The positive aspect of the negative thinking

[FJS]

Utah Jazz has began 4-4 this season with serious doubts about some players and our coaches.

Let's gonna see game by game:

Vs Dallas W 113-94
The negative thinking:
Dallas was without Kaman and Dirk and playing a back to back
The positive aspect:
Dallas were able to win vs Lakers, then they were 4-1 so they weren't as bad as we thought (still they are now 4-4 and they are missing to much Dirk)

@ NO L 88-86
The negative thinking:
NO seems a weak team who lost Davis for all the 2nd half. Still we weren't able to beat them. Eric Gordon wasn't playing
The positive aspect:
NO is not as bad as advertised. They almost beat Spurs, and they have won @ Chi. They are 3-2 and his only other loss (vs Philly) were without Davis, Rivers and Gordon.

@ San Antonio Spurs L 110-100
The negative thinking:
We can't touch them. We came close at the end, but they overplayed us.
The positive aspect:
San Antonio is overplaying everyteam. They had a bad loss vs Clippers, but they are old, and they will have some bad nights. Still they have beaten other top teams as Thunder or the renewed Lakers at Staples.

@ Memphis L 93-84
The negative thinking:
We weren't close with them from all the 4th quarter. They overplayed us for a few times in the whole game.
The positive aspect:
They are overplaying almost every team. In fact Memphis won Heat in a easiest way they beat us.

Vs Lakers W 95-86
The negative thinking:
They were a total mess, without Nash and with Brown. Lakers played like crap.
The positive aspect:
Still they are the lakers and Bryant, Gasol and Howard are top players in their positions. We had some good moments.

@ Denver L 104-84
The negative thinking:
We were outplayed and outcoached for a team without any special player. Corbin showed some deficiencies. He was stubborn with some of his changes, and left Favors and Kanter when they were making some stops.
The positive aspect:
Favors and Kanter showing a good effort in deffensive and offensive end after a few not good games.

Vs Suns 94-81
The negative thinking:
Suns have not a great team... Gortar played really bad, Dragic was so so, Beas was bad... It's not any surprise to win them.
The positive aspect:
Jefferson showed up for 1st time, Favors continued to play well in the deffensive end. Tinsley showed how to pass the ball.

@ Raptors W 140-133
The negative thinking:
Raptors were only with one win and without their leader (Lowry) and we needed 3OT to beat them.
The positive aspect:
We showed heart and desire to win. Mo Williams gave 14 assists. Jefferson and Millsap showed up and the most important. Corbin showed he can make some adjustements. Bargs was destroying Paul and he was able to put Derrick in the game stopping him. Millsap showed he can play some SF and he can shoot 3's for sure (he is 66% from 3pt land, 8-12) Al was clutch. Foye can really score from the bench.

[QuantumMacgyver]

What frustrates me about Corbin is his refusal to accept the big three line-up. Waited until the final game of the playoffs last year to start it, then refuses to start it this year. I understand there are some deficiencies with the big lineup, but when Corbin needed stops and the win against Toronto, waht does he do? He plays the big lineup... for nearly 27 minutes straight! He obviously knows that the big lineup is our best lineup. I wonder if he refuses to play it because he expects a trade later in the year, and doesn't want people getting comfortable with the big lineup.

[reapaman]

Yea but sloan didn't use the big lineup (w/ millsap, okur and boozer) much either except for certain matchups or out of neccessity despite some people saying he should use it more. Its a tricky lineup for many reasons and very difficult to know when to use it although the one with Okur in it was more suitable since he could spread the floor really well. I think last night was out of neccessity because marvin and gordon were starting to become liabilities as the game went on and that wasn't a game for burks, carroll or the other wings to be in since it was so tight so millsap at the 3 was the next best option. I can't blame him not using that line up especially when sloan didn't like it either (and he had a better combination than corbin does unless you now think millsap is a sniper from 3).

[outerspacefella]

- Not fair to Jerry. Millsap was not ready at the time to play the 3 consistent minutes. His new long range can be the key to play the SF spot, but this range wasn't really there consistently as it appears to be now.

- Sometimes I want to really punish Corbin, but reality is he's kind of a rookie head coach; he will grow, but at least he's showed some good signs.

[Luigi]

I really like these. Great work analyzing the situation for each game.

It's still early. I'm hoping things shake out well.