Let's Focus on the Positive

It's been a tough few weeks for Jazz fans, so let's focus on the one thing that I am celebrating right now; THE SPURS FIRST-ROUND EXIT.

Over the last decade, the Spurs have been a disgusting display of floppage, whineage, and vagisilitis. I couldn't be happier that they were bounced out by Dallas. I hope that this summer Tony Parker tears his groin filming a Subway commercial and Tim Duncan is arrested for possession of Meth and soliciting sex to a male prostitute (a la 'Ted Haggard'). But for now, I am happy with the state of the Spurs.

The Boozer Debate

Well... let's allow the discussion to begin (or in Boozer's case... let it continue)!

We've been waiting, analyzing and conjecturing for months about Carlos Boozer and what he will ultimately decide. "To opt out, or to not opt-out, that is the question!"

As I see it... Boozer has an interesting decision laid out before him. Sure, he says that he wants to be back. But really? Boozer will do what's best for Boozer. And yet, to admit, the Jazz will do what's best for the Jazz. There will have to be a mutual investment on both parts to ultimately allow Boozer to make his decision.

Yahoo Sports is reporting that the Jazz may not want to invest in Boozer after all. Even though Boozer is the one who will make the decision, the Jazz could ultimately trade him afterward (if he doesn't opt-out). Here's the commentary via Yahoo Sports:

"After Utah’s first two losses in the series, Deron Williams told friends he was growing increasingly frustrated with the softness of some of his teammates. Williams has previously targeted Andrei Kirilenko for criticism, but he’s said to have also soured considerably on Carlos Boozer .

After Monday’s season-ending loss, Boozer now says he’d like to return to the Jazz, adding that he feels like “one of those cornerstone people who brought this team back to prominence.” In truth, the decision might not be entirely up to him. Even if Boozer doesn’t opt out of his contract, the Jazz are expected to explore trading him and devote their resources to keeping Paul Millsap ."

The key to understanding this analysis is that... if Boozer knows the intention of the Jazz (which he will eventually) and doesn't get a promise of future investment, he may just opt-out and walk away. So really, the question is... what do the Jazz want to do? Keep him, let him walk or trade him.

I believe that there will be teams vying for Boozer's services. In specific, Detroit and Memphis could possibly be serious suitors (along with perhaps OKC and Atlanta). Will Boozer's economic value be high enough to walk away from $12.3 million next season?

My Prediction: I actually believe the Yahoo Sports report. The Jazz would like to have both Millsap and Boozer back next season, however, because of luxury tax concerns, the Jazz will only be allowed to invest in one of them. I think the Jazz want to keep Millsap more than Boozer (he'll be cheaper and more durable). Thus, Boozer will discover this intention (along with his relatively high economic value) and ultimately opt-out. If he doesn't, the Jazz will trade him to one of those teams mentioned above... for cap space, a player and a draft pick. Thanks for playing for us Booz! Best of luck.

I Bring Hope

I've been absent from posting during the playoffs. I apologize. But the Jazz series had a thick layer of inevitability that I couldn't cut through no matter how hard I tried. I watched the games more as an observer than a fan, watching to find some glimmer of hope for next year. I watched without much thought for the outcome of any particular possession or game. It's hard to blog about inevitability.

So, now that the season is over, I feel like there are things to ponder, things to write. Luckily, I am a very stable jazz fan. I don't get caught up in Jazz-are-title-bound hype when we win seven straight at home, and I don't worry about the "state of the franchise" when we lose to a clearly superior team in five games. Thus, in this time of doom and gloom, I am here to bring you hope.

1. What Could Have Been: The thought that continues to needle me about this season is that it was flushed down the toilet by dropping two late home games to lottery clubs. If we beat Minny and Golden State in April, we're playing either the aging Spurs or the Nuggets in round 1. If it's the Spurs, I would be blogging about our second round matchup right now. And, while the Nuggets have looked good against New Orleans, I think that Jazz/Nuggets would have gone seven games. We were very close to being competitive this postseason.
   
