WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.320 --> 00:00:02.759 We'll get to the jazz in a moment, Craig. But 2 00:00:02.879 --> 00:00:06.080 of course, as you know as someone who was a 3 00:00:06.120 --> 00:00:10.080 big booming voice during college football season and did radio 4 00:00:10.199 --> 00:00:13.759 here locally, it's a big week around here with Utah 5 00:00:13.759 --> 00:00:16.559 and BYU playing a little American football on Saturday night. 6 00:00:16.600 --> 00:00:20.719 When you hear Rivalry Week Utah BYU football week, what 7 00:00:20.960 --> 00:00:22.239 are some thoughts that come to your mind? 8 00:00:23.280 --> 00:00:26.280 Ah, Man, I love it, and I'm so glad BYU 9 00:00:26.320 --> 00:00:31.359 and Utah in the same conference with even more impact now, Spence, 10 00:00:31.440 --> 00:00:34.439 you know the old days of the Mountain West. You 11 00:00:34.479 --> 00:00:37.719 know the whack. This is great. I mean, you know 12 00:00:37.799 --> 00:00:39.399 that it's going to be here, whether it's going to 13 00:00:39.439 --> 00:00:43.200 be home or away for whatever team. Utah you know, 14 00:00:43.320 --> 00:00:46.799 dials up first with a home game at right Ecles 15 00:00:47.039 --> 00:00:49.960 and I think it's great, man, It's it's what fans want. 16 00:00:50.079 --> 00:00:52.600 Coaches may not like it, but it gives you that 17 00:00:53.280 --> 00:00:56.000 feel good feeling. Utah is struggling in a big way 18 00:00:56.039 --> 00:00:59.920 this year, unexpectedly, so this game with BYU, who is 19 00:01:00.320 --> 00:01:04.680 winning and dominating, undefeated, there's a lot on the line here, man, 20 00:01:04.719 --> 00:01:08.239 to save a season or BYU really jumps into the 21 00:01:08.319 --> 00:01:12.840 national scene and really knocks on the door, and I 22 00:01:12.840 --> 00:01:15.879 think it's it's about, hey, look at us, We're for 23 00:01:16.000 --> 00:01:20.040 real And that's what I think by use most most 24 00:01:20.120 --> 00:01:22.799 interested in. But hey, every week's different, spence, as you know, 25 00:01:23.719 --> 00:01:27.000 rival weeks. Really you can't go with what the spread is. 26 00:01:27.079 --> 00:01:30.840 The emotion plays big, home crowd plays big unless those 27 00:01:30.879 --> 00:01:34.000 fans have sold off tickets, and there'll be more blue 28 00:01:34.040 --> 00:01:36.519 than red, and that will be intriguing to see. 29 00:01:37.280 --> 00:01:41.719 Yeah, that's definitely a topic here locally, for sure, not exactly, no, 30 00:01:41.799 --> 00:01:44.000 you know, I don't exactly know what to expect based 31 00:01:44.000 --> 00:01:46.079 off of rumors here or there. It does sound like 32 00:01:46.120 --> 00:01:47.760 a lot of youth fans have tapped out, but I'm 33 00:01:47.760 --> 00:01:49.319 sure a lot of youth fans will be there loud 34 00:01:49.359 --> 00:01:52.640 and proud. And if you're a BYU fan, you probably 35 00:01:52.640 --> 00:01:54.760 want to attend because you feel good about your chances. 36 00:01:54.799 --> 00:01:58.159 But you know, you grew up with rivalries Case State Kansas. 37 00:01:58.200 --> 00:02:01.840 You called rivalries throughout the course of your broadcasting career, 38 00:02:02.400 --> 00:02:05.959 So as you just outlined the dynamic of this game, 39 00:02:06.400 --> 00:02:10.039 certainly could and in my opinion, probably will make it close. 40 00:02:10.080 --> 00:02:13.240 But the data tells us BYU is just simply the 41 00:02:13.280 --> 00:02:14.639 better team through eight games. 42 00:02:14.680 --> 00:02:16.879 But what is it, Craig about rivalries? 43 00:02:16.919 --> 00:02:20.159 You've been a part of rivalries You've covered that make 44 00:02:20.240 --> 00:02:23.240 the environment so intense and make the outcome of the 45 00:02:23.240 --> 00:02:25.759 game oftentimes impossible to ascertain. 