They have a 4-0 record right now, They are playing exceptional basketball at the moment. How well will they do this season?Keep in mind that they started out hot the last few seasons also.
when healthy, yes. but that's the thing. they will struggle to stay healthy all year. AK and Carlos Boozer have a history of missing plenty of games. if they can somehow keep themselves on the court, they'll easily win the Northwest. I can't full expect them to do that however, so it'll be fun to see what happens.
I agree with dogma. when this team is healthy, they are great. AK, Boozer, and Okur are a great group of big men and they have decent depth at the guard position even though none of them are amazing. I think that they can do great things this season IF their players can stay healthy (AK and Boozer). Those two players missed ALOT of playing time last season which kept them out of the playoffs. I really want them to stay healthy to see what they can do. Although, even if they do stay healthy for the entire season, I dont see them being able to compete with Dallas, San Antonio, or Phoenix for the Western Conference Champions. They could win their division for sure IMO.
what's amazing is when those two were out, utah managed to float around .500. They improved at the guard spots, as Deron Williams and CJ Miles are improving, Matt Harpring is healthy again and they acquired Derek Fisher.
Utah is for real, well as long as like you guys said they stay healthy. the Jazz biggest problem for the last few years has been crappy point guards. two years ago when they started out 6-1 they had crappy point guards in McLeod, Lopez, Eisley and gimpy ass Arroyo. those four aren't starting material, and things just got worse when they delt Arroyo and brough in Livingston. last year they had Williams who was off and on, Mcleod, and the worst player in NBA history in Milt Palacio. This year they have Williams, who has been playing great, Fisher, Brown and Chase. so I don't expect the Jazz to struggle like they have in years past.I also think AK plays atleast 76 games this year. he isn't going after every shot like he use to, thats how he got injured. Boozer should be healthy as well, apparently the Hammy is ok. Memo never gets injured so I'm hoping that continues, and ironically Harpring has been fairly healthy during the season as well. the biggest question mark about the Jazz for me is, can their shooting guards mantain this intesity all season long? Miles has done a nice job this far, but has struggled against the better SG he has faced. Brewer is a rookie, and is struggling just to find playing time, and Giricek is, well Giricek, meaning he'll be hot one night and cold the next eight.
<span style="font-family:Tahoma">They always do this until Carlos Boozer or Okur or AK get injured for a couple of games. It all goes downhill from there...</span>
Absolutely, Carlos Boozer has shown his worth so far this season, he has been averaging about 20 or so ppg and has really impressed me. Along with Boozer, Kirlienko is playing pretty well(is also healthy), Okur is making some very nice defensive plays to go along with his tough rebounding and nice contributions in points, Derek Fisher is giving this team it's veteran leadership and guidance to go along with young,Good, players in Deron Williams and rookie Ronnie Brewer. And let's not fail to mention CJ Miles' improvment this season as well. Keeping in mind the Jazz have started out hot in years past as mentioned. I really believe the Jazz are a team to be reckoned with in the West. When I say that I mean a legit team that can make some noise in the playoffs. This is all possible with the hope that injuries don't plague their team as in the past.
It depends. Define "for real." By that do you mean a playoff team or a contender? If you mean a contender, then no way. If you mean playoff team/threat, then most definitely. The only thing really keeping me back from not putting Utah #1 in the Northwest in my season preview was because of the injury threats. AK and Boozer just can't seem to stay healthy for a full season. But, if these guys stay healthy, I could most definitely see them winning the division. We'll have to wait and see with the health of this team.Also, a note to Jerry Sloan: You are an unbelievable coach, you know what you are doing (obviously). And I know CJ Miles is playing well. But you have got to find more time for Ronnie Brewer, this kid can play.^^ I know it's just the beginning of the year, and Sloan doesn't give rookie the upper hand at first, but still. I'm still optimistic that Brewer will get good minutes by the end of the year, maybe even midway through, and I expect him to be the starting SG come next season.
Brewer has just been pushed to the side by the play of Miles, Giricek and Fisher thats why he isn't playing. Sloan knows what needs to be done, and in close games like to ones vs Phoenix and Detroit now coach is going to give a rookie a lot of minutes unless he has too. I think Brewer will get some minutes down the road because Giricek is streaky, and he can't guard a closed door.
Dont get your hopes up, they were like 9-0 2 years ago then they just sucked ass. I doubt they will make the playoffs but like I said, it's too early to say. You should be asking that question if the Jazz makes the playoffs or when we get to mid-season
I don't care what their starting record was last season or the year before. Deron Williams is another year older and is running the offense well. They have three very solid big's and a couple filler wing players that are serviceable. I predicted them to win the division.
Yes. They have a serious shot at the Northwest, and the playoffs. Theyve got an amazing front line. Memo can shoot, and play inside, AK is AK. He inflates stat sheets, plays D, scores, rebounds, steals, blocks, does everything. And Boozer has been a beast thus far. He's leading the league in rebounding, and scoring 20 a game.Deron is progressing well is a point, and will only get better. Hopefully Ronnie Brewer makes some noise also.
If Boozer/AK/Okur can stay healthy for at least 50 games each this year, the Jazz make the playoffs. They have great depth they need in Fisher, Dee Brown, Harpring, Brewer, and they have a great three point shooter in CJ Miles.
