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.
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This post was mentioned on Twitter by UtahJazzScoop: Jazz owner Greg Miller RT @GregInUtah: My Thoughts on the Utah Jazz http://bit.ly/6BUAAx http://myloc.me/2DXpH...
Awesome, awesome post. Thank you greg! I feel much better, and look forward to seeing more winning in the near future.
Thanks!
A loyal Jazz fan
What is the plan for Boozer? You can’t really expect anyone to go out and buy a Boozer jersey when he probably won’t be here next year. And frankly, Millsap isn’t fit to carry Boozer’s jock. Should have signed Boozer long term and traded Millsap rather than lose an all star like Boozer for nothing. And I know it’s complicated, but that’s why the GM gets paid the big bucks.
And it’s high time we trade Kirilenko. Is there a worse production per dollar player in the NBA? For a team trying to cut payroll, I am shocked to find the most over paid player in the NBA on the roster.
So we have a good player like Boozer that we don’t want to waste money supporting because he will be gone, and an over paid player like Kirilenko that we would be ashamed to support in public.
Fans may be in it for the long haul, but don’t blame us if we sit this season out. The GM has sat the last several years out, which is why the team is in this mess, so don’t be upset when the fans finally sit one out too.
Fair enough, but it’s time for something to be done.
We’ll give you fair time to make something happen. Not just a move for the sake of making a move, but something needs to be done.
It’s about time too that Sloan stopped getting a free pass. We’ve had
the same leader for 2 decades, and it’s starting to tire. The silly rules like no headbands, the lack of creativity, and the lack of communication with the players. At some point fresh blood needs to be considered. This isn’t a knock on sloan’s talent, or what he has dont for us in the past.
…and for the the love of pete, please stop playing Memo and Boozer together. Obviously it’s not working. Fes is rotting on the bench. Koufos too. Memo and Boozer get a free pass, and some of us are sick of it. They are horrible part time defenders.
I am glad that you have the commitment that you do to the fans of the Utah Jazz and to the organization. Glad to know that you get as frustrated as we do sometimes.
I am a long time Jazz fan and remember the time when we thought that they would be leaving and then your dad stepped in. Very grateful to your dad, you and your family for not only keeping the Jazz in Utah, but turning them into the caliber of team that they are and have been for years now. Also very grateful for all of the good things that the LHM group does for the state.
Thanks again for the hard work
Greg,
I love the Utah Jazz. Thanks to your father, and your family they have been a big part of my life. All the way from Logan, UT to Salt Lake City where I am now a season ticket holder, I try to watch or listen to every game.
Thanks for all the hard work! It is appreciated.
Clint
You mentioned trades quite above in your post, who are you looking to unload?
Mr. Miller,
Thanks for the thoughts. I appreciate that you’re at least trying.
It’s time to rebuild the team around Williams. If you can’t see that this team is absolutely done and needs to be gutted then you are in the wrong business my friend. I would rather see the Jazz sold to a different city than watch these guys trot out with absolutely zero heart night after night. I would rather keep my memories of the Stockton/Malone years than have them constanly be polluted with these soft, heartless players that are currently on the roster.
I will not watch another Jazz game until a trade is made. Kirilenko, Boozer, Miles, Okur all need to go and I believe you know this in your gut. Start over! Stop being too conservative for your own good. Sometimes adaption is necessary to succeed and the Jazz are currently not adapting, they are outdated and floundering. Time to take action and do the right thing Mr. Miller.
-J. Rachiele
I’ve been a Jazz Fan since before Larry bought the team from that pancake guy… God bless the Miller family.
What a great problem to have.. A bunch of players who are playing way below their ability… How many years did we have a team that had to play way above their talent to even compete?
Good to hear those words from you Mr. Miller. I, for one, appreciate your work and your desire to make the Jazz a championship team. I hope the rest of the Jazz fans will continue to be as supportive as I plan to be
As a fan, I have cheered for the Utah franchises since the days of the old Utah Stars. I was heartbroken when the Stars disbanded and elated when the Jazz moved to Salt Lake.
Though we all appreciate what your father did in saving the team and keeping it in Utah, I have also been dismayed when he (on more than one occasion) said that profitability was the main goal of the franchise. The Jazz were close to winning a championship on several occasions, yet personnel moves were not made – not once did Larry exceed the tax limit to get that “final piece.”
