‘Buckle Up’

The Jazz season is like riding a roller coaster, incredible highs and then mediocrity. You name the variation, the Jazz have ‘been there and done that’ this year. Great start, horrible December, great January and mediocre after the All-Star break. Losing to cellar dwellers, beating the best. Winning at home, losing on the road.

This is a work in progress, not a finished product.

Let’s look at the positives and some old time perspective.

1. DWil continues to improve. He still has too many turnovers and lapses in concentration and energy. However, at the same point of Stockton’s career, Willy has shown better shooting and range, the ability to post up, and better one on one defense. Stock had a higher basketball IQ, better back screens, more steals and that funky little lay-up, shot off the wrong foot. They both rank right up there as one of the best point guards in the league. Just as Stock continued to improve, so will DWil, but with probably greater potential, because of his physical attributes.

2. AK-47, despite his current ‘fragrant’ foul injury, courtesy of ‘Jerk Nitwitzky’, is having the best shooting of his career, thanks to Dr. Hornacek, the shot doctor. His defense, rebounding and blocks are lagging somewhat, but when motivated, he can still put on his cape and top hat, transforming into ‘The Amazing Andrei.’ The magic is still there, just not every night. No longer do we wince when he takes a shot. We feel his confidence.

3. The Booze Cruise continues to put up numbers, but has problems with moving his feet on defense and blocking out. With an agile, long center, like ‘The Camby Man’, he can sometimes disappear. Each time the match up reoccurs though, he does better, usually mastering the opponent. He’s shown occasional flashes of aggressive defense and running the floor. In comparison to the Mailman, at the same stage, Carlos has better moves, shooting and can use both hands. Karl had more fast breaks, more strength and could muscle in drives and put backs more effectively. Malone’s defense, when he was motivated, was far superior.

4. Who’d a’ thunk the ‘Human Slice-O-Matic’ could improve so much? Brewer’s shot is much improved, and he can even ‘cork screw’ in an occasional three pointer, with his side arm delivery. His quick hands and long wingspan help him recover from some of his defensive lapses. His defense improves each time he plays an opponent again. His above the rim game and midrange shooting have been more than just solid.

5. Memo is sometimes ‘Money’, sometimes just loose change jingling around. He shows some improved defense and rebounding, but is still inconsistent. He’s turning into a ‘poor man’s’ ‘Jerk Nitwitzky’, not a MVP yet. However, he has his moments, like the Piston defeat. His inside game is improving. He’s not just a pretty face on the 3 point line anymore.

6. Kyle is younger, more accurate and has a quicker release than Jeff Hornacek, who has his #14 retired in the rafters. Plus, he’s got two good ‘wheels’, making his defense better. However, Jeff had that drive to the basket, with the ball squirting out of his hands, like a wet bar of soap, and his ‘circus’ shots, which were unmatched. Hot Rod calls Kyle Korver (sometimes Kal Kover), ‘Secret Agent Man’ (you can sing along, if you’re old enough to remember the tune), probably because he can sneak up on you and bury the ‘knife’ deep into your heart, and then continue to twist it, making every free throw down the wire. Thanks Kevin! Just make sure you keep him until he retires in powder blue!

The Jazz could have the best record in the West, barely sneak in, with the 4th seed, starting on the road, or they could be looking at the lottery. Whatever it will be…

Enjoy the Ride!

Jazzaholic