So far, at 23-18, this is just another typical season for Utah; they're great at home (16-6), they struggle on the road (7-12), and they are getting inconsistent play from role players. If they can find a way to find some consistency, the Jazz could definitely improve on the record which currently finds them in ties for third place in their division, and seventh in the Western Conference.
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Utah's biggest problem seems to be the lack of three-point shooting. They are great inside the paint, averaging over 46 points per game, but until someone gets a hot hand from the outside, teams can fill the middle and force guys like C.J. Miles, Ronnie Brewer, Andrei Kirilenko, and Ronnie Price to hit long jump shots. Sundiata Gaines has shown flashes that maybe he can be that outside guy, but so far nothing night-in-night-out.
On offense, it is fifth-year point guard Deron Williams who leads the team with 19.4 points and 9.6 assists (4th in NBA), while also contributing 3.8 rebounds and 1.05 steals, while power forward Carlos Boozer is second with 19 points, but first in rebounds with 10.6 (9th in NBA), in addition to handing out 3.5 assists and grabbing 1.12 steals a night. Rounding out the stat leaders, and adding to the defense, is power forward Paul Millsap (10 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists) who leads Portland with 1.1 blocks, and shooting guard Ronnie Brewer (10.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists) who is atop the steals column, averaging 1.85 a contest. Center Mehmet Okur (12.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists) and small forward Andrei Kirilenko (10.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.09 steals, 0.97 blocks) have been solid contributors at both ends of the hardwood floor as well.
The team from Utah always seems to fly in under the radar; doing enough to win, but never making enough noise to draw attention to themselves while doing so. While it seems as though this is once again a team that will make the playoffs, and make some team’s life miserable once they get there, fans need to get tickets now to watch the Utah Jazz fight to get back on top during the remaining half of the 2009-2010 NBA season.
For 2010, the season holds great hope and promise of a deep run into the postseason on the backs, legs and strong shooting of Boozer, Mehmet Okur and to Deron Williams. Jerry Sloan, leading the team from the bench, promises stellar play and a can-do attitude every night of every game of the season, which is sure to give fans all the reason they need to run out and buy Utah Jazz tickets.