Thread Tools

Display Modes

JoeF · 05-12-2003, 11:44 AM

http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,500032678,00.html
All the quotes are from this article.

Quote:

"I clearly don't want to be a 25- or 30-win team, but I also am no longer satisfied to just show up in the playoffs and exit the first round," he said. "So, I'm willing to pay the price to become a truly competitive force — even if it takes suffering some losing seasons."

Quote:

The Jazz will have cash to spend this offseason in the NBA's free-agent market, and Kevin O'Connor, the team's vice president of basketball operations, vows Utah will be "aggressive" in its search for talent.
"We're going to get people who can make a difference to our team," O'Connor said. "That's our goal."

These two statements leads me to believe that the Jazz aren't planning on a Chicago style youth only rebuild. They are going to try rebuild over the next two years the way all successful teams have rebuilt, trades, free agency and draft picks. It also appears that O'Connor doesn't believe that players don't want to play in Utah.

Quote:

But when Miller mentions "energetic" and "unpredictable" in the same breath, the self-made auto-sales mogul has no particular free agent in mind.
Rather, he thinks of Andrei Kirilenko, the Jazz's second-season, 22-year-old small forward from Russia.
"He's terrifically talented, not yet totally disciplined, but much better today than he was a year ago, and (has) a terrific attitude," Miller said. "The universal word when people are talking about Andrei is he's 'fun' to watch. So, I want a team that's fun to watch. And if we go through a two- or three-year dearth of not going to the playoffs, that's all right. We'll get there. We'll be fun, we'll be competitive when we get there."

They are plaeased with Kirilenko but still are expecting improvement. Will get a chance to be more of an option in the future.

Quote:

Which leads one to wonder: Can Sloan coach such a team?
"That's a fair question," Miller said, "because he would, clearly, have to make an adjustment."

This may be the most important question for the organization and for Jerry himself. This may be what Jerry is considering while complemplating his future. I don't think he will return just for next year. I think it will be a long term committment or it will be retirement.

Quote:

That all invites this question: Will Malone really want to play with the kiddie corps?
His options are to seek an offer elsewhere and chase a thus-far elusive NBA title, or to stay in Utah, where he can try to move from No. 2 to No. 1 on the league's all-time scoring list, and probably make more money (albeit substantially less than the $19.25 million he made this past season) doing it.
"I do think Karl will wind up here, but I recognize there's a very real chance he won't," Miller said. "If I were writing the script I really would hope he and I can find a way."

This is what I have been saying since last offseason. I think he will return but there is a decent chance he wont.

Quote:

So the Jazz's owner wonders how fans of the franchise will weather the transition beyond Stockton and, eventually, Malone.
"We're going to find out who are Jazz fans and who are front-runners," Miller said. "Clearly, we have some of both."

This is a very important question. Will fans give the organization time to rebuild. I think this offseason will be the most important factor. If people see a plan, they will give the Jazz a break. If not it could be a rough few years.

utahjazz85 · 05-12-2003, 02:58 PM

I'm not going anywhere, screw you bandwagoneers.

And Malone is totally gone, unless he has a drastic change of heart. If we rebuild we don't really need him for 2 years anyway. Unless the price is right.

JoeF · 05-13-2003, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by <b>utahjazz85</b>!
I'm not going anywhere, screw you bandwagoneers.

And Malone is totally gone, unless he has a drastic change of heart. If we rebuild we don't really need him for 2 years anyway. Unless the price is right.

If that was meant for me, I am not a band wagon fan. Many are though. That goes for every team. I just think the Jazz will try to stay competitive though they may have one or two down years.

utahjazz85 · 05-13-2003, 01:21 PM

It wasn't directed at you, it was directed tward this quote my Miller-

So the Jazz's owner wonders how fans of the franchise will weather the transition beyond Stockton and, eventually, Malone.
"We're going to find out who are Jazz fans and who are front-runners," Miller said. "Clearly, we have some of both."

Thread Tools Display Modes

Thread Tools

Display Modes