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
Solid weekend overshadowed by to timeout or not
Dec 1, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz guard Collin Sexton (2) gets blocked by Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23), forward/center Anthony Davis (3), and center Christian Koloko (10) in the final second of the second half at the Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Creveling-Imagn Images
| Christopher Creveling-Imagn Images
The Timeout Dilemma: A Crucial Decision in Basketball
In the thrilling matchup between the Utah Jazz and the LA Lakers, a pivotal moment arose with just 11 seconds left on the clock. The Jazz, trailing by a single point, had a decision to make: should they call a timeout or let the play unfold naturally? This decision, often debated in basketball circles, can significantly impact the outcome of a game.
Will Hardy, the Jazz’s head coach, faced this exact scenario. With LeBron James missing a step-back three-pointer, the Jazz secured the rebound. Hardy chose not to call a timeout immediately, allowing Collin Sexton to push the ball up the court. The Lakers, known for their struggles in transition defense, seemed vulnerable. However, as Sexton veered left and the play appeared to stall, Hardy sprinted to half-court, signaling for a timeout. This decision left the Jazz with only 2.1 seconds to execute a play, ultimately failing to get a shot off and losing the game by one point.
The debate over whether Hardy should have called a timeout earlier is multifaceted. On one hand, the Lakers’ defense is notoriously weak after a missed shot, making it advantageous to attack quickly. On the other hand, the Jazz’s young roster lacks the experience to consistently make the right decisions under pressure. This lack of veteran presence might have warranted an earlier timeout to set up a more structured play.
Trust and Experience: Key Factors in Late-Game Decisions
The decision to call a timeout is not just about strategy; it’s also about trust. With a team like the Dallas Mavericks, featuring seasoned players like Kyrie Irving, a coach might opt to let the play continue without interruption. However, the Jazz’s current lineup, filled with less experienced players, presents a different challenge. Hardy’s decision reflects a balance between trusting his players and recognizing their developmental stage.
In basketball, the data supports attacking in transition rather than against a set defense. Yet, the Jazz’s situation highlights the importance of knowing your team’s strengths and weaknesses. Hardy’s choice to call a timeout when Sexton’s drive faltered was a calculated move, acknowledging the team’s current limitations.
Utah Jazz: Defensive Strides and Offensive Challenges
The Utah Jazz recently faced off against the Dallas Mavericks, and while the final score wasn’t in our favor, there were significant takeaways from the game. The Jazz showcased one of their best defensive performances over three quarters, holding the Mavericks to just 66 points after a challenging first quarter. However, the initial 12 minutes proved too costly, with Dallas scoring 40 points, largely due to their hot shooting from beyond the arc.
Walker Kessler’s Growth and Impact
One of the standout players for the Jazz was Walker Kessler. His development has been impressive, and he’s proving to be a key player in our rotation. Kessler’s rebounding and shot-blocking abilities have been noteworthy, and his dedication to improving his game is evident. Watching him work with coaches before games, focusing on scoring techniques and even attempting three-pointers, shows his commitment to becoming a more versatile player. Kessler’s energy and defensive prowess have solidified his role, and he’s now a reliable 20 to 30-minute player each night.
Offensive Struggles and Areas for Improvement
Despite the defensive strides, the Jazz’s offense struggled significantly. We found ourselves caught in the “floater zone,” taking too many non-restricted area shots. This inefficiency was evident as nearly 30% of our shots were from this less effective range. The Mavericks, known for their ability to deny three-point opportunities, lured us into taking these shots, highlighting the need for better offensive decision-making.
Our offensive metrics were concerning, with points per possession and shooting percentages ranking in the lower percentiles compared to other teams this season. The Jazz managed only 18 shots at the rim and eight corner three attempts, both of which are below our usual standards. Additionally, our transition defense needs attention, as we allowed the Mavericks to capitalize on missed shots, leading to a high transition play percentage.
December 1, 2024; Sacramento, California, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) celebrates against the Sacramento Kings during the fourth quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images | Kyle Terada/Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
You’d be forgiven if, a quarter of the way through the season (yes), you haven’t given the following teams that much attention. Maybe your main rooting interest has been struggling, and it’s taken all your psychic energy to will them through the slump. Better yet, maybe your team is thriving and you’ve been enjoying the ride. Maybe you’re still looking for a team to get behind, in which case, the following three franchises would make great options.
Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks being on this list has not alleviated my general wariness of the Hawks as a whole, but they’ve been playing through some of the things that make me doubt them. First, the Hawks love to play up. That is, they tend to excel against technically better and markedly more skilled teams; teams farther along the competitive timeline that I always get they feeling Atlanta would rather emulate than put the work in to be at the same level with.
This season, the Hawks are still playing up — they’ve beat the best in conference Cavaliers twice — but they’re recognizing what should be easy wins, like against the Charlotte Hornets. With Trae Young injured and in and out of the lineup, Atlanta’s bench has provided some of the most needed and entertaining offensive bursts in the league, with De’Andre Hunter back with a vengeance after being out for 10 games with a knee injury. Hunter’s regularly putting up 20-plus points per night, and hounding the glass.
Atlanta has a string of high-low games this week, facing the Pelicans, Bucks, Lakers and Nuggets, which should be an ample test to whether they can play and stay consistent.
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
Replay The Utah Jazz narrowly lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in a thrilling game. Lauri Markkanen shined with impressive stats, but LeBron James’ late-game heroics sealed the Lakers’ win. (SLC Dunk)
Rumor Trade talks between the Utah Jazz and New Orleans Pelicans involving Brandon Ingram have reportedly been called off. The negotiations hit a snag, leaving both teams to reassess their strategies. (SLC Dunk)
Milestone Jimmy Butler misses shot so Bam Adebayo can record a triple-double in Heat win (Bleacher Report)
The Utah Jazz secure a decisive 105-94 victory over the Brooklyn Nets, showcasing an effective defensive strategy and capitalizing on the Nets’ offensive struggles. David Locke, radio voice of the Utah Jazz and Jazz NBA Insider, and Ron Boone dissect the game’s key moments, including the Jazz’s double-teaming tactics against Cam Johnson and the team’s ability to win despite Lauri Markkanen’s off-night from three-point range.
Keyonte George’s Dunk Saves Utah Jazz in Thrilling Win
David Locke, radio voice of the Utah Jazz and Jazz NBA Insider, examines the Sacramento Kings’ recent struggles and ponders if the Utah Jazz should make a move for De’Aaron Fox. He analyzes the complexities of rebuilding in the NBA, using the Cleveland Cavaliers’ journey to becoming the league’s top team as a case study. Locke explores the challenges of timing, player contracts, and market appeal in executing successful trades.
POSTCAST - Utah Jazz’s explosive first quarter dominates Detroit Pistons in thrilling NBA showdown
David Locke, radio voice of the Utah Jazz and NBA Insider, and Ron Boone break down the Jazz’s 126-119 victory over the Detroit Pistons. The game’s narrative unfolds like a book with multiple authors, starting with a blistering 48-point first quarter for Utah. The Jazz’s hot shooting and transition play set the tone, but Detroit’s physical defense in the second quarter disrupted their rhythm.
