The Utah Jazz | as seen by Basketball John

First of all, congrats to Boozer for making the All-star team as a reserve.  There’s no doubt that he earned it this year.  I also liked this comment from Booz from this Siler column:

I wiped my tears off that night [draft night] and I vowed to prove them wrong

You can tell Boozer is still has a lot of hunger and is very grateful to be an AS.

But as a result of Boozer being picked, it caused Deron, who could arguably be more deserving, to be left out.  Instead, his spot went to Brandon Roy.  The only reasonable explanation for this is because the coaches feel like they have to have a representative from each of the teams with good records.  Roy (does anyone else read that to themselves as Wa?  As in Patrick Roy who played hockey for the Avalanche?  No?  Okay.) is no doubt putting up AS numbers this year, but Williams has him beat in assists, FG%, and steals.  And he’s virtually tied in points:

	Deron Williams Utah Jazz Position:  G Height:  6-3 Weight: 205 College: Illinois Player file | Team stats
2007-08 Statistics
PPG	19.1
RPG	3.0
APG	9.5
SPG	1.1
BPG	0.3
FG%	0.515
FT%	0.785
3P%	0.394
MPG	36.9
	Brandon Roy Portland Trail Blazers Position:  G Height:  6-6 Weight: 229 College: Washington Player file | Team stats
2007-08 Statistics
PPG	19.3
RPG	4.5
APG	5.6
SPG	0.9
BPG	0.2
FG%	0.460
FT%	0.785
3P%	0.338
MPG	37.3

I guess you call it the Mehmet Okur effect.  Even with the great start the Jazz had last year, all they could muster for AS appearance was Boozer.  When Carlos and other All-stars bowed out due to injury, Memo got in.  And not to say he wasn’t deserving, but he got the nod mainly because they felt that Utah had to have a rep.

Had the vote happened a month ago, I would have had no problem with Roy being picked of Deron.  But in my biased opinion, because of the above stats and the Jazz having a better record, Deron deserves the nod now.

So Williams got Wa’d, again.  And now we get to see how Deron responds.  The Jazz have games against the Wiz and the Griz coming up.  But the game I’m dying to see is the Hornets game come next week when we hopefully get to see Williams take it out on CP3.  It’s not really a revenge because Paul deserves to be there.  Let’s call it collateral damage.  Is a 40+ game plus a few three nailed in Paul’s mug too much too hope for?

We get to see Deron’s first game after the snub tonight though against the Wiz. They’ll be without Arenas still, but they still have All-stars Jamison and Butler.  Last year’s loss came as Arenas nailed the three at the buzzer.  The Wiz are a solid team, but seem to be all or nothing.  They got buried in their last game after a great win the game before.  So it’s hard to say which team will show up.  But with the Jazz being on the road (I’m still not a 100% believer yet), this one will probably be close in the end.  But if the Jazz play as well in the fourth as they have been, they should be able to pull this one out.

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More Jazz Links

• What to do with Almond? - I have more coming on this, but after another 50+ outburst, I don’t know how he can be kept in Orem.  Is CJ gone this month?
• The Jazz want some interior D - But this would be the worst trade they could make.
• Let’s give it another 15 years - And let’s see if they’re still together.
• Even the Jazz Hater said Deron got robbed
• A look at the second half for the WC
• Berri goes over Williams/Paul again
• The all-time assist leader