JazzFan 4 Life

I've neglected my blog just because I've been a little tired, my wife and I were on vacation and it's just been hectic overall. Here are some quick thoughts on the Jazz:

• Deron is struggling -- Sure the scoring average has been around 16.5 ppg each month this year (16.7 ppg in Nov, 16.9 ppg in Dec and 16.8 so far), but his shooting percentage sucks. He went from a healthy 47 percent in November to a steady slide. He's now bottomed out at 38 percent from the field. Worst of all, when he's been open, he doesn't seem confident in shooting a jumper. Not a good sign.
• Giricek is no sharp-shooter -- This guy is supposed to be the 3-point shooter in the starting line-up, right? Then explain to me why he only has made 5 of 19 of his 3-pointers in the last two months! He's a frustrating player to watch (he can't seem to make a pass without doing so off the dribble or, worse yet, jumping in the air). I would love to see him traded ... ANYWHERE! He's gotta have incriminating, naked photos of Jerry Sloan or something ... that has to be the only reason he gets consistent time.
  
• Boozer's production doesn't change -- When the Jazz started 13-4, Boozer was quietly being mentioned as an MVP candidate as he was powering the team's start. The Jazz have been a little better than .500 since then (11-10) and there have been more than a few games in which Boozer hasn't played like the team's best player. Sure, he gets his 20 points and 10 rebounds, but he doesn't demand the ball and take over the game when the Jazz blow a lead and turn a safe lead into a close game. I'm starting to think he doesn't have that ability, but maybe it will come.

Let's see what's going on in Jazz land today:

* I've always thought that when the Gordan Giricek trade went through in 2004, the Jazz seemed to get the best of the deal, especially when you consider the big man heavy 2004-05 roster (Okur, Boozer, Humphries) that would have allowed him to be a lights-out 3-point shooter. Throw in the fact the Jazz gave him a 4-year deal after 2004 and he seemed to be the shooting guard of the team's future.

The 2004-05 season was a wash and Giricek was lost in the shuffle of bad play that year. He also seemed to wear on Jerry Sloan because he often broke off plays and didn't play defense every time down the floor. These were warts in Giricek's game when he played in Memphis and Orlando, and they still exist.

Now comes news that Giricek didn't play in the opener against Houston because coach Jerry Sloan says Giricek hasn't worked hard enough to warrant time.

"I don't have anything against him personally," the Jazz coach added. "I just think it's important that he works. He's got a lot of talent, and I think he wastes it. Right now, he's wasting some of it."

Giricek can score and make some shots, but I think he's wearing out his welcome in Utah. He didn't get along with Arroyo when he was here. Arroyo, coincidentally, couldn't get along with Sloan at times and now he's a backup point in Orlando. I wouldn't be surprised if the Jazz try to ship Giricek to Charlotte, Atlanta or some other outpost for a second rounder.

* The Jazz won't have set captains this year, but instead Sloan will nominate different players each game.

* This has nothing to do with the Jazz, but a recent NBA.com survey of rosters, Warriors SG Jason Richardson is Mr. Average ... well at least in terms of height, weight and age. Most interesting fact from the study: NBA players are shrinking, getting lighter and younger.