Yes, you and Gail are to be commended for exceeding the limit this year to retain Millsap. Losing Millsap – and presumably Boozer at some point – would have left the Jazz with a huge hole to fill at PF. And the Harpring/Maynor trade was understandable. The financial savings were just too large to pass up, even if losing E.M. has hurt the team short-term.
But unless/until you trade the expiring contract of Carlos Boozer for a starter, your actions will be for naught, just short-term manuevers to keep the team marginally competitive while getting under the tax threshold for next season.
May I suggest attendance is down not only because of the economy, but also because smarter fans see that this team, as currently comprised, will NEVER be a contender. The fade last season and the lack of effort, particularly on the defensive end this year, have revealed fatal flaws. While other teams improved, the Jazz had to stand pat because of financial constraints. Yes, there is certainly a deficiency of talent in key areas, but some of the blame has to be placed on the coaching staff. Just visit the primary fan site (Jazzfanz.com). You can sense the discontent and disillusionment of formerly ardent supporters.
And until you, Jerry Sloan and Mr. O’Connor realize the talent base must be upgraded, that the team is largely comprised of players better suited to be NBA backups due to their inherent limitations and/or inconsistent play (with the exception of an all-star PG and a PF that must be traded and not re-signed under any condition), then the Jazz will continue their descent down the ladder to the also-rans of the league.
My hope is that you and KOC use some combination of the primary valuable assets you have: Boozer’s expiring, the NY pick, the recently acquired trade exception and AK’s expiring contract next season (and possibly a Jazz lottery pick if the team misses the playoffs this season), to overhaul the team. Deron is set. Millsap MIGHT be starter material, but is probably better suited to be a 6th man. But the rest of the team needs upgrading. The remaining starters can’t compete against the elite teams of the league.
And I hope your ultimate goal isn’t to be merely profitable and make the playoffs as the 7th or 8th seed, but to contend for a championship.
You know the only way to make a real change is to replace Sloan. Unfortunately for the Jazz organization you have to respect your fathers dedication to the dinosaur Sloan. The writing is on the wall. You cant ignore Williams comments about Sloans rotation moves or Harpring blasting Sloan on live tv during their loss to OKC. Its time to make the ONLY move that will transform this team. Fire Sloan! Too bad you dont have the stones.
I just want to know where did the fight in this team go? That’s the most frustrating part of the jazz. I see this team with alot of talent, but yet they seem to hate each other or something. It seems like they are all out for themselves, maybe contract year for some who knows, but this ship is sinking very fast, and is really difficult to watch anymore. Man i would come play for that much money. That’s the other thing you would think with that much money going out the door, this team with the talent, would be playing out of their minds.
Greg,
I appreciate the posting of this blog. It really puts the bigger picture of what is going on with the franchise in perspective. I can appreciate that you are trying to be patient to make sure you are making sound business decisions when it comes to the long term preservation of the franchise. Few owners would make the same gesture you have made by writing this blog.
From 2004-2008 I was a Jazz season ticket holder. After much consideration I decided not to renew my season tickets this year. The reason was partially due to my financial situation, but the main reason was that I no longer felt that emotional connection to the team as I had in the past. And as you know, a fan that doesn’t have an emotional connection to a sports team means that franchise won’t get any financial support from that fan either. In my opinion the problem with your franchise is not due a lack of talent, or from bad coaching. I believe the biggest problem is that some players on the roster have lost the emotional connection with their teammates, coaches, owner and fans. This group of Jazz players don’t appear to pull for each other. They are playing for themselves, not the team.
Many players on the team lack the pride they should have when playing for the Jazz. I know these guys are NBA players, but they aren’t Jazz players. We need guys that want to be and are “Jazz” players. I will never forget what Karl Malone said a couple years ago at his retirement ceremony. “Always remember, its not about the name on the back of your jersey, its about the name on the front of it that matters most”. How many players are proud to wear that jersey right now? Very few of them act like it.
