May 24
Salt Lake Tribune
columnist Kurt Kragthorpe
"
Of all the factors that would drive Jerry Sloan back into coaching, the chance to post 115 more victories and overtake Don Nelson as the NBA's all-time winningest coach almost certainly is not on that list. The 215 losses Sloan needs to top Dick Motta's total have much more to do with it. That's not to say Sloan would enjoy losing those games in Charlotte, Orlando or anywhere else. Yet a healthy self-image that included a willingness to absorb defeats enabled Motta, Sloan's mentor, and other coaches including Ron McBride and Frank Layden to take on major challenges late in their careers. If you're wondering why Sloan would even talk to the Charlotte Bobcats, coming off a 7-59 season,"
May 15
Salt Lake Tribune
columnist Kurt Kragthorpe
"
The Chicago Bulls' playoff exit and payroll issues potentially could help solve the Jazz's outside shooting problem. Kyle Korver is likely to become available, with the Bulls holding the option for the third year of his contract. The team could exercise the option and trade him, or just let him become a free agent, according to the Chicago Tribune. Either way, the Jazz should have a shot at bringing back Korver, who played 2 ½ seasons in Utah and twice helped the Jazz reach the Western Conference semifinals."
May 13
Salt Lake Tribune
columnist Kurt Kragthorpe
"
Jazz center Al Jefferson already got in trouble for saying the San Antonio Spurs were unbeatable while the Jazz were still trying to play against them. So what happens when somebody actually beats the Spurs? Clearly, the Jazz's self-image is tied to what the Spurs go on to do in the NBA playoffs. If San Antonio handles Memphis or the Los Angeles Clippers and then defeats Oklahoma City, the Jazz and their followers can more easily dismiss the Spurs' first-round sweep and anticipate their future. Jefferson will have earned both forgiveness and credibility, although it is obvious he was questioned during his exit interview about saying before Game 4 that the Spurs were just too good. General"
May 10
Salt Lake Tribune
columnist Kurt Kragthorpe
"
Derrick Favors' future as a Jazz power forward is very promising. His prospects of becoming an NBA general manager? Less favorable. As the Jazz concluded their season this week, Favors sized up their personnel as "perfect," going forward. In a way, he's right. Having overachieved by winning the full-season equivalent of 45 games in 2011-12, this team is well positioned for another jump. By keeping the roster intact, the Jazz can move to the 50-win level and give themselves a better chance to win a playoff series. They've done this before, going from average to reasonably good. The trick is advancing from that point, which is why this offseason is much more complicated than Favors' overview"
May 8
Salt Lake Tribune
columnist Kurt Kragthorpe
"
Late in the first quarter Monday night, Jazz forward Derrick Favors soared to block Tiago Splitter's dunk attempt, then guard Devin Harris raced down the court and delivered a pass that sailed high and out of bounds. If there was a snapshot of Game 4 — and this whole series, really — that was it. Even when the Jazz managed to do something right, everything eventually went wrong. San Antonio's 87-81 victory at EnergySolutions Arena gave the Spurs a convincing sweep of the series."
May 7
Salt Lake Tribune
columnist Kurt Kragthorpe
"
Just once, Jazz fans deserve a good ending. While there's not much hope of the Jazz's extending this series beyond a Game 5 in San Antonio, winning Monday's Game 4 at EnergySolutions Arena would be meaningful. That's true for two reasons: Through three games, the Spurs have dominated them like no other opponent in the Jazz's postseason history. And whether they were facing elimination or just trying to catch up in a series, the Jazz have not won their final home playoff game since 2000. This farewell had better be different. Otherwise, the Jazz's being swept by the Spurs would undo much of the good they've done this season. Those 36 victories in the shortened, 66-game season and all the"