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Utah Jazz: Utah Jazz: A step forward? There's still lots of room for improvement
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Rob | 6:22 a.m. May 18, 2008
I think the Jazz should set a goal for 20-25 road wins this upcoming season.
With this and a strong record at home (again).......better off in playoffs and
maybe homecourt advantage.
Trade Harpring | 6:55 a.m. May 18, 2008
That would be the first step in the right direction. Get a post player who can
play defense.
Jazz Fan (The Original) | 7:26 a.m. May 18, 2008
The Jazz had a great season. The fact of the matter is they blew road games
they should have won. The could have, would have , should have had the
homecourt advantage in the Western Conference; no question. Injuries and not
playing focused cost them in the playoffs. Couple that with the fact that when
you analyze the rosters across the league, the Jazz do not have the athletically
gifted players that the other contenders have. The NBA needs to tighten up the
screws on the 'bong' usage, alcoholism, and other drugs. It is
appaling what is going on. Hopefully the Jazz are not part of it. I agree with
Jerry Sloan, when he says the team is making progress. What I don't
understand is that the players that need to improve their skills aren't
doing in the offseason. This is troublesome. As well as the players on the
roster who may be playing on U.S.A. national teams. This leads to too much
play, and will impact the next season, i.e. Williams, Boozer, Okur, Kirilenko;
the latter two Russia, and Turkey. The Olympic basketball competition is
impacting the league adversely. I think the Jazz braintrust is on the right
track.
Comments continue below
Josh, Butte MT | 7:43 a.m. May 18, 2008
This team will win a championship. They were not a bad road team. They had road
wins over Boston, Orlando, Detroit, Washington, Philly, Toronto, Phoenix,
Denver, Golden State, and Houston. If they win 5 of the games they lost to
pathetic teams, teams whose level they played they would have won the west by 2
or three games and had homecourt throughout which is the tremendous mental
advantage they will have next year.
This was a small step back in order to achieve something great. I am as disappointed as the next and I hate LA with every fiber of my soul as well but let them have their one year of fun because the Jazz will be the #1 seed next year and LA will not be able to stay with them.
(One final thought to Laker fans saying how good you will be when Bynum returns. First he has to return. That is not a guarantee. Second can he play at a high level for an entire year?? Who knows. Good luck.)
This was a small step back in order to achieve something great. I am as disappointed as the next and I hate LA with every fiber of my soul as well but let them have their one year of fun because the Jazz will be the #1 seed next year and LA will not be able to stay with them.
(One final thought to Laker fans saying how good you will be when Bynum returns. First he has to return. That is not a guarantee. Second can he play at a high level for an entire year?? Who knows. Good luck.)
JazzFan | 8:00 a.m. May 18, 2008
We probably all can be critical of the Jazz....lack of defense, players not
showing up for some games, lack of killer instinct, and did I mention lack of
defense?...but they were mostly entertaining. Did anyone seriously expect
they'd beat the better coached and more talented Lakers, especially after
acquiring Fisher? My one big question remains...why didn't the Jazz insist
on a no-compete clause when they cut Fisher loose? They should have insisted he
go to an eastern team. Oh well, as Sloan said, they're a young team and can
only get better. I'm looking forward to next year.
Re:Trade Harpring | 8:25 a.m. May 18, 2008
Harpring is not the problem.The Jazz Brass have no clue as to what it takes to
build a championship team and actually achieve that goal. Ask the Lakers despite
all the hate against them; ask the Spurs, they might show the Jazz how to build
a championship team. The Jazz, year in and year out repeat the same mistakes.How
about recognizing the glaring deficiencies and finding solutions for them?1.
Sloan has never won the big ones and never will. He gets outcoached everytime
over the years when it matters the most.
2.Jazz front court is the least effective among the Western powerhouses. No defense, no intimidation, slow, soft with average firepower.