I long for the team the Jazz had back in 2004 after John retired and Karl left for the lakers. That teams of nobody’s (except AK-47) exceeded everyone’s expectations including mine. I truely believe that every one of those players was proud to wear a Jazz uniform. I would rather have a team of “Jazz” players that don’t make the playoffs, than a team of overpaid NBA players that have no pride for the name on the front of their jersey’s. I wish you the best of luck and look forward to re-creating that emotional connection I once had with the Jazz again in the near future…
Al
West Jordan, UT
Thank you Mr. Miller for you thoughts about the Jazz. I am a diehard fan and was very pleased to recieve your email. I feel like you and Mr. O’Connor take an unfair beating in the media when the team is having problems. I’ve been sad about the recent losses as well, but as the lost 25 years have shown this franchise knows how to recover and to be run effectively. Once again thank you for your thoughts
I can’t believe that you Guy’s Haven’t made a deal yet. It is Sad to see the way you guy’s don’t ever Make good decisions. Also you Have to Fire Kevin and Replace him With Scott Laden he is the best Gm on you’re pay roll. I have been a true Jazz fan my entire Life. This is the most hopeless I have ever felt about a Jazz team. You should just release Okur he play’s with no hart. Once you get him out of here the team will improve. You should pick up the phone and call the Golden state Warriors right now and send Boozer over there for Randolph and Maggette. Do something I can’t stand the fact you guys always tease fan’s then do nothing. It gets annoying. PLEASE DO SOMTHING TO GIVE US AS FANS HOPE. THIS TEAM IS SOFT AND HEARTLESS. ALL OF THE FAN’S CAN SEE PLEASE DO SOMTHING.
Hi,
As A longtime Jazz fan I am concerned when jazz players speak of a loss as only “one game” and “It’s a long season” and “good thing we have another game shortly”. Other elite teams have the mentality that every game is the most important game, when was the last time you heard Kobe say something like that? Never, because they understand that a game early in the season counts the same as the last game of the season as far standings go. We just don’t think the current Jazz players have that same tough character as other elite teams. Our team still thinks they have a tough Home court, The Energy Solutions Arena is not feared by any team in the NBA any longer, this team has not awaken to that fact and are still living in the past. We use to be a good rebounding team, (Rebounding =toughness and determination) where is it now? The team now comes off as soft and not dedicated. We fans are no longer interested in them. I am a Longtime Jazz fan who turned in my season tickets this year and unfortunately have not missed much because I see much the same that I have seen the last two or three years. All we want to see is EFFORT and we can handle the losses, but losses and no EFFORT = fans who no longer care.
Best wishes to the Miller Family and thanks for the past Jazz teams.
Scott
Good thoughts Greg. It seems in this day and age that everyone wants instant gratification and although I’m feeling, as a fan, very frustrated, I also understand that knee jerk reactions will hurt a company more than help a company. As a fan, I would like to see some major talent come to Utah and still be able to retain DWill. As a fan, I would like to know that the players we have are committed and not just giving us lip service (boozer). As a fan, I want to see Booz get mean/tough and take it to the rack every time. As a fan I love DWill’s fire and drive and hope that the franchise can do everything in its power to retain him. I would hate to see him go because of the lack of talent surrounding him. As a fan, I appreciate what JSloan means to Utah and this organization, but I can’t help but wonder if his time is up. As a fan I love to watch the team play with heart and soul.
As fans, we’ll never understand the amount of pressure they have on them at all times to be the ideal public figure, even though they are human. When they lose, we expect better. When they win, we expect better.
I love the Jazz and hope they stay in Utah for a very long time and that during that time they bring a championship or two home!
btw, your blog needs a facelift…isn’t this the default wordpress design? Come on Greg, step into the 21st century already. I happen to do webdesign/wordpress implementation for a living, so you could say, I know a guy that could help you out with this.
Thank you Greg for a great insight to your philosophy as an NBA owner. I am a season ticket holder and appreciate it very much. I love the Jazz and appreciate you and your dad for all the years of entertainment you have given to me and all Jazz fans around the world. GO JAZZ!
Greg,
why in the world did you trade Maynor? The best backup I have seen the Jazz have in the past 10 years. He young and able to handle Sloan system. When he comes in the team responded and worked well.
This has to be the WORSE decision the Jazz has ever made, I put this above the Luther Wright draft choice.
