montgump on April 11, 2009 said:

I had such high hopes for this team.

Chris E. on April 11, 2009 said:

I still do. Don’t give up quite yet man. I really feel like this team has got a lot of fight left in it. Every team hits slumps. They will bounce back.

josh on April 11, 2009 said:

Nice post James, well said without getting to frustrated haha. Everyone has been saying the same thing about the Jazz and how they dont understand whats happening but lets see if the Jazz can come on top and put whatevers slowing them down behind them.

By the way im going to the Jazz Game tonight and im soooo EXCITED.. havent been to one in 9 or 10 years… so they better win.. haha. the last game i went to was back in like 2000 or something when they played the rockets on christmas day. They won by the way!

DeronWilliamsforPresident on April 11, 2009 said:

Good post!

Have fun at the game tonight Josh! I think I’ll be in attendance but it’ll be my 35th this year (without season tickets, mind you). So probably just a little bit more exciting for you

Jim Lane on April 11, 2009 said:

Well Jazz……. I think it is time to clean out your lockers……. and I really dont’ think that you want to win games….. Have you all given up?? I also had hopes for the Jazz this season, but don’t think they do. WAKE UP JAZZ!!! It looks like a replay from last year… Jazz vs the Lakers with the Lakers putting the Jazz out……. I really hate saying all this… but the way they play when “away” sucks. I’m hoping that they do win games during play off.

Levi on April 11, 2009 said:

I think the Jazz have to get through the Lakers at some point in order to get to the NBA Finals. The only problem with a first round playoff with the Lakers is that the Jazz are playing so poorly as of late. I still believe the Jazz can beat anybody, but they have to play more aggressively. They seem to be playing with a lack of confidence, or maybe a lack of that winning desire. Williams is always great, but players like Boozer and Kirelinko keep getting thier shots swatted away in the key. Why don’t they go up stronger? Some of the layups they have been putting up lack in intensity and aggressiveness. I never seen the Jazz play so carelessly as they have lately. Protect the ball, stay aware on the court, and get back on defense!

I hope the Jazz can turn up the intesity and play the way I know they can.

Amir on April 11, 2009 said:

excuse me everyone who put down these great comments. i am a huge jazz fan since 1996 97 when they made it to the finals but the problem with utah they never had superstars on the team besides two players point guard and power forward. they will play lakers in the first round and it will be 4 : 0 for lakers. i am sorry this year people think utah jazz is deep team they are not. collins has to go. harpring is great i love him but he is done you cant have a guy on bench whos limit is 14 minutes per game because of bad knees. i wish utah does well in this years draft and they get a good solid back up point guard and also somebody who can defend paint. defense stinks. also 1 more thing utah doesn’t defend 3s a lot. they get killed every night they play.

Jake on April 11, 2009 said:

Unfortunately, the jazz are officially playing the Lakers in the first round.

JAZZ! WHY ARE YOU GUYS PLAYING THIS WAY!?!?!?

We can’t blame our 8th playoff seeding due to injuries at the beginning of the season.

Brayden S. on April 11, 2009 said:

Uhh… Jazz… can we pretend this season never happened?

montgump on April 12, 2009 said:

IF, and only IF they can steal a game in LA, there might be hope, but I wouldn’t count on it.

Bob Dean on April 12, 2009 said:

The Jazz have done just what they’ve wanted to do. After knocking the Lakers out of the playoffs, what team isn’t going to fear them. All the way to the finals and finally a victory over the overconfident Celtics. Larry Miller will be smiling from above.

