Deseret News | Road woes continue for Jazz

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Road woes continue for Jazz

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K.O.K. | 1:00 a.m. Dec. 20, 2007

Wow.Great off season.What are you working on now.

Klayton Swenson | 1:01 a.m. Dec. 20, 2007

Personally I think what the problem with the Jazz right now is the fact that they no longer have Derrick Fisher. This Jazz team is basically the same as the one last year, but they're falling apart late in games because they don't have any veteran leadership to guide them in these situations anymore. I still have faith that the Jazz can pull out of this eventually, but they probably wouldn't have gotten themselves into this predicament to begin with if a guy like Fisher was still here.

S. Beck | 1:49 a.m. Dec. 20, 2007

The Jazz will bounce back quickly is my belief. . .The need is for momentum and being consistent. Their physical play is fine, but does need the emotional fix which will give a fine them the extra which is now missing. they are on the verge and will break thru on this road trip.

Comments continue below

Jimmy's Sneakers | 6:57 a.m. Dec. 20, 2007

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Gretzky | 7:25 a.m. Dec. 20, 2007

Time for Sloan to retire. I suggest hiring Isaiah Thomas.
Better yet, LHM should sell the basketball team and bring in an NHL hockey team instead. Now that would be some seriously good entertainment.

Anonymous | 8:21 a.m. Dec. 20, 2007

Put a fork in it were done.

Jazz Hopeful | 8:25 a.m. Dec. 20, 2007

My comment is simple, does anyone else notice that the Jazz roll when AK get's fully involved? I think D-will and Boozer need to recognize they need help and need to get others involved earlier instead at the end of the shot clock. They are too predictable

J | 8:36 a.m. Dec. 20, 2007

Until the Jazz have somebody that is a legitimate outside threat, the Jazz are going to face a lot of Zone Defenses. I agree we need leadership, but we also need a Hornacek. Why would another team want to play man defense and fight through all those screens when they could play zone and laugh as they watch Brewer and AK take 20 footers.

tired of the jazz organization | 8:53 a.m. Dec. 20, 2007

For all you Sloan lovers you can have him. Its obvious that he has lost control of this team, and He cant figure out how to beat a zone defense. The Jazz totally deserve a bad year they didn't do anything in the off season to improve. Larry Miller has no you know what to make any big trades. This is the year they should have tried to win a championship, instead a first round exit if that.

LB | 8:58 a.m. Dec. 20, 2007

The problems with the Jazz lie primarily at the feet of Jerry Sloan. The players want to will, as does Sloan, but Jerry has no idea how to effectively lead a team through adversity. He thinks that criticism and a lack of ability to control his temper will bring victory. What a joke, a bad one at that. Jerry can't see anything good in anything that's done, win or lose. There's a "law" of human behavior. It says, "What you pay attention to will increase." If it's negativity, negativity will increase. Conversely, if it's positive things you pay attention to, they, too, will increase. JS has no concept of that. As good as he is in the fundamentals, he knows nothing about relating to people. Larry Miller ought to see the light someday and fire the man. The sooner he does, the better for the team.

Sloan Hater | 9:21 a.m. Dec. 20, 2007

I can't agree with you more LB. Sloan is our problem. He is overrated as a coach. And everyone wonders why he never wins coach of the year. At the end of games when we have a chance to win, case in point the hawks game, instead of calling a timeout, settling everyone down he lets miles jack up a three. First off i want to see miles succeed but when you play 10 minutes a game and ya jack up 2 shots a minute and ya only make 3. Why is he even in the rotation?? i like the brewer, giricek, collins and some cash for Maggette deal. Maggette brings athleticism and veteran leadership,a big guard who can defend and has no problem being in Utah. Until the jazz get rid of Sloan, let D-Will take over the game at the end like we all know he can, and make a big trade. We are 8th seed(sadly)at best. Sloan is burying us into the cellar.

