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Utah Jazz using a 'just keep playing' mentality

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royzzz | 4:40 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009
can somebody dig up the other teams man-games lost due to injury? i just want to see how the Jazz compare to other teams. thanks.
Bob2 | 6:43 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009
Tough team. Easy to like and they don't need to wait for everybody to get back for it to get exciting. It's exciting right now. If and when they get totally healthy, they will decimate teams at home AND on the road. But I'm starting to think that they might be able to do that anyway. They are really growing up quickly and Coach Sloan is doing arguably his best coaching job ever.
The flip side... | 7:58 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009
Using many different lineups also means that opposing teams don't know exactly how to prepare for the Jazz. Perhaps this has worked in our favor a couple times?
Comments continue below
Fred | 8:50 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009
Jerry Sloan--Finally Coach of the Year. Won't happen, but it should. The attitude this team takes about injuries is a direct reflection of their coach.
Jazz | 8:57 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009
play tough d,work hard,we win,simple concept,GO JAZZ!!!! GO JAZZ!!!!!
Get It Done | 9:14 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009
Reading various NBA sports outlets the past month or so I find it is very apparent that David Lee who plays for the Knicks and is a 6'9" power forward with a ton of grit regarding defense and rebounding is available for not much. His 1 mil salary plus a little and option for next year would fit our needs greatly. The knicks are only looking for a young player and a draft choice and we have one that we could give back to them for 2010. The Knicks want to play in the free agency market next year and would rather trade Lee than re-sign him. He would be much better than another young unproven rookie draft choice, being that we don't have much success with the rooks. The one thing I like is that Lee is a PROVEN.
Lee | 9:32 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009
Is fragile just like Boozer. Hurt every year.
STEVE-O | 9:33 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009
I like the David Lee idea, but there's no way we're giving up a guaranteed first round pick in 2010 for him. We could trade them some garbage players because New York is only interested in dumping every decent player they have so they can try to get Lebron and some other big name players that will be free agents in 2010. I think New York is trying to pull off a Boston Celtics move and become a contender right away through free agency! So I'd say the Jazz picking up David Lee is a great move... without giving up the draft pick.
Anonymous | 9:40 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009
New York is trying to trade Lee in part of a deal to get out of Curry's contract.
Second Lee is a power forward. The Jazz already have Millsap at that position. Any minutes Lee takes would take away from Millsap.

Throwing out a trade | 9:57 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009
Here's a trade I'll throw out. I've checked it via RealGM's trade checker and it works as far as salary cap goes. We trade Booz and Fes to Miami, Miami trades Udonis Haslem and Beasley to Clippers, and the Clippers trade Marcus Camby to Jazz.

This give Booz his Miami home where he can get his much deserved...not raise. Gives us a defensive presence in the middle and more time for Millsap. And the paper Clipps get a young PF.

Sound good to anyone? KOC, are you listening?
Theagreement | 10:13 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009
A. Since when have the Jazz not had "much success with the rooks"?? Millsap, Brewer, Wiliams, Kufus, AK, were all drafted by Utah, and have all over-preformed from original expectations. B. Lee would not take away from Millsap's minutes-Paul can't play all 48-he needs a backup, and Lee might fit that bill. i think its pretty safe to say either Paul or Booz will be in a different uni next year.
Anonymous | 10:34 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009
david lee is a poor mans paul millsap... but lazier trade booz to detriot for rip hamilton
trade the slackers | 10:51 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009
Nothing frustrates me as much as the guys who don't hustle on d, from tip to finish. I don't want to watch a slacker out there, or someone who has energy for offense, but not defense. that's why i like ak, and dwill, brewer, most of the players. I can respect those guys, i don't care if a guy puts up 43, if he doesn't play hard d. i like the 43, but the slacking on d kills unity, it's a slap on the face for fans.
challenge to the status quo guy | 11:49 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009
the jazz have a good team. guys like milsap price korver harpring need to get minutes cause they bring heart and toughness just like they showed against the lakers last spring in the playoffs.
STEVE-O | 11:58 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009
The Marcus Camby idea is an interesting one. I just don't like the idea of trading youth for age. If the Jazz could make a legitimate run at a title with Camby then I'd go for it. I just don't think they could do that with Camby. He's as injury prone as Boozer.
I don't like trading young talent for an aged player!
We don't want to Dallas Mavericks ourselves and end up with a Jason Kidd on our team. The Mavericks will be rebuilding again in 2 or 3 years.
Anonymous | 12:21 p.m. Jan. 14, 2009
The Camby Trade sounds Horrible. Camby is a good defensive player, but an average offensive player. Additionally he is the oldest of any of these players.

