HoopWatch

The Utah Jazz are leading the NBA with a 15-5 record. They did not make the playoffs last year, but they ended last season in a high note going 7-3 in April. They ended the season at .500 in a very competitive Western Conference. If they were in the East, they could have made the playoffs.

One of the big reasons why they ended the way they did last season was the health of their players. Utah’s success has long been overdue. I was expecting a break-out year from them last season, being the trio of Carlos Boozer, Mehmet Okur and Andrei Kirilenko’s second season together. Their first season was a “feeling out” for them, chemistry usually comes in after a year of playing together. But injuries plagued their two best players in Boozer and Kirilenko. Not to mention the bad knee plaguing another one of their best scorers in Matt Harpring. Boozer missed last year’s first three months, and Kirilenko had a slow start and missed a number of games due to an ailing back.

But this year is a different story. Jerry Sloan, the great coach that he is, has molded this team together, and infused an unselfish environment. They may lack a true superstar who will take the big shots when it matters, but they play so well as a team that they have become formidable, especially having their stars healthy so far. The Jazz also added veteran point guard Derek Fisher, who has three championship rings with the Lakers, into the mix. They also acquired big men Rafael Araujo and Paul Millsap to add size and front court depth.

Boozer leads the team in scoring averaging 22 points per game. Four other players also average in double figures. Sophomore Deron Williams, Okur, Harpring and Fisher are averaging 16.7, 15.2, 10.9 and 10.1 respectively. The only surprise is the low point production of Kirilenko, but he is helping in other departments. He is averaging close to a steal per game, 2.5 blocks, 3.7 assists and 5.5 rebounds. Boozer is the monster off the boards having averaged 12.3 caroms, Okur follow suit with 8.3. Williams leads the team in assists and steals with 9.1 dimes and 1.15 swipes an outing.

Though they may lost to the Minnesotta Timberwolves in their last game, they are still a strong team to contend with, and favorite in the coming postseason. They are the ultimate sleeper this year. The team just needs to stay healthy. But I don’t see them leading the team standings all the way. They may end at 4 or 5 in the West, but they’ll be a nightmare for their would-be opponents in the playoffs. San Antonio is just a half game behind in the standings and may snatch the top spot from them within the month.