3. False expectation on internal growth. Claiming the team is young and needs a time to mature is so unrealistic. Do you think the rest of the conference contenders will seat on the laurels and wait for the Jazz to mature?
4.Since there will be no changes during the summer, as it's to be expected, there will be similar results come the playoffs next season: another failure.
2.Jazz front court is the least effective among the Western powerhouses. No defense, no intimidation, slow, soft with average firepower.
3. False expectation on internal growth. Claiming the team is young and needs a time to mature is so unrealistic. Do you think the rest of the conference contenders will seat on the laurels and wait for the Jazz to mature?
4.Since there will be no changes during the summer, as it's to be expected, there will be similar results come the playoffs next season: another failure.
Anonymous | 9:08 a.m. May 18, 2008
what is the contract situations of players on the jazz?
Doug | 9:18 a.m. May 18, 2008
Another Jazz season. It was like watching a TV rerun when you know the plot and
the ending--and you've seen it too many times before.
If coach Sloan returns, it will free up my Jazz watching time next year. Maybe I'll exercise.
If coach Sloan returns, it will free up my Jazz watching time next year. Maybe I'll exercise.
Granny5 | 9:19 a.m. May 18, 2008
Is Boozer another Malone??? Played exceptionally during the regular season, come
the playoffs "choke time." AK still does not seem happy here in Utah,
has done a good job this year, but maybe time to trade him. This is a young
team, but I don't see us beating the Lakers in playoffs anytime Kobe hits
the floor. Bad decisions were made when they released Fisher, but you know what
they say about hindsight! Have a great summer, Jazz players and come back ready
to hit the boards. Thanks for a great season!
PurplePeopleEater | 9:22 a.m. May 18, 2008
It's obvious from Jerry's comments that he wants to be back next year.
He likes the fact that this team is young and has room to grow. That's the
key for any coach--being able to do better each year. Why do you think coaches
who win several championships with a team go to another team, making people
wonder if they'd lost their minds? Well, once you're at the top for
awhile, it gets boring. The Jazz won't be boring for a few years, at
least.
BTW, I think the many slow starts rests squarely on a young point guard who has yet to mature. Deron's upside, in spite of being one of the top points THIS year, is very high. Talk about a keeper!
One thing that will help next year is if the Jazz can have someone step up and be a consistent trey man. Losing Fisher to L.A. hurt the team because you could generally count on him to shoot well from long range, as he did against us this year. Korver disappeared in the playoffs, for whatever reason. He or the coaches need to figure that out. Maybe Almond will step up next year.
BTW, I think the many slow starts rests squarely on a young point guard who has yet to mature. Deron's upside, in spite of being one of the top points THIS year, is very high. Talk about a keeper!
One thing that will help next year is if the Jazz can have someone step up and be a consistent trey man. Losing Fisher to L.A. hurt the team because you could generally count on him to shoot well from long range, as he did against us this year. Korver disappeared in the playoffs, for whatever reason. He or the coaches need to figure that out. Maybe Almond will step up next year.
Young?? | 9:24 a.m. May 18, 2008
Frankly, I'm tired of sloan and the rest of the franchise telling me how
young this team is; the jazz are not that young; Boozer, AK, Korver, Okur are in
their prime and Harpring is past it. Williams and Brewer are young but when
they hit their prime, Okur and AK will be past it. The jazz didn't lose
this series becasue they are young, the lost it because Boozer really struggled
and they got out coached every single game.
re trade harpring | 9:34 a.m. May 18, 2008
heck yes!! Harpring really doesn't do anything for the jazz. you may say
that he husltes but who cares he can't make a shot he can't play
defense and all he does is flop any way. get rid of harpring. he's almost
as bad as giricek......Sheeeesh!!!
Idaho Jazz Fan | 9:34 a.m. May 18, 2008
We should appreciate the fact that the Jazz gave the people of this area the
opportunity to see more home wins than any team in the NBA. Give em a break.
Next year will be even better.