Denver has not missed Camby at all. Both Nene and Anderson have easily taken care of everything Camby does, blocks a couple of shots and rebounds.

The Jazz are not better with Camby, Okur and Millsap than we are with Boozer, Okur and Millsap. I would say we are much worse.

One of the strengths Okur has is he makes it more difficult for teams to double on Boozer/Millsap when they are on the block. Camby has never required a double so Okur will be guarded more.

Finally, If the Jazz are going to trade Boozer, they will need an expiring contract. If they do pick up 10 million in guaranteed money, they won't have enough money to resign Millsap without going over the Luxury Tax threshold

KOC know this so I would not worry about him making any stupid trade.
Anonymous | 12:27 p.m. Jan. 14, 2009
Okur is fine on the defensive end. He does not have the shot blocking ability (lack of vertical jumping ability and quickness) He is not a great defensive player, but his defensive ability is fine.

He is a top 5 center in the NBA
i agree | 12:55 p.m. Jan. 14, 2009
trading booz and fes for camby is just terrible, sorry. this helps us in absolutely no way. if you think boozer gets injured all the time, camby is one of the kings of injuries. plus he's old, no offense, and we'd be trading a lot to get him. totally not worth it. i think everyone just needs to accept that booz isnt going anywhere at least until the end of the year. it would be nice to trade him but lets face it, its not going to happen. he's worth a lot, at least 10+ mil per year, and right now teams arent going to give up good players in that price range for an injured started, it just makes no sense. might be better to start talking about this kinda stuff at the end of the season...
gdog3gtb | 1:01 p.m. Jan. 14, 2009
The Jazz have been the most injured team of all time this year. They might be better in the long run from all of this, but they might not make the playoffs. If they do, they will likely play on the road where they need to finally prove themselves. As for being better in the long run, next year may be the reality. However, with all of the free agents and changes that will be made, this year might be the final run for the current squad.

magnus | 1:12 p.m. Jan. 14, 2009
Ok, if I was a GM (and thank goodness I'm not, I think KOC is one of the best in the league) I would seriously consider something like this...

The Bobcats have been dangling Gerald Wallace as a trade possibiblity, he's a hustle palyer who can play 3 positions, gets after it on defense and can score 15+ points every night. So I would trade Boozer for Wallace, straight up.

Wallace would take the starting SF spot and AK would keep his sixth man role, splitting time at PF and SF.

After the season I would resign Millsap, and Okur to long tearm deals.

If I could find a taker for CJ I would probabaly trade him but if not I would keep him and let Almond go.

I would talk Harpring into retiring and make him a part of the coaching staff.

I would keep either Price or Knight, not both.

Depth Chart for 2009

PG Williams/Knight
SG Brewer/Korver/Miles(or Almond)
SF Wallace/AK/Harpring(if he won't retire)
PF Millsap/Kufos
C Okur/Fesenko

Then fill in the last two or three roster spots with this years draft pics and maybe Tomic and done.

Like I said, good thing I'm not GM.
L.A. Jazz Fan | 1:34 p.m. Jan. 14, 2009
I'm impressed by the Jazz and their heart this season as a team. I think Millsap will get serious consideration from coaches for an all-star spot. I hope he gets to play in the game.

