Utah Jazz Extra: It's tough being a rookie in the NBA--Deseret News
SMILING SOPHOMORES
Lugging around teammates' bags is a common NBA tradition for rookies, but Jazz players added a twist. They get children's backpacks for their youngsters, which explains why Gordon Hayward and Jeremy Evans hauled around pink princess totes last season.
"Me and Jeremy were pretty excited that we didn't have to carry those anymore," said Hayward, who has a dark blue backpack for NBA Year No. 2.
Another bonus to graduating a grade?
"I finally don't have to answer to 'Rook' or anything like that," the 21-year-old said. "It was a good day."
...
BACKPACK ATTACK
Unbeknownst to rookies, initiations aren't quite over.
"I think there will still be things coming," Hayward said. "But that's not really up to me and Jeremy. We're only second-year players, so I don't know if we have much authority."
Oh, but they do.
Hayward, Evans and Favors are "rookie captains," Miles said. As such, they get to pick out cute carry-ons for Kanter and Burks.
Utah Jazz: Raja not scoring, but helping in other areas--Deseret News
Ten of the Jazz's 13 players are averaging double-digit minutes. That group: Al Jefferson (30.0), Paul Millsap (27.3), Gordon Hayward (27.3), Derrick Favors (26.3), Devin Harris (24.0), Howard (23.0), Earl Watson (20.5), Bell (19.8), C.J. Miles (18.8) and Enes Kanter (15.8).
That's left Jeremy Evans (6.5), Burks (6.0) and Jamaal Tinsley (4.0) fighting for scraps.
Utah Jazz’s offense stands still and wings pay the price--Salt Lake Tribune
“We’ve got to create some easier shots for ourselves,” said starting small forward Gordon Hayward, after a 104-89 defeat to the Spurs. “That may be just cutting harder or getting stops defensively so we can run — something to get a little bit of a rhythm going.”
...
Increased pressure and a lack of touches are forcing Utah wing players Raja Bell, C.J. Miles and Hayward to shoot out of rhythm. The trio has often been excluded from offensive sets, while Bell — Utah’s starting shooting guard — has been little more than a placeholder. The 12-year veteran ranks 11th on the Jazz in average points (2.8), field-goal percentage (29.4) and field-goal attempts (4.3). Meanwhile, Utah ranks 27th in the league in average 3-pointers made (4), 26th in 3-point percentage (26.2) and 24th in attempts (15.3).
Non-Conference Opponents' Update: January 2--Hammer and Rails
Butler Bulldogs - 8-7, 2-1 Horizon League, RPI: 87 - Butler's recent run of success has pulled their RPI out of triple digits and if they can continue to do well in the Horizon League it may even crawl into at large territory. The better we, Stanford, and the rest of the Horizon League does, the more it helps them, which in turn helps us. Cleveland State's two games against them offer an excellent chance to boost their profile, and it is not outside the realm of possibility for the regular season league champ to earn an at large bid. If they split with Cleveland State and don't slip up the rest of the way this can still be a tournament team, which is good for us. They are battle tested with losses to Louisville, Indiana, Xavier, and Gonzaga all away from home. The games they want back are overtime losses to Evansville and Valparaiso, especially since Valpo was a conference loss.
Dwyane Wade wins it again for Miami Heat despite bad foot--Miami Herald
Heat rookie Norris Cole scored eight points in eight minutes midway through the second quarter. His running floater with gave the Heat 39-26 lead. Cole finished with 12 points 30 minutes, his most as a pro.
Miami Heat’s Mario Chalmers finding his offense, too--Miami Herald
The arrival of rookie Norris Cole this season seems to be bringing out the best in Mario Chalmers.
Atlanta Hawks (3-1) at Miami Heat (5-0), 7:30 p.m. (ET)--Miami Herald
James, Mario Chalmers and rookie Norris Cole all scored 16 points in the rout, while Chris Bosh delivered 24 points and 10 rebounds. Dwyane Wade added 22 points for the Heat, who shot 60 percent from the floor.
CSU's New Year's Eve Letdown--Let's Go Vikes!
Youngstown State 73, Cleveland State 67--Cleveland State Hoops
Williams� monster game not enough--Whoosh!Net
Women's basketball: UWGB rises No. 17 in AP Top 25--Green Bay Press Gazette
Wojta Earns Player of the Week Honors--uwgbathletics.com
Phoenix Notebook: Freshman Duo Combines for 36 in Shootout--uwgbathletics.com
WSU hopes to ‘Spark’ fan interest--Dayton Daily News
Damian Eargle Named Horizon League Men's Basketball Player of the Week--ysusports.com
Julie Wojta Named Women's Basketball Player of the Week--Horizon League Network
YSU's Eargle Collects Men's Basketball Player of the Week Honors--Horizon League Network
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