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http://basketball.realgm.com/blog/22065 ... _For_11_12

EXEC: Kevin O’Connor, Utah

In a season where rampant tanking became one of the biggest storylines, O’Connor pulled off the impossible: rebuilding his team with two top-3 picks while remaining a playoff contender. The executive of the year is often a backwards-looking award, as the architects of top teams are rewarded for the pivotal decisions they made years earlier. Over the next few seasons, don’t be surprised if the Utah Jazz emerge as a contender in the Western Conference.

Surprised that he actually got the proper recognition for his work for once.

I still think it's funny when Jazz fans hate on KOC. Easily a top 3 GM.

finally Utah Jazz gets some recognition. Even big al western conference player of the week....

I refuse to doubt O'Connor ever again.

Every time I've felt like he's made a bad decision, it always ends up working itself out in the best way. The guy is truly amazing, and we're lucky to have him.

It was last years'work really. I mean is Kanter and Burks enough to justify Exec of the Year? Tinsley was a pretty addition too, but still.

You know he has wiffed on later 1st round picks but when it comes to the lottery he is clutch and that is where it matters most. Easily top 1 or 2 in the league.

I think that I was the lierally the only person cherring loudly (and my two compadres) at the Energy Solutions Arena the day that Kevin OConnor picked Gordon Hayward. It was pretty bad. That along wih the Deron Williams trade takes balls.

Those kind of decisions don't always work out, even when they are fundamentally sound decisions.

I am glad that Kevin got this honor. It doesn't even mention that he did it despite having a brand new owner, and a brand new coach who at first were definite liabilites.

Ming Kong! wrote:It was last years'work really. I mean is Kanter and Burks enough to justify Exec of the Year? Tinsley was a pretty addition too, but still.

I'd also like to add that sometimes making no moves at all can be the best move. How many trade rumors did we hear about this year?

Jazz made really bad financial/personnel decisions the prior 2-3 years...but I think that had more to do with LHM getting sick and dying than KOC...

I think KOC has pulled us out of the mess nicely. While I was sad to see Williams go...his recent prideful attitude, lack of leadership, and questionable effort since being a Net has soured me on him a bit...though I do think he's still more professional than many of his peers in this crybaby entitlement era of players.

Well done KOC! As long as the Jazz have a strong fan base, are a playoff team, and are always trying to win....thats all I can ask as a fan!

Ming Kong! wrote:It was last years'work really. I mean is Kanter and Burks enough to justify Exec of the Year? Tinsley was a pretty addition too, but still.

My guess is that it was less to do with draft picks, and more to do with the overall package. The Jazz went from near the bottom of the league after Sloan left last year, to a playoff contender this year.

The Jazz's win/loss record near the end of last season was one of the worst in the league, and they weren't even named Golden State.

now playoff is official. Terrific job if u consider that we already have a young team, cap flexibility, and some future assets (picks, trade exception). The only fault is GS tanking too much... maybe.