“We love to expect, and when expectation is either disappointed or gratified, we want to be again expecting.” - Samuel Johnson

Last year, I think people had pretty minimal expectations about the Jazz. Maybe most of us here in Utah thought they could get to the playoffs, but I sure didn’t hear anybody betting the farm on it. Certainly none of the pundits looked to Utah to be anything special. Instead, there was a lot of talk about “fun.” In fact, I remember one pre-season interview last year in particular, where Sloan used the f-word like 3 or 4 different times-practically unheard of around these parts!

So getting to the WCF greatly exceeded those expectations. It definitely left me gratified as a fan. And yes, it really was fun (ignoring that late season depressing slide). Okay, maybe some of you were disappointed we didn’t beat the Spurs, but come on-beating Houston and Golden State was about as incredible an outcome as you could ask for.

Now as we approach the start of the season (finally!), what do the expectations look like? Pretty hard to believe, but outside of Utah they don’t look too much different than last year. The early prognosticators certainly don’t have us winning our division, and the (typically) limited national focus on the Jazz has mostly been about the Kirilenko distraction.

However, I’m starting to think that this “cloud” could actually be a good thing for us. Not that we can really sneak up on teams like we did last year, but the end result might be the same. Assumptions are being made that the team is distracted, and that we still have the 2 guard problem. Nobody is saying that the Jazz did anything to improve. Not that teams won’t gear up to play us, but I think that always happens when you have to play a Jerry Sloan team. So here are my expectations for the coming season:

1. Kirilenko is going to return to his earlier excellence. First, because in order for Kirilenko to achieve his own agenda (whether to improve his tradability or to help the Jazz get to the next level), he has to do that. Second, because I think Williams has come to understand that he must use all the weapons on the floor, regardless of his own personal frustrations with teammates. Too many times last year he simply did not pass it to Kirilenko, even if he was the open man.
2. Short of having actually figured out the shooting guard role, having the 4 guys we do have is going to prove to be a big advantage. Every one of them has the potential/ability to own that role, and they all seem to be competing hard to win it. Competition in this case is a beautiful thing and it will give Sloan great flexibility. Also, for as least the early going, it will be harder for the other teams to prepare against that many options. Personally I am rooting for Brewer to break out like Williams did and own the role.
3. Fesenko will be a surprise weapon in the second half of the season. I think Sloan will let him get a taste of the fun and excitement of the NBA, until Opening Day is over. Then he will ship him straight to Orem and for a couple months he will get to play tons of minutes and really learn the game here. When he comes back he will be an unexpected force on the team.
4. The West is again incredibly deep, and the focus will be on the usual suspects-Spurs, Suns, Dallas, and Houston. Denver will also get more of the attention than we will.

So I think the Jazz have the potential to again be overlooked-not to the extent of last year-but enough to make a difference. All of this will enable the Jazz to win 57 games and get to the Finals. At long last, the league will crown Jerry Sloan COY. Those are my expectations, and I can’t wait to be gratified. Let the games begin!