At this point, even though we're still at the midpoint of the season, there's no hope for the Jazz. They should start looking ahead for next season. The first thing the Jazz ownership has to do is get rid of Jerry Sloan. In my opinion he's been the main contributor for the Jazz problems. He hasn't been able to deal with the problems he's faced through the season and has lost control and the respect of his players. Secondly Sloan has a problem with his temperament and is always repeating the same line "our players play like they fell sorry for themselves." I think the players are tired of hearing the same negative quotes from his manager over and over again. Third, the playbok of Jerry Sloan is the same as 18 years ago. Even though he had some success in the 80's and 90's he has to understand that we're in the 2005. You just have to see the success that teams like Phoenix and Seattle are having with a high energy, three-point scoring game. We'll have to see if those teams can keep up with that style late in the season, but the point is Sloan don't like that his team shoots 3 pointer's, but worst of all, he doesn't let anyone develop his game. It's only the Sloan way. An old Jerry Sloan way that seems to be antiquated and out of time. This last point brings me to the point guard situation. The Jazz, doing the worst trade in some time in the league, traded away their most talented and best point guard in Carlos Arroyo, because "he didn't fit" in the team. We'll it's amazing how fast Arroyo has blended in a championship team directed by a man as strict as Sloan. Arroyo has played superb in the short time he's been with Pistons in part because Larry Brown has let him played his game. A thing Jerry Sloan couldn't stand. Arroyo was first, but we have to see who's next. For the better of the Jazz team, please get rid of Jerry Sloan. Respectfully,

Mark Smith

Salt Lake City

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Sloan's too distracted now

Very simply put---Jerry Sloan should have retired after last season! Jerry had a "coach of the year" season last year, but of course, was ignored again by a prejudiced media. But, that was then; this is now!

Bobbye's fatal battle with cancer took a huge toll on Jerry. He still maintains a courageous front, but if you look deep into the man, his world is changed dramatically. He no longer has the will or the fire to do what he had done for so long. That is, to lift others on his shoulders and by his sheer determination, inspire them to succeed.

Jerry is still trying to win with the same style and game plan the he "made" work for so long. This year there is talent that Jerry hasn't seen for many years. There are some shooters and free lancers that are not able to maximize their talents in Jerry's system. Yet Jerry demands that they conform to the way he wants to play at the expense of minimizing those players talents. A great coach will utilize the talents of his players and not make them conform to "his way". Keeping a thumb on great shooters like Okur and Giricek has only confused and intimidated them. The result has made it almost impossible for them to succeed.