ESPN just released their Top 15 surprises of the season.

Who made the list from the Jazz? None other than AK-47.

AK's inspired play has caught the attention of the media. That is hard to do in Utah.

I have been really impressed with his ability to adapt in his new 6th man role. I was one of the loud mouthed opponents of this decision. "CB meet Mr. Crow. Mr. Crow CB will eat you now".

AK nearly pulled the 5x5 last night and has been the all around catalyst for the team while Deron is trying out his suits. AK has been playing so good, I've almost considered going to his wife's clothes store to purchase some jeans (Only if Booner if footing the bill of course).

So what do you guys think? Has AK impressed you this season? Come out, come out AK haters... 

UPDATE: Boozer is doubtful against the Spurs. Reported by the DesNews.

Apparently this guy hasn't read the rules...

Regardless of what team he roots for, there are so many idiot comments here that my head might just explode.

We dropped quite a bit after the road trip but made up some ground after beating the Suns (who were ranked in the top 5 in every poll).  Only the FOX Sports rankings include that game, so take that into account when browsing the numbers.  We are SO close to having Deron back that I can taste it!

ESPN.com: 12  (-4)

FOX Sports.com: 5  (no change)

SI.com: 6  (-2)

NBA.com: 12  (-8)

USA Today: 9  (-6)

BLOGGERS: 6  (-3)

High: 5  Low: 12  Average: 8.3

The line for the game tonight is Jazz -9.5 and the over/under is 190.5.  Milwaukee is without Redd and is on the second half of a back-to-back (lost last night to the Nuggets).  The Jazz have won 7 in a row against the Bucks and the average margin of victory at home is 12.3.  No word on Deron or Memo yet, but I'll take the Jazz 104-93 and, obviously, the over.

After Deron busted his flipper, I made a prediction on how the first 11 games (4 weeks) would go.  I predicted a 6-5 start, which is pretty darn close to their current record of 7-4.  Of course, Deron did play in 2 games (although he was really only close to himself in 1 of them) so, assuming he doesn't play tomorrow against the Bucks, we'll say the Jazz are 6-4 without him.  I don't really expect him to play, since he'll want to be fresh for the game in San Antonio, where we haven't won since the Clinton Administration.

After last night I fully expect the Jazz to dominate Milwaukee, prob a 9-12 point win (I know that's not dominating, but I'll spot the Bucks some points in garbage time).  As lame as it sounds, I think this time without Deron has been very good for the Jazz.  Not only because it has given our backup point guards some real PT, but because it also shows that we're more than just Deron and Booz.  It was no secret that we have a deep bench, guys like Millsap, Korver, and especially AK are good enough to start on most, if not all teams.  AK is really a starter though, kinda how Manu was with the Spurs for a while (still is?).  Anyway, being able to win 7 of 11 games without your best player really shows what kind of a team you really are; and right now, the Jazz are looking like a team to be reckoned with come late April.

CB Jack:  OMG, can u believe how good CJ Miles is playing tonight?
Hammy: Yeah, I always knew he had it in him.  All that hard work he has put in while he was skipping the Rocky Mountain Review is finally starting to pay off.
CB Jack: Dude, I know.  I was so happy when they matched his contract offer from the Sonics.  He has some serious all-star potential.
Hammy: Yeah, I bet that he makes the all-star team next year and then the 2012 olympic team.
CB Jack:  For sure.  It's like I always said, his skills are a mix between Kobe, Ray Allen and Iverson.  Dude is going to be GREAT!!!  This is a private chat right?
Hammy:  Oh yeah, it will never get it out.

Seriously CJ, good game last night.  But remember even Jason Shart can score 21 points in a game, let's see some consistency for a few games and you might win over a couple True Blue Jazz fans. 

I can't stand the Jekyl and Hyde performance of this team from playing at home vs. on the road.  Where was that energy against the Bobcats?  Where was that execution against the Wizards?  Where was that defensive effort against the Knicks?  This team will never win a championship, yet alone get to the finals unless they start to find that same passion and effort on the road as they have at home. 

I have a question for Shaq from AK and Millsap. "Tell me Mr. O'Neal, how do you like stuffing?  I have three servings of it right here for you."  I was jumping up and down screaming when Millsap stood up to Shaq and rejected him, the look on Shaq's face was priceless.  It was like, "What the hell, who are you?  I am Shaquile effing O'neal, you can't block my shot at the rim!" 

With exception of D-Will I dont care who we have to let go from this team to make room for Milsap, The Jazz absolutely have to re-sign this guy.  His effort and passion to play the game are too valuable to not have on the team.  Still waiting to see how good we are at full strength, maybe we will get to on Wednesday.

Hammy, I am adding the below videos. Hope you don't mind.

