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Utah Jazz hurt without Okur and Kirilenko
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Fansince1980 | 5:11 a.m. March 31, 2008
Please Jerry, Time to call it a career. When your team has always lost to
lesser teams thats just coaching and that has been a habit of yours since at
least 1990. Time to let Phil take over,, Thanks for all you have done, but you
will never win the trophey.
Jimmy's Sneakers | 6:56 a.m. March 31, 2008
Jimmy is starting to believe that this team would be better with Ronnie Brewer
starting at SF and someone else at SG. (maybe Korver, Almond or CJ, maybe
not).
Jimmy has held out hope that AK would turn it around this year, but apparently the rehab on his ego has not gone as well as published in the preseason. Jimmy is ready for the Jazz to deal him for whatever the market bears, which isn't as much as in the preseason.
Jimmy would like to propose this offseason offer to Portland (and yes Jimmy knows it is hard to pull off intra-division trades):
Portland get:
AK47 (3-yr 49.5 Mil)
HHart (1-yr, 2.48 Mil, likely to be bought out)
JCollins (1-yr 2.07 Mil, likely to be bought out)
Jazz get:
Raef LaFrentz (1 yr 12.7 Mil)
Joel Przybilla (3 yr 21.5 Mil)
Portlands 1st round pick (it will be #14)
Portland gets SF that they desperately need and their money bags owner won't blink at AK's contract. Utah gets relief from AK's contract after next season, just in time to extend DWill and PMilsap and a defensive Center in Pryzbilla, and pick 14 to find backup PG for DWill.
Jimmy has held out hope that AK would turn it around this year, but apparently the rehab on his ego has not gone as well as published in the preseason. Jimmy is ready for the Jazz to deal him for whatever the market bears, which isn't as much as in the preseason.
Jimmy would like to propose this offseason offer to Portland (and yes Jimmy knows it is hard to pull off intra-division trades):
Portland get:
AK47 (3-yr 49.5 Mil)
HHart (1-yr, 2.48 Mil, likely to be bought out)
JCollins (1-yr 2.07 Mil, likely to be bought out)
Jazz get:
Raef LaFrentz (1 yr 12.7 Mil)
Joel Przybilla (3 yr 21.5 Mil)
Portlands 1st round pick (it will be #14)
Portland gets SF that they desperately need and their money bags owner won't blink at AK's contract. Utah gets relief from AK's contract after next season, just in time to extend DWill and PMilsap and a defensive Center in Pryzbilla, and pick 14 to find backup PG for DWill.
Comments continue below
Now we know | 7:26 a.m. March 31, 2008
why kirilenko hasn't been able to stop anybody on defense this year. His
bruise on his calf has slowed him down. What's next Boozer and Okurs poor
defense is because of a broken finger nail. What a bunch of painsies. I long for
the days of Stockton, Malone, and Horny. Those men played through the pain. We
didn't even know they were injured.
PurplePeopleEater | 8:17 a.m. March 31, 2008
Regardless of who is sick and can't play, before last night's game,
the Jazz needed to win out, with maybe only losing to the Spurs at their place,
to have any chance of getting higher than a 4th place seed. That's because
the teams with better records that they have to beat out have as easy or an
easier schedule left to play.
Well, that Minnesota loss guaranteed no better than 4th, and a possibly of 9th (out of the playoffs). The Jazz are now only two losses ahead of Denver, a team that has an easier schedule left. The match-up that these two teams have left against each other might be the decider!
Once again, the Jazz youth and inexperience shows through. Everyone remember, D-Will is leading a team ahead of when Stockton got the reigns. You can't expect the same consistency from D-Will as John provided in his first few years as the starter. John had the benefit of waiting in the wings and learning.
Give the Jazz another year of maturing and we'll see a different scenario play out--hopefully homecourt throughout next year's playoffs.
Go Jazz!
Well, that Minnesota loss guaranteed no better than 4th, and a possibly of 9th (out of the playoffs). The Jazz are now only two losses ahead of Denver, a team that has an easier schedule left. The match-up that these two teams have left against each other might be the decider!
Once again, the Jazz youth and inexperience shows through. Everyone remember, D-Will is leading a team ahead of when Stockton got the reigns. You can't expect the same consistency from D-Will as John provided in his first few years as the starter. John had the benefit of waiting in the wings and learning.
Give the Jazz another year of maturing and we'll see a different scenario play out--hopefully homecourt throughout next year's playoffs.