You should have traded CJ, Mathews or one of the other 2/3 position players instead.
I know I speak for a lot of fans who are scracthing thier heads and wondering do you REALLY want to win a championship?
What is the problem with eating the salary cap for one year? Next year, Boozer contract is gone, Korver is gone, Harping is gone.
Too trade away your top draft pick this year and say it was to save money is pure horse pucky. KOC should be shipped back to Philly. He is a horrible GM, Majority of his draft picks are bad, he is unwilling to make the big trades like LA, Houston, San Antionio and others are making.
As for me, I have stopped watching the piss poor product you put out on the floor, until you prove to me that you are actually serious (stop the cheap talk in the papers and radio) about winning a championship, you have lost a fan based soley on this stupid trade.
Why re-up memo? Why start cj? These guys do not give effort. You are diminishing the jazz asset by doing nothing for 2+ years. I will not have my nights continue to be ruined by player who do not give all
out effort. I take this too seriosly to stand by and watch this type of basketball. I feel I care more than the player do.
I think arrogance is a huge factor with the team. If they were more focused on playing ball and having fun instead of having there noses held to the roof of the ESA acting like no one there matters. I was frustrated with how Williams sat there and not even acknowledged our standing ovation! (even though at that moment he was playing yet another sub par game). And everyone else missing lay ups? Come on
It would be easier to believe if the high salaried players were putting in effort defense in the paint is awful. You have two up and coming centers who spend no time on the floor and opposing teams get layup after layup while your center and forward watch.
Greg,
I am a season ticket holder, I enjoy most games however lately it seems to me that the players are not playing hard. I never see AK47 block shots anymore, Boozer is playing harder this year but he did not play that way other years. I love Ronnie Price, Thank you and your family for your efforts in trying to field a competitive team.
Boo!
How can you be content with the product. The fans have seen enough of this young heartless team. Make some moves or relocate the team to Vegas while the value is still high.
Good luck Jazz
maybe if we can get gortat from magic with boozer. gortat is a nice shotblocker which we sorely needed. long term cap commitment on gortat and milsap is also very decent. gortat + pietrus + filler for boozer might work.
Greg, I have been a season ticket holder since tha Jazz moved here,
I think it is time for a new coach that can motivate and comunicate with this new generation of NBA player.
Jerry was great but time has passed him over, and he has never been able to connect with the younger players…..
It’s a good thing that Greg does not think like most of so called “Jazz Fans” I can’t believe how many times I have heard the words “blow it up” recently, that is absolutely ridiculous.
That being said. Being a Jazz fan and a season ticket holder this year has been a bit of a letdown, we have a ton of talent on the team, yet it seems like desire or motivation is not there which can be frustrating.
You want to fix this team – Start Millsap and AK. Play them 35 minutes a night and the rest takes care of it’s self.
I am not one of these fans who expect the team to go into luxury-tax territory for years in order to win a title. And trades are not easy to pull, especially if a team does not intend to stay abouve the LT limit. My complaint is with Jerry Sloan. He lets his “veteran” players play even when they are underperforming, and he buries young players on the bench. I question his ability to make adjustments. I strongly believe that a different coach would do a better job. Assistant coaches from Boston or San Antonio come to mind.
Don’t give me a line about 20 years or more of winning seasons. Another coach might have been able to do better–actually win a ring–and keep this team afloat. And nearly every title team in the past couple of decades or so has had a defensive deterrent as a center who can score a bit (Perkins, Big Ben, David Robinson, a young Bynum). Fesenko–with all his off-court immaturity–could become that defensive deterrent, and on top of that, he scores at a high % (albeit an infrequent rate). When Memo or even Boozer or Millsap are getting beaten on possession after possession, or are shooting 35% or less, or are on track for committing for 5 turnovers, they need to be benched for a few minutes. On average, when Fes has played, the team has done better, so it’s possible that the team will do better, not suffer. Based on this year’s disappointment over disappointment, at least Sloan could give it a try. Much of the time this season, Okur doesn’t deserve to play so long, and he doesn’t even use reserves sufficiently to rest players on a back-to-back. Tell Jerry to change his ways, or don’t renew him. Players are not without blame here, but the poor in-game substitutions and matchups are gross sign of subpar coaching. Not even a HoF coach is immune from such criticism.
