LogGrad98
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I was satisfied with the Malone/Stock finals years. Why? Because we finally put a team together that could actually compete for a title. We missed the boat on that one largely due to MJ and some mistakes, but we got there.
With the current team, and over the entire past decade, it just seems that the organizations focus has shifted entirely from competing to be a championship team to simply being happy we win more than lose.
I love watching the Jazz play. For the most part I really like our players (note: this does not mean I have to think they all walk on water, you can like a player and acknowledge his shortcomings at the same time, imagine that?). I do think Sloan is one of the best coaches in the NBA, easily top 10 if not top 5. And I do not expect a championship.
What I expect, as a fan and as someone who actively helps pay the player's salaries (8 years of season ticks and jerseys and merchandise...that is where the money comes from), I do expect them to at least TRY to compete. Obviously the system works for what it was intended, to help us win more games than we lose. But I would like to see them try something different when things go south for a while. I have always hated Sloan's mantra of "you have to play through it". How many times have we watched a 10-15 pt lead turn into a 10 pt deficit as he watches them "work their way through it" and does nothing to try to counter what is going on. Sloan is an engineer and a commander in a world where we need a tactician and strategist.
All I ask as a fan is to try something else when the time-worn is not working. Shake things up. At least put on the face that a Championship is our goal, and not just being a playoff team.
I am certain that is Deron's goal and that is why he will leave when he gets the chance.