Leisure Suit Larry | 9:25 a.m. Dec. 20, 2007

Hmmm... I wonder... Are the players tanking it to get Sloan fired? I have been a huge Jerry Sloan fan for a long time but I am starting to wonder if getting a new coach would not be the best thing for this team. The team doesn't listen to him anymore. The team doesn't respect him anymore and I believe they are not playing their best ball on purpose. Why else would such a talented team underachieve so bad???

PBH | 9:37 a.m. Dec. 20, 2007

To LB and Sloan Hater - you really don't know much about basketball, do you? No matter who the coach is, you're not going to bust a zone w/o outside shooting. The biggest reason you are seeing other teams play so much zone is because Okur is out. When he's back, he'll pull them out of the zone and the offensive execution will improve. This is a good thing for Boozer and Williams to go through to add to their experience. Quit whining and understand that there is an ebb and flow to an NBA season. They'll get back to their winning ways when they get back home and get some wins in the ESA.

Realist | 9:39 a.m. Dec. 20, 2007

Sloan's a has-been, or never-will-be. He loses his temper when the heat goes up and has no ability to hang on at the end. The players "don't listen anymore?" They professionals just as Jerry is. They want to win just as much as he ever did. The problem is, Jerry gets rattled and loses his head, then he treats people like they were worthless. Andre was right, it's Jerry's team and Jerry doesn't have a clue how to hang on to what should be sure win. LHM is killing himself by worshiping this ner-do-well coach!

ED | 10:17 a.m. Dec. 20, 2007

The problem is Sloan, and you can break it down real easy:
-jazz don't work for 3's in their offense (watch spurs as counterpoint)
-jazz always try for layups & overpass trying to get them - hence the turnovers.
-jazz crowd the inside (congesting their quest for layups) to get offensive rebounds, but when someone misses a jumper, they're all under the basket and teams fast-break like crazy on them w/ the long rebound.
-sloan is more interested in recreating stockton to malone than creating something new with totally different personnel.

Ed your Wrong | 10:32 a.m. Dec. 20, 2007

The problem is Memo he is riding the freaking bench. He is being a baby. When he is in we have an outside shooting threat. When he is crying on the bench we get beat 5 out of 6. Just dump Gira he is the most inconsistent player on the team. I would blame Miller, Oconner, Dw, Boozer, Ak, Brewer, Paul, The Refs, David Stern, The Fans, and The rest of the team that don't get to play. Before I would blame Jerry.

Next 6 Games | 10:35 a.m. Dec. 20, 2007

We are going to be 14-19 at the end of this month if we keep playing like this. Tough schedule ahead. At least we lead the league in fouls.

Come on | 10:44 a.m. Dec. 20, 2007

I agree with PBH, you guys need to quit whining about Sloan and realize what the real problem is. (It is funny how at the first of the season everyone was saying Sloan for coach of the year and now that things aren't good it is all his fault) The problem is that the out side shooting for the Jazz is laughable. And other teams know this so that is why they are able to use the zone effectively. Sloan cant make his guys make shots. It also doesnt help that we have no veteran leadership down the stretch either.
All in all we have many issues and to blame it on just Sloan is very closed minded and immature. The Jazz will pull out of this it is just a matter of time, just hope it doesnt take too long.

hawaiijazzfan | 10:54 a.m. Dec. 20, 2007

you know, im sick of these so called jazz fans who make stupid proclaimations about get rid of andrei or get rid of okur. now its get rid of jerry. i think it just goes to show you that without all those pieces, we dont make another run to the conference finals. we need harp back, we need more bench scoring, we need someone to set up williams to break the zone. ive played against zones before. williams is the best shooter on the team. its hard to get a quality shot off when you are handing the ball. much easier on a zone to catch and shoot. the jazz need to down pick, use some uconn curls that rip uses to get free and have andrei set up williams to shoot. without okurs shooting, the jazz are gonna continue to struggle cause teams are just gonna pack the zone and lets face it, collins is not going to be that offensive rebounder that we need to give boozer a safety net when he shoots. we need a 10 game winning streak like now. go jazz.

