5. Sloan had just gone through the toughest summer of his life, having lost the only woman that he had ever loved and who had been more than just a wife to him. She was a friend, a coach, a supporter. It was unexpectedly selfish for any fan to expect Sloan to coach and be focused as if nothing had happened.

In addition to these, the Jazz were hit with injuries even prior to the start of the season, and the killer came when Andrei Kirilenko hurt his knee. The Jazz, practically a new team where people needed to practice and play with each other, were never in full strength during the season. Kirilenko's hurt was the killer. Had not the Russian been injured, the Jazz would in all possibility still be in the playoff hunt.

The question is now what? Do the Jazz start clean? Do they show some patience in the hope that it will get better? The young guys will mature? They will get used to each other? To Sloan and his system? Which would be the right road to take?

First of all, I believe that Bell, Harpring and Eisley's days as Jazz players are over. None of these "veterans" showed any leadership qualities or a leader's game when the Jazz needed it.

Secondly, which Boozer did the Jazz sign? The one in Cleveland who was for doing all the dirty work with a shine. Or the one in Utah who has fallen head over heels with the fade away. Whose idea of defense is to wave to the guy he is supposedly defending. If the second Boozer is the real Boozer, then there is one solution. Trade him while his value is high. Because if this is the real side of Boozer, then he will lose value as the years pile on. His 35.8 mpg shows that Sloan has given him plenty of chances to recover his former identity. If this is what he is, then this is a big mistake that the Jazz have done.

Thirdly, Sloan must realize that Okur is not Eaton, Ostertag, Jarren Collins or any other space eater that he might have played with such as Tom Boerwinkle, Jim Fox, Clifford Ray or a worn-out Nate Thurmond. This is a kid with genuine offensive skills who can be double-double man when motivated. He will never be a space heater who gets his kicks out of closing down the lane. If Sloan is not willing to use his skills, then there would be no reason in holding on to him.