| Ten Reasons Jazz Fans Should Have Hope For The Upcoming Season Authored by Wes Davis - July 28, 2005 - 6:01 pm
#10 - The Jazz have flexibility to improve the team. Their cap situation is very good, with cap room on the horizon next year. The Jazz are wisely waiting to see who hits the market via the amnesty rule before committing their MLE to any free agent. They have no bad contracts on the team, with even the highest paid players being worth their contracts giving them flexibility in making trades with other teams.
#9 - Carlos Boozer should have less stress this year. Carlos had plenty on his mind last year, from weaseling his way out of Cleveland, to getting called out by the team owner, to having his season ended by injury. The saying goes, 'what doesn't kill you makes you stronger' and if Boozer didn't die from all the adversity and controversy he faced last year, I expect him to come into this year stronger, with the knowledge that he's faced the fire and survived, and can now get about the business of playing basketball.
#8 - Gordon Giricek looked like the #1 scoring option on the Jazz two years ago. He fell out of favor and into the dreaded dog house last year, and the Jazz suffered as a result. With Raja and Snyder gone, there is little doubt that Giricek gets a chance to return to significant minutes and an important role on the floor this year. Once in Sloan's doghouse, it's nearly impossible to get out, but, I think he may play his way out of the doghouse out of necessity. If so, Giricek will add some much needed scoring punch to the starting lineup.
#7 - Greg Ostertag is back in town. I, for one, am a huge Ostertag fan. Other than AK, there is nobody on the team I'd rather cheer for. Every time Ostertag gets a block or an offensive rebound, a loud cheer of, "OoooSTerTAG!!!" can be heard emanating from the vicinity of my living room couch. Ostertag will give the Jazz some much needed size from the bench. He was always a more productive player than Collins or Borschardt and will improve the backup C position of the Jazz. Love him or hate him, he is what he is. Ostertag will help the Jazz win some games and expectations for him will be just about right for a change.
#6 - The Jazz have historically had good success turning 2nd rounders into league commodities. Think Bryan Russel and Shandon Anderson. CJ Miles and Robert Whaley could fall into this mold. I'll go out on a limb and say that Robert Whaley will be a league commodity. I think CJ Miles also has a chance to be a league commodity. I believe the Jazz said they had him #3 on their depth chart of shooting guards, which along with the Jazz signing him to a guaranteed contract says volumes about how the Jazz feel about his potential and ability.
#5 - The Jazz have historically had good success turning guys nobody else wanted into league commodities. Think Carlos Arroyo and Raja Bell for two recent examples. I look for this trend to continue this year. I expect the Jazz to sign a couple of guys who fell through the cracks, and turn them into valuable rotation players. Guys like a Steve Blake or Richie Frahm that might just need the right situation to shine.
#4 - Andrei Kirilenko added weight in the off-season. Historically, AK has come back lighter and weaker in the summer due to having so many obligations in the summer. Not so this year. He looks a little thicker and stronger which should help him on the floor.
#3 - Mehmet Okur spent the first two thirds of last year getting into shape and learning the offense. In the last third of the year he had finally seemed to have the coaches’ trust and an understanding of his role. I expect Okur to be up and running from day one this year, making the Jazz that much better. Furthermore, I have heard rumors that he's kept/gotten himself into good shape this off-season, unlike last year.
#2 - The Jazz have never had a high lottery pick. Deron Williams was drafted #3 and as the first point guard taken in a draft that will likely be known for its point guards. He should be very good and give the Jazz the floor leadership they so desperately needed last year.
#1 - The Jazz have historically avoided injuries. Last year was an exception. There is no better hope for Jazz fans then having a healthy team this year. Injuries decimated the team and the team's record last year. I have no doubt that this team has the talent to make the playoffs this season if they can avoid injuries. This is not just the wide eyed musings of a fan with his head in the clouds looking at his team with rose colored glasses, but, rather based on the fact that a healthy, yet less talented, Jazz just barely missed the playoffs two years ago. With the talent the Jazz have added since that time, all the Jazz need is to be a perennial playoff team once again is to stay healthy. |
