Steph Curry, said after last night’s game.
Basketball isn’t played in a vacuum, and Curry sharing the psychic and emotional timeline of the team underscores that in a rare glimpse behind the curtain. Sometimes its brightest full-circle moments have to struggle through discomfort, angst and loss in order to come back around. Often, the storylines with the most ups and downs are the ones that end the most cathartically.
Since this season began, Thompson’s been candid about how necessary the move to Dallas was for him. “Every pro athlete’s human, and uncertainty can bear on you,” he told ESPN prior to Tuesday night’s homecoming game.
“Honestly, it’s rejuvenated me and done something I needed bad just for my mental [state] and my career,” Thompson said.
It’s a knife’s edge between animosity for an athlete’s who’s left a franchise they share a storied history with and sympathy for their decision. What tips fans to one side or the other can skew personal, so isn’t always easy to predict, but Thompson’s tendency toward honesty helps. He’s always been someone who wears what he’s feeling on the floor openly, and for that fans — for the most part — respond with empathy. There’s a sense that through all the years he played for the Warriors there was an open conduit of conversation between him and the fanbase.
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
Legacy Klay Thompson feels “free” after his late-career move to Dallas. (ESPN)
The Utah Jazz fell to the Phoenix Suns 109-101 despite a solid effort from the team. Devin Booker’s performance was a highlight of the game. (SLCDunk)
Analysis
Week 4 of the Utah Jazz rookie rankings is out, spotlighting the progress and potential of the newcomers to the team. (SLCDunk)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Basketball Takeaways From Tuesday - Robert Williams Day
Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III (35) shoots the ball against Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid (11) during the first half at Moda Center. |Photo by Soobum Im/Soobum Im-Imagn Images
Tuesday’s NBA games offered a wealth of insights for fantasy basketball managers. Here’s a closer look at the key takeaways and strategic moves you should consider:
Charlotte Hornets vs. Orlando Magic
- Grant Williams: With his move to the starting lineup, Williams is a viable short-term pickup, especially while the Hornets deal with injuries. His ability to contribute in multiple categories makes him a solid addition in deeper leagues.
- Moussa Diabate: Diabate’s rebounding prowess is noteworthy, especially with the Hornets’ frontcourt injuries. He’s a strong option for those in need of rebounds in deeper formats.
- Franz Wagner: Wagner’s performance underscores his value, particularly with Paolo Banchero out. Consider selling high if you can get a top-tier player in return, as his current production may dip once Banchero returns.
Miami Heat vs. Detroit Pistons
- Tyler Herro: After a 40-point explosion, Herro is a prime sell-high candidate. His shooting percentages are unlikely to sustain, so capitalise on his current form to bolster your roster.
- Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey: Both players showed their potential to fill the stat sheet. Cunningham remains a must-start, while Ivey’s bounce-back game suggests he’s worth holding onto for his upside.
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.
