Going Postal
‘Air Mail’ (Andrew D. Bernstein - NBAE/Getty Images)
Does anyone else miss the Mailman? I’m talking the pre-balding postmaster. The one who patented the drive to the basket that was as much a glamour shot as it was (in Hot-Rod’s words) a “hamma’ dunk.”
During the twilight of his career, Karl softened. Rather than forge new paths through thickets of defenders, he fell increasingly in love with the fade-away jumper and other less abrasive (though admittedly effective) moves; moves that are seen too often with today’s team.
Our big men have more fitnesse than a Victoria’s Secret model, but at times I see Memo barrel his way to the cup and think “why does that look so unfamiliar!?” He should be doing that several times a game!” Similarly, the fact that Boozer has some of the softest hands of any PF in the league should not discourage him from knocking people over like bowling pins. Boozer’s play in the paint should be generating posters every night.. with opposing teams’ big men sitting on their butts in the background, regretting having stayed between the Alaskan and the rim.
I have no doubt that our season-long road woes would be helped in some measure if we incorporated some nastiness into our otherwise physical brand of basketball. We need someone to step up and take it upon himself to deflate opposing crowds before forcing Sloan’s hand into calling a timeout.
I think we see that in Williams, but it would be nice to see that attitude rub off on our front line. If our big men are not going to demand the ball and take control, why not look to the New Jersey teams of years past when Kidd was running the show and seemingly freezing the ball over the rim for K-Mart to pluck out of the air and flush through the bucket? Deron has the passing savvy and size for a more frequent alley-oop oriented offensive attack regardless of our slow-pace half-court game. Perhaps more importantly, what better way to keep AK happy without him dribbling than for the ball to meet him at the rim?
Whatever the solution, the Jazz has managed one of the most high-powered offenses in the game without much style. Swagger does not come from simply hanging 106 points per game on our opponents. We need someone that talks trash in the 3rd person and smiles at the camera while rolling over an under-sized back up point-guard on his way to the hole. Too bad that kind of flair doesn’t come standard with a degree from Louisiana Tech…
45 Comments to “Going Postal”
Search Jazzbots.com
Be connected!
Get the latest from Jazzbots delivered to your email
Get the latest from Jazzbots delivered to your phone
Bookmark and favorite Jazzbots.com
Jazz Inside Scoop
The FREE, Official E-mail Newsletter of the Jazz.
The Inside Scoop is one of the best ways to keep up-to-date with your Utah Jazz. We'll provide you with information year-round about the Jazz -- breaking news, special event information, unique merchandise & ticket offers, promotions, advance contest opportunities and more.
Featured Sponsors
Jazzbots Recent Readers
Jazz Polls
Loading ...
I second this motion. Booz should be running people over in the paint and he should be enjoying it. I also enjoyed the Mailman’s patented jump kick when he shot his jumper and his swinging elbows. We know what they did to the Admiral.
Over the season I have been increasingly irritated with Carlos Boozer’s soft approach to the game. Yes, last night he had a couple of strips late that helped win the game but up to then he played D like he normally does…no help, feet barely off the ground and getting blown by…looks like he is saving his energy for offense & doesn’t want to be hit.
Overall, ten years ago the Jazz weren’t as talented as this team from 1 to 12 but I feel like John & Karl worked so hard to be good, on & off the floor, that they set an example that created a level of expectation that made the rest of the team work & play harder. I just don’t see that in Boozer yet.
Question…do you think Karl (or anybody on the 1998 team) would have let Dirk get away with slamming AK?
amen. the jazz are softer than room temperature cream cheese when it comes to going to the hole on a lot of nights and they should slaughter the opposition. you know physically kick the snot out of them till they cower and beg for mercy. that would bring tears of joy to my eyes
It would help if our center would ever come inside the 3 point line!
