Jazz Dec 2001 Archive

• Jazz sparkle vs. 76ers

  | Dec 30, 2001

  The Jazz provided plenty of fireworks Saturday night as they closed out the 2001 portion of their schedule - and offered a promising forecast for 2002.

• Jazz Give Sloan Win No. 800

  | Dec 30, 2001

  To Jerry Sloan, the 800th win of his NBA coaching career was not a big deal.

• Jazz close year with 4-win streak

  | Dec 30, 2001

  It's a shame the Jazz must soon ring in a new year, because they sure did end this one with a bang.

• Sixers still looking for answers

  | Dec 30, 2001

  In a season that has already produced numerous puzzling performances (see: Jazz), none is more puzzling than that of the Philadelphia 76ers.

• Jazz find support sitting on bench

  | Dec 29, 2001

  Perhaps it"s no coincidence that about the time Bryon Russell returned from an injury the Jazz bench started to click.

• Jazz Play Bench-Clearing Ball

  | Dec 29, 2001

  Scott Padgett and John Amaechi? The unlikeliest of catalysts in an unlikely comeback.

• Jazz break even

  | Dec 28, 2001

  Big night for the Jazz: They overcome a 19-point first-quarter deficit and some serious first-team lethargy to beat the Trail Blazers, and in the process they finally reach a .

• Bench blasts Blazers

  | Dec 28, 2001

  "The ups and downs of Portland's enigmatic season are no longer coming game-to-game.

• Jazz overcome 19-point deficit

  | Dec 28, 2001

  Steve Luhm writes, "Forget all of the other numbers: John Stockton's 20 points and 11 assists.

• Blazers' free fall continues

  | Dec 28, 2001

  Those fans and reporters in Portland are ready for something to take place with this team.

• Russell's recovery going well

  | Dec 27, 2001

  While Utah Jazz forward Bryon Russell says he hasn't quite recovered from his fractured pelvis, the eight-year NBA veteran proved Wednesday at the Delta Center he still has his game-time groove.

• Celtics' O'Brien still a Jazz believer

  | Dec 27, 2001

  Like many people, Boston Celtics coach Jim O'Brien doesn't understand the Utah Jazz's 14-15 record.

• Sloan bobblehead dubbed 'too sedate'

  | Dec 27, 2001

  A hot topic Wednesday night was the Jerry Sloan bobblehead doll, which was handed out to the first 5,000 lucky fans to enter the Delta Center.

• Jazz Outmuscle Celtics

  | Dec 27, 2001

  ALT LAKE CITY - The Celtics' maiden voyage out West this season got off to a rocky start.

• Jazz Notes: Russell's return rapid

  | Dec 27, 2001

  Bryon Russell isn"t all the way back, but he"s getting there in a hurry.

• Celts trip and fall: Lose to Jazz to open road swing

  | Dec 27, 2001

  With the Olympics about to descend on the city, the Celtics were looking to execute a basketball biathlon vs.

• Celtics not too Jazzed in Utah

  | Dec 27, 2001

  The Celtics' maiden voyage out West this season got off to a rocky start.

• Ban Won't Change Martin

  | Dec 27, 2001

  Kenyon Martin insists his hit on Karl Malone that resulted in the league imposing a one-game suspension, was nothing more than a hard foul.

• Utah salts it away

  | Dec 27, 2001

  The Celtics' maiden voyage out West this season got off to a rocky start.

• Making the best of it

  | Dec 27, 2001

  ALT LAKE CITY - Jim O'Brien heard the news yesterday.

• Jazz bench takes care of Celtics

  | Dec 27, 2001

  -- The Jazz can feel their swagger coming back after knocking off the top two teams in the Eastern Conference in consecutive games.

• Jazz Show Team Effort

  | Dec 27, 2001

  Bryon Russell has been hurt.

• Suspension no suprise, says Martin

  | Dec 27, 2001

  Kenyon Martin claims that he wasn't out to hurt Utah's Karl Malone, but he knew the league would not see it that way.

• Kirilenko out to make his mark

  | Dec 26, 2001

  Andrei Kirilenko grew up in St.

• Nets Take Shots at Malone

  | Dec 26, 2001

  If Karl Malone thought the nastiest shot he took from the New Jersey Nets came courtesy of Kenyon Martin on Saturday night, he was wrong.