Tired of Jazz organization | 10:57 a.m. Dec. 20, 2007

why do people stick up for Sloan? We need a change badly.

rsfarmerjd | 11:09 a.m. Dec. 20, 2007

If you look back at the 5 games Williams averaged 31 points and could take over the game and win and Sloan in all his wisdom stated on t.v. for all the world to hear that some on the team just seemed to be playing to make the all star team. Since that up lifting comment Williams has been playing with his head down missing free throws, committing turnovers and not taking enough shots. I can't remember the last time I have seen Sloan laugh, smile, or compliment a player's game. All a team needs to do to beat us is pack 5 players in the paint and let us force in a pass for a turnover. They know we won't shoot from outside because Sloan thinks the three point shot is illegal!! Sloan's perfect game is to have all 115 points scored in the paint with 1 second left on the play clock.

TYLER | 11:23 a.m. Dec. 20, 2007

I disagree with the Sloan haters too! You can't blame Sloan that Giricek is the most inconsistant player in the world and doesn't know what traveling is! The only problem with Sloan is his inability to defend the 3. Other than that he is a great coach, and I'd say under the circumstances I would be a little negative too!

It's true we have no outside shot. Deron needs to shoot a little more outside in the beginning of the game to mix things up on nights when his shot is on. Also we truly do need Memo and his money back! I think Almond needs a chance to show his shot that was apparently so good in the NCAA. What do we have to lose!

Jazz are dying | 11:25 a.m. Dec. 20, 2007

LHM...needs to be careful, if the Jazz keep this up, fans are going to continue to drift toward the Checketts side of life at RSL.

zone boy | 11:40 a.m. Dec. 20, 2007

Has a Jerry Sloan team ever been able to beat a zone? Through most of the Stockton and Malone era, zones were illegal, but now they are going to be thrown at the Jazz every time they play. The Jazz have two players that can shoot over the top, one is injured and Sloan sent the other one home. It's just as well, Sloan has berated him so much he's afraid to shoot anymore. But not AK, he has no problem throwing up bricks from 27 feet. AK is a much better player than Ostertag ever dreamed of being, but he is playing with as much consistency. I generally consider myself a Sloan fan, but he's got to devise a better attack against a zone.

Jake | 11:41 a.m. Dec. 20, 2007

It is quite shocking how many people are calling for Sloans head. We dont need a quick fix coach, I was excited to hear Sloan stay on for one more year. Nothing beats a little loyalty to a team and wanting to stick around and watch young players develop.
Now trading away Brewer for Maggette is really dumb because Brewer is the man and he is only a soph. so if we keep him around he will be exciting to watch for years to come.
Now that Giricek is acting like a baby we do have the opportunity to bring up Morris Almond and give him some minutes.
Also we have Memo hurt who would help from the outside and Harpring hurt that would help us bang down low so when we get those guys back we will be fine.
Sloan in an interview on 1320 kfan said that he is worried about the confidence of the players every day so i dont think he is too interested in only tearing players apart. He is a good coach and you all will miss him when he is gone.

Anonymous | 11:52 a.m. Dec. 20, 2007

Zone Boy nailed it.

Vernal Roid | 11:54 a.m. Dec. 20, 2007

The Jazz do this every season, and everyone jumps on the fire Sloan band wagon, I have yet to see Jerry score any points, He's a coach and a good one,He's not a player,And can't solve the worlds problems. and whoever said trade Brewer, Collins, and Gira, your crazy, Brewer has a huge up side that is just beginning to show, Just relax it will be ok.

