2008-2009 Team Review

It was only 2 seasons ago when the future for the Jazz seemed bright as stars. It was 2007, and the Jazz had completed an impressive offseason where they defeated a fully manned Rockets team and an upstart Warriors team to make their first visit to the Conference Finals since the Stockton-Malone days. Although they were no match for eventual champion San Antonio, Utah was brimming with excitement over their young and revamped roster full of All Stars and role players, young and veteran alike.

Fast forward to the end of the 2009 season and things aren’t as promising as they were not too long ago. The Jazz finished the season with a mediocre record of 48-34, earning them the #8 seed and matchup with Western Conference juggernaut, LA Lakers. The Jazz were no match for LA and were eliminated in 5 games. Although Utah endured multiple regular season injuries to Carlos Boozer, Mehmet Okur and Deron Williams, they are still a far better team than the 8th seed and one playoff victory.

Off Season Moves

Draft – With the 20th overall pick, the Jazz drafted VCU Point Guard, Eric Maynor. Maynor is touted as a true Point Guard with natural quickness and defensive prowess. Maynor had a stellar 2008-2009 season for VCU averaging 22.4ppg, 6.1apg, and 2.7spg. In the second round, Utah selected little known big man out of Michigan State, Goran Sultan. Known as a position rebounder with outside shooting ability, Sultan redshirted as a freshman and slowly progressed into a starting Center at MSU.

Trades – Utah made no offseason trades.

Free Agent Signings – While the Jazz didn’t sign any new players this offseason, they were busy in the resigning or opting-in of multiple players. Utah was forced into matching a sizable contract offer from Portland, to their young big man, Paul Millsap. They then extended Center Mehmet Okur to a multi-year deal. Carlos Boozer and Kyle Korver also chose to exercise their player options to remain with Utah for another season.

Impact Players

Deron Williams has increased his PPG and APG in every season since entering the league in 2005. Last season, D-Will posted averages of 19.4PPG, 10.7APG, 1.1SPG, .471 FG%, and .310 3P%. With the prospect of having Boozer split time with Millsap or possibly being traded away, I’m looking for an increase in D-Will’s scoring production. And with Eric Maynor coming in off the bench, D-Will could see some time off the ball with increased 3PT shots. D-Will is a solid pick in early 2nd round.

Carlos Boozer has had himself a controversial summer. Mid 2008-2009 season, Boozer announced that he would be opting out this summer, only to renege on that statement and opt-in. After opting in, Boozer would publicly state his desire to play elsewhere and be traded. Meanwhile, Utah has shown their commitment to Paul Millsap with a long term deal. Boozer is clearly a solid fantasy pick regardless of what team he plays for. However, any time with Utah this season will probably mean decreased playing time and production for Boozer. With the prospects of a midseason trade, I would still be tempted to take Booze in late 3rd or early 4th round.

Andrei Kirilenko is a far cry from his former 16PPG/8RPG with 3BPG and 2SPG. AK47 is still a relevant fantasy player as he still contributes in every category. Last season, AK put up averages of 11.6PPG, 4.8RPG, 1.1BPG, 1.2SPG all with the lowest MPG of his career since his rookie season, at 27.3mpg. With the recent news of the loss of Darius Miles and the possible retirement of Matt Harpring, Kirilenko could see a boost in his PT and stats this year. No longer an elite fantasy player, steady production still makes him a viable pick as a 9th or 10th round selection.

Mehmet Okur had another stellar season last year by averaging 17.0PPG, 7.7RPG, 0.8SPG, 0.7BPG, and 1.25 3PPG. While the Jazz are grooming another soft shooting Euro big man behind Okur in Kosta Koufos, Okur doesn’t figure to lose any PT this year and is a solid pick in late 4th or early 5th round.

Ronnie Brewer is the unsung hero in Utah. In his second full season manning the starting Shooting Guard position for the Jazz, Brewer posted career highs with 13.7PPG, 3.7RPG, 2.2APG, 1.7SPG in 32.2MPG. With still no real competition for the 2 Guard slot, Brewer should continue to improve and could possibly be another one of those guys that people overlook. He is a steady 12th round pick.

Paul Millsap should at some point secure the starting Power Forward position in Utah this season. 2008-2009 saw Millsap post career highs with averages of 13.5PPG, 8.6RPG, 1.0SPG, 1.0BPG in 30.1MPG. Whether Boozer is traded or not, Millsap figures to get increased playing time this season and should continue to improve statistically. While selecting Millsap will be based a lot on potential, I could easily justify a 6th or 7th round selection of Millsap.

Kyle Korver is a Jerry Sloan favorite, and with the possible retirement of Harpring, Korver could be seeing increased PT in 2009-2010. Last season, Korver averaged 9.0PPG, 3.3RPG, and 1.3 3PPG in 24 MPG. While those numbers are below career average, Korver shouldn’t be overlooked in late rounds where pickings are slim.