• Opinions vary on Martin's malicious hit on Malone

  | Dec 24, 2001

  From the time Kenyon Martin cleaned Karl Malone's clock Saturday night, it seemed likely some sort of suspension and/or fine was in store.

• Nets' Thorn: Kenyon's Foul Was Fair Enough

  | Dec 24, 2001

  Rod Thorn knows when he sees a foul worthy of a suspension.

• Suspension for KMart?

  | Dec 24, 2001

  Flagrant Foul on Malone under review

• Scanlon Column: Amaechi Missing Magic

  | Dec 23, 2001

  Orlando is the only place John Amaechi has enjoyed any NBA success, mostly confined to the 1999-2000 season.

• New Tune for Old Jazz

  | Dec 22, 2001

  arl Malone used to wonder what it might be like.

• So-so Jazz in a yo-yo year

  | Dec 21, 2001

  Twenty-six games into the season, even the Jazz's sagest souls don't know what their team might do from one night to the next.

• Lewis out, Russell in

  | Dec 21, 2001

  The Jazz on Friday place guard Quincy Lewis on the injured list and activated swingman Bryon Russell for tonights game against the Boston Celtics.

• Jazz stars can still pick-and-roll

  | Dec 21, 2001

  When preparing his team for an opponent, Jim O'Brien never pays attention to records.

• Jazz need help from Kirilenko

  | Dec 21, 2001

  Andrei Kirilenko has struggled with his shooting in recent games, but coach Jerry Sloan is even more concerned with the rookie"s defense.

• Utah Falling Behind in Playoff Race

  | Dec 21, 2001

  If you wonder whether the struggling Jazz have what it takes to reach the playoffs, you are not alone.

• Malone, Stockton may still carry torch

  | Dec 20, 2001

  Salt Lake City's most famous hands look set to get hold of the Olympic torch before next February's Winter Games despite a spat about running in the desert.

• ESPN gives Jazz a "C"

  | Dec 20, 2001

  To borrow a line from one of our favorite scribes, no longer is anyone whispering about the Jazz getting old.

• Malone still carries torch for Olympics

  | Dec 20, 2001

  Karl Malone is concerned that corporate sponsors and celebrities, instead of athletes, are the focus of the 2002 Winter Olympics.

• Salt Lake's Famous Hands to Carry Olympic Torch

  | Dec 20, 2001

  Salt Lake City's most famous hands look set to get hold of the Olympic torch before next February's Winter Games despite a spat about running in the desert.

• The Magic Show

  | Dec 20, 2001

  The opportunity was prime for the Jazz to even their record for the first time this season.

• Still Uneven Jazz stay below .500

  | Dec 20, 2001

  Once and for all, the Jazz have lowered the bar.

• Win lifts Magic's spirits

  | Dec 20, 2001

  It was a night for the Orlando Magic simply to play basketball, without worries of who's hurt, who's healthy and who's ailing.

• Magic notes

  | Dec 20, 2001

  Former Magic center John Amaechi returned to Orlando on Wednesday night for the first time with his new team.

• Amaechi still bitter toward Magic

  | Dec 20, 2001

  John Amaechi, who in two seasons with the Orlando Magic became a surprising contributor and a disappointment a year later, said Wednesday he still is bitter about his free-agent departure this past summer.

• Lowest point yet

  | Dec 19, 2001

  Israel Gutierrez of the Palm Beach Post reports: Kendall Gill had just been called for a technical foul for giving a half-hearted shove to Jazz forward Andrei Kirilenko.

• Stoda: Heat have sunk below salvage level

  | Dec 19, 2001

  This, even by the low standards of this Heat season, was an abomination.

• Jazz blister ice-cold Heat

  | Dec 19, 2001

  One night, so much goes so wrong.

• Malone goes on the Olympic-torch defense

  | Dec 19, 2001

  Tim Buckley of the Deseret News writes that Karl Malone thinks the Olympics are more about the corporate sponsors and celebrities and less about the athletes: "Karl Malone says he is concerned that corporate sponsors and "celebrities," instead of athletes, have become the focus of the 2002 Winter Olympics and wonders whether Games organizers — not the Jazz star — are forgetting the true spirit of the event.

• Magic take on Jazz tonight in Orlando

  | Dec 19, 2001

  Magic host Jazz Who: Orlando Magic vs.