I don't like the Camby trade idea; I do like the David Lee trade idea (with the key being that the Jazz keep the draft pick they got from NY). My favorite idea is to not trade Boozer and see what happens this off-season.

If I were GM I agree with Magnus on resigning Okur and Millsap. I would see where Boozer is at; if he wants to opt out I'd see if there is a sign and trade possibility (only if it is favorable for Utah). Maybe if the Jazz offer more money Boozer would be willing to not bolt and leave the Jazz with nothing in return. I would keep Price over Knight.

But this season is still young; let's see what the Jazz can do in the playoffs. I think they have a good chance to make it there. Here's hoping for a successful road-trip.

Go Jazz!!!
STEVE-O | 1:58 p.m. Jan. 14, 2009
The Jazz will 100% make the playoffs. The key is getting to that 2nd or 3rd seed to avoid the Lakers in the second round again. The best case scenerio would be to make the Spurs and Lakers duke it out in the first or second round and the Jazz play Houston, Dallas, Portland, or New Orleans. The Jazz will struggle with San Antonio but I think they could maybe beat them with home court advantage. The Lakers would be tough but New Orleans may be able to take them out. The Jazz just need to get a higher seed this year!
David Lee | 2:11 p.m. Jan. 14, 2009
for Collins,Miles,and maybe a second rounder,Lee is a hustler,would fit right in
Look at the picture of Sloan | 2:18 p.m. Jan. 14, 2009
Look at the picture of Jerry Sloan that accompanies this article.

Now T-H-A-T is classic Jerry Sloan.

Passionate; coaching with an intensity and fierceness that inspires players and causes opponents to respect him. And yet, the guy is not a temper-losing fool like Bobby Knight. Bobby Knight knew basketball but pretty much caused other people to hate him.

But Jerry Sloan? He'll NEVER throw a chair onto a baskbetball court in a game.

He coaches in such a way that you can't help but admire the guy. Good grief, if our players played with even half the intensity he coaches with, we'd be world champs EVERY year!

We may never win an NBA championship but if they gave one for class, consistency, basketball smarts , INTENSITY and love of the game, Jerry Sloan would win it hands down.

Nice job, Coach, nice job....

page | 3:02 p.m. Jan. 14, 2009
y can't they try MH at the starting 3 in place of CJ.Or even try KK at the 3. I like Price but to small for the 2. And i agree with Jerry for the coach of the year go Jazz
Mans-Game | 3:57 p.m. Jan. 14, 2009
Mans-Game!!

Boozer is not a max salary type guy and that's what he'll be wanting when the time comes.

A Gerald Wallace type super athlete would be nice to have in Utah. Although he is injury prone as well. My guess is nothing happens.
Anonymous | 4:28 p.m. Jan. 14, 2009
Magnus

Harpring is not going to retire, and miss out of his 6.5 million - even if the Jazz make him a coach. I know he is nowhere worth that kind of money. Call this make-up for the 3 years he played (from 02 to 05) and he got paid under 5 million a year.

I kind of like the Wallace, Deng, Howard or any other good small forward idea Boozer. Harpring would be the key for any trade.

If the Jazz give Boozer to Chicago and Harpring to OKC, The Jazz get Deng form Chicago and Wilcox from OKC (he comes off the books) And OKC gets Chicago 1st round pick, and Harpring who has one more on his contract, but who they can trade next year for another pick. (this is what they did with phoenix they got Kurt Thomas - who had 2 years left they got his contract and 2 first round pick then the next year they traded him to San Antonio for another first round pick. Without that 6.5 million coming off the books we can't resign Millsap under the Luxury Tax

Ultimately, I think this year the Jazz are better with Boozer.
Re: Magnus | 10:24 p.m. Jan. 14, 2009
I can't believe you suggest that trade,

especially after your horrendously bad analogy of those types players to "wide recievers".

I guess the guy who suggested you need star 2-guards and small forwards was correct in his analysis.


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