The Utah Jazz are coming from a bizarre season last year. Of their projected starting lineup for this season, there isn't a single player that played all the 82 games of the regular season. In fact, the starting unit missed a combined of 85 games and this is one of the reasons why the Jazz regressed 6 games, when compared to the previous season. However, injuries can't be the single explanation for such disastrous season. I remember that most of the injuries happened earlier in the season and the Jazz was still a pretty damn competitive team, however when all the key players were apparently healthy at the end of the season, the team started to seem completely lost on the court, specially on the road. I simply can't ignore the fact that the Jazz ended up with a 10-29 record on the road against Conference opponents and a dismal 2-17 SU record as underdogs.

They simply didn't have the toughness and the proper motivation of a top team and suddenly, they got past by the Denver Nuggets and the Portland Trailblazers in the Northwestern Conference. For this season, the Jazz still have to solve their most problematic issue: Carlos Boozer.

Boozer opened his mouth last season by saying he would opt out of his contract to earn a better contract anywhere else. However, injuries and a bad economy didn't help him and Boozer decided to say in Utah for his final year of the contract. The problem is that the organization and the fans somehow lost their confidence on him and as the Jazz have re-signed Paul Millsap, they are now well above the salary cap limit and I expect something being done during the season, with the Jazz looking to trade Carlos Boozer. If we forget all the off court issues involving Boozer, he is a pretty damn good player when focused in playing and staying healthy. In Utah, he accomplished back to back seasons averaging more than 20 points, grabbing plus 10 boards in each game, while shooting 55 % from the field. He will be always a great offensive thread because he can finishing around the rim with his off-hand and has a reliable mid range jump shot, the problem is his defense. Last season, the Jazz couldn't avoid their opponents to score easy points and that has started with the inability of the Jazz in protecting the paint.

The undisputed leader of this franchise is Deron Williams and although we all have to agree that he belongs to the PG elite, he is yet to make one single all star appearance. Last season was a painful season for Williams, as he missed 14 games and played through pain the whole season, but he still averaged 19.4 points per game and dished 10.7 assists per contest - second best of the league only behind Chris Paul. Also Williams is now their go-to guy player down the stretch for the Jazz and head coach Jerry Sloan counts on him to be the general floor of this team. If he can stay healthy during the season, I expect him to earn his first nod to the all star game.

Jerry Sloan's team was always known for their physical play down the post, as they consistently were on the top in points in the paint and in rebounding and this season, it should be no different. They re-signed Paul Millsap for the next 3 years in a well deserved $30 million contract. Millsap doesn't have the skills to be a superstar, but his hard work and work ethic makes him a pretty tough player, despite being a 6-8 forward. When Boozer went down last season, his minutes increased and he has showed the potential to one day be a 20-and-10 player. In December, he averaged 18.6 ppg, 11.5 rpg, while shooting almost 60 % from the field. The Jazz plans have him to be the starting power forward of the team and this season will be an affirmation season for him.

For the center position, the Jazz has Mehmet Okur and this will be the 6th season for him in Utah. He belongs to the rarity species of big players than can fire away far from the basket. This unique skill-set of his outside shooting ability allows the Jazz to spread the floor and Memo is a true part of this organization. In normal conditions, Okur is a 15/18 ppg and 7/8 rpg, with his value being unquestionable for the team. His backups Kosta Koufos and Kyrylo Fesenko are still in a learning process and the curiosity in this position is that a Turk, a Greek and a Ukrainian will compete for one position.

The Andrei Kirilenko's 2005-06  version would turn this Jazz team into a serious contender, however Kirilenko's offensive numbers significantly regressed since this season, while he is earning a Superstar's paycheck. Probably it is too hard to ask him to perform at such level however he's still one of the most versatile defenders in this league. He is a smart player and his combination of length and quickness makes him a potential playmaker in the defensive end of the floor. If the Jazz really wants to make some noise this season, then they need AK to perform at the same level as the organization pays him every month.

Ronnie Brewer was the most consistent Jazz player last season. He missed only one game and this says a lot in a depleted team. He shot above the 50% mark and compiled 13.7 points per game. He has also averaged nearly two steals per game from February on and his speed turns him into an explosive offensive threat for the Jazz in the fast transitions. His chemistry with Deron Williams is a vital piece for this team, as Williams can take advantage of Brewer's unique athletic characteristics.

The Jazz's bench performed nicely last season by averaging 31.3 points per game - 8th best of the league, but for a team which suffered so many injuries, depth may be a problem for this season.  Paul Millsap will be a force coming off the bench and he can be in the fight for the best 6th man award. C.J. Miles and Kyle Korver are good shooters, but they can't stay in front of their opponents, while Ronnie Price and Eric Maynor will take the duties to backup Deron Williams, while coach Sloan will be praying for the good health of Deron.

There was a time where the Blazers were in the bottom of the division, Kevin Garnett went to Boston, the Thunder struggled to even exist and the Nuggets simply couldn't defend anybody, with the Jazz marching victorious with some ease in the Northwestern Division. Well, those good times are gone for Utah and now the Northwestern Division has three teams which have the aspiration to win 50 games in the regular season. Health is a concern for the Jazz (but we can say that for the rest of the league too), but their off court distractions will be a big factor this season once again. However, they have the talent to be at the top once again and we can't forget how tough is for their opponents to play in Utah against the Jazz, coached by Hall of Famer Jerry Sloan.