This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Like all opponents of LeBron James, the Utah Jazz enter Wednesday's matchup trying to figure out a way to stop one of the best basketball player's on Earth.

And like most opponents of LeBron James, the Jazz are largely drawing a blank on how to completely stop him.

"He's too big, too strong and too fast," is how Utah small forward Gordon Hayward put it.

So, if the Jazz can't stop him, they can still hope to slow him down enough for a win tonight. They can do enough to make him work, make it difficult for him, similar to what happened in November when Hayward's buzzer-beater at EnergySolutions Arena lifted Utah to a rousing victory.

But this is a different Cleveland team, and even a different LeBron. In November, James was clearly missing a step, and missing some explosion. He wasn't creating separation off the dribble nearly as easily as he has in his 11 year NBA career. He didn't have his normal lift off the ground, and that was evident when Hayward caught him with a chase-down blocked shot in transition.

The LeBron James the Jazz will see tonight is much more refreshed. Citing knee and back issues, James recently took two weeks off for rest and therapy. In the four games since his return, it's clear that he's got his first step back, he's scoring with ease again, running up and down the floor. He looks like LeBron James again.

"He's the best player in the world, so this is just another chance to play against the best," Hayward said. "We can't let him get going early, and we can't let him get out in transition. We have to make him play in the halfcourt. If he's running out and getting dunks, that's what's going to get the crowd going, so we have to guard against that."

The Jazz can do that by playing turnover-free basketball. They can do that by making shots. They can do that by rebounding the ball and limiting the Cavs to a single look offensively.

If those things don't happen, the suddenly resurgent Cavaliers could make this a long night for the Utah Jazz.

Tony Jones