OK, it's been a while since we've posted on TBJ, but I guess everyone was waiting for my United Center recap.  All in all it was a fun game, until the last 6 minutes of course.  I was really upset at the end of the 3rd Q when the Jazz called timeout with about 50 seconds left.  Deron came out and instead of getting a 2-for-1, we had 2 turnovers and gave up 2 points.  We could have built a 5 or 7 point lead but totally dropped the ball and only had a 1 point lead.  I didn't get to see any replays, but was Deron fouled on that drive that led to Gordon's big 3?  It seemed that way to me and he wasn't getting many calls that night.

The game aside, my trips to the United Center have been pretty fun.  It's a good basketball atmosphere and the fans are pretty loyal.  I went early enough to go watch warmups and found myself behind the Jazz bench where Boozer was sitting.  I called out, mentioning that he knows my sister and he came right over and shook my hand and immediately recalled that I was in law school.  We chatted for a bit about what I want to do and whether I was going to stay in the area.  Some other fans huddled around to get autographs and Carlos obliged them.  Then I got this:

Handsome devil, aren't I?  And no, I'm not that tall, I was standing on the stairs.  There are other pictures, but they're just of the court, and not all that interesting.

Anyway, he was a total gentleman and even took another picture after that with some other fans.  I know he has a...not so good reputation here and I will admit that I am a little biased, but he's not the jerk we make him out to be.  It's in his best interest to be playing so I don't think he's milking his injury, and he would be an idiot to not opt out.  So I am not 100% sure where the vitriol comes from.  We should try our best to re-sign him, otherwise we'll regret it.  The Jazz are a better team with Booz in the lineup, that's a fact.

Wow, we seriously OWN the Pistons.  The last time the Jazz lost to them was WAY back on March 13 of 2005 when the Pistons didn't make a field goal in the 4th quarter, but still won 64-62.  Since then, the Jazz have beat them 7 straight times, which, as Ross Siler points out, is every game since we drafted Deron Williams.  He was masterful last night, hitting the go-ahead jumpshot in regulation and the tying bucket in the first OT.  He really seemed to be as close to 100% as we've seen all season, which may be the best thing for this team aside from Boozer coming back.

A quick note on Boozer: I can only speak for myself, but I am not mad at Boozer.  We all knew he was going to opt out, he would be stupid not to.  Yes, the timing was bad and I think if he knew the firestorm it would create he wouldn't have said it.  But, it's not a huge surprise and it does not mean he is leaving the Jazz.  As Jazz fans, we should cheer him on like normal, because nothing has changed really.  In fact, if he doesn't want to stay here, it would be in his best interest to play like a monster to increase his value.  He could come back and average 28 and 12 and the Jazz could go on a 10-1 streak.  It's business, let's not crucify him for it.

On to tonight.  I am a little worried that the Jazz will be flat, having played a double OT game and flying in this morning due to the snow (on a personal note, my car was covered in a layer of ice yesterday, I rolled down my windows and there was a whole window of ice in place).  The Bulls lost in Boston last night and there's no word yet when they flew out.  So there's a chance that both teams will be a little tired.  Derrick Rose has been amazing this season, which is literally adding insult to injury since Deron's sprained ankle.  The Jazz are 2 point favorites and I'll take them to cover.  I don't know what to expect from Brewer and CJ, but I wouldn't be totally surprised to see one of them go for 16+.  Also, if you haven't been reading lately, I will be in attendance, so I will be sure to post pictures.

(the rankings are a little old and don't include the last 2 wins)

ESPN: 11 (+3)

NBA.com: 12 (+2)

FOX Sports: 10 (no change)

SI: 11 (+1)

USA Today: 10 (no change)

BLOGGERS: 10 (-2)

High: 10  Low: 12  Average: 10.6

Blog-a-Bull

The Utah Jazz are doing a song contest for opening tip.
They are down to five finalists and you can click here to vote.

My personal favorite is below.

You can vote at the website above.

 Maybe a little to Rap for me. But it would be cool to have it piped in loud right before tip.

