My thoughts on the Utah Jazz
I love this team. They have been part of my life since the year after I graduated from high school. Once, as I was waiting for Heidi in her parents’ living room to go on one of our first dates in 1985, I watched a news clip of my dad being interviewed about buying the first half of the Jazz. Since that time I have attended nearly every home game. I have watched with joy and pain over the years as the team has gone through its ups and downs. I have developed relationships with many of the players and coaches, past and present. I have seen firsthand how important this team is to the people not only of Utah but around the world (I once had a conversation with a Turkish shopkeeper in Istanbul about his love of the Jazz). One of the greatest experiences I have ever had was at the (then) Delta Center during the finals between the Jazz and the Bulls. The Jazz are a huge part of my life. Like most Jazz fans, I get frustrated when the team performs poorly.
Now for some facts.
1. As long as I have anything to say about it, the Jazz will be committed to winning. As a family and an organization, we will do everything in our power to put a competitive team on the floor- a team fans can be proud of.
2. This organization is spending more money than ever before on player salaries. Last summer, when Boozer, Okur and Korver all opted in, we were committed to unprecedented player expense. Then on top of that, Portland made their run at Millsap. We matched their offer because we believed (and still do) that Millsap will be a player that can help our team win. We have the talent to win right now.
3. When change comes it will be well thought out and deliberate. Knee jerk changes have never been a recipe for success. We will not trade for players with contracts that saddle us with high dollar, non-productive years, even though it may help us in the short run. If the Jazz are to be successful in the long run, we need to make sound long term decisions.
4. Making trades in the NBA is very complicated. It is not as simple as calling another team and telling them to send the player you want on your team to you. There are many variables that need to line up, including the amount of the contracts, the duration of the contracts, available cap room and dozens (if not hundreds) of other considerations.
5. As a franchise, we are not sitting on our hands. We are on the constant lookout for opportunities to improve. If we have an opportunity to make a trade that makes sense, competitively and financially, we’ll make every effort to get it done. Do not assume we are not pursuing trades just because there haven’t been any.
The Utah Jazz is an extremely valuable asset. My responsibility is to preserve the value of that asset. The best way to do that is to deliver value to the fans and the sponsors, which will translate to emotional and financial support of the team, which in turn preserves the value of the asset. In the case of professional sports, value is generally synonymous with wins. It also includes many other things like quality of experience at a game, occasional access to coaches and players and the franchise giving back to the community, among others.
As a Jazz fan, I am frustrated with some of the losses of late. But I’m not ready to throw in the towel. I am committed to doing all I can to support the team, as I hope Jazz fans everywhere are. I hope fans are with us for the long haul.
Greg,
I enjoyed your take on the current situation with the Jazz. I have been a season ticket holder for the past several years. For the past few years I feel like I am watching the movie Ground Hog Day. The team seems to play well to start with and then fall into a slump in December and January. They then make a run after the All Star game for the eighth seed which means getting the Lakers in the first round, which means elimination. The team is too predictable. No sense in paying a luxury tax when the players aren’t living up to play that warrants it. The way they started out this year, I predicted that they wouldn’t make the play offs. Some tough decisions for you but know I will always be a die hard Jazz fan. I am glad that you have the commitment to win games. But know that I am okay with a loss if they as a team played their hearts out and left everything on the court. It’s the lackluster play that is frustrating me.
Kim
I have followed the Jazz from the 1st day they arrived in Utah. Over the years, it is abundantly clear to me that the organization’s vision and approach to basketball is a winning formula. The team has gotten more effective contributions from the athletes who have played for the team than those same athletes have ever produced for any other team – almost without exception. If the players will commit themselves to the principles and roles of “Jazz basketball” the team will succeed with less talent than other teams. One of the hardest aspects of playing “Jazz basketball” is the amount of patience and faith required of athletes who are used to and able to do some much with their own talent. And, that same patience and faith is also required from fans who can see the obvious impact of individual player talent on the outcome of games. However, a committed team working together can compensate for inferior talent and succeed at the highest levels.
The one question I have about the current team is whether some of the players are really committed to playing their roles in executing “Jazz basketball.” Most of them seem to say the right things, but often I don’t see it in how the play. I don’t mind watching a hard working, team-first players lose. I cannot stomach watching a bunch of talented but lazy prima donnas collect insane amounts of money.
I am a season ticket holder. At Monday’s game I was sad to see all the empty seats in the ESA. The whole row in front of me was empty! I am a dedicated Jazz fan but I am discouraged and feel that I could even play better and play with more heart than most of the guys on the team. It seems that most of the team doesn’t really care and just give up when the going gets tough. Maybe they haven’t heard the saying “When the going gets tough, the tough get going!” I hope that the players realize how upset the fans are. I enjoy going to the games, but I want to see wins. Financially, it was tough for me to upgrade, yes, I upgraded my tickets this year, I have great seats but the games are such a disappointment. I want to see the heart that we used to see in the past. I remember how hard Malone, Stockton, Hornacek played.. they never gave up as these guys now do-How do we lose games when we are ahead the whole game and they give it up at the end? As for my upgrade….well I’m sorry I did it. I want the bang for my buck and I’m not getting it.
