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Utah Jazz: Boozer, Korver, Collins all out for Spurs game

predicted time of recovery | 11:44 a.m. Nov. 21, 2008

How soon til we can have a healthy Jazz team?

Shat | 11:53 a.m. Nov. 21, 2008

Over a month for a sprained ankle? I think that is ridiculous, when did players become timid over a little pain. It wont get worse (unless you turn it and re-sprain it), can't you play through a little pain and tape it tight?

re Shat | 11:58 a.m. Nov. 21, 2008

You have never had a serious ankle sprain. If you there is alot of ligament damange you could be lucky to just be walking on it in a month let alone playing.

Comments continue below

Going Backwards | 12:04 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008

Instead of getting our players healthy that have been suffering injury since the pre-season, a la Williams, Harpring and Collins, we're just getting worse. I can name on one hand the players on the roster that aren't day-to-day or that don't have some sort of injury that has hampered them or kept them out of a game in the last week. Polish up your resumes people because I think the Jazz may be in need of a new Strength and Conditioning Coach real soon!

RE: Shat | 12:06 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008

The competitiveness of the game is not the same as just moving around the office. He needs to take the time to be 100% so that the season closes with the thump of opponents falling.

re:shat | 12:07 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008

there is more than one way to sprain an ankle, and severe sprains do not always heal quickly. I am surprised you are doubting the resolve of Mr. Williams, who I am certain will play as soon as he is able.

Shat | 12:14 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008

I used to play pick-up games at the U with Walk-ons. Now I'm not comparing that to the NBA, but these guys played real hard to try and make the squad. I sprained my ankle while playing a pick-up game there and it hurt (shed a couple tears I was trying real hard to keep back). After a month I was back on those courts with tape just fine.

re: Shat | 12:15 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008

Shat= never been an athlete

the training is fine | 12:27 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008

A bad training coach is what the oakland a's have, guys out for long periods of time over nothing; the jazz have a great record of healthy players, and all the injuries are either legitimate, or non-related to basketball. and, anyone, please, stop duncan, he's menaced the jazz for years, as if, it's his personal mission. it needs to stop, you have to realize duncan turns it up a notch against the jazz, i can't stand duncan, i'd like to see a humiliated, rejected, and pathetic spurs time after the game tonight, they can go home to their eva longorias and their eva longoarias can console them on their diminishing basketball skills, while she's thinking about the prowess of boozer and dwill.

Miles | 12:29 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008

Tape it up and get on the court. Or stay completey off of it and stop playing at all. Do one or the other.

Kenny | 12:34 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008

It's refreshing to see the voices of reason outnumbering the judgemental complainers in the comment section. I've played a lot of basketball over the years. And I've gone years without an injury and then had a rash of injuries all at once. I'm sure this is one of those times for the Jazz. Sure Boozer, Williams, and Korver could grit their teeth and play now. And they will be fighting it the rest of the season. Better to let them heal up now and be 100% down the stretch. This is a good opportunity for the other players to get some minutes. I predict the Jazz will finish the season very strong.

Shat | 12:48 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008

Never claimed to be an athlete, but non-athletes tend to get injuries. Probably more so because they are not pros. Never claimed to be, but is that what it takes to have any opinion here? Do you have to be an athlete to have had and understand an injury. My lovely wife is a Physical Therapist and agrees with me.

Sokol | 12:49 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008

Its like a MASH unit...Nurse Sloan and his lovely
assistant Johnson..
Does the word WIMPS mean anything to anybody?
Sorry Prop 8 opponents, its no reflection on you.

This is great | 12:56 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008

I find it incredibly entertaining that the Jazz are experiencing such difficulty. This is going to be a long season for them. Sure' they'll make the playoffs but they'll choke as always. The Jazz had their chance for a title and they'll never have another chance again. In fact it would be best if the Jazz and Utah go their seperate ways.

Matt | 1:10 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008

"(Okur) usually guards (Duncan) anyway," Sloan said this morning. "Tries to. We've never had anybody guard him. That's why we've lost a hundred games against them."

Has there ever been a better quote?

Injuries contagious | 1:28 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008

Can you "catch" an injury from someone like a cold? Why all the sudden injuries?

shatter | 1:33 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008

Has your "lovely wife" examined Williams ankle? I'm sure she knows much more than the team of docs the Jazz employ.

bob carlisle | 1:34 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008

we havent had a full healthy line up yet. and we are still in real good shape in the standings. we only really trail the lakers. arent we better without collins anyway, why is he even listed? why is he even around? fesenko and koufos have better ball skills. colins is just another ostertag or even worse another big country reeves if anyone remebers him. a waste of space.

Re: This is great | 1:38 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008

My vote would be for YOU and Utah to go your separate ways. Anybody with me on that?

