Ron

From the Finals in 1998 to the WCF semis in 1999 and 2000 to getting bounced out of the first round that past two seasons, the sunny times in Salt Lake are turning very cloudy.

They have Stockton and Malone, who may play into their '80s. They are both quality players, even at this age, but both showed signs of failing in the playoffs against Sacto this year.

The surrounding cast is extremely suspect. Marshall has great games sometimes, but is too erratic. Bryon Russell isn't the same player he was just a couple of years ago. Their center has never been anything really to speak of, and the rest of the team just doesn't have the talent to measure up.

I believe they are headed, as Shaq would say, "to expansionism."

Any ideas on how they can avoid such a fate?

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