46 00:02:26.960 --> 00:02:30.560 Well, in my opinion, from my experience, it's the one 47 00:02:30.639 --> 00:02:35.919 moment where one mistake can fuel the confidence of the 48 00:02:36.080 --> 00:02:40.439 underdog or fuel the confidence of the team that is 49 00:02:40.479 --> 00:02:44.080 supposed to dominate. And so that's what I've always noticed 50 00:02:44.159 --> 00:02:48.479 is a fumble early can give new life to the underdog, 51 00:02:49.759 --> 00:02:52.599 or it can give dominance to the team that is 52 00:02:52.639 --> 00:02:56.639 expected or favored to win. I think that's the one 53 00:02:56.719 --> 00:03:02.080 key is you cannot make mental mistakes. And b YU 54 00:03:02.360 --> 00:03:05.199 has taken every opportunity this year, and we've talked a 55 00:03:05.199 --> 00:03:09.199 lot about just being opportunistic. Look, they've earned that, but 56 00:03:09.280 --> 00:03:11.439 you know, to to make something out of that turnover 57 00:03:11.560 --> 00:03:14.400 to really be costly for their opponent, uh in case 58 00:03:14.439 --> 00:03:16.439 they lived it by the way, you know, that's truly 59 00:03:16.520 --> 00:03:20.360 what started this whole run. UH and this dominance of 60 00:03:20.400 --> 00:03:24.120 BYU and their confidence grew, I thought immensely after the 61 00:03:24.199 --> 00:03:28.280 k State victory. So you know, for Utah, if you 62 00:03:28.360 --> 00:03:31.120 get down and this, you know your form four you're 63 00:03:31.159 --> 00:03:34.080 still playing me before a Bowl game. Not sure how 64 00:03:34.159 --> 00:03:36.960 hype fans are about just getting the six wins, but 65 00:03:37.560 --> 00:03:40.520 you know this one, this one just on paper, means more. 66 00:03:40.960 --> 00:03:43.039 You know, in the SEC when I was the CBS, 67 00:03:43.120 --> 00:03:45.599 I mean, every game felt like a rivalry game because 68 00:03:45.680 --> 00:03:49.800 the competition is so keen in that conference. Uh the 69 00:03:49.919 --> 00:03:54.199 l s U, Alabama, Auburn, Alabama. I mean I got 70 00:03:54.199 --> 00:03:57.000 to call all those and man, it just it just 71 00:03:57.039 --> 00:04:00.000 has a special hum. You know, you'll feel the energy 72 00:04:00.080 --> 00:04:03.360 in the building unless Yu is able to take it out. 73 00:04:03.719 --> 00:04:06.439 And that's what I mean by something early that has 74 00:04:06.479 --> 00:04:10.879 to dictate maybe the outcome of the game. There's always 75 00:04:10.919 --> 00:04:12.879 a chance to rally back. But I'll tell you that 76 00:04:12.879 --> 00:04:17.399 that first defensive series or that first offensive series, whoever 77 00:04:17.480 --> 00:04:20.399 wins the coin flip and how they decide to go. 78 00:04:20.480 --> 00:04:22.879 But Spence, that's what I've always called is that you 79 00:04:22.920 --> 00:04:26.120 can change it quickly if you take advantage of what's 80 00:04:26.199 --> 00:04:28.879 given to you. And if you don't, then the opponent's 81 00:04:28.920 --> 00:04:31.040 going to I think, roar back and try to dominate. 82 00:04:31.279 --> 00:04:32.959 One more thing here, And you just kind of alluded 83 00:04:33.000 --> 00:04:36.120 to it because coming from a guy who has called 84 00:04:36.240 --> 00:04:39.360 some of the biggest games in the landscape of college football. 85 00:04:39.959 --> 00:04:43.000 You know, you can pull up lists like greatest Rivalries 86 00:04:43.000 --> 00:04:50.519 in college football. You're going to see Michigan, Ohio State, Bama, Auburn, Army, Navy, Oklahoma, Texas, USC, 87 00:04:50.600 --> 00:04:53.160 Notre Dame most of the lists. You know, you'll have 88 00:04:53.319 --> 00:04:57.480 Utah BYU around fifteen or sixteen. And I think that's 89 00:04:57.560 --> 00:05:01.120 going to change because we've been waiting for BYU and 90 00:05:01.279 --> 00:05:03.319 Utah to be in the same conference, but not just 91 00:05:03.399 --> 00:05:05.560 the same conference, the same P four conference. 92 00:05:05.639 --> 00:05:08.000 This isn't the whack of the Mountain West, all due respect. 93 00:05:08.480 --> 00:05:11.519 So now it's this new era starting on Saturday where 94 00:05:11.519 --> 00:05:14.079 more people are simply going to see it as somebody 95 00:05:14.120 --> 00:05:16.600 who's called some of the biggest rivalry games and has 96 00:05:16.680 --> 00:05:20.120 been a part of Utah BYU. How does this rivalry 97 00:05:20.160 --> 00:05:23.839 stack up with the Auburns and Damas in the USC 98 00:05:23.879 --> 00:05:25.040 Notre Dames of the world. 