Stockton & Malone's last game? (aka Kings win in 5)

[Andrew]

Well, the Kings are the first team to advance in the postseason, defeating the Jazz 111-91. Utah's famous duo of John Stockton and Karl Malone combined for 22 points, 5 rebounds and 9 assists, shooting a combined 8/24 from the field. Malone played 32 minutes, Stockton played 28.

C-Webb scored 26 and had 11 rebounds, Peja added 22 and top sixth man Bobby Jackson had 18 points and 6 assists as Sacramento took the series 4-1.

As has been the case for the last couple of years, there's talk about Malone, Stockton and Sloan being gone next season. This year, that scenario looks even more likely, but the Jazz being the Jazz, you never know. Since Utah's postseason is over and we have the other threads to talk about the rest of the first round, I thought I'd create a thread to discuss the future of the Jazz (and no, I'm not a Jazz fan).

If I may use another terribly overused cliche, I believe this is the sunset for the Stockon/Malone led Jazz. They've gone from title contenders to just another team that can make the playoffs every year. Obviously, they deserve more credit than that playing in the tough Western Conference, but like the Blazers, the Jazz are "merely" a good team that might be able to upset a higher seed, but will likely just qualify for the playoffs and earn an early exit.

Both Stockton and Malone are far from being washed up. Both can still play, and play well. But their numbers for the series against the Kings were very un-Stockton-and-Malone-like, with Stock averaging 11.2 ppg and 5.2 apg, and Malone averaging 19.6 ppg and 6.8 rpg. Not terrible numbers by any means, but not the performance we've come to expect from them in years past.

I think that it's not so much their skills that are lacking, but rather their desire. Though I've only seen the boxscores, their numbers suggest a half-hearted performance in Game 5, a must-win-to-stay-alive game. Additionally, the Kings won by an average of 14 ppg. Utah's only win was a 3 point victory in Game 3. Technically speaking, tt doesn't matter how many points you win by, a victory is a victory, but a larger margin of victory usually suggests one team is overmatched.

This time, I think it might be the end, for Stockton at least. It will be interesting to see if the dispute between Larry Miller and Karl Malone that became public this season will see the end of the Mailman's tenure with the Jazz, and if Stockton would consider playing elsewhere too. If you were to put me on the spot, I would predict retirement for Stockton, and either one more year for Malone, possibly in Utah, but perhaps even more likely elsewhere.

[Matthew]

Nice post! I'm not quite sure if this is the last season for the Stockton-Malone duo, but like MJ, i think it's time. It's just their time to go out. They have played so well, and I'd hate for them to goto different teams. They both deserved a ring.

As for Portland being "a good team that might be able to upset a higher seed" I have to disagree. Portland has the weapons to be a very good team, and they were going fine untill Pip and Anderson were injured. I think a healthy Blazer team could do alot of damage in the playoffs. But thats just speculation.

Would the Jazz be better off without Malone and Stockton next year? Yes The reason is salary Cap. They would be able to persue a quality free agent easily with the space of Malone's massive contract and assuming they get a prime time player (Like Dre Miller?) they would be in a good position to have a season of development with Deshawn Stevanson, Andre Kirilinko etc and have a decent draft and be right back at the playoffs.

[Andrew]

As for Portland being "a good team that might be able to upset a higher seed" I have to disagree. Portland has the weapons to be a very good team, and they were going fine untill Pip and Anderson were injured. I think a healthy Blazer team could do alot of damage in the playoffs. But thats just speculation.

Portland has the guns, but they don't have enough ammunition (I know, I'm all about cliches today ). They've got plenty of parts that make a title contender, but they don't seem to fix well together. Also, they've got a long history of self-destructing at critical times, even as far back as the early 90s, when they made the Finals twice in three years, losing both times. If Bob Costas monologues have taught us nothing else, it's that the Blazers always look better on paper than they do on the court.

Would the Jazz be better off without Malone and Stockton next year? Yes The reason is salary Cap. They would be able to persue a quality free agent easily with the space of Malone's massive contract and assuming they get a prime time player (Like Dre Miller?) they would be in a good position to have a season of development with Deshawn Stevanson, Andre Kirilinko etc and have a decent draft and be right back at the playoffs.

They'd have the cash, but would they be able to lure the players? Utah has not traditionally been a popular destination, for role players and stars alike. The Stock/Mailman era has to end sometime, and perhaps the sooner the better. Delaying the inevitable might lead to trouble rebuilding down the road - better to explore the options with the break up of the team such a strong possibility. Without Stockton and Malone's contracts eating up the cap, Utah would be able to pursue free agents and have some room to make trades, but would they be able to make the most of it?

