Part genius or part idiot? Jazz G.M. O'Connor plays both parts

SALT LAKE CITY — The look Kevin O'Connor wore this week hovered between neutral and mildly pleased, as though viewing a restaurant dessert tray.

It wasn't smug or condescending — merely content.

On Monday, the Jazz GM officially welcomed Raja Bell to Utah with a press conference. It was the team's second such occurrence in a week. The other was July 16, when the Jazz signed big man Al Jefferson.

In just a few days, the team's forecast had gone from stormy to mostly sunny. Meanwhile, O'Connor went from idiot to master chemist in the eyes of many. After losing Wesley Matthews, Kyle Korver and Carlos Boozer to free agency, he nimbly added Jefferson and Bell, giving the Jazz an upbeat new look.

You have to hand it to O'Connor — the man has timing.

For whatever success the Jazz have had since his arrival in Utah 11 seasons ago, it had become clear the team wasn't greatly improving. It was time for a change. So he made some, and not a moment too soon.

Nitwit or genius?

"My wife would agree with both," O'Connor said.

Most who know O'Connor say there's something grounded and unpretentious about him. Maybe that's because he admits he isn't perfect. He openly calls his failure to keep Mo Williams in 2004 "my biggest mistake."

But lately he's looking like a shrewd and seasoned negotiator. That's why he equaled the "toxic" offer Portland tendered Paul Millsap last summer, yet declined to match this year's offer to Matthews. O'Connor wouldn't say it, but the end result was clear: the Portland offer for Matthews smelled like fish.

Two years, two decisions, two different outcomes.

And a whole lot of second-guessing by Jazz fans.

"Look, we appreciate the caring there is about the team," O'Connor said this week. "You know, I don't blame people for what they think or feel."

O'Connor's successes have been notable. Among them were the acquisitions of Jefferson, Bell (twice), Millsap, Deron Williams, Mehmet Okur and, yes, Boozer and Matthews. On the other end were Raul Lopez, Kris Humphries, Kirk Snyder and Curtis Borchardt.

Sometimes the Jazz simply collected future draft picks, such as this year's No. 9 selection, Gordon Hayward.