Thank you! Thank you for saying what I’ve been thinking for quite some time. I know it’s hard physically, mentally and emotionally to keep up that kind of grit and determination for 86 games a year. But, if everybody on the team has the same attitude and you know the guy next to you has your back, you can find a way to do it. If for no other reason than in order not to let that guy down. Look at how hard Karl worked throughout his career. A lot was made out of his off season workouts. He is the hardest working player Utah Jazz fans have ever had the pleasurable opportunity to chear for. These players have opportunities to make something great with their careers. If they’re on the roster now than that meens their opportunities no doubtedly go through Utah and the Jazz organization. An opportunity not ventured is an opportunity lost.
The other thing we are lacking on the road is ..the “D” after blowing a 16 point first quarter lead to a sub .500 Bucks team what won the game for us.??? Deron williams . oh and Boozer got a steal … oh good job boozer u stole the ball from the crappy bucks .. any who u can make it up to me by not letting KG drop 80 on u tomorrow night .!
I agree with the comments about “someone” running over the top of other players and playing more physical, but I think there are a lot of people pointing fingers at Boozer as if it is expected that he somehow turn into Karl. (For those of you not aquainted,…this is my friend reality.) He is not Karl Malone! Furthermore, as great a player as Karl was/is, I wouldn’t want him to be the same as Karl. He has other talents and skills that Karl didn’t have and lets not forget that he has only been in the league a fraction of the time that Karl was. The game is not the same as it was 10 years ago, so the players need to evolve with it. Besides, do you honestly think that you guys know more than Boozer about how he should and should not be playing? Not to mention Sloan; who is a better coach than him? C-Bizkit? I don’t think so. Rhinonmater? uuumm, no! Me? hmmm, still no.
To sum it all up, I too would like to see more “nasty” in our game (from everyone), but it’s not our call so give Booz a break. He is averageing a double double and last time I checked they didn’t just hand those out to any shmuck on the court. Sloan runs a tight ship and should have been coach of the year several times already…just let them do their jobs and enjoy the ride!
I see Booz knock people over nearly every game…unfortunately he is usually called for charging. I am not certain about this, but he has to be near the top of the league in charging fouls committed.
He leads the league in fouls made (329). Boozer, get advice from Malone and quit giving fouls.
Boozer doesn’t play with anywhere near the consistency that Karl had as “The Mailman.” This is especially evident on the road. Too many times he fails to get things rolling for the offense and it’s up to D-Will and Memo to generate some points. Our point guard shouldn’t have to be notching 30 points a night just to keep the team in the game. And when Boozer does get his points, it usually takes him until the 3rd or 4th quarter to really get rolling. He needs to start scoring early so our team isn’t stuck trying to play catch-up for three quarters. He certainly has a talented enough point guard to feed him.
I’m glad D.Advocate jumped in to inject a ‘lil controversy into the conversation. First off, let me make it perfectly clear that I recognize the greatness in Boozer’s game, and fully admit that he has several abilities that Karl never had. This post is not about comparing their “game.” Basketball is about more than X’s ‘n O’s. Ask the “bad boy” Pistons teams.
Moreover, while we (all us fans) clearly know less about the game and players than Sloan and his staff, it does not follow that they are pleased with how all the players approach the game. I think Rhinonmater was right on with the question about whether the 1998 Jazz team would have issued Dirk a ‘lil payback for his shot on AK. Sloan has always endorsed that type of aggression. If a slasher gets a deuce via a clear lane to the bucket, land him on his butt if he tries it again.
You can point out that we already lead the league in fouls committed, but a nudge to the shooting elbow does not send a message, nor discourage that shooter from venturing into the lane again. Rather, he (Ray Allen, Arenas, Redd, Kobe, Tmac, Ginobili, etc etc etc) merely sees our “physical play” as a serving a free points from the foul line.
@ Jazzlover, .. I would love to see Booz incorporate some fierce swinging elbows into his rebounding if for no other reason than to have a seemingly legitimate means of “accidentally” sending an opposing player to the locker room for a bloody nose during a crucial stretch of the 4th quarter.
In case you haven’t noticed, the rules have changed. Swinging your elbows and kicking out with the legs will get you fouled out in short order……..Besides, quit living in the past……Malone doesn’t work here anymore!!!!!
