Utah Jazz not showing their age

[Spike]

So how about those Jazz? Every year they get written off as being "too old and this is the year that they go down the dumper" but once against they have one of the best records in the West. They've aged like fine wine. Coming into tonight's game with Philly they're 17 and 8, lead the Midwest Division, and currently have the 2nd best record in the Western Conference.

It's too bad they had to play the Bulls those 2 years they got to the Finals or John Stockton and Karl Malone would have their rings right now. Stockton went from being a drafted unknown out of Gonzaga to one of the best point guards in the game in his prime and Malone lifts weights like a fanatic, turning his skinny frame into one that even, "Mr. Universe" would be proud off while working just as hard on his free throws to resemble nothing of the sort poor free throw shooter he was (he came into the league shooting about 40 percent and now is consistently in the 70's). No one runs the pick-and-roll (which I still think is the hardest set play to defend in all of basketball) as perfectly as Stockton and Malone. And regardless of if you think Malone and Stockton are dirty, they are the consummate professionals that work hard night-in and night-out since they've been in the league. I bet anything when Stockton and Malone finally do call it quits, their Head Coach Jerry Sloan goes with them. Because, Malone and Stockton are the exception to the current spoiled young N.B.A. player that marks the league landscape.

And even though, again, I don't think Stockton and Malone will win their rings this year and probably never get their rings, it's too bad they can't receive some type of "Lifetime Achievement" award from the league for all the excellent basketball they've played throughout the years. I can't remember the last time Utah didn't have a good team.

[Marc]

Before we get carried away with how good the Jazz are in December, let's consider how they play in May and June. It's easy to play good when you are fresh in the beginning of the season, but we will really see how good/durable they are late in the season and in the stretch run to the playoffs...

[Nate]

You are right on one point Marc. It is a little early to tell how the team will turn out. But one thing you have to realize is that Karl Malone and John Stockton ARE getting older. They are some of the oldest players in the sport right now. If they want another shot at a championship, they better get it done soon.

[Jersey Devil]

Heck with March and April ... I think that it's just superb what those two old geezers are doing right now.

Just think ... you've got two 35-40 year old players going up against kids half their age, with a lot more hop in them, and the Jazz continue to win.

Like you said Marc, it's another thing if they prove everything in March, but still ... it's amazing what they can still do now.

Karl Malone is 2nd in NBA history in points, and pretty high in rebounds too. John Stockton is WAY high up there in assists and steals. And they're still good.

[Spike]

Oh yeah, and I don't think they're going to win the title again either this year or get to the Finals. They'll probably go out in the 2nd round like the last 2 seasons again. The West is too tough.

Now if the Jazz were in the Eastern Conference, I could see them getting to the Finals or at least maybe even a #2 seed going into the playoffs but unfortunately for them, they're in the rough, rough West.

I was just saying every year Malone and Stockton get older and every year for the last few years people have been saying this is the year the Jazz really fall off and don't go to the playoffs and go to the lottery but every year they always have a great regular season and yes it's early, but I still think going into the playoffs once again they'll be top 4 seed in the West.

[BC]

I would prefer to reserve my judgement until May or June. You earn your stripes if you get through the playoffs; getting a 60-win season is nothing if you can't back it up in deep through the playoffs.

(btw, hi everyone :) - Marc dragged me in here :D)

[Spike]

Anybody see the Kings-Jazz' game today on N.B.C.? Wow, you see John Stockton? He was just marvelous. 10-for-12 from the field and it wasn't against poor defending Jason Williams either. Stockton was schooling Bobby Jackson, cutting to the basket without the ball, running Jackson through pick and rolls and Jackson is a pretty good defender. It's nice to see the old guy's still got it.

The Kings didn't play horribly today either even without Chris Webber. In fact, they led for, I want to say, about 3 and 1/2 quarters of this game but the Jazz never gave up, kept on staying close (with help from Donyell Marshall's huge game of 31 points and 14 rebounds) and finally came up with a run in the 4th Quarter to get the victory in a hostile environment. Kudos to Utah.

[Jersey Devil]

The Jazz game has not changed a bit over the last fifteen years ... they run the same plays, have had mostly the same guys ... and let they are still winning, and all the time without a real center. This is what hard work and dedication to your sport gets you.