| 03 February 2012
We've all seen it. Head on over to your local park, playground, outdoor basketball court, or recreational center and you'll witness it.
Playground basketball.
Where anything goes. Where behind the back, inbetween the legs, alley oops, dunks, and no look passes are a thing of the norm. Where a player may bounce a pass to himself through the legs of another, leaving the defender helplessly lost as to where the ball went. Where hustle is king over basic fundamental basketball.
Last night at Oracle Arena...you got playground basketball at its best.
The Jazz limped into Oakland on the second night of a back to back needing a win, having lost three of their last five. But it was destined to be an uphill battle without the services of Harris, Watson and Bell. The task at hand: contain a dynamic backcourt, brilliantly capable of play playground basketball.
Golden State Warriors' Monta Ellis (8) lays up a shot against Utah Jazz' Josh Howard, left, and C.J. Miles (34) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012, in Oackland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Stephen Curry (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
Highlights
Jamaal Tinsley got his first start of the year and did not disappoint. Last night is a perfect reason why I loved the signing of Tinsley. He showed flashes of his days in Indiana. He finished the night with a team high and season high 13 assists. And those assists came in flashes of brilliance! His best assist of the night was a no look, behind the back dime to a driving Jefferson for a one handed flush. Tinsley a true point guard did a masterful job running the offense for the Jazz. He directed teammates to places on the floor and orchestrated offensive sets like a Master Conductor.
Utah Jazz guard Jamaal Tinsley (6) drives against Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry (30) during the first half of an NBA basketball game on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Hayward continues to find his grove finishing the night with a team high 21 points. He was a perfect 8-8 from the FT line as well. He also added four assists and two steals. Hayward's confidence continues to rise as he continues to do the right things in the offense.
Lowlights
The already depleated Jazz bench struggled all night to contribute, finishing the night with only 18 points. Burks, who was called upon to play the backup point position was serviceable contributing 7 points, was the only bright spot off the bench. Miles, Favors and Kanter wer all a combined 2-14 on the night, each struggling to find a flow in the game.
Perhaps the most disturbing stat of the night was on the offensive glass. The Jazz gave up 22 offensive rebounds on the night, leading to 28 second chance points. The Warriors completely out hustled the Jazz on the glass providing themselves additional opportunities to score over the course of the night. David Lee was the biggest contributor pulling down eight of those offensive boards. Paul Millsap was the only Jazz player to finish the night rebounding in double figures with 11.
David Lee (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
Last night in Oracle Arena it was playground basketball at it's best. There was plenty of behind the back dribbles, fancy footwork, no look passes and between the legs dribbles.
Whether you're a Jazz fan, Warriors fan, or an avid NBA fan, BOTH teams provided some flare and excitement that was exhilirating and entertaining to watch.
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