It’s all about Memo… When he gets physical and takes people to the basket it opens up his three-point and jump shot game. You can almost always count on 20 from Booze and D-Will. The game usually goes how Memo’s game goes. He is the one that needs to be more physical. When he does et physical we win… when he doesn’t we lose.
Agreed
I completely agree with the post. The only Jazz players who play physical ball game in and game out are Harpring and Brewer. I have no doubt that the Jazz have the ability to play physical ball with the best of them, but for whatever reason, they generally don’t.
Also, I don’t think Sloan is happy with the Jazz’s physical play a lot of nights. Top to bottom, the Jazz have as much talent and are as deep as any team in the NBA, but they still struggle. Do the Pistons have more talent that the Jazz? Nope. Does Rasheed Wallace have more talent than Boozer? Nope, I guaransheed he doesn’t (but he does play more physical). The Pistons win so much because they play physical ball every night.
There was a stretch in late January when the Jazz were playing really physical ball and getting in the heads of the opposing team’s players, and they were winning a lot of games. If nothing else, physical ball gets in the heads of the opposing players, and definitely gives you a mental edge. D Advocate, I’m not a coach and don’t profess to be one, but I have seen a lot of Jazz games over the past 20 years, so I can talk. The three big men need to play more physical ball, especially on the offensive end; doing so will not only give them easier shots in the paint but it will open up their outside games.
Let’s not forget that Booz did through one down on KG last year and he put one down on Eduardo Najara last Saturday!! I do agree that our beloved Jazz are inconsistant with their physicality. I was watching some highlights of Karl’s career and in the early 90’s he was a beast!!! He threw his 6′9″ frame around very well!!!! He posterized nearly everybody who tried to block his dunk. I do miss Karl’s knee coming down the lane. No one was going to take that charge (unless they wanted to miss a few games). With that being said, I still think Booz is a great player and I’m sure he’ll posterize many more in his career! Go Jazz!!!
I would like to see the Jazz pick up a strong backup center. Jarron Collins is about a worthless as Ostertag was. About all he accomplishes is a couple hard fouls. I like Mehmet Okur he has been shooting the 3 ball well as of late, but they need a better backup for him, one that will go underneath the basket and play like a real center. I think it might mess up opponents defense having Okur playing behind the arc, and when he is out a strong center underneath.
@ Travis: I completely agree that Memo needs to maintain that variety to his game. If he limits himself to jump shots, we will continue to see what happened in last year’s playoff series with Houston, and what has continued since. Opposing teams will put their center on Boozer to limit his dominance in the paint, and let a smaller forward contest Okur’s jump shots.
If Okur can consistently take that smaller player to the rack, teams will be forced to match his size, drawing opposing centers to the perimeter and allowing Boozer a ‘lil more freedom down low.
Wow, Primetime what a lashing! I agree 100% with your comment as relating to Ostertag being worthless, but Jarron I think is a different story. Jarron at least shows up to the game every night. He does not have the athleticism that I wish he did, but it seems like he at least makes an effort each game (if he gets to play), not so with Tag.
I love Okur, and I like the idea of him taking the 3’s if he is on, but it seems like when he isn’t hitting the long range shots, his confidence plummets and he looks to pass instead of going in hard to the hole. Then his game usually stays in the tank and half of the time we lose. Is there a way to exploit the missmatch on defense without teams being able to switch back quickly??? If there is I am sure Sloan will come up with it.
Last but certainly not least, I am not a coach either, just a Jazz fan to the core like the rest of you. I just don’t like one player getting the heat for something that in most cases the whole team needs to work on. I used to love watching Karl charge through and mow people down with his knee, but I don’t know if that would fly now. I think the game has gotten too flashy and the players are acting too much to be able to get away with that now. Booz will have to find another way to take advantage of his size and skill, but in the interim a few well deserved fouls would put a smile on my face. They are going to get them anyway, so they might as well knock someone’s confidence down a notch or two in the process. Jazz all the way!!!
You have to rembember with booze. he has had some serious injurys in the past. dont blame him for playin it safe.
