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
EMPTYING THE NOGGIN - Trae Young calls game in fantastic ball game
· A tremendous game ending with a halfcourt buzzer beater from Trae Young. Don’t see those often and that shot was really something from Trae.
· Trae Young is the story tonight with a 24 points and 20 assist game and those 20 assists were for 50 points.
· The play before Trae Young’s game winner is bonkers. The Jazz tried to inbound to Kessler who was trying to pin the defender on the switch. They were down 3 with 8.8 seconds left and I am sure the Hawks would have fouled Kessler the moment he touched it so seemed a strange place to inbound. The pass got deflected and never got to Walker and with it loose Collin Sexton out of no where hit the ball and then ran after it and got off a tap from Cody Williams got it back and hit the three to tie. The effort from Collin on this play was out of this world.
· With :32 seconds left off a nice defensive possession the Jazz were down 1 and pushed it up the floor and got a wide open left corner three from Lauri Markkanen, who has amazing all game with a season high 35 point, but this one didn’t fall. The Jazz had the shot to take control of the game from their best player in his best spot and it didn’t go.
· Walker Kessler was really terrific tonight. His force inside is changing games. He scored 10 straight points for the Jazz down the stretch. He hit two crucial free throws, he had two offensive rebound put back dunks, he had a little left handed hook off an offensive rebound and he got a dunk of a pick and roll when they doubled Lauri. Defensively he made a great play denying a alley opp to Capela. Walker is the story of the season and he is playing really well.
· The Hawks went after Lauri Markkanen in isolation instead of Walker Kessler on the pick and roll when they got switches. This is the first time I have seen these. The numbers say this is the right move. Lauri has been really struggling in isolation defnese and Walker has been really good. Lauri held his own tonight in the 4th quarter when Trae Young went 1 on 1 on him.
· The Jazz struggled with the Trae Young and Bogdan Bogdanovic quick slip on the perimeter. The Jazz didn’t get it switched fast enough a few times and Bogdanovich got open threes. Trae Young just breaks your defensive because of the threat and when you make the slightest mistake he makes the pass to take advantage of it.
· Jazz had two really unfortunate plays late in the game. Lauri got called on an offensive foul pushing the defender on a pick and roll and Sexton fouled Trae Young with 12 seconds left that meant the Jazz had to foul on the next possession.
· Cody Williams played all 12 minutes of the 4th quarter. He keeps showing a flash or two. He had a drive tonight with a left hand from the left wing into the paint for a high left hand finish that was great. He played with the ball in his hand initiating the offense some in the 4th quarter and had a great wrap around pass in the paint to Drew Eubanks. It is going to be fun to watch him the rest of the season.
· Johnny Juziang got another start. He is putting up solid numbers in his starts. 11 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists tonight.
· Patty Mills went nuts hit three straight threes in the 2nd quarter.
· The two things the Jazz have done poorly all year they did ok with tonight. They did not turn the ball over a ton against a team that forces a ton of turnovers and they didn’t allow a lot of transition against a team runs the 3rd most of any team in the NBA. In fact, in the 4th quarter Hawks had very few transition plays.
Jan 7, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) reacts after a fouled was not called against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second half at Smoothie King Center. | Matthew Hinton/Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
How can you know in the NBA if something’s real?
If a team really is on a sustainable upward trajectory, or if they’ve overachieved? If a player whose name has become synonymous with trade talks really wants out (or in somewhere else, depending on how you’re looking at it)? How can you tell the difference between talent and development, and when does it start to matter? And how do you know that regular season dominance will translate into postseason competence, let alone contention?
I’ve been thinking about NBA mirages, the things we will ourselves into believing over the course of a season, as a few of the league’s prominent storylines play out. What constitutes an NBA mirage is that it has justenough staying power at a distance, but like the real thing, when you start to interrogate it up close its corporeal outlines vanish.
Trades are a huge generator of NBA mirages. I hate to think how many ESPN’s NBA Trade Machine tool is pumping out per hour as the trade deadline approaches. Jimmy Butler’s request for a trade out of Miami is one of the reasons I started thinking about them, specifically, where they shift from fantasy to reality. The prospect of a trade, for Butler, is as solid as the car he gets in to drive himself to Heat games. For Pat Riley and the Heat’s front office, the trade’s an illusion (delusion, maybe, if you asked Riley). What’s real to them is Butler’s behaviour, which they emphasized by suspending him for seven games.