99 00:05:26.160 --> 00:05:30.279 Well that's another great conversation to have because look, you 100 00:05:30.319 --> 00:05:33.480 know k U K State was just more a four 101 00:05:33.519 --> 00:05:37.720 state area. Okay, so was Nebraskan Oklahoma back in the day. 102 00:05:37.720 --> 00:05:43.800 Is Switzer right, and Osbourne? But this becomes it spreads, 103 00:05:44.519 --> 00:05:49.079 is my point. And in the Southeastern Conference. It's religion spence. 104 00:05:49.240 --> 00:05:53.160 It is, and you have to experience it on game 105 00:05:53.279 --> 00:05:57.079 day and even the whole week because people travel miles 106 00:05:57.120 --> 00:05:59.839 and they actually have the thirty five foot you know, 107 00:06:00.439 --> 00:06:03.959 RVs and make it a religious you know moment and 108 00:06:04.079 --> 00:06:08.000 a way football is. Football is what people just do 109 00:06:08.600 --> 00:06:11.560 from August until December or the first of the year 110 00:06:12.360 --> 00:06:15.639 when the playoffs come in for BYU and Utah. I 111 00:06:15.639 --> 00:06:18.600 think it ranks higher than people give it credit for, honestly, 112 00:06:18.639 --> 00:06:20.439 I do. And and you know, when I was at 113 00:06:20.439 --> 00:06:23.600 CBS and Fox and ESPN, they always talked about, Hey, 114 00:06:23.600 --> 00:06:24.879 what do you think is it? Is it really that 115 00:06:24.920 --> 00:06:28.639 big of deal? It's it, absolutely because it splinters a 116 00:06:28.759 --> 00:06:33.879 state of and you always talk about it. The religion 117 00:06:34.000 --> 00:06:36.879 part of it, red and blue Mormon or non Mormon, 118 00:06:37.319 --> 00:06:40.360 that feeds it. Maybe not as much as it once did, 119 00:06:40.439 --> 00:06:42.839 but I still think it's very real. But then you 120 00:06:43.360 --> 00:06:47.560 add in this year the fact that you have two 121 00:06:47.759 --> 00:06:53.199 big twelve teams back and now a team that Utah 122 00:06:53.439 --> 00:06:56.120 was favored to be a real player nationally, not only 123 00:06:56.360 --> 00:06:59.240 in the conference spense, but my gosh, they were talking 124 00:06:59.279 --> 00:07:02.040 about hosting the first round of the of the playoffs, 125 00:07:02.600 --> 00:07:05.519 that's not going to happen, but Byu could easily. And 126 00:07:05.560 --> 00:07:08.639 that's what makes I think this such an intreaking game 127 00:07:08.759 --> 00:07:11.360 is how the turn of events throughout the last three 128 00:07:11.399 --> 00:07:14.480 months have occurred, and you know the injury to Cam 129 00:07:14.600 --> 00:07:18.360 and and the way that Dyu's defenses has really bowed 130 00:07:18.360 --> 00:07:23.560 their back and played incredibly well, and what Jake's been 131 00:07:23.600 --> 00:07:25.879 able to do to just to handle the offense in provo. 132 00:07:26.319 --> 00:07:30.360 So I think this is top five personally. People may 133 00:07:30.439 --> 00:07:32.399 laugh and shuckle, but I think if you're in this 134 00:07:32.720 --> 00:07:35.879 part of the West, yeah, it's real. It just hasn't 135 00:07:35.879 --> 00:07:39.279 been exposed as much. And I'm still not in favor 136 00:07:39.319 --> 00:07:42.000 of an eight to fifteen kick because again on the 137 00:07:42.040 --> 00:07:44.959 East Coast, that's late and you may not see the 138 00:07:45.879 --> 00:07:47.800 ending of it. I'd still like to see it more 139 00:07:47.800 --> 00:07:52.240 in a quote prime Time Arena six o'clock, the five 140 00:07:52.240 --> 00:07:56.399 point thirty window and let people really enjoyed around the country. 141 00:07:56.879 --> 00:07:58.279 But you're still going to see a hell of a 142 00:07:58.319 --> 00:08:00.800 football game, and you should see a lot of the 143 00:08:00.839 --> 00:08:05.079 pomp and circumstance that goes with it. And I love 144 00:08:05.279 --> 00:08:08.399 calling those games. Scott Mitchell. The one year we had 145 00:08:08.399 --> 00:08:11.000 it down in provo I called, and boy did Mitchell 146 00:08:11.040 --> 00:08:14.160 put on a show. And you know, the dominance of 147 00:08:14.199 --> 00:08:17.199 BYU was so keen for so long, and then you know, 148 00:08:17.959 --> 00:08:21.199 Matt came in and changed the