The blame doesn’t just go to the players but they are getting all the big bucks, they are not as old as Sloan so why are they playing like it?
I appreciate all that you do, I know that none of us realize or comprehend all what goes into running this organization but please do something, don’t just talk the talk…walk the walk and lets get a championship in our near future.
I know this is off subject but i had to get it off my chest. Why do you let your apparel vendors sell opposing team jerseys at ESA? Kobe jerseys are always for sale during a laker game and Lebron Jersey’s are always for sale during a Cav game. I understand that Fanzz is a business and must sell these but it would be really nice to see your ESA vendors keep it laker free.
Sincerely,
A season ticket holder
As a long time Jazz fan from Australia, I wish you and the side all the best. I am also willing the Knicks to start sucking again!
Molly
I think utah jazz paid to much to the players,. I don’t understand.
They need to change, when I watch the utah game I saw a team play so slow, if you watch different teams they play with more energy and play harder than utah . Sloan have to be more agresive with the couching in order to get better performance. utah is worthless. They don’t reflect the $$$$. EXPENSIVE TEAM-CHEAP RESULT.
Talk is cheap we want results. I read a comment on D-Wills twitter acct. complaining about signing autographs. Give me a break. With him playing like crap and averaging 4 turnovers a game he should feel blessed anyone wants his autograph. This team has turned into a joke and it seems like you’re only making excuses for the piss poor below mediocre play. It’s absolutely pathetic! I am so sick of hearing “well we have to focus on defense”. You hear it on nearly every pre-game interview and yet during the games you don’t ever see it. I’m not going to watch the games anymore and that on its own is disappointing. I used to get excited to watch the games, now it’s painfully horrid to watch! My family used to mark it in our planner, jazz night. I’m opting out the rest of the season, put a decent product on the floor and maybe I’ll come back next season.
That was quite the apologist article to get more people to games. I don’t understand why an article is even necessary from the owner. It’s very good ol boy to me. Fans don’t want owners and coaches to say they’re sorry, and whoever said we as fans thought you were giving up on the Jazz. Goodnight, did I miss something? Did the team get in a bus accident or something. Come on! You’re variable statement is ridiculous. The only variable missing in your variable argument is that there just might be one variable away from a very good Jazz basketball team. Who knows, maybe Kirilenko is that variable. Why aren’t we talking about him. AK used to double down and swat anything remotely close to him. He was a bad ass defender. Where is he now? Where is Andre Kirilenko? Where’s that energy he had when he bursted on the scene. And Boozer! This one’s too easy. Boozer could be that one variable. He may be puting up good numbers. But it’s the intangibles, and the will to win that Boozer is missing. We have so much talent and it’s not getting done. D Will is the most talented NBA guard out there right now. If I was D Will, and I know he’s a competitor. I would be getting in players faces like Malone would do. Call out your teammates D Will. I know you’re a peace maker and a cool dude, and you’re good friends with these guys. But seriously, they’ll respect you in the long run if you call them out, and they will play harder for you. You have the leadership ability. You just have to nut it up and expect your players to nut it up like you do night after night.
Hey Greg all i can say is you are an amazing guy just like your dad. I want you to know that i believe in this team too. This team is very talented but they have just lost some fire as of late. Memo and millsap are not playing too well but they are two very important players on the utah jazz!!! i do not know why we are struggling so much but i believe we will get it back. it must start now though. Hey Greg even though you do not know me i want you to know that I have a passion for basketball and especially the utah jazz. MORE PASSION than any other fan but i just don’t have the money to buy season tickets. I am a huge basketball fan and please please don’t trade Carlos boozer. Greg i know this might sound crazy but me as a kid off the street being only 20 years old has an idea. I think the utah jazz need to practice with the arc angel. the last person i told this to was david locke and he thought it was a joke…it is not a joke. It is a shooting aid that you put on the hoop and it teaches players how to put the correct amount of arc on their shot. I think memo is struggling with his shot but he helps us so much when he can hit that 3 pointer. Greg go to http://www.arcangel.org and see this it may look dorky and stupid and you may say to yourself wow how dumb is this but you tell me how dumb this shooting aid is if it makes your shots go in the hoop. I jason bradshaw believe that if the utah jazz train with this shooting aid for the next couple of weeks they will regain their shooting and regain their confidence back at home. One other thing real quick is i have so much passion as a jazz fan and i have a big dream to work for the jazz one day. i hope i will be able to do that. i guess this letter was just a bunch of nonsense but the one thing i want you to take out of this is that I believe that the jazz need to train with this arc angel to get their confidence back and i would love to be involved with the utah jazz some how and in some way some day. I LOVE THIS TEAM WAY TOO MUCH NOT TO BE INVOLVED WITH THEM…I WOULD LOVE A CAREER WITH THE UTAH JAZZ AND I WOULD PREFER IT NOT BE IN THE CONCESSION STANDS HA HA HA. THIS TEAM IS GREATLY LOVED.
