No Country for Old Men: A Utah Jazz Story.

[RMJH4]

Game 3 Utah Jazz @ Charlotte Hornets.

Game 3: Utah Jazz 109 - 98 Charlotte Hornets.



The Mailman has been delivering early on with a scorching 36.3ppg for the Jazz.

November 16th, 2002

Jazz Starters
J. Stockton
R. Bell
M. Harpring
K. Malone
G. Ostertag

Hornets Starters
B. Davis
D. Wesley
J. Mashburn
P. Brown
J. Magloire


Game Leaders
Pts - 38 - K. Malone (Jazz)
Rebs - 11 - N. Krstic (Jazz)
Asts - 8 - B. Davis (Hornets)
Stls - 3 - A. Kirilenko (Jazz)
Blks - 2 - M. Harpring (Jazz)

Player of the Game
K. Malone (Jazz)
38 pts, 10 rebs, 2 asts, 2 stls, 1 blk.

[RMJH4]

Game 4 Jazz @ Heat.

Game 4: Utah Jazz 79 - 98 Miami Heat.



Despite a good early start, Malone and the Jazz struggled in Miami in their first loss of the season.

November 19th, 2002

Jazz Starters
J. Stockton
R. Bell
M. Harpring
K. Malone
N. Krstic

Heat Starters
T. Best
E. Jones
C. Butler
M. Allen
A. Mourning


Game Leaders
Pts - 29 - E. Jones (Heat)
Rebs - 15 - M. Harpring (Jazz)
Asts - 11 - T. Best (Heat)
Stls - 3 - J. Stockton (Jazz)
Blks - 3 - A. Mourning (Heat)

Player of the Game
E. Jones (Heat)
29 pts, 8 rebs, 1 ast, 2 stls.

[RMJH4]

Game 5 Utah Jazz vs Houston Rockets

Game 5: Houston Rockets 104 - 109 Utah Jazz



Harprings 15 points were vital in a close home opener for the Jazz tonight.

November 26th, 2002

Rockets Starters
S. Francis
C. Mobley
G. Rice
K. Thomas
Y. Ming

Jazz Starters
J. Stockton
D. Stevenson
M. Harpring
K. Malone
G. Ostertag


Game Leaders
Pts - 30 - S. Francis (Rockets)
Rebs - 11 - K. Malone (Jazz)
Asts - 8 - S. Francis (Rockets)
Stls - 3 - M. Harpring (Jazz)
Blks - 3 - Y. Ming (Rockets)

Player of the Game
J. Stockton (Jazz)
21 pts, 3 rebs, 7 asts, 1 stl.

[RMJH4]

NBA Standings December 1st 2002.

NBA Standings - Updated: Dec 1, 2002
EAST PLAYOFF RACE	W	L	GB
Philadelphia 76ers	3	1	0
New Jersey Nets	3	1	0
Milwaukee Bucks	4	2	0
Detroit Pistons	4	2	0
Bsoton Celtics	3	2	0.5
Miami Heat	3	2	0.5
Orlando Magic	4	3	0.5
Chicago Bulls	1	1	1.0
New York Knicks	2	2	1.0
Cleveland Cavaliers	1	1	1.0
Charlotte Hornets	3	3	1.0
Indiana Pacers	2	2	1.0
Atlanta Hawks	3	3	1.0
Toronto Raptors	2	2	1.0
Washington Wizards	2	3	1.5
WEST PLAYOFF RACE	W	L	GB
Dallas Mavericks	5	1	0
Phoenix Suns	3	0	0.5
Utah Jazz	4	1	0.5
Sacramento Kings	5	3	1.0
Golden State Warriors	2	1	1.5
Minnesota Timberwolves	3	2	1.5
Seattle Supersonics	3	2	1.5
San Antonio Spurs	1	1	2.0
LA Clippers	1	2	2.5
Portland Trailblazers	2	4	3.0
Houston Rockets	2	4	3.0
LA Lakers	1	5	4.0
Denver Nuggets	0	5	4.5
Vancouver Grizzlies	0	6	5.0

[RMJH4]

Game 6 Utah Jazz @ Seattle Supersonics.

Game 6: Utah Jazz 96 - 101 Seattle Supersonics.



Payton and Stockton had a battle for the ages on both ends. Rashard Lewis got the Win for Seattle though.

December 1st, 2002

Jazz Starters
J. Stockton
R. Bell
M. Harpring
K. Malone
G. Ostertag

Supersonics Starters
G. Payton
B. Barry
R. Lewis
R. Evans
P. Drobnjak


Game Leaders
Pts - 32 - K. Malone (Jazz)
Rebs - 10 - K. Malone (Jazz)
Asts - 11 - G. Payton (Supersonics)
Stls - 3 - J. Stockton (Jazz)
Blks - 3 - A. Kirilenko (Jazz)

Player of the Game
R. Lewis (Supersonics)
26 pts, 9 rebs, 1 ast, 2 stls.

[RMJH4]

Game 7 Utah Jazz vs Orlando Magic.