Greg,
Great blog, it’s nice to hear that you’re takings such a smart, deliberate approach.
The chemistry between players on the court can have such a drastic effect on the players energy and reducing turnovers. I love to see how well they play together with certain lineups. For example, Williams with Matthews, Millsap and Brewer. That lineup is just missing one piece – an athletic, defense minded center.
I am a season ticket holder have been for nearly 15 years, and it seems we will never be more than a good competitive playing team without the fear of being a championship team. I feel the Jazz never will, until you get players that have true love for the game and a overpowering competitive spirit that outways the need for rediculous contracts. And also you will unfortunately need to change your coaching staff. Until that happens my wife and I will will simply enjoy our casual nights out at the ES with no more expectations than some clean enterainment.
Greg, you need to plan a “Bobby Bowden” style exit plan for Jerry Sloan. His time has passed and he no longer can connect with the players or get his message across. I’m sure your office computer isn’t a Commodore 64 (although it was the best computer in the 80’s)…so why does the team still have a coach that’s from the same era? Time to upgrade.
We understand the loyalty you feel towards Sloan…fine, keep him within the organization. He can be reassigned as the Food & Beverage manager or Head of Security, who gives a f***, as long as he’s not the head coach.
Please make Sloan retire. This teamis good but Jerry isn’t getting through anymore. Opportunity is slipping away wityh this team. Sloan isn’t working any more. See all the empty seats in the ESA? Please make a change soon. Hornacek might be the guy.
Greg
Love the Jazz. I always feel welcome at ENS and have been a season ticket holder for many years. Could it be that we have to much talent!!! We deffinately have to much high priced talent. If your gonna pay A.K. max money start him every night. Memo needs to start planting people in the 3rd row when they come in the lane. Its obvious that Darin cant stay with the quicker guards in the league. Nor can they stay with him. Back line defense is a must. Price needs to play more and rough some people up. It seems to all of us sitting up in section 127 saw at team with an 8 man rotation that excelled because they new they were gonna get long minutes and played relaxed and together. 34 games into the season Jerry should know who is playing and who is not.
If winning this year isnt in the cards and it doesnt appear to be. Show case Korver Miles Fesenko Kosta and get rid of them as they dont appear to be in the future plans of the franchise.
Next year you clear up cap space with the departure of Boozer and Korver and you have some good draft picks. Draft well and bring in some toughness.
It just seems that when other teams come in here they Know what we are doing on offense our defense scares no one and even down by 20 opponents seem to know that they can get back into the game.
With the talent on this team the games should be over with six minutes to go in the 4th quarter.
Contracts aside play your best effort players. With 48 games to go a 32 and 16 record should be the goal and everyone on the coaching staff and the players should be held accountable.
Lets bring back the noise to the ENS so we can all Sleep nights knowing that our team has won!!!!
Greg: (I hope it is appropriate to call you Greg) I am a lower bowl season ticket holder for many years. I am blessed to be able to sit next to Coach Frank Layden and his wife Barbara. NBA basketball, specifically the Jazz, provides me and my family blessings which I cannot accurately articulate. I also love and feel a kinship with your father, (whom I have met several times) and the Miller family for keeping the team in Utah. The words “thank you” seem woefully short of the grattitude I feel.
There is one, non-important (in the scheme of life) thing I want before I leave this life and have wanted it for some time. That is a NBA championship for the Jazz and the state of Utah. I want to experience the joy and euphoria (just once) that comes with the team earning a championship. I want it for so many reasons. Most of all, the Miller family deserves that success for all of the sacrifices made, and for Jerry Sloan who I believe works so hard and cares so much.
I would never assume to tell Jazz ownership or management how to do their job. I understand the complexities of running an organization. The only concern I have, which I really struggle with, is the notion that this core group of players would mature, grow, progress, and ultimately continue the high standard of playing hard and winning that the organization is known for. The reality of that notion is quite different. The core players on this team do not defend well, they are continually missing games due to injury, selfish to a point which disrupts team chemistry, lack of effort and focus occur regularly, and most of all seem to blatantly tune out Coach Sloan. Those attributes do not allow a franchise to continue a high level of winning.
