How close are the Utah Jazz to a title run?

Reckless · Post #1 » by **Reckless** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 8:15 pm

The jazz have a team that is built for the playoffs
But just how far can they go with their current roster?

What are our big strengths

Depth at SG
With the Korver for Giricek trade our depth at SG which was already good, got even better. A position that was a big problem for us in the past has become a strength. Ronnie Brewer has shown great improvement in his 2nd season. CJ has shown to be a perimeter threat and Morris Almond is lighting up the D-League waiting for his chance with the team.

D-Will and Booze two man game
D-will and Booze run the two man game as good as any two players in the NBA. It is like stockton to malone all over again.

Bench play
Korver has shown to be a big spark off the bench offensively. Guys like Millsap and Harpring come off the bench and play with great intensity. CJ Miles can come in and knock down some shots. Price as looked great off the bench as d-will sits.

Some concerns -

* Backup PG Problems
Jason Hart continues this and he is destined to be sent to the D-League. Ronnie Price has played great as of late and should get the minutes over Hart

* Lack of defensive big man
Our lack of interior defense really kills us and teams exploit it

Memo Okur in the playoffs
Can we advance in the playoffs with another poor performance from Okur?

So do you think the jazz can make a title run or do they need to make a move? If so what kind of move do they need to make?

BaYBaller · Post #2 » by **BaYBaller** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 8:22 pm

I think they have a chance this year the only problem is that there are too many other good teams out West, and then another good team from the East in the finals.

Utah's strength is their offense and bench, but their interior defense like you said is their main weakness. Problem is that isn't going to resolve it self anytime soon with a frontline of Boozer and Okur, and they have prospects but not amazing ones so basically what you see is what you get more or less.

I also think it'd be a mistake for you guys to trade AK.

kandiking · Post #3 » by **kandiking** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 8:23 pm

nobody knows in the west. nobody. the jazz could maybe advance further if they trade okur for kurt thomas+picks. but jerry sloan has never been a big fan of blockbuster trades.

Post #4 » by **King Roosk** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 8:24 pm

I think this roster is the best chance Utah will have anytime soon.

Post #5 » by **FNQ** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 8:28 pm

I dunno... how long of a drive is it from UTA to LA?

NetsForce · Post #6 » by **NetsForce** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 8:32 pm

510Reggae wrote:I dunno... how long of a drive is it from UTA to LA?

lmao

I don't know the Jazz are really just a Kobe Bryant away :wink:

hermes · Post #7 » by **hermes** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 8:40 pm

its gonna be tough in the west this year

Post #8 » by **tsherkin** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 8:50 pm

510Reggae wrote:I dunno... how long of a drive is it from UTA to LA?

I may disagree but that was a wicked line... :clap:

thamadkant · Post #9 » by **thamadkant** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 9:08 pm

510Reggae wrote:I dunno... how long of a drive is it from UTA to LA?

"Thats GOLD Jerry! GOLD!!"

haha

Reckless · Post #10 » by **Reckless** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 10:44 pm

510Reggae wrote:I dunno... how long of a drive is it from UTA to LA?

lol, i'd love to see a jazz-lakers series, would be a good one

farzi · Post #11 » by **farzi** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 10:45 pm

They're the best of the second tier teams in the league as of right now. If they can play like they have been lately in the playoffs, they'd have a VERY good chance...but its unlikely that they can carry that high level of play over another several months.

jzmagik · Post #12 » by **jzmagik** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 10:46 pm

510Reggae wrote:I dunno... how long of a drive is it from UTA to LA?

Hard2dhole · Post #13 » by **Hard2dhole** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 10:51 pm

hermes wrote:its gonna be tough in the west this year

Agreed but as tough as it is i'd say Utah is right in the mix so come playoff time the West is looking like any team could get knocked out by any of the other 7 teams to make it.

Ballings7 · Post #14 » by **Ballings7** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 11:11 pm

A solid interior defensive presence. Not sure if their defense as a team will quite be enough, with the limitations of their big men.

Post #15 » by **suckfish** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 11:15 pm

I think there in the running. They are solid at home and have a good advantage there, it's the road where they struggle.

I'd definately say that they are in the mix.

KB20 · Post #16 » by **KB20** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 11:15 pm

I really like Utah but they have another big problem outside of not having a good interior defensive presence. They are a not so good road team. To get to the finals, they will likely have to go through 3 series where they do not have home court advantage and baring any major changes, they'd be on the road again in the finals against Detroit or Boston.