whole, the whole culture, 149 00:08:21.600 --> 00:08:23.800 and Levelle and him actually were friends, and that didn't 150 00:08:23.839 --> 00:08:27.000 sit very well Spence. You know that with the Cougar's 151 00:08:27.240 --> 00:08:29.000 the Cougar and the ute fans is how did how 152 00:08:29.040 --> 00:08:30.959 these two guys get along? But they were, they were 153 00:08:31.000 --> 00:08:35.919 bonded up until Lavelle's passing and beyond. But I just 154 00:08:35.960 --> 00:08:37.919 think it's special, and you know what, I hope fans 155 00:08:37.919 --> 00:08:40.200 have a great time because it's it only happens once 156 00:08:40.240 --> 00:08:42.639 a year, and it looks like it's gonna come back 157 00:08:43.080 --> 00:08:43.799 for a long time. 158 00:08:44.440 --> 00:08:46.960 All right, let's move over to some jazz. And you 159 00:08:47.000 --> 00:08:50.759 know I did uh we do talking jazz over over 160 00:08:50.799 --> 00:08:52.879 at Ku t v uh with Day and Me and 161 00:08:52.960 --> 00:08:55.879 Dave Fox, and we were just looking at the schedule 162 00:08:56.080 --> 00:08:59.039 and wondering aloud, like when's the first win gonna come? 163 00:08:59.120 --> 00:09:01.840 Because the schedules tough, man Like, they're on the road 164 00:09:01.879 --> 00:09:04.320 and then they're home with the Sons and the MAVs 165 00:09:04.320 --> 00:09:07.559 and they're back on the road and look Chicago in 166 00:09:07.600 --> 00:09:10.080 a way is kind of where Utah is. They're trying 167 00:09:10.120 --> 00:09:11.879 to figure out what they have with their young players. 168 00:09:11.879 --> 00:09:15.960 They have some decent vets in Nicola, Vusavik and obviously 169 00:09:16.159 --> 00:09:17.960 Zach Lavine who didn't play. 170 00:09:18.000 --> 00:09:19.200 So that's not a great team. 171 00:09:19.200 --> 00:09:22.039 But I was just really happy for him Craig just 172 00:09:22.080 --> 00:09:24.279 to get one. Yeah, And I was really happy for 173 00:09:24.399 --> 00:09:26.000 Keyante to have a game. 174 00:09:25.879 --> 00:09:29.279 That reminded everybody why he has so much potential. 175 00:09:29.360 --> 00:09:31.960 So let's just start in the vacuum as the guy 176 00:09:32.000 --> 00:09:34.360 that called the game with kind of the fuel around 177 00:09:34.399 --> 00:09:36.720 the team after getting their first win in a road 178 00:09:36.720 --> 00:09:39.279 went against Chicago Spence. 179 00:09:39.320 --> 00:09:42.039 I think John Collins was a fuel. I really do. 180 00:09:42.240 --> 00:09:46.320 I thought he would not let this team get beaten again. 181 00:09:46.679 --> 00:09:49.519 Collins has come off the bench and whatever you want 182 00:09:49.519 --> 00:09:51.759 to say, you know, as a veteran, he's accepted a 183 00:09:51.879 --> 00:09:54.840 role of a bench guy. He can start if he 184 00:09:54.919 --> 00:09:59.000 has to, but he's shooting the ball extremely well from 185 00:09:59.120 --> 00:10:03.720 three and two. He's a rebounder almost eight a game. 186 00:10:03.759 --> 00:10:07.600 He had twelve against Chicago. I thought that his veteran 187 00:10:08.279 --> 00:10:13.960 energy helped fuel Keyante. It helped fuel Cody Williams to 188 00:10:14.080 --> 00:10:17.240 a nice you know game and Walker Kessler Man has 189 00:10:17.679 --> 00:10:21.039 really turned his game up. The way he finished last year, 190 00:10:21.159 --> 00:10:25.360 the way he started, you know, two different polar opposites. 191 00:10:25.399 --> 00:10:28.120 But you know, Walker's been able to find some confidence, 192 00:10:28.200 --> 00:10:30.759 find some muscle, and that's been a good thing for 193 00:10:30.799 --> 00:10:33.840 the Jazz. You know, twenty two rebounds through seven games, spences, 194 00:10:34.039 --> 00:10:37.320 you know, three plus blocks a game. I should say 195 00:10:37.320 --> 00:10:40.519 twenty two blocks, and so yeah, three plus blocks a game. 196 00:10:41.000 --> 00:10:43.960 But I just thought John was really the fuel of 197 00:10:44.039 --> 00:10:47.120 what that win was. Sixty pay points, how about thirty 198 00:10:47.120 --> 00:10:49.799 five assists? We haven't seen that. And maybe the biggest 199 00:10:49.799 --> 00:10:52.000 stat of all