Utah Jazz Must Stay Healthy to Contend
The Jazz ended their season prematurely losing to the Lakers in 5 games. With the talents the Jazz have many thought the Jazz would put up a better fight – especially a Jerry Sloan coached team. The Jazz finished the regular season 48-34 but didn’t seem “right” all year long. Deron Williams missed 14 games, Carlos Boozer missed 45 games, Mehmet Okur missed 10 games, Andrea Kirilenko missed 15 games, and Paul Millsap missed 6 games. Teams can’t get on long winning streaks and stay consistent when the line-up constantly changes.
Paul Millsap is a double-double player every time he steps on the court. Carlos Boozers is also a 18 point, 10 rebound type player when he is healthy – the combination of the two is a force down low. Deron Williams is one of the best points guards in the league and some nights he is the best. Williams has had a very successful young career – while comparisons to John Stockton might be premature – Williams is engraving his own Jazz legacy right before our eyes. Williams can do what Stockton never did – win an NBA Championship.
The Jazz couldn’t stay healthy last season – when teams are cut short by injury that typically doesn’t happen back to back years. The Jazz should have a 50 win season and challenge the top Western Conference teams throughout the season. The Jazz have a new team they must contend with in the Portland Trailblazers who are young and very hungry to establish themselves a top Western Conference team.
The Utah Jazz have experience, youth and talent. If they can’t make a great run this season with the core group they have now, Utah will still be without their NBA Championship. The Jazz must stay healthy all season long if they want to be in the Western Conference Finals again.
By: Ken McCormick
Posted in: Jazz Festivals