[Matthew]

Heheh... Portland has the guns and ammunition, but they need to be able to have a holster, someone to aim and pull the trigger. They have all the offensive arsenal like you mentioned, but they need some role players willing to sacrifice and play hard and as a team. They have shown glimpses of that this season, so it might not be too far away when they put it all together for an entire season and become true title contendors like in 2000.

Oh and with Utah, I'd say they could lure back Andre Miller and a few other young, talented ball players. Money talks, and if Denver can be a player in the free agent market, I can't see how Utah can't be.

[Andrew]

They have all the offensive arsenal like you mentioned, but they need some role players willing to sacrifice and play hard and as a team.

That's been their problem the last few years, plenty of talent, but too much talent to fit into a starting five and/or 48 minutes of playing time - not to mention players who aren't willing role players being placed in that role. As I've said in the Mavs/Blazers thread, it's time for them to abandon the "great team on paper, hopefully translates into victories" idea.

Oh and with Utah, I'd say they could lure back Andre Miller and a few other young, talented ball players. Money talks, and if Denver can be a player in the free agent market, I can't see how Utah can't be.

True, the promise of minutes (and yes, money) can turn unappealing teams into a top choice for free agents looking to play elsewhere. But don't forget that Denver has a great chance of snaring LeBron and is in more of a rebuilding mode than Utah. If Stockton and Malone left, Kirilenko, Harpring and co would probably remain, meaning there's just two (very big) holes to fill, rather than an entire team to build. In other words, if you're not a good PF or PG, your chances of walking onto the Jazz and being the most logical first choice as a replacement are fairly slim.

[Matthew]

I think Portland got it right when they started Scottie at pg and trimmed the rotation down to Rasheed, Dale Davis, Anderson, Wells, Pippen, Patterson and Zach Randolph. Every player was getting minutes, they had a nix mix of role players and scorers and they were deeo with Sabonis, Stoudamire and Daniels backing up that rotation.

I dont think the Jazz are limited to just looking at a point guard or power forward. ANY kind of post player would help them. Maybe they should look in the direction of Olowakandi and Andre Miller. Olowkandi wants money money money and minutes, and if he was to sign with the Jazz I'm sure he would get both. Andre Miller would be the ultimate replacement for Stockton if there is such a thing, and he has a history in Utah so that would be logical for him to sign there. I doubt he, like all the decent Clippers, will be back in L.A. next season.

[Andrew]

Four fifths of the Clippers' starting lineup are free agents - Brand, Miller, Odom and Olowokandi. If the Jazz were able to sign all four, it might be a decent way of filling the void left by Stock and Malone.

With Stock and Malone gone, the Jazz will be some around $17 million under the cap. If they let a couple of players such as Carlos Arroyo go, they should be able to pick up a couple of big free agents (say, Miller and Olowokandi). As it is, I think they'll probably only be able to lure one big free agent and one above average/good second-fiddle type player (eg a Ron Mercer signing with Chicago kind of deal).

[Rens]

Juwan Howard would be a good consolidation price for Utah, if they could sign both him and Arenas, there might even be room left for another.

[Steve04]

Arenas is not a Utah type basketball player if Jerry Sloane stays.

[Matthew]

Howard would be a good "quick-fix" answer in Utah, but I think the Jazz would rather sign a younger player with more potential to develop, such as Olowkandi. Juwan has reached and passed his peak.

As for Gilbert Arenas, I also doubt he would be a good fir in Utah. He would like nice on paper, but he seems to be of a one on one player who likes to break down his man off the dribble, rather than using screens. If Utah did get him, I can't see him as their starting point guard. Maybe they could shift him to the shooting guard position where he wouldn't have the burdon of getting the whole team involved?

[Steve04]

And even then he does not seem to fit, I really dont picture him as a catch and shoot player, but I bet Reggie Miller would be a nice quick fix as well if they wanted to add a SG.

[Matthew]

Reggie would be nice, but he wouldn't sign there. He will want to goto a contendor or stay with Indiana. Speaking of the Pacers, will Jermaine sign elsewhere now Boston has eliminated them? As crazy as this season has been, I think the off season will have an equal amount of suprises

[Andrew]

Well, there's no need to speculate on Stockton's future, since he made it more or less official. But there's still the question as to what Malone will do.

He's said over and over he doesn't want to be part of a rebuilding process, so it's looks though he'll either go elsewhere or retire. It's also reported that the Jazz aren't willing to pay him what he claims he deserves, but I don't think there will be a team this offseason that has the cap space to pay him what he wants. The Jazz are the only team that can exceed the cap to pay him the money he wants, so he's going to have to give up something - wins, money, or a continued career in the NBA.