Boris Brakalov on April 12, 2009 said:

We were slow for the Lakers last year. This year we are even slower (I mean on defense). I don’t expect anything good unless they manage to use this week to get in shape, which would be a small miracle.
I hope we are just deceiving our opponents by playing so bad

James Seaman on April 12, 2009 said:

I’m sorry Bob, I don’t share your optimism at this point. The truth is, I can live with the Jazz getting knocked out of the playoffs by a better team. Every Jazz team we’ve ever rooted for has eventually been stopped short of a championship, but we still cheer for them. What I can’t deal with is a team that seems willing to just lay down and die. If you’re going to go down, fine–but go down fighting. Show some heart. Otherwise, I don’t want to see it. I would rather turn off the TV and go for a walk, or do a million other things than watch a team that isn’t giving all it has. And at the risk of sounding overly dramatic, I think that in these economic times–given the fact that so many people are working so hard to make ends meet–seeing a bunch of millionaire basketball players sleepwalk through the motions is a spit in the face to all those who spend their time and/or money following this team. Somewhere, Larry Miller has a broken heart.

Rob H. on April 12, 2009 said:

The truth is that we all want to see them do well. The last thing we should do is lose confidence. The players lack enough as it is and if we can’t actually believe they are a good team who will? What the team needs is a fan base that has faith in them!

Zack Jazz Fan on April 12, 2009 said:

We are a fan-base that has faith in them. But I’m with James on this one. I can’t watch the Jazz play another game that I want them to win more then they do. This has been the most frustrating year by far. We have the talent, and we’ve had spots where you could see who this team should be. But we can’t seem to utilize it. The last two games don’t matter much anymore, pull the starters, then hope and pray that we can steal one in LA.

Rob H. on April 12, 2009 said:

On a different note let me ask why D. Will. has forgotten how to pull up and shoot a three. Does he think that he is not allowed to just shoot. In my opinion if we want to win at all he needs to become a bit of a ball hog. He needs to drop the other teams confidence by shooting right down the throat of the defender. And if it fails, try again. Any NBA star knows that there is a time to stop passing the ball off to someone else and just take care of business.

bob... on April 12, 2009 said:

i really wanna see sum fight sum hustle something that gives me hope…im tired of postgame interviews saying we need to do this and that all politcally correct..i wanna see them pissed i wanna see them calling out teamates i wanna see fire swearing throwing shit any thing then just taking it on the chin….im tired of the jazz fans in the crowd if i was there i would throw my jazz jersey on the floor and walk out in disgust let them know im pissed let them know i expect more!!!! all this pre maddona sports stars these days what happened to going out and earning your pay check u got the best job in the world now act like it and play for it!!!!!!!!!! sorry for the rant im flustured

drew on April 12, 2009 said:

true rob, very true. i think it maybe sloan telling d will to not take 3’s like he was previously.

matthew on April 12, 2009 said:

i think the jazz did great until the heat game after that loss they fell apart and cant find a way to pull together they wanted this season for larry and thats been hard to deal with and the fighting in the locker room about min and boozers mouth about raises and i am a starter cant help but i think that brevin knight is a good player but bad at the point the team dont mess well when he is on the court they give up leads and fall apart then d will has to fight twice as hard to get it back and they all look tired maybe people should wait and see what happens in the first round before you send them fishing.

Caderade on April 12, 2009 said:

It’s over guys. I’m sorry to say it, but it’s over. Did you see the team that destroyed us last night? 7 healthy players, 4 rookies, 1 sophmore, 4 undrafted players. Pathetic! 8th seed, Lakers in 5, better luck next year.

Levi on April 12, 2009 said:

Bob Dean, I hope you’re right.

Rob H., I agree entirely. I have watched too many games recently where Deron is playing great making a very good percentage of the shots he does put up, but then he starts trying to get others involved, and things go wrong from there. I have watched Deron drop the ball right in the hands of his teammates, just to see the guy fumble the ball away for a turnover. Lately Deron is the only player I have complete faith in. Sadly enough, I’d rather see Deron shoot everytime than pass the ball to anyone. I’m tired of guys dropping passes, or taking bad shots that seem to be getting swatted away more and more.

Whatever is wrong with the Jazz right now, I hope they can figure it out within the next week.

