Okay, I guess I can't put it off any more.
First . . . the legend of Jerry Sloan.
I am convinced that Jerry left mainly for the reasons he stated. He's tired and his time is up. I don't believe Jerry is the type to lie, even to the media. I've never heard him do it before. Utah fans trust him, and have for many years. We trusted Larry; Larry trusted Jerry Sloan and Phil Johnson, so we trusted them too. I was moved by the fact that Phil Johnson wouldn't do it without Jerry. The head coaching job post-Jerry Sloan has been his for years; it was widely understood. He even passed on at least one head coaching opportunity to stay with us.
Anyway, just when Jazz fans had started to settle down, our franchise trades the biggest star we've had since John and Karl. I have mixed feelings about it. My biggest concern during the whole retirement aftermath was that the Jazz organization was becoming one of those teams that pushed out legendary coaches to appease a young, arrogant player, which many media figures, local and national, were making Williams out to be. Then I watched the news conference and saw the Millers and Kevin O'Connor insist that Sloan was NOT forced out, and I still wondered. Then in that same news conference, I saw them name Ty Corbin as head coach. Not interim head coach, but head coach. Rumors are that news of a multi-year extension for Corbin is forthcoming. And the Millers pointed out that they hope they would have this same news conference in the year 2034, when Ty Corbin decided to retire.
The winning tradition has been great for me as a fan, but I'm loyal to the Jazz because of they way they do things. Players don't run the team, and they're loyal to good people who are loyal to them. And I know I will never have to find myself trying to suspend disbelief and cheer for an unconvicted rapist or a drug-user and/or pusher. Here's the reality about the Jazz. They operate in probably the worst market in the league. Salt Lake is a beautiful, VERY small city, with almost no nightlife, little entertainment, and comparitively nonexistent endorsement opportunities. And finally it's Mormon-central. Outside of the relatively tiny metropolitan area, Utah is a dry, sober, religious place. The biggest free agent we've ever attracted was Carlos Boozer, and he was not a star at the time we got him, and he fudged over a trusting blind man to get his $$$ from anyone he could. It is going to be very difficult to win a title here. I believe deep down most Jazz fans know this. But we like the way Larry did things, and we LOVED players like Karl Malone, John Stockton, and Matt Harpring (and Deron Williams). If we can be proud of the organization, and be competitive, Utah fans will keep filling the Nuke, because the Jazz are still the only show in town.
Now to Deron Williams. I was on an aisle seat on the tenth row behind the Jazz bench for Ty Corbin's first game against the Suns--across the aisle and three rows up from Kevin O'Connor and Randy Rigby, president of the Jazz. We looked good in the first half, built up a 15 point lead, and literally died in the second half. 27 points in a half--AGAINST THE SUNS! I noticed two significant things at this game:
1. Kevin O'Connor was on his feet shouting at Al Jefferson at least five times in the second half. He was particularly vocal during the the third quarter when Robin Lopez of all people was taking it to Big Al. I think that was one of Al's worst offensive games ever, and not a great defensive effort. He did have 12 rebounds in the game, but he gave up a number of offensive rebounds to Lopez and Hakim Warrick (who looked like Hakeem Olajuwon at times).
2. I had heard rumors that during the previous game (the blow-up game) that Deron just smirked and walked off the floor when he botched the last three plays to lose the game. But after watching this game, I can only conclude that Deron Williams is the toughest point guard I've seen since John Stockton. When the Suns put Pietrus on DWill and the refs subsequently allowed Pietrus to mug DWill repeatedly, Deron went right at him, slamming him into screens trying to get open. Pietrus is a big strong defender and he had all kinds of body on Williams, and Williams went at him as hard as anybody could, trying to win that game. I will never doubt DWill's heart and his abilities. When he comes back to Utah, I won't be booing him. When he faces the rest of the league, I'll be cheering him. He's surly, his difficult, he's bad with the media when things aren't going great, but he is a competitor and he wants to win just as bad as Jerry Sloan did. They just didn't always agree on how to do it. And by the way, Sloan fought with lots of guys. He and Karl had several shouting matches, but it never drove either of them away.
As far as the trade goes, I guess I boil it down to these opinions:
1. Deron Williams was NOT going to stay.
2. Devin Harris is the fastest guy in the NBA and one of the few guys who has given DWill trouble. If he's aggressive, he can get to the rim quite effectively. He can't create his own shot, score, and run the offense as well, but he's at least an equal, maybe better defender.
3. Derrick Favors is 19 years old. He's 6'10", 250 lbs, and is an athletic shot blocker and scorer. I've watched as much film on him as I could tonight, and the more I watched, the more excited I got. He's aggressive. He can jump. He's got good hands and a soft touch around the basket. And if he can dunk it, he will dunk it. No wussy lay-ups for him. I don't think he's overhyped. I think he's a serious prospect.
4. The Nets draft pick next year is unprotected. UNPROTECTED. Deron Williams has a nagging wrist injury that has slowly been getting worse for weeks, and many think he will eventually have to shutdown for some time. Long story short, the Nets aren't getting in the playoffs this year, and they won't win many games without Deron. This could be a high lottery pick for the Jazz. If you follow the probabilities, right now, it's the 6th pick in next year's draft. The Warriors pick is protected to 7 next year, 6 the next, and 1 after that (with two 2nd rounders thrown in if it goes that far). And it IS the Warriors we're talking about.
If you operate under the assumption that Deron Williams was never going to return to Utah, this was a great trade for Utah and a bit of a gamble for the Nets, because unlike the Knicks with Carmelo, the Nets have no guarantee that Williams stays after next season. We in Utah at least know that even though we lose a year of DWill, we will not be the Cavaliers or the Raptors.
And for me, I'm just glad the Jazz organization didn't change the way it does business. The Jazz are now Ty Corbin's team, and from what I've heard and seen, he's cut from the same cloth as Sloan (with a bit more understanding of young players perhaps), is steeped in the same system that has made Utah one of the most efficient offensive teams in the league for years, and he's got the full weight of the Miller family and Utah fans behind him. I like the trade, and I disagree with Joe that Utah is on the way down. The spirit of LHM lives Joe!
And just for fun . . . three predictions:
1. The Jazz aren't done dealing. They still have the sweetest expiring contract left in the league (AK) and a player lots of people love in Paul Millsap. Although I sure hope they don't lose Millsap.
2. I predict that sometime next season Karl Malone will be with the team helping to groom their young big men--much like Hornacek has been helping as a shooting coach.
3. In 2013, Derrick Favors will be ready, and this trade will look even better.
