How fast things have modified for the Utah Jazz-in presently two weeks longtime coach Jerry Sloan suddenly quit and now the team has traded their franchise player. On Wednesday, Utah sent All Star point guard Deron Williams to the New Jersey Nets in exchange for guard Devin Harris, forward Derrick Favors, a pair of first round draft picks and cash. The Nets had been hopeful to acquire Denver's Carmelo Anthony, but Williams-arguably the best point guard in the NBA-is a very good 'consolation honor'.
Meanwhile the logic behind the deal makes common sense for Utah, the timing is somewhat strange. Williams will be a free representative after next period and he's already started playing the familiar 'I want to play in a big market' card. Instead of running the risk that they might lose him then without recompense they moved him at the height of his 'market value' and made out like bandits in the deal. What's strange, but, is that an ongoing feud with former coach Jerry Sloan was reportedly the last straw in his result to leave his post in his 23rd season. If the Jazz were going to move Williams why not do it *before* Sloan left in hopes they could persuade him to at least stick around until the end of the season?
Williams continues to dismiss assertions that he's responsible for running Sloan out of Utah:
"Maybe arguing was the last straw, so there I am, guilty of that. But I think anybody who believes I could force Coach Sloan to resign is crazy. He's stronger than that and personally if I said that to him, he'd probably go tell me to go do something."
Sloan, meanwhile, took the high road when reached for an opinion on the Williams-to-New Jersey deal:
"I have no answer to what the Jazz are doing. We wish him well. We wish the Jazz well. Good luck to Deron."
In characteristic Sloan fashion he ended the chat saying that he had to "go rake some leaves right now."
Sloan's replacement, Ty Corbin, had more to say on the matter:
"My original reaction is that I'm going to miss Deron. He was a great player for us. I've been with him his complete time in the NBA as an assistant coach and now as a head coach for a few games, and we're going to miss him. I wish him well as he moves forward, and we'll have to work our way through it."
The Jazz picked up a solid point guard in Devin Harris who is expected to move immediately into the starting lineup in front of Ronnie Brewer and Earl Watson. Derek Favors will likely back up Paul Millsap at power forward-he's a highly sought after prospect who left Georgia Tech after one season. He's still 'raw' but at 6'10" 246 pounds and just 19 years old he's got tremendous upside potential. Throw in at least one unprotected first round pick from a team that's likely lottery bound and the Jazz made a good move. Utah is still winless under Ty Corbin, losing to Dallas without Williams and failing to cover against the NBA betting line on Wednesday night.
Meanwhile the logic behind the deal makes common sense for Utah, the timing is somewhat strange. Williams will be a free representative after next period and he's already started playing the familiar 'I want to play in a big market' card. Instead of running the risk that they might lose him then without recompense they moved him at the height of his 'market value' and made out like bandits in the deal. What's strange, but, is that an ongoing feud with former coach Jerry Sloan was reportedly the last straw in his result to leave his post in his 23rd season. If the Jazz were going to move Williams why not do it *before* Sloan left in hopes they could persuade him to at least stick around until the end of the season?
Williams continues to dismiss assertions that he's responsible for running Sloan out of Utah:
"Maybe arguing was the last straw, so there I am, guilty of that. But I think anybody who believes I could force Coach Sloan to resign is crazy. He's stronger than that and personally if I said that to him, he'd probably go tell me to go do something."
Sloan, meanwhile, took the high road when reached for an opinion on the Williams-to-New Jersey deal:
"I have no answer to what the Jazz are doing. We wish him well. We wish the Jazz well. Good luck to Deron."
In characteristic Sloan fashion he ended the chat saying that he had to "go rake some leaves right now."
Sloan's replacement, Ty Corbin, had more to say on the matter:
"My original reaction is that I'm going to miss Deron. He was a great player for us. I've been with him his complete time in the NBA as an assistant coach and now as a head coach for a few games, and we're going to miss him. I wish him well as he moves forward, and we'll have to work our way through it."
The Jazz picked up a solid point guard in Devin Harris who is expected to move immediately into the starting lineup in front of Ronnie Brewer and Earl Watson. Derek Favors will likely back up Paul Millsap at power forward-he's a highly sought after prospect who left Georgia Tech after one season. He's still 'raw' but at 6'10" 246 pounds and just 19 years old he's got tremendous upside potential. Throw in at least one unprotected first round pick from a team that's likely lottery bound and the Jazz made a good move. Utah is still winless under Ty Corbin, losing to Dallas without Williams and failing to cover against the NBA betting line on Wednesday night.
About the Author:
Daniel Scott is a widely published widely published freelance sports writer and noted authority on price per head. His writing has appeared on a variety of how to become a bookie sites. He lives in Las Vegas, Nevada with three Jack Russell Terriers and a kangaroo. He is currently working on an autobiography of former energy secretary Donald Hodell.
0 comments:
Post a Comment