1. David Locke
2. David James
3. Matt Harpring (radio Harpring > TV Harpring)
4. Phil Johnson
5. Tony Parks
6. Jake Scott
7. Craig Bolerjack
8. Sean O'Connell (currently unemployed)
9. Patrick Kinahan
10. Spence Checketts
11. Ben Bagley (currently unemployed)
12. Kyle Gunther (currently unemployed)
13. Jan Jorgensen (currently unemployed)
14. Hans Olsen
15. Tom Nissalke
16. Scott Garrard
17. Bill Riley
18. Ferg
19. Lloyd
20. Will
21. Austin
22. Someone I'm forgetting
23. Steve Brown
24. Someone else I'm forgetting
25. Gordon Monson
I listened to parts of all the shows on 1280 today, and it hit me that The Sports Leader has put Monson back in the prime spot in its lineup. I could barely listen, even though he and Spence were interviewing Randy Rigby. It bothers me that David Locke was in that spot, and he was so good at it, and now it's taken a major step down.
And some of the staffing choices seem suspect. Scotty G's the man right now, and everyone who kept a job was someone who worked with Scotty during his years at 1280, with the exception of Tony Parks. Ben Bagley was at 1320 through the dark Rickard years, and now he's ousted. Hans, OC, Jan and Kyle were all 1280 hires after Scotty G left, and while Hans landed at 700, those other three are still out of work.
And if it was someone new in the prime spot, say they'd hired Brian T. Smith or Jody Genessy or Rick Aaron to be Spence's co-host, I could dig that. But Monson being on the Jazz flagship, well, he'd have been my last choice. So with fewer listening options in the afternoon, I'll probably listen to music more on my drive home.
If Locke won't do it, man, Spence & Harpring would have been awesome.
P.S. The Jake Scott-Tony Parks teaming is one I love. And even though both are talented, part of it might be they haven't really worked together before. Everyone else has worked with everyone else for years.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Utah Sports Radio Change-Up
For 11 years, 1320 KFAN and 1280 The Zone have been the in-state rival radio stations, with ESPN 700 eventually sneaking in as a third option. That's pretty much been it. Now The Larry H. Miller Group has purchased 1280, and the Jazz games will no longer be on 1320.
I started listening to sports radio in the 1990's, when I didn't care for music as much, and the political shows were getting repetitive. I loved listening to Mark Armstrong and Tom Nissalke in the afternoons, and I enjoyed David James and Ron Boone and Gordon Monson in the mornings.
Around 2001, 1320 got cheap and most of the talent jumped to 1280. Craig Bolerjack, Patrick Kinahan, Ian Furness, Dave Fox, Alema Harrington, Barry King, James and Monson all joined, and I remember Eric Ray and Scott Garrard on there, Ryan Hatch... 1320 became a skeleton crew. Jeff Rickard & Alan Handy in the morning was awful. Chris Tunis was on there somewhere, and Steve Brown wound up as a major guy there, and Keith Embray showed up sometimes. The Ian Fitzsimmons-Jim Fuchuck experiment was one I enjoyed, but the ratings didn't follow. 1320 then got serious and brought DJ & PK over, hired Bolerjack to be the TV man for Utah Jazz games, Alema was on mid-days, David Locke came on, and so on. The talent seemed to sap from 1280. Furness left, Hatch left, Fox left, Garrard left, (King I think was fired, not sure on that one). So 1320 hulked up and 1280 shrank, and 700 crept up with Bill Riley and their ESPN line-up.
Last Week's Schedule:
1320
6-10 DJ & PK
10-1 Jim Rome
1-3 Ben Bagley & Tony Parks
3-6 Spence Checketts & Scott Garrard
1280 / 97.5
6-10 Hans Olsen & Sean O'Connell
10-2 Jan Jorgensen & Kyle Gunther
2-6 Gordon Monson & Jake Scott
700
5-8 Mike & Mike
8-11 Colin Cowherd
11-2 Dan Patrick
2-6 Bill Riley
I think that's what they were. I don't really listen to the radio much beyond driving to and from places, but it takes me about 35 minutes to get to work, so I would usually listen to DJ & PK, but I'd go to Hans & OC if I liked their topic better. I liked Colin best on Mondays after NFL Sunday.