Hello Greg i just left a comment up above this one about the arc angel. Hey i would love a temporary job for the next 4 weeks!!! I will come to jazz practice every day for the next 4 weeks and help them train with this arc angel and help them improve. i believe players like kirilenko, price, millsap, dwill at the free throw line, fesenko and koufos at the line , and so on need to get better. this will help them get better and i am willing to come and help them train to get their shots better. All it will take is 4 weeks and chaching they will not miss. Please Greg i would love a temporary job for the next 4 weeks. my phone is 801-856-2811 and my email is jshawjizzy@hotmail.com or dwillcrossover@hotmail.com give me a jingle!!!!
Greg,
I appreciate your commitment to the Jazz that you showed this summer. I realize it is very hard in a small market organization to commit to a team with a huge cap number that has only achieved moderate success. Matching Pall Millsap’s offer from Portland in particular really showed that you were committed to putting a winning team on the floor. You could have easily dumped one of our better players for nothing more than cap room and luxury tax savings. Instead, you let the team go as is, make one more run, and see how they could fare (if healthy). It’s obvious you love the team, and have shown a serious commitment to try and put a winning product on the court.
Now, we’ve seen the results, this team is not going to compete in the West, and will be fortunate to reach the playoffs. It’s clear the team has lost it’s competitive fire, that is irrefutable. I think it’s clear that the problem is Jerry Sloan. We are all grateful for what Sloan has given the team in the past and the success he has achieved. I think it’s obvious that his coaching philosophies and style have worn very thin on this team. He doesn’t know how (or care) to differentiate between players personalities, how to approach them individually and get the most out of their talent. He’s irritated nearly ever player on the team at one time or another, most notably Andrei Kirilenko years ago with his constant lack of communication. He’s not willing to talk to his players or tell them what they are doing wrong or can do better, he would rather put you in the doghouse. He is way too quick to pull the trigger on certain players, most recently the culprit has been C.J. Miles. Deron Williams even made comments alluding to this in the paper after the game a few days ago. Deron basically insinuated he should just ignore Sloan. I don’t think I need to tell you that you don’t want your franchise point guard telling his teammates that his coach is beyond irrational. The fact that C.J. Miles is getting benched for shooting wide open jump shots, missing two, and subsequently getting benched for 3 quarters is asinine and inexcusable. This does not generate or build confidence in a player and it never will. Sloan needs to realize that the game is now played from outside the paint both offensively and defensively, and should utilize his players to do just that.
On top of this, he is stuck in a generation where rookies and young players must pay their dues before they get playing times. Even Deron Williams was benched as a rookie in place of Milt Pilacio for nearly half a season! I don’t think much more needs to be said. It’s high time, that Fesenko & Koufus get a chance to play over Okur (in particular), and Carlos Boozer if they continue to be uncommitted on the defensive end. I know I speak for many fans, that I would rather see heart, and effort if it meant we had to sacrifice some wins. For too many years, young Jazz players have sat on the bench, only to watch certain higher priced veterans get minutes when they didn’t deserve them. I could go on for many paragraphs about his flaws and inability to adapt to today’s game, as well as players.
I truly think it’s time to blow up the team and start over. I think we should focus on keeping Deron Williams, Paul Millsap, Koufus, Fesenko, our two potential lottery picks and building around that nucleus. We should hire a young new coach, an ex-NBA player, perhaps someone like Mark Jackson. The worst thing that can happen is our young players start to get better, and we don’t make the playoffs. That’s probably going to happen even we don’t blow things up, we’ll just do it without a $70+ million payroll. It may be tough as the box office for a year or two, but it will save the franchise in the long term.
This is coming from someone who’s attended 10-20 Jazz games a year for 10+ years. I love this team, I even have the old school Jazz logo tattooed on my arm. What can I say, I’m a life long Jazz fan. That said, I’ve been to zero games this year, watched just 4-5 on TV, and will most likely stay away until Sloan is gone. I’ve completely lost interest. I have just grown tired of watching this same team, continue to falter. We’re running in reverse, ‘07 Western Conference Finals, ‘08 WC Semifinals, ‘09 1st Round Exit, to a potential ‘10 lottery trip. Things are not going to get better with the status quo, it’s time for some dramatic changes.
[...] Greg Miller, the Jazz owner, started a blog, conveying his displeasure with the Jazz’s play and desire to improve the team. Many analysts have already observed that the Jazz are underachieving despite paying the luxury tax, which is infuriating to both owner and fan alike. [...]
The Lakers may be interested in acquiring Kirilenko. He fits the kind of player that fits their offense. Unloading Kirilenko’s contract could save a great deal of money, particularly next year, and offer some flexibility in terms of improving the team by avoiding the luxury tax. I proposed a trade scenario on my blog. Good luck with the season, Greg.
The world wide Jazz Fans care recent run of Jazz…We worried about it, because Jazz show worse than worse every year .But Jazz seem to show huge potential actually..that’s why we feel extremely disappointed.
