No Encore for the Jazz

In mid January I shared my thoughts on the Jazz at the seasons' Intermission. The curtain has now fallen on the Jazz and there not only appears to be no encore, but there are a few of us standing - giving the ovation the team and organization deserves.

After our mid-season intermission we were treated to a bit of a tease in the second act. Reviews and projections from the cast led us all to believe that the second half of the season would be a sight to behold. Award winning perhaps. It was however, award-less, and for the most part, entertaining at best. Yet, with injuries continuing, and chemistry never really developing, there were some bright spots that were enough for me to stand at the conclusion of the season and applaud.

Regardless of expectations or perceived talent on this Jazz roster, it could be argued that any other team plagued with the injuries the Jazz were forced to work through this year would have landed them near the bottom of the Division or even the Conference. Yet, despite the worst injury riddled season in nearly 20 years the Jazz were able to finish the season with a winning record and a playoff position.

They were able to keep their head above water and avoid completely falling apart. The unknown however is whether or not the falling apart is now in front of us, instead of behind us. We all know Boozer, Okur, and Korver can all opt out of their contracts. The Jazz must decide whether to pick up Fesenko's option, whether to extend the contract of Ronnie Brewer, and what they will do with the 4 unrestricted free agents.

Although I do feel a little uneasy about whether or not we are being forced into potential rebuilding mode again, I do take some comfort in knowing that the situation we are about to face is not a surprise, but something that Kevin O'Conner has been thinking about for several seasons now. I honestly believe that Kevin O'Conner has a back-up plan for every situation, and probably a back-up plan for each back-up plan. This is the man who took us from "bye-bye John and Karl," to "Hello D-Will and Boozer and Western Conference Finals" in just a few seasons.

This season will be remembered for the excitement of projected success, to the sadness injuries and an eventual first round exit brought upon us all. But I would imagine that it will be remembered more for the loss of Larry Miller and the retirement of Hot Rod Hundley. There is no doubt Larry would have had a few things to say about the team's production this year, and would certainly have had some wonderful things to say about Hot Rod. Both will certainly be missed, and the Jazz organization and its fans will never be the same.

We may lose Boozer, or Okur, or some combination of other players, but in the end, it ends up being just a game...a game I am totally obsessed with. In the months to come, the team and coach may end up looking quite different, but as the Season approaches, I won't be any less excited than I ever have been. Thanks for the Memories Larry, Hot Rod, Sloan, D-Will's crossover, Boozer's left hand dunk, Harprings free-throw-line-curl-around jumper, Okur's back to back trey balls, Korvers rugged good looks, and Boler reminding us all to buckle-up.

See you next season...the curtain falls, the orchestra quits playing, the aisle fills with fans leaving the room, and someone comes in later to clean up the mess we left on the floor.

Next showing: Contracts and the Draft.

2009 Utah Jazz MVP Rankings

Welcome to the first ever Barden's rankings of the Utah Jazz MVP. The regular season ended last night, and by the way the team has been plagued by injuries this year, maybe the end of the regular season isn't such a bad thing. I will be ranking the 15 players under contract this past season with the Utah Jazz by the following criteria:

1. How valueable were they to the team this year
2. Games & Minutes played
3. Individual Statistics
4. Overall effort
5. Perceived loyalty to the team, coach, and fans

Please feel free to add your comments at the end in areas you may agree or may disagree. So without waiting another minute. Here we go. Starting at #15 with Least Valueable - all the way to the #1 Most Valueable.

#15 Morris Almond

Morris Almond played in a total of 25 games this year for the Jazz before being permanently assigned to the Jazz D-League Affiliate; Utah Flash. Earlier in the season the Jazz announced that they would not be picking up next year's option on Almond's contract. All signs point to Almond being on another teams roster at the beginning of next season. Almond's positive stat-In his short playing time, he hit 80% of his free throws going 21-25.