• Malone still delivers for Jazz

  | Dec 19, 2001

  The hardest-working man in professional basketball would like a minute with you.

• SLOC Says Malone Not In Opening Ceremony

  | Dec 19, 2001

  Jazz forward Karl Malone says he never meant to suggest that he was willing to carry the Olympic torch only if he was allowed to carry the flame into the Opening Ceremony.

• Heat's point total ties franchise low

  | Dec 19, 2001

  After watching the most grotesque display of this utterly revolting season, Heat coach Pat Riley probably feels like the Scrabble player who's willing to skip a turn in order to trade in all his letters.

• Jazz Win as Miami Melts Down

  | Dec 19, 2001

  Don't ask the Utah Jazz.

• Stevenson's Lawyers ask for time to work out deal

  | Dec 18, 2001

  Will this thing ever go to trial? DeShawn Stevenson's misdemeanor statutory rape case is being pushed back again, this time to give the lawyers time to work out a possible plea bargain.

• Kirilenko makes Bucher's top five

  | Dec 18, 2001

  Andrei Kirilenko is one of the top five rookies in the league, according to Ric Bucher of ESPN.

• Our Karl is quite the guy

  | Dec 18, 2001

  Karl Malone announced recently that he is willing to carry the torch into Olympic Stadium.

• Sorry, Malone — not into stadium

  | Dec 18, 2001

  Karl Malone might want to acclimate himself to the desert.

• Amaechi's feeling frustrated

  | Dec 18, 2001

  Jerry Sloan can't get inside John Amaechi's head, so the Jazz coach can't figure out what the frustrated British big man must be thinking.

• Heat past may ruin its future

  | Dec 18, 2001

  The distant view is that two teams for the aged will meet tonight at AmericanAirlines Arena.

• Tuesday: Jazz at Heat

  | Dec 18, 2001

  When/where: 7:30 p.

• Heat-Jazz: How mighty have fallen

  | Dec 18, 2001

  Fifty wins.

• Voters put Stockton, Malone at sixth best duo ever

  | Dec 18, 2001

  John Stockton and Karl Malone, Utah Jazz (3.

• Heat-Jazz: How mighty have fallen

  | Dec 18, 2001

  Fifty wins.

• Amaechi Returns Diminishing

  | Dec 18, 2001

  John Amaechi has considered the possibility, and it leaves him heartsick.

• Jazzing It Down

  | Dec 18, 2001

  The inevitable is finally on the doorstep, scythe in hand, unwilling to be put off any longer.

• Jazz meet Heat

  | Dec 18, 2001

  If misery loves company, it's appropriate for the disappointing Jazz and the struggling Heat to meet up tonight in Miami.

• Russell nearly ready to go

  | Dec 17, 2001

  Bryon Russell's return could come soon, but it won't be rushed.

• Jazz in the Wings

  | Dec 17, 2001

  Tuesday at Miami When: 5:30 p.

• Russell Returns to Practice for Jazz

  | Dec 17, 2001

  Jazz guard-forward Bryon Russell, on the injured list for a month after suffering a avulsion fracture of the pelvis, practiced Sunday night and is getting close to being activated.

• Trading season officially begins

  | Dec 17, 2001

  The unofficial start to the NBA trading season kicked off on Saturday when more than a quarter of the players in the league became eligible to be traded.

• Teasing Spurs Pull Out Win

  | Dec 16, 2001

  The Jazz's pre-Christmas trip started appropriately enough Saturday night at the Alamodome.

• DeShawn gaining more confidence

  | Dec 16, 2001

  With five straight starts under his belt this season, second-year pro DeShawn Stevenson seems to be feeling more and more comfortable in his new role as the Jazz's top shooting guard.

• Spurs wallop Jazz

  | Dec 16, 2001

  Opening a five-game road trip that covers four states and three different regions, the Jazz darn near completed a Texas-sized comeback Saturday night.

• Jazz's game isn't perfect, but it passes

  | Dec 15, 2001

  The Utah Jazz did not have its "A" game against the Trail Blazers on Friday night.

• Blazers sink even further, below .500

  | Dec 15, 2001

  If there was a scene that told the story here Friday night it was this: Timeout, 8:03 left in the game, and the Trail Blazers huddle, trailing 80-59 to the Utah Jazz.

