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Alright, 13 video thread coming on interesting plays from the Jazz game yesterday.
The first thing I noticed was Donovan's patience as a passer. He had four assists yesterday, let's go through them.
The first thing I noticed was Donovan's patience as a passer. He had four assists yesterday, let's go through them.
The first one was a lob to Gobert. Donovan had the ball at halfcourt with just 5 seconds on the shot clock, I thought for sure it was gonna end with a missed Donovan floater, but this is a great read. Donovan has been really good about getting Rudy the ball in the first 3min.
The second to Gobert wasn't anything special, but usually the most efficient plays aren't. Just makes a good read that leads to an easy two-points.
The final one to Rudy was a great play in semi-transition. Realizing that they had space to quickly go play 2v2, they attack quick. I also love the wide angle Donovan takes here to give him plenty of space, forcing the RM defender to choose between him and Rudy.
His second assists was a great read to Royce, I wanted to post this one last to tie two sections together. Donovan's passes and Donovan's screen. This screen is a little illegal, but it won't usually get called and it leads to an easy Royce dunk.
Speaking of Royce! He was awful on Thursday, he only had one shot. But yesterday he was much more active and that is huge for the Jazz. More shots usually leads to more assists as well. Let's take a look at his four assists.
First, look at this drive that leads to a Gobert dunk. Simple drive and good read. Nothing special, but again, that is a good thing.
Next is another great screen from Donovan. Donovan 100% creates this play and Royce/Rudy get all the statistical credit. Also, to all you Spacing folks, notice how Crowder doesn't care about Clarkson because Rudy is so damn good.
Royce was also incredibly active defensively, finishing with three steals. Although here it is Mike that makes a play, leading to a Donovan C&S Three-Pointer.
Can we please have Donovan play more off-ball? He screens well and is an Elite shooter and cutter.
And Rudy = Space
Can we please have Donovan play more off-ball? He screens well and is an Elite shooter and cutter.
And Rudy = Space
This one is a steal from Royce though, and he does a great job finding away to keep the ball heading North. Meanwhile, Clarkson will shoot anything, doesn't matter when he touches the ball, it is going up regardless.
Speaking of Royce steals, Rudy Gobert is a lights out defender. Here former All-NBA guard Goran Dragic gets Rudy on the perimeter and it goes absolutely nowhere. Yes Gobert can guard 1-5 and outside.
Gobert finished the game with 3 blocks although the stat sheet only says 3. Here he is seen guarding Iggy while Royce is on Olynyk, after switching a PnR, Gobert forced Olynyk into just a horrific long-2 attempt. Defense doesn't get any better than this.
Now the downside, Donovan Mitchell's Three-Point defense was dreadful yesterday. Some of it by team design, some just him being terrible. Here he just nails his feet to the floor and loses his man. You just can't let his happen.
The Jazz chose to play a weird kind of zone. So Tony Bradley is back at the rim. Donovan just walks around the screen and doesn't care to contest this. And you can see Niang get really frustrated as the play happens.
Basically the same thing happens here. Again, some of this is by design as you see Niang and Mudiay point towards him, Bradley try to run out, and then frustration from Bradley after the play.
Regardless, that is three 3PM in a short period where Donovan has to be better.
Regardless, that is three 3PM in a short period where Donovan has to be better.
Alright, finally got the last video from my phone. This play really disappointed me. Don just gets outhustled and outhearted for a rebound. Could be tired legs or just a scrimmage game. But these plays can’t happen in real games. It’s just straight laziness to not get this OReb.
And let me be clear, that was a great drive and kick from Donovan. Absolutely beautiful.
And that’s the end of the thread. Thanks for watching!
And that’s the end of the thread. Thanks for watching!
