I really don’t think a lot of Jazz fans realize just how damn lucky we are.  After losing Stockton to Malone, it was going to years, if ever, that the Jazz would be restored to their glory days.  And yet just a few years later, here we are.  Look at other teams and how long some have been out of the playoffs or are still recovering.  You don’t have to look any further than the current opponent, the Golden State Warriors.  You have to go back to the 1993-94 season as the last time they made the playoffs.  But here we are a short few years later, with one of the most talented core group of players we’ve ever had.

I’ve always hated when they proclaim some player as the next Jordan or the next whoever.  You can’t compare Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer to Stockton and Malone.  They’re simliar but completely different.  Time will be the ultimate comparison.  But here’s the comparison I’d like to make, and that’s just how freakin’ lucky we are to have both of them.  Stockton and Malone were both relatively low picks for their greatness.  Stockton was chosen 16th and Malone 13th.  For these picks you have the all-time leader in assists and steals and you have the second leading scorer in NBA history.

And now, just a few years after their departure, we have two players who are legitimate superstars.  Williams has metamorphosed from backup PG to his current All-Star performance in the playoffs.  And should we get past GS, perhaps Utah will have a superstar that’s a household name and will bring the Jazz some national exposure.  Then we have Boozer, who now that’s healthy, has shown his true potential and the go-to guy.  There’s no one really like him right now.  Anyone smaller and he just pounds them into submission.  Anyone taller and he goes right around them.  He made Yao look like a clown in round 1.  And now it looks like he’s going to average 15-20 rebounds a game in round two.

And while they are not quite amongst the top ten individual stars in the league, collectively, they have to be one of the best 1-2 combinations out there.  And now they have probably the best supporting cast we’ve had in years, although Okur and AK are more than that.  And with the team fresh off back-to-back impressive wins, they’re brimming with confidence.  And with their continued play, they’re going to go far in the playoffs.

Getting back to my original point, I hope Jazz fans realize how lucky we are that we’re not having to wait 10+ years for another elite team.  And let’s hope we can keep Williams and Boozer together for the next 16+ years.