We are very, very sad to see the player don’t get any passion..I hate watching only Dwill and Pirce will try to jump and block every shot , what did others do?
If Dwill wanna play in All-star Game, even win playoff series and champion, please play hard and hard defense like Price did…and try to lead the teammate ..that’s why most people perfer Chris Paul than him…
Don’t forget it’s very competitive, James, Kobe, Horward, or some younger team like Kings….Grizzles…OKC
Thank for your Tweet anyway…you show some sincerity
If they play hard and lose…I am still proud of Jazz
Never Give up is the way to let others respect Jazz…
How come players lose it??
Please remember 07-08 playoff second round game 6 vs lakers..
Although it lose, but we are proud of the spirit, still wanna win even trailed by 19 pts as entering 4th quarter…we need this spirit…PLEASE
I’m a long time Jazz Fan from Turkey. All I can say is that as a fan who has to get up at 4 AM to watch these guys play I deserve to see a better effort at least. This team seems to be down on Jerry. They are always a subpar defensive team and what has made this team a competitor team, a difference maker is the offensive system. Right now, the great Jazz offense which requirres perfect execution and training and patience is gone for good. WE want to see guys enjoying playing with each other feeling something special about wearing a Jazz jersey and we want to see a dominant Jazz team.
Every player mentions how good and capable this roster is and they can compete with everybody. I completely agree but they don’t seem to be on the same page. I soley miss Harpring, I miss 06/07 and 07/08 seasons in which as a team guys came out to prove something. Oh my, what a dominant team was Utah Jazz in that years.
Memo looks too hesitant, inconfident, slow. He complained about not having had a chance for workouts during offseason because of the unlucky injury happened at the end of season but we need him to be the Money Man again. He gets quality shots but cannot finish, generally comes up short. It’s a rhythm problem. Carlos starts the game great but somehow he plays lost men in second halves. CJ thinks as if he was the superman. He wants to shoot every ball he gets, he avoids contacts. Actually, the reason why I miss Matty is that we need cutters to play physical, bang inside and do their physical job efficiently.
You are doing a great job, as an owner, IMO but your insistence on consistency in squad may be the reason why these high-paid guys feel more comfortable and seem to be OK with embarrassing losses. Frankly; how many embarrassing losses have we seen? More than 5, so far. That’s incredible. You’re keeping the core together and expect them to grow up but they have regressed as a group. Maybe it’s talent problem or chemistry problem.
Hello Greg,
Id like to thank you for some response from yourself and your family. One thing I believe is that people are wondering if you share the same sense of direction as your great father did with the Jazz. I truly believe the biggest issue the Jazz face these days is passion and emotion. I was watching the broadcast of the New Orleans game and was bothered that when CJ made the 360 dunk that the players had no reaction. That should have been a moment that awakens the team and the crowd. But everyone was concerned of Jerry’s reaction. I think Jerry has a great basketball mind. However Im not so sure of his motivational talents. We as people need raw emotion and excitment to bring out the best of us especialy in sports. Its almost to business like. Find away to bring the emotion back to the Jazz and they well shine brightly again!
Greg-
I appreciate the message. I think it was appropriate given the current state of the team. I am a season ticket holder and life long Jazz fan. I’ve never heard the boo-birds come out of the ESA crowd like I did last week v. Denver. It’s painful to witness. I think fans are frustrated because this team is capable of so much more. These are the same guys that went to the WCF 3 years ago, and took the Lakers to 6 tough games 2 years ago, so to see them roll over at home is tough to stomach. They don’t seem to be playing with same fire we’ve seen before.
One thing I you said in your message was the you are committed to putting “a competitive team on the floor- a team fans can be proud of” While I appreciate this sentiment and it’s great to see the Jazz in the playoffs year in and year out, i know Jazz fans want more. Rather than competitive we want to be elite. We want management to commit to putting a “Championship” team on the floor, then we would be proud. We’ve been there before (almost) and I have full confidence we can get there again. but the team as presently constituted seems to have run it’s course. I don’t think making a change now would be “knee jerk”. The trends we are seeing now have been apparent for a few years.
Thanks for your hard work. Let’s get this thing turned around.
Financial Mistakes are the cause of the mediocre product. They are, in o particular order, as follow:
AK’ contract; Boozer’s contract; CJ”s contract. The foregoing three mistakes caused the necessity of the 4th trading Maynor to lessen the luxury tax.
why is it that we have such a hard time getting top name free agents here in salt lake city
gerg or someone any one answer this for me
hey greg you should have a “town meeting” of sorts to allow the fans to come in and express thier feelings. we know management is committed to putting a good team on the floor but as jazz fans we feel like management just cares about getting butts in the seats. we (jazz fans) are not your typical nba fans we LOVE our team.it may not be expensive for you to go to a jazz game but it is for the people that put the miller family on the map and thats the jazz fans. you guys charge us 3 dollars for a coke i mean come on so the point is this. PLEASE DO US PROUD. we have supported you and made you VERY rich and all we are asking is for a franchise that loves its fans as much as the fans love the franchise. if you wanted to bring talent here we all know you could so the question i have for you greg is this. is it about butts in the seats only or do you really care about the fans you know the ones that support your millions. frustrated jazz fans.
