2002-03 Jazz [7-3]

[jonthefon]

Utah Jazz



Dynasty Settings:

Difficulty: Superstar
Quarter Length: 11 Minutes
Sim Quarter Length: 12 Minutes
Roster: super_man322000, Seushiro and Scorer_20's 2002-2003 roster patch
Sliders: Custom
Season Length: 82
Playoff Format: 7-7-7-7

Dynasty Introduction:

Another year, another playoffs loss for the Utah Jazz.

Bundled out convincingly by a powerful Sacramento Kings side that would be just a single game away from the NBA Finals, questions have turned once more to Utah's mercurial point guard, John Stockton.

Stockton, a quiet and humble character has kept mum about his status ever since the Jazz season ended, but undoubtedly, when training camp opens, he will have to face the media.

Karl Malone, on the other hand, is freely expressing his opinion. A free agent at the end of this season, he confirmed that he would leave at the expiration of his contract if Stockton chose to retire.
"I've got my support behind John. If he decided that he's had enough after this year, I'm going to look towards a team with championship credentials. If he stays, I'll hang on with him over here for one more year so we can retire at the same time. True one-two combo, hey?" the Mailman told reporters.

We'll have to wait and see how this works out.

Roster:



I'm pretty tired and it's late at night, so a short start of it. I'll get to expanding it tomorrow.

Recap archive:

28-10-02: Utah Jazz at Chicago Bulls preview
28-10-02: Stockton dazzles Bulls as Jazz open season with win
30-10-02: Utah Jazz at Houston Rockets preview
30-10-02: Mailman leads from front as Jazz spoil Yao's debut with OT win
01-11-02: Harpring breaks out of slump, Jazz rally to win over 'Cats
03-11-02: Utah hold Cavaliers to just 61 points, win easily to go 4-0
05-11-02: Utah Jazz at Dallas Mavericks preview
05-11-02: Brilliant Nash leads Mavs to victory over the Jazz
07-11-02: Mavericks offence shines, tops Jazz to sweep two-game set
09-11-02: Utah Jazz at Sacramento Kings preview
09-11-02: Bibby's clutch seals Sacramento's narrow win
11-11-02: Utah Jazz at Minnesota Timberwolves preview
11-11-02: Influential Stockton marshals Jazz to victory
17-11-02: Los Angeles Lakers at Utah Jazz preview
17-11-02: Jazz shoot lights out, beat Lakers in statement game
18-11-02: Stockton-to-Malone: a blast from the past leads Jazz to victory

Articles:

Pg 1:
Stern raises eyebrows, hands Charlotte franchise two years early
Stockton to play for two more seasons
Division realignments complete; along with schedule
Kirilenko ready to shine in his second season
ESPN.com - Daily Dime 2002-2003 Preview Edition: Utah Jazz

[Lamrock]

I am intrigued. Can't wait tp see what comes next here.

[airBerlin]

Sounds like a nice concept!

[jonthefon]

Stern raises eyebrows, hands Charlotte franchise two years early

NEW YORK (AP) -- David Stern promised that the NBA would return to Charlotte shortly after agreeing to the deal that would move the Charlotte Hornets back over to New Orleans, the Big Easy.

Nobody knew it'd be so soon.

Stern raised eyebrows across the league when he announced that the Charlotte Bobcats would be Charlotte's new franchise, and would function by the start of the season.

With the 2002 NBA Draft already passed, the Bobcats will not have a high-quality draft pick to choose from, but will be given access to the expansion draft and priority to unrestricted free agents.


Stern addresses media at the press conference announcing the decision

Eyebrows were raised across the league at the decision: questions still remain over whether the Bobcats new stadium will be ready by opening night and whether people in Charlotte will come out to support their new team: unlike what had happened with the Hornets.
"Look, it's a really risky move. This could really damage basketball in Charlotte if they can't pull it off." an unnamed league GM told reporters.

As a result of the Bobcats' entrance into the league, plans for division realignment are in place. The New Orleans Hornets are likely candidates for a move over to the Western Conference.

[jonthefon]

Stockton to play for two more seasons

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- With training camp approaching, John Stockton decided that it was time to quell all the media attention.