is the Jazz finally did not just 200 00:10:52.240 --> 00:10:57.000 put themselves in a ditch with turnovers at thirteen that's doable, 201 00:10:57.360 --> 00:10:59.320 and they only gave up twelve points and that's just 202 00:10:59.360 --> 00:11:03.480 that was a season and low in that stat. So 203 00:11:03.639 --> 00:11:06.320 the bench continues to play well. He's rotated, you know, 204 00:11:06.399 --> 00:11:10.799 about ten to eleven guys in and without marketing, it's 205 00:11:10.879 --> 00:11:12.919 even a I thought, probably even a sweeter win and 206 00:11:13.039 --> 00:11:15.440 JC as well. So the young guys had to really 207 00:11:15.440 --> 00:11:16.519 take control of that game. 208 00:11:17.039 --> 00:11:19.679 So it doesn't pop off the screen when you're looking 209 00:11:19.720 --> 00:11:21.960 at the box score. But you know, you and I 210 00:11:22.039 --> 00:11:24.480 discussed the dynamic of who would get the minutes on 211 00:11:24.519 --> 00:11:27.320 the table after Taylor went down. There's twenty eight thirty 212 00:11:27.320 --> 00:11:30.080 minutes available. Looks like Cody's going to be the guy. 213 00:11:30.639 --> 00:11:33.240 That was the best game Cody has played. It's only 214 00:11:33.279 --> 00:11:35.519 seven games at Sports Talk Radio, so we're going to 215 00:11:35.559 --> 00:11:38.919 talk about what we have and through seven games, that 216 00:11:39.039 --> 00:11:41.159 was a grown up game from Cody. Had eleven points, 217 00:11:41.200 --> 00:11:43.440 he had five boards, he had four assists. He did 218 00:11:43.480 --> 00:11:46.679 not turn it over in thirty minutes. Okay for your 219 00:11:46.679 --> 00:11:50.759 seventh NBA game and no turnover, staying clean and being 220 00:11:50.799 --> 00:11:52.480 able to board a little bit and being able to 221 00:11:52.519 --> 00:11:54.200 guard a little bit. That to me was the best 222 00:11:54.200 --> 00:11:56.759 game I've seen from Codyeah, give me your thoughts, Greg. 223 00:11:57.279 --> 00:12:00.720 No, I think he feels like watching and after that 224 00:12:00.799 --> 00:12:03.600 game talking to him is like, you know, it's that 225 00:12:03.759 --> 00:12:07.559 switch Thuroll always talks about, when do you actually believe 226 00:12:09.200 --> 00:12:13.200 I belong? Okay, And I thought this game probably the 227 00:12:13.279 --> 00:12:16.440 light he turned the light switch up and on because 228 00:12:16.480 --> 00:12:20.200 he realized that he can compete and his body is 229 00:12:20.200 --> 00:12:23.720 not one that you're going to dominate guys with, but 230 00:12:23.799 --> 00:12:27.559 yet he's smart angles. I thought he played angles better 231 00:12:27.559 --> 00:12:29.840 than he has in the early part of this season. 232 00:12:30.320 --> 00:12:34.159 You're right, he can go in and rebound eleven points. 233 00:12:34.720 --> 00:12:37.279 I like it. He was still getting his teammates involved that. 234 00:12:37.720 --> 00:12:40.120 You know, you're the tenth pick and he play and 235 00:12:40.200 --> 00:12:42.879 you're a young guy out of Colorado, and the immense 236 00:12:42.919 --> 00:12:47.120 pressure to perform instantly is there for all these guys now, Spence, 237 00:12:47.600 --> 00:12:49.200 you know, you get one year of college and now 238 00:12:49.200 --> 00:12:52.559 you have to be developed. And it's not When Thorough 239 00:12:52.639 --> 00:12:55.879 came out four years and won a national championship with 240 00:12:56.000 --> 00:12:59.440 North Carolina State. One of the last guys I remember 241 00:12:59.559 --> 00:13:02.720 was Wesley Matthews, right that the Jazz picked up and 242 00:13:02.840 --> 00:13:06.279 played four years at Marquette. That just doesn't happen, right, 243 00:13:06.360 --> 00:13:09.559 because if you're not out after two something's not right 244 00:13:09.919 --> 00:13:13.720 and teams don't want to touch it. Ed he's an 245 00:13:13.759 --> 00:13:17.600 exception right at Purdue coming into the NBA, But I 246 00:13:17.720 --> 00:13:20.240 thought I thought he played well. I think Flip has 247 00:13:20.279 --> 00:13:22.600 done an amazing job as well. By the way, he's 248 00:13:22.639 --> 00:13:26.320 twenty one today. Can you believe that that's how we're Yeah, 249 00:13:26.320 --> 00:13:28.519 that's how we're talking about. Most of these guys are twenty. 