I understand it is difficult to make trades and improve your team. I understand that 29 teams are also trying to do the same thing. I am very fearful that if something by way of personnel or some other significant change does not occur this season, fans, sponsors, and others may turn away from the product. I do not want to see that happen. Personally, I am sad to admit that I have been terribly affected by the financial challenges of our day. I have kept my season tickets because of the joy they have brought to my family. I am uncertain if I will continue to pay over $11,000 a year to watch players who do not share your fathers commitment to hard work and to ultimately bringing a championship to Utah. Thanks for listening.
This all sounds nice except you put the same lousy product on the floor this year that we ended with. One exception you paid more and told us how much they would improve from within. I believe that Einstein defined insanity as the act of doing the same thing and expecting different results. This team is playing the same way they did at the end of last year when everybody was back together, except we now have more problems created by the short timers who everybody said our great regular season coach would be able to control. O hope you are better at business than you are at basketball.
greg i have been a season tiket holder for 12 years.i will not renew unless we get some players who want to get off there butts and play.ding ding we need a shot bolcker ,a three point threat,perimeter defenders,attitude for playing hard all games and every game.we are boring ,predictable and very soft.sloan is outdated .lets run and gun and dictate the pace of the game .lets,quit losing to all the worst teams in the league.also, teams with there best players out,put them away and quit being passive.enough is enough,every game the boos are getting louder and louder.cam you see that we are getting tired of wasting our time at the energy solutions buiding. the old saying( BUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME)your worried about salary cap, you better start worring about fan SUPPORT.THE TEAM NEEDS ATTITUDE AND CHARACTER.you better do something quick because the hour glass has beeb tipped over. good luck jeff
Greg,
You are doing a great job. I have been a Jazz fan for 15 years and am still loving it. I have my concerns, but I do every year. It’s part of being a fan.
What I see is that the Jazz are actually tied for 4th in the West for Defense (Points Allowed)….which is way better than we finished last year. I believe we were tied for 10th in Defense to finish the year last year.
At the same time, our Offense has gone from 4th or so Best in the West (last year) to 7th or 8th Best this year. That differential to me accounts for the lack of wins this year, despite the defensive improvement.
The Jazz offense has always been a staple, and I know it will come back. And if the current Defense remains the same, we could be in the top 3 seeds in the West still this year.
So, as for me, if we make a change to improve the team, great. But if we don’t, I agree with you that this team as presently constituted Can win at a high level. Does that mean a Championship? Well, I’m not going to ask you to go there, despite the expectation other fans have.
All you owe us is to do the best you can, and I believe wholeheartedly you are doing that.
To all you fans who think you know more about the Jazz than Greg, or Kevin, or Jerry…this is my official invitation to let the big boys handle it. You have no idea what goes into maintaining a successful financial business that makes sound financial decisions, while at the same time keeping fans in the seats and otherwise keeping a huge fan base happy. Because the two things often clash. The Millers have always delivered a better than expected result, so let’s be patient. It took John and Karl 20 years to get to the Finals. Let’s give our core players a break, as most of them are not even in the prime of their careers.
Sincerely,
Bradford from St. George
Saw the link on TrueHoop, so just dropping by. After reading the comments, many saying, “trade Boozer, trade AK, trade this one or that one,” I have to ask if you think other teams want these guys any more than you do? Do you seriously think Oklahoma City would have been willing to rent their cap space to get “CJ, Mathews or one of the other 2/3 position players?”