If I went out for lunch, I'd go to Jan & Kyle first, but then I'd see if I liked what Rome or DP was talking about. Or maybe I'd see what Rush Limbaugh was ranting about. Depended on my mood.
Driving home, the afternoon show was best when it was David Locke. Loved him as a radio host, and all the stat-geeky glory he brought. Scotty G's fine, but if Locke was out, I'd see what Bill & Spence were talking about on 700 (before Spence jumped to 1320), or I'd see if Jake Scott was on. Usually can't stand Monson, as he tends to argue for argument's sake, but Jake and a guest host was great.
Here's my understanding of the new landscape:
1320
Becoming who-knows-what on May 31.
1280
6-10 DJ & PK
10-1 Jim Rome / (97.5 Tony Parks & Jake Scott)
1-3 Jake Scott & Scotty G
3-6 Spence Checketts & Gordon Monson
700
Same, except Hans Olsen is joining Bill Riley
I like Spence, but I'm not thrilled Monson's back on a Jazz flagship station. I just don't enjoy listening to his takes, despite all his experience. I don't foresee making them my #1 listening option on the drive back home. I'm more likely to listen to Bill & Hans first (unless they're talking soccer.) What else is on AM radio then? Dennis Miller, Mark Levin, Rod Arquette... uh yeah. On 1280 I'm much more likely to listen to Spence & Locke, Spence & Boler, Spence & Tony, Spence & Bags, Spence & Gordy Chiesa, Spence & Thurl Bailey, Spence & Ron Boone, Spence & An Overturned Mop with a Bucket for a Head.
I love the idea of Tony & Jake together as a local mid-day option.
I do hope we keep hearing from reporters like Brian T. Smith and Jody Gennessy and Rick Aaron on the air. Somewhere.
And I hope one of the stations picks up the banner for Showdown Fights. I've been to two of their events, and it's made for great MMA action, with Hans as emcee, and Jan and OC as fighters.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
The NBA Final Eight
Who I'm Rooting for, from least to most.
8. L.A. LAKERS - They're the Lakers. Kobe Bryant is not allowed to tie Michael Jordan's ring-count. Nothing against true fans like Jack Nicholson or Penny Marshall, but I can't foresee me ever wanting the Lakers to win a playoff game again.
7. BOSTON CELTICS - I like Rajon Rondo, I like Ray Allen, I like Paul Pierce, I like Doc Rivers, I like Danny Ainge, but Kevin Garnett has become such a dirty player that I like watching him lose more. He got his ring, but time for that sun to set.
6. L.A. CLIPPERS - They're fun to watch in spurts, but if you watch too long, you notice all the flopping that Chris Paul and Blake Griffin do.
5. PHILADELPHIA 76ERS - They're a nice underdog story, but no one really wants an 8th seed to win the whole thing. I mean, I would have taken it if the Jazz had done it, but if they can't do it, no one can! But I am happy for Andre Iguodala and company for tasting playoff success.
4. MIAMI HEAT - Losing Chris Bosh has humbled this team a bit, and I don't dislike LeBron James or Dwyane Wade, but it really is a Two-Man show with guest stars in the other three spots on the floor. I'd be happy with them in the Finals again. And to lose the Finals again. Unless they're in the Finals with an LA team.
3. SAN ANTONIO SPURS - I can't help but respect this team, respect the roster moves they've made, respect the way Tim Duncan is playing within his abilities, the way Tony Parker's had an MVP season, the way Poppovich coaches. Still hate Ginobili's flopping, but they have a good culture down there.
2. INDIANA PACERS - I feel like the Jazz are one piece away from being the Pacers. They don't have an MVP candidate on the team but they do have some All-Star reserves, they play as a team, and they compliemnt each other. Haven't watched them much, but I like them more as I see them play. Plus it'd be hilarious to have Reggie Miller not win a ring as a Pacer, but Kyrylo Fesenko does.
1. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER - Feels like it's their year. It kills me they're not in Seattle any more, but Kevin Durant is to the 2010's what Tim Duncan was to the 2000's. The franchise had some crappy drafts (Saer Sene? Johan Petro?) but when they got KD and Russell Westbrook and James Harden, and then got coach Scott Brooks, they were finally able to build something up.
8. L.A. LAKERS - They're the Lakers. Kobe Bryant is not allowed to tie Michael Jordan's ring-count. Nothing against true fans like Jack Nicholson or Penny Marshall, but I can't foresee me ever wanting the Lakers to win a playoff game again.
7. BOSTON CELTICS - I like Rajon Rondo, I like Ray Allen, I like Paul Pierce, I like Doc Rivers, I like Danny Ainge, but Kevin Garnett has become such a dirty player that I like watching him lose more. He got his ring, but time for that sun to set.
6. L.A. CLIPPERS - They're fun to watch in spurts, but if you watch too long, you notice all the flopping that Chris Paul and Blake Griffin do.
5. PHILADELPHIA 76ERS - They're a nice underdog story, but no one really wants an 8th seed to win the whole thing. I mean, I would have taken it if the Jazz had done it, but if they can't do it, no one can! But I am happy for Andre Iguodala and company for tasting playoff success.
4. MIAMI HEAT - Losing Chris Bosh has humbled this team a bit, and I don't dislike LeBron James or Dwyane Wade, but it really is a Two-Man show with guest stars in the other three spots on the floor. I'd be happy with them in the Finals again. And to lose the Finals again. Unless they're in the Finals with an LA team.
3. SAN ANTONIO SPURS - I can't help but respect this team, respect the roster moves they've made, respect the way Tim Duncan is playing within his abilities, the way Tony Parker's had an MVP season, the way Poppovich coaches. Still hate Ginobili's flopping, but they have a good culture down there.
2. INDIANA PACERS - I feel like the Jazz are one piece away from being the Pacers. They don't have an MVP candidate on the team but they do have some All-Star reserves, they play as a team, and they compliemnt each other. Haven't watched them much, but I like them more as I see them play. Plus it'd be hilarious to have Reggie Miller not win a ring as a Pacer, but Kyrylo Fesenko does.
1. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER - Feels like it's their year. It kills me they're not in Seattle any more, but Kevin Durant is to the 2010's what Tim Duncan was to the 2000's. The franchise had some crappy drafts (Saer Sene? Johan Petro?) but when they got KD and Russell Westbrook and James Harden, and then got coach Scott Brooks, they were finally able to build something up.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Requiem for a Jazz Season
First, Game 4:
- The Jazz lost 87-81. Their shooting woes continued. Gordon Hayward, Alec Burks and Josh Howard were a combined 0-17 from the floor. The Jazz as a team were 0-13 from 3. The Spurs defense is really good, but not that good. The Jazz also missed 9 free throws. 9 missed free throws, lost by 6. Woulda, coulda, shoulda.
- Paul Millsap was a man fighting and fighting, but it was a stark reminder that he's only 6'7". He shot 4-17, but managed to grab 19 rebounds, and he was +11 in his 41 minutes. And when the Jazz were only down four with 20 seconds to go, he bobbled the pass from Harris, allowing Ginobili to steal it and run back for a layup to put them up six.
- Al Jefferson outplayed Tim Duncan. Unfortunately with Derrick Favors in the starting lineup, the Jazz had no bench. The Spurs bench outscored them 57-10.
Player Evaluations:
DERRICK FAVORS (soph) - The future. Their best defender, and he's good at going to the line. He needs to average 35 minutes a game next year and start all 82. He needs to improve his free-throw shooting.
GORDON HAYWARD (soph) - He got the playing time, but the playoffs showed he still has a lot of work to do. He needs to be more consistent and refine his outside shooting.
ALEC BURKS (rook) - He had a lot of DNP-CD's in favor of Raja Bell and CJ Miles. That won't happen next year. Not a bad rookie year; sky's the limit for him. I look forward to seeing what a full off-season will do for him.
ENES KANTER (rook) - Very, very raw. He's good at holding his space and rebounding. But he hasn't played that many games in his life. A worthy project, but still a project.