Game 7: Orlando Magic 90 - 121 Utah Jazz



Malone went to work in the post tonight, and that opened up space for Harpring outside.

December 8th, 2002

Magic Starters
D. Armstrong
T. McGrady
G. Hill
P. Garrity
S. Kemp

Jazz Starters
J. Stockton
R. Bell
M. Harpring
K. Malone
N. Krstic


Game Leaders
Pts - 30 - M. Harpring (Jazz)
Rebs - 11 - M. Harpring (Jazz)
Asts - 11 - J. Stockton (Jazz)
Stls - 3 - M. Harpring (Jazz)
Blks - 3 - A. Kirilenko (Jazz)

Player of the Game
M. Harping (Jazz)
30 pts, 11 rebs, 2 asts.

[RMJH4]

Game 8 Utah Jazz @ Portland Trailblazers.

Game 8: Utah Jazz 96 - 101 Portland Trailblazers.



Andrei Kirilenko came up big tonight with 20 pts, 12 rebs, 4 steals and a block. His second game in a row with 20 points scored.

December 12th, 2002

Jazz Starters
J. Stockton
M. Harpring
A. Kirilenko
K. Malone
N. Krstic

Trailblazers Starters
D. Stoudemire
D. Anderson
S. Pippen
R. Wallace
A. Sabonis

Game Leaders
Pts - 26 - K. Malone (Jazz)
Rebs - 12 - A. Kirilenko (Jazz)
Asts - 5 - D. Stoudemire (Trailblazers)
Stls - 4 - A. Kirilenko (Jazz)
Blks - 3 - A. Sabonis (Trailblazers)

Player of the Game
A. Kirilenko (Jazz)
20 pts, 12 rebs, 4 stls, 1 blk.

[RMJH4]

Game 9 Utah Jazz @ Phoenix Suns

Game 9: Utah Jazz 106 - 90 Phoenix Suns.



Master met the student tonight. Malone almost had a triple double tonight as he went up against Rookie Amare Stoudemires 17 and 16 double double. Jazz's experience prevailed

December 15th, 2002

Jazz Starters
J. Stockton
M. Harpring
A. Kirilenko
K. Malone
N. Krstic

Suns Starters
S. Marbury
A. Hardaway
S. Marion
A. Stoudemire
J. Voskuhl

Game Leaders
Pts - 25 - J. Stockton (Jazz)
Rebs - 12 - K. Malone (Jazz)
Asts - 10 - S. Marbury (Suns)
Stls - 4 - S. Marion (Suns)
Blks - 3 - S. Marion (Suns)

Player of the Game
K. Malone (Jazz)
17 pts, 12 rebs, 9 asts.

[RMJH4]

Game 10 Utah Jazz @ New York Knicks

Game 10: Utah Jazz 81 - 76 New York Knicks.



Kirilenko continued his rise tonight, with another solid performance of 10 pts, 9 rebounds, 1 steal and 3 blocks in a big Jazz win.

December 19th, 2002

Jazz Starters
J. Stockton
M. Harpring
A. Kirilenko
K. Malone
N. Krstic

Knicks Starters
H. Eisley
A. Houston
L. Sprewell
A. McDyess
B. Reeves

Game Leaders
Pts - 19 - K. Malone (Jazz), L. Sprewell (Knicks)
Rebs - 11 - N. Krstic (Jazz)
Asts - 9 - J. Stockton (Jazz)
Stls - 3 - L. Sprewell (Knicks)
Blks - 3 - A. Kirilenko (Jazz)

Player of the Game
K. Malone (Jazz)
19 pts, 6 rebs, 5 asts, 3 stls.

[RMJH4]

Game 11 Utah Jazz @ Toronto Raptors

Game 11: Utah Jazz 98 - 110 Toronto Raptors.



Raja Bell played big minutes tonight, but like all others failed to slow Vince Carter who 30 points.

December 22nd, 2002

Jazz Starters
J. Stockton
M. Harpring
A. Kirilenko
K. Malone
N. Krstic

Raptors Starters
A. Williams
V. Carter
M. Peterson
J. Williams
A. Davis


Game Leaders
Pts - 31 - K. Malone (Jazz)
Rebs - 9 - A. Kirilenko (Jazz)
Asts - 11 - A. Williams (Raptors)
Stls - 3 - A. Williams (Raptors)
Blks - 3 - N. Krstic (Jazz)

Player of the Game
K. Malone (Jazz)
31 pts, 6 rebs, 3 asts, 2 blks.

[RMJH4]

Game 12 Utah Jazz @ LA Clippers

Game 12: Utah Jazz 98 - 90 LA Clippers.



Matt Harpring shot well tonight enroute to 13 points and 11 rebounds.

December 25th 2002

Jazz Starters
J. Stockton
M. Harpring
A. Kirilenko
K. Malone
N. Krstic

Clippers Starters
A. Miller
C. Maggette
Q. Richardson
L. Odom
E. Brand

Game Leaders
Pts - 20 - K. Malone (Jazz)
Rebs - 12 - A. Kirilenko (Jazz)
Asts - 9 - J. Stockton (Jazz)
Stls - 3 - L. Odom (Clippers)
Blks - 3 - E. Brand (Clippers)

Player of the Game
K. Malone (Jazz)
20 pts, 11 rebs, 2 asts, 1 blk.

