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
Was this Will Hardy’s Portland Moment.
Nov 21, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) moves to the basket against Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
|Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Will Hardy’s Strategic Moves
Coach Will Hardy has been implementing strategies focused on growth and effort. It’s not just about playing; it’s about competing. This was evident in a recent game where the Jazz faced the LA Clippers. Despite trailing by 10 points for most of the game, the team showed signs of returning to their core playing style, which they had lost somewhere along the way. Hardy’s decision to bench Keyonte George in the second half was a significant moment, emphasizing that effort and competitiveness are non-negotiable. The only leverage a coach has in this league is playing time, and Hardy demonstrated this by making it clear that casual play would not be tolerated.
The Jazz’s recent games have shown a mix of challenges and positive developments. In a game against the Clippers, the team struggled with turnovers early on, which set them back. However, they managed to regain some momentum by returning to their fundamental playing style. This flurry of effort, although not enough to turn the game around, was valuable in reinforcing the importance of playing the right way.
Utah Jazz’s Transition Defense: A Turnaround Story
As the Utah Jazz navigate a challenging season, the focus has shifted from merely winning games to setting a standard of play under head coach Will Hardy. The Jazz have been notorious for their poor transition defense, allowing the most transition opportunities in the league. However, recent efforts have shown significant improvement, highlighting the importance of coaching and player responsiveness.
Earlier in the season, the Jazz struggled with ball movement, a critical aspect of their gameplay. Hardy addressed this issue, and since then, the team has increased their passing, which is crucial given the absence of a James Harden or Luka Dončić-type player who can create opportunities without ball movement. The Jazz’s improvement in transition defense is particularly noteworthy. Previously, they allowed 26% of all possessions in transition, a significant increase from last year’s 20%. This was not solely due to turnovers; a substantial portion of transition opportunities arose from missed shots.
The coaching staff, led by Hardy, conducted a film session focusing on the first three steps in both offensive and defensive transitions. This analysis compared the Jazz’s performance to other NBA teams, emphasizing the need for better initial defensive positioning. The results have been promising. In recent games, the Jazz have reduced transition opportunities significantly, with numbers dropping to as low as 10 in a game against Phoenix. This improvement aligns with the league average, demonstrating the effectiveness of targeted coaching and player adaptation.
JJ Redick’s Impact on the Lakers and LeBron James
JJ Redick’s influence on the Los Angeles Lakers has been transformative, particularly for LeBron James. Under Redick’s guidance, the Lakers have shifted from a transition-heavy offense to a more balanced approach, improving their half-court efficiency. This change has propelled the Lakers from the 12th to the 5th ranked offense in the NBA.
Redick’s strategy involves reducing the number of pick-and-roll plays and increasing off-ball screens and handoffs, similar to the Jazz’s offensive style. This shift has not only diversified the Lakers’ offensive tactics but also enhanced LeBron’s efficiency. By decreasing his reliance on pick-and-rolls and increasing his involvement in off-ball movements, LeBron has become more effective, with his points per play improving significantly.
The Lakers’ offensive rebounding has also seen a marked improvement, moving from 29th to 14th in the league. This change, coupled with a reduction in turnovers, has contributed to their offensive success. Redick’s approach has clearly revitalized the Lakers’ gameplay, making them a formidable force in the NBA.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Utah Jazz’s transition defense and JJ Redick’s impact on the Lakers, tune into the Locked On Jazz podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Jazz Podcast:
- Lauri Markkanen’s shot distribution and efficiency
- The Jazz’s evolving point guard situation
- Analysis of the NBA’s “tank bus” and its implications
The Sixers are no longer just bad, they’re cornered
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) looks on against the Miami Heat during the third quarter at Kaseya Center|Photo by Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Look, I held off as long as I could, told myself it was only an awkward start. I looked to silver linings, to the tendency that things going wrong for this long tend to right themselves. I looked to the surrounding conditions for clues and when none revealed themselves, I decided to stay positive but now, it’s time: time to talk about the Philadelphia 76ers.
Beyond what Sixers fans know intimately and don’t need reiterated (things are bad), the mood around the franchise is starting to feel closer to cornered than merely frustrated. Last night, after a third quarter collapse against the Heat in Miami, the Sixers held a postgame meeting that lasted over an hour. The game already had a bizarre feel to it, Philly led by 19 before being down 20, and Joel Embiid went from being listed as doubtful to starting. No one on the Sixers roster looked especially comfortable, a trend that’s emerged throughout the team’s first full month of regular season play.
Slipping now to the bottom of the Eastern Conference, with a record of 2-11 I still feel the need to double check as I write this, one thing has become abundantly clear — the Sixers don’t have room to hedge.
There’s no scapegoat to pin the team’s shoddy performance on, not this early in the season. Even when healthy, and Embiid, George and Maxey are on the floor together, it’s been for naught. Both the teams wins came in arduous overtime, one without George and both without Embiid. The Sixers win against the Hornets was missing Maxey completely.
Here’s a problem I’ve wondered about since Daryl Morey landed George in what was declared an undisputed win for the franchise and the best move of the offseason — what about Philadelphia’s role players? To clear the books for cap space enough to sign George, Daryl Morey liquidated the team’s working roster — 13 of the team’s 15 man squad became free agents. Tobias Harrias and Nicolas Batum may not be spring chickens in NBA terms, but they provided the mechanical support the Sixers are now woefully lacking. This isn’t the Sixers only problem, that much has been made clear, but it’s a big one.
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.
Biz Former NBA stars Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady are looking to buy a minority stake in the NFL’s Buffalo Bills (CityTV)
Must Read Knicks forward OG Anunoby says he’s tired of being known for his defensive prowess. (The Athletic, subscription required)
Preview The Jazz head to LA to take on the Lakers tonight. Check out the start time, channel, and injury report, including updates on LeBron James. (SLCDunk)
Roster For the Utah Jazz, minutes are earned, not given. Discover how players are proving their worth in every game. (Deseret)
3peat (ICYMI)
POSTCAST - Isaiah Collier’s Stellar Performance Shines in Jazz’s Tough Loss
Utah Jazz fans, brace yourselves as David Locke, radio voice of the Utah Jazz and Jazz NBA Insider, dissects a challenging night for the team against the LA Clippers. The Jazz struggled to close the gap, trailing by double digits for most of the game. Keyonte George’s unexpected absence in the second half opened the door for Isaiah Collier, who impressed with his playmaking skills. Can Collier’s vision and speed become a game-changer for the Jazz
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The Utah Jazz faced a surprising defeat against the Sacramento Kings, despite leading into the fourth quarter. David Locke, radio voice of the Utah Jazz and Jazz NBA Insider, and Ron Boone dissect the game, highlighting the Jazz’s struggle to capitalize on a short-handed Kings team missing key players like Domantas Sabonis and DeMar DeRozan. The Jazz’s late-game execution faltered, with turnovers and missed opportunities marking the final minutes. How did De’Aaron Fox manage to dominate despite the Jazz’s defensive strategies?
Utah Jazz tight win against Dallas. Breaking down the final plays
Locked On Jazz unpacks the thrilling victory of the Utah Jazz over the Dallas Mavericks, dissecting the final three plays that sealed the win. David Locke, radio voice of the Utah Jazz and Jazz NBA Insider, provides an in-depth analysis of the Jazz’s defensive strategies, highlighting John Collins’ pivotal role and the team’s transition defense improvements. How did the Jazz manage to outsmart Luka Dončić and Klay Thompson in crucial moments? Discover the tactical adjustments that made all the difference.