Jamie on April 12, 2009 said:

All i can is say is we officially suck right now. Milsap needs to learn to shoot the ball outside when he has a chance and get over whatever fear he has. Boozer needs to learn there is no I in team and since he came back from his “injury” he sucks even worse than before. Do we need to put glue on his hands to hang on to a pass or what? Everyone says he is going through a lot right now with his divorce. Well leave it off the court when you play the 3 hour games. You don’t get paid millions of dollars for feeling sorry for yourself. You get paid millions of dollars because you are OVERRATED That is right .. I said it! It seems like they are all expecting Williams to do it all every game. Good lord Sloan, play Price or Koufas or even Fes, let the guys who never play, play and maybe they will want to win more than our starters. Even Korver can’t hit the broad side of a barn right now. I am so over watching them this season. I haven’t missed a game yet, even in pre season and all I can is say is I am so disappointed. Honesty, I dont see them making it past the first round in the playoffs. They can’t even win to GS when they have 7!!! players. That is really sad. I have always supported my team but if they really want to win, they will have to put some sort of effort into their games from now on. Maybe it’s time for LIfe on, game OFF?

BasketballDan on April 12, 2009 said:

I’m glad we are in the playoffs and these guys will have a chance to live up to their collective potential. It is another great entertaining season and yes, like every other Jazz fan I want us to go to the finals and win. But unlike Bob Dean, I like to think that, given that event, Larry Miller will be smiling from down below. I mean every single Jazz game I went to that Larry attended too, he was always, ALWAYS below me.
BBDan’s remedy for getting back on defense and winning games: hit your shots, boys, hit your shots. (this includes layups

Beckster on April 12, 2009 said:

Oh my gosh I’m so confused! I love you guys, but something is terribly wrong. You can play so awesome and have played that way most of the season. Its just been the last few games that your not getting it together. You can do it ya know. Because you play so well I’m thinking you guys have a little secret that just maybe you might be just waiting to surprise all of us last minute and KICK some BUtt! I knew it I can’t wait and will be watching every game. Like my little grandson says every game and I quote defense ,defense Jazz! Make it happen you deserve it.

JayD on April 12, 2009 said:

I know that all seams to be lost at this point . I can understand how you all feel . I have been very dissappointed with these guys lately . This is a bad time of the season to have slumps . They are going to have a hard timebeating the Lakers the way they are playing right now .
But I still beleive that they can beat anyone that they face , the ? is do they beleive it ? I wish that I could go to their games to let them know that I beleive in them . Right now I can not even watch their games since they are all on KJZZ only . I wish that I could get that station here in Pocatello , Id . But at least I should get the Play off games .
Well , heres to hoping that our beloved Jazz find faith in themselves going into the play offs .
Go Jazz !!!!!
Jay

Justonechampionship on April 12, 2009 said:

Let’s just hope we can win these last few games and pray that Dallas loses.

Boondock Saint on April 13, 2009 said:

James, my friend, generally I’m excited to agree with you but this time…I’m hating myself for agreeing. You don’t fight just the fights that you can win but you fight the fights that need fighting and in my eyes that is EVERY SINGLE GAME. I can watch the Jazz lose games and still leave energized because they played hard, hustled, but for whatever reason it just wasn’t their night. It’s the giving up I can’t stand. Where’s the heart? Where’s the passion? I’ve read all the comments here and generally agree with all of them. I will root for the Jazz in the playoff and think they have a chance, albeit small, against the Lakers but the team that I’ve been seeing the last couple of weeks isn’t the JAZZ. They are a shell of their talent and passion I’ve come to expect from them. James is right, there is a poison leaking in from somewhere and the only chance the Jazz have at winning in the post-season is to find it and eliminate it, oh and did I mention there is a time limit.

