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Utah Jazz notebook: Sloan likes to see mid-range jumper

Play Koofus!

"Individual, one-on-defense, we get broken off the dribble and guys are driving by us like we're not even there. That's not very good," Sloan said. "You can talk about help defense all you want, but, you know, in this league you've got to help yourself first. And after you've helped yourself, then you might be able to holler for help."

Pundits commenting here have been bagging on Okur and Boozer for their less than stellar defense since the dark ages. The "truth" as they don't want it known, has finally surfaced.

All you Williams, Miles, Price, Brewer lovers take note. It's continually a "BACKCOURT" player that lights us up. (e/g Devin Harris). Seldom is a "BIG" responsible for bringing us down.

Our lack of Backcourt defense has had our bigs overloaded since the beginning. I'm only too happy that Sloan finally had the guts to call a "SPADE A SPADE."

I've been a CJ fan for quite awhile, I think he can eventially be the go to guy on the team) but we won't see him become that player until he does what Sloan is talking about, polish the mid range shot and beome more effective taking the ball to the hole. To CJ's credit he is trying to take the ball to the hole more but he still needs to become stronger and better at it. Harpring shoots the midrange curl jumper pretty good, and you can see that Korver (and Brewer to a lesser degree) have been working on that this off season. Almond probably shoots the mid range shot as well as anyone on the team, he just needs to learn to do the others things Sloan wants to become a more complete player and not so selfish.
Sometimes I'm critical of Sloan because he makes it tough for young players to gain confidence because he is so critical and negative but if they will listen to him and work hard to do the things he teaches, they will be better for it.

If you want defense then write rewards into the contracts for defense or give bonuses for defense. AK is currently the highest paid player and perhaps the best defender. However, you need to reward the specific behavior you want performed on a game by game basis.

Start paying a bonus for defense each night and see what happens. Start paying $1000 for each steal, block etc.

Ditto for 2 point jumpers. Start paying for each 2 point jumper and see what happens.

You have to give immediate rewards. Salary (in the long run) is tied to the high light reel. It rewards 3s and dunks etc.

Is there anything in the nba rules or bargaining contract that prevents payment of bonuses?

Maybe give a weekly $10000 for most improved defensive player each week (selected by the coaches). That is only about $300,000 a season. If you paid $25000 a week it might make a big difference and really would not cost much extra compared to what you are already paying in salary.

Winning is not boring. I wish the Jazz would get back to winning.

Pay players $1000 per steal/block? You are retarded.

Is anyone sure what he likes exactly? Doesn't like dunks, doesn't like 3 pointers, doesn't like CJ, doesn't like Ostertag, doesn't like head bands...the list could go on forever.

Last thing these guys need is more money.........

Ya, we know what Sloan likes...WINNING!!!! He likes players who like to do what it takes to win.

What an idiot..asking his players to make themselves better, play defense, hit open jump shots, and actually win games!! Heaven forbid!!!

My guess, if Sloan could say it, he would probably say he hates stupid fans who obviously don't know the first thing about what it takes to get QUALITY (vs. the easy gimme) wins in the NBA.

If you look around the league, the teams that are serious contenders don't just bomb 3's and dunk all night. They play defense, hit jumpers that break the will of their opponents, and they do the little things.

If you want a coach to help you run a circus/gimmick show then you might be able to get Don Nelson (oops they've lost 7 in a row). You also might be able to get Eddie Jordan he likes his players to go one on one and the Wizards had license to shoot as many 3's as they wanted. Oops he just got fired.

Wow this does not sound as good as you thought eh?

Get a clue.

Sloan has harped on defense for years with no results. What is retarded is to keep doing the same things over and over and expecting to get different results.

The Jazz have to create a culture of defense. One other way for that to happen is for the fans to demand it. The fans need to declare certain nights, defense night and demand good defense.

LA fans demand defense at almost every game. They bring signs and chant defense. LA has a culture of defense.

On the money, many of the younger less well paid players will adjust for additional bonuses. However, it is more important that the Jazz as an organization make a statement that defense is important and back it up with more than Sloan nattering about it.