Bozer Gate 08

Getting you caught up on the lates violent crime in SLC: The backstabbing of a man dying from diabetes.

• DesNews: "I'm a Jazz man" - TBJ: Correction, you were a Jazz man. You're dead to me Carlos.
• DesNews: "Business is Business" - TBJ: Yes it is. And your business is lying.
• Bleacher Report: Millsap > Boozer as a person - TBJ: Couldn't agree with you more.
• FanHouse: Boozer isn't the most loyal person - TBJ: Really?
• Cleveland.com: Carlos is a Cavs uniform? - TBJ: I guess dogs do eat their own vomit.
• Cavalier Attitude: The Boozer Chronicles - TBJ: Man he looked bad with "hair"
• SLC Dunk: Carlos Boozer channels his inner Manny Ramirez
• SI.com: Jazz could face a dilemma - TBJ: No dilemma here. Sign Millsap.
• 1280 The Zone: Winners of the "Trade Boozer" game

 "I'm opting out."
CB Jack: We knew this was coming, but how about you wait until the end of the season. Way to be a team player.

"No matter what, I'm going to get a raise regardless."
CB Jack: The most insensitive remark made by an NBA player this year.

 "I am going to opt out, I don't see why I wouldn't, I think it's a very good business decision for me and my family, but I'd also like to see what happens with the Jazz and stay here."
CB Jack: What's going to happen with the Jazz? We have Deron Williams. We're going to win. We're going to win with or without you. Don't act like there are better options for you out there. Oh wait, perhaps with Millsap WE have the better options. 

Boozer wants to be paid....again.  I suppose I don't blame him for wanting a bigger paycheck, but won't clubs see him as a constant injury threat?  In addition, his reputation isn't exactly stellar after the fiasco with the Cavaliers.  For those of you who don't remember what happened, I'll analogize it to the Jazz.  Imagine if Boozer said, "yeah, I'm opting out, but only to sign a deal with the Jazz again."  Great!  Thanks man!  Then as soon as he is a FA he signs with the Heat for more money.  That's pretty much what happened in Cleveland.  We shouldn't be mad at him, yet, for wanting to opt out, he is going to get a bigger deal and he can still re-sign with the Jazz.  But with the salary cap and luxury tax looming and Millsap's emergence, this might be the last season we have with Booz.

update: Kurt Kragthorpe has a great article in today's SL Trib

Wow...where to begin.

I don't think I was alone in turning off the game after the first quarter.  The Jazz managed 7 points, 7 turnovers, shot 16.7%, and were down 20.  However, some great bench play by Kofous and Korver in the 2nd, combined with some tenacious defense, helped the Jazz cut the deficit to 8 by halftime.  I'll admit I didn't watch the second quarter out of protest, but I did check in on the box score.  In the third the Jazz continued to chip away thanks to some renewed vigor from Deron and Memo, yet still trailed by 6 going into the 4th.  Again, I will admit some continued pessimism toward this game, even at this point, so I was watching the game while also playing Bioshock and wasn't 100% glued until about 5 minutes left.  Jerry seemed, let's say, displeased at some of Javie's officiating and kindly offered to spend the rest of the game in the locker room, but after that the Jazz went bonkers.  They took the lead for the first time at 77-76, only to see the Nets score 4 quick points to regain the lead (one bucket was after another Harpring miss, how can anyone justify playing him over Korver at this point?).  THEN....the Jazz smelled blood.  Millsap scored on an O rebound and Korver hit a curling jumpshot (the shot that Harps USED to make), then the dagger: after 2 misses by the Nets, AK misses a layup but Mansap recovers the ball and passes out to Memo who swings to Deron who swings to Korver....3 ball!  Jazz up 4.  After 3 free throws from 'Sap, 4 freethrows and a jumpshot from Memo, and 2 Vince jumpshots, it was a 14-4 run that pretty much sealed the deal.

