Let The Games Begin!

Get your brackets ready! The NCAA tournament is just around the corner, and March Madness is officially upon us. I've enjoyed watching the conference tournaments this week. They've been full of upsets, buzzer beaters, and cinderellas. The greatest part of the upcoming tourney is we all know that heros and superstars will be born during these forthcoming weeks. And even better, as a Jazz fan, I can only watch intently to witness these college stars perform on the greatest stage and know that one of them will eventually be playing for us. Keep on losing, Knicks!

If I were to make a Top 5 "tourney-watch" list, it would look something like this...

1. Evan Turner, Ohio State

The consensus #2 pick in this summer's NBA Draft, Turner will soon be nominated as the college player of the year. He's led Ohio State to a terrific season. The Buckeyes will be on the look-out for a Final Four appearance with Turner leading the way.

2. John Wall, Kentucky

As a true freshman, Wall has guided Kentucky to the #1 seed. We'll see if Wall can carry the Wildcats on his back to the promised land, similar to how Derrick Rose did for Memphis.

3. Wes Johnson, Syracuse

Syracuse could be a force in large part because of Wesley Johnson. Like Carmelo Anthony, one shining moment could be in his future. He's an incredible athlete and shooter, very reminiscent of Danny Granger.

4. Cole Aldrich, Kansas

Aldrich will be controling the paint for the best team in the country. His defense is makes Kansas tough inside. If there was a team expected to win the champioship, it'd be Kansas.
5. Greg Monroe, Georgetown

The versatile forward is playing some incredible ball during the tourney season. He's the best passing big-man I've seen in a long time. Bogut-esque.

NBA Draft BIG Board (Hopefully we'll be drafting within the Top 8):
1. John Wall, PG

2. Evan Turner, SG

3. DeMarcus Cousins, PF/C

4. Derrick Favors, PF

5. Wesley Johnson, SF

6. Al-Farouq Aminu, PF/SF

7. Greg Monroe, PF

8. Cole Aldrich, C

Sleeper:

The one you won't be able to see during the tournament is Hassan Whiteside from Marshall. The freshman is leaping the board. Soon we'll see him inside the Top 8 (I watched him versus Jerome Jordan of Tulsa). Young and athletic... Is he a young Marcus Camby or a project, Javale McGee?

Go Cuse!

Whaley Arrrested in Salt Lake County

This is the best news I have heard in a while. So Robert Whaley (former 2005 Jazz star) was arrested last night at 4:30 am in Salt Lake City, and the police found marijuana "between his buttocks."

I bet that would make for some good smoking!

Kyrylo Fesenko & Chuck Norris

Ross Siler of the Salt Lake Tribune has done an excellent series of a day in the life of a Jazz beat reporter.

The highlight for me was a Chuck Norris joke that Fesenko told Siler:

"Amazing Chuck?" Fesenko said. "Haven't you heard the jokes? He uppercut a horse and that's how a giraffe was made."

Driven

Available only at your local Deseret Book starting May 1st.

Koufos to D-League

The Jazz have re-assigned Kosta Koufos to play in the D-League. Koufos has sat the bench virtually the entire season and hasn't gotten much chance to play this season. Kyrylo Fesenko has taken whatever remaining minutes have been given to the center position, and has left Koufos as the third-center on the team.

I think it's a great decision to move Koufos to the D-League. You can't improve your game unless you play in games! Sometimes, the waiting process is proof that a player should have stayed in college to improve his game before declaring for the draft and sitting on the bench in the NBA. It may not seem fair, but Koufos needs to prove himself. I'm still unsure whether Koufos will make it in the NBA. Maybe the D-League will offer him the chance to increase his confidence and improve his game. We ought to be able to use him in the future.

Othyus!

The pride of Robert Morris University and the NAIA, Othyus Jeffers has signed a 10-day contract to be with the Utah Jazz. Welcome to the team, Othyus! With a name like his, Jeffers must be ready for NBA super-stardom.

The Lovable Losers

The Jazz have fallen into the trap of losing to the bad teams and winning against the good teams. For some reason, we have trouble playing against the lovable losers. First, it was the Kings on Friday. Now it was a loss to the Clippers last night. Somewhere in between, we played a glorious game against the Rockets, absolutely dismantling Houston with an offensive explosion. What then happened to us?

Something is wrong with Deron Williams. As great as he is, he hasn't played a consistent game for awhile. Bigger and stronger opponents have given him fits. Tyreke Evans had his way against him on Friday night, scoring 22 and dishing out 7. Deron only managed 10 with 13. Evan's length and strength were huge disrupters to him. Again last night, Baron Davis had a terrific game. While... Deron couldn't seem to find his rhythm, as evidenced by his late game miscues. Somewhere in between though, Deron exploded for 35 against Houston, displaying an unmatched arsenal of shots and scores that completely overwhelmed the Rockets. Smaller and lighter Aaron Brooks really had no chance. Deron blew up for 20 points in the first quarter alone. It's just too bad that the Jazz can't balance out the inconsistencies of our Star. As Deron goes... so go the Jazz. Hopefully the Jazz can get things back together. We can't afford to continue our losing ways against the lovable losers.

One of the Greats?

According to Coach Larry Brown of the Charlotte Bobcats from the SL Tribune...

"I don't think there's a better player in the league than Deron Williams... You don't hear him talked about like the others, but the effect he has on games to me are every bit as dramatic as any one of the great ones we talk about."

About Kevin O'Connor, Coach Brown joked... "I remember when Kevin was talking about drafting Williams or Chris Paul. We were teasing him it was like Marilyn Monroe or Jane Russell. He did alright."

Kyle Korver is so hot right now

10-16 from three point range over the last four games for the pride of Pella, Iowa. His minutes have steadily increased and he's taking and hitting clutch shots in the fourth. Can it last? Hell no. But it's nice to have a wing player that can shoot for a change. Keep stroking it, KK!

Boozer the Great

You try and stop him! I don't think anyone can right now. Carlos Boozer is playing some invinceable ball. Last night, he went off for 33 points and 16 rebounds. Boozer has been averaging 24.5 points and 14 rebounds over the past four games since the trade deadline passed.

Boozer has also expressed interest in remaining a Jazzman over the long-term. He likes being a member of the Jazz!

I'm amazed at how the circumstances surrounding Carlos Boozer seem to change constantly over the course of time. Last year, he was destined to leave. This year, he was supposed to be moved. But, Boozer remains with the team and continues to thrive. Go figure!

Is it because he's in a contract year? Is it merely because he's finally "fully" healthy? Or has he just discovered his groove with the team?

I think there may be a great possibility that Boozer re-ups in the future with the Jazz. Ronnie Brewer has been moved... Kyle Korver comes off the books... And Matt Harpring's contract belongs to OKC. There will be some $$ to spend under the tax to retain Boozer. However, as we all know, everything will depend on Boozer's greedy desire for more money. That will be the determining factor. Will the Jazz show him the money?

Regardless, I've enjoyed the way Boozer has been playing recently. I hope he continues to lead the Jazz to more victories. We're playing some good ball.