Anti-Jazz Fan (the original) | 9:55 a.m. May 18, 2008
Here's the bottom line: Nobody wants to come to Utah. Using the phrase of
the decade: Your team "is what it is". So don't expect too
much.
ID Jazz | 10:24 a.m. May 18, 2008
It has been a fun team to watch except December.
O'Connor himself said defense has to be addressed that probably means one of the big three are subject to trade.(AK,Booz,Memo)
The other problem is and most of the teams left in the playoffs have it and that is the Jazz have no one who can take over a game besides Dwill. Boston has Pierce, Allan, Garnett. Spurs have Ginobli, Duncan, Parker. Pistons have Billups, Hamilton, Tayshon. All those players above are capable of taking over a game especially when someone struggles but again Jazz only have Dwill. AK for sure cannot take over a game. Carlos can only score when Dwill is in the game. Brewer is not there yet but is best when the ball pushed. The best the Jazz at having being that other person is CJ. Why CJ? because he is the only one that has shown he can get around his guy to the hole and is capable of hitting the three. He has the outside and inside skills but lacks the experience.
Should be an interesting off season to see what happens. For Jazz to compete in the west now some trades are needed.
O'Connor himself said defense has to be addressed that probably means one of the big three are subject to trade.(AK,Booz,Memo)
The other problem is and most of the teams left in the playoffs have it and that is the Jazz have no one who can take over a game besides Dwill. Boston has Pierce, Allan, Garnett. Spurs have Ginobli, Duncan, Parker. Pistons have Billups, Hamilton, Tayshon. All those players above are capable of taking over a game especially when someone struggles but again Jazz only have Dwill. AK for sure cannot take over a game. Carlos can only score when Dwill is in the game. Brewer is not there yet but is best when the ball pushed. The best the Jazz at having being that other person is CJ. Why CJ? because he is the only one that has shown he can get around his guy to the hole and is capable of hitting the three. He has the outside and inside skills but lacks the experience.
Should be an interesting off season to see what happens. For Jazz to compete in the west now some trades are needed.
David Decker | 10:27 a.m. May 18, 2008
I'm shocked at the comments from Jazz magt and players. Of course, a lot
of "breaks" the other way would have put us in the next round. But,
that is championship basketball in the NBA. Everone cannot always be "be
"up" This just happened to be Boozer's turn (for whatever
reason) However, the Laker series made it clear "to me" that we will
never win a championship until we get a strong, big man to anchor the defense.
Can anyone remind me of a champion w/o a big man in the middle on defense?
reed madsen | 10:32 a.m. May 18, 2008
What happened to the Jazz against the Lakers is easy to fiture out......too much
Kobe ....too little Carlos!
Re: Josh, Butte MT | 10:42 a.m. May 18, 2008
Josh keep hating the Lakers from every fiber of your body, that focus on the
Lakers will be what keeps the Lakers above the Jazz every year. The negative
energy you and fans like you give out will power the Lakers to victory every
time. Laker fans don't care about the Jazz, that's why they win.
ID Jazz | 10:50 a.m. May 18, 2008
Sick of people on here telling us who have been fans since the Jazz moved to
Utah to be happy with mediocrity and be happy with what you have. If the Jazz
players and management only have visions of mediocrity then I will cheer for
teams who want to win it all and keep moving forward to do so.
That being said now you know the players and coaches want a championship as much as us fans who supposedly "expect to much". So please don't post your stupidity of feel lucky and be happy with mediocrity because teams build, sign, and trade to get better. The Jazz do need to get better and if they don't look to get better then we will have to live another twenty years with mediocrity and we as true fans deserve more as well as they players who have the passion and a dream of a championship.
If your happy with mediocrity thats fine but don't tell me and other people on here to be because your world is mediocre.