2. Talent Level: The Jazz have a lot of talent coming back next year. Our entire starting lineup returns (Boozer and Okur ain't leaving). Most of our bench talent is back, with the likely exception of Mr. Paul Millsap. While Millsap will be missed, his absence won't leave the Jazz bench totally ineffective - we just need Kirilenko and Korver to up the ante.
3. Summer Break: No summer basketball for Williams, Okur, and Boozer means that we should be healthy next year. Along with the contract distractions, injuries killed the Jazz this year. Kirilenko, Fesenko, and Kofous are all playing this summer. Of course, having a summer off only helps stave off injuries if you actually stay in shape. For out-of-shape Euros, like Okur, summer break is more of a mental-health benefit. It allows him to binge on turkish delight and mutton so he can bulk up for training camp.
4. Contract Years: Okur, Boozer, Brewer, and Harpring are all playing for new contracts. Let me predict right now that Boozer plays 75+ games and has a career year rebounding the ball. He's cool like that. I wish I could place a wager on this in Vegas.
   
5. Aging of the West: For years the Western Conference has been brutal. But there is a subtle shift in power occurring. The Spurs and Hornets have been exposed in the playoffs. And I'm not convinced that the Rockets are going to be better next year. The Mavs are getting older as well. That leaves the Lakers, Blazers, and Nuggets as the cream of the crop. The Jazz can easily compete for home court in the first round next year.
6. The End of an Era: Jarron Collins has likely played his last competitive basketball game. While I don't think that fact will improve or worsen the Jazz, his absence will certainly soothe Booner and Pasty Gangster who are convinced that Jarron is the anchor holding the Jazz back. Good bye, gentle scholar. We will miss your sweater vests and your citizenship.

Now, to be sure, there are problems: the Jazz can't win on the road, we are likely to lose our most aggressive post player for nothing, there are obvious chemistry issues on the squad, the luxury tax looms, and we may be trying out a new coach. But, I am optimistic about next year. I think next year's Jazz absolutely will outperform this year's squad and that we have a good shot at making the Western Conference finals. So cheer up, Jazz fans. Hope springs eternal.

Lessons Learned

• We are not that tough.  
• But our coach still is.
• Ronnie Price should be our backup point guard.  End of story.  Brevin Knight couldn't have turned in that performance seven years ago, let alone seven days ago.
• It is a lot more fun to watch Jazzmen who put in an effort than to watch those who don't.  Say what you will about Boozer being able to get his shot off and playing better against bigger oppoents than Millsap (and I agree), but I can't suffer through another big game where he doesn't seem to try and leaves the court satisfied with 10-point effort in a playoff elimination game.  D Will put it best in the D News today: "(We need) to figure out ways to play harder, and bring a different effort every night. ... We're not getting that effort every night from everybody — and we've got to have that."
• From all appearances there are three guys who want to start and play hard every night for the Jazz: Williams, Millsap, and Price.  A bit discouraging because that's not a lot to build on, especially if we lose Paul.  

Dear Ronnie Price

You embody everything a Jazzman should be. Thanks for bringing your heart, energy, determination and toughness! I hope that you will be with us again next season.

Here's to your ability to lift the Jazz from a 20-point deficit in the fourth and rallying the boys to close the gap to 5. Thanks for taking on the establishment (that is Kobe and DFish)! That was the most entertaining sight of the series.

I can guarantee you... that you have every Jazz fan behind you. You've more than earned your keep. Infact, you've completely endeared yourself to all of Jazz nation. Please come back next season!

Until then,
Go Jazz!

Guru

Is Tonight Sloan's Last Game?

