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Utah Jazz: No Williams, Okur or Kirilenko tonight

...that brought Williams back too soon? Now his come back has been delayed even further, not to mention the long term strength of his ankle. The Jazz are a JOKE! O'Tinkle is a JOKE!

I knew it was too early for deron! now we're in a really tight spot. Playing without 3 of your best players is never good. i dont care if you are playing th bobcats... This could be a long, tough november for us Jazz fans ~

Lets see what Koofus can do! Come on Sloan, if he's gettin her done don't take him out in crunch. He can help seal the paint, not to mention his scoring ability.

Seriously...THE HUMAN TOOTHPICK (Kirilenko) can't play because of a the tip of his finger is jammed! C'mon man! I am so sick of his overpaid whining fragile body. Get some heart man...I am the first to despise the Lakers...but Kobe Bryant played with torn ligaments in his thumb all season (AND still is w/ no surgery)! Maybe if AK stopped worrying about how gelled his hair was before the game and learned how to dribble the ball with some kind of accuracy I would be a little more supportive. However he won't gain any real heart and I can't wait to see his overpaid behind get shipped out of SLC. "I can't catch the ball," hold the presses AK, you are out because of a playground injury again. Get a bandaid and grow up! I honestly am astounded you even put up blocks in a game, you'd think you would avoid contact at all costs looking at your history of injuries! I didn't agree w extending CJ but Deron gets what Deron wants. Maybe we should give AK the Starbury treatment...bench him forever.

Hey I've got sprained eyelash! Can I be excused from playing for awhile? This is unbelievable! Obviously the days are long gone when players play with broken bones, etc., as in John Stockton and Karl Malone. What a bunch of wus players. And players now given time off for personal reasons. So, we can now kiss off the regular season, and not have a homecourt advantage....so let's forget about any chance to compete for a championship. I don't understand what it is about the current generation of players in the professional games to get time off (with pay of course) for a variety of reasons, whether the reasons are actually legitimate or not. I can understand why Jerry Sloan, Phil Johnson and the other coaches are frustrated with the state of the team. This team has no real stars in the true sense of the word, but relies on the team concept to win games. Taking any part of the team away leads to disastrous results. They become just an ordinary collection of players, who basically have little chance of winning against even the hapless teams as the Knicks and Wizards. This state of affairs is just frustrating by fans.

Now Williams may be out longer and won't be 100% for the playoffs.

2 and 3 would be great for this trip

too bad d-will pushed it

will now be out longer

weather the storm

This doesn't hurt a thing. Now lets see the Brewers, Price, Knight, Miles, Korver, Milsap, Koufus, Harpring and Fess step it up against another bottom feeding team. Show some guts and effort now that it is your stage.

2 good things about this story

1) The Utah Jazz are incredibly deep. Most teams would be screwed losing 3 of their 5 best players

2) Thank goodness for the powder puff schedule Utah's playing. They should still be able to handle Charlotte.

Wow, if we can split today and tomorrow without those three it would be great. Everybody is going to need to step and show some fire and we will need some better play out of CJ and Korver if we are even going to have a chance.

It's pretty clear Williams came back to soon, He needs to think about the whole season and take the time to get healthy.

Rest up Deron and get ready for your home season debut against phoenix! we need you down the stretch all though we would love to have you now.

Thank goodness it's only the Bobcats!

This season is reminding me of 2004-05 when the Jazz started 6-1 and then the season went into the tank. This season feels the same way, but for different reasons. Jazz fans prepare yourselves for a long season in Utah.

I don't think the Jazz have any right to make somebody play if their father is have a world away and in serious condition.

There is no reason in the world to risk Williams against the Bobcats or any other team if his injury is ligit. Why would you play injured all year if you could get better and only miss three games?

Someone said in their comments "thank goodness its only the Bobcats that they are playing tonight." What did you say before they gave the Wizards their first victory of the season?

Wow, what a putz! Since when have players gone from being humans to just abstract entertainers? Are you telling me that even if you made millions at your job you wouldn't take time off to rush to your fathers bedside as he is passing away? Okur is human and deserves to take time to deal with his personal business. As for Williams and Kirilenko, I would rather them sit out and heal at the beginning of the season rather than continue playing and injure themselves further. Having them play while in pain is futile anyway. If Kirilenko isn't able to catch a ball with his injured hand, keep him on the bench. He'll do no good on the court.

Also, perhaps this is a blessing in disguise. The bench players are getting a lot of playing time. This will help with their maturation and our bench will be more ready to compete when playoff time arrives.

Good luck tonight team! Go Jazz!

EASY; EASY FELLAS. What the heck? The Jazz are 6-2. Those of you who are freaking out take a chill pill. This is unbelievable. Okur's reasons for leaving the team are absolutely legit. Basketball is a game! Okur's dad is seriously ill. Do you even read the article before you spew your hate? Championships don't matter to Okur at this moment in time. I for one am glad the Jazz are classy enough to allow for Okur to go be with his family.

As for this doom gloom attitude about where this leaves the Jazz: Even if they lose these two games the Jazz will be in good shape. Championships are not won in November. These are good opportunities for guys like Koufos, Price, Miles, and company to get some much-needed experience.

Remember the Rockets championship team that went 45 and 37 in the regular season. They were the 6th seed in the west and won the whole thing. If you are a good enough team you'll win the title. Seeding is not that important. The Jazz have been #1 out west (and overall) before but didn't win. Hang in there fans and don't give up soooooo early.

Go Jazz!!!

Wow, you all need to step off the ledge a little there. We're only 7 games into the season, Dwill will be okay, AK will get better, Okur will come back. We should still make the playoffs.

That being said there is nothing that can ruin a season faster than injuries. The good thing is that none of these injuries are serious or career threatening and the Jazz have the deapest bench in the league. Okur is missing time as any of us would in the same situation.

O'Conner had nothing to do with Dwill coming back. Dwill didn't reagrivate the injury, and shouldn't miss any more time because he played on it. It stiffened up and is sore which is part of the healing process. Playing on it, unless he injures it again, will actually strengthen it faster and facilitate a quicker recovery. (No I'm not a Doctor I just play one in over reacting blogs online. But I have had many basketball sprained ankles, even broken my ankle landing on anothers foot like dwill did and have been trhough it many many times.)

I will be at the game tonight cheering for a victory. GO JAZZ!!!

Ok so a couple of things..
1. I am glad D Will is sitting out I could tell he was not at 100% and if he is not 100 he should not be playing
2.I miss Okur but Koufus is going a great job picking up Okurs spot
3.I love Kirilenko as the 6th man I always feel better about the game once he comes off the bench.. Who is going to bring that energy now?
4. As for the game tonight.. I am not so sure the Jazz play not so great teams and let the other team beat them!!! I am glad the Jazz are so deep on the bench but they seem to be losing alot of players (some of a good reason and others because they are babies)
The Jazz better win tonight or it is going to be a not so happy night tonight

its the damn bobcats, chill out. most of the people blogging today sound more whiney than AK ever has. Deron will be back in time, AK is still a hell of a player the jazz are still looking just fine.