Boris Brakalov on April 13, 2009 said:

Whatever happens, I think that everything short of a Western Conference Final should be considered a failure! Every team had problems with injuries, so this can’t be used as an excuse. So if we don’t reach that phase, which is most likely at this point, changes have to be made, maybe starting with the coaching staff.

justalars on April 13, 2009 said:

I have 2 comments. 1) Look at the Arizona Cardinals they were picked as one of the worst playoff teams ever, granted they didn’t have the problems the Jazz have, but never say never. 2) does anyone know when the salary cap is official for the season. i know they have till the trade deadline to make moves to get below the salary cap and then after the season is over for a few days. But I’m just wondering if they play with the same team the whole season then trade guys after the season, does it really free them of cap space for the year before? (thats my understanding of it) Cause if thats the case, that could help the Jazz alot next summer.

Bob Dean on April 13, 2009 said:

Oh, ye of little faith. Even if it is ‘night falling’ on the Jazz’s season, there must be a nightfall before there can be a new dawn. What other team (without unlimited resources) has ever rebounded so quickly from a major rebuilding to be back in the playoffs? We have some potentially good defensive players on the roster, some young and learning, and some not currently activated. Kevin O’Connor and Jerry Sloan, despite all their detractors, have done a masterful job of putting together a (usually) competitive team in a very short time.
I won’t be surprised to see good effort in the playoffs, followed by some shrewd tweaking in the off season which will bode an even better performance next season. True fans shouldn’t be so quick to throw out the baby with the bath water.
Remember, the Jazz organization went through a major shock this season with the death of Larry Miller: A man not only responsible for keeping NBA basketball in Utah, but also giving it his signature brand of competitiveness.
Hang on and have fun, and WAIT ‘TIL NEXT YEAR!

Trent on April 13, 2009 said:

It’s difficult to not get discouraged right now. However, I hope the Jazz surprise us all.

Keith on April 13, 2009 said:

After watching in utter disbelief as a team of Warriors scrubs pummeled the Jazz defense I’m extremely frustrated that these players STILL haven’t learned that you can’t just show up and get a W. They should know better than that. They should have learned that lesson years ago. Luckily they won’t be playing any lottery teams in the playoffs but their confidence is so shaken at this point I’ll be shocked if they can get a single W on the road against LA.

Pelon on April 13, 2009 said:

James- That was a deep post man… What are you, an English major or something?

Drew- Everytime D-Will takes a 3 it looks so good… they just spin around the rim and out… I hope Deron works on that 3-ball this summer because he can be deadly.

John on April 13, 2009 said:

All I am reading is negative thoughts. Larry Miller died, Sloan’s brother died, and a lot of his best friends, and the team has been hurt most of the season. Remember guys we beat the Lakers already this year we can do it again. We have D will as point gaurd and Sloan as the coach with Larry Miller in heaven. Beat the Lakers and whoever else and let’s make history! GO JAZZ

finkster on April 13, 2009 said:

The playoffs are a totaly different then the regular season, Jerry Sloan is the best coach in the league and with multiple games, sloan will make adjustments, plus the players will be more pumped up. we will see what happens….

Shannon in Sacramento on April 15, 2009 said:

You guys did see last night’s game against the Lakers right? That said it all to me, especially the look on Williams’ face after Sloan finally took him out of the game. The Lakers will probably win it in five. If they do it in six, I will be very surprised. I was watching the game on TNT (since I live in Sacramento) and Charles Barkley said it best: The toughest person on the team is the coach. The next person is Deron Williams and then everyone else just sucks. Who wants to be the team who goes out in the first round? It’s almost better to not make the playoffs at all. I just hope we aren’t like Denver last year and get swept in the first round. Here’s hoping for a miracle!

Dan on April 15, 2009 said:

James, you have spoken the truth, borne out by events since your post. I can only hope those in charge will have the insight to change what needs to be changed to given Deron and whoever else really cares on this team a chance next season.

Doug Dellwo on April 16, 2009 said:

Better the Lakers now than later. The Jazz match up better and they always have a reason (Kobe) to come out strong. I am happy that at least they will play the best in the playoffs and if they win….who knows? Good original post by the way.