The Undefeated Jazz

The Jazz have started out the season strong—beating the Nuggets and the Clippers for a record of 2-0.

 Two wins, not that important in an 82 game season right?

 

However, with how competitive the Western Conference was last year, two wins could be the difference between starting the playoffs on the road or in the comfy confines of the ESA.

 

What do these two wins tell us about the Jazz this season so far and how long can the Jazz stay undefeated?

 

Most importantly the wins tell us that, if they have to, the Jazz can win without their fearless leader Deron Williams.  In the 2006-07 season Deron missed two games due to injury, the Jazz loss both those games.  No Jazz fan would want Deron to miss games but at least the Jazz can win without him. 

 

The Hart-Knight trade is one of the most underrated trades in Jazz history.  The national media didn't talk about it at all (besides the bottom score ticker on ESPN), and the local Utah media hardly talked about it during the summer. Knight however was one of the main reasons we won on Saturday—his intense defense in the second half and zero turnovers helped the Jazz roll over the Clippers.

 

The Jazz are a deep team. It wouldn't be stretching it to say that the Jazz have the deepest team in the league.  The Jazz bench, especially with AK as our new sixth man, can compete and beat any bench in the league. 

 

The Jazz defense is much more intense than last year. Hopefully the Jazz will continue to focus on defense and dominate on offense.

 

Now how long can the Jazz stay undefeated? Tonight they play against the Clippers. This will be a good test for the Jazz. The Jazz struggled on the road last year. A road record of 17-24 last season, and so many winnable games they lost.  The Jazz have lost six of their last eight games in the Staples Center against the Clippers.  

 

It will be test of character to see if the Jazz have the discipline to play consistently and avoid the tendency to play down to their opponents on the road. 

 

A win tonight would pay big dividends for the Jazz.  A road win without Deron Williams could pay even bigger dividends. A win tonight would lead to a boost in their confidence that could lead to four or five more road wins this year which could pay huge in play-off seating.

 

After the Jazz play the Clippers on the road tonight they return home for games against Portland and Oklahoma City.  Those games shouldn't be too hard to win especially if Williams is back. The Jazz then head back East for a five game road trip.  All those game are winnable, but I see a loss against Cleveland.  

 

That would put the Jazz at 9-0 before losing to Cleveland. 

 

I would love for the Jazz to go 82-0, but as that is all but impossible, I do see 9-0 as very plausible.  However it all starts tonight can the Jazz beat their road fears

Memo Okur Gone to Turkey

The Jazz announced today that Memo Okur will be returning to Turkey for an undetermined period of time to deal with a family illness. 

What does this mean to the Jazz?

I am having nightmarish flashbacks of the dreadful month of December last year. I imagine the opposing teams zoning us all night long. I picture a .500 ball club.

What a bizarro season for the Jazz. Deron Williams out longer than expected with a sprained ankle, Memo going to Turkey, and Booz taking it to the hole again.

What else does this season have in store for Jazz players and their fans?

All Celtics and Lakers Team

The fiercest rivalry in the history of the NBA is between the Boston Celtics and the Los Angles Lakers. They have matched up in the Finals more than any two teams at 11. They are the two most celebrated teams in the NBA. There have been 62 NBA Championships in the history of the NBA and the Celtics and the Lakers hold exactly half of those Championships (17 and 14, respectively).

NBA fans, aside from liking their favorite team, can be divided into one of two categories...Celtics fans or Lakers fans.  Debates have ensued about which is the better franchise, the Celtics or the Lakers. Who has had the overall best talent or who has had the best coach?

What if you could combine the two franchises? What if you could have Larry and Magic on the same team?  Here it is, the all Celtics-Lakers team. 

PG Magic Johnson

A player who could play any position on the floor.  A 6'9" floor general with his exceptional court vision changed the point guard position forever in the NBA.

SG Kobe Bryant

Debated to be one of the best players in NBA history with comparisons to "His Airness," Michael Jordan. One of the most clutch players in the history of the game.

SF Larry Bird

Dubbed the "Great White Hope" by a former teammate. Larry the legend epitomized what hard-work, natural talent, and insane competitiveness produced in a player.

. 

PF Bill Russell

Russell won 11 championships and was the center of creating the Celtic Dynasty.

C Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

NBA's all-time leading scorer, and six-time MVP award winner. Abdul-Jabbar was so beloved by fans and NBA teams, he received standing ovations at every game of his last season (home and away) and received retirement gifts from every NBA team. 

Coach Red Auerbach

As a coach, he won nine NBA titles. As a GM and team president, he won an additional seven for a grand total of 16. 

Bench

PG Bob Cousey

One of the purest point guards ever seen in the NBA. 

SG Jerry West

Sharp shooter West holds the record for points averaged in a playoff series (46.3).

SF Paul Pierce

The six time All-Star was named the 2008 Finals MVP, and has been with the Celtics through thick and thin.

PF Kevin McHale

A seven time All-Star. McHale caused fits for opposing players on both ends of the court with his long arms and his ability to shoot from any angle (Kevin Garnett honorable mention).

C Shaq

The Diesel is one of the most dominant players in the game. Shaq's size 23 shoe doesn't compare in size to his personality on and off the court.

