From: rgh@unislc.uucp (Rich Hannon)
Subject: Jazz musings (long)
Reply-To: rgh@unislc.slc.unisys.com (Rich Hannon)
Organization: Unisys, Salt Lake City
Date: Wed, 9 Sep 1992 19:13:30 GMT

Since net traffic in this group is down I thought this might
be a good time to try some in-depth musing on how the Jazz
might fare in 92-93. I would welcome other similar articles
for different teams.

The Jazz ended '92 as 4th best in the NBA, both in regular
season and playoffs. The question is: will they move up or
down this coming season?

Historically, the Jazz have had several raps:
	1. no top-flite center
	2. no one to back up Stockton
	3. poor bench
	4. chokes / can't win on the road

These (IMO) have all been true at sometime in the past or
are still true today. Let's look at them one by one.

1. no top-flite center
   This, I believe, was and still is true. But it's also true for
   about 20+ other teams as well. People bash Mark Eaton a lot
   focusing on his liabilities: lack of mobility and scoring. 
   They less frequently acknowledge what he does do very well -
   prevent penetration and block/alter shots. He is a 4th round
   draft choice who has made the All-Star team. The Jazz have
   gotten more than their money's worth. Yet, this is clearly
   an area the Jazz need to improve if they hope to move up.
   Mike Brown is Mark's backup - he is adequate but nothing special.
   He is basically a journeyman PF playing out of position. Ike
   Austin has some potential but so far is much too raw. Conclusion:
   no improvement here.

2. no one to back up Stockton
   The Bucks trade sent Blue Edwards (SF/SG), Eric Murdock (PG) and
   #1 '92 pick to Milwaukee for Jay Humphries (PG/SG) and Larry
   Krystowiak (sp?) (PF/C). The trade was done for the specific
   purpose of fixing the Stockton backup problem. It has, I believe,
   done an excellent job of that. It also cleared a logjam at SF -
   last year Benoit, Edwards & Corbin shared the position. Stockton
   was backed by Delaney Rudd & Eric Murdock. It was painfully 
   obvious when Stockton was resting that the Jazz offense sputtered,
   so much so that toward the end of the year Sloan tried Jeff Malone
   at point. With Humphries the Jazz have an enviable (but I didn't
   say best) 3 guard rotation. The are also less exposed to a Stockton
   injury. Conclusion: significant improvement here.

3. poor bench
   This has been less  true than in the past - additions of Jeff Malone,
   Ty Corbin and David Benoit have helped greatly to fix this rap.
   This was all done while the Jazz drafted in the 20's. To get these
   guys the Jazz gave up: Bobby Hansen, Eric Lechner, a #1 (who turned
   out to be Duane Causwell) and Thurl Bailey. Benoit was "free". The
   Jazz are now 8-9 deep with quality players. #9 in my mind is
   Krystowiak, can he play or is he the 2nd coming of Mark Iavaroni?
   At trade time he was described as a "banger", which often is
   NBAese for "he can't shoot". He also has a suspect knee. IMO the
   Jazz stepped their depth up with Humphries for Blue Edwards - at
   least for a few years, but Blue is 6 yrs younger than Jay. The
   loss of Murdock isn't a big deal, I bet there will be guys cut
   this year (and could be picked up by the Jazz) that have as much
   potential as Murdock (ex: Robert Pack from Portland). The worst
   aspect of the trade was loss of the #1. They could have had Sean
   Rooks at #23. He looked very good to me at this year's Rocky Mt.
   Review. It's much harder to get a good big man & I think Rooks has
   a lot of potential.

4. chokes / can't win on the road
   Playoff "choking" didn't occur this past season, the Jazz "held
   seed", but nothing better. The "can't win on the road" rap is
   much more serious. Humphreys should help here - a 9 yr vet. But
   this rap remains 'till the Jazz prove otherwise.

Now a look at their roster: Center: Eaton/Brown/Austin, 
PF: C.Malone/Krystowiak, SF: Benoit/Corbin, SG: J.Malone/Humphreys,
PG: Stockton. 2 spots are open for sure: Rudd was let go & Corey Crowder
went to Europe. Jazz will probably pick up someone who gets waived
for at least one of these spots. I believe at least one spot will
go for a pure point guard who will ride the end of the bench. Unlikely
though that either slot will have much impact.

So, are the Jazz better than last year? Yes, but is it good enough to
move up? I doubt it. They should win the Midwest, with Cummings going
down for San Antonio - they look weaker. But the Pacific looks like
the strongest division and the Jazz have struggled in LA, Seattle,
Phoenix & Portland. 

My forecast (for what it's worth) - same as last year - win Midwest,
4-5th best record, with a few less home wins & a few more away wins.

Now - others please step up & analyze your home team!
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| Rich Hannon, Unisys SLC, UT, rgh@unislc.slc.unisys.com, (801)594-6628 |
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