10 Game Streak!

The Jazz have won ten games in a row for the first time since 1999, and they are showing no signs of slowing down. Let's look at a few factors that have contributed to the Jazz's recent success...

1. The Kyle Korver trade. In my opinion, this was one of the best moves the Jazz have ever made. It has been compared to the trade that brought Jeff Hornacek to the Jazz in February of 1994 (coincidentally, he also came from the 76ers). Kyle is a pure shooter, and he is really starting to find his rythmn with the Jazz. In the last three games, he has scored an average of 20.3 points, including 27 in last night's overtime victory over the Denver Nuggets. He has become one of Utah's top scorers, and he has provided a solution to the difficulties the Jazz were having against the zone defense. Nice work, Kevin O’Connor!
   
2. Deron Williams' improved game. Deron has always been one of the best point guards in the league, but recently he has stepped up his game another level. Over the 10 game win-streak, he has averaged 18.4 points and 11.6 assists per game. He had back to back 29 point, 11 assist games agains New Orleans and Denver. And not only is he consistently putting up big numbers, but he is coming through when it is crucial. His 3-pointer at the end of the 4th quarter sent the game into overtime. Without that shot, the Jazz would have lost to the Nuggets and slipped from the top spot in the Northwest conference. I don't care what anyone says -- he IS an All-Star.
   
3. A balanced effort. The Jazz are playing more as a team. They are consistently getting high production from their bench, and usually have at least 8 players in double figures. Before, the Jazz were seen as a two man show: Williams and Boozer. So the way teams handled us was by packing the defense into the middle to shut down Boozer and force us to take outside shots. But now, with Korver, Okur, and Kirilenko shooting the jump shot so well, our opponents are no longer able to do that. Even when Boozer is having an off night -- which all players do, no matter how good they are -- the Jazz are able to compensate. Boozer has been held under 10 points twice during the win streak, but the Jazz have managed wins regardless.

Those are just a few of many reasons why the Jazz are the hottest team in the NBA right now. I hope all of those fair-weather Jazz fans who jumped off the band-wagon in December are feeling lame now. It will be fun to see how long they can keep this streak going!