250 00:13:28.799 --> 00:13:31.200 They came in at nineteen. It seems like most of 251 00:13:31.200 --> 00:13:35.320 them have November birthdays, so you know sense of Baf 252 00:13:36.879 --> 00:13:40.240 and the others in Keyante who had you know, how 253 00:13:40.240 --> 00:13:43.399 about the nine to two turnover ratio nine assists and 254 00:13:43.399 --> 00:13:47.080 two turnovers? And Kyante continues to make maybe baby steps, 255 00:13:47.080 --> 00:13:48.759 but I thought he made a big big step in 256 00:13:48.840 --> 00:13:51.120 Chicago on Monday night. 257 00:13:52.000 --> 00:13:54.879 All right, before we get to tonight's let me just 258 00:13:54.919 --> 00:13:57.600 because you you touched on Walker, but I want to 259 00:13:57.639 --> 00:14:00.679 expand it because as you and I discussed to start 260 00:14:00.720 --> 00:14:04.279 the year, I am really keen in on him because 261 00:14:04.320 --> 00:14:07.159 this is his third year under Will and they traded 262 00:14:07.200 --> 00:14:11.200 Oachi's so like this is the third year example. Because 263 00:14:11.240 --> 00:14:14.120 we know that Quinn and his staff were able to 264 00:14:14.159 --> 00:14:16.919 develop young players. We saw with Heyward, we saw with Mitchell, 265 00:14:16.919 --> 00:14:21.200 we saw with Gobert, you know, and obviously previous iterations 266 00:14:21.240 --> 00:14:23.720 of the Jazz have been able to develop. It's an 267 00:14:23.759 --> 00:14:26.600 organization known for its development. But this is a new staff, 268 00:14:26.639 --> 00:14:29.840 it's a new front office. And if they can develop players, 269 00:14:29.879 --> 00:14:31.879 Walker is going to be art example, because this is 270 00:14:31.960 --> 00:14:34.519 year three and it's just as different after you've done 271 00:14:34.559 --> 00:14:36.840 some things for a while, and he's had a couple 272 00:14:36.919 --> 00:14:39.000 of off nights, he wasn't great against Golden State, he 273 00:14:39.000 --> 00:14:42.720 wasn't great against Sacramento. But overall, this to me is 274 00:14:43.120 --> 00:14:45.559 the one piece of the start where I go okay, 275 00:14:45.559 --> 00:14:48.200 that's like an A plus start for him. You know, 276 00:14:48.320 --> 00:14:52.000 overall on the season, his splits are really, really impressive, 277 00:14:52.440 --> 00:14:55.320 and he is back to what we saw at the start. 278 00:14:55.080 --> 00:14:56.720 Of the career and he's actually playing better. 279 00:14:56.759 --> 00:14:59.759 He's double digit points, he's ten points, he's twelve boards. 280 00:15:00.159 --> 00:15:03.519 He's four offensive rebounds tonight, which is a massive number. 281 00:15:03.919 --> 00:15:08.200 He's blocking three shots tonight, and ultimately, to me, again, 282 00:15:08.360 --> 00:15:12.120 as a result of this quote development situation, we need 283 00:15:12.159 --> 00:15:14.120 to see what he's about year three. What has stood 284 00:15:14.159 --> 00:15:16.240 out most to you about what I perceive to be 285 00:15:16.320 --> 00:15:18.879 the brightest spot of the start to the jazz season. 286 00:15:19.759 --> 00:15:21.799 I think you got to get credit my first song 287 00:15:21.799 --> 00:15:24.240 when you asked a question was Will Hardy. I think 288 00:15:24.279 --> 00:15:28.759 that he has not let up on on Walker, and 289 00:15:28.799 --> 00:15:31.080 I think he's encouraged him at the same time. Look, 290 00:15:31.120 --> 00:15:36.000 coaching is you have to have a psychology degree alongside, 291 00:15:36.639 --> 00:15:39.320 and you have to know your players. Their personality is 292 00:15:39.360 --> 00:15:41.840 what switch to turn on, which one to turn off. 293 00:15:42.200 --> 00:15:44.799 I think he's been brilliant with Walker, I really do. 294 00:15:45.039 --> 00:15:47.639 He's been hard on him, you know what. He's been 295 00:15:47.759 --> 00:15:51.039 very public about that conversation about quit looking at me, 296 00:15:51.559 --> 00:15:55.120 you know, and Walker has He's finally grown, he's maturing, 297 00:15:55.600 --> 00:15:58.200 he understands who he is, and he's finding little bits 298 00:15:58.200 --> 00:16:01.559 of confidence Spence along the way. And the Chicago game 299 00:16:01.720 --> 00:16:04.480 was just another piece of the puzzle. So I give 300 00:16:04.519 --> 00:16:07.559 Will a lot of credit for just helping him along 301 00:16:07.679 --> 00:16:11.279 and through last years at times a bit of a debacle. 