What in the world has happened to Utah?

[vinnie]

I am watching them get humiliated by the Lakers tonight. Has Jerry Sloan lost it, or were they just playing way over their heads earlier in the season. Wow, are they awful.

[RAcker]

I asked this same question when I saw what was happening to them on their eastern trip including that horrible performance against us.  It's mind boggling.

The main thing I hate to see is how bad Big Al seems to be struggling right now.  Something isn't right in the SLC.

[Bahku]

Jerry Sloan looks like he's about to have a stroke ... seriously. He's sitting on the bench, eyes moving rapidly back-and-forth, body shaking, clammy skin, furrowed brow ... this has got to be painful for a perfectionist like him, (down by 38 in the third).

[Fafnir]

I am watching them get humiliated by the Lakers tonight. Has Jerry Sloan lost it, or were they just playing way over their heads earlier in the season. Wow, are they awful.

Going down by double digit margins repeatedly and then eeking out close wins doesn't indicate a very strong team. Its finally catching up to them.

[Mazingerz]

they don't have depth. 4 of their starters usually are bench players with other teams. Plus deron williams now is unhappy with the way things are going. It would be devastating for Jerry Sloan not to reach the playoffs (given their present dilemma and line-up) this year. I say they better let go of AK47 and other mediocre players and find ASAP players who will blend under Utah's system

[Who]

Al Jefferson happened.

Still not playing adequate defense. Soft, slow. Weak in one-on-one situations and very weak in team defense. No longer rebounding at a high level since his knee injury (lowest rebounding rate of his career). Still not efficient enough offensively (lowest FG%, eFG% and TS% of his career).

Simply not having much of an impact there ... and this stage, it's looking like he's incapable of regaining his pre-injury form.

[2short]

Al Jefferson happened.

Still not playing adequate defense. Soft, slow. Weak in one-on-one situations and very weak in team defense. No longer rebounding at a high level since his knee injury (lowest rebounding rate of his career). Still not efficient enough offensively (lowest FG%, eFG% and TS% of his career).

Simply not having much of an impact there ... and this stage, it's looking like he's incapable of regaining his pre-injury form.

right on the button, it isn't all al's fault but utah made a mistake getting him
i think  sloan will be bringing him off the bench before the end of year
poor jerry, one of THE best coaches in nba and he gets these blowouts

[boom]

I have to disagree with blaming Big Al. Dont get me wrong, I love the guy, but it's not a complete love-fest. I dont think you're giving Al the proper credit on defense. From what I've seen, I think he's playing great team D, but there's not a lot of help.He gets pushed around, but he should be playing at PF and not C. It's not his fault they're playing him out of position. Same thing that happened to Bosh in Toronto. To say he would be playing off the bench is foolish, he's one of the best bigs in the business.

They need to gut the team of everyone besides Big Al and DWilliams, and start over. Or trade us Big Al back.

[Jeff]

I don't think it is necessarily Big Al's fault (though the defense issue is a valid concern) - but the mix of talent does seem to be off in Utah - see this blogger's conclusion

http://www.slcdunk.com/2011/1/22/1950551/these-are-my-inner-thoughts-building-around-a-star

This whole thought process leads me to one large conclusion: Guys need to find their roles.  Millsap and Jefferson are in similar situations.  If they aren't the "go-to scorer" that the Jazz need, then they need to focus more on getting rebounds and playing defense.  And if you don't think that they are capable of filling one of these roles exclusively, then the Jazz probably need to move one and try to acquire the piece they need.  The biggest problem I see with Al jefferson right now is that he creates his own offense.  He gets the ball and he does his low post work and creates a shot.  Sometimes he is really on.  He has had a handful of great offensive performances in second halves especially, but Jefferson's game doesn't really utilize Deron's strength as a creator and assist man.  The way Jefferson plays offense, it wouldn't really matter if Deron or CJ Watson was his point guard.  Jefferson doesn't really complement Deron at all in a lot of ways.

[Jeff]

and Zach Lowe has more on the defense issue

http://nba-point-forward.si.com/2011/01/24/monday-musings-defensive-issues-mute-jazz/

A deeper look at Utah’s defense suggests the problem lies in the pick-and-roll — and specifically in its inability to stop dribble penetration at the top. An exhaustive look at video points to, primarily, the inability (or reluctance) of Millsap and Jefferson to jump out aggressively and cut off ball-handlers before they turn the corner. For whatever reason, both prefer mostly to sag back as Williams chases point guards over screens. That’s fairly common, and good big men can drop back and still manage to cut off a ball-handler if their positioning is sound and their feet are quick.

Jefferson and Millsap can’t pull off the trick consistently. And when point guards get into the teeth of a defense, bad things happen — open shots, fouls and offensive rebounds that result from Utah’s big men having to help on the pick-and-roll action.

sad to say, but I think Big Al is a big part of the problem

[pearljammer10]

Al Jefferson happened.

Still not playing adequate defense. Soft, slow. Weak in one-on-one situations and very weak in team defense. No longer rebounding at a high level since his knee injury (lowest rebounding rate of his career). Still not efficient enough offensively (lowest FG%, eFG% and TS% of his career).

Simply not having much of an impact there ... and this stage, it's looking like he's incapable of regaining his pre-injury form.

Have to agree. Al might be able to put up big numbers on bad teams but i dont think he is a starting center on a playoff contender like the Jazz... I think he is much more of a power forward and him and Milsap together isnt the greatest of fits. His defense is still troublesome and that is going to hurt the Jazz once they start their playoff run.

[Moranis]

they would be better served by making some trades using AK47's expiring contract. 

[wiley]

Agree with others about Al....

But I still think hes' got tons of value overall.  Since he joined the league, even when he was a Celtic, I thought his best role would be as 6th man, big minutes power forward.  Instant offense and rebounds off the bench, situational use at the end of games.  He's not being used to best advantage.  Better to start the game with more defense out of the frontcourt.

[wiley]

Agree with others about Al....

But I still think hes' got tons of value overall.  Since he joined the league, even when he was a Celtic, I thought his best role would be as 6th man, big minutes power forward.  Instant offense and rebounds off the bench, situational use at the end of games.  He's not being used to best advantage.  Better to start the game with more defense out of the frontcourt.

Of course, as 6th man he could play center or PF.  Utah has no one to start in his place, they should try to find a defensive specialist to start with Millsap, easier said than done.....

[Edgar]

millsap and Jefferson are repetitive
If both are playing good Utah have a chance
but now AJ is strugling and as usual his D stinks
that makes thing easier for every single decent team.