dan
@danclayt0n.bsky.social
I talk about basketball, and sometimes baloncesto. Have covered the Utah Jazz in two languages since 2003.
The Jazz season so far.
November 12, 2025 at 6:03 AM
The Jazz season so far.
And finally, I leave you with this sweet little crossover hesi midrange pull-up, for no other reason than that it looks soooo much like KD... /fin
November 10, 2025 at 3:22 AM
And finally, I leave you with this sweet little crossover hesi midrange pull-up, for no other reason than that it looks soooo much like KD... /fin
Watch him pre-help from the dunker spot so Nurk can help on the ball. Only works because Key then rotates down, but again, not super typical for a rookie to be this plugged in on help defense all the time.
November 10, 2025 at 3:17 AM
Watch him pre-help from the dunker spot so Nurk can help on the ball. Only works because Key then rotates down, but again, not super typical for a rookie to be this plugged in on help defense all the time.
There's more defensive stuff, too, but I'll mostly save those for another time. Just two I have to show you. Starting with ... watch him navigate multiple switch/no-switch decisions here (on and off ball), then stay in front of a driver, knocks the ball away.
November 10, 2025 at 3:15 AM
There's more defensive stuff, too, but I'll mostly save those for another time. Just two I have to show you. Starting with ... watch him navigate multiple switch/no-switch decisions here (on and off ball), then stay in front of a driver, knocks the ball away.
Quick recognition on this pass to a cutting Flip, too. What's funny is this is after an error. Both he and Flip pop, but they recognize it and right away Ace sees the angle on the pass. There is no way this is planned or drawn up. This is a quick read by a smart player.
November 10, 2025 at 3:12 AM
Quick recognition on this pass to a cutting Flip, too. What's funny is this is after an error. Both he and Flip pop, but they recognize it and right away Ace sees the angle on the pass. There is no way this is planned or drawn up. This is a quick read by a smart player.
Look at how quickly he recognizes the seam in the defense after executing this guard-to-guard switch on defense.
November 10, 2025 at 3:09 AM
Look at how quickly he recognizes the seam in the defense after executing this guard-to-guard switch on defense.
Pair of identical pindown-dho-flare setups here. First one just glides past everybody after a switch (again -- ATHLETE). Second one the big is dropped so the pass isn't there. He cuts, seals a smaller defender and then goes to work from the midrange.
November 10, 2025 at 3:06 AM
Pair of identical pindown-dho-flare setups here. First one just glides past everybody after a switch (again -- ATHLETE). Second one the big is dropped so the pass isn't there. He cuts, seals a smaller defender and then goes to work from the midrange.
So far just opportunistic stuff... let's see how his brain works when they involve him in the action.
Runs a little stagger twist to get the ball, jab steps to create space for the shot. Misses, but then resets position, smartly makes a "Lauri cut" when defender cuts off the top side. 🧠
Runs a little stagger twist to get the ball, jab steps to create space for the shot. Misses, but then resets position, smartly makes a "Lauri cut" when defender cuts off the top side. 🧠
November 10, 2025 at 2:59 AM
So far just opportunistic stuff... let's see how his brain works when they involve him in the action.
Runs a little stagger twist to get the ball, jab steps to create space for the shot. Misses, but then resets position, smartly makes a "Lauri cut" when defender cuts off the top side. 🧠
Runs a little stagger twist to get the ball, jab steps to create space for the shot. Misses, but then resets position, smartly makes a "Lauri cut" when defender cuts off the top side. 🧠
A long rebound bounces out, could have easily gotten past him. But he's alert, grabs it, goes coast to coast. Blows the bunny but I don't care -- look at where the last dribble occurs. Then dances through 3 guys. Holy smokes. That is just an athlete. (And gets right back in the play after missing)
November 10, 2025 at 2:54 AM
A long rebound bounces out, could have easily gotten past him. But he's alert, grabs it, goes coast to coast. Blows the bunny but I don't care -- look at where the last dribble occurs. Then dances through 3 guys. Holy smokes. That is just an athlete. (And gets right back in the play after missing)
Here's another one. The attentiveness gets him the rebound, but watch just the processing speed on the drop-off to Nurk. He misses, but who cares. This is a good sign.
