Utah Jazz - The Salt Lake Tribune

Utah Jazz’s offense fails to move as team faces crossroads

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 23:34:52 MDT

Utah Jazz’s offense fails to move as team faces crossroads

By Brian T. Smith The Salt Lake Tribune

Published Feb 11, 2012 11:34PM MDT

Jazz forward Gordon Hayward took his time answering. He’d seen what guard Raja Bell had seen. Noticed the same problems documented by center Al Jefferson and coach Tyrone Corbin. The Jazz had just fallen 101-87 to Oklahoma City on Friday, losing their fifth game in six contests, and Hayward had been asked to rate Utah’s half-court offense on a scale of 1 to 10. When the Jazz are humming, turning transition points into easy baskets and getting everyone involved in the blitz, the second-year Jazz ...

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NBA: Oklahoma City Thunder outlast Jazz 101-87

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 21:17:33 MDT

NBA: Oklahoma City Thunder outlast Jazz 101-87

By Brian T. Smith The Salt Lake Tribune

Published Feb 11, 2012 09:17PM MDT

Jazz center Al Jefferson knows it’s been rough, and he’s fully aware it’s not going to get any easier. Utah’s two-month road test has just begun, a back-to-back-to-back away series awaits, and the Jazz have lost eight of 12 games after falling 101-87 to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday at EnergySolutions Arena before a sellout crowd of 19,911. Thunder-Jazz box score: http://bit.ly/wpa97u Jefferson scored a team-high 20 points, but he had to sweat for every shot, never looked at ease, a...

Copyright 2012 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Russell Westbrook becomes latest point guard to burn Utah Jazz

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 21:17:33 MDT

Russell Westbrook becomes latest point guard to burn Utah Jazz

By Steve Luhm The Salt Lake Tribune

Published Feb 11, 2012 09:17PM MDT

Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook joined a growing fraternity Friday night. Westbrook scored 28 points during the Thunder’s 101-87 victory over the Jazz at EnergySolutions Arena. Westbrook became the ninth opposing point guard in 25 games this season — and the third in a row — to lead his team in scoring against Utah. On Monday, rookie Jeremy Lin scored 28 points in New York’s 99-88 victory. On Tuesday, Darren Collison finished with 25 during Indiana’s 104-88 win. In this game, Westbrook scored ...

Copyright 2012 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Three games in three nights? Utah Jazz get their chance

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 21:17:33 MDT

Three games in three nights? Utah Jazz get their chance

By Steve Luhm The Salt Lake Tribune

Published Feb 11, 2012 09:17PM MDT

The last time a labor war shortened an NBA season and forced teams to play three games in three nights, Tyrone Corbin was a 37-year-old member of the Atlanta Hawks. The memory from 1999 is not a pleasant one. “I had no idea how tired I would be by that third night,” Corbin said. “You were used to four games in five nights and back-to-backs. But that third game, man, it was tough. … Your mind says, ‘Go get the ball.’ But your feet just won’t move.” Today, Corbin is coach of the Jazz, who play Sun...

Copyright 2012 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Jazz notes: Utah’s Alec Burks learns by sitting and watching

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 00:13:28 MDT

Jazz notes: Utah’s Alec Burks learns by sitting and watching

By Brian T. Smith The Salt Lake Tribune

Published Feb 11, 2012 12:13AM MDT

When was the last time Alec Burks went three consecutive games sitting on the bench and was forced to helplessly watch from the sideline? High school, he said. Freshman season, to be exact. Burks was just getting his basketball career started at Grandview (Mo.). He was on the varsity team with his brother. And the younger Burks was glued to the pine. Ever since then, Burks’ talent has elevated him to the hardwood. But after earning three consecutive did-not-plays heading into Friday’s game agai...

Copyright 2012 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Monson: Ty Corbin steering Utah Jazz ship through tricky seas

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 23:34:21 MDT

Monson: Ty Corbin steering Utah Jazz ship through tricky seas

By Gordon Monson Tribune Columnist

Published Feb 10, 2012 11:34PM MDT

Following a legend is often a road to nowhere. But when Tyrone Corbin found out in a blurred rush one year ago that Jerry Sloan was quitting and that Jazz management wanted him to take over for the iconic coach, his response was … good choice. “The circumstances weren’t particularly pleasing,” he says. “But when I got the call, I was ready. I’d spent one year in New York and seven years here as an assistant. I thought, ‘OK, let’s move forward.’ ” He somehow thought the same thing two weeks late...

