Jazz fans may be at the end of their rope while enduring one of the more tumultuous seasons in franchise history. They've watched their Hall of Fame coach unexpectedly resign and ride his tractor into the sunset. They've seen their two-time All-Star point guard get dealt to the New Jersey Nets for promise. The potential return in the deal being in the form of a new point guard, a lottery pick, two draft picks and a cool $3 million cash. So while there might not be much to look back upon fondly or look forward to during the final weeks of the 2010-11 regular season, I still think there are reasons to believe the Jazz have a bright future.
Lets begin with coach Ty Corbin, and talk about a stacked deck. Could Corbin's first month on the job have been more difficult? His All-Star point guard was traded. His team has been hit with injuries. He's had to tinker with unconventional lineups, most notably in Utah's last two games before the All-Star break when he had nine players available and only one backup guard in Earl Watson. Corbin is the right guy for the job though. As a former NBA player, he knows the game and he learned how to coach from two great ones in Jerry Sloan and Phil Johnson. He has handled the adversity on the job in his first month exceptionally well. Before the Jazz left on their four-game road trip, he was asked if he's having fun on the job. His reply? "Ask me after a win." "It's been fun, though," Corbin said. "The guys have been tremendous. It's been frustrating not getting over the hump, but we're getting close. I knew it wasn't going to be easy. I'm looking forward to the change or the turnover of coming close in games to actually winning games." Corbin will do his part to make the Jazz a contender again. "I enjoy teaching," Corbin said. "I think that guys are responding well to it. It's just we need to have more success in order to feel better about what we're getting done."
Direct quotes brought to you by: Deseret News, Published: Saturday, March 12, 2011 9:33 p.m. MST
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