You know that I love the Utah Jazz. I have for years and years...from the Adrian Dantley days to the time of John and Karl, through the rough times to the rebirth of the program with Deron Williams. Even in the season where they only won 26 games, I still watched. I'm watching now, but damn, it's tough to see.
That brutal week in February was like a killer punch that the team has never recovered from. First Coach Sloan quit, followed quickly by the trade of the only All-Star on the team, Deron Williams. It was bad enough that Sloan left, but when Williams was traded, it was like the team lost all it's swagger. Nothing against Coach Corbin; I'm sure that he'll develop the team into what he wants. But the players who were left behind in the wake just seem to be reeling.
The team seems to be without any leadership. Maybe Al Jefferson is trying to step up, but he's new this year and it takes some time to develop into that role. Raja Bell could be a leader, but he just hasn't had the shooting touch this season, plus he's just coming back to the team. And he got all cranky when the coach took him out of the starting line-up to try to get more point production. Andre Kirilenko is not a leader. He's always been a role player. Paul Millsap? Maybe someday, but he seems too soft-spoken to lead.
I just watched the the Jazz lose to the Washington Wizards here in SLC. Prior to tonight, the Wizards had only won one road game. Make that two, now. It's just such a bummer.
The Jazz won't make the play-offs this year. There's seven games left in the regular season, and I never thought I'd say this, but thank God it's almost over. Hopefully the general manager, Kevin O'Connor, can figure out how to get a little swagger back on this team and we'll see what happens next season.
SIGH. This is one sad Jazz fan.
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