Copyright 2012 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join our Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Utah Jazz chat

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:21:02 MDT

Join our Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Utah Jazz chat

Published Feb 10, 2012 08:21PM MDT

Join our Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Utah Jazz chat below: <freeform> <iframe src=”http://www.coveritlive.com/index2.php/option=com_altcaster/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=de78766616/height=550/width=470” scrolling=”no” height=”550px” width=”470px” frameBorder=”0” allowTransparency=”true” ><a href=”http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php/option=com_mobile/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=de78766616” >Utah Jazz vs. Oklahoma City Thunder</a></iframe> </freeform>

Copyright 2012 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

A year later, Jerry Sloan and Utah Jazz have both moved on

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:56:04 MDT

A year later, Jerry Sloan and Utah Jazz have both moved on

By Brian T. Smith The Salt Lake Tribune

Published Feb 10, 2012 02:56PM MDT

The numbers are staggering. His name still rings out and forever will. Jerry Sloan collected 1,221 victories coaching the Jazz and Chicago, with 1,127 captured as he led Utah to two NBA Finals and 19 postseason appearances. He ranks third all-time in NBA coaching wins, was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009, and is as responsible for the Jazz’s golden era — and the fact the small-market organization is still entrenched in Salt Lake City — as much as anyone in franchise hi...

Copyright 2012 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Ex-Jazz assistant Johnson: No regrets about resigning

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:14:18 MDT

Ex-Jazz assistant Johnson: No regrets about resigning

Steve Luhm The Salt Lake Tribune

Published Feb 10, 2012 11:14AM MDT

Former Utah Jazz assistant Phil Johnson could have replaced Jerry Sloan as head coach. He could have parlayed 23 years of loyalty to Sloan and the organization into a multi-year contract worth millions of dollars. After Sloan resigned, Johnson simply needed to say he wanted the job. Instead, he walked away. “It was just time,” Johnson said. “I have no regrets about it -- none at all.” In the year since he left coaching, Johnson has endured the deaths of a brother and a sister. “... But a lot of ...

Copyright 2012 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Utah Jazz laud addition of DeMarre Carroll

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:51:03 MDT

Utah Jazz laud addition of DeMarre Carroll

By Steve Luhm The Salt Lake Tribune

Published Feb 9, 2012 05:51PM MDT

Two seasons ago, Jazz point guard Jamaal Tinsley and newcomer DeMarre Carroll were teammates in Memphis. The players were reunited Thursday morning, when the Jazz practiced for the first time since Utah signed Carroll for the rest of the season. “He’s a hard-nosed player,” Tinsley said. “Good guy. Good friend. Good teammate. He works hard. He listens. Like I said, he’s a good player.” Carroll, a 6-foot-8 forward, also has fond memories of playing side by side with Tinsley. “I call him my Big Vet...

Copyright 2012 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Utah Jazz notes: Gordon Hayward headed for All-Star weekend

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:23:34 MDT

Utah Jazz notes: Gordon Hayward headed for All-Star weekend

By Brian T. Smith The Salt Lake Tribune

Published Feb 9, 2012 05:23PM MDT

Jazz forward Gordon Hayward relies on a three-word personal mantra: improve every day. It helped him carry Butler to the 2010 NCAA men’s championship game. It guided him to the No. 9 overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft and a strong finish during his rookie season with Utah. And after being one of 18 first- and second-year players selected Wednesday to the Rising Stars Challenge, Hayward’s focus on constantly fine-tuning his attack continues to make a major difference in his NBA development. “He’s...

Copyright 2012 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

No Utah Jazz players make 2012 NBA All-Star team

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:23:34 MDT

No Utah Jazz players make 2012 NBA All-Star team

By Brian T. Smith The Salt Lake Tribune

Published Feb 9, 2012 05:23PM MDT

No Utah Jazz players were selected to the 2012 NBA All-Star team. Forward Paul Millsap and center Al Jefferson were the team’s best candidates. It’s the first time since 2009 the Jazz (13-11) haven’t had an All-Star selection. Former Utah guard Deron Williams made the team in 2010 and 2011, and he was selected as an Eastern Conference reserve this year. The Western Conference starters are Chris Paul, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, Blake Griffin and Andrew Bynum. Kevin Love, LaMarcus Aldridge, Marc G...

Copyright 2012 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Kragthorpe: Utah Jazz’s playoff hopes fading fast

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:05:05 MDT

Kragthorpe: Utah Jazz’s playoff hopes fading fast

Published Feb 9, 2012 05:05PM MDT

Indianapolis After a final flurry under the basket, the game ended with Jazz center Al Jefferson flat on his back in the lane, extending a hand in need of help. The Jazz were knocked down Tuesday night, and they got back up — just not adequately enough to finish well against Indiana. The result at Bankers Life Fieldhouse was a 104-99 defeat that featured one of those standard-issue sequences for an NBA road team: crumble, recover, relapse. So where and when did the Jazz lose this game? Take y...