The Jazz scored 7 points in the first quarter and still scored 100 points.  Millsap recorded yet another double-double, as did Deron.  Memo and Korver (??) were one rebound shy.  On the other side Vince Carter had 32 points and Devin Harris had "only" 21 points and 11 assists, I expected him to be in the high 20s.  No matter which way you slice it, the Nets gave this one away.  If you allow 96 points over 3 quarters, you probably aren't going to win.  One of the best moments was late in the game when the Jazz had locked it away, the Nets broadcast showed a clip from the last time the Jazz won at the Meadowlands.  John Stockton (yeah, it was that long ago) missed a baseline jumpshot but AK tipped it in with no time left, classic.

On a strange note, CJ and Brewer did not play at all in the second half.  I didn't have the audio on so I don't know if they got hurt or what, but AK and Korver started the 3rd.

Once again, the odds-makers manage to make me look really stupid.  I hope no one is actually making wagers based on my guesses!  But, as I said before, picking against the Jazz is win/win.  If I'm right, I was smart enough to pick them to lose; if I'm wrong, I'm happy!  Hopefully the Jazz can carry this momentum into Friday's game at Detroit (even though we have OWNED them over the last few years) and then Saturday in Chicago where they HAVE to win because I will be in attendance.

ESPN recap and boxscore

If Monday's game was any indication of how Deron is feeling, then tonight should be bad....very, very bad.  Devin Harris TORCHED the Jazz for 34 points on 13-17 shooting back on Nov. 29th and Rondo almost notched a triple dip on Monday, which either means that Rondo is better than we all thought or that Deron is still only about 85%.  Pessimism is running high in Jazz-land, with everyone questioning Boozer's injury/heart, Deron's health, Harpring's skill (or lack thereof), and Andrei's continuing fragility.  Still, depite all of this teams' woes, they have still racked up 15 wins, which is as many or more than the Spurs, Suns, Hornets and Mavericks, all playoff contenders.  The real concern right now is that Denver is HOT, and has a 2.5 game lead over the Jazz in the division.  Before last night's loss to the Rockets, the Nugs had won 13 of 16, including 2 4-game win streaks, something the Jazz have yet to accomplish since starting 5-0.  If I am the Jazz, I am thinking that a division title is not a gimme like everyone thought it would be before the season started.

Anyway, back to the Nets.  New Jersey is a surprising 4-7 at home (8-4 on the road) and is coming off a win at Toronto on Monday.  Now, this may come as a shock to some of you, but the Jazz are 2.5 point favorites tonight.  Yep, you read that right.  The Jazz are favored on the road against an Eastern Conference team that missed the playoffs last year.  2 other teams in that category are the Knicks and Bobcats, to whom the Jazz lost.  If you can't tell, I'm taking the Nets tonight and the over (199.5).  The Jazz lose despite another great game from Millsap (Carlos who?) 108-100.

(PS Picking against the Jazz is almost win/win.  If I'm right, I'm smart.  If I'm wrong, I'm happy.)

Not to be a Debbie-Downer or anything, but I have a few things to get off my chest and what better place than here on True Blue Jazz since most of the things that suck in my life right now start and end with the Utah Jazz. 

"Damn I look good!"

1 - Carlos Boozer. 
You are dead to me Carlos.  You hear that?  D-E-A-D dead.  You did this for the first two years of your contract with some other bogus leg injury and now its deja-vu all over again.  At this point why even suit up for a game for the rest of the year?  If I am Deron Williams and I am out there busting my butt and playing on an ankle that is 80% at best I am pissed like hell that Carlos will not get on the court until he is 100%.  Even Hot-Rod Hundley is calling you out on the radio every day now saying that you are weak and that your agent is "advising" you to not play right now.  I really do think that you enjoy sitting on the bench showing off your Crushed Velvet suits and diamond bracelets more than being a teamate.  At least Paul Milsap is greatful that you are puss - every game you miss is another million dollars on the end of that contract he is going to get next year.

"Whoa, where did you come from?

