The problem with that success is that we couldn't sustain it. It was pretty much a two-year window between 2007 and 2008 where the Jazz were a legitimate playoff threat. So, it's easy to gloss over because it led to nowhere - we're now at the same level we were just after Stockton retiring (no playoffs and a questionable future). I think that's what is so disconcerting. I mean, we praise KOC for the quick rebuild - but what the hell did it get Utah? Basically, it was one really good season and it was only good because Golden State upset the Mavs in the first round, paving the way for Utah to slide on in to the WCF - where they lost to San Antonio 4-1. Sure, I suspect the Jazz would've given Dallas a helluva series (maybe even gone 7 games) had they knocked off the Warriors, but I don't think we make the Western Finals that year without a little help.
At the end of the day, though, the rebuild netted Utah pretty much nothing sustainable. Sure, '07 was a great memory ... but that's about all it was. It didn't act as a launching pad to sustained success like the '92 WCF did against Portland and it fizzled so quickly that its lasting impact on the franchise can hardly be suggested as all that positive. To me, this is a reminder of how fast things collapsed as a franchise.
So, while we lucked out early with Boozer and Williams, it led us nowhere and while I hesitate to say we're worse for the experiment, I doubt anyone thought this was in the cards when the Jazz lost to the Spurs on '07.
