推 Actus:Nobody knew it ! 05/24 03:57
Jazz's new era sound success
By Marc J. Spears
Denver Post Staff Writer
Article Last Updated: 05/22/2007 01:14:07 AM MDT
Salt Lake City - You don't just replace John Stockton and Karl Malone.
The Utah Jazz legends took the franchise to the NBA playoffs in each of their
18 seasons together. Statues of the two stand outside EnergySolutions Arena,
where streets named after them are outside and retired jerseys hang inside.
But just four years after the Stockton-Malone era ended, the Jazz has
successfully transitioned to a new era. The Jazz is in the Western Conference
finals for the first time since 1998 with a young, talented roster built for
the long haul, which could make life difficult for the Nuggets in the
Northwest Division.
Jazz vice president Kevin O'Connor said he looked long term when rebuilding
after Stockton and Malone left.
"We rode the gravy train for a long time," O'Connor said. "We knew it was
coming to an end. We approached it like an expansion team. Short steps, get
better and how do we make sure it's not a short-term solution? Long-term
gains."
In the new Deron Williams-Carlos Boozer era, the Jazz has two young leaders
to build around.
"Nobody told us we had to be there," Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said. "In the
past, when Karl and John were here, that was expected."
The Jazz bottomed out in 2004-05, winning just 26 games despite adding free
agents Boozer (six years, $68 million) and Mehmet Okur (six years, $60
million). The Jazz drafted Williams, a point guard from Illinois, with the
third overall pick in 2005. Boozer, Williams and Okur, along with forward
Andrei Kirilenko, now form the team's foundation.
"If you look at our history, we don't trade a lot of players," O'Connor said.
"I'd like to think we would (be good for a while). Two years ago would you
have said that Carlos would have had this type of year? In the middle of last
(season) would you have said that Deron would have this type of year?"
The Jazz struck out in initial free-agent forays in the summer of 2003 after
the departure of Malone and Stockton, missing on forward Elton Brand, guard
Jason Terry and swingman Corey Maggette.
Despite the perceived obstacles in attracting free agents - a small-market
team in a cold- weather city where few African-Americans live - the Jazz used
past success and Sloan as drawing cards.
"I can't make it any less cold, but there are a lot colder places," O'Connor
said. "I can't make it more African-American or any other minority, but
you'll be treated with respect.
"You'll find here that the people really care about their basketball. You
have to work here. You don't have to spend the rest of your life here."
Many NBA pundits viewed the Nuggets as the favorites to win the Northwest
Division this season. But the Jazz took the lead early and never gave it up,
although the team couldn't earn home-court advantage in the first round
against Houston.
Boozer and Okur had breakthrough seasons, and both made the All-Star Game.
Williams, meanwhile, developed into one of the league's top young point
guards. He had 34 points and nine assists in the Jazz's Game 1 loss at San
Antonio on Sunday. Game 2 of the West finals is tonight.
Veteran guard Derek Fisher was a key offseason addition, and the Jazz has
gotten help from three players drafted a year ago: forward Paul Millsap,
guard Dee Brown and swingman Ronnie Brewer.
But the Jazz expects the Nuggets to be a tough divisional challenge for
years to come because of Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony.
"They can be a good basketball team," said O'Connor, who has been with Utah
eight years but previously worked in Philadelphia. "I know (Iverson), I spent
two years with him in Philadelphia. He hates to lose. You can say what you
want, but at 7 o'clock he shows up and tries to bring it. And Carmelo is
going to do nothing but get better."
The reality for the Nuggets, however, is they are on vacation while the Jazz
has a shot to go where Denver never has been - the NBA Finals.
"We're concerned with this year and making the most of our opportunity,"
Williams said.
http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_5952568
--
※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.cc)
◆ From: 59.41.40.174
※ 編輯: RonnieBrewer 來自: 59.41.40.174 (05/24 02:46)