INTERESTING... | 11:54 a.m. Dec. 20, 2007

Very interesting to bring Checketts into the equation. If Checketts owned the Jazz right now, things would be getting done to improve. What a terrible off-season, and a terrible front-office. Time to make some changes. And to all of you that claim Jazz fans are overreacting, do you watch the games? It's easy to see this team is doomed (if you know basketball). Without a drastic change, we as fans are getting ripped off by Larry H. Miller. As long as he makes his money right... Plenty of pieces to shop around, now do something productive, and risky for once. Hart, Price, not the answer in the off-season. What a slap in the face to Jazz fans who expect, and deserve more. The Jazz are bad this year. One and done in the playoffs.

Sloan is not the problem | 12:21 p.m. Dec. 20, 2007

Jerry Sloan's record speaks for itself. You don't win as much has he has without being a decent coach. To be honest, NBA coaches are all overrated. Phil Jackson loses Shaq and say good bye to championships. Coaching makes more difference the lower the skill of the player (high school and college). Professional sports is different. Most of these players could be coaches themselves and the team would play about the same.The Jazz need outside shooters as well as better defenders at the 2 guard.

Bob | 12:26 p.m. Dec. 20, 2007

If Checketts was in the equation, we would have no team to watch, except watching a Soccer team that won't be here for long. The Jazz will eventually get things together and with Gira in the dog house let's try Almond out.

Blame the Bell Boy | 12:35 p.m. Dec. 20, 2007

If the Jazz still had Raja Bell, things would be different...

Having watched every single game | 12:39 p.m. Dec. 20, 2007

...I can honestly say that the Jazz are in trouble right now. The offense is disjointed (at best), and their "defensive strategy" is to hack anyone who touches the ball. I'm not sure if the players know this, but it is much easier to hit free throws than jumpshots...on second thought, based on their own "ability", maybe they do think that free throws are difficult. Anyway, here are my suggestions to get back to winning:
- Play straight-up defense, quit slapping at the ball
- Don't try to jam a pass into the lane between three defenders
- Quit trying circus shots at the rim, just go up strong. You will get fouled more if you do this.
- Take the open jumper, don't dribble into traffic and take the contested fade-away
- Oh, and Williams needs to take 20 shots a game. He's our best shooter and 2nd best finisher.

Stupid Bandwagon Fans | 1:11 p.m. Dec. 20, 2007

The Jazz are definitely struggling, but they will pull through. They still can play with anyone.

Those of you saying "Fire Sloan" and "We suck" should find another team, we don't want you as Jazz fans you bandwagoners. You are the same people who jumped off the bandwagon when the Jazz struggled at the end of last season, and didn't clinch homecourt, but then you jumped back on when they made the playoff run.

If you say stick a fork in the Jazz, then you stop being a fan, and don't come running back when they make another playoff run.

As for all you faithful Jazz fans, keep up the good work, they are struggling now, but be patient they will put it together!

Who Likes Soccer?!?! | 1:19 p.m. Dec. 20, 2007

That's the funniest thing I've ever read. The most watched soccer player in Utah is Manu Ginobili. Soccer is the most boring game in the world!!

Leave Sloan Alone | 1:39 p.m. Dec. 20, 2007

The reason the Jazz are struggling right now has nothing to do with Sloan. For the last 8 to 9 games they have either been without "Memo" or Memo was playing with a hurt shoulder limiting his outside shooting. When he is healthy, Memo is the one outside threat the Jazz have. If fact because of the play of Paul Milsap I am willing to say that the Jazz miss Memo much more than they would miss Boozer. Memo is a much better defender than Boozer and so is Milsap. With a healthy Memo on the floor, teams can't pack in the zone or he'll burn them with the three. And Jaron Collins is almost worthless. He can't shoot and he can't jump high enough to defend - have you ever seen him block a shot? Some will say that Memo isn't very good - well you can see the Jazz aren't very good without him.

I like Soccer. | 1:50 p.m. Dec. 20, 2007

...I do.

