Utah Jazz Extra: The starting 5

Know how moms occasionally throw a bit of everything into a dish and call it a casserole? Mmm. Here are five Jazz-related items thrown into this crockpot/crackpot column:

1. Sloan gets coach of year love on ESPN.com — NBA writer Marc Stein admits Sloan likely won't get his (over)due. But he put the coach's name in the hat for helping Utah surge into the fight for the West's No. 2 spot. Stein is impressed Sloan has the Jazz winning and "sticking together in the face of Carlos Boozer's uncertain future" and after Deron Williams voiced frustrations about the Ronnie Brewer trade. The coach has also squeezed success out of his squad while starting a rookie, juggling wing players and dealing with inconsistent center output. Added Stein: "Sloan's work never seems to slip. The voters are bound to notice one of these years." Then again, why start now?

2. Jazz boss: Team stays as long as $$$ does — Jazz CEO Greg Miller recently answered questions from fans on utahjazz.com. One fan asked if the team would ever leave town, resulting in this response from former Jazz owner Larry H. Miller's oldest son: "I'll answer that with the exact language Larry always used when he was asked — as long as the Jazz are economically viable, the Miller family will own the team and it will stay in Utah." Miller then lauded the fan and sponsor support, claiming the Jazz are third in the NBA for season tickets this year with an additional 750 sold for next season. Added Miller: "I am committed to keeping the Utah Jazz as long as we can generate the revenue to pay the bills."

3. Jazz boss II: Brewer deal 'smart thing to do' — In response to another fan question, Miller said the Jazz expected Brewer to get a Paul Millsap-like offer next offseason "that we were not prepared to match." With good wing depth, the Jazz opted to get a future Memphis first-round pick "rather than just letting him go and getting nothing in return." Added Miller: "Personally, it was gut-wrenching to see Ronnie go. From the business side, it was the smart thing to do."

4. Tough road ahead for Utah and Denver — Utah's schedule looks brutal from afar, with 14 of 23 on the road. Look closer and it's not as daunting — only 12 opponents are above .500 and future foes have a combined .470 winning percentage. Dallas seems to have the easiest schedule left (12 of 22 home), so don't be shocked if the Mavs keep rising. The Nuggets have two lengthy trips (four- and five-games long) and face 17 winning teams, so don't be shocked if they slip.