GAME 2 STORYLINES:

-Total team effort.  Once again the Jazz didn’t play their best game but made the plays necessary to get the win.  Deron Williams picked up the scoring slack for a struggling and foul troubled Carlos Boozer.  Mehmet Okur found his shot.  Ronnie Price and Kyle Korver contributed some huge plays when it counted.  And AK, while he struggled offensively, was very active defensively wearing down Tracy McGrady, grabbing some key offensive boards and taking the key foul wiping out a game tying Bobby Jackson three-pointer.

-The foul:  Was it a foul?  It was.  Did AK flop?  As he said after the game it was “50-50.” When I asked McGrady about it after the game (listen in the audio section) he said it was a bad call and AK definitely flopped.  When I followed it up with AK’s assessment he insinuated that call should not have been made against the home team and that would not have been whistled in SLC.  Then he dramatically slammed his hand on the table before walking off the podium. First off, sorry in advance about that fine TMac.  I can’t take the fall though for Rick Adelman’s impending fine for complaining as well.  Secondly, AK explained it properly.  It was a foul and yes he did overcook it a bit but he’s not the first or will be the last NBA player to do so.  I call that a good play.

-The excuse maker:  T-Yac says he did all he could.  He was tired.  He didn’t have anything left in the tank.  It was a bad call. Blah, blah, blah.  Here’s what he should have said, “I am not a clutch player.  When it’s the 4th quarter I prefer to cower in the fetal position instead of asserting myself and willing my team to victory.  There is a reason I’m going to be 0-7 in 1st round playoff series…I am mentally weak and clearly lack the cahones to get the job done.” Do you think superstars like MJ, Kobe or any others over the course of NBA history said they were tired as an excuse for losing? Heck no and that’s why TMac is not a superstar.

-The emerging superstar:  While T-Yac faded away once again in the 4th (0-4FG 1pt); DWill was doing what a leader is supposed to do...win the damn game.  Despite re-aggravating his backside, he led the Jazz with seven 4th quarter points and even though he missed a couple of lay-ups late, he at least wasn’t afraid to take over. 

-Bring out the brooms:  This series is over.  The Jazz will wrap this thing up at home.  That will allow the team to get some rest, particularly Williams, plus give them some extra prep time for the Lakers.  But most importantly it will allow me to refuel and catch up on some sleep.  I mean I really have given it my all in this blog and conducting those interviews.  I just don’t have anything left in the tank…oh wait sorry.  I just had a T-Yac moment.