Primarily a collection of news links about all 11 Horizon League teams on a daily basis, culled from online newspapers, school athletic websites, the conference website, and school newspapers, plus some other content from time to time.
Much ado was made by outsiders about how Deron Williams hucked the ball with extra zip on it to Gordon Hayward and then chewed the rookie out for not running a play correctly in Utah's 110-94 loss to Phoenix.
At practice Saturday, Williams said he'd spoken with Hayward about Thursday's on-court exchange. Williams also chuckled when asked if the team was laughing about that situation or had moved past it.
"What situation? I've yelled at people before on the court. There's no situation," Williams said, cracking a grin. "I already talked to him. I already apologized, said I shouldn't have yelled at him. It's going to happen. It's going to probably happen again."
That's just the nature of his competitive and occasionally feisty spirit.
"I get upset on the court. A lot. Because I want to win," the All-Star said. "I told him I was in the wrong, so we're all right. We're good."
NOTES: ... A night after scoring 11 points in his first NBA game, Jeremy Evans did not play because of a coach's decision. Rookie Gordon Hayward had a decent first home showing, with six points, six rebounds and three blocked shots.
The Jazz's frustration increased as Phoenix pulled away in the second half. Deron Williams yelled at rookie Gordon Hayward after the two miscommunicated on a possession midway through the fourth quarter, as Hayward wasn't where the All-star guard expected him to be.
"It was just miscommunication," Hayward said. "I should have cut through (the lane). It was just frustration."
Hayward said those type of issues will be fixed as he gets more pro experience.
"I think with time it will be fine," he said. "Just not playing with him, not knowing what he wants me to do (is the problem). Next time I'll get it done."
Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said he was fine with Williams getting on Hayward..
" I don't have a problem with it as long as there's no malicious intent," Sloan said. "Sometimes frustration sets in on everybody. You have that happen once in a while. You have to play through it. You can't play backwards, you have to continue to play forward. Those things happen."
THEY GET IT: Sloan didn't feel it was necessary to remind rookies Gordon Hayward and Jeremy Evans that the NBA season is long, so they shouldn't fret too much over one loss. The Jazz coach is sure the rookies are well aware they're at the beginning of an 82-game marathon season, not the 30-some-odd game college schedule.
"They've probably been told that 100 times. I'm sure their parents told them, their girlfriends told them, everybody else that it's just one ballgame," Sloan said. "They've played enough basketball at this stage that they realize that they just get themselves ready to play again."
Utah’s frustration peaked with 6:58 left in the fourth quarter, when Williams verbally blasted rookie Gordon Hayward after the forward sank a layup. As Williams walked toward the bench, Hayward was consoled by Jefferson.
Sloan said he was comfortable with Williams’ outburst, as long as it was not malicious. Williams — who acknowledged that he is pressing and frustrated with the team’s early struggles — said the spat with Hayward was communication related and has been taken care of.