#14 Kyrylo Fesenko

Fesenko also spent some time with the Utah Flash, but was ultimately re-called to the Jazz to make space on the Flash roster for Kosta Koufus. Fesenko has been openly criticized by Jazz management as a player with great talent, but with an immature, non-focused attitude. In his 21 games played for the Jazz this season he recorded 15 blocks. Not bad considered Carlos Boozer finished the season with only 7 blocks. Fesenko may have a future with the Jazz, but I would imagine he will spend a portion of next year on the Flash roster as well.

#13 Jarron Collins

I like Collins, and it was difficult to place him at #13, but ultimately it came down to his value to the team when he was needed. The Jazz were plagued by injuries this season, Collins included. Yet there were very few times when Collins was called upon because we were desperate for his help. However, when Collins played, he played well. Wouldn't mind continuing to pay him $2 million a year to ride the bench and hack-a-Shaq when called upon. Collins also seems to win the Jazz award for player most willing to take a charge.

#12 Ronnie Price

Like Collins, I think Price is a talented player that just didn't get the playing time this year to showcase all of his talents. Deron Williams missed a total of 14 games this season and Price was there to run the show. He is quick, a decent shooter, but not really a point guard. He is also prone to turnovers. Price played 200 minutes fewer than Brevin Knight this year, and only had 5 fewer turnovers. I like his energy, but sadly may never be more than a decent backup guard.

#11 Kosta Koufos

Kosta Koufos was the Jazz's first round draft pick and this season's only rookie. Koufos finished the season with the Utah Flash, but I believe this is a positive. The Jazz knew there were not enough minutes to give "KoKo," but believed in his potential as a future piece of the franchise. In addition, injuries to other players gave the rookie the opportunity to play in 48 games with the Jazz; 7 as a starter. Even with this limited playing time, he still ranked 4th on the Jazz block list with 31.

#10 Brevin Knight

I wouldn't disagree if you presented the argument that Knight should be higher on this list. However, every other place I ranked him just didn't seem right. He gave Deron Williams some quality rest, and usually didn't let things fall apart. His value to the team would also have been higher had we not had Price available for backup minutes as well. Shooting 34% from the field did mean however that D-Will's rests were occasionally shortened. Would like to see him back next year as D-Will's backup. His effort has never been in question.

#9 Matt Harpring

If Matt Harpring wasn't ranked 11th in minutes played this season, then he certainly would have ranked higher on this list. His is without question the toughest player on the team, and the go-to-guy when you needed someone roughed up a bit. This season he managed to frustrate some quality players, ie, Dirk, Pierce, and most recently Baron Davis. He plays hard, and smart, and his curl around shot from the free throw line is practically a guarantee, yet, his body just hasn't been able to keep up with his toughness and he lands at #9.

#8 CJ Miles

Coach Sloan opted to place CJ Miles in the starting line-up allowing Andre Kirilenko the opportunity to boost the second unit. I think this move was more about AK then it ever was about CJ being a starter. CJ certainly has talent, and even a future with the Jazz. I for one, however am a little tired of using the "he is still so young" argument. He has just played 72 games as a starter and is into his second contract. It is time for CJ to start playing a little better defense, and also pull down more than 2.3 rebounds a game. Still, his FG% and FT% aren't too bad.

#7 Carlos Boozer

Boozer is a two-time All Star and among the best Power Forwards in the league. He just wasn't with that crowd this year. Without trying to criticize everything that has gone wrong for Boozer this year, I think we can chalk most of it up to his injury. He never really recovered from his injuries, and until recently has been secretly dealing with problems at home. Boozer did publicly make some comments that have given some, including me, doubts about his loyalty to the team, the coach, and the fans. However, I also believe that had Boozer been healthy all year we would not be playing, and soon be losing to, the Lakers in the first round of the playoffs. His productive playing was "missed" by the Jazz, but the number of games missed, and untimely contract comments, prevent him from rising into the top 5.