Shat | 1:42 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008

A Physical Therapist understands the nature of the injury given the listed severity. It would probably help to examine, but why? I say man-up and get on the floor. If I made millions, I would tape it and play through the pain. As I said, it's a sprain and can't get worse unless you sprain it with a similar motion. I, personally, think the doctors the teams hire now are more worried about injuries than they need to be. Just my opinion...

No need to get rude either, just stating my opinion.

THe Key! | 1:48 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008

Gotta get Collins Healthy!

Millions | 1:52 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008

There are players in the D-league as well as on the Jazz bench that are as good as Korver and Collins.

Harpring was good as a role player in his prime but he won't come back this year.

Waive somebody already.

Don't be Critical | 2:00 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008

It's amazing that the same people who claim to be Jazz fans can be so critical of their own players who are injured. Give them the time to heal before you start whining. Over the 82 game season (plus playoffs)this could be the best thing that happened to the Jazz. Without Okur gone last week, we wouldn't know the true potential of Koufos... CJ is picking it up with 2 straight 20+ point games... Other young players are getting their shots and proving themselves. This gives Sloan the chance to get experience for his young guys - which will pay dividends in the end. If a veteran falters in the playoffs again this year... the Jazz will have more options!

@ shat | 2:05 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008

Harpring may be the best argument against your philosophy. He has played with a "tape it and go and pain be damned" attitude his whole career and that is why he is a 30 year old in a 50 year old body and unable to heal any more!

Terry M. Haimes | 2:22 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008

I'd rather have a healthy second teamer than a taped up first teamer anytime. You can get out there with the tape but you can't move as quick, set up for shot correctly and you will take plays off.

Boozer doesn't play well against Spurs anyway and Price has shown he can get the job done. I'd like to see Fess on the floor some.

My money says streak gets broke.

magnus | 2:32 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008

Has everybody forgotten that williams already tried the "tape it up and get back out there" approach when they needed him on the road trip?

So what was the result?

The ankle got worse and Deron looked like an above average player rather than the All-Star/Olympian that we expect him to be. Seriously people, some of you have the memory of fruit flies.

Korver under no circumstances should be playing with an injured wrist on his SHOOTING hand. I mean all we ask that guy to do is hustle and shoot jump shots and if he can't shoot well because his wrist hurts then he shouldn't be playing.

AK dislocated his pinky and missed two games, I also heard that the did the same thing to his index finger last game and he played through it. If the man said he could't play then it was because he couldn't play, not because he didn't want to.

Collins can stay hurt all year for all I care. Go ahead Jaron take the year off with pay, you've earned it, please just don't play.

Muscle and back injuries are tough because it may look and feel fine, until you try to play.

Tape | 2:36 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008

Assuming Okur gets his normal 15 points and 10 rebounds, Koufos can make up for Boozer's lost 10 rebounds. However, someone is going to have to make up for much of Boozer's lost 20 points. Someone is also going to have to make up Korver's points (3s).

Koufos may get 5 to 10 points. Maybe CJ or SAP will be hot. Maybe Brewer will come through. Harp may be able to contribute.

As long as Knight can actually play we have a decent chance. Denver, throttled Duncan. I hoped they looked at that game film.

On the injuries, you can tape up but it is not the same as being healthy. The last time DWill played it actually hurt the team. Lately Korver has not been helping much either. If Knight can't go, I hope DWill is able to go, as Price in not really a point guard. He goes well part of the time.

Boozer is lucky to walk let alone rebound, cut or position. Korver is not much help if his wrist throws his shot off. A Zone may work against SA.

debate | 2:49 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008

I like the debate going on here. As someone who has sprained each ankle about a dozen times, I can understand where williams is coming from. I have rehabbed my worse ankle, but at only 25, I have found that it has never fully healed, and probably never will. My worst sprains kept me out for a couple of months. Williams is tough and he is the last person that wants to sit. As a fan, I'd say let him sit until he feels he can give it 100%, because if not, he will not be as productive and he will be more susceptible to reinjury.

Also, I can't stand seeing Williams play a sub-par game when he injured because I know he's better than that.

TBagger | 2:56 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008

I had a severe sprain from a pole vaulting accident. Not only was it the worst pain I've ever felt, it took over 3 months to feel even close to 100%. It's too hard to cut on a weak ankle. I've also had basketball sprains that healed much quicker. It all just depends on the severity of the sprain. Deron will go when he's ready to go.

An Asian Perspective | 3:02 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008

By not having Boozer, the Jazz won't give up as much easy points inside as they usually do.

Boozer can score 20 points a game, but he's a liability on defensive end, especially on the road somehow, which perhaps costs the Jazz about 10 points a game.

