Johnathan Kendrick
Jazzhoops.net Head Writer

The number thirteen is usually a bad omen, but for an upcoming season where everything in the Jazz organization looks promising, the Jazz are going to hope the number thirteen is a sign of good things to come. This year's heralded Jazz draft picks, Kris Humphries and Kirk Snyder, combined for the Jazz's first thirteen points of the 2004 Summer League. "It's a good thing. They did a nice job getting in the flow of the offense," said Gordon Chiesa, coach of tonight's game. Behind the strong play of the rookies, the Jazz jumped to an early lead that they would hold for most of the game. During a time out in the first quarter, Chiesa repeated to the team tonight's game plan, "Keep bringing it at them."

The Jazz had drawn nineteen personal fouls in the first half and went on to draw thirty-six in the game. Rookie Kirk Snyder showed an impressive ability in the department drawing nine personal fouls against his defenders. "He'll go one-on-one (within) the offense," said Gordon Chiesa, "He's a good driver." Kirk Snyder finished the game 2-7 from the floor, including one from behind the arc, shot 6-9 from the free throw line, grabbed four rebounds, and dished out three assists, including one with three minutes left in the game to Kris Humphries for a fast-break lay up. "Where you at, Kris? Where you at?" Snyder barked at the next break as their team-mates celebrated the play.

Kirk Humphries was the best player on the floor shooting 9 for 13 from the field, ending with nineteen points, and grabbing ten rebounds. When asked if he could become an NBA rebounder, he responded, "That's my goal." Later, when asked about the size difference from college to the NBA, he replied confidently that he feels comfortable playing inside or outside.

Chiesa described Curtis Borchardt's game as "rusty," a good sign considering Borchardt played thirty minutes, shot 4 for 8 from the field, scored thirteen points, and grabbed six rebounds. The better part is that it was an especially physical game in the paint, one that saw Borchardt fall to the ground or get knocked off balance roughly a dozen times only to see a stronger looking Borchardt bounce back without hesitation.

The Jazz led the entire game before failing to execute in the final minutes, leaving Coach Chiesa describing those minutes with the words, "selfish" and "breakdown." "That's what happens when players don't have a high level of trust of the offense." Chiesa added, "It's a painful loss, but one that every team must go through. We did it the first game which is good for us."