There’s an obvious trend at play for the Jazz: When they move the ball, their offense works much better.
That’s being picked up by people who watch the games, but there’s statistical proof, too. As Forbes’ Ben Dowsett outlined in an article Friday, the Jazz have won four of their five contests in which they’ve passed the ball the most. Those five games also constitute four of the five best Jazz offensive performances of the season.
(For the nerds, the r value — a statistical term that measures correlation — is 0.54 when comparing passes per game and Jazz offensive rating. That’s relatively high.)
So how can the Jazz make sure the ball moves more often?
Coach Quin Snyder said that players’ spacing on the floor is critical to increase the passes available. For one, attacking in transition can make sure that there are passes available on a relatively open court. But in the half court, “It’s hard to move the ball if you’re standing next to someone.”
Focusing on it in games is one of the biggest keys.
“But more than anything, it’s just emphasis and practice. It’s something we have practiced before and we continue to,” Snyder said. “Understanding that everybody benefits from it and you have to really have a lot of trust in your teammates, which I think we have.”
David Stern suffers brain hemorrhage
After collapsing at a NYC restaurant on Thursday, former NBA commissioner David Stern was rushed to a hospital to undergo emergency surgery, the league announced.
“NBA Commissioner Emeritus David Stern suffered a sudden brain hemorrhage earlier today for which he underwent emergency surgery. Our thoughts and prayers are with David and his family,” the league said in a statement.
Stern served as the league’s commissioner for 30 years, from 1984 to 2014.
Snyder learned of the commissioner’s condition after a reporter’s question in a pregame news conference Friday.
“You feel like you’re in your little world finding out something like that. Commissioner Stern has meant so much to the league, to so many people over a period of years,” Snyder said. “We’re all grateful to him for the opportunities we have today, because without him, we wouldn’t necessarily be in the position we are now as a league, individually or collectively. I wish him a healthy, healthy return.”
