Both teams played hard, it was a good game

So, me and monkeyshoes never got cable. That means watching the Playoffs is either going to a smokey sports bar or a hot dog joint that leaves ones cloths smelling of hot dog. I share this only as to explain that I have seen only a smattering of games, and hardly any Eastern Conference. . . oh, but the games I have seen. . . .

Utah’s victory over Golden Tech tonight was amazing. For such a high scoring affair, the defense was phenomenal. Kirilenko seemed as if he planned to blocked every Steven Jackson shot in the paint. Jason Richardson was battling Carlos Boozer for position in insane fashion. GState swarmed the post on an entry pass, forcing the game to the perimeter. Utah was able to stop the Warriors in the half court. . . but the game hardly ever played at that pace. Until the final few possessions. Sloan’s tradition trumps Nelson’s chicanery.

Strangely, I found myself cheering for the Jazz. Sloan has really grown on me in the post Stockton-Malone era. And I really love Deron Williams and Kirilenko, plus I gotta pull for two-time Weedblazer Boozer. All those dudes were huge in Game 1. Williams is fearless. I guess we should have known. But he has taken his game to an elite level in just his second year playing point guard, and I, for one, am blown away. He can score in so many ways, and yet his value is not based on his scoring, but rather his control of the floor. Lethal combo.

I love watching Kirilenko getting some post-season shine. As much as his lack of offensive production has been confounding, his game is so multi-faceted that he has nonetheless offers the Jazz a supreme wildcard as these playoffs progress.

On the Warriors side, what a run! They almost had this game. I continue to be so impressed by Jackson, Richardson and Davis. All three guys are playing at their highest levels. I love to watch Davis draw fouls; you can tell he and Paul Pierce are friends. In the pinch me, I’m dreaming category, Matt Barnes continues to look great. A scrap-master supreme, with an aggressive jumper and feel for the pass, he is the Nellie proto-type point forward. He is the first guy down court on almost every GState break out, either looking for a dunk or a cutter for a dunk. Tenacious.

Young blood in the 2nd Round in the West. I love this game.

p.s. though I have yet to see the Pistons this post season, I have much love for CWebb and Sheed, and those fellas are getting it done!