• Jazz top Trail Blazers

  | Dec 15, 2001

  The opposition was missing two key players Friday night, but with struggles of their own to worry about, the Jazz weren"t about to show any sympathy.

• Jazz Roll Past Trail Blazers

  | Dec 15, 2001

  After spending two nights between games relaxing in Las Vegas, the Portland Trail Blazers crapped out in Utah.

• Jazz blaze

  | Dec 15, 2001

  Jerry Sloan often talks about playing forward, his way of saying put the past behind you and focus on the moment.

• Can We Count the Jazz Out?

  | Dec 15, 2001

  A couple weeks ago it looked like time to write the Jazz obit, the one lamenting the fact that for the first time since the 1985-86 season, Stockton-to-Malone wouldn't be in the playoffs.

• O'Connor still holding hope

  | Dec 14, 2001

  The Deseret News reports that even Jazz GM Kevin O'Connor isn't sure where his team's at: "At roughly the one-quarter mark of this NBA season, Kevin O'Connor doesn't sound anymore sure of where the Jazz are than the average fan.

• Blazers get a vacation on the way to Utah

  | Dec 14, 2001

  Blazer One, the luxurious jet that flies the Trail Blazers to road games, made a surprise landing late Tuesday night.

• Stevenson shines as a starter

  | Dec 14, 2001

  DeShawn Stevenson"s development as an NBA player wasn"t exactly in a stall the first year and a half after getting drafted, but his career did get a jump-start in the past week.

• Goodbye T-wolves, Hello Blazers

  | Dec 14, 2001

  After being spanked by one athletic, talented team, the Jazz face a clone tonight at the Delta Center.

• Minnesota Played Very Little Zone

  | Dec 13, 2001

  According to the Deseret News, Minnesota only played their patented zone defense on 12 or 13 possessions.

• Wolves play as if possessed

  | Dec 13, 2001

  There was a point in the third quarter Wednesday night when it took the Timberwolves six misses, six offensive rebounds and two out-of-bounds plays to score.

• Wolves outplay Jazz 98-87

  | Dec 13, 2001

  -- It was The Possession That Would Not End -- a Roger Corman title but as epic in proportion as a Cecil B.

• Jazz brushed back in bid to reach .500

  | Dec 13, 2001

  After taking four mini-steps forward, the Jazz took a giant leap backward Wednesday night.

• McHale Tutors Garnett - Minn/Utah Notes

  | Dec 13, 2001

  Tom McEachin of the Ogden Standard Examiner writes, "When Minnesota forward Kevin Garnett struggled through a shooting slump earlier this season, he didn"t have to go far for help.

• Jazz brushed back in bid to reach .500

  | Dec 13, 2001

  The Salt Lake Tribune reports, "After taking four mini-steps forward, the Jazz took a giant leap backward Wednesday night.

• Wolves test Jazz

  | Dec 12, 2001

  A four-game winning streak has allowed the Jazz to hold their heads a little higher, but they"re still in no position to brag.

• Small guys, big results for the Jazz

  | Dec 12, 2001

  Tim Buckley of the D-News writes, "The Jazz's decision to go small when they can is paying big dividends when they do.

• Jazz Zone In on T-wolves

  | Dec 12, 2001

  Two zones will collide tonight according to this report in the Salt Lake Tribune.

• Sloan's Spirits Boosted by Jazz's Play

  | Dec 12, 2001

  Gordon Monson of the Salt Lake Tribune writes, "Late Monday night, Jerry Sloan carried few burdens.

• Dallas-Utah Recap

  | Dec 11, 2001

  So playing forward meant some down-and-dirty physical play, a reliance on that same old Utah pair – Karl Malone and John Stockton – and an 18-1 flourish to end the game for a 107-98 Utah victory over the Mavericks on Monday.

• O'Connor Denies Malone-Howard Rumor

  | Dec 11, 2001

  Mark Cuban had denied the rumors that the Mavs would trade Juwan Howard for Karl Malone, but no one believed him.

• Home team showing signs of life

  | Dec 11, 2001

  Hey, maybe this Utah Jazz team, which was given up for dead a couple of weeks ago, is going to survive -- and perhaps even thrive -- after all.