Please I hope you mean what you say. If you really want to see this team succeed lets actually see movements that will improve the team. We all know the weaknesses lets actually do something to improve them.
Three years of regression is not what Jazz fans want. And really where are you without your fans?
I have been a season ticket holder for a few years now and a avid Jazz fan since 1982. It makes me sad to see the Jazz in this situation..I remember the days of old when win or lose it was a great experience to attend or watch a game on tv.. now I can’t even give my unused tickets away. I love the Jazz and always will be a fan…but I think letting SLOAN go would be the best thing, he has exhausted his job and should have been gone 10 years ago, in his time with the Jazz he has only made it to the finals twice.. HELLO!!! we need a new coaching staff, gut it out and start over at least that way we can watch them grow instead of go.
It was obvious after the 2007/2008 season that this team is NOT championship caliber. Since halfway through that season (when we acquired Korver who is now dead weight) we have regressed. How can you even say the words “knee jerk reaction” when this team has had the SAME PROBLEMS and SAME RESULTS for over 3 seasons?
Hey Greg, thanks for the message! As a Jazz season ticket holder I do have a few things to reply to your message with; First of all I drive to ESA from south of Cedar City Utah for every home game, which is a 3.5 to 4 hour effort of my own choosing. As a die hard fan for many years coming that far, I wish the team and staff could give at least that much effort! Lately it has been a complete disapointment! The Denver game was horrible, nothing worse than watching Booz and AK high five and laugh off a turnover resulting in a Kenyon Martin throwdown untouched! that game was an embarresment, not only did we have to watch a lazy effort, but then have the “birdman” with hand to his ears mocking the crowd as he exited. The sad thing is he had every right…bird and his nuggett teamates schooled the Jazz. Now for Sloan, for years Jerry has been a great leader as coach of the Jazz, but not any more…lets get real, he is done! rarely does he stem an opponents run with a timeout, or even get off the bench to give the team direction or the ref an earful. Sloan used to lead with passion….leading the league with technical fouls, a sign that he still had passion to win and coach. Let Ty Corbin grab the reins and unleash the colts ….let em run! DWill can’t do everything, and Boozer wont. I love the Jazz, and don’t mind driving the distance to support the team, but give me a reason to sign up again next year…give us a team that’s willing to lay it out there. As Boler and Booner would say it’s time to buckle up. We may not have Stock and Malone, but we have great talent…lets get someone to inspire them. thanks for listening…now get to work!!!
Does Gregg Miller really read these posts?
after reading a few of the comments, It looks to me like jerry sloan has turned into a players coach ! im thinking he is wanting to fail this season to position the jazz for the draft?
Greg i respect you and your family. I loved your dad and have bought cars at your family dealerships, specifically to help your family and first and for most the UTAH JAZZ. I’ve invested so much heart, emotion and money on the JAZZ and still year in and year out no changes. Just has an example look at REAL SALT LAKE. Sure it’s a totally different league and playoff system but there general manager said there key to success is 1) LUCK 2) RISK 3) effort/defense. Obviously what we have on the court isn’t working and I believe you when you say you guys (JAZZ MANAGEMENT) aren’t sitting on your hands while the team tanks or stinks it up. You make a trade, finally! but you trade Maynor? Ever since his departure with THE jazz we’ve been on a downward spiral…! I know that trade freed up HARPRING CONTRACT and gave financial relief to your payroll but MAYNOR’s production (points and assist) could have been the X-FACTOR we needed to close out the games against OKC, DENVER and N.O! Since the trade 2-4 and since then we’ve drop out of playoff contention. Please help the JAZZ asap! Do SOMETHING.
Sloan is past his time, I think it’s time to have a “you either quit or we fire you” meeting. He has been great but the game has passed him by. He has no passion anymore. He also doesn’t know how to defend the 3 pointer, he doesn’t have a zone offense, he doesn’t know how to use timeouts to stop momentum, his taking players out because of foul trouble has been statistically proven to not be affective. Last of all he tries to get nearly all of his players time in every game. We have been better this year when injuries have caused us to only have 8-9 players dress, when Sloan hasn’t had to make as many decisions regarding playing time. Now that Sloan has to make more decisions, we are a worse team. More options = worse team, isn’t it supposed to be the opposite. Also when the entire team is having motivation issues, it’s the coaches fault. In school if everyone in class is failing, it’s the teachers fault, same thing here. Please get rid of Sloan.
