Reader comments
Utah Jazz: Williams 'doubtful' for season-opener

The Jazz will miss Deron Williams, but I feel less concerned about Price and Knight backing him up than many of the other backup point guards the Jazz had during the Stockton era. Maybe it's the offense, maybe it's the deeper talent, or maybe Price is that good that there doesn't seem to be too much of a drop off when Williams is sitting.
I guess we really won't know until the game is played, but I do like this team.

Looks like AI may not be playing at 100% and without Melo, I say, Let D-Will REST.

The WP48 scores for the 07-08 seasons suggest that moving AK to the second unit may increase the overall effectiveness of the team.

Deron Williams 0.239
Carlos Boozer 0.251
Ronnie Brewer 0.203
Andrei Kirilenko0.187
Mehmet Okur 0.097

Paul Millsap 0.126
Matt Harpring 0.059
Kyle Korver0.064
C.J. Miles 0.090
Ronnie Price 0.015
Kyrylo Fesenko*-0.145
Morris Almond* -0.337
Jarron Collins -0.110
Brevin Knight 0.108

First, AK's WP48 number should go up substantially. Second, the overall number for the first team should not fall off as Booz,Okur,DWill and Brewer's numbers will improve as they get more action.
Third CJ's numbers should improve as he plays more and especially if he plays defense and is careful in his shot selection.
Fourth, AK acting as point forward will make the WP48s of the players on the second team go up.

Adding Knight also adds to the WP48 of the second team. Price should improve over last year. The remaining weakness is at back up center. If Koufos or Fez could step in and produce a positive WPW8 this year the Jazz would be very hard to beat.

I agree. Don't even chance it, Deron. Melo is out on suspension, because he didn't want to harm Denver's reputation as a bunch of thugs. And AI is nursing injuries and will not be at 100% if he plays at all. The Thuggets aren't much even with those two, and without they're missing about 50 points. Price can handle that scenerio fine. Keep Deron's ankle rehabing another week, and let the rest of the team gets the wins. They can do it.
As to Collins, bah. I was hoping the injury would persist. Keep him out and let Fes play. Fes isn't great, and needs a lot of work, but he's better than Collins by a long shot.

Price is not much of a drop off from Williams???? Are you watching the same Jazz team I am. No offense to Ronnie, he's got a lot of spunk and heart, but did you watch the same playoffs last year that I did. He was lucky to get 6 minutes a game. I remember a couple of games where Deron played the whole half and Ronnie didn't get in at all. Thats because there is a HUGE, MONUMENTAL drop off when Price comes in. No comparison, the Jazz are a totally different team without Williams, my guess is a sub .500 team with him out of the lineup. I hope not, but don't even start to say Price isn't much of a drop off from Deron. That's crazy talk man!

Jazz are deep at point guard, no worries william, come back for the Blazer game. jazz should be able to take care of the clippers without william, if they can't then the jazz are really in trouble.

Williams needs to sit out at least two weeks.

You have to be crazy if you don't like price. He gives more effort in practice then players like bozo do in a game.

NO WAY you put AK at point. ONly if Price & Knight are hurt. ONly if you're desperate. Price & Knight will fill in nicely for just a few games.

DWill....rest up brutha. It's just a few games of 82.

Just Kidding! Wasn't that annoying?
May the Lakers lose every game they can this year!

da man..says Jazz front office find a new man to
run the show. old grey hair has had his day dat
is what da man says

I never heard that melo was suspended! good, I can't stand him, but what did he do? Deron you take your time, don't rush it, we want you back ASAP but we don't want you to become injured worse! go jazz!

Their all a bunch of babies who cry every time the ball hits their toe. GROW UP!! Next year Sloan dont you dare come back.