• Jazz, Malone shine at line

  | Dec 11, 2001

  Midway through the second quarter, the Jazz were shooting 32 percent from the field and the hot-shooting Dallas Mavericks were pushing 60 percent.

• Jazz win rematch with Mavs

  | Dec 11, 2001

  Perhaps if Andrei Kirilenko had played for the Jazz last season, things might have been different.

• Late Utah run brands Mavs

  | Dec 11, 2001

  Seven months too late, the Jazz finished off the Mavericks.

• Jazz subdues Mavs

  | Dec 11, 2001

  In Utah the Jazz tried to turn this into just another game, not any kind of revenge match.

• Jazz, Malone shine at line

  | Dec 11, 2001

  According to the Ogden Standard Examiner, "Midway through the second quarter, the Jazz were shooting 32 percent from the field and the hot-shooting Dallas Mavericks were pushing 60 percent.

• Late Utah Run Brands Mavs

  | Dec 11, 2001

  According to the Salt Lake Tribune, "Seven months too late, the Jazz finished off the Mavericks.

• Mailman musters his game

  | Dec 10, 2001

  Amid swirling trade rumors and whispers of age finally catching up to Jazz star Karl Malone, the Mailman remained relatively quiet, letting his play on the court do his talking.

• Immediate future vital for Jazz

  | Dec 10, 2001

  If a week in mid-December can be critical for the NBA team, this one is for the Utah Jazz.

• Malone trade talk always big news

  | Dec 10, 2001

  Tim Buckley of the Deseret News goes over a timeline of the Karl Malone trade rumors and why he's likely to stay in Utah.

• Warriors cure for ailing Jazz

  | Dec 9, 2001

  After the Jazz scored their third straight victory by outlasting Golden State at the Delta Center on Saturday night, John Stockton was asked if he knew all along that Karl Malone would play despite a sprained right knee.

• Playing the Karl Malone Game

  | Dec 9, 2001

  There's a little game around here that's a gas to play, mostly because you never quite know what response you're going to get when you play it.

• Utah buries Golden State

  | Dec 9, 2001

  Their first genuine winning streak of the season has the Jazz feeling good about themselves.

• Warriors bruised, beaten by banged-up Mailman

  | Dec 9, 2001

  Now THAT looked like Karl Malone.

• Suddenly hot Jazz win again

  | Dec 9, 2001

  If the Jazz ever are to be an above-.

• Warriors-Jazz Recap

  | Dec 9, 2001

• Twice as nice

  | Dec 8, 2001

  On a Friday night when agent Dwight Manley declared that Karl Malone likely would finish his career in Utah, the Jazz finished off the Los Angeles Clippers.

• Jazz finally win 2 straight

  | Dec 8, 2001

  Six other times this season, the Jazz have tried to do what they again attempted Friday night: post a second straight victory.

• Kirilenko's far from cautious

  | Dec 7, 2001

  Even before Andrei Kirilenko played his first regular-season NBA game, Jazz coach Jerry Sloan paid the Russian rookie quite a compliment.

• Jazz thinking small

  | Dec 7, 2001

  The Jazz will have a new look tonight when they play the Clippers.

• Jazz looking to win two in a row

  | Dec 6, 2001

  Now that they've won one, the Jazz look to take a step they have not yet made this season: winning two in a row.

• Crotty's bomb was key to Jazz's win over Hornets

  | Dec 6, 2001

  The Utah Jazz players were wondering if they had what it takes to win close games.

• What Would Be in a Move for Malone?

  | Dec 5, 2001

  But the deal, admittedly, is tantalizing.

• Going rough, Jazz tough

  | Dec 5, 2001

  For once, they looked like they really wanted to win a close one.

• Small lineup, big payoff

  | Dec 5, 2001

  A journeyman backup point guard doesn't get many chances to make game-winning shots in the NBA.

• Best bet for Jazz? Team of geezers

  | Dec 5, 2001

  Lee Benson of the Deseret News says the reason the Jazz aren't championship contenders is their team is too old.

• Jazz use short lineup to pull out win

  | Dec 5, 2001

  The Jazz used Small Ball to mount a huge comeback and score a badly needed victory over the Charlotte Hornets.

• Stein: Malone Can Get Trade Done

  | Dec 5, 2001

  If Malone urges, he will go

• Crotty ices Jazz victory

  | Dec 5, 2001

  Karl Malone scored 22 points and John Crotty hit a crucial 3-pointer with 3.

