Utah Jazz End of Season Wrap Up

Predicted Outcome: 50-32, second place Northwest Division
Currently: 39-43, fourth place Northwest Division

You have to feel sorry for poor Al Jefferson. Here’s a guy who has spent his entire career on perennial losers and when he finally gets a chance to finally experience the post season, fate would deal him another harsh blow. He spent his first three years on a pathetic Boston Celtics team then got traded to an even poorer excuse of a franchise in the Minnesota Timberwolves. After enduring one 20 win season after another, fate finally smiled on him as he was traded to perennial playoff contender, the Utah Jazz. Finally he would have a taste of winning and the chance to be on a team that does not end its season in April. Unfortunately, Jefferson would get cheated again as he continues to stay on the outside looking in.

The season started well enough. Utah blazed through the competition in the first month of the season. They started the season 15-5 and had the second best record in the league right behind the San Antonio Spurs. Then as the season progressed, the Jazz started slowing down. Utah was 8-6 for the month of December and started the new year off by losing eight of twelve games. The situation took a turn for the worst when long time coach of nearly a quarter of a century Jerry Sloan suddenly called it quits. The Jazz, once the toast of the NBA started going into a free-fall.

As if losing Sloan was bad enough, Utah would then trade their best player, Deron Williams to the New Jersey Nets for Devin Harris and first round draft pick Derrick Favors. Jefferson would find himself yet again at the same place he started. He has become yet again marooned on a desolate island with no chance of rescue. His playoff dreams shattered, Jefferson took it upon himself to lead the shambles that was left of the once great Utah Jazz. Unfortunately, it would prove not enough as the Jazz as the team would finish the season 8-15. Jefferson will again experience NBA Playoff action in the comfort of his home.  (To be continued)