Jerry Sloan on the Thunder:

[Betts]

From the Salt Lake Tribune

Jazz hear Thunder's rumble
By Steve Luhm

http://www.sltrib.com/Sports/ci_11952273

The Oklahoma City Thunder have a big fan -- Jerry Sloan -- and that's one reason why the Jazz won't take them lightly when the two teams meet Friday night in Oklahoma City.

"They have a very, very fine young team," said Sloan, Utah's veteran coach. "It's just [a matter of] learning how to play with each other and taking advantage of the skills they have."

Oklahoma City is 19-49 and has been doomed to the lottery since, oh, Thanksgiving. But the Thunder already own a 114-93 win over the Jazz this season and have won six of their past 10 games.

Among the victims: Philadelphia, Dallas and San Antonio.

"I like their team a lot," Sloan said. "For a young team, they've really come a long way in a short period of time."

[Thunderstruck83]

These articles never get old...unfortunately it means people are taking notice, so no more easy sneak up on a team wins for us. Luckily for Kyle Korver, the NCAA tournament was on last night... ;)

[Rumble]

Nice words, they were ready for us tonight though.

[Betts]

Yeah. I didn't really expect to win this one. The Jazz are too good of a team, and they're too close to the playoff cutoff right now to give one away to a non-playoff bound team. I saw a couple of real point-guard moves out of Russell Westbrook tonight though that made me realize he's doing his homework and figuring out his role. Deron Williams is a great role model.

[Jimmy Early]

Yeah. I didn't really expect to win this one. The Jazz are too good of a team, and they're too close to the playoff cutoff right now to give one away to a non-playoff bound team. I saw a couple of real point-guard moves out of Russell Westbrook tonight though that made me realize he's doing his homework and figuring out his role. Deron Williams is a great role model.

I also saw why Blake Griffin is compared to Carlos Boozer. He was a MAN amongst our boys on the boards last night.

[Thunderstruck83]

Did anyone else tire of hearing Carlos Boozer scream or complain every time there was contact in the paint? I noticed it from Loud City and then I watched some of the replay when I got home and it was literally every play where he was involved in contact down low. VERY ANNOYING. He is a good player, I guess I just wish he and Pau Gasol would just play without all the screaming and whining.

[Rod4soonrs]

Maybe it's me, but it seems like RW didn't go to the basket as much as he did vs. bulls, meaning he cut his progress off around the free throw line, unless he had a clear opening. I think that's where he needs to cut off his progress, it seems he gets to far under the basket with nowhere to go, and forces shots or passes.

[bbingham05]

Maybe it's me, but it seems like RW didn't go to the basket as much as he did vs. bulls, meaning he cut his progress off around the free throw line, unless he had a clear opening. I think that's where he needs to cut off his progress, it seems he gets to far under the basket with nowhere to go, and forces shots or passes.

I agree with this 100%. If he will just learn to stay under control he will be more productive. Hopefully this is something he will work on during the off season.

[BETCATS]

Sloan has been around FOREVER. Classy dude, gives respect to where it is due. Maybe one day Scott Brooks will be in the potion to say stuff like this.

[Fast | Break]

Any article without a reference to the "dust bowl" or "nothing to do in OKC" or "the lowly NBA team" is a victory. That he actually said nice things about our team is a bonus!