Utah Jazz Season Preview－SLAM

[CarlosBoozer (爵士一哥)]

Utah Jazz Season Preview
The more things change, the more they Jerry Sloan 

By Matt Caputo

Not too many people were holding their breath in anticipation for the Utah
Jazz return to playoff prominence. At the start of last season, with the
post-Stockton & Malone era in full swing, the Jazz won 12 of their first
13 games - a franchise record. Even though the team struggled through a
tough March, the Jazz returned to the playoffs for the first time in four
years and finished with their best record in six years, logging their
first division title in seven years.

While the NBA was busy talking about Tracy McGrady going to the playoffs
or whatever, the Jazz snuck up from behind and shot down the Rockets
hopes of cruising deep into the playoffs. Next-up, the Jazz hurt the
hearts (and some wallets) of Warrior fans everywhere by eliminating
Golden State in five games.

And then along came the Spurs, who sent the Jazz back to Salt Lake City in
just five games. Although the loss marked the end of a run of exceeded
expectations for the Jazz, the end of the series also came with an
emotional breakdown between the players.

When your starting point guard tells post-game reporters that“some guys 
were already on vacation”and that they“needed to find where their hearts 
are at,”like Deron Williams did, things have probably hit rock bottom. But
the Jazz already had an emotional playoff run. One that included Andrei
“AK-47”Kirilenko breaking down and crying twice - in the first round
no less - in front of the media.

Hopefully, as Jazz bench boss Jerry Sloan enters his 20th season with the
team, his young roster will do some maturing of its own. There is little
doubt that Deron Williams is the point guard of the future. Williams together
with veteran forward Carlos Boozer, could possibly bring the Jazz back to
regular playoff appearances, and the ever elusive championship the Salt Lake
City fans never saw. They actually have enough combined talent to do that
much themselves. To get any further than the second round or conference
finals with the current Jazz roster is next to impossible.

BACKCOURT: Even as Deron Williams only gets better, the point guard position
might be the Jazz’weakest position. The Jazz signed journeyman Jason Hart 
in hopes he will pan-out as a solid back-up for Williams. Ronnie Price, who
will be competing for the 3rd point guard spot, averaged less than one
assist per game in 58 contests with Sacramento last year. Dee Brown, who
dropped a tragic attempt at hip-hop music this summer, decided not to
return to the Jazz and accept a guaranteed contract in Turkey.

In the two guard spot, Gordon Giricek is the Jazz’only proven player. He
has the ability to shoot, but his defense leaves a lot to be desired. Other
options at the two spot aren't as cool. Ronnie Brewer appeared in 56 games
last year and didn't really leave a great impression. Morris Almond, a
rookie out of Rice Unveristy, and C.J. Miles, a direct from high schooler
entering his third year, are both works-in-progress. Also, look for veteran
Matt Harpring to see extended floor time and possibly be used in an option
where he and AK47 are the starting wings.

The essential problem for the Jazz in the backcourt is that they didn't
make up for the departed Derek Fisher. With the ability to score
and play both guard positions, be prepared for a lack of depth and
experience to be a theme in the Utah backcourt.

FRONTCOURT: Although Andrei Kirilenko's production has slowed in recent
years, there is no secret to the fact he'd love to be more involved in
the Utah offense. After the Jazz were defeated by the Spurs, ending Utah's
season, Williams questioned the hearts of Kirilenko and starting center 
Mehmet Okur. Although the friction is reportedly settled, it isn't clear how
much longer, Kirilenko, Okur or Gordan Giricek will have in Salt Lake if the
Jazz don't have a good start to the season. While Utah's backcourt suffers
from a lack of experience, the frontcourt seems be suffering for a lack of
heart.

Carlos Boozer is the exception to the Jazz heart issues. He's a play hard
leader with skills and intensity some coaches dream they could bottle-up and
pass around like cups of water. Look for Paul Millsap, who finished third in
ROY voting, to improve on the job and play at least ten minutes more than the
eighteen minutes per game he played last year.

Behind the solid numbers of Mehmet Okur (17.2 ppg and 7.2 rpg) look for
Jarron Collins picking his nose at the end of the bench and
Kryrlyo Fesenko, a plus-7-foot '07 second rounder to split time between
the big club and the Utah's D-League affiliate the Utah Flash.

FINAL OUTLOOK: Utah will make the playoffs but only go as far as
Williams and Boozer can carry them.

For the rest of our season previews, click here. http://0rz.tw/cc3b3            

http://slamonline.com/online/2007/10/utah-jazz-season-preview/

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◆ From: 61.62.78.100
推 semicoma:Final Outlook有講跟沒講一樣
推 ammon:有暗黑
→ CarlosBoozer:算有講..至少是進季後賽而不是2X名
推 Actus:While Utah's backcourt suffers from a lack of experience
→ Actus:the frontcourt seems be suffering for a lack ofheart.
推 kingroy:Sloan在nba總共呆了多少年了?
推 CarlosBoozer:只算總教練的話，公牛3+爵士19
推 hardaway:推，也推暗黑連結。
推 gratitude:Sloan何時變成了動詞???