Catch Spence Checketts and Scott Garrard weekday afternoons from 3-7pm on 1320 KFAN!

Catch Spence and Scotty G weekday afternoons from 3-7pm on 1320 KFAN!

What to make of the Jazz going forward?

Depending on the snapshot, it’s going either way.  More than one month removed from a five-game winning streak, the Jazz enter the break on a three-game losing streak, having lost 10 out of 13 games this month.

With another two games this month, March looks to be just as cruel. The Jazz play 19 games, including 12 away from EnergySolutions Arena. From March 22 -31, they play seven games, a stretch so grueling that would make crusty Jerry Sloan long for the old days.

It doesn’t look so good. But as always, I’m here to help.

For the Jazz to reach their potential this season – and yes, Earl Watson is correct in thinking this is a playoff team  – each player has to improve. In a two-word phrase, here’s the formula:

Devin Harris: Deja Vu.

 Harris was an All Star for one reason – he was good enough. For whatever reason, those credentials have vanished during this season.

 The lightning-quick point guard needs to shake off whatever is ailing him and get back to form. For starters, he needs to rely on the obvious asset that got him to the NBA. If there’s an opening to the basket, take it.

Raja Bell: Stay healthy.

The 35-year-old guard shook off a slow start and has silenced his critics. As the resident tough guy on this team, Bell has to find a way to avoid the nagging injuries that cause him to miss the occasional game.  The Jazz need more of what he brings.

Gordon Hayward:  Find consistency.

The lanky Opie Taylor-look-a-like has got to lose his tentativeness and stop disappearing for games at a time.  Hayward already possesses the necessary skills to make a significant impact, but now he needs to play like he belongs in the starting five of an NBA playoff team.

Earl Watson:  Stay true.

A savvy veteran, Watson is this team’s spiritual leader. For anything he lacks in talent, he makes up for it with intangibles.

Watson needs to step up even more in his unofficial role as player-coach.  Like any staff, Ty Corbin and his assistants can only do so much.

Alec Burks: Playing time.

Gems are found in nearly every draft, which at times is nothing more than a roll of the dice despite the thousands of hours of preparation. We’ve all seen enough to think this Colorado kid could be one of them.

Al Jefferson: Decide quickly.

It’s clear that Jefferson is the team’s best offensive weapon. The only criticism is for him to make his move faster, which would force the defense to react instead of allowing it to settle in.

Enes Kanter: Develop moves.

The only thing holding back this glass eater is a lack of explosiveness around the basket. While Kanter is never going to possess the leaping ability of a Jeremy Evans, he will find ways to score in traffic off an offensive rebound as he matures

The Jazz targeted the teen-ager after learning they would get the third pick in last summer’s draft. So far he hasn’t disappointed.

Paul Millsap: Stay hungry.

The more he’s disrespected the better Millsap plays. He needs to keep hearing that he’s not good enough.

Derrick Favors: Wake up.

The all-world talent hasn’t come close to playing up to his ability in recent games. The quiet type, Favors needs to snap out of his slumber.

While it’s not advisable to toss the ball into the stands again, Favors has to play with more passion. As soon as his game comes around, he’ll get plenty of playing time.

Josh Howard: Flash Back.

Like Harris, Howard is a former All-Star who isn’t close to playing at that level now. But the Jazz don’t need him to go back in time.

All that is necessary is to regain the form he showed before suffering an injury earlier this season. The good news he goes into the break showing signs of coming around.

C.J. Miles: Stop (the) madness

Admittedly, we’re breaking the rules here by inserting a word in parenthesis but it’s appropriate in this case.

For much of his seven-year career, Miles has played the role of big tease. It’s time to pick a path - become a bona fide NBA player or grab a seat. Either way, stop driving us crazy.

Catch Spence and Scotty G every weekday afternoon from 3-7pm on 1320 KFAN!

Catch Spence and Scotty G weekday afternoons from 3-7pm on 1320 KFAN!

