Jerry Sloan retiring immediately ~ This Jazz is not music to my ears...

I never questioned Jerry Sloan's passion and dedication to his team and the sport of basketball.  If you don't know who Jerry Sloan is (i.e. and you're not my mom), why are you even reading this blog? 

****  I watched Jerry Sloan lose it at the Staples Center in April of 2009.  I can't remember, but I think he got tossed out of the game.  The man was fired up, and I can respect that.

No, Jerry Sloan isn't a camel, but was the latest flare up with Deron Williams the final straw? I've been in training all week, but I couldn't help but see that Jerry Sloan was retiring from his head coaching position, with the Utah Jazz.  When I first saw it, I thought to myself that sure ~ the Utah Jazz have been looking a little, lackluster and have been playing "flat".  However, when I checked their record, I was surprised to see that they are still above .500, especially in the Western Conference.  Let's face it.  The Western Conference is a lot sexier than the Eastern Conference in terms of competition and flash.

The Utah Jazz are currently 31-23.  I'll admit right now, that I haven't watched a Jazz game since the weekend before Super Bowl XLV.  I've learned not to bet on them, when I was in Vegas, because they've become incredibly unpredictable.  Carlos Boozer's presence is sorely missed and (i.e. when I was watching the games a couple of weekends ago) Deron Williams was sitting on the bench.  When I tune in Andrei Kirilenko, AK-47, is more like a BB gun.  The Jazz just don't look good anymore.  However, that's only a reason for me to stop watching them and not for Jerry Sloan to stop coaching them.

When I saw the news about Sloan on the TV, I thought he'd finish out the season.  I was wrong.  Evidently, his resignation is effective immediately.

Wow, I'm a basketball purist and I realize the pros are different than college.  However, if this is an example of a "star" player exercising his muscle to get a coach out, then this is a very slippery slope for an NBA franchise to take.  A coach is still a coach.

Assistant coach Tyrone Corbin is taking over the team.  I have no idea what he looks like, but for now he'll be referred to as "the guy sitting next to Gary Briggs".  ****  That's right Briggs, you get a shout out.  I still remember you from my Cleveland Cavaliers days.

I still haven't visited Salt Lake City to see the Jazz play at home.  I don't really have any method to my madness of picking a venue to visit, but I'll admit I like the teams I see to have an identity.  If you ask me the future of the Jazz is hazy and now with the change in leadership, I'm moving the visit further down the list.  Maybe I'll have a long layover or Delta will bump me.  That's the only way you'll find me at a Jazz game in the foreseeable future.

Jazz, huh...  Sloan's retirement is not music to my ears...  Deron Williams, you better be putting up crazy, consistent All-Star stas now that Sloan is gone, because like it or not, the spotlight (i.e. heat lamp) is on you now.

THE WIRK

NBA International players to cross the pond if lockout ~ I say, "No"

I've been reading a couple of headlines related to international players in the NBA (e.g. Mehmet Okur and Andrei Kirilenko) and the plans they're "considering" if there's an lockout next season.  Having survived a NBA lockout in 1998 with an international player who also entertained offers from other teams in Europe (i.e. if I remember correctly, I remember a team in Spain was interested), I'm willing to call the player's bluffs.  If these guys start looking for their passports, my bet is that they're going for pleasure and NOT business.

I remember the NBA lockout "vacation" that was had.  To say that everyone was unhappy would be a lie.  Players who were committed to conditioning and rehab still worked out.  They just might've been found working out at MLB facilities, local community centers, and health clubs, etc.  From what I could see, for those players not living paycheck to paycheck and who were smart with their money, life was just fine.  It was good time off.  Recently I asked a writer what he did during the last NBA lockout, and he said he was more or less on vacation also.  After such a busy offseason with everyone chasing LeBron to get the scoop on his "decision", maybe it wouldn't hurt to have some NBA rest...  Just a thought, but I digress...

Is Okur going to hop a plane to Europe, if there's a lockout?

Is AK-47 taking his ammo across the pond, if there's a lockout?

I'm not about to read up on Okur and Kirilenko's contracts, but I do feel as though they're solid in the NBA and have viable careers.  I have no idea what their making in terms of $$$, but I do feel like the risk of injury overseas is too great.  We're not just talking about international competition like the Olympics and FIBA World Championships.  We'd be talking about a "season" or partial season.

If you think I'm buying the story that these guys (i.e. and not specifically Okur and Kirilenko) or anyone with a viable NBA career are going to pack up and head overseas, you're fooling yourself.  You'd have better luck selling me season tickets to one of the bottom dwelling NBA squads that are always mentioned in the same breath as the word "contraction".

****  Actually now that I think about it, both stories about an international player heading across the pond are about players with the Utah Jazz...  Random, but I think pure coincidence, since the Jazz are having success at 26-13.  FYI, I took the pictures for this post back in April 2009.


THE WIRK