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.
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