Because of Deron (what a player and a team from my “05 Illini), I’ve been a Utah fan 3 years now. I’ve gotten to know the team and like the players. I may like Luther Head (star from the same Illinois college team), but the Jazz have won my hearts, not the Rockets. This is the same Chicago native who screamed at the mailman while cheering on Jordan all those years. But times change, and I’ve never rooted against a Chicago team in any sport until the Jazz played at Chicago the other night; and the Bulls are only 1/2 game out of the playoffs.
My message is hard-nosed smart communicating help D, own those boards, and get to the foul line. You tired in the 4th quarter? Too bad. Suck it up enough one more time, keep the ball in Deron’s hands, let him keep his dribble and find the seams, while the rest of you make your hard cuts without the ball, and he’ll find you (or the basket). If there isn’t a dagger hoop, somebody’s going to the line. You can catch your wind while the clock is stopped. Then this summer you can all workout as fiercely as the mailman and the late great Walter Payton did.
I grew up watching the Bulls on TV in Chicago and going to the old Chicago Stadium for games. Jerry Sloan’s retired jersey hangs from the United Center’s rafters because of fierce defense. Utah has the right coach, the team is the youngest in the league … lets go for it guys, get that swagger on the road, keep those heads up always, and don’t get worried about getting tired. Winning makes you feel nice and fresh.
I have noticed that we have had some really bad games as far as the calls that have been made, very one-sided on the foul calls. I think that on the road they don’t have the fans to help the refs make the right calls and when that happens the Jazz back off. Which doesn’t make any sense you know the ref is going to call a foul anyway. If you know you are going to get called for the foul, foul big, don’t let them make the basket and then get the free throw too!!!!! Make a statement! (I am not saying intentionaly hurt anyone) It seems like the teams know the jazz are going to foul so they drive. Well, foul big and make them think twice about driving. Come on Jazz, being tough isn’t bad! We are the the highest fouling team in the NBA no big deal. If you don’t use up your fouls what good are they? I love the coach because he gets that about the game!!! Your fouls are there to be used! So use them!
DERON is keeping the Jazz alive in the playoffs, however I don’t think the Jazz will make past the second round if the rest of the team doesn’t pick it up.
Where’s the DEFENSE? During the last 5 games I couldn’t help but wonder if BOOZER was taking money under the table not to play defense. It started right after the trade deadline, when everyone was crying for a back up center that could block a few shots-kinda like Ostertag use to do. Boozer must have been trying to fill that role because he started to play like Tag. He just didn’t seem to have his head in the last 5 or so games. Boozer is not a consistent go to guy. He get 20 points a night, but it’s seldom in crunch time. I have no answer or suggestions as to why this is. Any comments?
KORVER: We brought this guy in to help the team, let’s try to run a few plays for him, get him involved in the offense so he feels more comfortable. I think that will help him shot a higher percentage because he won’t be rushing his shot as much. He’s a much better defender than I ever thought he was.
OKUR: I’m glad to see Okur going inside more the last few games. He’s playing with more energy. Keep it up!
BREWER: Like Memo, Ronnie has added another dimension to his game. He’s not only going inside dunking the ball, but his jump shot has been impressive (reliable) the last few game. Keep it up!
One more comment: Why didn’t the Jazz pick up Theo Ratliff off of waivers?
Am I the only one who notices, Boozer gets called for more charges than any other player in the league. I think he would go to the hole a LOT more if he wasn’t hesitant to get charging fouls. I can’t say I blame him either.
The Jazz definitely need to eliminate those and-ones; Kirilenko does a great job at stopping those. It is true, the game depends alot on whether okur is fulfilling his role and playing HIS game, I don’t see any big problems with any one players game though. The Jazz as a whole really need to focus hard on defense. Their offense is maybe the best in the league when they fill their roles and play THEIR game, but offense wins games, defense wins championships—- Remember the finals series between the Lakers and the Pistons— DEFENSE.
Follow Stocktons example, lots of assists, but a complete defensive game too. Playing hardnosed, intense, defensively minded basketball (like Harpring) will win them a championship.
