2008-2009 Finish: 34-48

What went well

Before the season started, the Jazz set about assembling a nice competative roster. In came young PG Mike Conely to replace the aging and expensive Jason Terry. The talented scoring machine, Kevin Martin, re-signed for 5 years, surely looking like the franchise's gun player. Then came a move that could either be a master stroke or a disaster - veteran star Tracy McGrady was brought in for aging Peja Stojakovic and the expensive Richard Jefferson. If McGrady had it in him to stay healthy, who knows how strong this back court could be. With Scola and Brad Miller up front, it was a nice looking starting 5. But then 7 weeks into the season, the Jazz decided the McGrady risk was too high and he was sent, with Scola to the Trailblazers for Zach Randolph, Andres Nocioni and young big man JaVale McGee. While Randolph may not be everyone's cup of team, he's certainly a guy who can pure in the points and make his presence felt. What a timely move - McGrady would only play 8 games for the Blazers the rest of the season - Utah dodged a bullet. It was a nice balanced roster. Things were looking comfortable - maybe not for a championship, but certainly a playoff run - and they were certainly in the mix in the early stages of the season

What went bad

It may look good on paper, but the Jazz had some troubles transferring that to the court. Their main man Kevin Martin went down injured and missed much of the season. Zach Randolph too had a troubled season missing a bucket load of games. Things had turned sour. Its a good thing McGrady wasn't still around or there would have been no room left in the Utah franchise player hospital ward. With things looking down, Brand Miller was sent packing in exchange for a few questionable contracts. What had started off looking so promising had turned to the injury ravaged season from hell.

But the Jazz stuck it out and finished with a respectable 34-48 season, certainly not enough to make the playoffs (but only 4 wins away from 8th seed). It was back to the drawing board for Utah - time to look ahead and hope for a nice draft pick - and that they got.

Star

- Kevin Martin, G -

Hmmmm - yes its hard to call a guy who only played a bit over half the season a star, but while he was healthy the Jazz were in the race. For the Jazz to step up this coming season they'll need Kevy to be on the court alot more. With Randolph inside drawing attention, it should open some space outside for Martin to weave his magic.


The Encouragement Award

- JaVale McGee, C -

Yes, Brad Miller and Zach Randolph put up better numbers, bu McGee played above his weight. A mid-first round draft pick with some question marks over his ability - but when the chips were down and the Jazz resembled more of a hospital ward than a basketball club, McGee put up near double-double numbers.


Goat
- injuries –

This team needs to find some health. If they can get their talent all on the floor at the same time they could really make some noise in the western conference. But last season saw far too much basketball ability on the bench for far too long. Someone buy these guys some vitamins.


Looking to the future

The silver lining at the end of a poor season was a very nice draft lottery. The Jazz scored the #2 pick - sure it was a draft where you really wanted first pick, but no one ever turns their nose up at #2. It was hard to tell who was the 2nd best prize, but the Jazz picked James Harden - possibly a strange pick considering they had Kevin Martin on the books, but a solid pick no doubt Possibly Tyreke Evans could have been a better option - but it all meant little when they traded Harden for the athletically gifted Rudy Gay when the Knicks decided to shed some salary. Gay will be a great fit for this team. Martin-Gay-Randolph are a gifted starting core who have the skills to trouble any other team in the league.

Andres Nocioni and his reasonably large contract were shipped of for some backcourt depth - another nice move. But then in a surprising move JaVale McGee was moved, along with the Jazz's first round pick, for Joel Przybilla and Wilson Chandler. The Jazz did dump Mo Pete in the deal and Chandler will be nice depth but its hard to say Przybilla is a better option than McGee.

Unfortunately for the Jazz, Kevin Martin is once again looking at an injury battle. If they can get him healthy and on the floor for a good stint, their starting 5 will cause headaches for many teams. Gay's athleticism, Randolph's strength inside and Martin's outside touch would be a formidable force. Lets hope for the Jazz fans they get to see alot of this group this season.

Money-wise they Jazz are stuck well into the luxury tax by $4m+. That situation might not improve in a hurry with Gay in the last year of his contract. Still winning is the best medicine and if their talented roster can get them into the playoffs this season, the luxury tax won't be making anyone miss any sleep.