Go Jazz!
Coming Back | 8:58 a.m. March 31, 2008
Remember the three players called out last year in the playoffs for quitting on
the team? Well 2 of them(minus Gira)were absent yesterday also. The point I make
is that this game is not a two-man game. It takes a full team effort with the
experienced players playing the major role to be successful in this league. I
prefer players that WALK THE WALK than players that TALK THE TALK. How many
times do you have to be humiliated guys before you shut up and play team
basketball? Its not too late if you will pull your heads out of the clouds and
get with it for 48 minutes men. Anything less will be failure and
disappointment. Its in your hands as always and we fans can only cheer you on
and try to stay positive. Good Luck
gsb | 9:00 a.m. March 31, 2008
Does anyone really expect the Jazz to get out of the first round? I know I
don't! I love watching this young team develop and recognize their talent
but until they grow up mentally I don't see them going deep into the
playoffs where so many teams in the west are loaded with veteran players. What
does it say about a team that is 32-4 at home and 16-22 away? That we miss
Derek Fisher's leadership and experience more than anyone wants to admit.
having Fisher on this years team to back up Williams and play some at the 2
position would have netted us an additional 3 to 4 games placing us right at the
top of the west at this point. Either way I will continue to be a huge Jazz fan
and enjoy the progress they are making while keeping my expectations realistic.
This team is still 2 to 3 years away from a serious championship run when
Duncan, Nash, and other west vets have really slowed down and the Jazz are in
their prime.
ID Jazz | 9:23 a.m. March 31, 2008
What a bunch of stupid comments from Sloan and Dwill. Trying to sell that it
hurt because the starters were not there and Dwill saying that it hurt us
offensively not having Memo there. What a bunch of lame excuses.
Last I checked 100 points or better is enough to win a game or games. They know what it is. As well as the national media has dropped them in the power rankings saying there defense is suspect. Its not suspect it is non existent. The only team in the west in the playoff race with a loosing road record. If they are going to fall back on that they play the tough teams tougher well note to Jazz the other teams are going to take it up a notch higher in the playoffs and especially on there own floor because the Jazz will for sure be on the road. Winning against the bad teams this time of year separates the boys from the men. Time for all Jazz from LHM down to last player on bench to quit saying defense and do it. All ex coaches and players will say defense wins championships. Let's go defensively lazy team.
Last I checked 100 points or better is enough to win a game or games. They know what it is. As well as the national media has dropped them in the power rankings saying there defense is suspect. Its not suspect it is non existent. The only team in the west in the playoff race with a loosing road record. If they are going to fall back on that they play the tough teams tougher well note to Jazz the other teams are going to take it up a notch higher in the playoffs and especially on there own floor because the Jazz will for sure be on the road. Winning against the bad teams this time of year separates the boys from the men. Time for all Jazz from LHM down to last player on bench to quit saying defense and do it. All ex coaches and players will say defense wins championships. Let's go defensively lazy team.
magnus | 10:07 a.m. March 31, 2008
I find it amusing that People "long for the days of Stockton and
Malone". What I find even more amusing, and frankly annoying, is the total
lack of patience that some fans have.
Here's some numbers to help you compare Jazz teams of yore to todays team.
-The Jazz made the playoffs every year Stockton and Malone played for the Jazz.
-The Jazz didn't make it past the second round of the playoffs untill 1992.
-1992 was Stockton's 8th year in the league and Malone's 7th, the average age of that team was 28.
-The Jazz didn't make the finals until 1997.
-1997 was Stocktons 12th year in the league and Malone's 11th, average age of the team was 28.5, the starting lineup averaged 30 and 8 years of experience.
...and now, for the currrent Jazz team.
-Last year they made it to the Conference Finals.
-This is Wlliams 3rd year, Boozers 6th, AK's 7th, and Okurs 6th.
-Average age of this team is 25.5
-Starting lineup averages 25 and under 5 years experience
Experience Matters, the youngest team to win and NBA championship since 1990 was the Pistons in '04. Starters Avgeraged 26.5 with 6 years exp.
Here's some numbers to help you compare Jazz teams of yore to todays team.
-The Jazz made the playoffs every year Stockton and Malone played for the Jazz.
-The Jazz didn't make it past the second round of the playoffs untill 1992.
-1992 was Stockton's 8th year in the league and Malone's 7th, the average age of that team was 28.