At a press conference in Delta Center Monday, the future hall-of-fame point guard announced that he will continue playing until the end of the 2003-2004 season, unless circumstances intervene. From there, he said that it would be "highly unlikely" for him to continue on, even if the Jazz suddenly become championship contenders once again.


Stockton, the league's all-time leader in assists and steals, announced that he would play until the end of 2003-2004, a season longer than what most thought

It is likely that Stockton will be used much more sparingly, especially with a solid backup in Mark Jackson (third all-time in assists, behind Stockton and Magic Johnson) and a bunch of young talents looking in-DeShawn Stevenson, new signing Matt Harpring and talented Russian Andrei Kirilenko all expected to be important parts of this team.

"I feel that my mental and physical limits aren't going to go any further than the end of the 2004 season. That's how I'm going to settle it." Stockton told reporters.

"I've had a great career. I'd just like to spend my last couple of years mentoring the younger players, hopefully continuing to win."

[airBerlin]

Nice updates, it's been an enjoyable read.

[jonthefon]

Division realignments complete; along with schedule

NEW YORK CITY (AP) -- NBA officials completed their realignment of the team divisions, with only a couple of minor changes.

The newly-formed Charlotte Bobcats will join the Miami Heat, Orlando Magic, Washington Wizards and Atlanta Hawks in the new Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference.

To even out the scales between Eastern and Western teams, the New Orleans Hornets have made the shuffle out of the Central Division, as have the Toronto Raptors who will move to the Atlantic Division, joining the Celtics, Nets, Knicks and 76ers.

This leaves the Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks, Cleveland Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls as the remaining members of the Central Division.

In the Western Conference, the Midwest division has been split, with the Dallas Mavericks, the San Antonio Spurs, the Memphis Grizzlies and Houston Rockets moving into the newly-formed Southwest division, joined by the New Orleans Hornets, while the Utah Jazz, Minnesota Timberwolves and the Denver Nuggets join the Portland Trailblazers and Seattle Supersonics as part of the Northwest Division.

With both the Blazers and Supersonics removed, the Los Angeles Lakers, the Sacramento Kings, the Phoenix Suns, the Golden State Warriors and the LA Clippers make up the new Pacific Division.

Final Division Compositions for 2002-2003 NBA season:

Atlantic:

Boston Celtics
New Jersey Nets
New York Knicks
Philadelphia 76ers
Toronto Raptors

Central:

Chicago Bulls
Cleveland Cavaliers
Detroit Pistons
Indiana Pacers
Milwaukee Bucks

Southeast:

Atlanta Hawks
Charlotte Bobcats
Miami Heat
Orlando Magic
Washington Wizards

Northwest:

Denver Nuggets
Minnesota Timberwolves
Portland Trailblazers
Seattle Supersonics
Utah Jazz

Pacific:

Golden State Warriors
LA Clippers
LA Lakers
Phoenix Suns
Sacramento Kings

Southwest:

Dallas Mavericks
Houston Rockets
Memphis Grizzlies
New Orleans Hornets
San Antonio Spurs



I know some of this stuff is rather unnecessary, but better for it to be there just to ensure nobody is confused.

[Lamrock]

airBerlin has the Cats arriving 3 years late, and you have them two years early. Is an expansion draft going to be the new fad a la a storyline?

I am liking where this is going. Go Jizz!

[jonthefon]

lamrock, nah, it's just that Dynasty mode crashes without the Charlotte Bobcats (game designed for 30 teams), so nothing will work without the Bobcats. Plus I don't think you can implement the old division format into the game.

I think I'll just pass over the expansion draft: just give them a bunch of decent free agents (guys like Glen Rice, Lamond Murray, etc.) I'll try add the 03 draft class to the game, so the Bobcats have a great chance of getting LeBron.

This dynasty is aiming to last two seasons: basically, building up and then getting a good player in that deep, deep 03 draft class and hopefully compete for a championship.

[Lamrock]

Bold choice then going with the 82 game format. I recommend that you will be simtervening some of these games.

[airBerlin]

This is one of my favorite dynasties right now.

