For those of us who have been life long Jazz fans, the days of Stockton and Malone seem like only yesterday. The days when the Jazz could put anybody out there with Stockton and Malone and the Jazz would win. The days when 15 breath-taking assists, 30 power filled points and unflinching hard work were all in a nights work. The days when losing was unacceptable and it was expected that each player who put on a Jazz uniform better be willing to bust their ass. The days when the phrase "Stockton to Malone" would keep opposing coaches up at night and strike fear into the hearts of their opponents. The days when it seemed like Stockton was breaking a new record every year, Malone was piling up points and awards. The days when the other team knew that if they drove to the hoop.........they were going to pay. The days they would also pay on the offensive end when a perfect dish was handed to a mack truck and all they could do would be to get the hell out of the way. The days when we took it all for granted. They days when we were watching greatness every single night and didn't even realize it.
So what happened? Why aren't the Jazz of today like that? They have one of the best point guards in the league and 20 and 10 power forward and they have the same coach, so what is missing from this team? I can answer that with one word.....................Leadership!!!! This current edition of the Utah Jazz has ZERO leadership. Their power forward is completely injury prone and doesn't even come close to bringing it every night. Malone worked harder then anyone in Jazz history and he brought his game every single night. The players on the current Jazz team can't look to their power forward to set the example or the Jazz would have nobody left. Now, the current Jazz point guard shows a lot more promise, but is still falling way short. Since the Jazz's run to the Western conference Finals in 2007, D-Will has not proven he can take over a game. Sure he has moments but they are never sustained and who do the Jazz have taking game winning shots......................THEIR CENTER!!!!!! That is never a good sign. D-will seems very different this year. Is it the contract, is it the injuries or is it the fact that he isn't playing to the level he wants to be playing at? Stockton was always about the team first, but he knew exactly when to take over a game. Example: Stockton scored 15 points, including the game winner, in the 4th quarter against the Rockets to personally send the Jazz to the Finals for the first time. D-Will hasn't learned to do that yet and you RARELY see him get in the face of his teammates trying to get them fired up. If this current Jazz squad is going to have any success they need to get real leadership out of their superstars. The players need to know that D-Will is going to hold them accountable if they are slacking, not running the plays right and really hurting the Jazz's chances for winning. The players need to know that Boozer is going to be there every game and that he is ready to go into battle with them. It always starts at the top and the Jazz need more leadership, fire and desire to win from their stars then they are currently getting. If D-Will and Boozer can somehow tap into the hearts of Stockton and Malone then the Jazz will be right back in the Finals, but until that happens the Jazz will have a first or second round exit every single year!!! It's time for the Jazz to start playing that old tune again of passion, leadership and an atmosphere where losing is simply not tolerated!!!!
So what happened? Why aren't the Jazz of today like that? They have one of the best point guards in the league and 20 and 10 power forward and they have the same coach, so what is missing from this team? I can answer that with one word.....................Leadership!!!! This current edition of the Utah Jazz has ZERO leadership. Their power forward is completely injury prone and doesn't even come close to bringing it every night. Malone worked harder then anyone in Jazz history and he brought his game every single night. The players on the current Jazz team can't look to their power forward to set the example or the Jazz would have nobody left. Now, the current Jazz point guard shows a lot more promise, but is still falling way short. Since the Jazz's run to the Western conference Finals in 2007, D-Will has not proven he can take over a game. Sure he has moments but they are never sustained and who do the Jazz have taking game winning shots......................THEIR CENTER!!!!!! That is never a good sign. D-will seems very different this year. Is it the contract, is it the injuries or is it the fact that he isn't playing to the level he wants to be playing at? Stockton was always about the team first, but he knew exactly when to take over a game. Example: Stockton scored 15 points, including the game winner, in the 4th quarter against the Rockets to personally send the Jazz to the Finals for the first time. D-Will hasn't learned to do that yet and you RARELY see him get in the face of his teammates trying to get them fired up. If this current Jazz squad is going to have any success they need to get real leadership out of their superstars. The players need to know that D-Will is going to hold them accountable if they are slacking, not running the plays right and really hurting the Jazz's chances for winning. The players need to know that Boozer is going to be there every game and that he is ready to go into battle with them. It always starts at the top and the Jazz need more leadership, fire and desire to win from their stars then they are currently getting. If D-Will and Boozer can somehow tap into the hearts of Stockton and Malone then the Jazz will be right back in the Finals, but until that happens the Jazz will have a first or second round exit every single year!!! It's time for the Jazz to start playing that old tune again of passion, leadership and an atmosphere where losing is simply not tolerated!!!!
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