Maybe, maybe not. But the thought has haunted me for weeks. And J.A. Andande seems to see the writing on the wall as well. Here are the reasons:

1) Sloan is getting old,

2) Sloan may be getting bored after 21 years with no ring, and not even a Coach of Year award,

3) Sloan needs knee replacement surgery,

4) the face of the Jazz is changing (LHM is dead, Hot Rod is retiring so that he can focus on 'the bottle' full time, and we risk losing Boozer, Millsap, Okur, Korver, and a slew of others this season, so how badly will Sloan want to start over with a new squad?),

5) this young Jazz team is digressing (Western Conference Finals in 2007, 2nd Round exit in 2008, 1st Round exit in 2009), and

6) when it's time, it's time.

So just in case, keep your eyes on Sloan tonight, because it may, it just may be his last night on the Jazz bench. But then again, maybe not.

The Harsh Reality

Ouch! Reality set in last night as the Jazz fell hard to the Lakers.

While I believed the Jazz could perhaps make this thing a series and tie it 2-2, we followed our impressive showing on Thursday night with a stunning Laker domination.

The Lakers scored 40 points in the 2nd quarter to put us on our heels. We were never able to recover from an on-slaught of Laker points... outscored by 12 in each of the middle quarters. We were never able to get stops and scores. Until finally, we found ourselves down 20 in the fourth. The Laker wave just completely rolled us over.

Ouch!

When Kobe scored the first 7 points of the game for the Lakers, I knew it was probably going to be a long night. He continued his scoring barrage early and often. He had 13 of the Laker's first 15 points. Most of his shots were well-contested and guarded by Ronnie Brewer. What can you do when someone gets that hot? Kobe went on to set the tone and finished with 38. Thirty-eight!

Ouch!

Both Carlos Boozer and Deron Williams had respectable games. Each player scored 23 points a piece. Boozer was in double figures for rebounds while Deron had double figure assists. They both played solid games. Unfortunately, we didn't get much else from the others. Kirilenko came on late when it was just TOO late. The Lakers still rolled us.

Ouch!

Where do we go from here? It was plain for the eye to see that we were simply overwhelmed and overmatched in this game. The Lakers did what they had to do... and it didn't feel too good. What a harsh reality check!

Where Have You Been All Season?

Oh baby what a night for Carlos Boozer! Finally, the man played like a MAN! 23 points and 22 boards. Not to mention 2 clutch free throws when the rest of our Jazz men were really tight at the line. And the DUNK! Oh that left handed dunk that he so rarely throws down, but when he does, it is a sight to behold, especially when he does it in a crucial game 3 with the game tied at 84 with 17 seconds left on the clock. Good Grief!

What a game indeed!

The downside is that last night's performance by Boozer begs the question: Where has Boozer been? We can all see that he is capable of much much more than he typically gives us (as evidenced by his line last night). I suppose the only clear answer is this: Boozer rarely plays half as hard as he did last night.

No Memo for Game 3

It is being reported that Memo is an official no-go for Game 3 tonight. Too bad. But on the bright side, that means we will get to see plently of Jarron Collins. Also, AK-47 will start in place of Korver tonight.

Random Thoughts on the Jazz-Lakers Series So Far

• Two players who should see a lot less time in this series going forward: Brevin Knight and Jarron Collins.  Knight is getting killed by Jordan Farmar for hell's sake.  
• Two players who should see a lot more time in this series going forward: D Will and Memo.  Oh wait, one is playing every minute as is and the other one doesn't suit up.
• As Kenny Smith semi-eloquently put it on last night's halftime show, the frustrating part about Jerry's coaching style is that he doesn't seem to try new wrinkles when the old ones are clearly not working.  Our defense was as bad in Game 2 as it was in Game 1.  Collins continues to waddle up and down the court adding nothing of value.  From what I can tell, the big change in last night's game plan was playing Price in the 2nd half instead of Knight.  
• Aamzingly, with all that's gone wrong there are still some slivers of hope.  Kobe hasn't been dominant, partially because Brewer has played tough D on him.  No one on their team -- and certainly not Derek Fisher or Trevor Ariza or Shannon Brown -- can come close to stopping D Will's penetration.  With the home crowd on our side, my predicition is close victories in Games 3 and 4.