"You Gotta Love It Baby" Official Jazz thread

[Sizzle]

Ronnie Dupree and Paul Harris get cut. Looks like the Jazz are down to 14 players now:

Deron Williams
Carlos Boozer
Andre Kirilenko
Ronnie Brewer
Memo Okur
Paul Millsap
CJ Miles
Matt Harpring
Kael Korver
Ronnie Price
Eric Maynor
Kosta Koufos
Kyrylo Fesenko
Wesley Matthews

I'm wondering if Ime Udoka is a legit option to be signed. Either way it seems like Matthews has made enough of an impression to make the team (and have a bit of good fortune with Harpring and Miles and Korver all banged up).

[Sizzle]

Sounds like the Jazz are pretty banged up, especially at the wing:

With swingmen C.J. Miles, Kyle Korver, Ronnie Brewer and Matt Harpring all injured and out, Jazz coach Jerry Sloan will have only 11 healthy players available for tonight's preseason finale at Sacramento.

And that's assuming combo guard and ex-King Ronnie Price - being called a "gametime decision'' by the club - is able to play despite the hamstring strain that kept him out of Utah's last three exhibition games.

It's presuming, too, no one else gets hurt stepping off the bus or into the shower - and that's no sure bet with this team.

But all that's fine by Sloan, who after years and years of relative good health during the John Stockton and Karl Malone Jazz era knew it would all eventually catch up.

"We coach who's here,'' he said.

Tonight, that probably will mean longer-than-they've-seen-so-far-in-the-preseason runs for regulars like Deron Williams, Carlos Boozer, Mehmet Okur, Andrei Kirilenko and Paul Millsap.

"Some of our front-line players, probably some of them need to play a little bit more, try to get a feel for what they're going to face when the season starts,'' Sloan, who Jazz open for real on Wednesday night at Denver, said prior to practice Thursday. "We'll see how it goes, see what kind of foul shape we're in, and that sort of thing.''

[Sizzle]

Apparently Collins and Almost aren't NBA worthy outside of Utah either:

Former Jazz center Jarron Collins is expected to be waived today by Portland, The Oregonian reported Wednesday, but Collins could be headed to Phoenix, which is auditioning big men with Robin Lopez out with a broken foot.

The Trail Blazers opted to keep neither Collins nor forward Ime Udoka for their 15th and final roster spot, instead giving it to injured rookie guard Patrick Mills, a second-round draft pick who signed with Portland only five days ago.

Collins, who didn't respond to an e-mail Wednesday, averaged 3.5 points and 2.0 rebounds in four preseason games. He played eight seasons in Utah but wasn't re-signed as a free agent this summer.

Almond averaged 1.0 points and 1.0 rebounds in four exhibition games with the Magic. The Jazz declined the third-year option in Almond's rookie contract last October.

[Sizzle]

And, since the Flash are the minor league version of the Jazz, I found this tidbit interesting:

The Utah Flash just announced that former Stanford All-American and nine-year NBA veteran Mark Madsen has been named an assstant coach.

Madsen replaces Dale Osbourne, who was hired by the Oklahoma City Thunder and took a position with their NBA Developmental League affiliate in Tulsa.

A former first-round draft pick, Madsen spent nine seasons in the NBA with the L.A. Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves. In 453 regular-season games, he averaged 2.2 points and 2.6 rebounds.

Nicknamed "Mad Dog" for his tenacious style of play, Madsen will assist Flash head coach Brad Jones, who guided Utah to the D-League finals last season.

"I am very excited about joining the Utah Flash organization," Madsen said. “Not only for opportunity to assist coach Jones and the learn the Utah Jazz system, but also to share my knowledge and experience with the players."

"We are very excited to have coach Madsen on our staff," said team president Joe Brown. "He knows what it takes to win at the highest level, and I know that will translate to success with our team and our players."

At Stanford, Madsen helped lead the Cardinal to four NCAA tournaments and one Final Four.

[TheBYUGuy]

And, since the Flash are the minor league version of the Jazz, I found this tidbit interesting:

You give us fringe news about Collins, Robin Lopez, and Mark Madsen, but nothing on Curtis Borchardt? I'm disappointed.

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

You give us fringe news about Collins, Robin Lopez, and Mark Madsen, but nothing on Curtis Borchardt? I'm disappointed.

I want all kinds of Stanford updates, where is Casey Jacobsen? Has Brevin Knight landed on his feet? Does Trent Johnson still look like he could kill a family, just to watch them die?

[Sizzle]

Driving past the Delta Center, er, Energy Solutions Arena, my two year old said "Dad look there is basketball John, John Stockton Ooh-ooh oohh!!!"

Makes a dad proud.

[Sizzle]

Kael El Korver to have surgery on his knee and will miss the start of the season. Wonderful.

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

24 hours from now the Jazz will be among the NBA's remaining undefeated teams. Then the Griffin-less Clips on Friday. Looks like a perfect October!

[JohnnyLingo]

Watching the Clippers last night, I'm still all for trading Booz for Kaman. The Clips would love a 20/10 guy at the PF spot, and this way they aren't trying to play both Camby and Kaman. He's a better option than Zach Randolph, right?

Meanwhile, the Jazz get a 14 and 7 guy (if not more, playing with Deron) who blocks shots and defends the rim worlds better than Booz/Okur.

Trade machine says it works. And Hollinger says Utah increases its wins by 32!

[LiveCoug]

Game day! I'm getting excited!

Boozer for Kaman? Absolutely. Get it done.

[MarkGrace]

I'd rather get Kaman for Memo and something.

[JohnnyLingo]

I'd rather get Kaman for Memo and something.

I'm open to that. The Jazz just need interior defense. This has been clear for at least two seasons now.

[falafel]

Driving past the Delta Center, er, Energy Solutions Arena, my two year old said "Dad look there is basketball John, John Stockton Ooh-ooh oohh!!!"

Makes a dad proud.

I thought it was "bassetball john." At least that's how I remember the song.

I'm jealous. My son knows Deron Williams, but he's clueless about Stock. I've been derelict in my duties as a father.

[MarkGrace]

Fes checks in 30 seconds into the season. It's gong to be a long year.