I think boozer is ther biggest softy and look at him. HE IS HUGE!!! I have never once seen him dive on the ground for a loose ball. He gets on one new and reaches for the ball. Man if he accutally dove for the ball, 9 times out of 10 he would get it with his sizer. I mean you see freakin shaq diving into the third row just to save the ball. i dont think boozer has as much respect and love for the game of basketball. Now im not saying i dont like boozer even though i have ragged on him pretty bad, but it bugs me so bad when he doesnt care play defences or get a littler court burn to help out his team. Well whatever. GO JAZZ!!!! keep up the home record on hopefully start to win on the road.
In case noone has noticed, Boozer already piles up the fouls like mad and I don’t think that bowling other PF’s over on the way to the basket is all that practical. I’m pretty sure we’re better with Booze shooting a beautiful 10′ turnaround jumper to take the lead in the fourth quarter than have him sitting on the bench, fouled out, because some critical fans told him to bang someone up. ALSO if noone else has noticed, Memo has been taking the odd possession inside recently, and as we saw during the Jazz’s losing streak while he was injured, we are much more effective of an offense with him spreading defences (especially zone) out for us.
I MIST KARL A LOTE SUCH A GREAT PLAYER SCORING MACHINE HE STIL LEADS LEAGUE IN POINTS SCORED KARL MALONE BEAST FROM THE EAST A FORMER TRUCK DRIVER I LIKE HIS BLACK FREIGHLINER DOES ANY BODY KNOWS WHERE GREG OSTERTAG IS?
I wish all Jazz fans would lay off Boozer! He is not Karl Malone and would not want to be Karl Malone. As far as him being “nasty”, I have seen him put it down on quite a few players this year. It has also been a joy to see Williams and Boozer killing defenses this year which to me is far more effective than swinging an elbow. We are the most physical team in the NBA! Havent you heard all of the comments from other teams??!! I want to say keep it up to one of the best Jazz teams I have ever seen. The rest of you can adopt the Nuggets you fair weather fans!
John and Karl are so yesterday. Get over the comparisons and realize that we have better players now, rather than in the 90’s. The problem is this………so does every other team, especially in the West. If we keep making comparisons to Jazz teams of the past then we can never truly appreciate what we have here in Utah right now. Harpring is as tough as they come, Deron is as tough as they come, Milsap is as tough as they come. Some players are tougher than others. I’m a huge Boozer fan (I lived in Alaska when he played High School balI) but he isn’t Karl. Deron isn’t John. And I’m glad! And I like these players as much as the last generation. If this current team doesn’t win it all then they just weren’t good enough. Same as the last team. Sorry
@ G A C: Glad to see your Illinois fanship extend to the rocky mountains! Though, Sloan’s ties to Illinois should have made you a fan long before Deron was drafted.
@ Bethany: A…MEN. Beautifully said. That’s exactly what I’m trying to get across. I’m not asking our team to foul MORE… I’m asking them to foul harder.
Generally, it seems that there is a thought out there that more aggressive play will be counter-productive because we will be hit with calls that will land our stars on the bench. I think there is a better angle to look at this from.
Aggressive play is what puts the OTHER team in foul trouble. Sure we may pick up a few extra fouls, but heightened aggressiveness will far and away shift the balance of the calls in our direction. Put simply, rather than play soft because you’re afraid of picking up your 3rd foul, go get after it (defensively and offensively) so that Duncan, Amare, Kidd, or Garnett gets HIS 3rd foul. More often than not, we’ll come out on top.
Lastly, this post was NOT an invitation to rag on Boozer or anybody else! I LOVE the man (slightly less than my wife.. .. whose “crush” is approaching unhealthy levels). I agree with all the comments that have pointed out that we ARE the most aggressive team in the league. Couple that with a few nasty shots per game, and we’ll be in prime time shape for a wild ride through the western conference playoffs.
I agree that “As Memo goes, so goes the Jazz.” We need him to step up, and he has been lately. Go Memo
I don’t mean to be rude, but you know that rules where different, and flopping charges are the soup du jour for most of the defenders. There is no way you can do that unless you are smaller guard.