I'm expecting the Jazz will play better defensively tonight with AK and Milsap playing more time at power forward in place of Boozer.

Jazz Fan | 3:34 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008

I think the Jazz will play well tonight but the Spurs will pull away in the last few minutes. I like the logic of rest the hurt and give the up and coming kids some real minutes, they need it if they are ever going to develop.

Does anyone know why Morris Almond has not gotten much of a chance yet this year? Isn't tonight a perfect opportunity?

magnus | 4:20 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008

@ Jazz Fan

Almond is the antithisis of what Sloan looks for in a player. He is always looking shoot first, he struggles on defense, and he seems to get frustrated when he is not getting his touches offensively. The Jazz have publicly stated that they would like to trade him but nothing has happened...yet. I think he could be a great player, but not in the Jazz system, he just doesn't fit. So to answer your question, it may be a great opportunity, but I don't think the Jazz care whether he plays or not.

@ Asian Perspective

You make good points. I think that while Boozer can be a liability on D I actually think his effort has been a little better this year. I also think that the more bodies you have to throw at Duncan the better, and that while Millsap and AK are great defenders but they are far better off the ball than they are on the ball. When they are at their best is when they are helping from the weak side. So not having Boozer will even have it's downsides on the defensive end.

BigJazzfan | 5:08 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008

Any bets as to how long it takes before Millsap is in guarding duncan?

I think this game will show how much more important defense is from your bigmen than is points.

Let's not be fooled by boozers points,

after all, the system is designed to go through boozer,

so his production and actual benifit to the team is always greatly inflated.

The jazz have always played better as team rather than when they are standing around waiting for the point guard and power forward to do their thing.

J-dizzle | 5:21 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008

Prediction:
Jazz come through and win it by 12. (101-89)
Game ball goes to Millsap/Kirilenko
Both score over fifteen and play stellar d-fense giving the jazz the win in a much closer game then the end score would indicate.

Muy mucho Jazz Fan | 5:31 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008

"The jazz have always played better as team rather than when they are standing around waiting for the point guard and power forward to do their thing."

Yeah, cause we never made it anywhere with the point guard/power forward thing.

RE: BigJazzFan | 5:47 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008

I don't understand why they don't start Millsap and have him guard Duncan in the first place! He's our best defensive big guy and isn't afraid to defend guys like Duncan. I like Okur but he's so soft on defense, it's makes me sick sometimes.

No Booz | 8:09 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008

So far Jazz without Boozer looks pretty pathetic. Not to mention all of the 3 pointers that nobody is contesting.

SA have a lot of young players who can shoot the 3. The Jazz basically have no young players who can do much of anything. That speaks volumes about player development and player selection by the Jazz.

This game is a really bad joke and it exposes many of the Jazz organizational and coaching weaknesses. They do not believe in the 3. They also do not defend it.

Frankly without Boozer or a Boozer like PF they can't score. They also can't defend a wet paper bag.

Are you kidding? | 7:27 p.m. Nov. 22, 2008

I can't believe some of these comments. Not only do MANY sprains take this long to heal, was no one paying attention to the fact that DW was RUSHING to try and get back for the season opener, and RE-INJURED the ankle while scrimmaging? Yes, he was doing well, and by all accounts, really pushing to make it back for the opener... in his words, he 'tweaked' it while scrimmaging. Jazz said he 're-aggravated' it. After that, he was limping again, seemed almost back to square one. Even a fully healed sprain is succeptable to re-injury, which makes one that is NOT fully healed, quite vulnerable. The lesson here? LET THE ANKLE HEAL, or it could turn into something that nags him all year, causing him to miss more games, or worse, becomes a chronic injury that he doesn't come all the way back from...... continued, next post.......

continued... Are you kidding? | 7:36 p.m. Nov. 22, 2008

Now, on to Boozer. I'm sure Sloan really wants Boozer out there, with even less effort, because he has such limited range of motion... and again, the idea of letting the 'strain' become a nagging injury that plagues him all season. Great idea.
To the person who said that Korver hasn't been doing much anyway, he has been doing EXACTLY what so many of you guys are wanting, 'taping it up and playing through it'. Yeah, it's not like a sprained wrist is much of a problem for a SHOOTING GUARD. He's still been 'playing through it', hitting some shots for us, but struggling some (oh, what's that? not only should he tape it up and play through it, but somehow not let it affect his shot?? Ohhh... okay, right.) Now, it seems, Korver may have injured the wrist even further. Let me explain this, injuries differ, and sometimes, playing with an injury actually affects the performance... worse, those injuries are vulnerable to more serious injury. Any more ideas from all of the geniuses suggesting these guys just tape up and play through it?

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