Jazz Can Look at the Season Being Half Full

The Jazz played awful in December. They were not a good team, and had little if anything to smile about the entire month. Yet, as the month of January is coming to a close the Jazz have to be happy with the position that they are in. Sitting just a game and a half out of first place in the division, and six games out of first place in the Western Conference. Now, admittedly the Jazz are sitting a game out of the playoffs; however, that alone should be a sign for rejoicing in Jazz nation. The way the schedule worked out for the Jazz they have played far more road games than any other conference foe, and now that the other teams have embarked to the road the conference race is tightening up. The Jazz must learn how to win on the road, they have almost identical records as the Nuggets and the Trail Blazers on the road. One of these teams are going to get hot on the road, and that team will win the division.

The Jazz should be that team. With the addition of Korver the Jazz can now do something they couldn't in December, break a zone. Even if Korver isn't hitting from the outside teams still must respect his shooting ability opening up the middle for the undersized Boozer. He is also a good passer and will run the offense, something that was hurting the Jazz when Miles and Gira were getting those minutes. The other key is the free throw shooting. He will knock down some free throws for the Jazz coming down the stretch; something that has already cost the Jazz at least four games this season.

Does this mean the Jazz will get into the playoffs. Yes, they should. Does this mean that they will make it far into the playoffs? No. They are lacking two things from last season, a sense of urgency and a killer thug attitude. Without finding those two things it could be first round and out very easily for the Jazz.

Who needs to step it up for the Jazz to give them these elements? Boozer and Okur. They have both lost the edge on the court. They may still have it in the locker room, but not having it on the court is killing the energy level and the referee fear factor that teams need to succeed. If they bring that to the court and get in some peoples faces their games go up.

This is the key stretch of the season for the Jazz to ready their playoff run. Yet, if they lay another December like egg, there will be no coming back from it.