PAUL MILLSAP (1 year remaining) - He's the heart of this team and now one of the longest-tenured members. Gone are D-Will, Boozer, AK and Memo. Paul's about hit his ceiling. He had career highs in steals and rebounds. He will win you some games, but you're not getting out of the first round if he's the best player on your team. But if he's your third, look out.
AL JEFFERSON (1 year remaining) - Offensively he was the Jazz's best player. His problem is that he never got to the free throw line and was inefficient in his possessions. Sure, he'd score 20, but it'd take 21 shots to get there. My guess is either he or Paul will be moved for a shooter, but the Jazz may try to keep all of them and starting Paul at the small forward. Jefferson said he'd like to finish his career in Utah.
DEVIN HARRIS (1 year remaining) - Took him half the season to figure it out, but he played well down the stretch. He's not the prototypical Jazz point guard, but it's up to Corbin and company to make Harris's strengths work for them.
EARL WATSON (1 year remaining) - They could have used his tenacity in the playoffs but injury ended his season. Good guy to have on the team, even though his skills are obviously diminishing.
RAJA BELL (1 year remaining) - Clearly has a problem with coach Corbin and he wants to get moved. I'm sure the Jazz will oblige if they can find someone willing. If they can't, they'll probably amnesty him. Last thing a young locker-room needs is a veteran cancer. And it's not all his fault. He thought he was signing with a Deron Williams-led playoff team. He doesn't want to be on a young, rebuilding team.
JAMAAL TINSLEY (team option) - All indications are that he's a great locker room guy. He got destroyed in Game 4, and the only way I see them bringing him back is if they wind up throwing in Watson in a multi-player trade.
CJ MILES (free agent) - Based on his exit interview, seems pretty clear he won't be back. He's been with the Jazz since 2005, but he has issues with Corbin, his 3-pt shooting was his worst in five years, and he went from 12.8 ppg to 9.1.
DEMARRE CARROLL (free agent) - The 27th pick in the 2009 draft has finally found a home. He was a key ingredient in the Jazz winning down the stretch just to make the playoffs. He's a hustle player.
JOSH HOWARD (free agent) - The experiment was great before his injury mid-season. He wasn't quite the same in the playoffs. He won't be back.
JEREMY EVANS (free agent) - The Slam-Dunk champion just can't get on the floor. Carroll was cut by the Nuggets, came in, and worked his way into the starting line-up. I don't see the Jazz keeping him. They could, because his alley-oops are fun, but there are better options out there.
BLAKE AHEARN (free agent) - He did what they needed him to do. They'll probably invite him to summer league, but my guess is they go a different direction for their third point-guard.
As to coach Tyrone Corbin, he still hasn't had a full off-season to plan and prepare. Apparently his communication isn't as good as Jerry Sloan's, but many were willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. He helped this team overachieve, let's what he can do with a full season.
- The Jazz lost 87-81. Their shooting woes continued. Gordon Hayward, Alec Burks and Josh Howard were a combined 0-17 from the floor. The Jazz as a team were 0-13 from 3. The Spurs defense is really good, but not that good. The Jazz also missed 9 free throws. 9 missed free throws, lost by 6. Woulda, coulda, shoulda.
- Paul Millsap was a man fighting and fighting, but it was a stark reminder that he's only 6'7". He shot 4-17, but managed to grab 19 rebounds, and he was +11 in his 41 minutes. And when the Jazz were only down four with 20 seconds to go, he bobbled the pass from Harris, allowing Ginobili to steal it and run back for a layup to put them up six.- Al Jefferson outplayed Tim Duncan. Unfortunately with Derrick Favors in the starting lineup, the Jazz had no bench. The Spurs bench outscored them 57-10.
Player Evaluations:
DERRICK FAVORS (soph) - The future. Their best defender, and he's good at going to the line. He needs to average 35 minutes a game next year and start all 82. He needs to improve his free-throw shooting.
GORDON HAYWARD (soph) - He got the playing time, but the playoffs showed he still has a lot of work to do. He needs to be more consistent and refine his outside shooting.
