Trade, Fade, or Gatorade

Posted by Aaron Heaton on February 07, 2008

 
‘New Addition’ (Chris Trotman – NBA/Getty Images)

Los Angeles landed Pau Gasol. Phoenix is clearing multiple lockers to usher Shaq back into title contention (on a completely unrelated note, how fun would it be to see Shaq and Kobe square off in the playoffs?). Pressure is mounting for other GMs to pull the trigger on similar trades.

Western conference teams are acutely aware of the competition awaiting those fortunate enough to make the playoffs. With 4 1/2 games separating the 1st and 8th seeds in the west, and playoff worthy teams like Houston and Portland clawing at the door, most teams must trade their way into relative dominance, or let their title hopes fade into the trenches of first round playoff casualties.

If Phoenix, with the best record in the western conference, felt it beneficial to shake things up, what then for the Jazz? Does our roster need additional tweaking? With the February 22nd trade deadline quickly approaching, do the Jazz trade? Do we fade? Our recent 15-2 run is evidence of a different and better option.

Gatorade asks: “Is it in you,” seemingly referencing some ethereal motivating force that inspires athletic greatness. Our streak interestingly began with the arrival of Asht.. err.. Kyle Korver, though many factors have played a part in the Jazz living up to potential that has remained dormant since game 3 against the Spurs.

Boozer’s family is enjoying relative health and is back in Utah. Harpring has a clean bill of health. Memo, despite his continuing “bed head,” has woken up and found his range.

Most importantly, Deron has only three games in 2008 with less than ten assists, all while undressing every defender on his way to the basket. D-will dismantled CP3 on Monday night and left Paul’s foul-laden spare parts on the bench for much of the contest. Who is next on Williams’ hit-list? The Jazz visits Denver tonight, who happens to showcase another guard who was selected over Deron for the all-star game. Expect whatever was flowing through Deron’s veins on Monday night to boil over once again at 7:00pm MST.

To what do ya’ll attribute our recent success? Is a trade needed to compete with ever-improving western conference power-houses? Can we reasonably expect to return to the conference finals? Do we need only buckle down and play with the tenacity displayed in Game 7 in Houston last May? Our recent success indicates that Jazz brass have rightly stayed their twitching hand, pulling the trigger only on cosmetic roster changes. The best is yet to come…

4 Comments

Linda McFarland on February 07, 2008 said:

I personally believe that not only the arrival of Korver but the leaving of Gerichik has had something to do with the rally from the Jazz. There are, naturally, a lot of other things that play a part such as more home games, a three point shooter to give some competition to our other players who are suppose to be 3 point shooters, everyone’s family is well, and we are feeding off our victories. All those things have helped but plain and simple, we are getting better. I don’t see much of a reason to do any trading but then, I am not on the inside to know what they are thinking. We have questioned a lot of what the coaches, owners, and others in the organization have done up to January but they sure must have been doing SOMETHING RIGHT. My only concern right now besides injuries, is that Sloan can get a good grip on letting Kover get threes and the other players who are sure they can make them. Lets not get, in Sloans words,” loosee goosee”

Pudge on February 07, 2008 said:

The Jazz seem particularly pleased with their core right now, so I have a hard time believing a trade could be in the works. An offer of Jarron Collins and C.J. Miles is quite unlikely to persuade some team to part with a shotblocking center. Then again, considering how lopsided the Marion and Gasol trades were, I suppose you can never say never.

John-Boy on February 08, 2008 said:

Blockbuster trade alert!!!!

Jazz get Chris Kaman (LAC), Kendrick Perkins (BOS), Tony Allen (BOS)

Celtics get Jarron Collins (UTA), Sam Cassell (LAC)

Clippers get Hart, Harpring, Brewer (UTA), Rondo, House (BOS)

It makes the Jazz bench better, the Celtics get their PG and the Clippers get Hart back and some young buildable players.

Now to call the GMs

Voltz on February 08, 2008 said:

I want some of what John-Boy’s got! lol

I can’t see either Harpring or Brewer going. Right now only Collins is suspect in terms of ability to contribute. Korver’s hustle on defense and touch on offense are obviously a huge boost.

Bring up Fess!

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