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
Walker Kessler’s defense transforms Utah Jazz’s defense in upset of the Knicks
Nov 23, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (24) dunks over New York Knicks center/forward Karl-Anthony Towns (32) during the second half at the Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Creveling-Imagn Images
| Christopher Creveling-Imagn Images
· The Jazz came in on a 4-game losing streak and the Knicks were rolling on a 4-game win streak with their offense exploding. So the Jazz led for all but 2 possessions and led by 10 or more for most of the evening. The game was never in doubt.
· The Knicks came in with the #2 offense, the 2nd best half-court offense and the #1 pick-and-roll offense in the NBA. In our pre-game meeting with Jazz assistant coach Scott Morrison, he told us as great as Jalen Brunson is they were going to try to take away the pop from Karl Anthony Towns and see if they could quiet Towns. Towns didn’t hit a three until the final 3 minutes of the game. He missed his first 8 shots from three. Overall Towns was just 6 of 19 as the Jazz really made him uncomfortable and took away his three as well as his drives to the basket
· Walker Kessler returned and completely changed the Jazz defense. In the games Kessler had played this year the Jazz pick and roll defense has been a .9. In the 4 games he missed the Jazz pick and roll defense was a 1.2. How significant is that? In the 4 games the Jazz moved from 4th in pick and roll defense to last in the NBA. Yes from 4th to 30th in a span of 4 games.
· Knicks pick and roll on 55 picks only averaged .79 pts per pick and roll. Amazing defense
· With Kessler back, Knicks shot 22/70 with Kessler on the floor, 17/30 without him off the floor. It is not just that Walker impacts the shots at the rim, but he contorts the entire shot chart of the opponent.
· Jazz defense rating was an 80 with Walker Kessler on the floor. The Knicks came in averaging close to 120 offensive rating.
· Jazz shot 56% on threes, hitting 19 of 34 attempts. This is the big outlier of the night, but you can take it.
· Lauri Markkanen 35 points on 14 shots is absurd. The Jazz have been moving Lauri around. They have been playing him in more isolation and more stand-still actions. However, recently the Jazz have gone back to getting Lauri the ball on the move and getting him back to the actions that lead him to be a star the last two years. The Knicks are 28th in defending off ball screens and the Jazz took advantage of that weakness.
· The Knicks are not a good defensive team. 22nd coming in and from a Knicks perspective that has to be the talk after the game that they do not show signs of an elite defensive team. They are 29th in denying the three and the Jazz took advantage.
· Very strong complete game from the Jazz. The game fell apart twice, both times Will Hardy took the starters out of the game in the 1st and 3rd quarters. Both times the Knicks went on a mammoth run. In the first quarter the Jazz lead 24-12 and then the Knicks lead 28-26. In the third quarter, 77-58 and then they went to the bench and the game went to 77-75 after the Knicks went a 17-0 run.
· John Collins and Walker Kessler played together and the offense played well together. Last year this was a major problem and the combination was something the Jazz were going to stay away from, but with Collins playing so well and Kessler returning they are playing together again and for one night it worked.
· Collin Sexton 25 points on 14 shots. He was awesome
It was the three second violation heard round the world. Kidding, but it was strange enough that you looked to confirmation of what you were seeing to those around you, and/or rewatched the replay of it several times.
Posted up under the Raptors basket, Rudy Gobert had Scottie Barnes on his back in a mismatch and was calling to Julius Randle for the ball. Beyond the arc. Randle dribbled the ball, unhurried, as the shot clock ticked down. He’s eyeing the lane, would clearly prefer to drive, and even plants a foot to take off from when the whistle finally comes for Gobert, strolling out of the key nonchalantly, with all the urgency you’d approach a dental appointment.
Still frustrated, Gobert then needlessly hip-checked Barnes at the other end, sending him to the line and sending the Raptors up in the match and in momentum. Toronto won 110-105.
You can take your pick for what’s more worrisome, because the perspective shifts depending on the root of a few problems the Wolves face.
That Gobert opted to showboat his frustration is definitely the most obvious, in terms of visibility. It isn’t the first time he’s let his petulant side out on the floor. That Randle saw Gobert — impossible not to with his long arm up and waving — and chose to ignore him, dribbling the ball into oblivion instead, is another concern. The biggest question around the Randle and Karl-Anthony Towns trade was fit — for playing style and chemistry. A slight detail that nearly gets lost in the sequence is that Jaden McDaniels hustled for a really long rebound, swung it to Randle, and the urgency of that move was immediately sapped by what transpired.