[RMJH4]

NBA Standings 1st January 2003.

NBA Standings - Updated: Jan 1, 2003
EAST PLAYOFF RACE	W	L	GB
Indiana Pacers	8	2	0
New Jersey Nets	6	3	1.5
Detroit Pistons	6	3	1.5
Milwaukee Bucks	7	4	1.5
Philadelphia 76ers	7	4	1.5
Atlanta Hawks	6	5	2.5
Orlando Magic	7	6	2.5
Chicago Bulls	5	5	3.0
Charlotte Hornets	6	6	3.0
Toronto Raptors	5	5	3.0
Washington Wizards	7	9	4.0
Boston Celtics	5	7	4.0
Cleveland Cavaliers	4	6	4.0
New York Knicks	5	8	4.5
Miami Heat	3	7	5.0
WEST PLAYOFF RACE	W	L	GB
Dallas Mavericks	8	2	0
Utah Jazz	9	3	0
Golden State Warriors	6	2	1.0
Phoenix Suns	6	4	2.0
Sacramento Kings	8	6	2.0
Minnesota Timberwolves	5	4	2.5
Seattle Supersonics	5	4	2.5
San Antonio Spurs	6	5	2.5
Portland Trailblazers	5	5	3.0
LA Clippers	3	4	3.5
LA Lakers	4	6	4.0
Houston Rockets	4	8	5.0
Vancouver Grizzlies	5	11	6.0
Denver Nuggets	3	11	7.0

[RMJH4]

Award Races January 1st 2003.

Award Races January 1st 2003.

[RMJH4]

Chapter 13: Past, Present and Future.

Chapter 13: Past, Present and Future.

So with 2002 in the books its time to have a look at how I am going to work with this roster going forward. If we can keep this run up, things are looking really good for this season anyway. Karl as playing at an MVP level and Stockton is looking like an All Star again. Greg Ostertag is really running on fumes for us though. Luckily Nenad Krstic is out of the blocks quickly. He is now our starting center and has had several double doubles. I really think this has had a big impact on Malone's early play, as he feels he can trust the young guy to have his back in the post. Krstic is in the running for Rookie of the Year and this is delighting us no end.

The other rookie Darius Songaila has been ok in short spells. He's a big guy and very rarely does anything wrong. 4 years in college will do that for you. He can spell Karl for about 4-8 minutes which is all we need for now. Kirilenko has been a revelation. His form has been on the up now, and he is in the running for 6th man of the year too. He has started a few games and this has been equally good for us, we move Matt to the 2 spot and we have a really big lineup.

Do we have enough to win the title? I am not sure but we have had some good progress so far this year. Raja and DeShawn are playing really well at the 2 guard spot, and they have their work cut out as Matt can play there too effectively. We have a lot of competition for wing spots and so far it's kept everyone on their toes.

I've got to keep working the phones anyway and see what deal's present theirselves over the next few weeks. Their are a few players entering the last year of their contracts around the league so we could prize some of them away via trade yet. We are about $9 million over the cap this year with $49,897,044 committed with a $40,271,000 Salary Cap.

Next year we drop down to $23,000,000 approximately with Karl, John and a few of our smaller contracts expiring. If we don't resign them by season end that is.

The cap for next season is projected to be $43,840,000. So things are looking up. But I've got to play it smart. Karl and John won't be happy to rebuild if things don't work out this year. The NBA draft this summer is stacked with some fantastic prospects in Lebron, Carmelo and Dwayne Wade to name a few. If I can pick up another draft pick I will, but it's a balancing act between win now and build for the future.

There is no reason to think we can't continue this run in the Western Conference with some small moves. Maybe just maybe standing Pat will work, but I am not convinced of that. I do think we need a little more scoring. Our defense has been incredible so far.

We have a good number of trade assets to use though so I will keep these in mind.

Draft Picks:
1st Rd 2003.
1st Rd 2004.
1st Rd 2005.

Expiring Contracts:
Karl Malone - $19,250,000
John Stockton - $7,870,000
DeShawn Stevenson - $952,000
Scott Padgett - $612,000
Mark Jackson - $1,030,000
Darius Songaila - $473,000 (+2 Team Option)

We have a number of players that are only committed for two seasons:

Raja Bell
Greg Ostertag
Carlos Arroyo
Jarron Collins
Nenad Krstic (+1 Team Option)

Finally long term contracts:
Matt Harpring - 4 Years


Possible Trade Targets:
Latrell Sprewell - SF - Knicks
Antoine Walker - PF - Celtics
Michael Finley - SF - Mavericks
Theo Ratliff - C - Hawks
Toni Kukoc - SF - Bucks
Tyson Chandler - C - Bulls
Eddie Jones - SG - Heat
Grant Hill - SF - Magic

[kibaxx7]

Re: No Country for Old Men: A Utah Jazz Story.

Good luck here, my friend! After '14, I think 2K11 is up there with the best of them.