[jonthefon]

Of course, I'm still working on this thing: primarily, creating a season preview off an ESPN base, and figuring out a good format for a couple of articles (either my simple AP style or the Salt Lake Tribune).

[Clutch]

though i was never a huge Jazz fan thx to the MJ show, this is looking interesting; keep it up

[jonthefon]

Kirilenko ready to shine in his second season


Andrei Kirilenko has already established himself in Utah, but he says he can go further.

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Andrei Kirilenko launched himself into the NBA spotlight last year as an upstart 20-year-old, delighting Utah fans with his mix of exciting all-round basketball. By the end of the season, he had played in all 82 and had pushed himself into a starting spot.

There's absolutely no doubt about Kirilenko's talents: he's capable of making a spectacular block (last year, he claimed several high-profile victims), picking up the crumbs, give a slick outlet pass, run the floor, get the ball back and finish with a thunderous dunk. But despite his impressive rookie averages (10.7PPG, 4.9RPG, 1.4SPG, 1.9BPG), the man they're calling "AK47" has vowed to continue his improvements into this season.

"Last season was good start for me, but I know I can do better. I still have lot to learn, as NBA very different to Euroleague.", says Kirilenko in his broken English.
"And it's not only how game is played either. I still adapting to American lifestyle, learning rules. My teammates, they've been great helping me settle in. You know, telling me jokes, give me advice on life and on English."

"He has an unbelievable skill set: shoot, dunk, post up, man and help D, which is great since he can fit into our system and switch around easily." says Jerry Sloan, longtime coach of the Utah Jazz. Even as a strict practitioner of fundamentals (which has given him plenty of success: he's never missed the playoffs), he's excited by Kirilenko's potential.
"I think he could be one of our team leaders when John and Karl retire too. He's definitely the all-around type to achieve that."


There's plenty more where that came from. Kirilenko, seen here blocking San Antonio's Bruce Bowen will keep swatting shots all the way through his career.

In the Jazz pre-season opener against San Antonio, Kirilenko unleashed a series of rim-rattling jams, contested shots and throw behind-the-back and shovel passes. He left most of his teammates and even his opponents shaking his head.
"I've played against Andrei in Euroleague and his do-all mentality can make him a gamebreaker on both ends." the Spurs' second-year French guard, Tony Parker said afterwards.

The Jazz believe so too. The only worries they may have right now is whether they will be able to keep Kirilenko: his contract is due to expire at the end of the 2003-2004 season. However, they do have the expiring contracts of both Stockton and Malone off the boards by then, so the Jazz front-office is confident.

But for now, they're going to enjoy the ride.


One more? Kirilenko with a powerful jam past the Admiral.

[Cartar]

Very good article, nice read. So when season starts?

[jonthefon]

ESPN.com 2002-2003 Utah Jazz Season Preview

[airBerlin]

That's pretty cool!

[Martti.]

Damn, this is impressing. Excellent!

Will follow for sure. Not a big fan of the Stockton-Malone combo, but still, retro dynasties always attract my attention..

[Chaser7]

I really like the writeup, and it reminds me of what Kirilenko once was before he started to suck. Good luck, I'll be following

[Skills]

I like the season preview. Looks very realistic. I'll be following..
Take the Jazz to the Finals! ..and make them face the Bulls.

[jonthefon]

airBerlin, thanks

Martii, I've wanted to do a retro dynasty for ages, just had to wait until dragon released his awesome retro jersey set which makes the 02-03 Jazz look a ton better.

Chaser7, Kirilenko doesn't suck...he just doesn't shoot the ball so often anymore

Skillmatic, heh, the Bulls were awful in 02-03: Jay Williams, Jalen Rose, Marcus Fizer, Tyson Chandler and Eddy Curry

Anyway, got a full NBA season preview coming up before I start the regular season.

[Lamrock]

Holy shit, that was an awesome recap! I can't wait to see what is in store for the regular season. Use Big Greg to Osterize people!

[jonthefon]

(post deleted)

[Skills]

Lol it's gonna be funny to see how the Cavs and Nuggets do without LeBron and Melo. Nice recaps.

[airBerlin]

Ah, this is awesome. One of the better dynasties right now.
Do the Boston Celtics have J.R. Bremer in your game?