Good health has turned the Utah Jazz from mere preseason contenders into the real thing.
Led by second-year point guard Deron Williams, the Jazz are 6-1 heading into tonight's game against the Los Angeles Clippers, who lead the Pacific Division at 5-1.
Williams, last season's third overall pick, has exploded onto the scene by averaging 17 points and 8.7 assists per game, while looking noticeably quicker and thinner than last season.
In a game against the Boston Celtics on Nov. 10, Williams scored 26 points and dished out 14 assists. The following night, he one-upped himself in both categories and helped the Jazz survive a 57-point barrage from the Milwaukee Bucks' Michael Redd by scoring 27 points to go with his 15 assists. In the Jazz's only loss of the season, a 96-89 decision against the New Jersey Nets on Wednesday, Williams didn't disappoint, scoring 14 and adding five assists.
But Williams isn't the only Jazz player to finally play up to his potential. Power forward Carlos Boozer struggled for two seasons after signing a six-year, $68 million contract. This year, however, the 24-year-old Boozer is averaging 21.9 points a game, along with 12 rebounds.
Versatile center Mehmet Okur, another player in whom the Jazz have invested a great deal of money, has also impressed so far this year, averaging just over 16 points a game. His ability to stretch the opposing team's defense with his shooting prowess hasn't stopped him from averaging over nine rebounds a game as well. In the Jazz's first two games - wins over the Golden State Warriors and Detroit Pistons - Okur reached double figures in rebounds on both occasions.
The third member of the front line, small forward Andrei Kirilenko, has struggled this season, averaging only 8.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. Kirilenko looks to be playing out of position at small forward, but because of his size and the length of his arms, he's still been able to average almost three blocks per game.
But Kirilenko's status is uncertain after he sprained his ankle in Saturday's win against the Bucks when he dove for a loose ball and tangled with Milwaukee's Ersan Ilyasova in the second quarter. But, as always, a silver lining exists: His absence should award natural swingman Matt Harpring with more minutes on the floor and build the Jazz's bench.
That bench features a perfect combination of youth and experience. Backup point guard Derek Fisher, now in his 10th season, has provided a spark off the bench with his leadership on the court. Youngster Ronnie Brewer, a 21-year-old rookie out of the University of Arkansas, is the heir apparent to shooting guard Gordon Giricek, who missed the past two games with a leg injury. If Giricek is out for an extended period of time, Brewer may have to step up sooner than expected.
If Utah can avoid serious injuries, it may be poised to win its first division title since 2000 during the Karl Malone/John Stockton era.
But it won't be easy for the Jazz to avoid the type of season-killing injuries that have plagued their stars in the past. Boozer has suffered from hamstring and toe injuries since he came to Utah (though he appears to be 100 percent now) and Kirilenko hasn't played a full 82-game season since his rookie year.
Jazz coach Jerry Sloan thinks this year's squad has what it takes. Even if injuries do set in, he's got more weapons in his arsenal this year, and the team's depth will help overcome any setbacks that may come its way. But in a division with the young, scrappy Portland Trailblazers and Carmelo Anthony's Denver Nuggets, anything can happen, and Sloan and company certainly have their work cut out for them.