#6 Kyle Korver

Is it me, or does Korver seem less dreamy looking this year? Apart from his rugged good looks, Korver can still hit the trey ball, and is the teams best free throw shooter at 88%. When he is on, he is deadly. When he is off, he never seems to be off by much. He works hard and was able to bring down about 90 more rebounds this year than his starting counterpart CJ Miles. Kyle seems to work well in the Jazz offense and I hope to see him on the roster next season. Perhaps the AK off the bench experiment could continue next season with Korver in the starting rotation.

#5 Andrei Kirilenko

Start singing Simon and Garfunkels Mrs Robinson with the lyrics, "Where have you gone Andrei Kirilenko, our team turns its lonely eyes on you." I don't know that the Utah Jazz have ever had a player who is capable of filling up a stat sheet like AK. Andrei led the team with 77 blocks. At the same time, I can't think of any other "high paid" player who needs so much positive reinforcement and motivation to succeed. When AK is at his best, then the Jazz are at their best. When AK seems lost, the Jazz struggle. I don't know if the Jazz should hire another assistant coach solely in charge of telling AK how great he is, or if we should try to cut ties with our needed small forward. Where have you gone AK? I miss you.

# 4 Ronnie Brewer

Ronnie Brewer only missed 1 game this year. Thus, he lead the team in games and minutes played. He shot over 50% from the field and led the team in Steals. (Ranks 7th in the NBA in Steals) The Jazz have quickly accepted that he isn't much of a jump shooter and practically non-existent as a 3-point threat, however, he excels at running the baseline and making the easy "in-the-paint" shots.

# 3 Paul Millsap

Charles Barkely said it best when he said, "Paul Millsap is a beast." When Carlos Boozer went down with injuries, Paul Millsap became very valuable to this team. I don't know that Millsap will ever be as good as Boozer, but this season he certainly meant more to the team than Boozer did. Millsap led the team in offensive rebounds (251) and was just 30 shy of Memo for defensive rebounds. Overall Millsap led the team with 654 rebounds. Paul also conceded he was grateful to have Boozer return to the court, because he was tired. However, this exhaustion was only because he played hard and seemed to give unquestionable effort every time he stepped onto the court. You will certainly be given a raise this year Paul, I just hope it is from the Jazz.

#2 Mehmet Okur

The money man comes in at #2 on this list. Memo leads the team in 3-point FG%, and second only to Deron Williams in Point Per Game. His 17 points and 7+ rebounds per game helped keep the Jazz afloat when injuries seemed doomed to sink the struggling ship. His FG% and FT% are also above average for those who play his position. His deep shots came in clutch moments. Similar to Boozer, Memo can opt out of his contract at the conclusion of this season. Contrary to Boozer, we haven't heard any comments from Memo on the matter. He has chosen to at least "portray" to the fans, that he has been focused on this season and this season only.

#1 Deron Williams

Deron Williams is the 2009 Season Utah Jazz MVP. I really hope Deron Williams at #1 doesn't surprise anyone. Deron Williams is the leader on the team, and the fuel that feeds the fire. Deron Williams leads the team in assists and ranks number 2 in assists for the league. He too missed games this year to injury, which cost him his first selection to the NBA All-Star Game. Deron's intensity was never in question, and after signing a contract extension in the off-season, his loyalty to the team has not been in question either. Although he ranks #2 in the NBA in assists, he also ranks in the top 5 for Turnovers at 3.4 per game. Deron also averaged over a steal a game, and raised his FT% to to nearly 85%. There is no question that for the team to succeed, it is going to need D-Will at the helm.

Why Tiger is the Best!

Good Luck Tiger in your search of Green Jacket # 6.

Ahh,...The Masters

Happy Masters Everyone

I am really looking forward to enjoying The Masters this year. From all reports the weather at Augusta is beautiful and the competition strong. Doubt we will be lucky enough to have a Tiger-Phil final round match-up, but it should be enjoyable all the same.