That being said now you know the players and coaches want a championship as much as us fans who supposedly "expect to much". So please don't post your stupidity of feel lucky and be happy with mediocrity because teams build, sign, and trade to get better. The Jazz do need to get better and if they don't look to get better then we will have to live another twenty years with mediocrity and we as true fans deserve more as well as they players who have the passion and a dream of a championship.
If your happy with mediocrity thats fine but don't tell me and other people on here to be because your world is mediocre.
Ing | 11:07 a.m. May 18, 2008
We can expect a lot. The team has already done a lot, and it can do better.
True, most NBA players don't want to come to Utah, and that's a handicap. Most of the players who do give it a chance like it, though. It's a matter of finding the right fit. This team is close to being able to win it all. Very close.
Harpring doesn't do anything for the Jazz? You people are nuts. He couldn't guard Kobe, sure--but nobody really can. He does, however, play with hustle and grit, plays good team defense, moves without the ball which helps keep the offense moving and gets him easy baskets, and is actually pretty good at hitting those open midrange shots. Didn't hit a lot of them this series, but neither did Korver, Kirilenko, or Boozer.
Just think--the Jazz gave the Lakers a pretty tough 6-game series with half their guys misfiring. We were only in this one because of Williams and Okur.
Sloan is a great coach. He's taken his team to the finals before, and he'll do it again soon.
True, most NBA players don't want to come to Utah, and that's a handicap. Most of the players who do give it a chance like it, though. It's a matter of finding the right fit. This team is close to being able to win it all. Very close.
Harpring doesn't do anything for the Jazz? You people are nuts. He couldn't guard Kobe, sure--but nobody really can. He does, however, play with hustle and grit, plays good team defense, moves without the ball which helps keep the offense moving and gets him easy baskets, and is actually pretty good at hitting those open midrange shots. Didn't hit a lot of them this series, but neither did Korver, Kirilenko, or Boozer.
Just think--the Jazz gave the Lakers a pretty tough 6-game series with half their guys misfiring. We were only in this one because of Williams and Okur.
Sloan is a great coach. He's taken his team to the finals before, and he'll do it again soon.
ryan.. | 11:27 a.m. May 18, 2008
if we don't change anything this off season we can expect the same result
next year.change coach...trade player do whatever....i'm tired of
losing....
Go fishing | 12:05 p.m. May 18, 2008
Enjoy life a little and stop worrying about next year. Get a life Jazz fans.
Hugh G. Hater | 12:45 p.m. May 18, 2008
Talk is cheap.
Boozer, Harpring and Korver were letdowns in the playoofs.
The jazz management needs to make sweeping changes if they want to win a title. I'm not holding my breath.
20 more years.
Boozer, Harpring and Korver were letdowns in the playoofs.
The jazz management needs to make sweeping changes if they want to win a title. I'm not holding my breath.
20 more years.
Defense | 12:47 p.m. May 18, 2008
You could tell early in the year that the lack of effort on defense would catch
up to them in the playoffs. Everyone loves to see "Money" shoot the 3.
But the jazz frontcourt defense has been laughable all year. AK is the only one
of the three in the front court that even attempts to play defense.
I know the NBA doesn't encourage defense. And you can play the regular season and get away with not playing D. But in the playoffs if you are that pourous defensively in the frontcourt it will catch up with you.
Good year even though, they bowed out a round earlier this season than last but,I think they are better team than they were a year ago. And the NBA isn't like the Bulls or Lakers dynasty's when one team is that much ahead of the others. There are 5 or 6 teams that are very good and the Jazz are one of them.
If they go another year without addressing the horrendous front court defense they will be in the same boat next season.
I know the NBA doesn't encourage defense. And you can play the regular season and get away with not playing D. But in the playoffs if you are that pourous defensively in the frontcourt it will catch up with you.
Good year even though, they bowed out a round earlier this season than last but,I think they are better team than they were a year ago. And the NBA isn't like the Bulls or Lakers dynasty's when one team is that much ahead of the others. There are 5 or 6 teams that are very good and the Jazz are one of them.
