Gordon Hayward and Derrick Favors did very well in the Rising Stars Challenge game, and they were key pieces to TeamChuck getting the win. They each scored 14 points, and they actually played some defense. Hayward had two blocks. If Hayward played with as much confidence in himself that Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith showed in him, he'll be in the Sunday All-Star game in two years.
Overall, yeah, the Slam-Dunk Contest wasn't that great, but Jeremy Evans's double-dunk would be a contender in any year of the contest.
Didn't watch the actual All-Star game. No Jazz players in it, so didn't care as much. Watched the Oscars instead.
So with most of the Jazz players getting a week's rest, would it make a difference?
The Jazz lost 103-96 to the Kings. Not a good way to start the second half.
- Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap did not attempt a single free-throw.
- The Jazz shot 11-22 free throws. Missed 11, lost by 7.
- Gordon Hayward missed all three of his 3-point attempts.
- Devin Harris played better than Earl Watson.
- There's been rumblings that Ty is thinking of removing Hayward from the starting line-up when Raja Bell gets back. I think it's be a mistake. If he wants to bench Hayward, then he should start Alec Burks. A starting line-up of Devin Harris, Raja Bell, Josh Howard, Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson tells me you're going for a deep playoff run. In 2009.
- The best they can hope for at this point is the 8th seed, and if they do that they lose this summer's first-round draft pick to the T-Wolves. They'd be better off to miss the playoffs, keep the pick, then use it to package with the Warriors pick they're going to get (top-7 protected, but the Warriors are playing just good enough, the Jazz should get it), and move up in the draft to get a true star player. Or use a pick and some players to go get a point-guard upgrade or a reliable outside shooter.
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