The Experts are Haters

Posted by Brian McCann on October 21, 2009

This off-season has seemed to drag on for a lot longer than it usually does. I guess that’s the way it is when you exit the playoffs early, but I think this year it has been especially long due to all of the drama that went on with the Jazz in July and August. I won’t revisit all that has happened, partly because I’m tired of talking about it, and partly because you already know most of the details, but I will say that I’m happy that, at least for now, most of the drama is over with and we can just focus on basketball.

So far I have been very pleased with what I have seen in the preseason. The team has really played well, all things considered, and I think they will seriously contend for a top playoff seed in the west if they stay healthy. Nobody seems to be giving them a snowballs chance in hell of seriously threatening the western elite, but really, except for a few exceptions (notably last year), nobody ever really does. As I see it, there are a few good things that can come out of flying under the radar:

1-     Teams don’t prepare for you the way they would if you are an elite target. I think Portland is a team that is going to find this out the hard way this year. Last year they cruised to a 54-28 record mostly under the radar. This year, teams will be gunning for them. On the flip side, last years injury fest has caused many around the league to discredit the Jazz as a serious contender, which actually will play to their advantage. The Jazz easily could have won 55 games last year had they not been so injured, and the same holds true for this year. To their advantage, however, they won’t be as much of a target this year as they were last year. This type of scenario happens all of the time in the NBA, but the experts seem to have short memories.

2-     This finally could be the year when Jerry Sloan wins Coach of the Year. Last year he would have had to of finished first in the west (most likely) because expectations were so high. This year, he just needs to lead his team to home court advantage in the playoffs to be in serious contention. Plus, with all of the HOF hype that will be surrounding him all season, it could give him a leg up on the competition.

3-     Look for the Jazz to play with a little bit of an edge this season. Last year was very disappointing to say the least, and it was largely because of reasons that were outside of their control. The players have had five-and-a-half long months to think about it, and judging from the shape everyone came to camp in, they will be looking to prove a lot of people wrong.

The Jazz are extremely talented, and I’m ready to get this show on the road. People can doubt them all they want, but the proof is in the pudding, and I have a feeling the pudding could be extra sweet this year.

4 Comments

J R Stewart on October 21, 2009 said:

Let’s hope the injury bug, already infecting many on the team, will abate and the Jazz will get everyone back.

Jazzaaholic

tman11 on October 23, 2009 said:

I’m going to start with you second one first, I do not see Jerry Sloan winning coach of the year EVER. He doesn’t even care he doesn’t go out and, ask for it he does his job and, goes home. If he was going to get it any of the years he has coach it would have been when they only lost 12 games in one season and, he took them to the finals. Sorry to dissapiont on that one but, it wont happen.
Your first piont is true teams do prepare fore you more when you are legit but, Portland I don’t see them getting any kind of wake up call really they are a legit team. I would put them just behind the Spurs in the west they are the second or third best team to beat.
Last one there isn’t much to prove they came out last year a blew it. Yes we are a better team then what we get credit for but, they need to go out there and, prove it to them selfs we ended up in 8th place in the playoffs last year. Ignor what every one say go out and, play your game not with and edge you have nothing to prove to any one but, there selfs

Brian McCann on October 26, 2009 said:

Ok Tman they only have to prove it to themselves, but that still leaves something to prove. Secondly, Jerry lost 18 games in 96-97 not 12. Thirdly, portland will have a tougher time this year because they have very little experience. It happens all of the time. That is not meant to discredit them, it’s just how it is. I’m not saying they wont win a lot of games, i’m just saying it will be much tougher. If you need examples, look at the Jazz and Hornets from last year.

tman11 on October 26, 2009 said:

I dissagree portland has a legit team. they will give alot of teams like denver the jazz and, even the lakers a run for there money. They have a good core with Oden and I can’t prounce his name but, the other center. A rising star in aldridge. A super star in roy and, a goodleader with Miller at the piont. they also have a deep bench. in the near future they will be the best in the west in my mind, there is to muuch talent on that team to stop. That team has alot more talent then the jazz and, hornets last year and, if the jazz didn’t get hurt we would have endedup 2nd or 3rd place in the west easly. We just couldn’t stay healthy is why we didn’t do much last year.

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