Larry Miller believes. . . There's still hope for the Jazz

Even with his team off to its worst start since well before he purchased it, Utah Jazz owner Larry H. Miller has seen reason for hope.

At least as hopeful as one can be with a team that is 6-9, a record bad enough that a string of 18 straight playoff appearances would appear to be in jeopardy.

But stretches of strong play, flashes of potential from key youngsters and occasional rallies from deep deficits have kept Miller encouraged.

And then there was the blowout of Seattle at the Delta Center Wednesday night, a 24-point rout that was Utah's widest margin of victory this season.

Even if it was over a team that had played a tough game the night before, the point was Utah was doing what it has historically done to opponents in such situations.

"At least you know we have it in us to play," Miller said after that contest.

That has been a question as the Jazz have done some uncharacteristic things this season, such as losing three overtime games at home.

But those games have worried Miller far less than the contests where his team has showed no life, no energy, no desire to compete. Included among those would be what he referred to as the "train wreck in Atlanta," a 32-point loss to the lowly Hawks; a 21-point home blowout at the hands of the Raptors; and a loss to the Suns after the Jazz had come out of the starting gate looking like world-beaters.

Miller refers to those efforts as "where we go to sleep for a quarter and can't answer why afterward."

"When I see that kind of stuff, I worry," he continued. "When the whole team collapses, I worry. Then you start asking yourself . . . Is there some kind of cancer on the team that nobody can perceive? If we win the next 10, I'll quit worrying about it."

Keep in mind, this is not just Miller's team because he owns it; it is his because he feels part of the team. This isn't some detached owner who talks about the Jazz as "them" and "they," but an intensely involved owner who refers to the team as "we" and "us." When they lose, he feels the loss as much as anyone in the building. And when they play as they did against the Sonics, he's as elated as anyone.

"That was great to see," he said after that victory. "I haven't enjoyed a game like that for a while."

Games like that keep Miller's hopes high, even as he realizes there are obstacles to be overcome.