I was happy to read your blog and see that you do have a deep passion for the game and the team. However I feel that there is way too much talk lately about
trading. The maynor let
go was depressing bit yet had to be done.i get that. However we have such a high payroll because we have such good
players. So my question…why would we want to lose any of these talented players?? Yes, we are in a slump that can’t
be
argued with. But every team has it’s ups
and downs and we are at our down. With all the early
injury it is hard to not have trouble. Tonights game against Memphis showed the jazz team we need.the team I have loved my
whole
life. It was great seeing players like
miles and
korver get their confidence back.bit it’s hard to have confidence when all you hear
is about your chances to get traded.we need to get guys excited!spread out the playing time to get everyone involved. Tonight Kyle
had seven pts within a few minutes if
he would have played more think
of the numbers. This is an organization I love and want to see strive. We have all the talent.now we just need to prove it.
Much thanks for all you do.it’s appreciated and your dad would be proud
I like your comments on wanting to be a winning franchise. I have watched the games from the 3rd row since I was 8yrs old. It has been up and down this year with emotion as the Jazz struggle. I agree with lots of fans who say they can take a hard played loss. What a fan can not take is a team who’s fan have more heart than they do. With a young team I think they need more pressure from their “boss” to win. Why don’t you bench the players that are not playing hard. Afraid of the loss??? Well I see comment after comment that the fans can take a loss as long as the team plays hard. The player I am most upset about watching is MEmo. I am a huge fan of Memo. But he will make or break the game. You can tell when he plays with “heart”. I also think that the coach needs to step up his drama from the side line. He hasn’t gotten kicked out of a game yet. Where is his passion for his team! Deron is the team leader, tell him to get his team pumped up! Half this game is about attitude! T. Bailey commemted last night they used to call Larry Miller the “white Rhino” you could hear him comming down the hall if their was laziness on the court. I am not saying that you need to be your Dad, but maybe just demand more of YOUR team! Let’s get some Heart on the court!
Happy to know you are committed to the Jazz. All of the fans owe your family a huge thanks for keeping the team competitive and in Utah! We follow the team in Arizona and were season ticket holders from 1984 to 1995.
Greg,
The Jazz are awesome and so are the Millers. Let’s face it, Utah would not be such a great place without all of the awesome investments that your family has made in it, not the least of which is the Jazz. I know there are lots of people who are doubters of you, but I along with many others know that you are just as committed as your dad. I am more frustrated with a lot of Jazz fans than I am with the Jazz them selves. EVERY TEAM HAS DOWN YEARS! That’s a fact! I hate to see so many fans bailing on our team just cause we have hit a rough patch in the road. As long as you can do what you need to to keep a competitive team on the court then I’ll be with you win or lose! GO JAZZ!
Greg,
Thanks for the blog communication and your willingness to openly communicate with the fans.
Like many here, I’m a diehard Jazz fan since 1979. We moved to Washington State in 1999, but still try to make it to a few Jazz games (650 miles) each year. Also, we go to Portland when the Jazz play (although do not enjoy the Rose Garden’s barbaric hostility which last year included a slashed tire due to the Jazz logos on my SUV). We never miss a Jazz game on NBA LeaguePass. I have a dedicated Jazz room at home and have every Jazz logo-ed item imaginable (including a Maytag Skybox with backlit Jazz panels to cool my game time beverages).
Reading the comments, I have a couple of observations:
1. Foremost, the fact that Utah could have and support a successful major league sports franchise is almost unimaginable. What your father and mother have done for the State of Utah (including untold philanthropy) is immeasurable. Thanks from the bottom of our hearts.
2. Watching many NBA games daily on LeaguePass, I must concur with what appears to be a lack of “lay it all out” effort. My wife continually comments on what appears to be differences in intensity levels shown by other NBA teams vs. the Jazz. I thought the Denver defensive effort on Jan 2 was a blueprint for NBA success (then surprisingly, I watched the Nuggets slog through a home loss to the 76ers the next evening).
3. Another underrated factor in reduced fan interest pointed out by Al of West Jordan was emotional connectivity to the fans. We attended the Kings game on Nov 6 and had Thurl Bailey sign my ticket. It hangs in a plaque in my Jazz room. I came away buzzed. He was incredibly warm and cordial. It brought back the memories I had from the eighties. I still remember seeing Frank Layden, Mark Eaton, and others at the ZCMI mall at noon. D-Will can fill that void, own this town, and seems to want to move into that role. I hope we can get this connection re-established.
4. The reality of the NBA is that it exists for the large markets. We must accept that and collectively enjoy the challenge of doing more with less. It’s how we got Stockton and Malone.
Again, thanks!
Mike
I am a long-time, avid fan of the Utah Jazz. I too have felt pain and joy. Unfortunately, I can’t feel that as much any more. With the economy the way it is, I am unable to afford such expensive television package, just so I can watch the Jazz. What is the point of creating a television station (KJZZ) and then not allowing your fans to watch any of the games. It’s like dealing with the Mountain West Conference and their channel. It’s very frustrating.
Greg,
Good to hear, you’re saying all the right things. A few responses, if you’re reading these comments:
1) Obviously you can’t listen to some of the drivel from these other posters, especially the gentleman, Robert, who posted just before me. Understand that, while some fans are uninformed and unforgiving, not everyone feels that way.
