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Utah Jazz
2007-08 Record: 54-28
Cool 2007 Stat: PG Deron Williams was only the 4th player in history to average 18 pts and 10 asts per game while shooting a blistering 50%+ from the field. The other 3 players are Steve Nash, Magic Johnson and Kevin Johnson. (Note: Williams ruined one of my best stats by falling under 19 ppg for the season. Had he stayed there, he and Carlos Boozer would have been the second pair of teammates to go for 20 ppg / 10 rpg and 19 pg / 10 apg in the same season. The first, and only, pair are Oscar Roberson and Jerry Lucas in 1965-66)
Anticipated Starting Five
PG- Deron Williams
SG- Ronnie Brewer
SF- Andrei Kirilenko
PF- Carlos Boozer
C- Mehmet Okur
Bench: Kyle Korver, Paul Milsap, C.J. Miles, Ronnie Price, Jarron Collins
Biggest Strength – Offensive Execution
As long as Jerry Sloan is the coach of the Jazz they are going to have one of the best offensive systems in the league. Sloan also has the luxury of going from John Stockton and Karl Malone running the pick-and-roll to another strong tandem in Deron WIlliams and Carlos Boozer. Pete’s cool stat clearly speaks to that. This season they will have Korver for the entire season shooting the three off the bench, and I don’t expect their 2nd best field goal shooting (49% last season from the field) or great passing (2nd in the league in assists) to decrease this season.
Biggest Weakness -Team Defense
Yes, Utah has a very good perimeter defender (Ronnie Brewer) and a versatile defender in Andre Kirilenko but overall they aren’t that great defensively. They were 12th best among playoff teams in defensive efficiency giving up 106 points per 100 possessions. And only 13th among playoff teams in field goal percentage defense. I don’t think Boozer or Okur are particularly good defenders at their positions. In order for the Jazz to get over the hump and become an elite team who beats other elite teams, they need to lock in better on defense as a team. Especially late in games in the playoffs.
Key Player in ’08- Ronnie Brewer
The Jazz have their Stockton in Deron Williams, and they have their Malone in Carlos Boozer. What they need is their Jeff Hornacek, a scoring guard who can be a third option and stretch out opposing defenses. Brewer began to fill that role last year, nearly tripling his scoring average, while shooting 56% from the field as a SG. He’s only 23, and entering his 3rd season. If he can continue to improve and get up to about 16 ppg, while continuing to play solid defense, it will help this team tremendously.
Their Thaddeus (exciting player 22 or under) – C.J. Miles, 21
Miles was drafted out of high school in the 2nd round by the Jazz (11 picks before Lou Williams) and has only averaged 10.6 mpg in his 3 seasons in Utah. So you’d think when Oklahoma City signed him to a 4-year, $15 million offer sheet, the Jazz would have just let him go. Instead, the Jazz matched. This could be a sign that they plan to give him a chance to get some playing time this year. He’s a similar player to Ronnie Brewer, but looking at their depth chart, there might have to be an injury for him to get a shot.
Pete’s 2008 Outlook: 1st place, Northwest division / 4th place, Western conference / 5th place, NBA
At the end of the regular season last year, I picked the Jazz to represent the West in the NBA Finals. They have a superstar in both the backcourt and frontcourt, good shooting, a defensive stopper inside (Kirilenko) and outside (Brewer) and depth at every position. In the end, Deron and Carlos just weren’t ready to take the next step. For me, Boozer has to step it up a little. I’m not entirely convinced that his mind isn’t on his next stop (the Miami Heat). Either way, look for this team to approach 60 wins.
Dannie’s 2008 Outlook: 1st place, Northwest division / 3rd place, Western conference / 5th place, NBA
Utah is a very good team with the 2nd best point guard in the NBA. I am just not sure they are good enough defensively to get out of the Western conference and get to the Finals. If they stay healthy they will be one of the top teams in the West, and I think they will win more than the 54 games they won last season. But can they beat the Lakers, Houston or New Orleans with Mehmet Okur as their starting center?