Jazz will get it together! | 2:17 p.m. Dec. 20, 2007

They need to come home for a few games. I'm hoping they can win in Orlando, because that would be a huge win.
I see the problem has been:
Defense - Boozer is one of the best on the offensive end, but needs to work on defense!
FT shooting - the Jazz are shooting a poor %, while opponents are shooting 40-50 attempts per game!!
Shooting - Really missing Memo and Harpring!

How can you put all the blame on Sloan? He can't shoot the FTs for the Jazz.

It is funny how the coach who should have won coach of the year last year is getting all this criticism! I don't know where the Jazz would be without him, he is one of the best around!!

Chris | 2:41 p.m. Dec. 20, 2007

Memo stretches the zone--therefore the zone isn't a factor when Memo is on the floor.
Problem is, he is realistically our only reliable shooter. Giricek is on his way out, and we can't always depend on the 20-foot jumpers from D-Will.
The Jazz should make the playoffs, but with the lacking of at least two reliable shooters--the Jazz seem destined for a similar fate.
O'Connor should pull the trigger on a deal, but the problem is, we have players no one wants.
The starting five has proved to be solid--but Hart seems confused as a point, Harpring and his tummy, and P-Hustle and his fouls keep the Jazz losing 8 out of the last 9.
If the ship isn't righted soon--hell hath no mercy.
Or you could just look at it as another slump by a young team.
(Anyone remember what happened to the Clippers after they made their run to the playoffs a couple years ago? I'm crossing my fingers too)

Pushing the Paint | 2:48 p.m. Dec. 20, 2007

I just finnish watching the Seattle game. The game seem as though it was a highschool game. The jazz need to go full speed for 48 minutes. Coach Sloan needs to watch the game from a different angle to see the lack of movement. In practice they need to learn how to break the zones. I would go 5 on 7 than 4 on 8 than 3 on 9. This way they would learn how to break a zone

tough times lead to good times | 2:51 p.m. Dec. 20, 2007

Everyone is fired up that's good, that's because we have a franchise that is used to winning and losing is unacceptable. I am as mad as anyone, I love the Jazz and I expected and still expect good things this year. Jordan kept getting knocked out of the playoffs by Detroit, then ended up winning 6 titles. The Lakers got beat a total of 8-1 in 2 playoff series with the Jazz back to back years and won 3 titles. Williams and Boozer are our future and this gives them more experience. We have given away the last 2 games, we had a good sized lead and were ready to blow it open and then we lost. It is frustrating and I am sick of it, but hey that's just how it goes sometimes. Let's support our team. Enough with the Sloan garbage, he is a hall of fame coach. How many of you said that about him after we made it to the Western Confernece Finals and were sitting at 13-5 this season? We need better outside shooting and don't under estimate Mem's value to the team, he spreads the floor and opens the paint. We need him back.

tough times lead to good times | 3:08 p.m. Dec. 20, 2007

I think we have the most negative fans in the NBA. What is the deal with that? Even after we lost to the Kings that started this losing spell everyone was saying that we were done for the year and that we were going nowhere. Support your team through good and bad. Maybe if our crowd would get loud even during games like Portland which is not an elite team 9 game winning streak or not and not just assume we are going to win the game, we could put more energy into our team. If nothing else, look at the positive side, we are getting experience, look at how young of a team we have for the most part. Don't you see a bright future here? Every player and every team goes through tough times in their career and that is what makes players better. Enough with the fire sloan garbage and I will not even comment on the Isaiah Thomas joke of bringing him in because Sloan sure aint no Isaiah.

Sokel | 3:14 p.m. Dec. 20, 2007

Time to pull out the brown paper sack for wearing purposes at the next Jazz game and for that queezy feeling while watching.
If the Sloan system were so good, then why aren't other players jumping in and producing. The problem
is the Jazz tried to find 'shade tree' bargain basement guards to fill their voids, and put the loads on the rest of the team.
Our management has no clue what to do or are stubbornly holding on to a broken system.

