Deseret News | Utah Jazz are in the back of the line for free agents

Reader comments
Randy Hollis: Utah Jazz are in the back of the line for free agents

STEVE-O | 5:48 p.m. July 9, 2009

AGAIN... the Blazers and Rockets are NOT in a better position when compared to the Jazz.
The Rockets won't have Yao all year... they lost Ron Artest... and Mcgrady won't be back until midseason at best. The Rockets might not make the playoffs next year!
The Blazers have a good roster, but haven't been past the first round of the playoffs for YEARS. They are not miles ahead of the Jazz like all these sports writers would have us think.

todd from santa ana | 5:55 p.m. July 9, 2009

about time the Jazz are called to town on this issue lets see if we can trade "snoozie"

Shortsightness | 6:05 p.m. July 9, 2009

The Jazz are victims of their own shortsightness and stubborness. This is typical Jazz. can't make the right decision, can move players like other teams do. They find themselves in the same position every year. There is no hope for this franchise.
Same ole, same ole: same ole Jerry Sloan, same ole KOC, same drafting mediocrity,same stagnant philosophy, same game plan every game and every season and subsequently same result every year.
Yeah, the Jazz might make it to the playoffs as 7th or 8th seed, to finish by being bounced out in the first round and cost the franchise a possible lottery pick. What a vicious cycle this franchise has created for itself?
What is mind boggling is the fact Jerry Sloan fouls himself by thinking that by some kind of magic way he will win something... and all Jazz brass have been under Sloan created mysterious trance... it has been 21 years since. You know it: STILL NO PROGRESS!!!

Comments continue below

preekey | 6:12 p.m. July 9, 2009

Boozer needs to pack his bags and go stink up another team. He is by far one of the softest defenders for his position in the league. tyrus thomas would be a great asset to the Jazz due to his ability to block multiple shots per game and his uptempo play would ignite Williams and this season would be the one to watch if the trade went through. this way we could keep Millsap and have some flexibility to maybe work in the free agent market to pick up some key role players to support our beloved D-Will.
COME ON JAZZ MAKE THIS HAPPEN AND RELIEVE EVERY JAZZ FAN OF THE WOES OF HAVING BOOZER. ANYONE WHO THINKS DIFFERENT NEEDS TO GOOGLE THE POLL ESPN DID ABOUT WHETHER PEOPLE WERE HAPPY BOOZER OPTED IN HIS LAST YEAR IN UTAH. OVER 70% WERE UNHAPPY AND WNATED HIM GONE. KEVIN O'CONNOR MAKE IT HAPPEN AND DO LHM PROUD!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous | 6:29 p.m. July 9, 2009

mistakes do happen, we just hoped that the Jazz will find a remedy on their problems as soon as possible.. if we can start the season with Boozer being traded already, that would be nice to start the season, that would be good for the team.. trading Kirilenko is very unlikely so we just hope that AK will change and play the same way we used to know him, otherwise we just have to suffer with him until his contracts ends, we just have to lived with it, its going to be hard, but things like that do happen, it's a lesson to us

I agree Steve-O | 6:32 p.m. July 9, 2009

But the Lakers, San Antonio, Celtics, Orlando, Dallas, & Cleveland all got better. The Jazz will be about the same which means basically no chance at a championship next year.

utahblazerfan | 7:07 p.m. July 9, 2009

Actually, when considering where the Jazz and the Blazers are now, the Blazers are light years ahead of Utah. It doesn't matter what they did in 2006.

The young core they had last year was the youngest playing rotation in the entire NBA, yet they still won 54 games. They tied with Denver for second over all and the NW championship. But because of tiebreakers, they fell to 4th seed, ended up with a tough matchup and lost to Houston in the first round.

This year, Martell is back (remember the guy who scored 24 in one quarter against you guys?). Oden is reportedly in great condition and is much improved. And they are likely to add a FA or 2.

Portland will probably end up second in the West this year...maybe 3rd. And depending on HOW FAR Oden has progressed, the sky's the limit.

reaper-bruturs | 7:32 p.m. July 9, 2009

You all are clueless, boozer is the key, he had a legitimate injury that all of you wusses would still feel the effects of. Without him they finished 8th. And thats with your false savior millsap at the helm. But most of you are probably used to that anyway. Ak is a waste and you think he is so great, he sucks. You get rid of boozer for a little thomas you can block two shots woopie. We need the offensive firepower that boozer gives not millsap. Millsap will be a huge dissapointment. The Jazz will not make the playoffs all because of stupidity like this. I am embarrased to have been a jazz fan for my whole life with stuff like this goin down. It is a shame that you weak excusses for basketball fans can actually think it would be a good idea to get rid of boozer. Yes lets keep millsap and Ak they are so good. Boozer is an Olympian and an Allstar. No wonder Portland wants this trade, they upgrade and take Utahs inside game away so they can kick our asses! Nice idea!