Does Butler, since then reported to have asked both the Bucks and the Grizzlies not to trade for him, make his potential trade more real by narrowing its scope? Or is he limiting himself and his chances of an exit — any exit — from Miami?
Shifting from trades to returns, Zion Williamson’s back on the floor in New Orleans. Williamson’s dunks, like his first in-game slam last night since early November, have a knack for calling to mind immediately the contours of the earth under your feet. I tend to curl my toes against the ground, checking it’s still there. Why then, does he make me think of mirages? The hope for Williamson, since he entered the league, has been consistency — in his health, his game, his career.
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.
Must Read Amid Pacific wildfires, Steve Kerr and JJ Redick’s families have evacuated the area. (CNN)
Biz What the EuroLeague and IMG’s new deals mean for the future of basketball in Europe. (The Athletic)
Analysis Revisiting the Walker Kessler vs. Rudy Gobert debate, the Utah Jazz’s strategic decision to trade Gobert for Kessler is examined in depth, considering performance metrics and team dynamics. (SLC Dunk)
Opponent The Utah Jazz faced off against the Atlanta Hawks in a recent match-up, with Lauri Markkanen and Trae Young going head-to-head in a closely contested game. (SLC Dunk)
Prediction Updated win-loss predictions for the 2024-25 NBA season provide insights on the Utah Jazz’s potential performance, factoring in remaining schedules and team form. (Bleacher Report)
Opponent Trae Young’s half-court shot secured a dramatic win for the Hawks, underscoring the challenges faced by the Jazz. (CBS Sports)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Tuesday’s Key Fantasy Basketball Notes
Jan 7, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) signals to his team during the first half against the Charlotte Hornets at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images | Sam Sharpe/Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images
Tuesday’s NBA action brought a mix of surprises and disappointments across seven games. The Phoenix Suns, despite their recent lineup changes, continue to underperform, raising questions about their strategy and team dynamics.
The Los Angeles Lakers suffered a significant setback, losing to a depleted Dallas Mavericks team. This loss highlights ongoing concerns about the Lakers’ consistency and ability to compete against even weakened opponents.
In a thrilling finish, Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks showcased his clutch abilities by sinking a half-court shot to secure a victory. Young’s performance was stellar throughout the game, finishing with an impressive 24 points and 20 assists.
Injury Updates and Roster Moves
Several key players were sidelined due to injuries or illness. Jeremy Sochan of the San Antonio Spurs is out with a back issue, potentially impacting his trade value. Jerami Grant’s facial contusion continues to sideline him, opening up opportunities for players like Deni Avdija.
The Philadelphia 76ers are facing challenges with both Joel Embiid and Paul George out, though not due to a back-to-back situation. This absence further complicates the 76ers’ season, which has already been marred by inconsistency.
Ausar Thompson’s absence due to illness raises concerns, especially given his history of health issues. While the exact nature of his current condition remains unclear, fans and fantasy managers alike are hoping it’s not as serious as his previous bout with blood clots.
Waiver Wire Trends
The waiver wire has seen some interesting movement, with Bryce Sensabaugh emerging as the most-added player despite missing a game due to illness. Ryan Dunn and Nikola Jovic have also seen increased interest, though their long-term value remains questionable.
Isaiah Collier’s career night and Will Hardy on the importance of wins
Isaiah Collier’s breakout performance and game-winning shot for the Utah Jazz take center stage in this episode. David Locke, radio voice of the Utah Jazz and Jazz NBA Insider, analyzes Collier’s impressive 23-point, 7-rebound, 7-assist night against the Brooklyn Nets. The rookie’s development, particularly his improved shooting and growing confidence, is dissected alongside the broader context of the Jazz’s current roster composition and competitive landscape.
POSTCAST - Isaiah Collier game winner gives Utah Jazz win over Brooklyn Nets
Isaiah Collier shines as the Utah Jazz edge out the Brooklyn Nets 112-111 in overtime. David Locke, radio voice of the Utah Jazz and Jazz NBA Insider, and Ron Boone break down the young guard’s game-winning play and overall performance. Collier’s speed, strength, and swagger are on full display as he overcomes late-game mistakes to secure the victory.
POSTCAST - Utah Jazz’s Offensive Rebound Dominance Shines Against Suns
