If somebody were to come up to me and ask me if I felt the Utah Jazz were good right where they were two months ago, right after they took Ronnie Brewer in the NBA Draft and made the trade with Golden State for Derek Fisher, I’d have to say, “Absolutely.”  For reasons I cannot explain or rationalize, I’m confident this is a team that will not only make the playoffs, but has the potential to win the Northwest Division.

Sure, the division is loaded with teams that could pose a threat right now.  From a possibly-resurging Portland Trailblazers team loaded with rookies to a Minnesota Timberwolves team that continues to ask the burning question that’s on everybody’s minds: to trade KG or not to trade KG, that is the question.  From a Seattle Sonics team that has a bench full of potential players that just need the right direction, direction that it has lacked since Nate McMillan jumped ship to Portland, to a Denver Nuggets team that’s so scary and dangerous, it could tear the division up or tear the team apart trying.

So what makes me, an observer of the NBA, so confident that the Jazz will win the Northwest Division?  Well, besides my obvious bias (after all, who else on MOP Squad Sports will take out a two-page column talking about the Utah Jazz of all teams?), the fact that Kevin O’Connor has tried to erase his reputation of being the Jazz’s version of Isiah Thomas.  Considering the draft picks, trades, and free agency moves O’Connor’s made in the past fourteen months, I’d say he’s doing a good job of distancing himself from the bad execs of the league.

Now, despite all of that, there are still a few lingering rumors in the newswires from ESPN, the local papers, CNN/SI, and other sources that I just feel I need to address.  I feel the need to clear these rumors up, and maybe even educate a few of you in what needs to be done to help this team get back on track to the playoffs.

Rumor #1: The Utah Jazz are attempting to trade Carlos Boozer to help Boston and Philadelphia complete a trade which will send Allen Iverson to Beantown.

First off, I doubt the Jazz are looking to trade Carlos Boozer.  Second, no way the Jazz should trade Carlos Boozer to anybody, much less Philadelphia or Boston.  Before Boozer came back from his many injuries that kept him from playing much of the last two seasons, the Jazz were not playing well at all.

Historically, the Jazz feed the low-post first, then kick out if a wide-open perimeter shooter is out there, looking to knock down a three-pointer.  If there’s not anybody open, then either the guards try to cut to the basket or the low-post player takes control of the paint, and looks to knock down an easy two or at least get fouled in the process. (For all you NBA scouts that actually read this website, I believe I just gave you a good scouting report on the Jazz’s half-court offense) Let’s face it; there aren’t hardly any good low-post players on the Jazz roster.  Andrei Kirilenko and Mehmet Okur are not low-post guys, at least on offense, and are more comfortable shooting mid-range to long-range shots. (Although I did like that goalkeeper line Steve Nash said about Kirilenko at a recent soccer game) Okur, as far as I know, is the best three-point-shooting center in the entire league.

But, after Boozer returned to the lineup, and got comfortable in Jerry Sloan’s scheme, he became the monster the Jazz and its fans hoped he would become when the Jazz signed him to that huge contract.  Not only was he putting up monster numbers in the paint, but Okur, Deron Williams, Kirilenko, and others were getting more open shots on the perimeter.  And in turn, the Jazz started to win games.  However, as anybody with no blinders on could see at the time, the damage had already been done, and the Jazz were just too far behind the Lakers and Kings in the playoff race.

With that said, if Boozer returns, is in much better shape physically, and can avoid injury and get better progressively, look the hell out!  Therefore, short of the Jazz getting A.I., and maybe even then, I wouldn’t pull the trigger on that trade.  The Jazz need a dominant low-post presence on offense, and right now, that presence’s name is Carlos Boozer.

Rumor #2: The Utah Jazz have a serious point guard controversy with Deron Williams and Derek Fisher.

Again, this one is false.  Sure, Derek Fisher has more experience, is more seasoned, and yeah, he may even have three championship rings, but the number one reason the Utah Jazz brought Fisher in through that trade not too long ago was so that he could help tutor and teach Deron Williams.  Now, this can be done without Williams relinquishing his starting job to Fisher.  And if anything, this will test Jerry Sloan’s ability to run a two-point-guard backcourt system, because keep in mind, the Jazz did draft Dee Brown from Illinois in the second round.  What made the Fighting Illini so successful in the last few years is their ability to run a two-point-guard backcourt system effectively, with (ironically enough) Deron Williams and Dee Brown as the most effective and most popular combination.  I think if Fisher can check his ego at the door, and all indications are that he can and will, he can help teach the two point guards from Illinois the ins-and-outs of playing point in the NBA.  And if Williams and Brown can soak in this knowledge, and learn from the three-time NBA Champion point guard, they will become better and make the Jazz a better organization all the way around.

Rumor #3: The Utah Jazz are looking to sign former University of Utah star Keith Van Horn.

Considering the Jazz are notorious for having more than twelve players on their roster, and since they only have twelve at this time, signing Van Horn would not surprise me, and hell, it may actually be a good idea.  They are in need of another dominant shooter from the outside, and Van Horn has the potential to be that.  However, don’t get your hopes up, because Denver is still in the running, and Van Horn is even contemplating retirement.  So it’s anything but a done deal at this point.

Rumor #4: The Utah Jazz could also welcome Shandon Anderson or Milt Palacio back.

I wouldn’t mind Shandon Anderson coming back, simply because of his ability and the fact that he can help add depth to the 2-guard position.  But, the fact that the Jazz already have three point guards on their roster, bringing Milt Palacio back would almost guarantee Dee Brown extended time in the NBA Developmental League.  So I don’t think that’s a good idea at all.

Rumor #5: The Utah Jazz may wind up adding Karl Malone to their coaching staff before season’s end.

Hell, I wish!  Wouldn’t that be cool?  But, I fail to see how that’s going to happen anytime soon.  Karl Malone is currently a very busy man.  On top of still working out, he also still has his trucking business, his three automobile lots (2 in Salt Lake City, 1 in Albuquerque), and now, I hear, he is an owner to a restaurant in Louisiana.  Maybe when I’m able to go to the Louisiana area, I’ll stop by there and have me some authentic, vintage, delicious gumbo, or maybe I’ll just have the filet mignon.  Although, come to think of it, some quesadillas sound pretty good right now.  Damn, now I’m hungry.

While I fix me some dinner, you’re welcome to send me emails at RaulCBK@comcast.net.  And remember, in the wise words of Patrick Ewing, these athletes may make a lot of money, but they also spend a lot of money.