Catch Spence and Scotty G weekday afternoons from 3-7pm on 1320 KFAN!

The Game

                At the beginning of the 4^th quarter with the game tied at 80, I fully expected this to be a blog about the Jazz having another good home win under their belt.  The team played very well.  Unfortunately, sometimes the other guys are good too.

                That was the case Monday at Energy Solutions Arena.  The Jazz played their backsides off, players played through and out of slumps, the defense was better, the offense was good, the Spurs were the Spurs and were one or two plays better.

                Let me address what I saw from a couple of different players tonight.  First, Paul Millsap.  Paul has been struggling offensively since the Toronto Raptors game.  There has been no indication as to the source.  Defenses have played him different, he’s tired or hurt or both.  No idea, other than he’s struggled.  Nights prior to Monday had seen Paul let his offensive struggles affect his defense and other areas of his game.  Tonight Paul fought through the struggles (6 for 17 FG) and reverted back to rookie Paul (as David Locke put it during the broadcast) and did all the little things.  Millsap still on a couple possessions allowed a no call or miss shot cost him though.  In the 3^rd quarter he get a no call on a drive and while complaining to the officials, his guy (Matt Bonner) sprints down the floor for a 3.  Paul recovers, but is late fouling Bonner and sending him to the line for 3 free throws.  Second night in a row this has type of play has happened to Paul.

                Josh Howard snapped out of his funk tonight.  Howard came out aggressive.  As he told me after the game, he wasn’t struggling; he just wasn’t shooting the ball.  Whatever works.  Tonight Howard came out taking and making shots.  He took only 8 shots (making 4) but they were good shots scoring 12 points.  The Jazz need him or CJ to step up and help with wing production, especially in the absence of Raja.  Howards production wasn’t limited to shooting.  Howard grabbed 7 rebounds, all defensive, that is badly needed for this team right now.

                Devin Harris is getting killed by fans right now.  Some of it is justified, some of it not.  Harris though has quietly put together 3 straight solid games.  Tonight he was 6 of 8 (2 for 2 from 3).  Those who do not like Harris will point to Parker scoring 23 and the many point guards who have succeeded against the Jazz.  Remember though, some of that is his fault, some Earls, some the bigs who are not forcing guards on the pick and roll out of the paint.

                Alec Burks continues to impress.  He is beginning to make me believe he is going to be a special player.  After being abused for a stretch last night in Houston by Kevin Martin, Burks came out tonight and played solid defense in his stints against Richard Jefferson and Danny Green.  Burks also is beginning to get a real grasp on the value of a possession.  Burks had 2 assist, both on fantastic passes (Remember, Jazz coaches believe he can be a combo guard playing some back up point for this team in the future).

                Bottom line is, each of these players and others played pretty darn good tonight.  Each of these players and others also made mistakes.  This team is not good enough to make mistakes against the Spurs and expect to walk out a winner.

Post Game Summit

                Unfortunately the drama between Karl Malone and Greg Miller over shadowed what was a good performance by the Jazz tonight. 

                Malone showed up to the game tonight and sat underneath the hoop next to Doc by the Jazz bench (just around the corner from Greg Miller).  Both men did not make an attempt to talk to each other during the game.  After the game, Greg went over to Karl and had a brief exchange with Malone. 

                What was said?

                Nobody knows for sure and it would be foolish to speculate. 

                What resulted? 

                The two met (with Kevin O’Connor as well) for close to an hour and a half after the game while around 15 members of the media (including myself, thus the reason for a very late Jazz Bags) waited outside the coaches office in case one or both decided to address the media after.

                O’Connor was the first to exit the room, Malone about 20 minutes later.  When asked by Salt Lake Tribune writer Steve Luhm about the meeting, Malone’s response was “We talked!”

                Soon after Greg Miller emerged from the office.  I asked Miller if he cared to comment on the meeting, and he responded, “No comment!”