Taken individually, these would be wrinkles for a working team to smooth by the next match. And yes, both Randle and Gobert addressed the sequence, with Randle prompting media to “name a perfect family” and Gobert saying “people think great teams are the teams where the sky is always blue”. Normally, I’d enjoy an athlete beginning with a euphemism, in this case, it feels like aversion.
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
Rumor Recent trade rumors suggest the New York Knicks are interested in acquiring Lauri Markkanen from the Utah Jazz, possibly involving Mikal Bridges. (SLCDunk)
Analysis The 2024 NBA Draft Lottery could be pivotal for the Utah Jazz. A detailed guide explores strategic tanking and draft prospects. (SLCDunk)
Replay In a thrilling matchup, the Jazz triumphed over the Knicks, with Lauri Markkanen and Jalen Brunson delivering standout performances. (SLCDunk)
Legacy Nikola Jokic continues to redefine basketball creativity with his full-court swat attempt against the Lakers, nearly achieving an incredible buzzer-beater despite the constraints of the Trent Tucker rule. (CBS Sports)
Biz NBA Hall of Famer Grant Hill discusses his investment in women’s sports and managing Team USA, highlighting his active retirement and commitment to sports development. (The Ringer NBA Show)
Rumor Western Conference coaches and executives are reportedly frustrated with the East’s playoff picture, suggesting a shift to a 1-16 seeding format to enhance fairness and competition. (Bleacher Report)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Ja Morant Is Set To Return And Impact Fantasy Basketball Leagues
Nov 17, 2024; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) takes videos with his phone after the game against the Denver Nuggets at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images | Petre Thomas/Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
As we wrap up another thrilling week in the NBA, it’s time to reflect on the standout performances and crucial player updates that could impact your fantasy basketball strategy. With six games on the slate this past Sunday, there was no shortage of action and intrigue.
Player Updates and Injury News
One of the most significant updates this week involves Ja Morant, who has been upgraded to questionable. The Memphis Grizzlies have a consistent pattern of moving players from doubtful to questionable before they return to play, so Morant’s return seems imminent. Marcus Smart is also off the injury report, ready to make his comeback. However, the Grizzlies are still without Vince Williams Jr., who is sidelined for weeks, and Zach Edey.
In New Orleans, the return of key players is on the horizon. While Herb Jones remains out, Jordan Hawkins is back, and CJ McCollum is expected to play soon. Dejounte Murray has been upgraded to doubtful, indicating he might return later this week. These returns will undoubtedly shake up the rotations and fantasy implications for players like BJ Boston and ElfridPayton.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have been idle since Wednesday, and Alex Caruso, who aggravated a hip injury, is out again. This extended absence is concerning for fantasy managers holding Caruso. Meanwhile, Ousmane Dieng’s fractured finger will keep him out for three to four weeks, opening up reserve minutes for Dillon Jones until Jaylin Williams returns.
POSTCAST -Walker Kessler’s defense transforms Utah Jazz’s game against the Knicks
Can the Utah Jazz maintain their defensive prowess against top NBA offenses? David Locke, radio voice of the Utah Jazz and Jazz NBA Insider, and Ron Boone break down the Jazz’s impressive 121-106 victory over the New York Knicks. The return of Walker Kessler proved pivotal, as his presence transformed the Jazz’s defense, holding the Knicks to a mere 22 of 70 shooting when he was on the floor. The episode explores how the Jazz capitalized on missed shots to increase their pace and create scoring opportunities, with Lauri Markkanen shining by scoring 34 points on just 15 attempts.
AskLOJ Edition - Jazz Rookies Struggle to Keep Up.. Keyonte George’s Shot Selection Improvement
Are the Jazz rookies Isaiah Collier and Cody Williams struggling more than expected? David Locke, radio voice of the Utah Jazz and Jazz NBA Insider, tackles this pressing question in the latest Ask LOJ edition of Locked On Jazz. With insights into the rapid adaptability of the NBA and the challenges faced by rookies, Locke provides a detailed analysis of their performance. He also explores the broader struggles of the rookie class, highlighting shooting percentages and the impact of physical strength on the court.
POSTCAST- Utah Jazz first half brilliance falls short in 2nd half and Spurs roar back for win
The Utah Jazz’s rollercoaster performance against the San Antonio Spurs takes center stage as they lose a 20-point lead, ending the road trip with a 126-118 defeat. David Locke, radio voice of the Utah Jazz and Jazz NBA Insider, and his co-host dissect the game, highlighting the Jazz’s impressive first half, where they dominated with sharp three-point shooting and aggressive play. However, the second half saw a dramatic shift, with the Spurs outscoring the Jazz 75-51, raising questions about the Jazz’s ability to maintain momentum and close games effectively.