November 10, 2025 at 2:49 AM
Here's another one. The attentiveness gets him the rebound, but watch just the processing speed on the drop-off to Nurk. He misses, but who cares. This is a good sign.
Because he's attentive, good things just happen a lot for him. Like here where he comes in the o-board and instinctually leaves is off to Lauri in a 2-on-1 situation. (Hardy mentioned this play, so I'm cheating a little by including it... sue me)
November 10, 2025 at 2:45 AM
Because he's attentive, good things just happen a lot for him. Like here where he comes in the o-board and instinctually leaves is off to Lauri in a 2-on-1 situation. (Hardy mentioned this play, so I'm cheating a little by including it... sue me)
He does some smart stuff off the ball. Like here, the logical thing to do when he doesn't get it on the little flash cut is to cut all the way through the paint, and he starts to... but then sees the give-and-go brewing and steps AROUND a defender so he can stay out of the way.
November 10, 2025 at 2:42 AM
He does some smart stuff off the ball. Like here, the logical thing to do when he doesn't get it on the little flash cut is to cut all the way through the paint, and he starts to... but then sees the give-and-go brewing and steps AROUND a defender so he can stay out of the way.
Here's another one where he doesn't even touch it, but this is a really smart play. The cut in *behind* Lauri from the left corner while Lauri makes a right-to-left drive is really heady.
November 10, 2025 at 2:35 AM
Here's another one where he doesn't even touch it, but this is a really smart play. The cut in *behind* Lauri from the left corner while Lauri makes a right-to-left drive is really heady.
One of the big things rn is just how engaged mentally he is on both ends. Doesn't always do the right thing, but he's not just tuning out, which often rookies do.
Like here, watch how active he is despite never touching the ball. Makes all the right cuts, clears, dives in after the shot, etc.
Like here, watch how active he is despite never touching the ball. Makes all the right cuts, clears, dives in after the shot, etc.
November 10, 2025 at 2:32 AM
One of the big things rn is just how engaged mentally he is on both ends. Doesn't always do the right thing, but he's not just tuning out, which often rookies do.
Like here, watch how active he is despite never touching the ball. Makes all the right cuts, clears, dives in after the shot, etc.
Like here, watch how active he is despite never touching the ball. Makes all the right cuts, clears, dives in after the shot, etc.
Sometimes I do something and I can't tell if it's fun or a waste of pixels... but I'm sharing it anyway in case some of you get 43 seconds of entertainment out of it.
October 29, 2025 at 6:00 AM
Sometimes I do something and I can't tell if it's fun or a waste of pixels... but I'm sharing it anyway in case some of you get 43 seconds of entertainment out of it.
Someone on the bird asked where the Jazz sit with their pick situation after the recent transactions. Here it is.
Utah used seconds in the Clayton move-up trade and in the Sexton-Nurk swap, but still own 8-11 firsts in the next 7 drafts.
Utah used seconds in the Clayton move-up trade and in the Sexton-Nurk swap, but still own 8-11 firsts in the next 7 drafts.
July 2, 2025 at 6:32 AM
Someone on the bird asked where the Jazz sit with their pick situation after the recent transactions. Here it is.
Utah used seconds in the Clayton move-up trade and in the Sexton-Nurk swap, but still own 8-11 firsts in the next 7 drafts.
Utah used seconds in the Clayton move-up trade and in the Sexton-Nurk swap, but still own 8-11 firsts in the next 7 drafts.
I like the Jazz's week so far, but like I wrote last night (saltcityhoops.com/draft-jazz-b...), feels like more rearranging almost has to be coming.
13 guaranteed contracts (counting unsigned 1sts)
4 non-guaranteed
2 two-way
2 RFAs
3 draft rights to recent 2nd rounders
13 guaranteed contracts (counting unsigned 1sts)
4 non-guaranteed
2 two-way
2 RFAs
3 draft rights to recent 2nd rounders
June 27, 2025 at 3:32 AM
I like the Jazz's week so far, but like I wrote last night (saltcityhoops.com/draft-jazz-b...), feels like more rearranging almost has to be coming.
