Kevin O'Connor, Utah Jazz General Manager on this years team, "High character [players] are great. At times, necessary. But not everyone on the roster can be a Boy Scout. Boy Scouts don't win games."
This past Thursday, the Jazz signed All-Star veteran Josh Howard, the exact opposite of a trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent 12 year old. Howard has admitted to frequent marijuana use and in 2010 he was too hung over to play and was traded to the Wizards a couple weeks later.
Jazz point guard, Devin Harris played with Howard in Dallas from 2004 through 2008 and led his team to the Finals in 2006. In meeting with the media this morning, Josh said he prayed about coming to Utah (get in line), and felt really good about this opportunity. He's coming off successful knee surgeries and should be able to fill Utah's gaping hole at the Small Forward spot.
In training Camp this week, the Jazz also brought in Jamaal Tinsley, the soon to be 34 year old point guard who spent most of his NBA tenure with the Indiana Pacers. His notorious attitude problems have plagued him on the court while Tinsley was involved in three late night shootings over a 14 month period in 2007-08. After a stint with in the D League, Jamaal is ready to contribute again on the NBA level.
The signing of Josh Howard, leaves a little to no chance of Andrei Kirilenko returning in a Jazz uniform. This marks the official end of the Stockton-Malone era as AK was the only player remaining from the early 2000's.
There's no Jerry Sloan, no marquee player to plaster on I-15, and no promise of a winning season. However, I think this is the most important and interesting season in the storied history of the Utah Jazz. Can the promising young players adapt to a jam packed schedule? How will the Jazz deal with the minutes of veterans while giving the rookies opportunities to get better? Most importantly, can they stay healthy and give themselves a chance to make a run in the playoffs?
Only time will tell as NBA basketball is back in Salt Lake City.
