Jazz go 1-2 in Harris/Favors era

- I didn't think the Jazz were going to beat the Celtics. It wound up being frustrating that they came so close only to have a couple bad calls and miracle Ray Allen shots help the Celts squeak out the 107-102 win.

- I do think this team still has a chance to make the playoffs. They're now 10th in the West at 32-29, but two teams above them - Denver and Memphis - could falter. I think Portland getting Gerald Wallace for nothing will keep them in the playoffs, and Phoenix has been playing too well of late.

- Harris isn't going to be the assist machine that Deron Williams was, but when I look at D-Will's box scores in New Jersey (0-3 in their D-Will era), his shot is still off and I don't think the Jazz's record would be any better. Harris seems more willing to run an up-tempo offense.

- Raja Bell has been a disappointment all year. They signed him as a veteran to contribute to a team fighting for home-court advantage. His skills are diminished, and the Jazz should recommit to the youth movement and trade him in the off-season. Part of me hopes they sign another 2-guard, one more consistant than Bell or Miles or Price. Such a 2-guard is likely not available.

- In tonight's loss, Gordon Hayward looked good and Bell did not, and I was disappointed when coach Corbin put Bell back in in the fourth. I say start Miles at the 2 and give Hayward serious time at the 2 and 3. I'd also like to see them find a way to get Favors more time but it depends on which of Jefferson or Millsap is having the off-night.

I guess my ideal would be Harris, Miles, Kirilenko, Millsap, Jefferson, with the bench minutes going to Hayward, Watson, Favors and Bell. Nine-man rotation. I don't foresee a reason beyond foul trouble to play Price or Fesenko again. (What will they do when Okur's healthy enough to return?)

- Sad to see Al Jefferson's 28-point 17-rebound night go to waste.

Jazz trade away Deron Williams

In the end, Greg Miller felt like Deron Williams was going to bolt for a bigger market in 2012, so he pulled the trigger, sending away the best player the Jazz have ever had since Stockton and Malone.

The Jazz get in return Devin Harris, Derrick Favors, and two 1st round picks from the Nets.

The numbers:

D. Williams 37.9 mpg 21. ppg 9.7 apg 3.9 rpg 1.2 spg .23 bpg .458 / .345 / .853

D. Harris 31.9 mpg 15. ppg 7.6 apg 2.4 rpg 1.0 spg .11 bpg .425 / .300 / .840
D. Favors 19.5 mpg 6.3 ppg 0.4 apg 5.3 rpg .32 spg .71 bpg .511 / .000 / .612

In the long run it might pay off. In the short run it sucks.

Jazz 0-2 in Ty Corbin era

The Jazz narrowly lost to the Phoenix Suns 102-101 last night. They only had nine healthy bodies on the roster, but they had good enough games out of everyone that if Deron Williams or Paul Millsap could've just played their average stats they would've won.

The Jazz started 15-5, and have since gone 16-20. They're now only a half-game ahead of Memphis for the 8th spot in the playoffs. They went 15-5 without Mehmet Okur, so him still being injured isn't to blame. Andrei Kirilenko's been in and out of the line-up with injuries, and I get the feeling he's going to stay injured until the trade deadline passes. Raja Bell and Ronnie Price's injuries don't help, but Earl Watson, Gordon Hayward and CJ Miles have been stepping up.

But what to make of the Utah Jazz this season? Jerry Sloan said he doesn't have the energy he used to, and that's why he turned the team over to Tyrone Corbin. Is it too late for Corbin to figure out what ails this team? And by "ail" I don't mean injuries. Overall the Jazz's top seven players have more talent than the Suns' top seven, so what gives? What can they do?

Corbin needs to figure out how to get good games out of Millsap and Al Jefferson on the same night. The pick-and-roll worked early with Jefferson and that's where they went. He also needs his guards to get their shooting touch back. CJ Miles went 8-for-19 and D-Will went 2-for-11 last night. Either of those guys makes one more shot and they win it.

My understanding is the 2011 first-round pick the Jazz sent to Minnesota for Al Jefferson (along with a Memphis first-round pick and Kosta Koufos) is lottery-protected. Kevin O'Connor was probably comfortable it wouldn't be necessary, but right now he's got to be glad he at least had the foresight for a "just in case."

Maybe the Jazz will be able to integrate Al Jefferson more efficiently next year, but right now some of those players must miss Carlos Boozer.

Jerry Sloan resigns as Utah Jazz head coach

I was at the Jazz-Thunder game where Russell Westbrook torched Deron Williams, and the Jazz lost 121-105, the first time I've ever attended a Jazz loss.

After the Jazz lost to the Bulls, I realized that after the Jazz's 15-5 start, they'd gone 16-18. Something needed to change.

But I was thinking trade. I never thought Jerry Sloan would just resign mid-season. Now Tyrone Corbin is the new head coach, and it's his job to get the Jazz a higher playoff seed than seventh, which is where they'd be if the playoffs started today.

I'm glad Ty Corbin was there in th wings to take over; I'm looking forward to see what he can do with this team. At the same time, it's strange. I moved to Utah in 1989, and Jerry Sloan has been the coach the entire time.

Jazz beat Bobcats

The Jazz have won 2 of their last 3 games, and have done so without Deron Williams.

I attended the Monday night game and this is what I saw.

- The Jazz started 11-0 in the first quarter and 11-0 in the third quarter with Earl Watson at point guard. Due to foul trouble he only played 19 minutes but he was +26 for the night. I remember at one point turning and saying 'Earl has to be a +30 right now."

- With Earl in the game, the offense seemed to flow fluidly. The bigs knew they had to step with DWill out and they showed the effort. AK, Jefferson and Millsap each had double-digits rebounds.

- It wasn't solely Price's fault they looked bad. AK47 had 7 turnovers. They were several times they overpassed, guys looking afraid to be the one to actually take the shot.

- The Jazz have never lost a game I've attended. In twenty years. My streak remains.