If they go another year without addressing the horrendous front court defense they will be in the same boat next season.
Shaq | 1:31 p.m. May 18, 2008
Shaq for AK straight up trade please.
Jazz Fan (The Original) | 1:36 p.m. May 18, 2008
I am annoyed about people who claim to be fans saying that the Jazz are
mediocre, Sloan must go, etc. What are you suggesting? Having the hasbeen
coaches who are on a round robin signing up with new teams during and after each
season. Successful teams keep their coaches over the life of the window where
they can legitimately compete for a championship or go as far as their talent
can take them. Don't tell me that the Jazz don't have credible
coaches/management who know the game, the players available, etc. They make
deals for the players available....do you think players like Bryant, James, et
al can be traded for and will come to Utah in your lifetime?.....get real.
Let's get next to reality...the Jazz are doing fine...the players they have
on the roster are fine with the exception possibly, of Hart, Collins, and others
on the bench. But every roster in the league has a few of these players, who
practise, but do not play a lot. No team can under the current rules assemble
an All-Star unit of twelve players, as in an Olympic Dream Team of 1992, 1996.
It's not reality. So live with it!!!!!!!! JAZZ!!!!!!!!!!
NBA Conspiracy Theorist | 2:47 p.m. May 18, 2008
I, for one, think that the NBA front office has their minds on a resurgence of
the "glory days" of the Lakers and Celtics, and will do anything,
including ref tampering to achieve this! The Lakers got all the calls, when it
mattered most!, pure and simple.
And most of the calls, that went the Lakers' way, were questionable at best!
I feel sorry for the Lakers' next opponent, be it, the Hornets or Spurs, because they will fall into the exact same trap. The integrity of the league is in question, in my mind, which is highly unfortunate. The refs should call the game on its merits, and not favor one player over another, or one team over another.
I remember our series vs. the Bulls, for the championship, and Jordan got the same preferential treatment that Kobe enjoyed. One shot that always sparks my emotions, is the shot Jordan made on Bryon Russell, where he pushed off at the top of the key, they keep showing that shot, as a Jordan highlight, and each time they show it, I am waiting for the ref's whistle, for the pushoff, which never sounded.
And most of the calls, that went the Lakers' way, were questionable at best!
I feel sorry for the Lakers' next opponent, be it, the Hornets or Spurs, because they will fall into the exact same trap. The integrity of the league is in question, in my mind, which is highly unfortunate. The refs should call the game on its merits, and not favor one player over another, or one team over another.
I remember our series vs. the Bulls, for the championship, and Jordan got the same preferential treatment that Kobe enjoyed. One shot that always sparks my emotions, is the shot Jordan made on Bryon Russell, where he pushed off at the top of the key, they keep showing that shot, as a Jordan highlight, and each time they show it, I am waiting for the ref's whistle, for the pushoff, which never sounded.
jim cedar city | 3:43 p.m. May 18, 2008
What chaps my hide is how so called super stars like Kobe get calls that are out
of this world. You can't tell me the NBA are not officating towards a
Laker-Celtic finals. Calls in game six on the Jazz were horrible. If big money
business were run like the NBA let's it's officals call games, they
would go bellyup!!!!!
bob carlisle | 4:02 p.m. May 18, 2008
how is this not progress? the jazz are now the second best team in the whole
nba. the only better team is the lakers this year. did you see what the lakers
did to the nuggets? come on. they will probably beat the hornets or spurs in 6
games or less and will go on and win the championship. the jazz are back, so
stop being pessimistic.
rob smith | 4:06 p.m. May 18, 2008
how can anyone hate jerry, the jazz were down 19 and jerry almost pulled out a
victory. d-wiil and sloan are the best time managers around.
re: NBA Conspiracy Theorist | 4:06 p.m. May 18, 2008
I totally agree. Watch the tape Jazz vs. Lakers in 87 or 88. Same thing. It is
frustrating but it is all about the money and the Lakers vs. Celtics will make
the NBA the most money. Do you think Cleveland vs. Spurs last year made any
money?