Indian Joe | 7:37 p.m. July 9, 2009

I remember when Jazz fans thought that Sloan was crazy when all he talked about was defense and I remember fans were bagging Sloan for not concetrating on Offense. now that we have a player that is offensive minded and a very good rebounder, everyone wants to railroad him. It don't make sense.

Re: Anonymous | 7:37 p.m. July 9, 2009

Problem is: Jazz dont learn! They will repeat the same mistake time after time. Look at their track record. That is why they dont get any different result. They do the same thing, irregardless of its nature: wrong or right, they repeat the same thing. have you ever heard of Greg ostertag with his astronomical contract? See Kirilenko. have you ever heard of a guy named John Amaechi? Polynice? I will admit polynice and Amaechi did not have enourmous contrats but the mistake of signing these players is the same.

Joe | 8:55 p.m. July 9, 2009

The real problem started years ago when Larry Miller said Sloan could stay as long as he wants. I believe in loyalty, as long as there's production. It's not the players that are the problem at this time, but the philosophy of Jerry Sloan. He's a great fundamentals coach, but that's where it ends. His old school approach and "I'm not going to change" attitude explain a lot. One, he hasn't had to worry about job security despite not producing a championship all this time. Two, he admits he doesn't have a relationship with his players. He's had some of the best players of all time, and they have come close. But these days you can't work on making a team for a couple or three years. It's a much faster expectation than it used to be and recruiting, free agency and being in a small market like Salt Lake means you have to be very good at allthing just to compete. Jerry Sloan has had many seasons of not winning the big prize, and I believe there's a point where you learn to lose. Otherwise, he's great!

Joe | 9:02 p.m. July 9, 2009

Fixing grammar...being in a small market like Salt Lake means you have to be good at all things just to compete.

Westg323 | 2:54 a.m. July 10, 2009

Yet year in year out Jazz make the playoffs. Except for this injury plagued year they have been a threat in he playoffs. Some teams have definite advantages over Utah and it's small market and misunderstood culture.We will have to make for lack of superstars with Sloan's hustle and team ball.It has almost worked twice before, but we're overdue.

Recession | 8:30 a.m. July 10, 2009

In a recession the well managed companies get stronger and the poorly managed companies get weaker. That is clearly happening in the NBA right now.

Dallas is a good example. They have managed to trade Stackhouse (7 mill, 2 guaranteed), George, Wright and cash for Marion, Humprhies, Jawai, and Buckner. Buckner's 4 mill contract is non guaranteed so he can be cut or traded for cap purposes. Dallas is at 69.9 mill right now on the cap without Gortat. They gave up players producing 10 points for players producing more than 20 and still have 4 mill to play with.

The Jazz on the other hand have Harp's expiring contract and they have spent more on Okur. They also have a couple of lousy one sided sucker offers on Boozer.

Don't blame this on the "small market". This is purely a function of bad management. The Jazz are extremely unwilling to make changes they need to make. I do not know if the problem is Sloan who has override on all trades, KOC or above. I don't blame Greg. He did not create the mess and needs time to figure it out.

Comments | 8:51 a.m. July 10, 2009

Utah is only a small market compared to LA in the West. DEN, POR, NO, OKC and SA are just as small if you look at the demograhics. Utah has and is growing rapidly and has fans nationally and internationally.

This is not a poor franchise. It is a mismanaged franchise.

The bad contracts come from years of management style by Larry. They also are a function of Sloan's philosophies as he has more power than a coach normally would and should. That distorts the way the Jazz management functions. KOC has been stuck in the middle.

Things will not change until Greg rearranges the formal organizational structure and gives KOC or whoever is GM the actual GM powers. That means that Sloan will be the coach not the GM and defacto owner of the Jazz.

There are many things about Sloan that are good but it is unwise to concentrate that much power in the coach. A group decision approach produces better results. Sloan's power has produce an unwillingness to make needed changes. Miller's approach overpaid specific players while underfunding the total talent of the team.

Change the organizational structure and you will get results.

