From Deseret News archives:

Jazz fans sound off on team's woes

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Published: Thursday, Feb. 17, 2005 11:48 a.m. MST
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It's still mathematically possible to finish with a .500 record, but without leadership and willingness they won't.

Edgardo Velez


AK can't carry team alone

I think Boozer started out great but burned out trying to carry the team while AK was out. He needs to learn to play defense. Okur just needs to pick up his game and also learn to play defense. AK is the main cog. He does everything but can't make baskets for other players and be the only one playing defense. At point, what can I say? McLeod needs to get back quick. Lopez is too error prone; Eisley is Eisley; trading Arroyo was fine, but getting nothing in return makes no sense. They are still my favorite team, but they are getting hard to watch.

Reid Christensen

Coral Springs, Fla.


Jazz don't have a max-money guy

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Andrei Kirilenko: He's a great defensive player and fun to watch, but he's not a max money guy because he is not a "go-to" offensive player. Kirilenko may be an all-star, but he's not a superstar and may never be. Kirilenko suggested he was as valuable as Pao Gasol and deserved the same max money contract. He's not and he doesn't. The Jazz should have learned this lesson during the years when they were paying Karl Malone max money. Despite Malone's MVP title, Jordan, Shaq, Tim Duncan and others were simply more valuable than he was, especially during the last five years of his career.

Carlos Boozer: His turnovers and poor defense offset his offensive abilities, which have dwindled as of late anyway. He's definitely not worth his big contract. If he can't learn to play defense, the Jazz will never have a great team with him on it.

Mehmet Okur: He's a big guy but doesn't play with a big presence on the court, especially in the paint. The Jazz can't afford to pay $50 million for a bench player.

Point guard: The Jazz need to start over. Lopez has moments of being a top point, but he makes too many mistakes and can't defend well enough. Keith McLeod is a great backup but not a starter. Trading Arroyo was the right thing to do, although I think he would have done much better under someone besides Jerry Sloan.

Matt Harpring: He outworks every guy on the team, but he's in a shooting slump. The Jazz should trade him now while they can get some value for him.

Raja Bell: He's too inconsistent to be a star. I like his work ethic and attitude, but he's not starter material.

Gordan Giricek: Like Bell, he's too streaky. Unlike Bell, he can't defend. Dump him.

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