Its time for CJ Miles to step it up

[dalekjazz]

If the Jazz have any hope of competing for a championship this year, CJ Miles is the key. The two teams above the Jazz, the Lakers and Denver have great wing players, Kobe and Carmelo. The Jazz don't and never really have had a great wing player since the days of Adrian Dantley and Darrell Griffith. By the time Malone and Stockton developed their niche, Dantley had been traded and Griffith was worn down with injuries. Hornacek never averaged 20 points a game with the Jazz. Jeff Malone was a good scorer but had limited range and was not a 3-point threat. Without a great wing player the Jazz always came up short against guys like Jordan and Kobe. For a long time we've been hearing about CJ's potential but we always heard excuses as to why he hasn't lived up to his potential. He was looking over his shoulder when Brewer was on the team. A wrist injury set him back this season. CJ is healthy now and Brewer is off the team. CJ is clearly more talented than Matthews or Korver. The starting job is his for the taking. There are no more excuses. In order for the Jazz to be competitive against Denver or the Lakers this year CJ has to consistently average at least 15+ points for the rest of the season and develop into an effective two-way player. There must be a wing player that Kobe and Anthony have to worry about on both sides of the court.

[DelaneyRudd]

While yes, CJ does need to step it up is a given saying the key to a championship is great wing play is not a ground breaking point. You need multiple great players and 40% of the players on the floor at any time are wing players. The chances are good that most champs will have a great wing player, since most champs have 3 great players.

[jazzfan1971]

I'm not worried about CJ scoring so much. In fact, I think he is a bit shot happy. And by a bit, I mean a lot.

I'm more concerned about his defense, rebounding, hustle, and above all, just being where he's susposed to be on the floor. I don't know how many times I've seen him standing around gawking in no man's land when a shot goes up. Either go fight for the rebound or book it to the other end of the floor. But, don't stand there slack jawed admiring the arc of the shot.

[HammerDunk]

It's been time for a LONG TIME. This is do or die.

[therickster26]

I definitely feel what jazzfan is saying. pretty much exactly how i feel too. He really shows his age by being a shoot first kind of player and somehwat of a liability on defense. unfortunately if youre not a lebron or a kobe type of player, comin right out of highschool has its disadvantages. but i like his shot and definitely agree that he should step up and be a bigger part of this offense and start steppin up on D

[Reckless]

It's been time for a LONG TIME. This is do or die.

Well next year will be the actual do or die time for CJ(his contract expires, unless the jazz pick up the option in 11/12). But I agree that CJ's going to have to step up his play big time for the jazz to consider it because it appears jazz will sign Wes Matthews after the season is over.

[candreww]

Well he's off to a great start

1-8 and the one shot he made was a fluke bounce.

And if CJ ever dreamed of making Kobe or Carmelo "worry" he should wake and apologize to both of them.

CJ is Deshawn Stevenson 2.0 with a little more range. He'll have his nights here and there; but for the most part he's a middling NBA talent.

[idajazz]

I hope all the stars align and the jazz get lucky with the ping pong balls and pick turner.
Then CJ can get his walking papers.
He is a Bust plain and simple.

[DelaneyRudd]

Wall and Deron can be the new Dee Brown and Deron. Turner is nothing to sneeze at but Wall is above all by a lot.