Philly Connection: Kyle Korver
Korver was a fan favorite for the Sixers, and it came as a shock to many (myself included) when Ed Stefanski made his first move by trading Korver to the Jazz for Gordan Giricek and a draft pick. Korver left the Sixers with the 2nd most 3-pointers in team history (behind A.I.) and immediately after he left, we started talking about our need for a shooter. Korver had a great influence on the Jazz, who went 38-12 after the trade (a 62-win pace for a season). It would be fantastic if he could somehow still be on this team, but without this move, we would have had no chance at Elton Brand.
I agree with both of your thoughts about the Jazz’s lack in the defensive department. It’s always interesting to me when a big man so efficient with footwork, body positioning, and center of gravity…that is masterful in the rebounding/blocking out department…is really not a good defender at all. Obviously Okur is no stud in the paint either, and Deron williams has been mediocre.
Ak-47 has always been an NBA 1st team all defense kinda guy, and Ronnie Brewer is a nice defender…if they could just get Deron Williams trying to make it a mission to improve his defense to where he can annoy opposing PG’s, it would really make a big difference. Ditto with Boozer. Okur is a total lost cause…if it wasn’t for his ability to shoot the 3 (Jazz suck at outside shooting aside from him and Korver), IMO Okur is completely expendable on that team, given they sorely need a Ben Wallace type of defenseive presence in that post.
You guys forgot to mention two key players for their bench: Matt Harpring, who hopefully will be a bit healthy this year and should be good for 9-10 pts off the bench and a nice spark of energy…and most importantly, my guy Morris Almond. I’ve probably written about my obsession with him one two many times on Recliner when we discussed trading for a 3 point gunner…but I REALLY think he is going to become a nice rotation player in the NBA.
Ronnie Brewer is a good player, but I just don’t see him as a multiple year starter for long…I think he’s more effective off the bench as a slashing wing that can be a good defensive stopper. Mr. Almond though…this guy can SHOOT THE ROCK…watching him at Rice reminded me a lot of Mitch Richmond and Allan Houston, just a pure shooter, but one that has a well rounded offensive game as well, that can attack the rim. Almond’s bball IQ is also very nice, and he is not lacking in the confidence department. Another underrated thing about his game is his passing, and the ability to find seems and hit open teammates. He had already convinced me his senior season at Rice that he belonged in the NBA…his tearing up the D-League last year has only elevated my opinion of him. I have a feeling he and Ronnie will split 2 guard minutes 50/50 this year, with Almond starting to get more nods after the all-star break.
It’ll be curious to see where the Jazz wind up in this year’s different-look west…I think most people are right in acknowledging they are an “elite” NBA team, but one that doesn’t really have a great shot at winning the title. No way they take down LA or Houston.
I should add…the player I mentioned at the beginning with “so efficient with footwork, center of gravity” etc, was Boozer…specifically not Okur lol.
Great way to start off the Northwest Division with the division champions themselves, the Utah Jazz. Nice assessment Dannie & Pete. Two seasons ago, the Jazz were one of the suprise teams in the NBA and shocked the NBA nation when they went as far as the Western Conference Finals in 2007. Perhaps they would have been in the playoffs more one or two seasons before that, had it not been for the injury bug. Here is my take:
Greatest strength(s):
-Execution on offense
-Stockton to Malone Resurrected?
Here is a video of Stockton to Malone
Here is a video of Williams to Boozer (with some Jazz)
-Energy Solutions Arena (truly lives up to the name!!)
(only losses there were: Rockets (twice–reg, and postseason),Magic, Celtics, Lakers)
-Dominant in their division
-Physical defense
-Jerry Sloan, longest tenure coach in major leagues sports
-Strong bench
Greatest weakness(es):
-Foul prone team (Costs them a lot of games)
-No Derek Fisher (clutch shooting, leadership, experience)
-Not many significant additions
-Road woes
-Individual defense
-Perimeter shooting(especially clutch shooting)
-Still not going to beat the Lakers
Key matchups to keep in mind this season (and possibly postseason):
v.s Blazers (the surprise team and one that could rule the NW)
Last season, (1-3)
v.s Lakers (Derek Fisher, and the fact they beat them last season)
Last season, (1-3 regular season)
(2-4 2nd round 2008)
v.s Rockets (Could there be a Jazz-Rockets series Part III?)