Jazz Forever Without | 4:05 p.m. May 18, 2008
Show me the title? One Team one City ? come on now - with the owner loving the
coach - the coach loving solid d - and players loving, well whatever they love-
the Jazz will never face the music. I've followed the Jazz from Jr Jazz to
not being able to see the end of the shot from Jordon. From yelling to the
screen to the Mail Man to look out for the steal from the base - to the Shot in
front of the round mound. I've come to one fact- the seasons come and go -
and never with the title of the Best. Utill we start at the very top, will the
Jazz ever have a real chance.
re: NBA Conspiracy Theorist | 4:34 p.m. May 18, 2008
one problem, have you seen what lebron has got away with in that series alone.
murder thats what.
Re: rob smith | 4:39 p.m. May 18, 2008
The Jazz didn't nearly pull out a victory. Did you watch the game? They had
a chance to tie the game on two buzzer-beater trey balls for a chance to play in
overtime. The Lakers were quicker, smarter and outplayed the Jazz for most of
the series. D-Will is one of the best point guards in the league and he
consistently brings it. Boozer is an all-star but not in this series. He only
had one good game where he had 27 points and 20 boards. He was terrific that
night and the Jazz still barely won. Booz was nonexistent during the rest of the
series. LA was the better team and should win it all. Utah is improving but we
need another Mark Eaton down low to help block shots in the paint. We also need
Fisher back from LA to play tough as nails defense around the perimeter. Great
season Jazz.
Jazz lost | 5:04 p.m. May 18, 2008
and I love it!
Re:Re; Conspiracy Theorist | 5:05 p.m. May 18, 2008
You better pray Boston beats Cleveland or your going to have to create a whole
new conapiracy theory. By the way if it's such a conspiracy why has it been
so long since the Lakers and the Celtics have ever played for a championship.
YOU LOST TO A BETTER TEAM LIVE WITH IT.
Dear conspiracy theorists | 5:09 p.m. May 18, 2008
Please shut up! You sound like fools. IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE, not to mention
the risk of exposure would far outweigh any temporary monetary benefit. Its not
logical, it's not debatable, there isn't and never has been a shred of
evidence.
When desired outcomes aren't achieved, weak-minded people blame powers beyond their control.
If there was a conspiracy in this series, Boozer must have been in on it.
When desired outcomes aren't achieved, weak-minded people blame powers beyond their control.
If there was a conspiracy in this series, Boozer must have been in on it.
goodbye | 5:14 p.m. May 18, 2008
goodbye and thanks to harpring-tough guy but no meaningful production.....no
thanks and good riddance to collins-towel waving, no-NBA-talent, wasting space
on utah bench....hart thanks for trying-you were put in a difficult spot
ps. although not the star we though he'd be, ak has contributed in ways not many others can....korver keep for those few minutes when he can shoot and not have to guard anyone
ps. although not the star we though he'd be, ak has contributed in ways not many others can....korver keep for those few minutes when he can shoot and not have to guard anyone
shooting guard | 6:48 p.m. May 18, 2008
I think the Jazz need to get an athletic guard that can take the ball to the
hole and play good defense. Sloan's big complaint is when the team settles
for jump shots, but when it comes to the draft last year they picked up a guard
whose strongest suit was his jump shot and didn't have the quickness to
take it to the hole, or play defense.
I agree with Sloan that we don't want to settle for jump shots, but they won't pick a guy who can take it off the dribble.
I agree with Sloan that we don't want to settle for jump shots, but they won't pick a guy who can take it off the dribble.
