Will Korver help the Jazz turn the Corner?

 

Korver for Gordan…a stinking steal for the Utah Jazz.  The trade was so popular amongst Jazz faithful that many quickly began to draw comparisons to another Utah–Philadelphia trade from a decade ago which left the Jazz with one Malone instead of two and Hornacek as the new  shooting guard.  It wasn’t long before the corner was turned and the Jazz were legitimate title contenders.  Will Kyle Korver’s arrival bring a similar result for the Jazz? 

Sorry to disappoint Jazz fans, but Kyle Korver isn’t the solution to your problems.  A great addition, yes, but far from the cure.  Let’s face it, the Jazz are a  .500ish ball club.  Last year they raced to a 12-1 start and then played .500 basketball for the remainder of the year.  “But what  about the Western Conference Finals…” YAP-YAP-YAP!  The WCF run was deceiving at best.  The Rockets were a for sure choke because of T-Whack, and the Warriors were just cute and glad to be there.  Trust the B.B., if Dallas would have played Utah in the second round…5 game series at the most.  The first legit team to play Utah just happened to be in the finals, and the Spurs toyed with Jazz.  This  year the Jazz started fast and have been hovering around .500 ever since.  Expect a 45-48 win season and a first round exit if the post season is achieved.  Quote me!  So if Korver isn’t the solution, who/what  is? 

Two things:  1)  Derek Fischer’s departure has opened everyone’s eyes to the fact that this team is leaderless on  and off the floor.  The Jazz must get veteran leadership or wait 3 years until someone develops into one.  2)  NBA teams who are soft in the middle are mediocre.  Defensively the Jazz are Charmin soft deep in the paint.  Be real Jazz fans, Memo is a shooting guard trapped in a Center’s body. 

Leadership and defensive toughness are the two main ingredients missing from this Jazz squad.  Get used to mediocrity until these two areas are addressed.  Go Jazz.

ARE YOU "LOCKED" ON UTAH SPORTS RADIO?

 

If Karl Malone is calling for your job as a Sports Talk Radio host, you must be doing something right.  Ahh, those were the days.  David Locke stirring the pot and 1320 KFAN running the show in Utah’s Sports Radio market.  10 years later Locke is back and now a relatively small sports market has 3 afternoon shows.  Is the Beehive State really a legitimate 3 station market?  Phone lines on all 3 stations seem to be busy with “P1’s”, “Locke’s Loyalists”, and “Riley’s whatever they are’s”  All have talented hosts.  We can all look past Monson and Graham’s endless talk about anything but sports, Locke’s fetish with statistics (especially his own made-up stats), and Bill Riley’s…well Bill just has a good ole fashion-down the middle of the road show.  I will say that Bill is fair and balanced even though he is the employed by the flagship station for the Utes (good thing Wrubel doesn’t have a show!!).

While much larger markets have fewer stations, all three seem to scratch the itch that is the Utah Sports Fever.

 

Which station do you prefer on your drive home?

Is Urban really a legend??

There is no doubt that Urban Meyer can coach.  In just a few short years, Meyer has an impressive 70-16 record with a National Championship to his name.  So why question his “legend” status?  With two short stays, first at Bowling Green, and then at the University of Utah, Meyer implemented his spread offense and elevated both football programs to new levels.  In both cases, Urban did this with players that were all ready in place and extremely talented.  The BCS bustin Utes were largely comprised of Ronny Mac’s kids.  The National Championship Gator roster of a year ago was filled with Ron Zook recruits.  This year marked the longest that Meyer has ever stayed at one school as head coach.  He has had time to recruit “his” people and the result was…Urban’s first ever 4 loss year.  True the Gators were young and lost some very close games, but they also had the Heisman Trophy  winner in Tim Tebow and talent all around him.  Coach Meyer is no doubt one of the best in the business, but before we bestow upon him the status of “SAINT URBAN”, let’s sit back and see how the next 5 years play out in Gatorville.  If he he makes multiple BCS appearances, then let the ceremony for Sainthood begin!  Time is always a great equalizer, just ask Charlie Weis!!

NEVILL-PLAISTED-OR ?

 

Who is the best “big man” (C/F) in the Beehive state, Trent Plaisted, Luke Nevill, or ? ?   Most Zoobies will quickly defend Plaisted as the top big man by attacking Nevill’s sometimes lack luster effort on the hardwood, and Luke’s frequent visits to the bench due to foul trouble.  The Crimson Corner will fire back with a solemn reminder that Plaisted doesn’t seem to show up when it matters most, and his wife is addicted to prescription drugs!

So far this season the stat sheet looks thusly:

Nevill

14 Points–7 Rebounds–1.4 Assists–48.8% Field Goals Percentage

Plaisted

17.4 Points–9.8 Rebounds–2.3 Assists–59.1% Field Goal Percentage

?

Or what about ?  You may not have heard his name.  His statistics are among the tops in his Conference.  Perhaps his teams 2-10 start puts him off the local radar.  Or his obscurity may be due to the fact that he plays in a town noted for its Shakespearean Festival instead of its hoops program!  He averages 21.2 points per game, grabs 7.3 boards, and dishes out 1.2 assists per contest.  He ranks 21st nationally in scoring and 3rd in his conference.  While he hasn’t played the likes of Michigan State, North Carolina, Louisville, Washington, or California, anyone who can throw up such numbers in Division I basketball should be noted.  Is he the best C/F in the State of Utah?  You’ll have to decide for yourself.  Just know who he is.  He put up 28 on my Boise St. Broncos.  Meet Geoff Payne.

PATS & PERFECTION

The year was 1985 and the “Super-Bowl Shufflin” Chicago Bears were set to make history by becoming the only team other than the 1972 Miami Dolphins to go through an entire season without a lose.  The only team standing in the way of the Bears and history that evening  was none other than the Miami Dolphins.  As it turned out, the Bears would suffer a defeat that evening in front of a Nationally televised audience.  Since that evening some 22 years ago, no NFL team has flirted with PERFECTION like this years New England Patriots.  The Pats have had a few “close calls”, but for the most part they have crushed most opponents and have had some label them the best team in NFL history.  The New York Giants now play the role of the 1985 Dolphins, and time will tell which version of history will repeat itself; 1972 or 1985.

Is going undefeated through an entire NFL season the most difficult accomplishment that has been achieved by a team in team sports history?  It is the opinion of the B.B. that it is for the following reasons:

1-  The NFL season is much shorter than most professional and college seasons, therefore every game matters.

2-  Parity is most evident in the NFL.  For the past 4 seasons one of the teams that played in the Superbowl the previous year did not  make the playoffs the next.

3-  The undefeated season has not been repeated for 35 years.  College football teams do this every couple of years if not every season.

If you think there is a greater team accomplishment (that has been already been achieved)  than a perfect NFL season, let us know!

WELCOME TO THE “HIVE”

Does David Locke drive you nuts? Will the Jazz pull it together and make the playoffs? Are the Cougs legit BSC material? Will the Utes ever rise to the top of the Mtn. West again? Check in each week for a “fresh” perspective on sports in the Beehive state and commentary on major national stories. Got something to say, share your smack. Send this blog link to fellow sports fans and let the buzz begin!