Rotation is set

[The Sheik]

This is purely based on my observations over the pre-season and from what Sloan has said in the media. You can tell from the last 2 games that he has set his rotation sans Deron getting hurt.

Deron / Price / Knight
Brewer / Korver / Almond
Miles / Kirilenko / Harpring
Boozer / Milsap / Kirilenko
Okur / Collins / Fesenko / Koufos

Sloan said in practice today that CJ is starting opening night. Which also means that Harpring is going to be out for awhile. Sloan also eluded in the comment about CJ starting that he and Brewer would help Ronnie Price run the pg which would tell us that if Deron doesnt play Price will start and would lead one to believe that he has won the back up job. I also think Fes will get the backup minutes if Collins isnt available.

As for CJ he has a couple weeks to prove his worth. You definitely appreciate the Jazz matching now that the thought of Almond starting or backing up AK coming to mind.

As of the Champaign game we have found out what the roles of Almond, Koufos and Fesenko are. They're inactive players that will spend time in the D-league.

Now here is the interesting thing. Its obvious the D-league did no help and I would even go as far as saying it has done nothing to help any player we have sent there. IMO I think that Almond and Koufos spend time with the Jazz and go on a similar D-league path as CJ did in his 2nd season (only go to the d-league on long road trips). I think Koufos will benefit more learning the rigors of the road and practicing with our coaching staff and learning what he needs to learn about our team and not a synthetic version from the Flash. Fes is the most interesting case, I think the D-league did him no good, but I think the guy needs a lot of work. A nutritionist and cook is first and a rude awakening for a better work ethic second. I think more then anything if he is sent to the D-league he needs to have a babysitter making sure he isnt eating fast food everyday.

[fivas14]

Why Koufos as the 4th center?

Fes is still wild as **** when he's on the court, Koufos looks comfortable and looks like he could contribute a lot more then Fes or Collins.

[The Sheik]

Its not my choice. I just think Jerry through Kosta in the dog house ever since the portland performance. He also didnt play at all on saturday and Fes has been getting the minutes Collins would have had. I think Saturdays game was the normal rotation minus Deron in the 4th qt.

I think Sloan likes Kostas seriousness and work ethic and I wouldn't be surprised if he did get sporadic minutes like Brewer did his rookie year, but I just dont think he is ready in Sloans eyes.

If Collins is injuried on opening night then I think Fess is on the active roster.

I also at this point dont think it matters whose 4th or 3rd. Its whose 2nd and its Collins and most likely will be, but I think Kosta has the potential to win Sloan over if he works.

[The Sheik]

I guess also Fes didnt really play either on saturday had it not been for that rule that the other team gets to choose who shoots an injured players FTs.

[carrottop12]

I think it's a toss up between Fes and Koufos. Fes is a better rebounder/defender. Koufos is a better Scorer and he looked to be trying to crash the boards after that Portland game.

[hoops4life]

I am willing to bet the C rotation is more like this:

Okur/Boozer/Collins/and does it matter... Koufus/Fes

[carrottop12]

I really like what Sloan is doing bringing AK off the bench.

As long as the Jazz aren't getting crushed over the first 6 minutes of the first quarter night in and night out by opposing wing players AK should get a ton of touches with the second team and should really help out Korver, Price and Millsap off the bench.

Hopefully CJ finds his game also, he could really benefit the Jazz with his shooting range and play making ability. Hopefully he finds some confidence and has some big games for us.

[The Sheik]

I am willing to bet the C rotation is more like this:

Okur/Boozer/Collins/and does it matter... Koufus/Fes

No your right I missed that.

[schneiderjazz]

Pretty much agree with everything you said, Sheik. Although, by the end of the season I see the rotation just like last year, with the exception of Knight taking up Price's spot:

Deron/Knight
Brewer/Korver
AK/Harp
Boozer/Sap
Okur/Boozer/Collins

I gotta say, though, that AK coming off the bench seems to be working great. CJ, on the starting line-up, not so much. Although, if CJ finds his place and hits his shots consistently, this team will be scary good.

[The Sheik]

Yeah I definitley love the prospect of Knight/Price, Korver . AK and Millsap out there. I think AK will excel because he is finally getting a role. I remember reading Ross Siler write about how during the portland game AK was talking to Knight about how the Blazers defenders were over playing and they could go over the top on a back door.

[erudite23]

Yeah, looks like you've nailed it there. I think that Fes and Kosta are probably dead even, which is to say that neither one will play at all in the beginning of the year. However, I do think Kosta will work his way into it at the end of the year as he shows progress in his game.

CJ starting is a very good idea, and I love AK coming off the bench. He looked more active on defense in the pre season than he did in either of the last two regular seasons. I hope like hell that it will carry over to the real games. He looked like the old AK47 in the second Chicago game. He was literally everywhere, doing everything, and dominated stretches of the game. Just amazing and gratifying to watch.

[Duiz]

I am not digging this just yet. I want the season to come. I grade it as Maverick and Risky to be putting perhaps your second most talented player into the bench. If Kirilenko doesn't play 30+ minutes a game this season, I am going to change from a Sloan-lova to a Sloan-hata.

[The Sheik]

I dont understand what you mean Duiz? AK will play the same minutes he did last yr, except now he has bigger role on the 2nd unit and will still play 30+ mpg between the 3 and 4. Were talking about CJ playing 12-16 mpg.

[qman]

I guess people are looking for Miles to make big plays in the preseason. Based on what he has said and what Sloan has said- Miles is looking to play defense, make hustle plays and help run the offense. He has missed some makable shots but that isn't his focus and rightly so. Basically he gets AK's role with the starters last year. And I think he has do a decent job and should continue to improve as he gets more comfortable with his new role.

[Duiz]

I mean, that moving AK to the 2nd unit to me still doesn't solve the cancer that Boozer is still to our team. I am wondering too where Matt will come into all of this once he comes back, because it is a matter of time when he does. I mean, don't get me wrong, let's get rid of the guy, but doubt that Sloan will be so trigger happy with Matt. I think CJ or Matt will eventually be starting by the middle of the season. Also, does this mean that AK will finish the quarters and finish the games. To me, I prefer AK finishing games, than Miles.

I still dream of a Harpring/Boozer trade.