2) Most fans don’t understand the difficulties of the player market in the NBA, nor do they understand just how well the Jazz have done in avoiding the same type of costly mistakes that other teams have made. Well done for that. However, there were two mistakes that I feel are inexcusable: 1) Matt Harpring and his 4th year which was originally only partially guaranteed, until he hit a PT incentive that made if fully so and 2) Memo’s extension. In both instances, the Jazz had all the leverage, and yet it appears that we awarded them based on the good ol’ boy system. Harpring because he was a Jazz type player who gave it his all every time stepped on the court and Memo because he was everything that Boozer was not. Neither player had enough leverage to demand what they got, and yet the Jazz gave it to them for reasons that remain unclear. At least with AK and his terrible deal we had no choice. No one could ever had imagined that he would just stop playing his brand of ball the way he has. Harp and Memo, though, were real mistakes. The Harpring mistake just cost us a good young PG who could have held down the backup spot for 4 solid years. I cringe to think about what the Memo one will cost us.
3) I love the Jazz. We have been a great franchise in the NBA for a long time and its something I’m proud of. But we want a championship. I hate to say it, but it is time to tank the season. We need to retool the roster, and we have to get 2 top 10 picks if we want it to happen quickly. We’ve got to get some shooters who can actually play well in other aspects of the game, and some interior defense. Derrick Favors, Cole Aldrich and Ed Davis can provide the interior D, and Wesley Johnson or Xavier Henry can provide the shooting and all around offensive game. We need one of each, and we need to lose like crazy to make it happen. Its time to tank, don’t let peripheral concerns get in the way. Its whats best for the Jazz long term. Cut loose anyone that you have to to make it happen, and make Deron sit out the rest of the year with a phantom injury.
Hey Greg,
I’m a fan from Cape Cod,MA. I became a fan when Booz came over from Cleveland. I have been a huge fan of his since his days at Duke.
It really ticks me off to hear allllllll the negativity constantly being stirred up about him this year and in actuality ever since he’s been with the Jazz.
The guy made some mistakes this past summer. EVERYONE makes mistakes. He had alot on his “plate” regarding personal matters etc that I’m sure he was trying to deal with at the same time. No excuse, just plain facts. Last season everyone was on him because he was “faking” his injury and Milsap “would have been playing if that were him”, BullCrap!!! Booz’s injury was very nearly a career ending one. Ron Boone thought for sure it was when it happened.
Now they want him out. He’s a proven 20/10 man,2 time AllStar,2 time member of the Olympic Team(Bronze Medal and Gold Medal),named third team All NBA,this year 8th in the league in rebounds,already been named Western Conference Player Of The Week-My God what more can the guy do!!!
If the Jazz are considering moving him, I hope he comes East. We love him out here since his days in NC at Duke. But I’ll tell you one thing for sure, IF you do trade him or let him go, the Jazz will not make the playoffs and they will not be as good w/o him. No one does the “pick and roll” better than DWill and Booz. They’ll never be Stockton and Malone, but they’re pretty darned close! And as far as his playing D, he’s doing his part. He’s tight on his man. He’s blocking shots,stealing the ball and his defensive boards speak for themselves. Look also at his Assists!!! He’s not the ball hog everyone says he is.
They say he’s a Cancer! Where in the world does that come from!
I’ll end this by saying, I certainly appreciate your coming out with the statements about the team. I myself think you should do it more often(Just not like a Mark Cuben)!
Whatever you do, it will be for the goodness of the team. I only hope you keep Booz because he is one of the top 6 PF’s in the NBA!
The fans of Utah have got to learn to forgive mistakes. Take a look in their mirrors. Booz is having a fantastic year and its not just because its his “contract year”. No one and I mean no one wants to win more than Booz. He’s not soft and he’s not a cancer! He’s a gifted athlete,family man, husband and PF for the Utah Jazz!!!!
Greg, I have been a Jazz fan for 15 years. Since the recession I have not been able to go to any of the games, but I watch all of them on T.V.
I don’t want to come across the wrong way so I will just ask you a few questions.
Why do the Jazz lose so many games in the last 5 minutes of a game?
Why do the Jazz lose so many away games ?
I have watched Jerry Sloan give hundreds of interviews, but I have never heard him take responsibity for a loss. It is always the player’s fault.
Losing a in the last 5 minutes and losing away games is not a player problem, it is a coaching problem. The sooner Jerry is replaced, the sooner the problem can be addressed. Yes, Jerry has some great assets, but he has never learned to coach the last five minutes of a game, and he doesn’t know how to win away games. Hey, that is Jerry, it is not the team!
I keep waiting for Jerry to retire so that you can hire Jeff (Horny). The Jazz will never see a wining season until Jerry retires.
I have been a Jazz fan since I can remember. I went to my first Jazz practice when I was 6. With DVR I have not missed a Jazz game for over 3 years. I am taking this opportunity to simply express my appreciation for the Miller family, and to give my mid-term report for individual players over the course of the season.