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Utah Jazz dig a hole, then pay price in 104-99 loss to Indiana Pacers

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:51:25 MDT

Utah Jazz dig a hole, then pay price in 104-99 loss to Indiana Pacers

By Brian T. Smith The Salt Lake Tribune

Published Feb 9, 2012 12:51PM MDT

Indianapolis • Al Jefferson, Devin Harris and Raja Bell all said the same exact thing. The Jazz aren’t a good enough team to flip an on-and-off switch midway through a game. Especially not on the road. And definitely not when Utah spends the first half looking lifeless against the surging Indiana Pacers, falls behind by 21 early during the third quarter, then digs a hole so deep even the best NBA teams would struggle to climb out unscathed. The Jazz nearly emerged Tuesday, using a fiery 35-13 ru...

Copyright 2012 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Jazz notes: Utah keeps veteran guard Jamaal Tinsley

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:39:41 MDT

Jazz notes: Utah keeps veteran guard Jamaal Tinsley

By Brian T. Smith The Salt Lake Tribune

Published Feb 8, 2012 12:39PM MDT

Indianapolis • Jamaal Tinsley is officially back in the game. The Jazz point guard wasn’t waived Tuesday and Utah is expected to guarantee his contract Friday for the remainder of the 2011-12 season. It’s been a long, unpredictable road back to the NBA for the 33-year-old Tinsley. He forced his way out of Indiana, then played his way out of the league during 2010-11 after struggling with Memphis. A late addition to Utah’s training camp roster, Tinsley has fit in perfectly with the Jazz. He’s bec...

Join our Utah Jazz vs. Indiana Pacers chat

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:58:52 MDT

Join our Utah Jazz vs. Indiana Pacers chat

The Salt Lake Tribune

Published Feb 7, 2012 04:58PM MDT

Join our Utah Jazz vs. Indiana Pacers chat below: <freeform> <iframe src=”http://www.coveritlive.com/index2.php/option=com_altcaster/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=4db154e47e/height=550/width=470” scrolling=”no” height=”550px” width=”470px” frameBorder =”0” allowTransparency=”true” ><a href=”http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php/option=com_mobile/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=4db154e47e” >Utah Jazz vs. Indiana Pacers chat</a></iframe> </freeform>

Utah Jazz: Humbling loss to New York Knicks marks start of road stretch

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:09:41 MDT

Utah Jazz: Humbling loss to New York Knicks marks start of road stretch

By Brian T. Smith The Salt Lake Tribune

Published Feb 7, 2012 12:09PM MDT

New York • Jazz guard Raja Bell said it’s non-negotiable. If Utah attacks from the opening tip, then plays with passion and energy for 48 minutes, a team stuck between rebuilding through youth and riding its veteran horses has a legitimate chance to win any contest it plays. If the Jazz don’t — if they walk through plays, take precious game minutes for granted and expect ailing opponents to simply give way during a lockout-shortened season — they will pay a heavy price. Games will be lost, defea...

David Stern: Utah Jazz can flourish with new labor deal

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:31:27 MDT

David Stern: Utah Jazz can flourish with new labor deal

By Brian T. Smith The Salt Lake Tribune

Published Feb 7, 2012 11:31AM MDT

New York • When David Stern became NBA commissioner in February 1984, Frank Layden still coached the Jazz and the organization was associated as much with New Orleans as it was with Utah. Twenty-eight years later, Stern continues to run the show. The Jazz still haven’t won an NBA championship, though, and the question of whether small-market teams such as Utah can even compete for a title is more relevant than ever, with all-world talent including LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony forming superte...

End war of words, Stockton urges

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 23:39:29 MDT

End war of words, Stockton urges

By Steve Luhm The Salt Lake Tribune

Published Feb 6, 2012 11:39PM MDT

After Karl Malone responded defiantly Saturday to a scathing blog post by Utah Jazz CEO Greg Miller, fellow Hall of Famer John Stockton suggested the two need to call a quick truce. If the verbal sparring continues, Stockton feared it might “tarnish” what the organization accomplished during the Jazz’s decade of championship contention in the 1990s. “I’ve certainly been in disputes with people as close to me as my brother,” Stockton said from his home in Spokane, Wash. “You get after it and say ...

NBA: Utah Jazz look strong, but two-month road test awaits

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 23:39:29 MDT

NBA: Utah Jazz look strong, but two-month road test awaits

By Brian T. Smith The Salt Lake Tribune

Published Feb 6, 2012 11:39PM MDT

Two years, Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin said. That’s how long it takes most NBA teams to learn how to win on the road. And for every good squad that eventually becomes great by claiming victories away from the comforts of home, there are average clubs that continually fall apart and never take the next step because they fail to learn how to win in someone else’s building. Corbin spent 16 seasons playing in the NBA. The first two were filled with constant mental and physical adjustments, as he adapte...