Jazz's Corbin: We're sticking together
Published on Feb 11, 2011 03:38PM
Newly promoted Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin's first message to his team was simple and direct: We are sticking together.
Corbin spoke Friday morning with all 13 Utah players inside the team's locker room prior to a shootaround at Energy Solutions Arena, delaying the practice by about 10 minutes.
It was Corbin's first interaction with the Jazz following the unexpected resignation Thursday of longtime Utah coach Jerry Sloan and assistant Phil Johnson.
Corbin said that he wanted to remind the Jazz (31-23) that they are a strong, talented unit with playoff potential. And with a Western Conference contest tonight against a Phoenix (25-25) squad that has won four of its last five games, Utah does not have time to hit the pause button and look backward.
"It's status quo," said Corbin, who slept just two hours Thursday night while processing the news of Sloan's departure and his promotion. "We're a good team. We're expected to win. We've got to get back to work and we've got to get past this adjustment process as soon as we can. And they responded well to it."
The response was evident as soon as the Jazz emerged from the locker room and walked toward the court. All 13 players strode out together, while everyone from All-Star guard Deron Williams to rookie forward Jeremy Evans appeared upbeat and focused.
Forty-five minutes later, Williams addressed a series of questions about his relationship with Sloan and Corbin, and his belief in the struggling Jazz.
Williams did not initially know what to think when he learned of Sloan's resignation. But he praised the Hall of Fame coach's 23-year tenure with Utah.
"I'm sad to see him go," Williams said. "Especially in the middle of our season."
Then Williams attempted to clear up rumors and accusations that have surrounded his name since Sloan stepped down. Williams acknowledged having an argument with Sloan on Wednesday during halftime of a home loss to Chicago. But he stressed that he and his former coach had other disagreements before, and there is no way that one player could have singlehandedly pushed out the rock-like Sloan.
"Am I the reason that coach resigned? I highly doubt that," Williams said. "Never once did I say it's me or him. That never happened. I haven't even had a meeting with management this year so far. So, where all this stuff is coming from, I have no clue.
"I would be interested to see who the sources — I think that's what they call them — are. When I see one stand up in front of a camera or see who they are, then I'd be interested to talk about it."
Utah's captain and undisputed team leader again called out the national media, while acknowledging that he cannot control what the Jazz's passionate but divided fanbase thinks of him.
"If they believe ESPN and all these sources, then they can believe them,” Williams said. “If they want to believe coach Sloan and [general manager] Kevin O'Connor and Phil Johnson and me, then they can believe that."
Williams was more optimistic about his already-strong relationship with Corbin. The duo went to lunch Thursday afternoon after Corbin took over the Jazz, and Utah's new coach delivered another strong message to his premier player.
The Jazz will go as Williams goes, Corbin said. He is undeniably talented and has yet to enter the prime of his career. But for a Utah team dealing with key injuries while battling for a playoff seed to truly be united and committed, Williams must be focused and feel good about where the Jazz are headed in the short and long term.
"We need [him] to be with us with everything that's going on," Corbin said. "I want to communicate with him. I want to make sure he on the same page and we're on the same page, and we can have as much success as we can as a group. And I think he was receptive to it. And I think that he feel relaxed about it. And we'll see where we go from there."
Notes
Williams said that he received a call from Jazz chief executive officer Greg Miller early Thursday. The conversation occurred after Sloan's resignation but before Corbin accepted the job. … Jeff Hornacek said that he is interested in joining Corbin's staff as an assistant. He must first meet with Corbin and O'Connor, though. … Small forward C.J. Miles will start at shooting guard in place of Raja Bell (strained left calf). Corbin will go with Williams, Miles, Andrei Kirilenko, Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson as his starting five during his first game as Utah's coach. … Guard Ronnie Price (sprained right big toe) said that he will likely "play it smart" and sit out tonight's contest. … Center Francisco Elson (left knee inflammation) is a game-time decision.
— Brian T. Smith