2 - Deron Williams.
I really admire Deron for getting on the court and helping his team, but man this is getting hard to watch.  The effort and heart are still there, but the results just plain suck.  It sucks to see Rajon Rondo and Jameer Nelson having career nights against you buddy.  I am not saying that Deron sucks, it just sucks that he is not quite himself yet.  But hey at least he is putting it out there every night, right Carlos?

"I don't know, maybe I should have called a time out there"

3 - Jerry Sloan.
I have a few gripes about J-Slo's coaching right now. 
A- He continues to give Matt Harpring playing time (more on that in a minute).
B- When Deron Williams and Paul Milsap both have 5 fouls in the fourth quarter of close game play a damn zone so the other team can't isolate those two and pick and roll them to death.  The Celtics knew that Deron and Paul would not defend it agressively with 5 fouls and killed the Jazz with the same play for last 5 minutes. 
C- When the other team (Orlando in this case) starts off the the 3rd quarter on a 12-0 run and erases your 10 point halftime lead in about 2 minutes call a freaking time out.   Do you get bonuses for every timeout you saved at the end of the year?  I understand that you want your guys to play through it sometimes, but you waited until your team had not only blown a 10 point lead, but were down by 10 points before you thought it would be a good idea to yell at them.  I blame Jerry Sloan and Carlos Boozer for the home loss to Orlando, it could have been prevented.

"Please go in, please go in!"

4 - Matt Harpring.
Please, please, please go back to playing football.  I can not handle any more missed layups.  Can we start a legaly binding petition that Deron, Brevin, AK and Ronnie Price all have to sign saying that if they have Matt Harpring on the wing for a fast break they will not pass it to him?  After he misses said layup he always looks like the kid in baseball who lets the grounder go between his and then stares at his mitt like it was the mitts fault somehow.  Matt has that same look for the back-board like it got extra springy or something just when he went up for the lay-up.  Some how this is Carlos Boozers fault.

"Seriously, if you miss the free throw it will be ok."

5 - Memo Okur shooting Technical Free Throws.
I bet he is a 50% to 60% free throw shooter on technicals for his career.  Some one on the Jazz's coaching staff should be in charge of finding that out and making sure we have the best possible shooter on the line for those.  I wonder if Carlos tells him that his agent will get him more money on his next contract if misses them.

"I was born to dunk."

6 - Ronnie Brewers jump shot.
Its time to start running the base line for easy dunks again Ronnie.  I get a little bit of puke in my mouth when you shoot the ball outside of 5 feet.  I bet if Carlos was playing you would have those open lanes again like last year.

Ahhhh, that felt good to get of my chest.  I had more, but in honor of Carlos Boozer I am going to quit now and wait to finish this when I am feeling 100%.

 This is exactly how every Jazz Fan feels D-Will...Trust Me.

Question: How often have you heard a statement like this coming from a Jazz player/coach?
"We're up 10 and then they close it up in about two minutes," said Williams, who had 17 points and 11 assists. "They came out, wanted it more and they had more energy and more life." Deron Williams
Not only am I sick of hearing this, I am sick of witnessing it. I know I am a total Jazz Pessimist, however, I truly believe we blow leads and show less heart and motivation than any other team in the NBA. I hear this phrase above on a weekly basis and I am at my witt's end.
A win tonight in Boston, without Boozer, of course, would be great but it is not going to erase what we have done, or should I say, haven't done, on our home court this year. The ESA used to be feared by all. A place where the Jazz won games with players like Keith Mcloud and Ben Handlogten. Now, we lose games because the other team "wanted it more." Enough already Jazz. Here's an idea, why don't we "want the game more." Do other teams give up like the Jazz? This has been my life-long frustration as a Jazz fan, along with every other Jazz fan I am sure. Is it Sloan? Is it the players? We have always struggled with keeping leads and losing games because the other team "wanted it more." If this team is ever going to be a championship team we need to hold leads and play the entire game like we want it.
There, that feels a little better. In fact, I think if you read the history of TBJ you will find this website was created as a place where Jazz fans can vent and at times, celebrate. My expectations are low for tonight's game, as we are certain underdogs, but I could really go for a dose of effort and heart. Do it for the fans Jazz.