• Hornets fall to Jazz, 104-100

  | Dec 5, 2001

  John Crotty hit a three-pointer in the closing seconds, sealing a Utah comeback and a 104-100 victory over the Charlotte Hornets Tuesday at the Delta Center.

• Sloan believes Jazz need confidence

  | Dec 4, 2001

  They are hardly the only problem.

• Hard work pays off for Collins

  | Dec 4, 2001

  The Ogden Standard-Examiner takes a look at Jarron Collins' journey from second round draft pick with little hope of making the team to the Jazz's starting center.

• Jazz Focus Attention On Hornets

  | Dec 4, 2001

  Karl Malone doesn't want to hear that the 6-11 Jazz must go 44-21 over their final 65 games to win 50 games this season.

• Vecsey: Trust Me!

  | Dec 4, 2001

  Hey Raef, are your bags packed?

• Finley Suspects Trade Talks

  | Dec 3, 2001

  Michael Finley speculates that there wouldn't be so much talk about a Juwan Howard-Karl Malone swap if there wasn't some truth behind it, according to Marc Stein of the Dallas Morning News.

• Nick Quickly Kiboshes Rumor

  | Dec 3, 2001

  Nick Van Exel got a phone call from Steve Francis asking him about Peter Vecsey's rumor that he would be traded to Golden State.

• Rose finishes strong to give Pacers a victory

  | Dec 2, 2001

  SALT LAKE CITY -- Jermaine O'Neal may never be able to explain how he missed 9-of-12 free throws but managed to hit his toughest shot Saturday.

• Jazz let another get away

  | Dec 2, 2001

  SALT LAKE CITY -- The Jazz lead the NBA in turnovers this season, which is another way of saying they"re tops at throwing games away.

• Investment in Malone too big to trade him

  | Dec 2, 2001

  The Deseret News reports that while sports is a business, you just don't go trading away a guy like Karl Malone.

• Jazz throw another one away

  | Dec 2, 2001

  Again, the Jazz were poised to win.

• Kirilenko not great, but not bad in first start

  | Dec 2, 2001

  Andrei Kirilenko didn't exactly make the most of his first NBA starting assignment Saturday night.

• Miller believes there's still hope for Jazz

  | Dec 2, 2001

  Rich Evans of the Deseret News reports that although his team isn't doing well, Jazz owner Larry Miller still thinks they can make the playoffs.

• O'Connor: Vescey story 'off the wall'

  | Dec 2, 2001

  The Deseret News reports that Kevin O'Connor's answer when asked about the newest Peter Vescey trade rumor for Karl Malone was a great big NO.

• Sloppy Pacers Escape With Victory Over Sloppier Jazz

  | Dec 2, 2001

  On a Saturday night of horribly sloppy NBA basketball, the strangest sight of all came moments after the Indiana Pacers had escaped the Delta Center with a 100-97 win over the fast-fading Jazz.

• For Jazz, dealing Malone is easier pondered than done

  | Dec 2, 2001

  Utah forward Karl Malone wants to finish his career with a contender.

• Donyell Marshall Out, But How Long?

  | Dec 2, 2001

  Donyell Marshall didn't dress for Utah's game on Saturday against the Indiana Pacers much to the surprise of most Utah fans.

• Vecsey Strikes Again; Jazz, Nuggets Deny his Trade Rumor

  | Dec 1, 2001

  Malone to ride into Dallas?

• Suns play all the angles

  | Dec 1, 2001

  From the Arizona Republic: Stephon Marbury borrows a line that is a mix of Al Davis and Vince Lombardi.

• Dim performance by Jazz

  | Dec 1, 2001

  From the Salt Lake Tribune: Sometimes, statistics lie.

• Malone responds to trade rumors

  | Dec 1, 2001

  Karl Malone spoke about the trade talks for the first time since Wednesday, when all this came up.

• Suns get hot in second half

  | Dec 1, 2001

  The Jazz didn't play together in the second half, but Phoenix did, reports Tim Buckley of the Deseret News: "Teams that play together often win together.

• Lots of Jazz fans dressed as empty seats

  | Dec 1, 2001

  The Jazz, who traditionally play in front of a packed Delta Center, are seeing more and more green these days.