Zerol
Active Member
3. UTAH JAZZ:
2010-11 season record: 39-43 (7-9; ranked fourth in Northwest Division)
The rebuilding continues. The Jazz grabbed two NBA-ready players in the draft: center Enes Kanter with their no. 3 pick and guard Alec Burks with no. 12 pick. Kanter, 6'11", joins an already-impressive frontcourt including 6'10" Al Jefferson, 6'11" Mehmet Okur and relatively-new 6'10" Derrick Favors in place. Throw in talented 6'8" Paul Millsap, and that's one tall team. Coach Tyrone Corbin seems excited at the rotation prospects. Many expect the departure of 7'1" Kyrylo Fesenko, an unrestricted free agent.
The biggest question mark is unrestricted free agent Andrei Kirilenko, as his unbelievable contract finally comes to an end. Utah picked up a team option on C.J. Miles for the 2011-12 season.
It still seems strange to see Deron Williams or Jerry Sloan missing from this team, but that era is over. Devin Harris wants to make it work long-term and Corbin seems to be a good fit despite his 8-20 start last season.
It may take Kanter a couple of years to fully develop into a quality player, but that doesn't bother Utah; they are enamored with his toughness. The Jazz should have an improved season, surely better than the disappointing 39-win season last year.
They seem to be, like me, in the minority that think the Jazz will be better than last season. Thoughts?