Assistant Coach Phil Jackson

Ties Red with nine NBA titles as a head coach. 

As a Jazz fan, it was somewhat painful to write an article about the greatness of the Lakers, but as a NBA fan I could not ignore that these two teams. The Celtics and the Lakers have made the NBA the success that it is today. 

Utah Jazz in One Word

Jerry Sloan: Tough.

Deron Williams: Driven.

Ronnie Brewer: Slashing.

Carlos Boozer: Ambidextrous.

Andrei Kirilenko:Omnipresent.

Memo Okur: Money.

Ronnie Price: Dunks.

Paul Millsap: Hustling.

Kyle Korver: Threes.

Matt Harpring: Football.

Brevin Knight: Experience.

CJ Miles: Exciting.

Kosta Koufus: Hard-working.

Jarron Collins: Flops.

Mo Almond: Shooter.

Kyrylo Fesenko: D-league.

Utah Jazz: Consistent.

Memo Okur returns from Turkey

Mehmet Okur has returned from Turkey. Okur left the Jazz for Turkey a week ago to be with his ailing father. When he was assured by his father's doctors that his father's condition had stabilized, "Memo" returned to Utah Sunday.

Okur's return could not have come at a better time for Utah. The Jazz finished 1-4 on a five-game road trip. They were also missing Deron Williams (ankle), Andrei Kirilenko (finger), and Matt Harpring (infection) for most of the trip. 

The Jazz hope to start their winning ways again tonight against Phoenix. It has been reported Okur will not play tonight. Williams said he will not play, either, and Matt Harpring is listed as a game-time decision. Andrei Kirilenko will play tonight after missing two games with his strained finger.

The Curse

The Jazz last won in San Antonio in February of 1999.  Pokemon, Harry Potter and the new Star War's movie The Phantom Menace were all the craze.  President Clinton would be acquitted by the United States Senate in his impeachment trial.  And gas prizes were around $.99/gallon. 

The last time the Utah Jazz won in San Antonio, the Spurs weren't even playing in the AT&T center, Karl Malone, John Stockton and David Robinson were all starting for their respective teams and Kosta Koufos, the youngest player on the Jazz  had just turned 10 years old. 

The Utah Jazz  (8-4) hope to stop that trend tonight as they face the San Antonio Spurs  (5-6) tonight in the AT&T Center. The Jazz will be without Carlos Boozer, Kyle Korver, and Jaron Collins. Deron Williams is a game time decision.  The San Antonio Spurs will be without Manu Ginobli and Tony Parker.  

The Utah Jazz have faced injuries all season long which has allowed for the role players and bench players for the Jazz to step up.  The Jazz bench has averaged  41.4 points, 11.6 assists , 5.6 steals and 2.2 blocks per game.   

The Utah Jazz will need the bench lead by AK-47 and Paul Millsap to play their very best if they hope to have a chance to beat the Spurs tonight. 

The Undefeated Jazz

The Jazz have started out the season strong beating the Nuggets and the Clippers for a record of 2-0.

 Two wins, not that important in an 82 game season right? However, with how competitive the Western Confernce was last year,  two wins could be the difference between starting the playoffs on the road or in the comfy confides of the ESA.

What do these two wins tell us about the Jazz this season so far and how long can the Jazz stay undefeated?

Most importantly the wins tell us that if they have to the Jazz can win without their fearless leader, Deron Williams.  In the 2006-2007 season Deron missed two games due to injury, the Jazz loss both those games.  No Jazz fan would want Deron to miss games but at least the Jazz can win without him. 

The Hart-Knight trade is one of the most underrated trades in Jazz history.  The national media didn't talk about it at all (besides the bottom score ticker on ESPN) the local Utah media hardly talked about it during the summer. Knight however was one of the main reasons we won on Saturday, his intense defense in the second half and zero turn overs helped the Jazz roll over the Clippers.

The Jazz are a deep team. It wouldn't be stretching it to say that the Jazz have the deepest team in the league.  The Jazz bench, especially with AK as our new 6th man can compete and beat any bench in the league. 

The Jazz defense is much more intense than last year. Hopefully the Jazz will continue to focus on defense and dominate on offense.

Now how long can the Jazz stay undefeated? Tonight they play against the Clippers. This will be a good test for the Jazz. The Jazz struggled on the road last year. 17-24, so many winable games they lost.  The Jazz have loss six of their last eight games in the Staples Center against the Clippers.  It will be test of character to see if the Jazz have the discipline to play consistantly and avoid the tendency to play down to their opponents on the road. 

A win tonight would pay big dividends for the Jazz.  A road win without Deron Williams could pay even bigger dividends. A win tonight would lead to a boost in their confidence that could lead to 4 or 5 more road wins this year which could be pay huge in play-off seating.

After the Jazz play the Clippers on the road tonight they return home for games against Portland and Oklahoma City.  Those games shouldn't be too hard to win especially if Williams is back. The Jazz then head back East for a five game road trip.  All those game are winnable but I see a loss against Cleveland.  That would put the Jazz at 9-0 before losing to Cleveland. 

I would love for the Jazz to go 82-0 but as that is all but impossible I do see 9-0 as very plausable.  However it all starts tonight can the Jazz beat their road fears.