Greg..longtime Jazz fan. I am an above aveage fan who loves to go to as many games as I am able to afford. Your Dad was the Master of taking business chances and fortunantly many paid off very well. What are you doing to advance the current roster for more wins? Is the status quo what we as fans should expect? Why should I continue to drop 80 bucks a game to see a lack of effort? Just curious…Don
I love the verbal love and committment for the jazz. I live basketball and the jazz and have been a season VIP ticket holder for many years. This obviously is a huge finacial and time commitment from me. So here is my concern. I have some employees that hang out with several of the jazz players and they always let me know what party or event had gone on the night before. So they tell me that most of the players were at kirilnkos house the night before the Denver game celebrating a late New Years. I have no problum with them enjoying life but like I, they have a job that they are responsible for. So when I here the party was still going strong at 6 am the morning of a very important division game against Denver and I see the lackluster, heartless effort they put out in that game I was disgusted to be a jazz fan. I didn’t take the night off. I didn’t get my money back for there half assed performance , but I know they all got paid. I know it is a tuff buisness to run a team and you have many tuff decsiins to make and I can say I don’t envy the people that will have to make those dessions. I just expect those guys that suit up each night being paid the money they make to pit there heart on the floor each night like I do. They won’t have great games every night but they can always leave there heart on the court and walk into the lockerroom win or lose knowing they played every posession with passion and pride. Someone needs to get in these guys face and challenge them and get them to be resposible for their effort
[...] today marks the launch of a blog by Greg Miller. And in his first post about the Jazz, he walks a tough line. Fans are desperate for good news. Will that Carlos Boozer situation finally [...]
Greg…I was happy to see your blog today, if for no other reason It gave me comfort that you were feeling the discomfort of Jazz fans. I have been a Jazz Fan now for 30 years. I remember buying the $5 upper bowl tickets while attending the UofU and then finding a better seat as the game went on in the sparsely attended Salt Palace. As I graduated college I bought a partial season ticket package and enjoyed the ‘84 season run, our first year in the playoffs.
I’ve long since moved from Utah, but rarely ever miss a Jazz game with the NBA TV package. This year alone, I’ve seen the Jazz play in 5 different cities..Boston, Atlanta, Charlotte, Orlando and SLC (vs Lakers). In two of those games I saw a Jazz team quit (Boston and Atlanta) and in Orlando unable to finish a game, which has now become commonplace.
In 30 years, I have never been so disappointed in the team. The lack of desire and heart and toughness. All qualities that Sloan preaches. To that end, while in Atlanta and Orlando last month I had two unsolicited comments from opposing team fans that it seemed to them that Sloan had ‘lost his fire’. I love Jerry, but there is truly a disconnect right now.
I completely understand your desire to get under the salary cap, which makes for a very difficult situation. Hindsight is always the great equalizer, but it seems we overpaid even with Millsap, not mention 4 or 5 others…the worst being AK.
I hope you can figure it out, I too always comment that I would like just one championship in my lifetime. I always joke to my dad (who still lives in Utah) that he can’t die until the Jazz win one. (He’s now 91).
I’ve been a loyal fan since the late 80s and I’ve never been as down on the team as I am this year. Even the Milt Pilacio year was better, at least that team had heart and hustle.
This team has neither.
We don’t protect the basket. We don’t protect the perimiter. We allow opposing guards to go coast to coast after made baskets with hardly a hint of resistance.
The offense is fine, unless the other team plays zone or is fast or long. Then we struggle as nobody on this team seems able to go get a bucket when needed.
Your commitment to winning should be long term. Otherwise it’s a commitment to mediocrity. Sometimes you gotta blow things up when they aren’t working and not just keep tweaking.
Be deliberate. Be smart. But, don’t sell out the future for a chance at an 8th seed. PLEASE.
Millsap is too expensive! You matched his contract and then sold (and will sell) many key players like Maynor (and others coming up….) So we can say, Millsap and Miller make Jazz lose 2010 season, right?
You can’t sell to the fans that you are committed to winning after you literally GAVE Eric Maynor away to save $11 million on Harpring’s salary.
Well, everytime I watch Ronnie Price trying to run the Jazz offense (he’s not a true point guard) and turning it over I can’t help but think “Wouldn’t it be nice to have a true PG out there? Wait, we had one and we gave him away!”
Maynor was our first-round pick. Kevin O’Connor repeatedly said the Jazz have to “build through the draft.” How that can happen when you’re trading your picks for cash (a la Robert Sarver) I have no idea.
I would prefer Utah not to make any more trades, because I’m sure they would be just like the Maynor trade; help the Jazz financially and hurt their team.
To follow-up on the Maynor deal, basically the message to Jazz fans was “While we want to win, we’re trying to save money, and will compromise the talent on this team to do so.”
As a longtime Jazz fan, I feel like the front office finally sold us out, and I’m not sure you can ever come back from that.