NBA Preview 2007-2008: Utah Jazz

With all the upheaval and turmoil in the Northwest Division, the Utah Jazz are the team to beat. The Utah Jazz have made a few low key transactions this off-season. Key players remain on the squad amongst newcomers Jason Hart (PG), Morris Almond (F), Kyrylo Fesenko (C), and Kevin Lyde (C). Departed are Derek Fisher, Dee Brown and Rafael Araujo.

Deron Williams (PG) and Carlos Boozer (PF) are the anchors to the Utah Jazz. Williams, in his third year out of Illinois, and Boozer, in his sixth year pro out of Duke, make a formidable pair in the Utah Jazz offense. Many have actually compared them to be a new age Stockton and Malone when it comes to pick-and-roll offense. Joining them in the starting lineup is Mehmet Okur (C), a free agency signing out of Detroit a few seasons ago and obtaining all-star status last season; Ronnie Brewer, a shooting guard starting his second season from Arkansas; and Andrei Kirilenko (SF), a player obtained from Russia beginning his seventh season, but also coming off a season in which all of his statistics went down. Gordan Giricek may start the season holding the shooting guard position, but with his playing ability the last few seasons, Brewer should steal that starting position in no time.

Perhaps the biggest obstacle the Jazz will face this season is the loss of Derek Fisher. While not averaging very many minutes last year, Fisher did bring a veterans' experience to the team and helped calm their nerves. He was a huge team leader in the locker room as well as the court and will be deeply missed by the team. One other concern is Matt Harpring's knees. It is now known that his surgically repaired joints are taking more time to heal than first expected. He is a player that gives all his effort, game after game, and is hoping for a speedy recovery. Depth at guard looks deepest, as well as having good back-ups at forward. The center position, like always, needs work, hence signing two centers in the off-season.