ALEC BURKS (rook) - He had a lot of DNP-CD's in favor of Raja Bell and CJ Miles. That won't happen next year. Not a bad rookie year; sky's the limit for him. I look forward to seeing what a full off-season will do for him.
ENES KANTER (rook) - Very, very raw. He's good at holding his space and rebounding. But he hasn't played that many games in his life. A worthy project, but still a project.
PAUL MILLSAP (1 year remaining) - He's the heart of this team and now one of the longest-tenured members. Gone are D-Will, Boozer, AK and Memo. Paul's about hit his ceiling. He had career highs in steals and rebounds. He will win you some games, but you're not getting out of the first round if he's the best player on your team. But if he's your third, look out.
AL JEFFERSON (1 year remaining) - Offensively he was the Jazz's best player. His problem is that he never got to the free throw line and was inefficient in his possessions. Sure, he'd score 20, but it'd take 21 shots to get there. My guess is either he or Paul will be moved for a shooter, but the Jazz may try to keep all of them and starting Paul at the small forward. Jefferson said he'd like to finish his career in Utah.
DEVIN HARRIS (1 year remaining) - Took him half the season to figure it out, but he played well down the stretch. He's not the prototypical Jazz point guard, but it's up to Corbin and company to make Harris's strengths work for them.
EARL WATSON (1 year remaining) - They could have used his tenacity in the playoffs but injury ended his season. Good guy to have on the team, even though his skills are obviously diminishing.
RAJA BELL (1 year remaining) - Clearly has a problem with coach Corbin and he wants to get moved. I'm sure the Jazz will oblige if they can find someone willing. If they can't, they'll probably amnesty him. Last thing a young locker-room needs is a veteran cancer. And it's not all his fault. He thought he was signing with a Deron Williams-led playoff team. He doesn't want to be on a young, rebuilding team.
JAMAAL TINSLEY (team option) - All indications are that he's a great locker room guy. He got destroyed in Game 4, and the only way I see them bringing him back is if they wind up throwing in Watson in a multi-player trade.
CJ MILES (free agent) - Based on his exit interview, seems pretty clear he won't be back. He's been with the Jazz since 2005, but he has issues with Corbin, his 3-pt shooting was his worst in five years, and he went from 12.8 ppg to 9.1.
DEMARRE CARROLL (free agent) - The 27th pick in the 2009 draft has finally found a home. He was a key ingredient in the Jazz winning down the stretch just to make the playoffs. He's a hustle player.
JOSH HOWARD (free agent) - The experiment was great before his injury mid-season. He wasn't quite the same in the playoffs. He won't be back.
JEREMY EVANS (free agent) - The Slam-Dunk champion just can't get on the floor. Carroll was cut by the Nuggets, came in, and worked his way into the starting line-up. I don't see the Jazz keeping him. They could, because his alley-oops are fun, but there are better options out there.
BLAKE AHEARN (free agent) - He did what they needed him to do. They'll probably invite him to summer league, but my guess is they go a different direction for their third point-guard.
As to coach Tyrone Corbin, he still hasn't had a full off-season to plan and prepare. Apparently his communication isn't as good as Jerry Sloan's, but many were willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. He helped this team overachieve, let's what he can do with a full season.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Play Derrick Favors!
The Jazz lost by 31 points. In Derrick Favors' 21 minutes, he was a +6. Think about that. In 21 minutes of that game, the Jazz outscored the Spurs by 6, and when he wasn't on the floor for the other 27, the Spurs outscored the Jazz by 37 points. Al Jefferson was a -38 in his 30 minutes.
Now the argument has been made that playoff experience matters. Okay, but so does talent, and Favors is the best defensive player on the Jazz. Second best is Gordon Hayward, your two lottery sophomores.
Some other points:
- Big Al was never a factor. He ended up with 10 points on 5-15 shooting and 4 rebounds.
- Josh Howard ended with 10 points as well, but Leonard ended with 17. In fact, Al and Josh were the only Jazz players to finish in double digits.
- The Jazz were around 27% in field-goal shooting until the garbage time fourth-quarter boosted them to end at 34%. Their lone 3-point shot was made by Blake Ahearn in the 4th.
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