Where is Sloan starting an entirely new team...trying to reverse the trend...grabbing a
loose player for fill in or something.

We fans are getting screwed by a stubborn owner and coach.

RSL? | 3:32 p.m. Dec. 20, 2007

Hey "Jazz are dying" that was the most ridiculous comment that has ever been posted. Basketball fans going over to RSL? I hope that was a joke. Everyone needs to stop freaking out and get behind the team. Changes need to be made and they will. We have a good team. Sloan is a good coach and he has been dedicated for 20 years. Look at his winning percentage and tell me he is a bad coach. All of you saying the Jazz suck now are the same ones that said they were amazing when the season started. Terrible fans.

die hard | 4:01 p.m. Dec. 20, 2007

WOW No D what so ever. Bunch of lazy bums. TRADE AK SO I CAN QUIT WATCHIN DERON AND BOOZERS TEAM!

EH | 4:27 p.m. Dec. 20, 2007

I can't believe anyone would question Jerry Sloan as a coach. The man embodies basketball. I live in DC and can't stomach watching the Wizards with their run and gun garbage ball. You're all lucky to have the Jazz and Sloan and you'd certainly miss both if/when they leave. Don't forget that you are in small market and most of the country, apart from Jazz junkies like me, could give a rat's rear end about the Jazz. If Sloan retires and the Jazz have a couple really down seasons, who knows what could happen. The Baltimore Jazz has a ring to it.

Keep the faith and support the great team you have. The alternatives can be a lot worse!

new-coach | 4:36 p.m. Dec. 20, 2007

Its time to hop back on the John Deer tractor and ride off into the sunset Sloan and never turn back!

Jazzsmack | 4:41 p.m. Dec. 20, 2007

Clearly people who support sloan don't know basketball. When gira is benched for not passing the ball inside, is is clearly a sytemic problem.

This is sloans system he like players that do things his way. And that pass the ball into boozer.

Boozer and deron get all the glory and points because they part of the system. They other players including brewer or horny or Ak or who ever else is playing are after thoughts in the offense.

So boozer and deron are happy they treated better by the and benfit by the system, while it is bad for everyone else. Unless do exactly what tryrant wants to do sloan, someone like collins remains on the team or non shoottrs like brewer.

Jazzsmack | 5:08 p.m. Dec. 20, 2007

It is cleary a coach problem.

When gira is benched for wanting to shoot the ball instead passing it into boozer. it clearly a systemic problem.

Sloans system is pound the ball into boozer, (using just a hammer instead all the tools in the workchest) so deron and boozer get all the glory and the points, they are treated better because they are the focus of the system, and they get all the benefits, no matter how bad their defense is. and none of the grief.

The others are not so lucky. They are just an after thought in the offense. even horny had get what could get when he could.

But if you do exactly like tyrant sloan wants, like collins, then no matter how bad a player you are you are ok with sloan.

Richard | 5:10 p.m. Dec. 20, 2007

It seems to me that whoever is in charge of the Bear Hug Charities must have a great deal to do with the Jazz and they don't know how to run either one.I sent in my donation of $250.00 Nov.29,2007. I am still waiting for the signed picture that was promisedand it is now Dec. 20.I can see why the Jazz are having the trouble that they are having. I was in business for 35 years and everthing good or bad in my business started with me. I would think that the Jazz and the Charities need a new direction and that starts at the top man.

st. george represents | 5:28 p.m. Dec. 20, 2007

I wonder if Sloan,KOK,Miller realize that Morris peterson was 7 for 10 from 3 point range last night.....oh well looks like we missed our chance on someone good who will actually consider living in utah. Maybe the next Horny will fall in our lap in the next 15 yrs....huh guys

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Utah's Jason Hart, right, runs into Charlotte's Jeff McInnis during the Bobcats' victory in Charlotte, N.C., on Wednesday. It was the seventh straight road loss for the Jazz.

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Road woes continue for Jazz

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Road woes continue for Jazz