Jazz players lack a commitment to defense and often fail to get stops when the game tempo increases down the stretch. Many average players, like Gerald Wallace, have career games against the Jazz.

There is no "go to" guy offensively that can get you a basket when it is needed the most. When the Jazz were successful they had superstars who could make plays when needed. They do not have that now. Even Andrei Kirilenko is not this type of player. It is an entire team full of "role" players.

Thank you,

Denny Kartchner

Vancouver, Wash.

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Teams needs to return to fundamentals

Dear Deseret Morning News,

The solution to the Jazz woes are simple. They just need to play fundamental basketball. Defense and rebounds win basketball games. They should just set up a simple man to man defense, box out on rebounds, make their layups and open shots. There was no need for all of that hype with Andrei Kirilenko's return. He is a good basketball player, but he is not their whole team. They are all professionals, so they should all be expected to step up. If they just play fundamental basketball, I know that they can get a winning record on their side and make the playoffs.

Trenton Christiansen

Age 14

Bountiful

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Officiating is poor, one-sided

In my opinion, poor, one-sided officiating places the Jazz in a position disheartening to any player. Young players are especially vulnerable. What is the referee "beef" with the Jazz?

All of our players are talented and I don't believe anyone should leave or be traded! Coach Sloan is terrific too.

Patty Wade

Midvale

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Utah's problems due to coaching

I have watched every Jazz game over the last three years and been a fan for the last 20 years. To me, the problem with the Jazz is not the talent on the team but rather the coaching. There are many examples that I can give but I believe it boils down to a few basic problems.

(1) Managing the timeouts and substitution. Sloan almost never calls a timeout. When you have an 11 point lead and you see it slipping, most people would call a timeout insert your key players and call a few plays with your key people. Sloan doesn't. In the old days, with Stockton controlling the ball, you did not even need a coach. But when you have a young team you do!