Ronnie Price 3/4 court bounce pass to CJ Miles for the Dunk

Paul Millsap rejects the Big Cactus

AK get's back-to-back blocks on Shaq

YouTube videos courtesy of DipShip31

According to the Salt Lake Tribune Memo is back in SLC. YESSSSSS! Wait, what's that? Oh, he's not playing?

http://www.sltrib.com/jazz/ci_11006069

Enough already! Can we please get to full strength! Read the article to get the full story but apparently the long flight from Turkey did a number on his already "strained lower back" so he will not be suited up tonight. That's not the news I wanted to hear but at least he is back. I think I speak for all of Jazz Nation, when I say we wish nothing but the best for Memo and his family. It cannot be easy knowing your Father is in critical condition and you are not there with him. Let's hope we have an inspired Memo back on the court Wednesday night....I am sure we will.

In other not-so-great news. D-Will will sit this one out as well. I will be watching but I am not expecting much at all. This is the same Suns team that just beat up on the Pistons.....and beat up on Tracy McGrady. I fear we are going to 1. Lose by 15 and 2. Harpring will get pushed by Shaq and break a hip. Not looking good. I am ready for our depleted team to be put back together.

Booner

True Blue Jazz is excited to host this weeks Blogger Power Rankings. These rankings are put together by 28 of the brightest and most delusional NBA blogs on the Internet. We think that's a great mix. Each blog fills out their rankings and the averages are published here. We hope you enjoy the rankings as we've found them to be the most accurate on the web. 

Don't like the comment next to your team? Feel like your squad is getting dissed by the blog world? Leave a comment and let them know. 

Climbers: Wolves +6, Bulls +4, Suns +4, Pistons +3, Nuggets +3
Fallers:Grizz -4, Pacers -4, Heat -3, Jazz -3

1.

Lakers
Last week: 1

A Stern Warning: If you don't know why, don't ask.
CelticsBlog: By default, and it pains me to put them here. 
Hardwood Paroxysm: Things That Aren't True: 82-0,Bynum=Kareem2.0, Defense Dramatically Improved, Pau Gasol Tougher. Things That Are True: Best Team In The League.
Sixers4Guidos: If they will win the title with Radman as starter, I will fly to LA to shake Jackson's hand.
SLC Dunk: "You see? You see? They're not a machine."

2.

Celtics
Last week: 2

At The Hive: I'd drop 'em after quite a few shaky games. Problem is, nobody else is playing that well either.
Hardwood Paroxysm: The Road to the Finals still goes through TD Northbank Garden. But they're very, very mortal.
With Malice: You gotta go through the champ to BE the champ. They're not going anywhere, they're still real. 

3.

Cavs
Last week: 4

CelticsBlog: Can we just give the MVP trophy to LBJ now?
Dream Shake: LeBron is MVP so far, but I'd like to see how they would do in the West
With Malice: Don't know how much longer Cleveland can do this. When LeBron leaves? Until that point in time, they should re-name the team the Cleveland LeBrons.
True Blue Jazz: Don't get me wrong, they're good, but it's still the Eastern Conference. Don't get your panties in a bunch.

4.

Pistons
Last week: 7

At The Hive: "I'm more aggressive than Chauncey Billups," says AI. I'm sure that will sit well with the new teammates he's trying to win over.
Dream Shake: Iverson hasn't been a cancer yet. And they even beat the Lakers.
Hardwood Paroxysm: You know, that Allen Iverson, he's just a bad apple. Oh yeah? Well they just took down the Lakers. How you like them apples?

 5.

Suns
Last week: 9

Dream Shake: Should be dropped lower after the Cheap Shot Scuffle on Wednesday.
Hardwood Paroxysm: Congratulations, Suns fans! No more embarrassing losses to inferior teams! Only embarrassing losses to superior teams.
SLC Dunk: NBA brawls have become cat fights.
True Blue Jazz: Nash may have surpassed Stockton as dirtiest PG?

6.

Jazz
Last week: 3

A Stern Warning: Playing without their floor general hasn't been easy, but they're still managing to hang tough at the top.
CelticsBlog: Once D-Will is back, it will be only up from here.
Dream Shake: Like I'm ever going to rank them ahead of the Rockets? Haha. (TBJ: Joke's on you Shake)
RaptorsHQ: They are still winning without Okur and Deron.
With Malice: As per pretty much every successful Jazz team, doing it quietly, and getting the job done. Deron who? 
True Blue Jazz:Minus three starters and 6th man of the year for the past week. Will be dangerous if they ever get healthy. Oh and by the way, Deron is better than Paul because he'll have the ring first. Deal with it.

7.

Hawks
Last week: 5

8.

Rockets:
Last week: 6

At The Hive: Just wait till Shane Battier gets back and terrorizes backups around the league.
Empty the Bench: The wild card in this deck, Battier's return should be a boost.
Lakers Nation: waiting for the click, click, boom
RaptorsHQ: They get Artest, they start fighting...coincidence?
SLC Dunk: The Rockets fight like they play first-round series.
With Malice: We're still counting down the days until Yao has that season-ending lower leg injury. Can't be too much longer.
True Blue Jazz:Rockets/Suns Tickets: $300. Large Coke: $6. Watching McGrady get thrown to the ground like a little girl? Priceless.

9.