302 00:16:11.440 --> 00:16:14.240 But I've talked to Walker a ton and he knew 303 00:16:14.519 --> 00:16:17.320 he's left hand dominant. So when he heard his elbow, 304 00:16:17.440 --> 00:16:19.799 the left elbow, he knew that he wasn't going to 305 00:16:19.840 --> 00:16:22.679 be able to perform and couldn't perform at the level 306 00:16:22.720 --> 00:16:24.759 he won. And so what happens during the you know, 307 00:16:24.759 --> 00:16:27.759 people always say this, oh the sophomore slump. It bit him, 308 00:16:27.960 --> 00:16:30.320 And how do you respond to it? Spence. That's the 309 00:16:30.320 --> 00:16:34.919 biggest thing Hardy I think has helped helped Walker come back, 310 00:16:35.519 --> 00:16:38.039 grow up and go out and play with a bit 311 00:16:38.159 --> 00:16:41.399 more of a Now he's not a mean guy, but 312 00:16:41.519 --> 00:16:44.559 on the floor he can least express it right. He 313 00:16:44.600 --> 00:16:47.639 can he can play with some high level energy and 314 00:16:47.720 --> 00:16:50.559 those numbers you spoke of. He's shooting sixty six percent 315 00:16:50.600 --> 00:16:53.679 from the floor, he has the three plus block shots, 316 00:16:53.960 --> 00:16:56.279 and the guy's rebound in nearly twelve boards a night 317 00:16:56.360 --> 00:16:59.840 and average in ten. So that's that's a big man 318 00:17:00.320 --> 00:17:02.919 who's making a difference on this team. And you know, 319 00:17:03.279 --> 00:17:07.039 the point is if they can develop Walker Kesser from 320 00:17:07.079 --> 00:17:09.960 basically just kind of a babyfaced kid out of Auburn 321 00:17:10.160 --> 00:17:13.720 and make him into, you know, a legitimate big who 322 00:17:13.720 --> 00:17:16.119 can run the floor and still has to improved his 323 00:17:16.200 --> 00:17:19.440 free throws. But that is that developmental parts bench you 324 00:17:19.480 --> 00:17:22.400 speak of. The Jazz have done very well, but this 325 00:17:22.480 --> 00:17:26.319 is Will's baby, right, this is Will's first test. Can 326 00:17:26.359 --> 00:17:30.079 you develop a guy and make him into an All 327 00:17:30.119 --> 00:17:33.480 Star or close to it and be an integral part 328 00:17:33.519 --> 00:17:34.400 of your starting five? 329 00:17:34.920 --> 00:17:37.839 All right, Craig, Before I say you lose, Tonight's an 330 00:17:37.839 --> 00:17:40.839 interesting game and I try to stay tuned into Milwaukee 331 00:17:40.960 --> 00:17:44.519 games because we cheer for Dame around here. Milwaukee's an 332 00:17:44.519 --> 00:17:47.480 eight point five point favorite. From what I have in 333 00:17:47.519 --> 00:17:50.200 front of me. As far as the injuries go, right now, 334 00:17:50.240 --> 00:17:51.680 we know that Chris Middleton is out. 335 00:17:51.680 --> 00:17:54.480 He hasn't played this year and it looks like surgery. 336 00:17:54.559 --> 00:17:57.799 Yeah, exactly, and it looks like Giannis is questionable from 337 00:17:57.799 --> 00:18:03.119 what I'm seeing. Yes, okay, yeah, Lowry questionable, Clarkson questionable, 338 00:18:03.240 --> 00:18:06.160 and Isaiah Collier questionable as well. So let's start with 339 00:18:06.200 --> 00:18:07.799 a helped update. What do you know about the health 340 00:18:07.799 --> 00:18:08.799 of both teams right now? 341 00:18:09.599 --> 00:18:11.519 Well, I do know that the three players of the 342 00:18:11.599 --> 00:18:14.880 Jazz you just mentioned have all been upgraded a probable. Okay, 343 00:18:15.079 --> 00:18:18.799 so I think we're gonna see Lowry, We're gonna see JC, 344 00:18:19.119 --> 00:18:22.880 and you know what, I'm anxious to see Callier kind 345 00:18:22.920 --> 00:18:25.880 of more of a bulldog point guard who was basically 346 00:18:26.240 --> 00:18:30.680 raised as a point guard, unlike Keyante who's making strides. 