Utah Jazz 2004-05 Season Preview

By Warren Blatt, NBA Editor

2003-04 FINISH: 42-40

OFFSEASON ADDITIONS: Carlos Boozer (F) - Free Agent; Mehmet Okur (C/F) - Free Agent.

OFFSEASON SUBTRACTIONS: Tom Gugliotta (F) - Signed with Boston; Greg Ostertag (C) - Signed with Sacramento: Aleksandar Pavlovic (F) - Selected by Charlotte in Expansion Draft; Maurice Williams (G) - Signed with Milwaukee.

2004 DRAFT PICKS: 1. (14) Kris Humphries,(F, Minnesota); 1. (16) Kirk Snyder (G, Nevada); 1. (21) Pavel Podkolzin (C, Russia) - Traded to Dallas.

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP: PG Carlos Arroyo, SG Gordan Giricek, SF Andrei Kirilenko, PF Carlos Boozer, C Mehmet Okur

COACH: Jerry Sloan

(Sports Network) - Utah won 42 games in the 2003-04 regular season and did not qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 1982-1983. The Jazz entered the offseason with room under the salary cap and a plan ton get stronger down low.

After drafting Minnesota forward Kris Humphries, Nevada guard Kirk Snyder and center Pavel Podkolzin, who was traded to the Dallas Mavericks, with their three first round picks, the Jazz struck quickly when free agency started. On July 14, which was the first day that teams were able to begin signing players, Utah signed Cleveland forward Carlos Boozer and Detroit center/forward Mehmet Okur to lucrative, multi-year deals.

The 22-year-old Boozer averaged 15.5 points and 11.4 rebounds in 75 games for the Cavaliers in 2003-04. Originally selected out of Duke by Cleveland in the second round (35th overall) of the 2002 NBA Draft, Boozer also had a solid rookie campaign as he averaged 10 points and 7.5 boards in 81 contests.

Boozer's signing created a lot of controversy, as he was rumored to have made a commitment to Cleveland to sign a long-term contract with the Cavaliers if they allowed him to become a free agent. Such an agreement is not allowed in the NBA and if a franchise committed this act it would be subject to substantial penalties. Cleveland declined to match the offer and let the Boozer join the Jazz.

"There was no commitment, it's unfortunate how it went through the media but I'm really excited to be in the situation I'm in," said Boozer. "They (Cleveland) moved forward, I moved forward and I'm looking forward to the season with the Jazz. It's against the rules first of all to have (an agreement). I'm not a guy that gives my word and then takes it away, I think I made that clear."

Okur, 25, was originally selected by Detroit in the second round (38th pick overall) of the 2001 NBA Draft. He has started just 42 games in his two years in the league and should not have a problem getting adjusted to his new role as a starter. In 2003-04, Okur played in 71 contests for the world champion Pistons and averaged 9.6 points and 5.9 rebounds in a little over 22 minutes per game.

With the signings of Boozer and Okur, the Jazz suddenly have a deep roster. To go along with its newest free agent acquisitions, Utah has All-Star Andrei Kirilenko, who will move from power to small forward, point guard Carlos Arroyo, who was very impressive for Puerto Rico in the Summer Olympics, shooting guard Gordan Giricek and swingman Matt Harpring.

The 25-year-old Arroyo showed flashes of brilliance at the Summer Games. He was in command of his squad and proved that he could indeed play with the best in the world. The three-year veteran had the best year of his short career in 2003-04, as he averaged career-highs in points (12.6 ppg), rebounds (2.6 rpg) and assists (5.0 apg) in 71 contests for the Jazz. Arroyo's confidence is at an all-time high after his performance this summer, and if he is able to continue his stellar play this season then he could be headed for a breakout year.

Utah did suffer some losses in the offseason, as center Greg Ostertag signed with the Sacramento Kings as a free agent, while forward Tom Gugliotta inked a deal with the Boston Celtics and the Jazz allowed restricted free agent guard Maurice Williams to join the Milwaukee Bucks when they did not match the offer sheet extended to him.

Head coach Jerry Sloan returns for his 17th season as the general of the Jazz. He has to be pleased with the hand that he has been dealt, as Utah had a great offseason as it became much tougher down low and that should translate into more wins for this franchise. Sloan is an excellent leader and will get the most out of his new-look roster.

BACKCOURT

Arroyo is the key to Utah's backcourt. He looks to be ready to reach the next level and become one of the better lead guards in the league. Arroyo could end up being the key to the Jazz' success in 2004-05. He is not a household name yet, but the rest of the league and the fans might begin to take notice if he continues to shine like he did in the Olympics.

Giricek and Raja Bell will share the shooting guard duties. Giricek, who was traded by the Orlando Magic to the Jazz for DeShawn Stevenson and a future second-round draft pick in February, is a streaky outside shooter, while the 6-5 Bell, who averaged a career-high 11.2 points in 82 games for Utah last season, is solid defensively and is coming off his best season of his four- year career in the NBA. The 27-year-old Giricek averaged 13.5 points in 25 contests for the Jazz after arriving in Utah from Orlando.

Raul Lopez will backup Arroyo. Lopez, who played just under 20 minutes per game last season for Utah, could see his playing time diminish as Arroyo's talent could end up having him become a 40-minute per game player.

The 6-6 rookie Snyder will also be given a shot to earn some minutes. Snyder most likely will only see significant minutes if there is an injury to Giricek or Bell.

FRONTCOURT

Boozer, Kirilenko and Okur could become an imposing starting frontcourt. The Jazz are confident that they have a young and skilled frontline in place for many years to come.

The 23-year-old Kirilenko, who is entering his fourth year in the NBA, had his best season in the league last year. He was named to the Western Conference All-Star team for the first time in his career, and finished the season averaging team-highs in points (16.5 ppg) and rebounds (8.1 rpg). He played mostly at power forward last season, but with Boozer now on the roster Kirilenko will play small forward, which will make him more effective then before.

Boozer and Okur should be great complements to Kirilenko, as the one-time All- Star will not have to carry the load off the glass. Boozer will add strength down low on both ends of the court, while Okur should be able to set up on the low block and earn his points close to the basket.

Veteran Matt Harpring gives the Jazz depth off the bench at small forward. The 6-7 Georgia Tech product missed 51 contests last season because of a knee injury. Harpring, who averaged 16.2 points per game before his injury in 2003-04, has started 100 of the 109 games that he has appeared in for the Jazz over the past two seasons, and should continue to play starter-type minutes as long as he is healthy. If needed, Harpring can also play shooting guard.

Sloan also has 6-11 Jarron Collins to backup Okur. Collins is a capable reserve who can play defense and can score an occasional hoop from down low. The rookie Humphries could also get some minutes behind Boozer.

The Jazz have some flexibility in the frontcourt, as Sloan should be able to shuffle his lineup and cause matchup problems for Utah's opponents.

OUTLOOK

Utah has to be pleased with its offseason. The Jazz were able to address the weaknesses on their roster with the additions of Boozer and Okur, and they had to be smiling as Arroyo impressed everyone with his performance at the Olympics.

The Jazz are still not one of the elite in the West, but they are getting there with youth and talent. A one-year absence from the postseason is all that the Utah fans are going to have to endure, as the Jazz should win at least 45 games in 2004-05 and will be participants in the playoffs once again.