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Color Me Disillusioned
Posted by: Stephen Loveless on February 10th, 2011
The author's views are entirely his or her own and may not reflect the views of the Utah Jazz.There are moments that mark a generation: where were you when WWII began; when it ended; when JFK was shot; when man landed on the moon; when Columbine was in tatters; when 9/11 took place? It will not have the far-reaching effect of those events but this day will make my personal list. I’ve had a bad feeling about the Jazz for the past two weeks or so, specifically about Deron Williams. He seemed to have started down a road that has only been taken by the stars I despise. Interviews became a forum for him to express his abandonment by teammates and coaches. He used his time on camera to shift the blame anywhere and everywhere. Step up to the plate, Deron.
There are a lot of rumors about Jerry’s resignation today and not much fact at this point. That being the case I will try to only address the things that I have noticed and not what I have heard from other sources. I was at ESA for the game last night and I hate to think that I may have witnessed Jerry’s last appearance as an NBA coach live. It was clear that the final plays were not drawn up by Jerry. There were a lot of missed queues in that game but I still place the majority of the blame for the team’s recent play on Deron.
A team captain needs to lead the team. Period. If he’s doing his best and the team is not performing that’s one thing. It can’t be helped sometimes. But the second he stops trying it becomes his fault. His lack of effort becomes the sole reason for the team’s failure. Personal glory has become far more important than team success. Deron shouldn’t be playing in the All-Star Game. He should be resting his wrist. He’s willing to take time off from the teams regular season games but not to miss his chance to play a bonus game that means nothing? You tell me what message that sends the fans. I’m sure many wouldn’t agree with that but it’s how I feel about it.
Deron used to be a rough-and-tumble, take-no-prisoners kind of guard. He refused to drive last night. What happened to the Deron that would have felt the need to compete with Rose? There was enough room on his screens for the whole team to follow through. If you aren’t going to run tight on a screen you may as well not run it in the first place. He’s just gotten lazy.
We’ve got a spoiled brat on our hands. It does appear that Deron is controlling the motivations and the designs of the team’s management. You do what you can to keep the star happy but at what cost? When do you tell him to hit the road? This franchise has been built on loyalty and consistency and I hate to think that anyone but Jerry would have made this decision. Larry must be rolling over in his grave if Deron is taking precedence over Jerry.
Whatever happened last night and whatever happens in the days to come I hope that Jerry can walk away from it all with his head held high and with no regrets. Let’s pull together behind Millsap, Jefferson, and Kirilenko. Maybe look into trading Williams before the rest of the world realizes what a diva he is. Let’s not let Jerry see the team completely fall apart behind him. He’s been a great coach and mentor and he deserves better than that. We’ll miss him dearly.
Replies: 15
Views: 1198
15 Responses
I partially agree with you. I agree with the part that was about D Will resting his wrist. He will play good in the All Star game because, well, he’s a whiny brat.
I disagree with trading him. I know he was part of the reason Sloan is out, but he is our franchise player at least until after next season, if there even is one.
Who thinks we should trade D Will, just wait until next season to say that, not this year. You are all overreacting. Yes, I know Sloan is gone, but seriously, why overreact and say “lets trade D Will!”
We trade DWill, we lose Jerry and DWill. Not cool, let’s give this a shot! The Jazz as a whole needs us more than ever. It’s not done, just a speed bump. GO JAZZ!
Well, we’ll see. Personally, I think someone(Deron)is going to squeal to the media why Jerry left. Hopefully, that doesn’t happen. However, if that does happen, I’d like to see Deron leave. Trade him for Kevin Durant or heck, see what you can do about getting Anthony.
Spencer, did you honestly just say we should try to pick up Anthony? Wow. Have you been a Jazz fan long? While we’re at it, why not try to get Phil Jackson to come over to the Jazz next year, and bring Kobe with him. Geez people. Come on. I guarantee you D-Will could not force Sloan out. It was his personal choice. Leave it at that and move on.
Thank you Yaggi.
Ok this might sound conspiracy theoryish, but did it seem like some of the players (D. Will) were TRYING to throw the game last night? Did you see all the bricked foul shots? The lackadaisical playing in general? That awful play by Williams at the end where he just drove in and threw the ball away, when we definitely needed a 3? Something especially weird had to have been going on for Sloan to just say he’s done with it at halftime.
Johnny, there’s an Area 51 holiday in New Mexico every year, but given your “theory” about throwing the game, I think you already know that. Of course I’m just giving you a hard time, but I just don’t think that an entire team throws the game; especially that game.
The last thing we want to do is trade D-Will. I know it may sound corny, but this Jazz teams needs us fans to be there more then any other team in Jazz history. I’m upset by Jerry leaving, but I refuse to point fingers and play the blame game as to why he left. Lets just buy our tickets and go to the games (or if you’re like me, watch the games when they’re on TV, like this Friday). Lets support this team and not boo them. Lets see what happens at the end of the season. Only then should the jury be out on this team and the criticism can start.
I agree with Stephen Loveless 100%. Deron’s heart hasn’t been in the game most of this season. When the “star” player can go out when we are down 18 points, and the bench can bring us back into the game – on multiple occasions – that says a lot right there. I haven’t been a “D-Will” fan, ever. That is because I saw a very selfish player the very first year. Yes, he seemed to catch on last year that he is supposed to “assist” other players in scoring too. But I saw the selfishness return this year, full force. And instead of getting fewer turnovers the longer he plays, he is getting and causing more. But I guess that’s what happens when you think you know more than the coach, even if he is ‘old school’. Sloane got the job done. It was up to the players to deliver. That is what they are payed to do.
Some of the trades they made before this season were really questionable, and hurt the team. They definitely should have kept Matthews and let CJ go. The coach can only do so much with what he is given.
