UT Jazz: Why can't Jazz attract free agents?
by iLoveBooks100per on May 28, 2009 11:04 AM MDT
11 comments
Why can't Jazz attract free agents? Why won't you see LeBron James or Kobe in Jazz uniform? Why do you hear players openly criticizing the Jazz.
"I hate the city of Utah more than any other in the NBA ."
-- Dirk Nowitzki, star forward of the Dallas Mavericks
There are other small cities that have manged to attract free agents. SLC is less than 2 hours from Vegas.
Is it because of the Mormons / LDS?
What does the state of Utah lack?
Is this just a myth?
Please voice your opinion.
(Note: This poll is slightly biased as most of the poll takers will probably be a Jazz fan).
All comments are the opinion of the commenter and not necessarily that of SLC Dunk or SB Nation.
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Right after the Jazz marketing team starts their Deron Williams campaign, they need to start one with the Jazz players showing all of the cool stuff to do in the SLC and other highlights. Then they need to go on a tradeshow-type tour around the country at NBA events and get the word out.
It won’t change things overnight, but being out there is a good start. I don’t know if any of this conflicts with the tampering rules or not though.
by Basketball John on May 28, 2009 2:34 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
All the cool things are against their contracts
A lot of NBA stars are prohibited from skiing, snowmobiling and other outdoor adventures that make Utah attractive.
I'll make it coach.
by MTN on May 29, 2009 4:45 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Its gotta be Jerry....
I mean if we cant attract the likes of artest, amare, and ben gordon i believe it will be because of their own style of play that Jerry just won’t change. 20+ years of the same offense has to go…all but the Lakers who run the triangle the rest is the run and gun offense letting players improvise and create their own plays. The Jazz will won’t have a superstar for a long time because in Jerry’s O…there ie Zero creativity and guys like T-Mac want to drop 30+ on any given night. Also read the John Hollinger ESPN articles, 3’s win titles and it’s the new trend in the NBA and the Jazz simply couldn’t adapt after Stockton and Malone years and recently the Western Conference a few years ago.
When we play the game like we're suppossed to play it, it is pretty easy. Making the extra pass, making the simple play, it's not about between your legs, behind your back, and all of that, it's just about scoring the bucket.
-Karl Malone
by Hawks5JoshSmith on May 28, 2009 3:18 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
I'm glad it keeps T-Mac and the like away
I'll make it coach.
by MTN on May 29, 2009 4:45 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
I still remember...
Well, kind of remember—the brain’s a little fuzzy these days—but the Jazz were either trying to deal for, or trying to sign Derek Harper. He wanted no part of it. When asked why not, he said, “You go live in Utah.”
Rony Seikaly refused to come here too, which nixed a trade. (I say “here” as if I actually live “here.” Or if I’ve ever been “here.” Which I have not.) And that was when Utah was good.
This team has, historically, had a problem of attracting people. Some of that may be on Sloan now, but I doubt it’s as much as you think. I think it has to do more with the stigma carried by the state (Unofficial motto: “Whole Lotta Honky, Not A Lot of Tonk”.)
Maybe you guys need to get a roller coaster or something.
Before each game, please remember to feed the bats.
by Cool Hand on May 28, 2009 7:23 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
I know Barkley has stated that he wanted to come play for Sloan
There was another PF here at the time though. I think some are turned off by Sloan, but I think the majority would like to play for a good coach and team.
It’s the Utah stigma I believe that has the biggest impact. I never read anything about it, and this is pure speculation, but I imagine that Deron might have been a little disheartened that he got drafted by Utah. But now he’s a huge contributor in the community and loves it here. I wonder how much he can be used to bring other FAs here.
Dee Brown must have felt the same way, but even though he didn’t leave under the best of terms, he enjoyed Utah.
by Basketball John on May 28, 2009 10:35 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Korver has said as much a time or two, also.
He was worried about coming here and had some friends make fun of him and stuff, but then he bought a house here and his brother moved out to Utah to live with him and such. The city gets a bad rap. I think a part of all of those options on the poll are a little bit true and then the stigma that comes with Utah just amplifies all of them.
The more you try to erase me, the more that I appear.
by clarkpojo on May 29, 2009 5:46 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't even think this has any truth...
Just because years ago Harper and Seikaly didn’t want to play in Utah, Utah gets an unfounded rep. Today, the biggest names (i.e.) might not want to come here because its a small market, but they wouldn’t go to 75% of the teams. Who has the Jazz thrown money at who refused to come here for any reason other than getting a better offer? If anything, the Jazz are the picky ones, who more or less insist on “character” guys.
by Frank5 on May 29, 2009 10:02 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Who has the Jazz thrown money at who refused to come here for any reason other than getting a better offer?
There’s really no way to tell. There are all sorts of negotiations that go on behind closed doors and on private phone calls that never reach the media. I have no doubt that there are a lot of free agents the Jazz have tried to court that, if they didn’t refuse to come, at the very least drove up the price to sign. And maybe that played a part in why the Jazz haven’t made as many offseason moves as some other teams.
That’s speculation on my part, but I truly believe there’s a “Utah tax” in play that KOC and the Jazz have to battle with.
Uh, do you think you could draw me like a ninja?
by Shums on May 29, 2009 6:49 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, you probably have a point there.
And that might have a bit to do with the coaching staff as well – Sloan would have (rightfully) smashed a chair over the chicken-dancing-JR Smith’s head the other night. It might have to do with the offensive system…. swing players aren’t featured in Utah and alot of there tends to be more good swing players (thus more swing free agents) in the NBA then other positions. OK, I rescind my previous comment.
by Frank5 on May 30, 2009 10:18 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
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