Utah Jazz Tickets

The Utah Jazz are hanging tough in the middle of the pack in the Northwest Division and the Western Conference standings.

The Jazz are a good example of a team that just seems stuck where they are and simply doesn't have the players to get over the hump and be a true NBA title contender. That said, they are still penty good enough to be a mainstay in the Western Conference playoffs.

The team is led by point guard Deron Williams, who averages a double-double per game in scong and assists. He is one of the top point guards in the NBA and should be the leader of the Jazz for a long time to come.

The guy isn't the greatest outside shooter, but he uses his size well to get into the lane and finish strong. Williams and New Orleans Hornets star point guard Chris Paul seemed destined to face off and have many showdowns in the years to come.

Williams isn't the only player on the Jazz averaging a double-double per game, which is really impressive. Forward Carlos Boozer averages
19 points and 10 rebounds per game and is obviously their go-to player in the post.

Boozer has been called out for not being the greatest teammate and being prone to injury, but he is a pretty steady presence on the interior. The Jazz would be in a lot of trouble if they didn't have him sitting down on the low block.

Utah traded for shooting guard Kyle Korver last year, knowing they were in need of a real outside threat. He played well last year but has been a tremendous disappointment this season, averaging just over two points per game. His three-point shooting percentage is down significantly, and the Jazz are hurting for outside shooters.

Sadly, Andrei Kirilenko is their top outside shooter, knocking down just over 37 percent of the three-point shots he attempts. Kirilenko is much more well known for his defensive presence as a big-time shotblocker, but he has been the subject of controversy just like Boozer.

The Jazz aren't exceptionally deep, either. Wesley Williams is quite possibly their top player coming off of the bench, and Paul Millsap also provides some quality minutes. They traded away backup point guard Eric Maynor for some unknown reason, leaving them with little depth behind Williams.

If Utah wants to make another serious run at a Western Conference title, they are going to have to make a trade for a top-of-the-line three-point shooter. They need a player that can stretch defenses and open up the inside game for Boozer and Co. and also provide space for Williams to penetrate into. Right now, defenders can sag into the paint and take away the inside game and Williams' driving ability.

The Jazz have some quality players and will be in the thick of things in the Western Conference. Still, I see this team maybe reaching the second round before getting bounced out of the playoffs. They are simply a player or two short in what is a fiercely competitive conference.