Conspiracy crack pots | 7:19 p.m. May 18, 2008
Please there have got to be better conspiracies out there than the NBA
Laker/Celtic gig. How bout the the NFL wanting the Manning brothers to both win
Super Bowl's so they rigged the playoffs and the Super Bowl. Or how bout
Elvis faking his death and is alive and well living in Vegas. Or would you
rather have someting local like the reason Utah football lost to BYU is Kyle
Whittingham Utah's head coach is an ex Cougar and it's all a plot. or
have you already thought of those.
walk_the_talk | 7:20 p.m. May 18, 2008
hey harpring,what made u think u were better than the lakers?Ur team lost and
thats about it.u don t say things u cant handle.Ur team is not even close to
what the lakers can do so shut up and accept the fact that u lost to a better
team.Matbe they should trade u, u cant play D.All u do is push and shove and
whine about the refs gatting calls on u.
Be a sport | 7:36 p.m. May 18, 2008
I agree with (walk the talk), Harpring you should know better than what you
said,how come you did not advance if you got the better team?Be a professional
sportsperson,take it as a man,obviously the lakers are the better team.And thats
a fact.
Booze | 8:35 p.m. May 18, 2008
I blame Boozer for his lack of offensive production and always weak defense.
It's just too bad becuase this team is good but they blew it.
Rich | 9:06 p.m. May 18, 2008
I'm very optimistic about the Jazz next season. Utah has two chief
deficiencies, and both can be corrected:
1) Boozer and to a lesser extend Memo sometimes seem lost on defense. They often hesitate in helping out a teammate or rotating to help the helper. They're definitely getting better, particularly Boozer in the last four weeks of the regular season. He needs to go over every game tape with a good coach who knows team defense and learn to be confident in what he is doing on defense.
2) A lot of the Jazz players try to do too much one-on-one toward the end of games or when they're trying to overcome a 15-point deficit. They are young (the fourth youngest team in the NBA -- not an excuse, just a fact), and they got better as the season progressed, but even in the final series against the Lakers, this was a big problem. You cannot win games one-on-one unless you're one of the top 15 or 20 players of all time. And even then you must rely on teammates to hit open jumpers and play good team D. Stick with the plan, and you Jazz guys will win.
1) Boozer and to a lesser extend Memo sometimes seem lost on defense. They often hesitate in helping out a teammate or rotating to help the helper. They're definitely getting better, particularly Boozer in the last four weeks of the regular season. He needs to go over every game tape with a good coach who knows team defense and learn to be confident in what he is doing on defense.
2) A lot of the Jazz players try to do too much one-on-one toward the end of games or when they're trying to overcome a 15-point deficit. They are young (the fourth youngest team in the NBA -- not an excuse, just a fact), and they got better as the season progressed, but even in the final series against the Lakers, this was a big problem. You cannot win games one-on-one unless you're one of the top 15 or 20 players of all time. And even then you must rely on teammates to hit open jumpers and play good team D. Stick with the plan, and you Jazz guys will win.
Props to D-Will | 10:05 p.m. May 18, 2008
While so many Jazz "fans" are complaining about this and that, I just
have to say how great it is to have one of the truly great young players in the
game. Deron showed that he can be a dominating presence when he asserts himself
offensively. True Boozer was a disappointment, the bench inconsistent at times,
and AK streaky as ever, but what Jazz fans are missing is D-Will's
constantly improving play will make the Jazz a contender for years. Assuming of
course that we can resign him.
Sloan Hater | 12:02 a.m. May 19, 2008
Children, take your seats. The teacher is back!
Can someone explain to me how this year was a step forward? Didn't the Jazz make the WCF last year??
Weren't the Jazz more talented and deeper this year than last??
So how is this a step forward and not two steps backwards?
I say two steps backwards, especially now the Phil is leaving for Phoenix.
Fire/Retire Sloan
Can someone explain to me how this year was a step forward? Didn't the Jazz make the WCF last year??
Weren't the Jazz more talented and deeper this year than last??
So how is this a step forward and not two steps backwards?
I say two steps backwards, especially now the Phil is leaving for Phoenix.
