With the Blazers playing the Utah Jazz tonight at the Rose Garden, even with half our team seemingly sitting this one out, we’ve got an interview with BasketballJohn from the Jazz blog SLC Dunk. We answered some questions for him on the Blazers here, so be sure to check that out as well. Thanks to John for taking the time to do this.
You’re thoughts on the Blazers this year? How do you see your matchup with them playing out?
John: The Blazers always play the Jazz well. And with Oden in the lineup, it’s going to be an even bigger match-up concern for the Jazz as we lack someone really that post up against him and defend him. And unfortunately, that means that we’re going to be seeing more Jarron Collins, and that’s never a good thing. But he’ll give us six fouls against Oden. Other than that, I think the Jazz and Blazers match up pretty good.
If you could grade your team’s off-season what would you give it?
John: It would have to be a solid B. We got rid of Jason Hart who never really fit into the Jazz system and who lost his job to Ronnie Price halfway through the season. We got a solid draft pick in Kosta Koufos at #23. He was projected higher in the first round and would have probably been a lottery pick in the 2009 draft. But the biggest reason for the B was that we didn’t have the offseason drama like we did last year with Derek Fisher leaving and Kirilenko crying to get out. The core of the team is left and these guys really love playing together. It would have been an A had we been able to trade for some D in the middle, but there wasn’t much out there and the front office wasn’t going to make a trade just to make a trade.
What excites you most about the Jazz this season?
John: Deron Williams. The All-Star snub will be in full force from the beginning of the season. I’m expecting him to be better than last year and that should scare the rest of the league. I can’t wait to see what he’ll do. Ronnie Brewer has added about 20 lbs. of muscle. Sloan stated that Mehmet Okur is in the best shape he’s ever seen him. The whole team has been back together for about a month now practicing.
Realistically, where would you put your team’s ceiling, high and low?
John: I expect a fwe more wins this season. They’ll probably finish with about 57 or so and challenge for first in the West. They had a dreadful December last year (just when Portland was turning it on). If they had just finished .500 that month, they would have had three more wins and the #2 seed. That’s a big difference for the playoffs. There’s no reason they can’t win the West. If Deron Williams gets hurt and misses any significant time, it would be a disaster for the Jazz. I think they would still sneak into the playoffs, but that’s about the only way this team underachieves. Injuries to our other players wouldn’t have nearly the impact.
One thing that worries you about the team? Is your window closing with so many players up for free agency this summer?
John: My worry is that the rest of the team doesn’t have the killer instinct that Deron Williams has. Not many do. But I would love for the others to get that attitude of “We’re not going to lose this game.” I worry a little that there might be some selfishness with all of the players that are up for contracts next season. But I think Sloan will clamp down on that pretty quick. I think Jazz fans should just enjoy the season at hand and worry about contracts after we’ve won our last game.
If there was one move you could make what would it be?
John: Besides recovering all of my money lost in the market, I’d obviously like the Jazz to bring in someone that can play along side Okur or Boozer and provide that defense and toughness that we lack. If there was something out there, I’m sure GM Kevin O’Connor would have done something by now.
What do you see as your keys to the Jazz’ success?
John: As with most teams, they have to stay healthy. We’ve been fortunate the past couple of years that we haven’t had any serious injuries. But most of all, they have to commit to playing great defense. I think that’s the team’s focus this year. The offense will always be there, they have too many weapons. The light seemed to click on in Boozer’s head at the Olympics concerning D. I hate the Boozer/Malone comparisons, but I wish Boozer sometimes would just knock someone on their can like Malone would. He’s not intimidating anyone out there right now. Deron has always been an above average defender. Brewer has bulked up and plays great D. Millsap comes off the bench but needs to cut down on fouls.
Any sleepers on the roster we should be looking out for?
John: Look for Ronnie Brewer and C.J. Miles to make the leap. Ronnie has been working on his shot all summer and the early word out of training camp is that he’s shooting much better. If he becomes consistent with that outside shot, look out. C.J. just signed his big deal. It’s no guarantee that he’ll play now, but I think he’ll steal minute away from Harpring finally now that Matt is still recovering from surgeries. He’s going to have to earn it in training camp though. He’s got a great stroke and is infinitely more athletic than Harp.
Is there a Jazz/Blazer rivalry? What’s been your take on Portland through the years?
John: I think there is. It’s died down a bit, but last year re-kindled it. There’s not much competition in the NW Division right now other than the Jazz and Blazers. Denver will be okay, but they probably miss the playoffs this year. And with the young group of players that both teams have, this has the chance to be a great rivalry for years to come. I’ve always hated playing Portland, especially at the old Rose Garden. Porter, Drexler, and Sabonis always gave the Jazz fits. They eliminated the Jazz from the playoffs a number of years.