-The Jazz didn't make the finals until 1997.
-1997 was Stocktons 12th year in the league and Malone's 11th, average age of the team was 28.5, the starting lineup averaged 30 and 8 years of experience.
...and now, for the currrent Jazz team.
-Last year they made it to the Conference Finals.
-This is Wlliams 3rd year, Boozers 6th, AK's 7th, and Okurs 6th.
-Average age of this team is 25.5
-Starting lineup averages 25 and under 5 years experience
Experience Matters, the youngest team to win and NBA championship since 1990 was the Pistons in '04. Starters Avgeraged 26.5 with 6 years exp.
re magnus | 10:44 a.m. March 31, 2008
people are not longing for the stockton to malone days. They wish todays players
could play injured instead of whinning about a bruised calf and how they
can't guard anybody being injured. I never heard stockton or malone make an
excuse for losing like these pansies. Sure this team is young and still lacks
experience, but they sure have a lot of excuses for losing, and not playing
defense just read the article and see the smelly excuses
Chukar | 11:41 a.m. March 31, 2008
With Jazz fans like you guys who needs enemies??? The road just got tougher
but o well buckup play some ball and lets see what happens. As for you over
dramatic jazz fans get a life
Illinois Jazz Fan | 11:40 a.m. March 31, 2008
Sunday's game was sad,sad,sad. I'm a big fan of AK but all these
injuries and whining is begining to get a little old. I also think Sloan should
think about starting Kover so he can get warmed up instead of waiting til the
fourth quarter. I realize this team is still young and D Will is trying but
somebody besides him and Carlos and Matt need to step up or the Jazz will be out
the first round of the playoffs. Still a BIG JAZZ FAN,Go Jazz
IowaJazzMan | 1:14 p.m. March 31, 2008
A bruise on your calf muscle? Are you kidding me? How much do you make a game
and you can't play with a bruise on your leg?
Wow.
Wow.
Jazz Man | 1:26 p.m. March 31, 2008
Sinan, IowaJazzMan and others, you obviously don't know how important it is
to be able to move laterally to guard your man. It's not like we're
asking these guys to guard in church ball. They have to go up against the
finest athletes in the world, and few NBA players have a chance of stopping them
unless they're at 100%. I myself cringed when Brewer made the first shot
of the game, and it was a long jumper. I knew if the Jazz played on the road
the way they often do, by abandoning the inside game for jumpers, they had a
good chance of losing. Did you see how many foul shots Boozer ended up
shooting? Are you kidding me? On the up side, Boozer actually played some help
defense in the first half. Usually somebody helped the helper, and the
resulting shot was missed. It's when Boozer looks like a mule deer in the
spotlight that the Jazz defense looks like some matador statues in a bull pen.
Calf Bruise | 1:34 p.m. March 31, 2008
Any of you complainers ever gotten a bruise in your calf? I got kneed in the
calf playing ball at the beginning of the year and couldn't walk right for
a MONTH! It still swelled up every day for another month. It's fine now,
but it was the beginning of March before it was right again. Now I didn't
have the use of trainers that the Jazz have on staff, but don't knock AK
unless you've felt the pain.
Rich | 1:57 p.m. March 31, 2008
I thought the Jazz lost for three chief reasons: 1) the refs gave the
'Wolves the benefit of a lot of close calls, something that is expected in
the NBA. Sloan would complain about it, but he likes to keep his money. 2) The
Jazz gave up way too many offensive rebounds because we didn't have our two
long-armed Europeans in there, and 3) The Jazz shot too many long jumpers and
didn't try hard enough to get good layups. No. 3 is closely related to No.
1. When the refs won't call fouls, weak-minded players quickly give up
working the ball inside and start casting up jumpers. Strong-minded players
continue to put pressure on the refs to make some calls, and usually they start
to make some calls in favor of the visitors. I've watched too many NBA
games over 40 years to be able to ignore the role of the refs in the road losses
and home wins in the NBA.
Karl Malone | 2:33 p.m. March 31, 2008
played with a dislocated finger and multiple other injuries so did stockton. As
a matter of fact kobe is playing with a severely dislocated finger that will
require surgery so a calf bruise is just a bruise. For the money he is making AK
needs to suck it up and be a man. Like the aforementioned names.
adam d | 2:55 p.m. March 31, 2008
Karl Malone,
Finger injuries do no affect mobility. If a player is not a 100%, like when stumbling AK lost the Nets game, they should not be playing.