Fire/Retire Sloan
Ryp | 12:22 a.m. May 19, 2008
How sad that we go dissing on the team that gave us such a great season. Clearly
we need to improve somewhere. I like Deron Williams's idea, OUR PLAYERS
need to improve, they don't need to be changed. If we keep this same
"nucleus" another year, and that same nucleus gets better, faster, and
stronger, then that should put us over the hump! Other teams will need to make
blockbuster deals over the summer to improve (e.g San Antonio, Detroit,
Cleveland, N.O.) but the Jazz have all that we need. Sure we could try for Shaq
if we wanted someone to dominate inside, but you know you'd miss
Mehmot's clutch shot? AK: I was the first to say he's washed up, but
he proved me wrong in game 6- Keep him! We can't trade Harpring! It was his
tenacity that surged the comeback! The only player I would think of trading is
Booz, even though it hurts to say that. He's a great player, but I've
been depending on Malone for too many years now!!! We need someone who
doesn't choke when its all on the line. Horry? ha no but Andre Iguodala
from Phili would be nice, Bonzi Wells???
rvalens2 | 12:46 a.m. May 19, 2008
RE: Rich
I agree with you. Boozer needs some lessons in defense. My recommendation: Bring in Rick Majerus and have him work with Boozer and Memo. Few people understand defense like Majerus. I remember watching Majerus effectively defend a 7 foot center with a guy who was only 6 foot 5.
Another option would be for them to spend some time with Karl Malone. Karl sometimes faded on offense but he almost always gave the other team's bigs fits when he defended them. He also had a knack for being able to slap the ball away without fouling.
I agree with you. Boozer needs some lessons in defense. My recommendation: Bring in Rick Majerus and have him work with Boozer and Memo. Few people understand defense like Majerus. I remember watching Majerus effectively defend a 7 foot center with a guy who was only 6 foot 5.
Another option would be for them to spend some time with Karl Malone. Karl sometimes faded on offense but he almost always gave the other team's bigs fits when he defended them. He also had a knack for being able to slap the ball away without fouling.
phil | 1:42 a.m. May 19, 2008
The only problem is that the Lakers will get even better and stronger next
season with Bynum in the line-up and very healthy. Whew! How can any team defend
a ver-sound twin towers. :-]
BJ Jazzy Rasta's Take | 8:26 a.m. May 19, 2008
#1 - Think how it would energize this team, franchise, and city...if they were
to bring in a coach with fire who has a different mind-set about winning a
championship, or bust! I like Sloan, and he is a proven good coach, but he DOES
get out-coached, time and time again when it matters the very most. After many
years of a similar script, I'm left to seriously wonder if Sloan has the
ability to help motivate his team when in the biggest of the big...
#2 - Interior Defense. One of two things MUST happen for us to have a better defensive team next year. We must either do whatever it takes to accelerate Big Fesenko's learning curve and get him ready to bang down low...or we must figure out a way to get a defensive 7-footer to clog the paint.
#3 - The Jazz need two players to next year to be all-stars. I expect those players to be... Daren Williams and AK47. Boozer and Memo need to accept roles as great players who compliment our two most talented players. Boozer's defensive deficiencies will always be the difference between good and great for him.
#2 - Interior Defense. One of two things MUST happen for us to have a better defensive team next year. We must either do whatever it takes to accelerate Big Fesenko's learning curve and get him ready to bang down low...or we must figure out a way to get a defensive 7-footer to clog the paint.
#3 - The Jazz need two players to next year to be all-stars. I expect those players to be... Daren Williams and AK47. Boozer and Memo need to accept roles as great players who compliment our two most talented players. Boozer's defensive deficiencies will always be the difference between good and great for him.
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Carlos Boozer talks to the media while cleaning out his locker at the EnergySolutions Arena on Saturday — the day after the Jazz were eliminated from the playoffs by the Los Angeles Lakers.
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