Last season (2-1 regular season)
(4-2 1st round 2008)–Yao, Alston hurt!!
(4-3 1st round 2007)–a win at Houston Gm 7!!
Possibly, expect the series to get tougher and uglier. Hopefully both teams will have their players healthy and it will be the ultimate grindout. That series could go 7 at Houston. We will talk more once we get to the Rockets.
Also, the Jazz need someone to relieve the scoring duties of Derron Williams and handle more of the point guard duties. A proper SG is certainly needed, maybe at the trade deadline.
What will the Jazz’s future be like next offseason? Boozer, Okur, Korver, and many others are FA’s in 2009. The team does not want to go above the luxury tax, but at what cost??
I think the Jazz will be 1st in the Northwest Division, 4th in the West (by virtue of winning their division, but will not have homecourt advantage in the 1st round!!)
(On a side note, the Sixers will split the season (1-1) with the Jazz with each winning on their respective home floors. The Jazz are very mediocre on the road and Sixers fans will get their team excited and ready!! The Sixers will lose a close one at Energy Solutions Arena, where the Jazz are unbelievable there. I don’t know if the games are rigged there or not, but that is impressive!! Last season, we lost a close one there and there were some weird calls towards the end of the game. Luckily with Elton Brand, we have someone who can counteract with Carlos Boozer, a fun matchup of the Dukies. Andre Miller and Deron Williams matching up, assist wise it should be a contest!!)
Also, I am looking forward to seeing Korver returning to the Wachovia Center. He will get the cheers from our respectful and knowledgable fans!!! Hopefully, Kareem Rush and other perimeter shooters on this Sixers team can fill those big shoes. Surely, they were quite a bargain though!!
KK OK but glad Ed put ‘Creighton Kranker’ in crate; steady breezes on defensive end & Brand here as a residual. Don’t understand lovefest/heartbreak over KK. And what’s with his lickin’ fingers and slidin’ ‘em over sole of lifted sneaks? Must be a midwestern tic.
How could Stefanski trade Korver!! What an idiot!!! He should have moved Miller’s contract, now we’ll never get a big time FA like Elton Brand, and we’ll never contend because we can’t make 3 pt shots!!! Bring back Billy King!!!!!!!!
Wait, I was just dreaming I was back on Deep Sixers circa last winter. My bad.
Funny. Ahh, “Deep Sixer” … those were the days … was good while it lasted but the silent ending was kinda harsh … when format changed, I knew in my heart that ’Camelot’ was gone … cast of characters, some lively interaction.
Meeting “The Recliner GM” was the luckiest day of my life. It’s all about second chances.
Morty, where is Dean by the way ? Jumpin, does Korver come back next year as the final piece ? [12 min. per at 3 mill. per] And were you there for the Guiness Record handball game ?
suede, He’s “the final piece” alright … just as #76 Shawn Bradley revolutionized the game. No, keep him away, I’d rather have Doug Collins run around picks. Guiness game? Missed it.
suede: Perhaps Dean is still working through a nice big plate of braised crow?
Deep Sixer was fun indeed, although the format change was terrible, and there were a few too many drunken “jamokes” who would wander in. I’m just glad that so many of the intelligent regulars have made their way over here, though we are still missing a few. I can’t wait for the season to start, and have some actual basketball to discuss.
Rob, liked your analysis of the Jazz. One of their weaknesses to address was definitely the backup PG situation (CJ Miles = their Lou Williams…talented youngster but not quite a PG)…and I felt they made a really underrated tweak move this summer taking care of that need.
They shipped away Jason Hart, a pretty solid vet, to the Clippers in exchange for Brevin Knight. I’ve always thought B Knight has been one of the unheralded veteran points of this era…he might not be able to shoot farther then 8 feet from the hoop, but the man is simply an assist machine, is great at taking care of the ball and always has a low turnover count, and simply doesn’t make mistakes in pressure situations.
Whether he gets 5 minutes or 25 minutes he’s the consummate PG professional, and delivers the goods to anyone on the court that is open. Just a great fit for Sloan’s offense, and they can breathe a bit easier now that Deron can take a few minutes off during the regular season without a giant drop in play on the court.