Rebuilding a franchise can be a perpetually painful process.  And Utah Jazz owner Larry Miller knows that better than anyone.  When the Stockton/Malone era concluded in Salt Lake City, it was back to drawing board.

 

But each new season brings new hope.  Here's a look at the vastly improved 2006-07 Utah Jazz: 

 

Meet the Crew

PG - Deron Williams

Starting at the top, Deron Williams is the catalyst that Utah has been waiting for since the departure of John Stockton.  In just his second season out of Illinois, Williams has blossomed into a playmaking point guard.

 

SG - C.J. Miles/Ronnie Brewer/Gordan Giricek

So far this season, the only starting position still up for grabs is at shooting guard.  Giricek may have been the favorite to earn the starting spot, but he is coming off an Achilles' injury last season.  Derek Fisher (I'll get to him later) also figures into the mix, and is likely to get plenty of minutes because he can play the 1 or 2 guard position.

 

C.J. Miles has a few starts under his belt, but probably won't see more than 15 minutes per game very often.  At 19 years old, he is still a raw talent - and will need another year or two to develop.  If the Jazz continue to contend for the division title, his minutes may dwindle as the season rolls on.  He has the skills to be a legitimate starter in this league, but isn't ready just yet.

 

Ronnie Brewer is a versatile rookie that can play guard or small forward.  He plays solid defense, and is one of those rare guards that can rebound.  However, his potential is somewhat limited...as a childhood accident left him with a protruding bone in his arm that severely affects his shooting technique.  Brewer can score by driving to the hoop, but isn't the long range threat that this team will need from a 2 guard.

 

Gordan Giricek is a long-range threat, but his overall skills are better suited to come off the bench.

 

SF - Andrei Kirilenko

Kirilenko is off to a relatively slow start this season, but will need to be an impact player for Jerry Sloan's squad.  He has some diverse offensive skills, as he can hit from beyond the arc as well as score around the basket.  His early offensive struggles are offset by his tremendous defensive abilities.  Andrei is often given the task of guarding an opponent's best scorer, and he usually gets 2 or 3 blocks per game.  If Utah plans to go deep into the playoffs, Kirilenko's rebounding and defense will be a necessity.

 

PF - Carlos Boozer

When Carlos Boozer was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2002 draft, it didn't appear that he was destined to be a franchise player - but that's exactly what he's becoming in Utah.  After a plague of injuries, he is finally healthy in his 3rd season with the Jazz.  He has emerged as the team's leading scorer and rebounder.  His incredible shooting percentage is a result of his aggressive style in the post, and he has also developed an impressive shooting touch from mid-range.

 

C - Mehmet Okur

Okur is another perfect fit in Utah, as he adds another solid post presence that compliments Carlos Boozer.  Mehmet doesn't play nearly as physical as his front-court counterpart, but is capable of scoring from both long and short range.  His offensive skills fare him well against traditional centers around the league.  Defensive liabilities probably won't hurt the team too much due to the absence of dominant centers in the Western Conference.

 

Key Bench Players

Derek Fisher was a crafty addition to a team in need of veteran leadership.  Though Sloan prefers to bring him off the bench, Fisher should get plenty of minutes...especially towards the end of the season and in the playoffs (yes, the Jazz will be in the playoffs).  Despite a slightly diminished role for Fisher, his greatest value may be in mentoring Deron Williams.

 

The most impressive rookie for the Jazz has to be Paul Millsap (another 2nd round pick).  He may not get a ton of minutes playing behind Boozer at power forward, but he utilizes every second with tenacious rebounding and the ability to score around the basket.

 

Matt Harpring is the last key player off the bench, and should get starter-type playing time.  He will spend some time as a shooting guard, but is really more of a small forward.  An extremely valuable 6th man, Harpring should be an important piece of the playoff puzzle.

 

What a Difference a Year Makes

After 2 seasons of struggling with youth and key injuries, Jerry Sloan finally has the team he wants.  With his philosophy of sound defense and offensive execution, Utah has become the perfect place to mold these youngsters into an elite team.  With the absence of superstar players, Jerry Sloan may end up with a Coach of the Year award in his trophy case.

 

Bringing It All Together - Keys to Success

- Health!  This team is good, but can ill-afford an extended injury to someone like Boozer or Kirilenko.  And those two have had struggled with injuries over the past few seasons.

 

- Who's the man?  Now that the role players are defined for Utah, it's up to Boozer to lead this team into the playoffs.  Superstars simply find a way to score, whether they are cold or hot.  To make that happen, Boozer must consistently get to the free-throw line.

 

- Streaky!  Several Utah wins came via late-game comebacks, which is a dangerous trend.  Consistency and youth aren't terms that usually go together, but that's exactly what a playoff run will require of this group.

 

Larry Miller and Jerry Sloan have done an outstanding job of constructing a winner here in Utah.  After watching the Stockton/Malone era come to an end in the 2003 playoffs, fans can rejoice knowing that the wait is finally over.  They may not be ready to challenge for a championship, but this team has taken a giant leap forward on their quest.

 

Here's looking forward to a great season!