I’ve watched Jazz basketball for 26 years, and Mailman’s problem was that he choked in the 4th quarter on the final possession. (remember the Jordan’s steal on the baseline, or his two missed free throws) He always looked to give the ball to someone else instead of plowing to the bucket, dunking it and going to the line. The Jazz will never be a championship team until they can control the last few minutes of the game. Last nights loss to New Jersy is a perfect example. I don’t know how many times I’ve watched a Jazz lead disappear in the fourth quarter to have them lose the game. Thanks to that I have two broken remotes, one hole in my wall, and a broken speaker grill on my wide screen tv.
I don’t understand how the jazz can beat the best team in the NBA by 18 points, in Boston and also beat one of the top in the west, Phoenix, but they can’t close deals against sub .500 teams like New Jersey, especially with a ten point lead in the fourth. The Jazz play to their opponents level. They need to play Utah Jazz basketball, not LA clippers ball, or NJ Nets ball, or even T-wolves ball. The porblem with the jazz is the lack of consistency. They need to establish their game away from the Energy Solutions arena. If they are unable to do such, look for the jazz getting out second round. Also, I think the jazz to to be working more with Krylo Fessenko and Morris Almond. Jarron Collins never plays, why not use Fessenko as a backup. He could be one of the Top centers in the NBA if the jazz would just work with him. Why not put collins on the inactive list and/or even jason hart and give the rookies an opporotunity to play. You can see what Almond is doing for the flash. Both of these guys can play. Fessenko can bring the Mental and Physical toughness that the jazz need come playoff time. Rafael Araujao could have been a great center, however, I dont see the jazz giving these young kids a chance.
uhm yea play rough like michael jordan did on bryon russell? Jazz can beat the best teams but not bad teams is because they don’t try as hard and the nets game they played them right after playing boston and with the combination of tiredness and lazyness they lost.
It’s about time someone stepped up and shouted out the obvious. Booze plays way to soft for a big guy and needs to be bowling some people over. He has a “sweet shot” but come on, POWER. With Memo’s size he needs to be doing the same instead of hanging out on the 3 point line. Now if we could only get Memo to take a charge!!! I think it’s great to see D-Will driving the lane and getting a slam now and then. We need some “FIRE” on the road or it could be an early exit out of the playoffs, I’m afraid. Go Bench!!!
I think that the Jazz need to rely on their bench more. They remind me of the Kings a few years back when they had the “elite” bench in the NBA. The Jazz have some good players that come off the bench, use them more, instead of just running around giving the starters a rest. Harpring is about the only one who brings strong defense game in game out. He is getting older, but he still shows what it takes. I agree with the fan above, not more fouls “HARDER” fouls. Maybe it is Sloan’s way of coaching, but we need to be more of a presence going into the playoffs.
You people are out of your mind! There will NEVER be another JOHN STOCKTON OR KARL MALONE! They were true champions of their time, and I among many other fans miss them and JEFF HORNACEK very much! Even though I like and admire our new team a lot, I would trade them all to go back to the 90’s and our prime time. With that said, I agree that we need to have a more physical team, and “no”, our old team would not have let Dirk get away with hurting AK. They would have had payback time. Come on JAZZ, give us a good playoff round this year!!!
jazz are going to go all the way baby
boozer is definitely soft, remember karl always bloodying guys? fights all over, i guess those were karls early years, but man he was intimidating. i dont think another nba player will ever have the body he did, thats some serious muscle right there! 2% body fat or something at one point?
dirk didn’t get away with crap, the fans showed him, and then the jazz kicked the crap out of the mavs that night, they dont need to start a fight to prove they’re superior. just wait, paul millsap is our man, he has to be my favorite player.
Boozer is not the reason the Jazz loss and crazy Utah fans should not use him as a scape goat for their inability to get a ring. The failure of the Jazz to go the distance this year is once again due to the fact that the jazz management is unwilling sign another marquee player. Boozer is not the problem, the problem is that the Jazz is currently a two man team and they need help, at least more help than they are currently getting.
There’s no excuse for Boozer, a lot of people say he’s undersized but his standing reach is equal to Tyson Chandler’s. He has every tool to be the Mailman reincarnate except for the incredibly important work ethic.
Leave your Comment