A mess at the '2'
The Jazz's shooting guard situation remains a mess, especially now that coach Jerry Sloan and veteran Gordan Giricek's simmering feud finally exploded during Wednesday night's loss at Charlotte.
Assuming Giricek (and his expiring contract) are out of the picture, the Jazz's options at the position include Ronnie Brewer, C.J. Miles, Morris Almond and -- I think this is what Sloan will prefer when Matt Harpring gets healthy -- Andrei Kirilenko.
Brewer has been a pleasant surprised, but the second-year player with an inconsistent jumper is still lacking on the defensive end. He also lacks the reputation that is needed for a player at this position, or didn't you notice his three trips to the basket in the final moments of the loss at Charlotte. Brewer had two shots blocked and was called for traveling.
Miles continues to flash potential but, in my opinion, his decision to skip last summer's Rocky Mountain Revue cost him a chance to be a major contributor right now because it hurt his conditioning and game experience. Right now, he's not ready to start on a playoff team. Of course, maybe the Jazz aren't a playoff team.
Almond has played well in the D-League and will likely be recalled if and when Giricek leaves. But he's not as ready as Miles, even though I know the Jazz coaches love his future and his approach to the game.
That brings us to Kirilenko.
Going into the season, I think the Jazz envisioned their best lineup would include Kirilenko and Harpring on the floor at the same time, since the "two" and "three" positions in Utah's offense are basically interchangeable.
A lineup of Deron Williams, Carlos Boozer, Memo Okur, Kirilenko and Harpring would create more mismatches than an opponent could handle and put a relatively experienced group on the floor at the end of games.
Of course, Harpring has been unable to play starter's minutes because of his offseason knee surgery and latest bout with gastric trouble. So that plan has gone out the window, much like the Jazz's hopes to be a 55- or 60-win team.
Consider:
To match last year's record of 51-31, Utah must go 37-18 the rest of the way. And assuming it will take 45 wins to make the Western Conference playoffs, the Jazz must go 31-24 just to have a shot at the postseason.
Another question:
Given the unsettled situation at shooting guard, is there any doubt that the Jazz miss Derek Fisher -- maybe not for his inconsistent jump shot and lack of finishing ability at the rim, but for his physical and mental toughness and his experience?
-- Steve Luhm
Assuming Giricek (and his expiring contract) are out of the picture, the Jazz's options at the position include Ronnie Brewer, C.J. Miles, Morris Almond and -- I think this is what Sloan will prefer when Matt Harpring gets healthy -- Andrei Kirilenko.
Brewer has been a pleasant surprised, but the second-year player with an inconsistent jumper is still lacking on the defensive end. He also lacks the reputation that is needed for a player at this position, or didn't you notice his three trips to the basket in the final moments of the loss at Charlotte. Brewer had two shots blocked and was called for traveling.
Miles continues to flash potential but, in my opinion, his decision to skip last summer's Rocky Mountain Revue cost him a chance to be a major contributor right now because it hurt his conditioning and game experience. Right now, he's not ready to start on a playoff team. Of course, maybe the Jazz aren't a playoff team.
Almond has played well in the D-League and will likely be recalled if and when Giricek leaves. But he's not as ready as Miles, even though I know the Jazz coaches love his future and his approach to the game.
That brings us to Kirilenko.
Going into the season, I think the Jazz envisioned their best lineup would include Kirilenko and Harpring on the floor at the same time, since the "two" and "three" positions in Utah's offense are basically interchangeable.
A lineup of Deron Williams, Carlos Boozer, Memo Okur, Kirilenko and Harpring would create more mismatches than an opponent could handle and put a relatively experienced group on the floor at the end of games.
Of course, Harpring has been unable to play starter's minutes because of his offseason knee surgery and latest bout with gastric trouble. So that plan has gone out the window, much like the Jazz's hopes to be a 55- or 60-win team.
Consider:
To match last year's record of 51-31, Utah must go 37-18 the rest of the way. And assuming it will take 45 wins to make the Western Conference playoffs, the Jazz must go 31-24 just to have a shot at the postseason.
Another question:
Given the unsettled situation at shooting guard, is there any doubt that the Jazz miss Derek Fisher -- maybe not for his inconsistent jump shot and lack of finishing ability at the rim, but for his physical and mental toughness and his experience?
-- Steve Luhm
9:57 AM
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