If you have better ideas I want to hear them because the Jazz are going nowhere.

It is not just a matter of getting healthy. It is a matter of getting everything that every player can give when they are on the floor.

Sloan has limited options. He can't really sit anyone as he needs them to play.

This year's "better" defense is a funtion of weak opponents.

Ernest T. Bass would like to see Sloan's midrange jumper.

Like $1,000 would motivate Okur to get a steal. Either the players want to win a championship or they don't. Money is not a motivator when you have more than you need. Sloan needs to reward defense and punish those who won't make an effort. He is the PROBLEM. Last I looked, he controls who plays and who doesn't play. Maybe he should point the finger at himself. Or get a new assistant who can teach proper defensive positioning and footwork. Oh and if you were wondering, I don't like Sloan as the coach of this team.

The whole salary issue in the NBA needs to be addressed. Salaries for all pro players should be based on performance, games played ect. I would have salaries based on years of experience, past performance levels, and teams final standing, or record and individual stats, like assists, rebounds, points, blocks, minutes played ect. Long term contracts guaranteed need to change and be done away with, and put more into a retirement package based on years played. The NBA is in a financial situation that resembles our current national financial markets. Someone better take note soon or this little game may be in serious trouble very soon.

Just like every other union the NBA players union gets what is good for the players with little care about anyone or anything else. That is what unions are all about--getting paid whether your performance is lousy or not.

Speaking of unions, I was listening to the Dave Ramsey show last night on the radio. A guy called in who worked as a union employee in a GM plant that would be closing in a few months. He did not have a degree. He was trying to decide what to do with the $140 OOO that GM was GIVING HIM TO QUIT HIS JOB!! He was in his 30's!!!

Unions are great aren't they? How many of us get paid 140K to quit your job?? Sounds good until you realize anyone buying a car (from the big 3) has all that RIDICULOUS cost built into it.

NBA unions essentially perform the same function. Getting lots of money for the players when 85% of them only perform at/near their peak the year their contract will be up. Forget actually earning or deserving your money. Get something for nothing is what unions are all about.

Houston has a culture of defense. They recruit defensive players (they need offense). Boston has a culture of defense. They have team leaders who play and demand defense of the whole team. SA has a coach who demands defense and will sit a super star for not playing defense. Detroit also plays defense to some extent.

LA is learning a culture of defense. They know they lost a ring to bad defense. The LA fans also demand defense as they know the same thing.

The Jazz have to create a culture of defense. When it is a priority by the owner, coaches, team leaders, and fans it will become a priority and it will happen.

I still feel that you have to reward the behaviors you want performed. You do not get good results with just punishments. Besides, Marbury still gets his money even if he sits (the union will fight his fines). Sitting is not much of a punishment in many cases.

Since you don't like the money reward idea then how about KFAN and the Jazz radio/tv system picking the "Jazz Defensive Player" of each game or each week? Maybe a sponser could donate a few bucks in the name of the player to charities.

Publicly give defense the same air time and attention as the offensive perfomances. Huntley and other announcers can help create a culture of defense. Who pays Huntley? That emphasis can be added in a hurry.

Start a defensive blog about the Jazz and comment on each game and player. Give each player a defensive rating for each game and track improvement over time. SLC Dunk or one of the other Jazz blogs could add that easily.

The only thing Sloan likes is a John Deere tractor

Maybe you should apply for the vacancy when Sloan leaves. Looks like you have it all figured out. I bet you coach Jr. Jazz.

I'm tired of Sloan crying even after the Jazz win. It never ends! He is after something he is never going to get. The problem starts with Boozer. Worst defender on the team and supposedly one of the team leaders. Also, D-Will is a below average defender. Did you see the job he did on Harris the other night? I know he's injured, blah blah blah!! Until the team leaders are putting a full effort on D the Jazz will remain short of the prize.

He has won NBA Coach of the Year 3 times. Has Jerry?

Will never win coach of the year, because Jerry's teams have never sucked, if he took over a crapy team and won, then he would the NBA doesn't care about consistancy.

I don't how sloan can talk about hornacek.

Yet, he never once ran a single play for him.