                Many will read into body language, facial expressions, and the 4 short words that were uttered by the 2 men as they left the meeting.  Once again I find the speculation foolish.  Like one of the issues that began this whole thing.  Only those men who were in the room know what was talked about or what if any resolution came from it.  Until Greg, Karl, or unlikely O’Connor care to comment, we won’t. 

Catch Spencer Checketts and Scotty G from weekdays 3-7 on 1320 Kfan, The Sports Leader.

Following Boler it's the outtakes from the last 8 shows combined!!!

Catch Bags & Parks weekday afternoons from 1-3pm on 1320 KFAN!

As they suggest, the numbers show the Jazz are mired in a downward spiral, piling up losses at an alarming rate.

Five out of six, seven out of nine – any way the recent pattern is dissected, the Jazz have significant issues. So now what?

Radical change? Major trades? Relax?

Judging by the reaction we get through the social networks, it’s all of the above and more.  No one can question the passion of Jazz fans.

Whatever conclusion any fan as has reached, Ty Corbin probably has already been there. The look on his face during games indicates the seriousness with which he takes the situation.

 “We just have to figure out where we’re at,” the Jazz coach said. “We’re concerned. You have to be concerned where you are. We’ll evaluate where we are and continue to go to work to get better.”

Corbin already has begun to make changes. This past week he has started inserting Derrick Favors into the game earlier, pairing him up with Al Jefferson. After choosing not to play Alec Burks in four consecutive games, Corbin also has found time for the rookie guard.

He can make more lineup alterations, but as with the aforementioned changes the results aren’t likely to be any different. The Jeremy Lin story aside, the Jazz are like most every team in the NBA in that no unlikely gem is stowed away on the bench.

Until the young players mature, the team’s talent indicates this is a .500 team.  For now, the Jazz are forced to live with the likes of Gordon Hayward playing like a burgeoning star for a few games only to put up a goose egg in the non-competitive loss to Oklahoma City.

To this end, the only way to make a push up the Western Conference standings is through trades. Here’s where the focus shifts from the bench to the front office.

Enter Kevin O’Connor, the Jazz general manager.  Like a tax specialist, this is his time of year.

Actually, with the NBA essentially becoming a year-around league, the spotlight is always on O’Connor. It’s just that with the trade deadline less than one month away, the intensity of the heat will be stronger for the next four weeks.

More than most teams, the Jazz are in a good spot. O’Connor has a host of attractive assets at his disposal, ranging from veteran players to promising youngsters to draft picks and financial considerations.

There’s no doubt his cell phone is as active as the chattiest teen-age girl’s. O’Connor’s peers undoubtedly are pouring over the Jazz roster, trying to which players they can pluck away. In turn, he’s on the prowl looking for an upgrade.

Because I care, here’s my unsolicited – and likely ignored – advice. Unless a no-brainer comes along, sit tight.

If there’s a fool out there looking to give away the talent of a Jeff Hornacek, as was the case 15 years ago, then rightfully so pull the trigger. But it’s in the team’s best interest to let the current situation play out.

The Jazz have obvious needs, particularly at point guard and with perimeter shooting.  Less than halfway through this season, it’s clear Devin Harris has been a disappointment and nobody can consistently make a three-point shot.

Either Harris has permanently lost his game or he’s in a prolonged slump. By staying in a holding pattern, the Jazz have more time to make a better evaluation.  As much as we love Earl Watson’s toughness, he’s not the long-term answer at point guard.

There’s also a line of thought that Harris doesn’t fit in Corbin’s system. If management concurs, then the Jazz ought to seek to improve at point guard immediately, but not at the expense of Hayward, Favors or Enes Kanter. But at this point, Harris isn’t likely to fetch much unless one of these promising youngsters is part of the transaction.

Notice that Paul Millsap and Jefferson weren’t included on the list of untouchables. The truth is both of these players are as good as they’re going to get, which isn’t good enough to be a first or second option on a championship team.

 Favors or Kanter may never be dominant big men, but the unknown is worth finding out. Without a sure thing, Jazz would do well to listen to proposed deals but refrain from acting on them.

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