In Utah it was all good just a few weeks ago. The team was playing decent basketball and in a contention for a playoff spot. Then came the resignation of Jerry Sloan, a man who had been on the bench longer than the average age of the NBA players he was coaching. His longtime assistant Phil Johnson went with him. More than 40 years of coaching experience walked out the door the same day.
On Wednesday, the Jazz parted ways with the guy who I believe is the best point guard in the game. Deron Williams is packing his bags and heading to New Jersey to play for a Russian billionaire who failed to lure Carmelo Anthony to town despite his best efforts. Anthony was traded the day before to the cross-town rival Knickerbockers. Williams, who is the last link to that great pick & role system run in Utah, will now be under the watchful eye of "The Little General" Avery Johnson. And with that, the Utah Jazz as we know it passed away. R.I.P.
Jerry Sloan oversaw one of the most successful offenses in basketball for the better part of two decades. We all can attest to how effective John Stockton and Karl Malone were in Sloan's system. If you're someone that can't relate, check out basketball-reference.com and take a look at the numbers they posted. I'm sure you'll change your stance.
When the "Mailman" and Stockton moved on Sloan forged ahead, still running things his way, doing what he felt was best for the team. The Jazz had some struggles, but they always remained competitive. The team still had grit and toughness, but they were know longer amongst the elite teams in the NBA.
With some good fortune the pieces fell in place again with the acquisition of Williams and Boozer. Once again Sloan had the ability to run his offense at a high level with two outstanding young players. The remarkable thing about it was that Booz and D-Will didn't miss a beat from what Stockton and Malone had been able to accomplish years prior. All was grand in Salt Lake.
Today, the fans will wake up to the true end of the Sloan era. Deron Williams' departure closes the door on history. There will never be another non-championship dynasty like the one we had a chance to see there. They were consistent year in and year out, and whether you liked them or not you had to respect what they brought to the game on a nightly basis.
The simple pick and roll offense was executed to perfection on one end, and the team played rough and rugged defense on the other. They were winners for so long that people overlooked their maintained brilliance. The Jazz made beautiful music on the court, and set an example for how good basketball should be played.
It really doesn't feel like it's been that long since Sloan and the Jazz lost back-to-back finals to the Chicago Bulls, and it feels like just yesterday that they challenged the Lakers in the western conference finals, but for fans who pack Energy Solutions Arena, it will soon feel like eons ago.
Now I'm not trying to take anything away from Tyrone Corbin, because I'm happy he was given the chance to be a head coach in the NBA after paying his dues as an assistant, but he ain't no Jerry Sloan. Earl Watson certainly isn't of the same calibur as Deron Williams either.
I see dark days ahead in Salt Lake City as that organization tries to find its new identity and bury its old one. It won't be easy to replace what they had, and in all honesty I doubt they will ever be able to have the type of run they did over the last 20+ years again.
It's Obvious that Miller doesn't know a thing about basketball, and doesn't care about having a winning team for the loyal Jazz fans. He only counts the dollars. It's time for the fans to speak through their actions,stop buying season tickets, stop attending the games. Trading Williams has to go down in history as one of the most stupid trades ever made. Soon to be an X season ticket holder.
ReplyDeleteThe trade was absolutly nessicery, and will over the next few years prove to be brilliant. It was obvious Deron had no intention of staying in the small time market that is SLC. Making the move now and picking up four first round guys over two years, three of which will be lottery guys. Rather than wait one year and let williams walk away and recive nothing for him, was the best news we as fans should have hopped for. I am excited for the future of this great franchise!
ReplyDeleteYardBarker, sounds like someone that chases fat ugly chicks, The Jazz have have shown for the past 20+ seasons they can adjust, look how long it took for the Celtics to be relevant after losing their superstars. The Jazz have has 1 losing season in 20+ years they will overcome Deron Williams trade, better to trade him now and get 4 lottery picks instead of nothing. So go bark up this Yard Barker!!
ReplyDeleteya all crazy miller rooked a great deal from the Nets. Harris just 4 ppg nd 1.2 assists per game lower than D-Will who actually over the last few weeks had no will to play for the Jazz nd his numbers showed it. But look who Harris played for the last 3 or 4 yrs one of the lowest teams in the league. His numbers will remain competitive but in a team effort not a star effort. Nd not to forget Favors who the Jazz actually looked at in the draft picks but got Hayward because Favors already picked. Watch the Jazz they will be a force nd if they get that one center they need they will go far. So anonymous Feb 26 10:52 am rethink ur mind nd watch the games.
ReplyDeletei agree with kjcthing. the jazz robbed the nets. no player is bigger than the team. ask kobe. deron williams became an infection . right now he's barely in the top 10 point guards. he got spanked 3 times in a row before being traded. derrick rose, russell westbrook, monte ellis. now rondo gets to spank him more than twice a year. good riddens to williams and hello jazz. before this is all done miller will look like a genius!
ReplyDeleteI have to disagree, YardBarker! Miller was wise to get something for D-Will while he still could... and the Jazz got A LOT out of the trade. Why wait to have your star (who clearly isn't playing with heart anymore) take off on you when he becomes a free agent & get NOTHING for him? Ask Cleveland & Toronto how that feels!!! Miller made the right move by trading Deron away now rather than waiting & hoping he'd stick around. He could see the writing on the wall! Devin Harris is a stud, Favors may turn out to be an all star, and who knows who the Jazz will be able to pick up with the 2 first-round picks over the next 2 years! If they can get an all-star-caliber center (like they've needed for YEARS), they could not only be competitive but could be the team to beat in a couple short years!
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