Finger injuries do no affect mobility. If a player is not a 100%, like when stumbling AK lost the Nets game, they should not be playing.
utahjazz1 | 3:29 p.m. March 31, 2008
i am very dissipointed in the deseretnews sports writers. i get the paper, and
they are not supporting the jazz as much as they should. they are just trying to
get a topic to write about. they dont think the jazz will do good in the
playoffs just like last year. i will laugh if the jazz get to the western
conference finals again and the writers have them out in first round.
Don't Bash AK | 4:11 p.m. March 31, 2008
Excuse me if I don't agree with any of you that are bashing Andrei. A
bruised calf is extremely painful and it does take time to heal. Andrei plays
games to the extreme and a bruised calf would hinder that and may hurt him for a
very long time if he does not heal it properly. This man has to not only think
about his team but his future. Flashback: Boozer sitting out how many games
because of what????? who knows???? Wasn't it like a year and a half, I
don't hear anybody saying anything about that. Quit blaming Andrei for
everything the Jazz don't do. All of you blame him when he plays and when
he doesn't play. That is not fair or right. When he plays, if the Jazz
lose, you all say trade him. If he doesn't play, the Jazz lose, you blame
him for not playing. Pick one people, seriously, and if you pick trade, you are
in for a world of hurt next season without him. Promise you that!!!
UTAHJAZZ! | 4:56 p.m. March 31, 2008
Hey mr. fansince1980, I'd like to see Phil take over. Come on, face
reality, he couldn't motivate a old horse!
Anonymous | 7:07 p.m. March 31, 2008
I AM ALWAY AMAZED AT SLOANS COMMENTS HOW BAD THE ARE WHEN THEY HAVE TWO GUYS
OUT. HOW PEOPLE DONT UNDERSTAND WHAT ITS LIKE. THE JAZZ HAD EVERYONE THE NIGHT
THE LAKERS HANDED IT TO THE JAZZ .PHIL JACKSON DIDNT COMPLAIN HE ADJUSTED WITH
WHAT HE HAD. AND HIS TEAM KICKED THE JAZZS TAIL.WHERE WOULD THE JAZZ BE IF TWO
OF THERE STARTERS WENT DOWN THEY WOULD BE DEFEATED BEFORE THEY PLAYED THE NEXT
GAME.WHERE IS THE POSSITIVE INFLUENCE OF SAYING I KNOW YOU CAN TO A PLAYER
INSTEAD OF THE CONSTANT NEGITIVE COMMENTS. I HOPE THE JAZZ CAN GET IT TOGTHER
AND HAVE A GREAT RUN THE PLAYERS AND COACHES WORK THERE TAILS OFF JUST RID
YOURSELVS OF THE NEGATIVE INFLUENCE
Jazzsmack | 8:25 p.m. March 31, 2008
Magnus heer's some stats for you:
Magic made the finals and won his rookie year.
Duncan was drafted in 97 won a championship in 99.
kobe drafted in 96 won a champiomship 2000.
The point is you don't have to be in the league 15 years before you make the finals or win a championship.
Not even 8 years.
Duncan won a championship at the end of his second year!
You get the right players you can win a championship quite quickly.
Face it: boozer is not that player, and sloan is not that coach.
By the way if players who played on the jazz and were coached by slaon do just as well on another team coached by another coach,, can you really say sloan got most out them?
NO! he got the same. The Myth that sloan gets the most out of his players has been put to rest. It isn't true.
Magic made the finals and won his rookie year.
Duncan was drafted in 97 won a championship in 99.
kobe drafted in 96 won a champiomship 2000.
The point is you don't have to be in the league 15 years before you make the finals or win a championship.
Not even 8 years.
Duncan won a championship at the end of his second year!
You get the right players you can win a championship quite quickly.
Face it: boozer is not that player, and sloan is not that coach.
By the way if players who played on the jazz and were coached by slaon do just as well on another team coached by another coach,, can you really say sloan got most out them?
NO! he got the same. The Myth that sloan gets the most out of his players has been put to rest. It isn't true.
Anonymous | 11:56 p.m. March 31, 2008
CJ Miles was impressive tonight. Maybe we are overlooking some real
talent...guys who are dying to play real pro ball the way it should be
played...not like some of our starters who it seems care less on some nights.
Maybe their goals were to make the NBA..and that is it.
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