13 guaranteed contracts (counting unsigned 1sts)
4 non-guaranteed
2 two-way
2 RFAs
3 draft rights to recent 2nd rounders
13 guaranteed contracts (counting unsigned 1sts)
4 non-guaranteed
2 two-way
2 RFAs
3 draft rights to recent 2nd rounders
Since it came up this week, let's just correct the record.
The Jazz currently have between 9 and 12 firsts in the next 7 drafts. The most they could trade is 9 of them because of rules around consecutive future drafts. Starting late June they can also trade their own '32 1st.
The Jazz currently have between 9 and 12 firsts in the next 7 drafts. The most they could trade is 9 of them because of rules around consecutive future drafts. Starting late June they can also trade their own '32 1st.
May 15, 2025 at 5:51 AM
Since it came up this week, let's just correct the record.
The Jazz currently have between 9 and 12 firsts in the next 7 drafts. The most they could trade is 9 of them because of rules around consecutive future drafts. Starting late June they can also trade their own '32 1st.
The Jazz currently have between 9 and 12 firsts in the next 7 drafts. The most they could trade is 9 of them because of rules around consecutive future drafts. Starting late June they can also trade their own '32 1st.
Another way to envision the pick scenarios based on Sunday's outcomes.
I'm a believer that there's more upside in Utah juicing the odds at #1 (ever so slightly) over protecting their floor, so a W at Minny keeps some hope alive... however unlikely.
I'm a believer that there's more upside in Utah juicing the odds at #1 (ever so slightly) over protecting their floor, so a W at Minny keeps some hope alive... however unlikely.
April 12, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Another way to envision the pick scenarios based on Sunday's outcomes.
I'm a believer that there's more upside in Utah juicing the odds at #1 (ever so slightly) over protecting their floor, so a W at Minny keeps some hope alive... however unlikely.
I'm a believer that there's more upside in Utah juicing the odds at #1 (ever so slightly) over protecting their floor, so a W at Minny keeps some hope alive... however unlikely.
Here are all your scenarios for the Wolves pick, and the Jazz pick will now be 1/2 heading into the lottery, with 14% odds at #1 either way.
April 12, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Here are all your scenarios for the Wolves pick, and the Jazz pick will now be 1/2 heading into the lottery, with 14% odds at #1 either way.
This is wild. A 6-team tie at 49 wins is still in play, and not even all that outlandish. Minnesota's win tonight puts them in control of their own destiny to avoid the play-in.
April 11, 2025 at 7:32 AM
This is wild. A 6-team tie at 49 wins is still in play, and not even all that outlandish. Minnesota's win tonight puts them in control of their own destiny to avoid the play-in.
It's been a minute since I've done a new SC7 (for, um, reasons), but here's an updated pick watch.
Minny has guaranteed a top-8 spot pre play-in, meaning that pick will be a non-lotto pick unless they have an 0-2 play-in.
Minny has guaranteed a top-8 spot pre play-in, meaning that pick will be a non-lotto pick unless they have an 0-2 play-in.
April 2, 2025 at 7:45 PM
It's been a minute since I've done a new SC7 (for, um, reasons), but here's an updated pick watch.
Minny has guaranteed a top-8 spot pre play-in, meaning that pick will be a non-lotto pick unless they have an 0-2 play-in.
Minny has guaranteed a top-8 spot pre play-in, meaning that pick will be a non-lotto pick unless they have an 0-2 play-in.
Got curious about something tonight, so I made this. Didn't really turn into what I wanted, but I'm not going to rob you of a fun graphic. Shows Utah's max lead and max deficit in 72 games so far.
March 24, 2025 at 4:50 AM
Got curious about something tonight, so I made this. Didn't really turn into what I wanted, but I'm not going to rob you of a fun graphic. Shows Utah's max lead and max deficit in 72 games so far.