"Larry Miller, trade Kirilenko!"
While not necessarily encouraging such behavior - Jazz officials are not sure how it happened, but say the chances of a repeat performance are "one in a million" - I'll credit the fan for his economy of words in criticizing Andrei Kirilenko's sluggish first half. Just the same, I might have expected some of these four-word messages instead:
* Jerry Sloan, bench Boozer!
I'm more sympathetic to Carlos Boozer than critical of him, after his 40 percent shooting against the Lakers, because I have few issues with his shot selection or determination to produce. He just kept missing shots. Still, at some point, I would have conceded that Boozer was struggling against those defenders and played Paul Millsap much more.
* Fisher, miss a shot!
By simply playing worse, Lakers guard Derek Fisher could have endeared himself far more to the Jazz fans still angry about his departure last summer. Instead, he delivered the best series of his career, which is saying something, by shooting 57 percent and averaging 14.2 points and 3.5 steals. Fisher had some good moments during his season with the Jazz, but he was never that consistent.
* D-Will, stay here forever!
Who would have figured that Deron Williams would become this good, this soon? Chris Paul may well be doing the same things in a Jazz uniform, but the bottom line is this: What if the Jazz had not succeeded in trading up from No. 6 to No. 3 in the 2005 draft?
They would have neither of those point guards, and the team's outlook would be nothing like it is today. Everything suggests Williams will sign a max contract and play here through his prime, but until it happens, it's a big worry for the organization.
* Larry Miller, hire Stockton!
I'm surprised he did not create more of a stir locally when Miller dropped the name of John Stockton to an ESPN.com writer when discussing the Jazz's post-Sloan staffing plans.
It may be intriguing, but it's ridiculous. In no other sport except soccer would anyone even consider hiring a head coach with no experience at all, and to even mention Stockton at this point is an insult to the profession. Someone like Adrian Dantley, a genuine NBA assistant coach, would have far greater credentials, even without a statue on the arena plaza.
* Memphis, why trade Gasol?
Kobe is Kobe, and Fisher and others made big contributions, but there's no way the Lakers would have won this series without Memphis' midseason gift of Pau Gasol. Now, somebody else likely would have earned the No. 1 seed and the Jazz may have lost in the second round anyway, but it's worth wondering how the West's postseason would have played out without Gasol.
* Korver, shoot the ball!
The greatest irony of the way the Jazz's season ended was that after taking and making so many big, tough shots since joining the team, Kyle Korver passed the ball with a chance to tie the game on their final possession. Of course, if Mehmet Okur (or even Williams, subsequently) had hit his three-pointer, it would be remembered as a great decision.
In the bigger picture, I still sense an uneasy alliance between Sloan's philosophy and Korver's ability, which needs to be ironed out in training camp.
* Brewer, learn to shoot!
If they could somehow blend Ronnie Brewer and Korver into one player, the Jazz would have something. As it is, they have a starting guard who's basically unwilling to take a jump shot. Remarkably, Brewer found other ways to score all season, even against the Lakers, but there's no doubt that a true shooter could have reduced some of the double-teaming of Boozer.
* O'Connor, get a shot-blocker!
Is it possible that the Jazz's missing player was sitting behind their bench the whole time? I'm not saying Kyrylo Fesenko, my favorite quote producer, was ready to play in that series, but executive vice president Kevin O'Connor and the coaches need to determine soon whether Fess can play a role for them as an inside presence or if they must look elsewhere.
* Jazz, get it together!
Until proven otherwise, I won't trust the Jazz in an elimination game. They can say all the usual things about fighting to stay alive (and they did beat Houston last year), but the most recent evidence - San Antonio's early 14-0 run in Game 5 last May and the Lakers' 19-point halftime lead Friday - speaks louder.
* Andrei, enjoy your vacation!
The practice itself was fairly meaningless, considering the Lakers' veterans had the day off in advance of Game 6, but Kirilenko's absence for a visa-renewal appointment was a case of terrible timing and an unneeded distraction.
In any case, AK is now free to travel about the world.
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* KURT KRAGTHORPE can be reached at kkragthorpe@sltrib.com. To write a letter about this or any sports topic, send an e-mail to sportseditor@sltrib.com.
