Utah Jazz 2006-07 Season Preview

The Jazz have a solid nucleus with center Mehmet Okur, forwards Carlos Boozer and Andrei Kirilenko and guard Deron Williams. Okur led the team in scoring (18.0 ppg) and rebounding (9.1 rpg) last season, while Williams averaged a team-best 4.5 assists per game in his rookie season.

Kirilenko posted 15.3 points, 8.0 boards and 4.3 assists in 69 contests in 2005-06, while Williams netted 10.8 per game and Boozer contributed 16.3 points and 8.6 boards per contest in just 33 outings.

In the offseason, Utah acquired veteran point guard Derek Fisher in a trade from the Golden State Warriors. The 32-year-old Fisher averaged a career-best 13.3 points and 4.3 assists for the Warriors last season. He is entering his 11th year in the league and won three championship rings as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers (2000, 2001, 2002).

Utah also added guards Ronnie Brewer, who was selected out of Arkansas with the 14th overall pick, and Illinois product Dee Brown, who was picked in the second round (46th overall), in the 2006 NBA Draft. The 6-7 Brewer has good size and will get the opportunity to become the Jazz’ shooting guard of the future, while Brown will try and earn a spot on the club as a backup point guard.

Head coach Jerry Sloan will be on the Utah bench for his 19th season. His resume is very impressive. Entering the new season, Sloan has the fifth most wins all-time (984-658), 11th best winning percentage in NBA history (.599 percent), two NBA Finals appearances (1997 and 1998) and five Midwest Division crowns.

BACKCOURT

Williams and Fisher will compete for playing time at the point. Acquiring Fisher takes pressure off of Williams and will allow him to develop his game at a comfortable pace. The Jazz have a pair of competent lead guards which will help their offense become more efficient.

Shooting guard Gordan Giricek registered 10.6 points in 37 games, including 36 starts, last season for the Jazz. He is a solid player, but the Jazz would like more consistency at his position.

Enter Brewer. The Utah front office hopes that Brewer can emerge and play significant minutes at shooting guard. The Arkansas product is a solid all- around player and may be ready to contribute immediately.

Nineteen-year-old C.J. Miles, who was selected by the Jazz in the second round (34th pick overall) of the 2005 NBA Draft, averaged 3.4 points in 23 contests during his rookie campaign. The 6-6 Miles could surprise if he is given more playing time.

FRONTCOURT

The starting frontcourt is the strength of the Utah squad. Okur, Boozer and Kirilenko makeup a formidable frontcourt. All three players are strong rebounders and can score down low. The athletic Kirilenko, who will log minutes at both forward spots, is a monster on defense and has an excellent all-around game.

Swingman Matt Harpring will backup Kirilenko and play next to him. The 30- year-old Harpring averaged 12.5 points and 5.2 boards in 71 contests in 2005-06. He shot 47.5 percent from the floor, including 35.9 percent from beyond the arc. The 6-7 Harpring is a hard-nosed player and will be entering his fifth season in a Utah uniform.

Jarron Collins will backup Okur. The 6-11 Collins, who posted 5.3 points and 4.2 rebounds in 79 games last year, fills a role for the Jazz and does it well.

OUTLOOK

The Jazz are not one of the top eight teams in the Western Conference and will miss the playoffs for a fourth straight year. They have a solid starting frontcourt and some young players who are getting better. It’s just not good enough to compete with the top squads in the West. Another season with a .500 record is where this franchise is at.