With all of the recent snow storms, the Jazz seem to have decided to take the last 10 games off to go sledding. They are sliding down hill in a hurry. A team that was 13-5 and boasting one of the best records in the NBA, is now staring at the fate of being .500. What has happened? They were leading the Northwest division by several games, and now find themselves third behind Portland, and Denver. Oh yeah, and Portland beat the Jazz twice during this past 10 game slide. Does anybody remember that Portland was supposed to be bad after losing their star center to injury? I guess the players never got the memo as they are 14-12.
Ok, maybe we are being too harsh. The Jazz did get a win against Seattle at home during that span. How impressive is that seeing that Seattle is 7-19?
What has contributed to this long slide?
Was the former Jazzman Derek Fisher that valuable?
Have teams figured out the Jazz?
Are there off the court issues that we aren't seeing?
I think all are possible variables in viewing the slide. The Jazz lost leadership with Fisher. He had been on championship ball clubs and did bring the intangibles (also known as "it"), not so much the points. He did contribute some on the perimeter shooting where the Jazz have lacked, but not enough to cause an uproar.
I believe that the most significant factor causing the lack of production starts in the locker room, and with the opponents preparation. Players are going to need to step up as leaders on this team. This team needed continuity and leadership in the off-season, but instead we found signs of immaturity. Andre, a supposed leader of the team, complained about leaving if coach's didn't succomb to his demands. Williams and Boozer called out several players (not by name) after the Western Conference Finals defeat. They said that some had vacation plans set up before the end of the series. Well, maybe those same players are booking trips to the slopes in between games. In fact, the whole team has hit the slopes in terms of their losing streak. The players faces seem to hide some of the potential off-the-court issues that could be going on.
Also, teams aren't suprised by the Jazz anymore. Last year, teams struggled to defend them, but they are now better prepared to face them. Teams that the Jazz owned last year have turned around and beaten them.
We all keep waiting and wondering when this skid will end. What does the weather forcast?
We may be in for a long winter if the current conditions exist.
1 comment:
Babe, you are amazing! You are going to make one heck of a sports writer someday. I love reading your new posts. They're always interesting and you have good points. I don't get to hear those views very often in person so it's fun to read. I love you!
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