Hornets
Last week: 8

At The Hive: No comment.
Dream Shake: CP3 shut down by Aaron Brooks. I did not see that coming.
Sixers4Guidos: BTW Paul is better than Deron Williams (TBJ: You shut your mouth when you're talking to me!)
SLC Dunk: The Jazz are without 3 of their starters. What's your excuse?

10.TIE

Blazers
Last week: 12

Dream Shake: Oden makes Yao look nimble.
Empty the Bench: It's looking like another year of seasoning may be in order
Hardwood Paroxysm: They're not what we expected, but they're gelling more and more. Brandon Roy is Truth For A New Generation.
LakersNation: Oden has played a back-to-back and come through unscathed, another milestone in his already illustrious career
With Malice: Man... I'm with Bill Simmons - I hope Greg Oden isn't Sam Bowie.
True Blue Jazz: Right when you think they're all grown up, the acne starts to appear.

10.TIE

Magic
Last week: 11

12.

Raptors
Last week: 10

13.

Sixers
Last week: 14

A Stern Warning: Those off-season changes really put them in the playoff race, didn't they??
Dream Shake: Brand makes them only slightly less mediocre this year.
True Blue Jazz: Andre Miller needs to get back to his 10 APG for this team to succeed.

14.

Nuggets
Last week: 17

15.

Mavs
Last week: 13

16.

Knicks
Last week: 18

A Stern Warning: What are they doing up here?? Oh that's right... we're only a few games in.
At The Hive: This can't be for real... right?
CelticsBlog: I can't believe I just put the Knicks this high 
Empty the Bench: ETB can finally attend Knicks games sober again! Not that we would, but still...

17.

Bulls
Last week: 21

CelticsBlog: Rose is for real. The injury for Hinrich will really speed up his development
Empty the Bench: Rose is looking like a star in the making, but the rest of the roster is riddled with question marks
RaptorsHQ: Rose is playing like a 5 year pro.

18.

Heat
Last week: 15

Dream Shake: Wade is a fantasy basketball God. His team still sucks though.
Empty the Bench: Beasley is the real deal, Chalmers is a player, and D-Wade is most definitely back
SLC Dunk: Bandwagon update. Adding 5 electrons and losing 5 electrons = neutral.
True Blue Jazz: Heat fans wishing the Boozer for Marion deal was a reality.

19.

Spurs
Last week: 19

20.

Pacers
Last week: 16

21.

Bucks
Last week: 22

22.

Warriors
Last week: 23

23.

Wolves
Last week: 29

Empty the Bench: The rest of the rotation is in flux, but Big Al is solid as a rock
Sixers4Guidos: A team with Carney, Ollie and Booth shouldn't give much hope to its fans. Wait, last year's Sixers had all of them !!!
With Malice: Sheesh... only the existence of the Clips/Thunder make life more bearable for Wolf-fans.

24.

Grizzlies
Last week: 20

25.

Kings
Last week: 24

CelticsBlog: You know...I couldn't name more than 2 starters for the Kings, and plan on keeping it that way.
SLC Dunk: The Kings at 4-6 would get them the 8th seed right now. West not looking so tough.
With Malice: Days of the Kings being a threat in the playoffs are about as gone as Chris Webber's sneaker deals.

26.

Nets
Last week: 25

27.

Bobcats
Last week: 26

28.

Wizards
Last week: 27

Empty the Bench: JaVale McGee the lone bright spot in what's shaping up to be a dismal season
Hardwood Paroxysm: Wiz Win! Wiz Win! Wiz Win! (TBJ: Thanks for rubbing it in)
SLC Dunk: Wizzed all over Utah for their first W(izz).

29.

Clippers
Last week: 28

30.

Thunder
Last week: 30

Dream Shake: Poor Durant. Jeff Green is good, but there's nothing else here
Empty the Bench: The Durantula is in for a big season, Jeff Green can play and, um, yeah
Hardwood Paroxysm: What's blue and orange and dumb all over?
RaptorsHQ: Man this is rebuilding at it's worst.
SLC Dunk: Maybe Seattle should be happy this team relocated.
With Malice: Thunder on the horizon? A very, very distant horizon.
True Blue Jazz: This team isn't even OK.

Again, feel free to leave a comment and make your voice heard. Thanks to everyone who participated!

Next weeks rankings will be found at Bright Side of the Sun.

Notes

Tonight the Jazz take on the Charlotte Bobcats. I'm sure we're under dogs in this game. Scrum? The line please.

In preparation for the game, here are today's Jazz notes from around the Net.

• Deseret News thinks Ronnie Brewer is becoming a finisher
• New DesNews blogger Jody Genessy chimes on the the Bill Simmons vs. Jazz fans debate.
• Korver is in a slump. And grass is green.
• Brevin Knight still calls Charlotte home.
• Queen City Hoops provides a preview for tonight's game. I'm glad someone cared enough to put one together.
• ESPN Preview of tonight's game.
• AK and Deron listed as DOUBTFUL for tonight's game. Things keep getting better and better.

 We do have some new topics in our TBJ Forum as well. Feel free to comment and let us know if you see other Jazz stories while you're surfing the web at work.