That is pretty much how the games between these two teams goes: Lakers get up by double digits, Jazz make a run and close the gap (occasionally taking the lead), and then the Lakers big men/Kobe hit the Jazz in the jugular and send them into a downward spiral of missed threes, forced shots, and turnovers. Sad to see such a potent team fizzle out at the most important time of their season, which brings this back to the off-season questions.
Will Carlos Boozer stick around?
I am torn. He is great during the regular season, but when it comes to the playoffs he has the tendency to shrivel-up and complain to the refs more than go after the basketball. Perhaps his shrinkage is in part due to him being placed at the Center position where he is just too short to compete. Strange to say someone who is 6'8" as too short, but for the C position it is the case.
What draft position will the Jazz get in the lottery?
With rights to the New York Knick's first round draft position the Jazz are currently sitting at the #9 position in the lottery, though that can change if fate deems it so. Will the Jazz get lucky and move up a couple spots?...would be nice to see, but certainly not counting on it.
What will happen to Korver, Matthews, Fesenko, Gaines, and Jeffers?
Korver has indicated he wants to stay in Utah, though does Utah want to keep him? Certainly an excellent shooter (on occasion), but is a defensive liability.
Matthews is one of the bright spots at the end of this playoff season, showing that he can play fairly solid defense (though Kobe torched him a number of times, but that is a rough assignment for a rookie). He can hit the three-ball and he has shown an ability to drive the lane and hit free-throws. Jazz should keep him, but how much will they pay?
Fesenko is a beast, but reminds me too much of Ostertag. Size is not everything, especially when you cannot hit free-throws/anything outside of about 5". Decent backup, but keep either Fesenko or Koufos...no need for both.
Gaines/Jeffers are still too raw to gauge at this point, though Gaines did pour in 7 points in the final 2 minutes of game 4 (when the Lakers were asleep). Jeffers looks promising, but needs more minutes. The pair should command less than $1.5 million, probably worth keeping around.
How are the Jazz going to revamp themselves to compete with taller, longer teams?
For the Jazz to reach the next level (WCF or Finals, not to mention Champions) they need to make some changes. Okur is going to be out for the first part of next season and is not a "big man", he is just tall. Boozer is a question mark (though Millsap looks like a nice replacement if he does leave), and there is a desperate need for some size in the paint. At the #9 position in the draft there a couple of players that looks like a decent fit (in order of my personal preference, if they are still available): Cole Aldrich from Kansas (6'11" with a 7'4" wingspan), Hassan Whiteside from Marshall (7'0"), Demarcus Cousins from Kentucky (6'11"), and lastly Donatas Motiejunas from Lithuania (7'0", though his game mirrors Nowitski, which is good and bad). Any one of these players would be a great signing for the Jazz, for now it is just a waiting game.
Brightest point of the season ending?
I get my nights back! The 10:30pm tip-offs (with 1:30-2am conclusions) have been rough. I can watch the highlights now, perhaps some of the Finals (depending on the teams...do not really care to watch the Lakers anymore, unless they are down in the series), but I will not have an ongoing date of staying up late.
...well, until the World Cup rolls around next month. Oh the life of a sports junkie!
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