Thank you Greg for allowing us a glimpse in your life as owner of the Utah Jazz franchise. I do not recall a statement ever made directly to the fans. I am confident that the Jazz would not be in Utah if the Miller family did not love basketball and Salt Lake City. I find it hard to believe that the NBA in Utah is a huge moneymaker. 20,000 seats avg. $70 ticket = $1,400,000 a game, 2 games = just under $59 million and we think the Miller family makes bank. haha! Last I checked that doesn’t even pay current players salaries. Not to mention the event staff that is required at every game, or the building etc. I thank the Millers for bringing the Jazz to Utah and keeping them here!
My mid-season MVP is split between Wes Matthews & D-Will.
My favorite player this year has been Wes Matthews. His hustle is very contageous and his attitude toward the direction of the team is unwavering even when he gets few minutes coming off the bench.
D-Will can be a dominant force & explosive plays speaks volumes to the rest of his team, like his dunk in Miami before Christmas. He took some heat for the way the team played in LA earlier in the year, and the following week when the Jazz went up against Orlando, San Antonio, and LA again D-Will was the driving force in turning all 3 of those games in to wins! The fans are behind you D-Will, as well as management- like Jeremy said before “nut it up and expect your players to nut it up like you do night after night.”
Booz- Thank you for being a vocal leader on the floor and saying “get that shit outa here” every time someone else blocks a shot. Or “grab it Memo” whenever he pulls down a board. I listen for that every game. Your passing has been phenomenal this year. Your outside shot was short earlier in the year and now your consistently knocking down the 15-20 footers. Defensively you say you’re going to step it up, lets see it on a more regular basis. Here’s a goal, take something from your Duke brotha down in Houston and draw a charge or block a shot for every time you get your shot blocked.
Memo- keep shooting the 3. You’re a shooter. you’ll find your range again. In the mean time, review your game film from 07-08 1st round series vs. Houston. Whatever you did in that series to help your team win will benefit your team every game. You were my MVP of that series.
Ronnie Price- I saw you in the airport back in August with Paul. I was happy the Jazz resigned you because of your energy. You haven’t failed us. I love seeing you and D-will on the floor together. Thank you for playing defense, sacrificing your body and avg. more block shots than the taller guys on the team. Last but not least, trust your shot.
Wes Matthews- keep it up. ‘nuf said.
AK- You’ve become complacent. I like the self confidence you have in your outside shot. Thanks for putting some weight on during the offseason to show some commitment to the team this year. Take it to the rack and shoot it in the paint! You have the ups and the ability to pass if necessary. I want to see you posterize somebody! I get sick to my stomach when i see you throw crap up and expect the refs to bail you out.
Kyle- Get your knee better. Good hustle on defense when you are out there, but its not there yet.
Millsap- I think I speak for the rest of Jazz fans. You (like Wes) are the definition of Jazz basketball and we want you here for a long time. Continue to progress and crash the boards. You are a double double guy with 30+ minutes/game. When the calls don’t go your way, you’re still effective, we see that you’ve been screwed on calls since the day you got in the league. We don’t blame you for the fact that the officials can’t see what everyone else does. Keep focused on the game.
CJ- Your 3 point shooting is decent. But for the love of all that is good and holy drive the lane and posterize somebody! Get in the mix, grab some boards. You haven’t been in the lane with the ball all year. Literally, all year. Your defense against top players has been fun to watch as you mature into a good defender. That intensity is not present on lesser opponents. You of all the current Jazz players has the ability to play ball similar to Jeff Hornacek, but you have to learn how to get a shot in the lane whether you go all the way to the rack or hit 8-10 footers. You have become too predictable for defenses. Force you off the 3 to take 2 steps in for a lower percentage less practiced 22 footer.
Fes- you need more minutes. Very good work attacking the basket when on offense. I wouldn’t be suprised if you have more blocks than Boozer and Okur throughout the season even though you average 35 minutes less per game than they do. AMAZING how you don’t play more.
Brewer- You’ve filled your roll and continue to improve year to year. You are the best off the ball cutter on the team, and you find the receiving ends of passing lanes very well. You are amazingly unpredictably predictable.
Coach Sloan- (will never read this). The team has shown a tremendous amount of success when falling back on the system. Your discipline and structure are needed in the world and especially the NBA community. Each player knows which shots to practice before the game because he knows what shots he will get out of the sets you run. That will always work. My simply question for you is if you had to chose one or the other, is it more important to have 1. a successful and happy team or 2. a 2. successful and disciplined team? I simply ask because in 22 years I have seen you show positive emotion very few times, I can recollect one time when Stock hit the 3 over sir charles to go to the finals. Someone has to put together a video of “moments of positive expressions (Coach Sloan edidtion)”. I can appreciate the desire to keep emotions in check due to the ebs and flow of a game, but at the same time, to become “invested” as Greg Miller says, doesn’t that require some level of emotional investment?
Thanks for allowing us to comment.
After watching the Jazz last night there is NO question in my mind that Boozer wants to win. I say do what it takes to keep him in UTAH! I love his passion for the game! The Dunk, the stare, what a FUN game to watch!