I took the old wife out to dinner and a movie on Saturday night, so I didn’t start watching the Jazz game until after midnight (I don’t think she would be very happy about me calling her “the old wife”, but she doesn’t read what I write anyway, so I’m in the clear). By the time it was over, it was well past 2:00 am, and I couldn’t fall asleep because I was so wound up. I’m just happy the Jazz won, because if they would have blown it in overtime, I don’t think I would have ever fallen asleep.

This game was further proof to me that the Jazz are actually beginning to believe in themselves. For one, despite their record, Detroit is a good team. The Pistons are a little beat up right now, but I learned last year from the general media when the Jazz were (and still are) beat up, that it doesn’t matter. If you are a good team you should win every night no matter what, even if you only dress six guys (for clarification purposes, please read that last statement again with a hint of sarcasm). Anyway, like I was saying, Detroit is a good team, and the Jazz put them away. Two weeks ago they might have played hard through three quarters and then buckled in the fourth, but they stayed with it, and beat the Pistons despite Detroit’s tough D.

Another thing I noticed from this game was that Carlos Boozer is beginning to step-up as a leader for this team again. His confidence is growing by the game, and it is evident that he is having a strong impact on his teammates. When/if the Jazz decide to part ways with him, they will sorely miss his leadership, just as they have missed it over the last year since the injury. I don’t know if you noticed, but at the end of the game, he and DWill were talking to each other quite a bit, and Deron was looking to Booz each time he came down the floor. You might despise Carlos Boozer, but there is not a single player on this team that has stepped up to play that leadership role along side Deron like that. He might be borderline arrogant, but CBooz believes in himself, and wants the ball in the clutch, and as has been seen over the last six or seven games, he also delivers when it counts the most. I’m conflicted on this issue because I know how much drama he has caused for this team in the past, but I also know that the Jazz most likely would not have had as much success as they have over the last few years, including making it to the Western Conference Finals in ’07, without him. Like him or hate him, I just hope he keeps it up.

One last thing…I don’t know if AK is taking not being included on the all-star ballot this year as a personal slight or not, but whatever it is that has helped him regain his motivation, I’m grateful for it. He is playing like the player we expected him to be when he signed that massive contract, and I hope he doesn’t fall back into his old ways. He has had a tendency historically of losing his focus as the season progresses, but if he plays this way all year, not only will he most-likely lock up the sixth man of the year award, but he could also be the ex-factor for this team, and could help them to make a nice playoff run.

Effort grade against Detroit: B+

Next up: OKC at home on Tuesday. If the Jazz underestimate this team, they will get beat. I think most of us remember the disaster that took place against OKC last year…a loss so bad that it forced me to boycott the Jazz’s next game for the first time in my twenty years as a fan (it still hurts to think about). They need to come out and put the Thunder away. If they even give them have a little breathing room, it could be a disappointing night. Let’s hope they come out focused.

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