I am in total agreement with you. Great post. D-VA Will has been romanticized by the BIG THREE movement to create super-teams….and YES LBJ I am in way blaming you for all this. If D-VA Will wants to play in a major city with All-Stars we should trade him while we still have about 25 games left. Jazz are a young team with a lot of talent. Watson can hold us over and AK can be resigned. Plus Hayward and play ball without having to worry about D-VA Will throwing a tantrum.
Seriously, does everyone here put personality before talent? Brewer and Matthews were great I agree, but they werent worth the money. And I’m sick of people questioning CJ Miles talent, he’s an amazing player and essential to the team. Al Jefferson, Raja Bell, Watson, Elson, were all great catches, and I applaud Kevin and the whole team for it.
Deron Williams deserves to play here, question it if you like. Every player and every fan is romanticized by being on a team with great talent, Miami is nothing new. Boston, Houston, Denver, Lakers every body attempts a big 3.
PS Hayward is terrible.
I’m sorry but you guys (the fans) are taking it to far with pointing the fingers at Deron. It really bothers me and a lot of other knowledgeable people for the “casual fan” to listen to national rumors coming from analyst that haven’t spent more than one day with the team or been around the team for that matter in weeks! Chris Broussard and Ric Bucher are really just speculating so I ask the true fans to ponder this questions to themeselves: “Am I going to believe a few analyst who get paid to talk about rumors and really know nothing personal with our team or am I going to believe the words of OUR organization from top to bottom saying the complete opposite?”
Sometimes I really don’t understand Jazz fans. After all Deron has done for this organization over the past 6 years and at the first sign of a problem everyone is willing to turn on him and even worse, ASKING TO TRADE HIM! ARE YOU SERIOUS?? Ask yourself where are team would be without him (if you say better you clearly have no knowledge of the game and have proven my point). What I think is worse is that reading all your comments I’m the first to have Deron’s side. No one had a problem with him when we were 15-5 but when things get tough people have to start pointing fingers. Now, I’m not dumb. Of course some of the Jazz recent struggles can be directly tied to D-Will but the same can be said about Sloan.
Now, with all that being said. I am a huge Jerry Sloan fan. I do think the way he left wasn’t the farewell he deserved. I will not argue that he is the best coach to never win a championship but that’s it. Sometimes you need to refresh things and after 23 years it was time. I mean, it’s not like we have gotten a championship in those 23 years and yes I was present those 2 magical years we almost got there but that was 14 years ago. If he was coaching any other team with another organization he would have been gone years ago. That’s just how it is in the Association. Sloan couldn’t coach forever so this was bound to happen and him leaving now actually helps the Jazz because we get the best coach available in the league in Corbin and it ensures stability for the franchise for the future.
It really hurts to read all these hateful comments about Deron like it is solely on him. We are nothing without him, he is our engine and moves need to be made to keep him or more troubled times will follow (wonder who the fans would blame if that scenerio happened). Who can you blame when there is no Sloan or Williams and the team is still losing. Everyone needs to relax. What has happened, happened, and it will never be the way it was before. For all we know this could be the best thing to happen to the Jazz in a long time! Just please give it some time before making your minds up.
As corny as this is going to sound, the Jazz need us (fans) more than ever right now. Show the team we are still behind them. I just hope people don’t start paving the way for Deron to leave us after next year. It looks really bad on the fans and organization if we are booing are franchise/all-star/best player from now on when he’s still going to be in our uniform for AT LEAST another year and a half. I’ll be there tomorrow in my #8 Jersey repping Williams and the Jazz no differently. I hope you all do the same. Deron doesn’t deserve Boozer treatment so don’t give it to him. SUPPORT him and OUR TEAM!! I know there are some good fans still out there. They need us!
-Sean
Thanks for all the comments. I appreciate the feedback.
Let me make one thing clear. I am NOT saying that we should trade Williams. I’m saying that IF the polarizing effect he’s been said to have on the team is fact, then we should look into it. I’m also not blaming this all on Deron. I don’t think anything could make Sloan leave but Sloan. But I do believe that having to put up with a diva star is what he was talking about when he said he just doesn’t have the same energy level he used to.
Most of this post was already written before I’d heard about Sloan. It was re-written to include current events. As I said at the beginning, these are things I’ve noticed about Deron in the past couple of weeks.
Thanks again for the comments. And I completely agree that we need to pull together for the team. With or without Deron.
to all you retards… put your self in d-wills shoes, he’s a pro athlete, our franchise player and some of you want to trade him… that would be the dumbest thing we could do when we lose a hall of fame coach, and maybe sloan just wanted to call it quits, he’s been coachin for 20+ years, ya ever heard of retirement, it means he wants to relax for the rest of his life. think of all the stress that would come with coachin a nba team, we all think we could do it, but we can’t cause if we could it wouldn’t be a job for professionals. sloan retires and you want to hang the blame on our best player, true thier is no i in team but when you have the best point-gaurd in the nba and we’re struggling, just remember that miami struggled at the beginning of the season and look were they are now.
Now more than ever we need to rally behind our jazz and all of its players, if we can do that i can see a championship in the future.
GO JAZZ!!!!!!! GO DWILL!!!!!!!!!
Good to see some other people feel how I feel. Great article with a lot of inside right here: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AposevAo3X8uK9ZhKxypGue8vLYF?slug=aw-sloanwilliams021111
At the end of the day I know this, Sloan was hard-headed, stubborn, competitive and fiery and for people to think one player, ONE PLAYER was able to influence his decision and get him out of Utah is the most ridiculous and absurd thing I’ve read in awhile. Everyone needs to quit blaming Deron and keep supporting our team! Get Loud Jazz Nation!!