347 00:18:30.720 --> 00:18:33.240 But Caller will be an interesting fit. That means no 348 00:18:33.359 --> 00:18:35.559 minutes for Patty Mills, and that was kind of the 349 00:18:35.559 --> 00:18:39.759 plan anyway. But to fit marketing back in means less 350 00:18:39.799 --> 00:18:43.599 minutes for Philipowski to get JC back in. You probably 351 00:18:43.599 --> 00:18:46.400 won't see much of Johnny Guzang or Bryce Senza Baw, 352 00:18:46.839 --> 00:18:50.400 but I still think you'll see minutes and depends on 353 00:18:50.440 --> 00:18:53.839 how Will wants to divide those up. I haven't heard 354 00:18:53.880 --> 00:18:56.079 any update since I walked in here to the pressure 355 00:18:56.119 --> 00:18:59.279 room yet on Onto Decombo. Look, he's been he was 356 00:18:59.640 --> 00:19:03.720 listed as a hip then than a right adductor. I'm 357 00:19:03.720 --> 00:19:06.720 not really sure you know what's going on? Look there, 358 00:19:07.079 --> 00:19:09.960 just it's not between you and I because everyone's listening. 359 00:19:10.200 --> 00:19:13.079 But Milwaukee's won in six man, they've lost six in 360 00:19:13.119 --> 00:19:16.799 a row after they're opening night win against Philly, and 361 00:19:17.079 --> 00:19:19.359 things aren't good here, and there's a lot of heat, 362 00:19:20.079 --> 00:19:23.759 you know, mentioned in the local press and around the country. Hey, 363 00:19:24.079 --> 00:19:27.279 what's up with Milwaukee and Doc? So you know, they 364 00:19:27.319 --> 00:19:31.279 made the change last year, they moved Adrian Griffin out 365 00:19:31.480 --> 00:19:34.079 and then Doc comes in. So I don't know, it's 366 00:19:34.119 --> 00:19:35.720 going to be interesting to get a feel when I 367 00:19:35.720 --> 00:19:37.480 get out on the floor here in a bit, to 368 00:19:37.640 --> 00:19:39.279 kind of see what's going on. But they haven't won 369 00:19:39.319 --> 00:19:41.279 a home game, by the way, They're zero to two 370 00:19:42.119 --> 00:19:44.559 and their only win was on the road in Philadelphia 371 00:19:44.640 --> 00:19:47.720 and that was on opening nights. So interesting to see 372 00:19:47.720 --> 00:19:51.720 if giannis Is is bucking for change or if he's 373 00:19:51.759 --> 00:19:55.720 actually hurt. But Lillard, you know, can't carry this team alone. 374 00:19:55.759 --> 00:19:58.359 They don't have the deepest bench except for Bobby Portis, 375 00:19:58.359 --> 00:20:00.839 who I like a lot and you know about the 376 00:20:00.839 --> 00:20:03.599 way he plays. He's just you know, consistent guy coming 377 00:20:03.640 --> 00:20:06.839 off the bench. But it's interesting to see how the 378 00:20:06.920 --> 00:20:10.039 Jazz respond tonight. They come in with confidence, spence. And 379 00:20:10.680 --> 00:20:13.039 this is where you have to wonder as a Jazz fan, 380 00:20:13.480 --> 00:20:16.440 how many wins you know, do you really actually want 381 00:20:16.440 --> 00:20:19.119 to put in your pocket? Right and you know with 382 00:20:19.200 --> 00:20:21.279 this young team, but Will wants to win. He wants 383 00:20:21.279 --> 00:20:24.400 these guys to jump and make progress. And then I 384 00:20:24.400 --> 00:20:28.160 could be an interesting scenario with a team Milwaukee I'm 385 00:20:28.160 --> 00:20:29.960 speaking of. This seems that a it'll be a little 386 00:20:30.000 --> 00:20:30.680 bit upside down. 387 00:20:31.319 --> 00:20:33.720 All right, Bowler, Well, I appreciate the time from the road. 388 00:20:33.759 --> 00:20:35.640 Have a great call tonight, and hopefully we can see 389 00:20:35.640 --> 00:20:36.640 you back in the studio soon. 390 00:20:36.680 --> 00:20:39.799 Okay, all right, bell talk soon. 391 00:20:39.599 --> 00:20:41.720 All right, Craig Bowler. Jack will be on the call tonight. 392 00:20:41.759 --> 00:20:44.319 It's the Jazz are taking on Milwaukee. We'll see which 393 00:20:44.359 --> 00:20:49.359 players actually participate, because NBA basketball these days, you never know. 394 00:20:50.119 --> 00:20:52.279 Rotchi buy our friends at Big Old Tires right now 395 00:20:52.400 --> 00:20:54.799 is their fall into savings sale. 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