Re: Comments | 10:02 a.m. July 10, 2009

"Change the organizational structure and you will get results".

Amen to that. Couldn't have said it any better.

Chanage, Change, Change | 10:46 a.m. July 10, 2009

Like it or not Boozer is one of the best power forwards in the league. I do not think the Jazz will be able to trade for someone who can generate the same numbers.A player can improve his defense.If we stay healthy I doubt this discussion will be taking place in the spring. Other than Boozer will leave becuase more and better teams will be able to step up next year with an offer.The Jazz will resign Milsap thats a given and you won't be able to trade AK becuase of his salary. So what changes are left. Who could you honestly bring in here that would have that much of an impact. I think they have found a way to use AK's skills coming off the bench. Last year the rotation was not the what the Jazz had envisioned due to all the injuries. It easy to complain be really take a look around the league we have a solid,talented team. As for coach Sloan again look around who is available to take a small market team to the next level. We have all the pieces in place. They need to step up

Wahoo | 11:03 a.m. July 10, 2009

Hollis might get swilled if he walked into the Energy Solutions Arena

Grammar police | 11:20 a.m. July 10, 2009

@ Joe: if you really wanted to fix your grammar you would say...
being in a small market like Salt Lake means you have to be good at EVERYTHING just to compete.

the good old American education system fails us one again. If this country spent a little bit less on its military going out and destroying other countries and more on our educational system; we might be as well educated as those "evil" socialist Europeans.

The Jazz are toast this year and it really pains me as a fan.

For those that think that Portland isn't above the Jazz in talent you all really ignorant. Their core is so much better than ours. In talent Roy=dwill. Everyone else they have is light years ahead of Utah in youth and ability.

Additionally, everyone talks about SA as if it was 2-5 years ago. I'm beginning to think it is actually the same person. If my memory serves me correctly, they were bounced in the first round too. Dallas and Denver are far superior to them even with the addition of Jefferson.
SA is over the hill, however, they are still better than the Jazz.

John Wicks | 12:14 p.m. July 10, 2009

I'm tired of all the rumors and speculation. Let's see action for once in KOC life!!!

P2P2K | 1:41 p.m. July 10, 2009

I want all those with neg comments to forfeit their passes for the Jazz bandwagon this year when the Jazz make a run at the title with the exact team from last year. We never saw this team lift off the ground because of injuries last year. For you Boozer haters, there's 20 seconds left, down by 1. You can't tell me you want to see D-will and Millsap run the pick-and-roll over D-will and Boozer. Watch the end of game three last playoffs if you can't remember that long ago.

Re: Grammar Police | 2:41 p.m. July 10, 2009

Do you want to see an example of why it's risky to correct another person's grammar?

In your post you wrote, "For those that think that Portland isn't above the Jazz in talent you all really ignorant."

You're the all-knowing, grammar wizard, so tell me why you didn't write, "For those WHO think that Portland isn't above the Jazz in talent, you all ARE really ignorant."?

Go Jazz!!

SteveW | 3:17 p.m. July 10, 2009

I am not convinced that its the market that holds the Jazz back. Portland is a small market. San Antonio is considered a small market. Niether has any problem landing good free agents.

You can attribute some of it to the perception many people have (true or not) about Utah being Mormon, boring, homogenous and alcohol-free.

There is more than that. How often do you hear the Jazz mentioned in trade rumors? How often do you hear the Jazz mentioned in pursuing free agents? We are a loyal bunch here; maybe loyal to a fault. Free agents won't come here unless Kevin O'Connor expresses an interest and truly pursues them. The Jazz won't be involved in trades unless O'Connor actively pursues those opportunities.

The happy days when it was the Stockton and Malone family and we wouldn't dream of breaking it up are over. Its time to get aggresive in building a serious, winning team.

Miles | 3:58 p.m. July 10, 2009

@Grammar Police.....Crawl back into your hole. This is a sports section, not a Literature section. Here people voice their opinions and everyone makes fun of them. You will be no exception to the verbal abuse.

the Mailman | 7:25 p.m. July 10, 2009

@shortsightness

Well said.

The Jazz stay the same, hoping the same things that have failed in the past will somehow work next season.

It will never change until Jerry Sloan decides to give it away..orginisations are always a reflection of the person in charge.

Shaybo | 9:14 p.m. July 10, 2009

Apparently your allowed to bring politics into this "sports" story but if someone takes you to task it gets edited out.

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