Know how moms occasionally throw a bit of everything into a dish and call it a casserole? Mmm. Here are five Jazz-related items thrown into this crockpot/crackpot column:
1. Sloan gets coach of year love on ESPN.com — NBA writer Marc Stein admits Sloan likely won't get his (over)due. But he put the coach's name in the hat for helping Utah surge into the fight for the West's No. 2 spot. Stein is impressed Sloan has the Jazz winning and "sticking together in the face of Carlos Boozer's uncertain future" and after Deron Williams voiced frustrations about the Ronnie Brewer trade. The coach has also squeezed success out of his squad while starting a rookie, juggling wing players and dealing with inconsistent center output. Added Stein: "Sloan's work never seems to slip. The voters are bound to notice one of these years." Then again, why start now?
2. Jazz boss: Team stays as long as $$$ does — Jazz CEO Greg Miller recently answered questions from fans on utahjazz.com. One fan asked if the team would ever leave town, resulting in this response from former Jazz owner Larry H. Miller's oldest son: "I'll answer that with the exact language Larry always used when he was asked — as long as the Jazz are economically viable, the Miller family will own the team and it will stay in Utah." Miller then lauded the fan and sponsor support, claiming the Jazz are third in the NBA for season tickets this year with an additional 750 sold for next season. Added Miller: "I am committed to keeping the Utah Jazz as long as we can generate the revenue to pay the bills."
3. Jazz boss II: Brewer deal 'smart thing to do' — In response to another fan question, Miller said the Jazz expected Brewer to get a Paul Millsap-like offer next offseason "that we were not prepared to match." With good wing depth, the Jazz opted to get a future Memphis first-round pick "rather than just letting him go and getting nothing in return." Added Miller: "Personally, it was gut-wrenching to see Ronnie go. From the business side, it was the smart thing to do."
4. Tough road ahead for Utah and Denver — Utah's schedule looks brutal from afar, with 14 of 23 on the road. Look closer and it's not as daunting — only 12 opponents are above .500 and future foes have a combined .470 winning percentage. Dallas seems to have the easiest schedule left (12 of 22 home), so don't be shocked if the Mavs keep rising. The Nuggets have two lengthy trips (four- and five-games long) and face 17 winning teams, so don't be shocked if they slip.
5. Use this 411 to impress your buddies — The Jazz have rewritten their record book for four-point plays. All together now: Ooooh. Deron Williams (Sat.) and Kyle Korver (Mon.) both hit a free throw after being fouled while sinking 3s last week. C.J. Miles also had one on Feb. 6. Here's the kicker: Utah only had 11 four-point plays all-time but no more than two in one year until notching three fours in February.
Coming Attractions
A look at Jazz opponents for the next seven days:
At Clippers, Today, 8:30 p.m., FSN — Quick. Someone remind Boozer that Kaman was picked as an All-Star over him. Jazz PF made Clippers pay last time.
At Suns, Thursday, 8:30 p.m., TNT — Get used to this match-up. This is the first of three showdowns down the stretch for two of NBA's hottest teams.
Vs. Clippers, Saturday, 7 p.m., FSN — Think Sloan likes coaching against Clips? He's 71-22 vs. this L.A. squad, which has dropped six straight to the Jazz.
The big stat
20 — All the Jazz must do to win the final 23 games — OK, besides outscoring opponents — is to get Carlos Boozer and Deron Williams to score 20 or more in the same game. Utah is 11-0 when they both do that. The Jazz are also 23-4 when Boozer hits 20 and 19-5 when Williams scores that much.
Who's hot, not
Wesley Matthews — Had one of best weeks: 11.4 ppg (51 FG%), 2.4 rpg, 1.6 apg as starter.
Ronnie Price — Rough week: 36 points on 35 shots (37 FG%), no assists in 3 games.
3-point shots...
C.J. Miles: "If u are not watching this hockey game ..... Ur stupid lol." (Posted on Twitter, eh, during Sunday's classic Olympic gold-medal game between USA and Canada, won by our friends up north, 3-2 in overtime.)
Jody Genessy: "Odd sight of the night at Arco Arena: A loud-cheering Jazz fan behind the Utah bench wearing a Deron Williams jersey, sporting a BYU hat and drinking a sudsy brew out of a plastic cup." (Blog from Sacramento. Not sure if the drink was frothy apple cider or caffeine-free beer.)
Jazz CEO Greg Miller: "Great game from tip off to buzzer. My dad would have had a lot of fun here tonight." (Posted on Twitter after Utah's 133-110 home win over Houston on Saturday night.)