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SALT LAKE CITY — Kobe's worst shooting game of his career.
An aberration, right?
Kevin Durant's worst shooting game of the year.
Well.
Maybe, there's something to this Jazz defense.
On Sunday night, the Jazz held NBA leading scorer (28.7 ppg) Kobe Bryant to 15 points on 3 for 20 shooting (15% FG). Bryant's worst shooting game of his long and storied career.
On Tuesday, the Oklahoma City Thunder was in town with the NBA's second leading scorer Kevin Durant (27.7 ppg). Durant was held to 18 points on 6 for 22 shooting (27% FG).
Bryant shrugged off the poor shooting, "You have nights like that every now and then."
Durant tweeted after the game @KDTrey5, "That can't happen, I gotta be better and I will keep working to get better!!!! Word".
When superstars struggle, it's easier to blame themselves than to praise the excellent defense of your opponent.
That's why we're here, to speak truth.
Durant and Bryant weren't missing uncontested shots. They weren't missing bunnies at the rim. They were forced by Gordon Hayward, C.J. Miles and Alec Burks into tough shots.
Jazz head coach Tyrone Corbin sees the effect from the cause. "Gordon and CJ and Alec did a good job. All the perimeter guys tonight did a great job of making those guys work for everything they got."
Those three wings have struggled offensively 17 for 51 in the past two games (33% FG). However, the lock-down defense on the NBA's two leading scorers has been the key to victory.
"Guys are really coming out and focusing on what we are trying to do defensively. Offensively we have plenty of guys that can put the ball in the basket. I think defensively has been the biggest difference in the game." said C.J. Miles.
At 6'8" and 210 pounds, Gordon Hayward has given Bryant and Durant fits on the defensive end of the court and C.J. Miles sees the difference as Hayward guarded Durant for most of the second half.
"Gordon's got a couple inches on me, so Gordon made a bigger difference in the second half. Really be up in his (Durant) body and make him work for all of his shots. Make sure you contest everything. Don't put him on the free-throw line and don't let him get those dunks that will get him going and get him into the game." said Miles. Durant shot just 5 of 6 from the line.
Hayward's philosophy on defending Durant sounds familiar, "You know he's going to get his shots off. He's going to get shots up, he's a very talented player. You just try to make sure every one is contested, challenged, no easy ones."
With marquee victories this season over the Miami Heat, L.A. Lakers and Oklahoma City Thunder, Al Jefferson sees the common denominator. "That proves that when we get our head together and play great defense we can beat anybody, especially on our home floor. We're a team to work with. You got to come to play us when we have our mind right on our home floor."
Hayward has been tasked this year with defending the opposing team's best perimeter player. We've seen him guard the point with Deron Williams, the two with Kobe Bryant and the three with Kevin Durant. Guarding all three positions is reminiscent of Scottie Pippen.
No pressure. But if Hayward continues to lock up the league's best players, there are worse comparisons and few names you'd rather be called than, stopper.
